Years ago, my spiritual teacher was speaking to a large group when suddenly a man in the audience stood up and, with fury in his eyes, yelled, “Why do we have to listen to you? Why can’t any one else talk?”
My teacher’s answer was simple: The audience was there to hear a spiritual Master speak. What most impressed me though was what my teacher did.
As soon as the attack came in, my teacher didn’t back up or even stand his ground. Instead, he immediately moved toward the man. He moved all the way to the edge of the stage he stood on.
Through the years I have held this image as an ideal of how to meet challenges.
I want to be clear, though. My teacher was not attacking. He simply stepped into the experience.
This video by Mariela Georgieva illustrates what happens when we are willing to step in.
Thanks to Thomas Reidy for sending it my way.
I am speechless, having a profoundly emotive experience. Thank you for the opportunity to move into this space.
Thank you, Tim. I know what you mean. Each time I watch this and contemplate it I’m shaken to my very core. All adversity disappears–poof–in the face of the Beloved courage.
When I imagine him stepping to the edge of that stage I see that loving look in his eyes… Oh the message to come!
Woman’s initial charge at the wolf sent chills through me. Ahhh! YES!!!!
So true, Shabdarider, on both accounts. Chills all over. Thank you!
and it all just vaporizes….! profound! Thank You Lesley
Marvelous! Thank you for this dose of inspiration and courage!
I vividly remember the seminar with our Master when the event you reference occurred, though I had not thought of it recently. As so often for those of us blessed by His guidance, your comment fit perfectly into the considerations He has brought to my awareness these past few days. I am stepping forward to meet new – positive – experiences (I initially said challenges but that term contains a sense of reservation that is inappropriate). I am grateful for the outflow.
Niki, I’m happy you remember that moment. It has been very important to me. I also really appreciate your comment about the word “challenge,” which I use quite often. Even that word, as neutral as it is, still has a dual aspect. I am going to use “experience” now as well. I can feel the lightness even as I write this. So thank you for the viewpoint!
Yes, the courage to embrace unsettling encounters from a matrix of Love instead of knee-jerk fears is so up for all us these days. Your commentary and the video so beautifully remind us of what’s possible when we practice the Presence.
Thank you, Dan, yes, it is the knee-jerk reactions that get us into so much trouble and perpetuate our lower existence. Fortunately, we have Beloved inspiration to help us let go of those programmed responses.
How many encounters with “life” make us fearful…countless! Fear is definitively one of the greatest teachers in our human incarnations. Ultimately, we are most afraid of dying and this fear is ingrained in all of life. The video was a deep metaphor – the wolf is an illusion that simply disintegrates once faced head on. Now, if we consider that all life below Sat Desh is an illusion, just like the snarling beast in the video – then the “wolf” gets pretty big! Obviously, chelas have faced innumerable fears in their long saga in the lower worlds. It would be stupid of me to say “there is nothing to fear”. I have fear and anxiety before performing music, for example, even though I have played hundreds of concerts. What is so GREAT about fear is when we really do look at it head on, then step into the fearful situation AFTER having requested help and His Presence, it always is a big NOTHING (in my experience). Most important, however, is willingness to accept and relish HIS SWEET WILL. This last point I find most difficult when the outcome of the “fearful” encounter is over, because it might not be to my liking!
Al, I got goosebumps when I read your comment, mostly because you brought in His sweet will. Truly, the key to this “poof” factor of threats suddenly disappearing is surrendering the outcome. Once we do that we can bask in the love, and all “challenges” become like dandelion fluff, easily blown away.
Beautiful, Lesley.
Fear. It makes me smile as I reminisce about past fears that have snared and captured me in their “web of illusion.”
I have grown to respect those fears for the catapult they have been in my journey. Revealing themselves as stepping stones when they are addressed or “stepped into the experience.” When we move into and through our fears, as the wolf and female did in the video, we allow ourself to move into conscious creative energy and purposeful spiritual power with the Divine.
“Its all inside.” ~ Joy Olsen
So true, Deborah. When we step through the fear, we really do recover a massive amount of power, and, if we listen to the quiet voice within, the direction for what to do with that power also comes. So exciting is this journey! Blessings, dear soul.
Beautifully done piece… expressing that moment of change quite eloquently..with no words. No words necessary. Surrender.
Breathless! The Master set it up for all his chelas to see. Perfection in action, not reaction. We have nothing to fear because there are no enemies, either physical or conceptual, except the ones we accept. The clip is a powerful illustration of courage — stepping into the work or our lives, knowing we are enough, but coupling it with the esoteric truths is Masterful. Thank you, Lesley. So perfect!
So well said, Rudy, I have little to add. Nothing to fear. Yes!
Lesley, i really enjoyed this last post and it resonated with me in two ways. I have always like the video showed, gone right into the challenge whatever it was in my life. If it was an aggressive fight, i would be the first to go straight at it and do battle.If I had a problem of any kind i always felt like all the sports coaches say,”The best defense is an offense.” I love how you showed how the spiritual teacher moved towards the attack but not in an aggressive way but just in a way as to become one with the person who was questioning him in that way! I am learning how to transmute my past aggressive method of going into a battle head on and this channeling of yours really showed me how a True Master does it! Thank you for sharing this so much!
Thank you , Lesley. I didn’t get to watch this until tonight, the night I moved into a new part-time casita alone in Abq and the night before I start my new job. Although I’ve sought the Master’s will through the whole change, I was starting to doubt and get cold feet. Thanks for channeling the Beloved’s reassurance to me. I am truly grateful.
Marian, wow, congratulations. I knew you had been looking for change in your work and it sounds as though you found it. I will look forward to hearing about your courageous journey in this new part of your life. I watched that video many times and each one gave me yet more courage to step in.
Thank you, Lesley, for posting that video. It’s perfect timing for me (I just got coldly dismissed from my present job, and it will be the first time that i don’t have a job; and won’t be bringing in money to support the family. So, I’m having to face lots of fears. But, I can feel a hint of freedom. That’s going to be really nice!)
I can’t wait to show this video to my two daughters!
Thanks, again.
Neat photo, too !
Bob, congratulations on your new freedom. I say that rather than condolences because obviously the Divine has something better for you. When my jobs fell apart two years ago I too felt adrift, but now my life is much better, so much more in tune with who I am. I sensed you never liked your job, so maybe you exhausted your karma with it and now can draw in something more nurturing.
And yes, that video would be great for your daughters. I hope they enjoy it! Blessings, dear soul.