It is something that appears in her soul-full eyes. It is unmistakable: an awakening to an idea, a question, that has just blossomed and has been received; a question of the heart and soul has been engaged. When such an experience occurs, our automatic, if not obsessive, habit of answering is suspended. In its place a combination of wonder, mystery, excitement and curiosity moves us to a deeper search. I love these moments; fleeting though they are. During this sacred moment in time, I am no longer the agitated person who ruminates about the past and anticipates the future; I am calm, I am present to myself and to my friend. Now, at this moment, immersed in the light of an awakening to an idea that engenders deep questioning, a questioning shared not by an ‘I’ but by a ‘We,’ emerges, is embraced and is honored. During this time we do not need anything from one another except being open to sharing an experience of deep inquiry. A gift is a deeper connection to self and to the other. A gift is that we are each more awake and aware, if just a little, to the sacredness of the moment. A gift is that we are not concerned about ‘finding’ for engaging and holding the question in an attitude of searching together has become our ‘destination.’ At this moment we are fully human beings.
For 12 years now, my friend and I have been engaging in searching conversations. These conversations can, and do, last for hours. Sometimes we have a topic, most of the time we show up and begin. No rushing ‘to find.’ No product. No outcome. No fear of the silence that supports our search. I am convinced that because we have chosen to stop, step-back and take the time to search together we re-enter renewed; we re-enter remembering that we are not any being; we remember that we are fully human beings. Our nature is to search and to seek. Our nature is rooted in curiosity and mystery. Our nature requires relationship. We are reminded that as human beings, in the end all that matters is love and friendship. Every great wisdom tradition reminds us, indeed admonishes us, to love the other human being as you want to be loved. Every great wisdom tradition also reminds us that no person is an island; we are truly in this together.
I hold an intention, dear reader, that if you have not experienced this type of searching conversation fed by the tap roots of love and friendship that you search until you have the experience; I hold an intention that if you have had this experience that you continue to find opportunities to once again engage in and savor such conversations.
Searcher-Seeker 