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LOOK BEYOND THE SURFACE

An exerpt from “The Awakening – Discovering Your Spiritual Path” and author’s commentary.

“What is a window, but a window? Is it not that which exists on the other side of the window that is of interest? If you were to gaze upon the window of an imposing mansion, you would see but a pane of glass reflecting your own image and that which physically surrounds you.”

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This meditational text is telling us to look beyond the superficial in any situation. Shallowness is a disease of modern society. So many people are swayed by outward appearances. If someone is wearing expensive clothes, they must be rich. If  someone can mutter a few lines from Shakespeare, they must be intelligent and well-read. If someone is brash and full of confidence, they must be experts at what they are doing. Well, it’s not necessarily so!

We are being advized to look deeper – often the surface is just a facade.

This also applies to the concept of love. Often the search for love doesn’t really involve love at all. People can choose to become partners simply as a matter of convenience – psychological or financial.

I remember a man, following his engagement, telling me his future bride earned more money than him and owned two houses. He never once mentioned that she was beautiful, loving, fun to be with and she meant the world to him. He didn’t take the time, or wasn’t interested in looking through the window. Fulfillment requires more than just comfort and convenience.

People often don’t look through the window of their own feelings either. They don’t have a clue where their feelings or thoughts are coming from, or even exactly why they are thinking or feeling the way they are.

This can lead to irrational responses such as taking an instant dislike to someone you’ve never even met, let alone ever talked to.

There’s a trigger back there in the subconcious somewhere saying “This person is a threat”. If you aware of your mind and how it drives you, you can avoid many irrational responses.

Even so, don’t overlook “gut feeling”. Sometimes we pick up small warning signals that really are relevant.

Try to look beyond the surface, both in people and situations.

When you feel anxious or uncomfortable, try to examine what you are thinking. Is it irrational, negative self-talk? If not, then pay close attention to your intuition – it’s meaningful, and its origin is often spiritual.

Bruce Donald Gilham

http://www.eloquentbooks.com/TheAwakening-DiscoveringYourSpiritualPath.html

http://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Discovering-Your-Spiritual-Path/dp/1608602087