As a travel writer, one of my duties has been to rate accommodations. Of course I have an ideal against which I measure all. These hotels or resorts possess a five-star ambiance. A room in such a place might have thick Persian rugs on maple floors, gold tile in the Jacuzzi bath and silk bed covers over 2,000-thread-count sheets.
A bottle of French wine and an array of sushi await me. I pour a glass and head to the balcony, where a turquoise sea stretches to a limitless sky. I sit and sip the nectar, experiencing the refinement surrounding me, the quiet lapping of waves, the sweet scent of bougainvillea. My whole being settles into this elevated ambiance.
And such is my true work daily, to create and sustain a five-star ambiance within my inner temple.
When I stay at a fine hotel I always know the refinement of the room will carry through my whole experience at that place. During the day I might play on a pearly beach and swim in crystalline water. At night, I might sit on a cushy banko and watch the sun blaze scarlet into the sea, while I feast on grilled halibut with roasted root vegetables and broccolini, followed by chocolate mousse cake. Every detail is colored by that quiet, luxurious feeling. For more on this, see I Am Love.
And so does the ambiance of my inner temple permeate—create—all of my experience. I can go to great lengths to set up a five-star inner accommodation—fast, chant or be silent, recite affirmations, think positive thoughts, read inspiring books. But the truly elegant and lasting atmosphere is created when I reside with my Beloved. I work and play with the Source, eat and sleep with It. And thus, It permeates all, allowing me to bask in the love that I truly am.
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Beautiful! Love the inner 5-star ambiance with the Divine!
Me too, Debra. Truly it is the ONLY place to “stay.”
The 5-star inner ambiance… you just helped me to worship more of my inner temple and to embrace more of the love that I am, Lesley Ji!
Such glowing radiance comes from this idea, Lesley. Reminds me of a tape I listen to occasionally, “Letting Yourself Have It.” We spend a lifetime feeling unworthy of such accommodations, such luxury, and yet not only are we worthy, it all lies at our fingertips. This principle is the perfect upaya for a glorious contemplation. Thank you for another hint to the grand puzzle.
Rudy, thank you for noting that about the “luxury.” This post felt a little dangerous to write because so often spirituality is aligned with austerity. But truly, when I am centered in the Love, it feels completely posh, rich, luxurious. I smile broadly and tingle all over. Truly it is about “letting ourselves have it.” Blessings to you, dear soul.
You have been…and are graced! You deserve it, too!! Thanks for your thoughtful and difficult work on the web, touching hearts all over the place with your frankness and clarity. INH, all the way!
Thanks back to you, Al, you troubadour of soul, touching hearts with your music. I so appreciate you joining in and bringing your “music” here.
I love this analogy…it will linger and inspire.
Blessings…
Love the analogy. Thank you Lesley once again for masterfully associating the resounding Shabda into all that we are and experience. The inner journey is adorned with the amount of love and devotion poured into it and your’s is exquisite. No matter where we travel on the outer it is the inner that truly takes us home.
Thank you, Joan and Deborah for your kind words about this metaphor. It is beautiful how the Divine teaches us through our unique experiences. And Deborah that is beautiful what you say, worth repeating: No matter where we travel on the outer it is the inner that truly takes us home.
Lesley I also love this analogy of creating a five-star ambiance within my inner temple! You have used what you know, the joy of traveling the pinda world at five-star resorts and helped me to see how I am also the creator of my own inner world and can and must create my own ambiance in my inner temple! I was just outside working in the garden this morning being at one with the Master and the soil and plants and feeling such a connection that I have never known before to the Divine. Then reading your post this morning, your writing just permeated my consciousness with it’s incredible channeling power, just at the perfect time! Grazie!
Michael, I’m so happy to hear about your growing sense of love and oneness. It is amazing how we are moved along on our Path. Our capacity to receive just grows and grows. Thank you for making this a part of your journey.