Gentle Reader, you might recall that I am, among others things, a ‘random intuitive.’ I trust my intuition – especially when I am in my role as ‘depth-educator.’ In addition, when I think, my mind moves between and among many diverse thoughts. As I was reflecting upon a topic for today I found that my mind kept emerging a variety of seeds that could be nurtured from being dormant to being life-full. I found that I was stuck. So I decided to share a few of the ‘Random Reflections’ that emerged into my consciousness these past few hours.
ROADS: Robert Frost wrote about the ‘road not taken.’ Scott Peck wrote about the ‘road less traveled.’ Susheela Raman asks, ‘how many roads have I wondered?’ Kenny Loggins wonders, ‘how many roads have gone by?’ Marc Cohn wants to know ‘how many roads you’ve traveled.’
I am asking myself: ‘How many roads have I surveyed and then traveled during my life-time?’ ‘How often have I chosen the ‘road not taken’ and how many times have I chosen the ‘road less traveled’ and how many roads have I ‘wondered’ about and dismissed?’ ‘How often have I chosen to follow the well-worn road that others have taken before me believing (hoping?) that it is a ‘safe’ and ‘predictable’ road?’ ‘If I continue on the road I am on at this time in my life, where will I end up?’
DIAMONDS: During one of my trips to The Netherlands I had the opportunity and privilege of visiting a diamond cutter. My host wanted me to experience a ‘man full of patience.’ To this day I have never been in the presence of a person as relaxed as was this Diamond Cutter. Prior to cutting the diamond, the cutter would spend as much time as he needed in order to ‘look at the diamond.’ He would also spend as much time as he needed in order to ‘hold the diamond’ and ‘feel it.’ No hurry sickness here. No being trapped by busyness. No addiction to speed.
He told me that he held no expectations for the diamond. He also said that he had no ‘attachments.’ He did not imagine the diamond that he wanted. Rather, he came to see the diamond that was possible. Once he ‘saw’ the diamond that was possible then he cut the diamond so that the ‘possible’ became ‘real.’
He told me a story. A budding diamond cutter sought out a master diamond cutter and told him that he wanted to learn from him. The master said that he would help only if the young person would do exactly as directed. The young person agreed. The master prepared a room. When the young person entered he saw a lamp and a comfortable chair. The master invited the young person to sit in the chair and ‘get comfortable.’
After the young person settled in, the master gave him a diamond and said, ‘I will be back in seven hours.’ At the end of the seven hours the master showed up, took the diamond and said, ‘I will see you tomorrow morning at the same time.’ Every day for fourteen days the same pattern was repeated. By this time, the young person was becoming, shall we say, irritated.
On the fifteenth day, the master brought in a tray of six diamonds. He handed them to the young person. The master turned to leave. The young person yelled out, Stop! He continued, I have been sitting here fourteen days just looking at different diamonds. Today, you want me to look at six of them and four of them are fake!’ The master smiled the smile of the wise and said, ‘Now you are ready for step two.’
I love this teaching story.
I had more ‘Random Reflections’ but these will have to suffice for today.