Namasté, My Creator,
What is it that will happen today – to me, for me; with me and against me? Will I manage, will I thrive? Or, will I struggle and fall?
Ray: Dear dHarma, there is something along these lines that I wish to ask you, and discuss.
dHarma: Of course.
Ray: Some of the language and images of the struggle and suffering of life, and the discovery of a peace that can abate that suffering – well, sometimes, I think it all seems just too fluffy. I mean, I remember when I was deep in the throes of my prison of suffering; some of this language felt even mocking. Things like – “life and struggles ebb and flow,” and “the changes in our life are like the seasons,” and “you just need to choose different thoughts about the struggles in your life.”
dHarma (nodding): And, your question?
Ray: Well, now I more easily see things in those terms. I think I understand better. I guess my question has two parts – first, is there a better way to communicate what it’s like to someone who’s stuck deep on the other side? And second, how is it that I got here – that I was someone stuck deep on the other side, who didn’t get these ideas of freedom and peace for my spirit; and, now I do? How did I change? What worked; what happened?
dHarma: What great questions, Ray? So to answer the first part of your question – it is a fundamental challenge to communicate, as you describe it, “What it’s like on the other side,” to someone stuck deep in doubt and hopelessness. But, it’s not because of some defect in your description. It’s because, in general, peace and salvation of any kind are unimaginable from that stuck place.
All healers face the challenge of connecting and communicating their understanding of the dark, stuck side; but, they also encourage, by shining the Story of Light and Hope.
We all talk about human suffering, because we know it. But, we also talk about love and connection, and peace from suffering. Buddha described enlightenment, Jesus talked about Heaven. Gandhi shared his vision of a united, free India; Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream, and shared it with the world.
Even a fitness trainer shares the visions of what life could be like; will be like, as a person moves toward health and wellness.
The only way to help someone believe in the dreams that are possible for them is to help them see it. And, that means living and being our own dreams, and our own best, authentic self.
Sure, it can frustrate a person at times, where they think, “It’s not fair! I can’t have that!” But, that’s exactly the thinking they can change to get to the other side.
That’s what you did. You didn’t even know how much you wanted that change. But, you kept putting yourself in the position to hear stories of hope and salvation – stories from The Bright Side.
Sure, they frustrated you. But, they also encouraged you; and, each one brought you closer to the border between the dark and the light.
For you, there wasn’t one moment of stepping from darkness to light. It was more like you looked around and just noticed that things were lighter. Yay, you!
How about a prompt for you today?
Think about one of the stories you know from The Bright Side. Take a moment to really relax, and then immerse yourself in that story. See yourself surrounded by that Light, that Peace.
Hold onto that – It’s waiting for you!
Blessings and Thanks, dHarma! Ever Onward!
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