What I Found in the NoThingness
As I tried to change my Facebook cover this morning, something went – well – seemingly, wrong. I was trying to post something profound and comforting in response to the 911 anniversary, and my Cover went completely black. An error message came up, and both my previous photo and the ones I was trying to add were gone. I was using my phone to access my page, and nothing seemed to work. My FB cover would show Nothing until I was able to get to my computer and an internet connection.
However, it was in this apparent mishap that something profound was actually revealed to me. While my FB Cover was showing Nothing, I realized that it is in the NoThingness that we find the SomeThingness that makes all the difference. The Truth is, there is no statement, no picture, no words to convey that make sense of what happened here in the US on 911. But in the NoThingness, we find the SomeThingness, the All-ness that makes sense of EveryThing. We find our connection with our Source, the Essence of Life that breathes us into existence.
Life, in its wholeness and in its Source is eternal; growing, multiplying, and being continuously fruitful. In our humanness, wholeness is not always what we see, or feel, or express. Attached to the things of life more than that which breathes life into existence, many experiences seem fruitless, pointless, and even downright evil. But in the NoThingness, the Breath of Life appears, and suddenly, there is no separation between you, and me, and all that is. In the NoThingness, we find the SomeThingness that makes sense of EveryThing.
Once this Truth was revealed to me, I was able to post the quote I had planned for my FB Cover this morning.
“May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may my thoughts, words, and actions contribute in some way to happiness and freedom for all.”
~ Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
Although the words do not make sense of the nonsensical, nor do they replace the sense of security that was lost that day, they do tell us the consciousness we need to hold to make our world a place that more fully expresses the All-ness that gives us life. This is the consciousness that will help us co-create a world that works for and honors the SomeThingness in All.
© 2019. Eileen Patra
“More precious than jewels,” is the noble woman according to the Book of Proverbs. But, in a previous chapter, the same writer tells us that “Wisdom” is more precious than jewels. Wisdom, also named Sophia in ancient texts, is the feminine aspect of the Divine, so desiring to know God that she gave birth to humankind. She is the Divine Mother, whispering pearls of wisdom and often personified by the mother figures and nurturers in our lives.
In this wondrous time of year, we witness the wonders of the first snow fall, of holiday lights and decorations, the glitter, the activity of giving, the excitement of children as they anticipate visits from Santa and extra days off from school. We hear the sounds of familiar carols playing in stores and churches and on car radios. And perhaps we hear these familiar words, “Star of Wonder, Star of Night, … guide us to thy perfect Light.” It is a song describing the journey of the Magi following a great and mysterious Light to the birth of the Christ, a sacred and glorious event in the story of humankind.
MOVEMENT is the activity of continuous motion, miraculously at work at all times. Nothing is ever not moving. Nothing is ever truly static. Though it may seem at times that nothing is happening, we are breathing, the planet we stand upon is moving, the universe is continuously expanding, everything in fact is moving all of the time. That this occurs is more fact than miracle but the awareness of MOVEMENT in what seems to be static is miraculous indeed. When it seems that nothing will change, that the things of the world are too big, too cumbersome, outside of our control; we would do well to tune into this activity, for it is Spirit that continuously moves through us. Stepping into an awareness of the movement of Spirit within us reminds us that there is no “thing” more powerful than the power of God within us. Remembering that everything is always in motion reminds us that change, evolution and transcendence are always at hand. It reminds us that all things of matter are transient, impermanent. What is permanent and unchanging is God and our awareness of our oneness in the Source of all that lives, moves and has being. That is powerful and miraculous indeed.
BREATH, the air that is inhaled and exhaled is evidence of the miraculous interconnectedness of all life. The BREATH I hold in this moment, is the breath you exhaled only moments before. The BREATH I release will soon be held be another. BREATH and Spirit are synonymous, both having the same meaning and origins. The first BREATH is the BREATH of God and we each continue to draw in and release the original BREATH. We are one with God, one with all that is, in a continuous exchange of the invisible substance of Spirit. God BREATHES through me and God BREATHES through you. BREATH is Spirit moving, creating, blessing, cleansing, renewing and revitalizing. This is a miracle of Life and all I have to do to experience it is BREATHE.
The BIBLE is a sacred text with miraculous qualities that are often missed when focused only on the words on the page. The miracle of the BIBLE is that the Word of God permeates every copy, every edition, every version in a way that transcends the translation errors, the political manipulations of the text, and even the consciousness of its human authors. You see, the “Word” is not the words on the page. It never has been. Rather it is the very Idea in the Mind of God that reaches through the text to the mind and heart of those who read it with the pure intention to commune with God. The mistake that is often made is to believe that another can tell you the absolute meaning of a passage. Although this can be very helpful, and there are those with great wisdom who connect with God through their own readings, the Truest message from God comes through when one sets the intention to be with God and allow the “Word” that is without syllables, translation, or text to be transmitted in their heart. 
FEAR is not usually considered a miracle. Yet, FEAR has two very different sides or characteristics. There is the FEAR generated by the ego and fueled by outer conditions, past experiences and the collective stream of FEAR consciousness. This FEAR is destructive, immobilizing and is a very long way from what one might consider a miracle. But there is another side to FEAR. FEAR in its intended expression is the voice of inner guidance, intuition. It is a higher awareness calling out and keeping us from walking into the path of an approaching train or speeding vehicle. This FEAR moves us gently out of harm’s way and reminds us to seek inner guidance. It reminds us that we are never alone and that peace and harmony are just one thought, one dimension away. This FEAR reminds us to close our eyes to appearances, close our ears to resounding gongs and clanging symbols, and seek the shelter of Divine Love where wisdom speaks with clarity, harmony and oneness.
Eileen Patra 