Longing

[qos]

A couple of weeks ago, LJ spotlighted the community lightyourcourse, and I've been enjoying it very much.

One of today's entries hit me with particular force:






I've felt this way since childhood, even as I simultaneously maintained a staunchly rational belief (even in childhood) that there were no other worlds beyond this one. (None that could be reached without the use of warp-drive engines, anyway. . . )

Now that I've grown up, I believe in other worlds and the ability of human beings to move in them. But I've also learned even an even more challenging truth: that whatever our longings, we are meant to be present in this world and to live in it, live in it as fully and whole-heartedly as possible. All the magical techniques which enable shifting consciousness to perceive realities beyond this world are intended not to facilitate escape, but to enable us to live with more centeredness and peace and strength and joy in this one.

Believe me, I've spent just about every day of the past two and a half years wishing it were otherwise, wishing I could achieve a level of adeptness which would allow me to simply walk out of this world into the Otherworld, where my heart resides. Instead, I'm brought back again and again to the actual task: living whole-heartedly in this world.

I've always yearned to go over the rainbow, through the wardrobe, off on a space ship, through the looking glass, or under the hill. But those longings don't mean I was intended to live in those other places -- only that I have been given the opportunity to look through the cracks and understand that there is more, and reap the gifts of that broader perspective.


I think there are gifted individuals who do live in two (or more worlds), but I don't think that they are any less bound to the fundamental human task of making as much of this life as possible.

Comments

[traumerin.livejournal.com]

But I've also learned even an even more challenging truth: that whatever our longings, we are meant to be present in this world and to live in it, live in it as fully and whole-heartedly as possible. All the magical techniques which enable shifting consciousness to perceive realities beyond this world are intended not to facilitate escape, but to enable us to live with more centeredness and peace and strength and joy in this one.

This passage in particular is beautiful--though the whole entry is, really. It speaks to me very much. I, too, have had that feeling as long as I remember of not being made for this world and yearning to find another one--my wardrobe into Narnia, my gate through the hedge. I still long for that sense of magic and enchantment, and I may have glimmers from time to time....but I'm still not entirely convinced that it's "out there" in the way I want it to be.

[devifemme.livejournal.com]

the Queen introduced us just yesterday, Dreamer, and now I get to share your profound thoughts on the shape of the Universe. Very intriguing! Cheers, Justine