This is a meditation on healing the sense of otherness by knowing that there is no other.
Look around and find somewhere that you can see some light and some shadow.
See the way that they touch,
That they interact.
Now go ahead and close your eyes and be aware that the light and the shadow are still there.
The objects that are interacting with the light to cause the shadows are still exactly what they were.
With our eyes closed,
We can ignore which side is enlightened and which side is in darkness.
And be more aware of the object itself,
Of its inherent qualities.
That's exactly what we're doing as we're healing this notion of otherness.
Because depending on how the lighting is configured,
There's a side that's illuminated and a side that's in shadow.
As we assign motive or value,
We can say that the shadowy side is less valuable than the lighted side.
Or because it's exposed to so much light and sun and heat that the lighted side is somehow less preferable to the one that's in the comfortable shade.
These are simply opinions.
These are simply ideas of separation and difference.
What we get to do in this meditation is turn our attention away from the difference and allow ourselves to be aware of the commonality.
There is one.
And we can allow the healing to happen as our awareness of the difference remains.
But the significance becomes much less important.
Take a deep breath in.
And let it go.
And another deep breath in.
And again let it go.
Let your breathing continue in an even cadence.
When I talk to chefs or watch a cooking show on TV,
One of the things that they often point out is that some foods have no flavor because they've got no spice.
Uniformly they'll say,
Give it some salt and give it some pepper.
It's easy to identify the salt and the pepper as being heroic,
As being that which makes the difference between something that's bland and uninteresting and something that's exciting.
The salt and the pepper are not the heroes.
The salt and the pepper simply bring out the inherent value of what was already there.
So in this time that we spend together in the quiet,
Let us allow our differences to be the seasoning,
The salt and the pepper,
To bring out the characteristics that are already present.
There is one.
There is one.
And each of us individually,
As we bring our unique perspectives,
Are the seasoning that allow the texture and the flavor to be brought out and amplified.
So as you breathe in,
Breathe in the awareness that there is one.
And as you breathe out,
Be aware of how each of us individually,
Each culture,
Each ethnicity,
Each background,
Each perspective,
And each individual,
Bring some richness.
It's the flavor and texture of who we are together.
It's not a bland sameness.
It's a texture that's woven from all of us.
Breathe in the awareness that we are all one.
Breathe out and settle into the knowing that the healing is the recognition that the differences between us are bringing more richness to all of us collectively.
Let's take that into the quiet together.
Breathe in the awareness that we are one.
Breathe out and relax into the knowledge that each brings our own unique spice or flavor.
Let's take that into the quiet together.
Breathe in the awareness that we are one.
Breathe out and relax into the knowledge that each of us is bringing our own unique spice and flavor.
Let's take that into the quiet together.
Breathe in the awareness that we are all one.
Breathe out and relax into the knowledge that each of us is bringing our own unique spice or flavor.
Let's take that into the quiet together.
Breathe in the awareness that each of us is bringing our own unique spice or flavor.
Let's take that into the quiet together.
Breathe in the awareness that each of us is bringing our own unique spice or flavor.
Let's take that into the quiet together.
Breathe in the awareness that each of us is bringing our own unique spice or flavor.
Let's take that into the quiet together.
Breathe in the awareness that each of us is bringing our own unique spice or flavor.
Let this healing be the transformation from fear of otherness to the celebration of otherness.
Instead of running away from that which is not like me,
I have the opportunity to enjoy the richness and the texture and the flavor and the nuance that comes from something which isn't just like me.
There's one power and presence,
One infinite intelligence that creates everything.
Everything includes galaxies and mosquitoes.
It includes mountain ranges and oysters.
Everything everywhere is part of this one creation.
And the richness of creation shows up in so many,
Many different ways.
Each aspect brings something different to the table.
Whether it's something that I enjoy,
Like gazing on or hiking in a mountain range,
Or something that I personally dislike,
Like mosquitoes,
This rich diversity that is creation is a sharing of energy and substance in so many rich,
Different ways that as it recombines and moves back upon itself creates all of these rich,
Different experiences and opportunities and invitations.
So as we step beyond our fear and concern and comfort zone of sameness and embrace the possibility of the diversity that surrounds us,
We can know that love is unfolding.
Good is unfolding.
Joy is unfolding.
And happy circumstances are being revealed for each of us individually and for all of us together.
This is the way that goodness reveals itself,
That life evolves.
The experiences that each of us are having of otherness being an experience of joy,
Inviting additional experiences of joy.
And more and more and more as it continues to build upon itself,
We make the pivot from seeing otherness as a shadow to seeing otherness as being that bright light of love.
This is the good that's unfolding.
I am so grateful for it.
I'm grateful for the healing,
Which is not fixing a problem.
There is no problem.
The problem is the fear of the difference.
The healing is the celebration of the difference.
The differences do not have to change at all.
So this cascade is now underway.
And it continues to be more profound and deeper and more rewarding and enriching for each of us individually and for all of us together.
We have the opportunity to find new experiences to extend our comfort zone.
Extending our comfort zone isn't about living on the scary edge.
It's about being more comfortable in a larger area,
Under more circumstances and in a broader variety of situation.
That's the good that's unfolding now.
And for this,
I am tremendously grateful.
Grateful for the love that's unfolding.
Grateful for the new experiences that are being revealed.
Grateful for the willingness of each one within the sound of my voice to take part in this expansive new experience.
So with gratitude for this good and more,
I speak this word and I release it to the same creative law which has been active since creation began.
And I know without question,
Doubt or hesitation that this is already underway.
And so it is.
Amen.
Take a deep and intentional breath and let it go.
Return your attention to your body.
Bring some gentle movement to your fingers and toes.
And as you're ready,
Bring your full awareness back to the world around you.
Namaste.
You.
