In the next part of our study together,
Which is really talk number six,
We're going to look at this idea that freedom,
The kind of freedom that we want,
Begins with remembering to put first things first.
We alluded to this idea in the very last talk we had,
The importance of being able to remember what's the most important thing to remember in any given moment,
And it always begins with understanding that we are first and foremost meant to be an interior human being that relates to the exterior world as opposed to the conditions unfolding around us determining what we experience inwardly.
So how do we begin this process?
What's involved?
And the material that we're about to cover will strengthen all of this in us so that we can put first things first.
So I have a little story I want to tell you.
A man,
A father,
Had come upstairs and into his young daughter's room for a very distinct purpose because over the last few months he had been watching her as she basically let her room go crazy.
Her collection of stuffed animals,
All the games,
All of it spread crazy across the floor.
He hoped that she would be able of herself to see that there was conflict and confusion living in something like that,
But it hadn't happened so he went up and said to her as he stood there kind of finding a place to stand in the pile of cuddly little creatures that were thrown around the room and that were overflowing her toy chest he looked at her and said,
Really?
And she got the message immediately she said I'm sorry dad I I'll put everything away I promise.
Now he smiled at her to encourage that response and said you know sweetheart what would you think of I don't know donating some of your older stuffed toys to the local children's hospital wouldn't that be a nice thing to do?
And she thought about it for a moment or two and while he could see that reaching such a momentous decision was a struggle for her she finally said I I guess so daddy I I guess that would be alright with me.
He said good girl you know what then let's go through and see what you've got here that can go and what should stay what do you think?
Okay she said.
About 15 minutes later the two of them had just about dug through to the very bottom of her toy chest when something caught his eye and reaching down through the few remaining toys he pulled out a worn looking small stuffed owl that had obviously been long adored but also seemingly forgotten given where it was in the toy chest and it was one of those little motion activated dolls that speaks whenever it's picked up and as he did so it gave him a little start when it said who do you love most of all?
And they both laughed out loud sharing the surprise of hearing this little toy stuffed owls funny recorded voice and then sensing the opportunity to teach his daughter a very special lesson he turned to her and said sweetheart what was the name that you gave to this little stuffed owl?
She was smiling when she said remember daddy I called him Solomon that's his name isn't he the cutest thing you've ever seen?
And she reached up to take it from her father's hand but he withheld it for a moment asking you know seems I kind of remember you telling me more than once that Solomon here was your very favorite stuffed animal or do I have that wrong?
I mean am I mistaken?
And he was asking because he knew that the way he asked the question would have an impact on her I guess that's not true anymore he said oh no oh no daddy I do I love Solomon most of all she said but I but I and then she kind of came to a stop and he watched as her young mind struggled to resolve the contradiction in not just the recent actions but where everything had been placed which was exactly the effect he'd hoped to be achieved by his last question but what little one he asked what do you want to tell me?
And she said looking up at him with those contrite eyes that only a small child has I guess daddy I guess I must have forgotten him.
Acting as if he was going through the same process of discovery with her he asked now isn't that strange how do you suppose that you forgot all about your favorite little owl Solomon and how much you love him?
She opened her eyes real wide like she always did whenever she was puzzled by something and then looked up at her dad and knowing that he was about to help her see something she kind of got quiet and waited with an unspoken question in her eyes and indicated that she was willing to listen if he would continue.
He got the message and he continued.
Could it be that the reason that you have forgotten how much you love Solomon is because you'd covered him up with so many other things that you don't love anymore that you forgot he even exists.
His words had just the impact a gentle impact that he hoped they would have when a moment later she said to him oh no no no that's not right is it daddy that's not gonna do and he smiled to encourage her realization no he said it won't.
Now what do you think we can do so that you never again forget your beloved Solomon?
She looked at him big smile came across her face sensing the truth of everything that she was seeing in that moment and said when I put my toys away each night which I promised to do before I go to sleep she said I must remember to put Solomon on the very top of all of them so that he's never out of sight and she looked up at her daddy to see if that was what he was expecting and he smiled and nodded and said yes darling that's exactly right.
Take a nice deep breath.
We have no greater friend in life than that small part of us that loves what is true and the more we're able to recognize this spiritual fact and act consistently to honor it the more this same love is awakened within us gracing us with its timeless beauty stillness and even the power of a certain presence that can't be described by the mind but that can be held effortlessly within it and this kind of remembrance is critical but it is easier said than done isn't it?
If you're an aspirant you know as well as I do that there are many moments hopefully every single day where you realize everything that you thought was important had covered up what was truly important to you in your life.
Being present.
Everything starts there because being present is the same as living in the presence within yourself that allows you to be awake and aware and conscious of all that you are doing and saying and that brings us to the last part of our study together which will be our seventh talk because we're not talking about just the fact that each and every one of us is undergoing a special kind of spiritual training because we are that is if we agree to it but that this kind of preparation this training this work to remember is as unending as we are willing to be in our wish and in our work to awaken and remain awake to our relationship with the indwelling divine.
That takes a special work,
A special persistence,
And a special patience as we're about to see in our last talk.
