Finding Yourself

In our self-help culture much is said about "finding yourself".

Recently, I have been visited by the image of a baby lying upon it's back and discovering it's own foot. Most know the look of surprise that beams upon their face. The way they shake with delight reveals the joy they feel at their new found discovery. It is a vision of total experience. There is no separation between body and mind. You would wonder that the foot is equally ecstatic, that it has found a smiling face.

This is one of the images that has begun to represent enlightenment to me. Rather than some deeply intellectual, theological or philosophical concept, it invites experiencing enlightenment as a profound experience of simply being wholly present and aware in the moment. Instead of an arduous pilgrimage to a sacred mountain, enlightenment is revealed as an opening of our heart, mind and soul to the ever present miracle of life. By surrendering the rigidity of our sophisticated adult filters of dogma, belief systems, and science, we can return to the supple, flexibility of our innocence.

Ways to reclaim your innocence.

1. Open yourself to your senses. If you find yourself confused or ungrounded, take notice of the smells around you, feel the textures within your reach, let in the feel of the earth below your feet and the sky above.

2. Laugh more. Research shows that daily children laugh 300 to 400 times while adults laugh on average a mere 10 to 15 times. Improve your average !

3. Follow the example of infants and small children in letting your feelings be expressed immediately, easily and without judgment. When emotions follow their natural course they are short lived and appropriate to the moment. They leave you refreshed and available to experience the next moment.

4. Remain hopeful. If you begin each day with an open heart unencumbered by excessive expectations you will be more available to a process of discovery. You will experience life's events as a gift.

5. Accept that you don't know what is going to happen. View your life as a wondrous mystery that is unfolding. Quit demanding to know the end of story before it is revealed.

6. Love unconditionally. Realize that love is an inexhaustible energy in the universe to be given freely. By allowing love to flow generously through you, you experience love generously.

7. Create playfully. You can refuse to allow work to be a drudgery. Look for the joy in any moment. Even when working strenuously, you can enjoy the movement of your body, the challenge of the task to the mind and the absurdity of taking life too seriously.

One scripture, the Book of Matthew says, "......unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." The Book of David says, "You are only a child for a short time. You are an adult forever. So, act accordingly ! Take naps, have recess and play with your toys." Smile and enjoy !