First, Steve, I can not answer questions *for you.*
I can only provide my thoughts, as I understand them- which are limited and biased.
As best as I know, with regards to what is *external*
"Change is the only constant"
And as far as what is *internal*
Is unchangeable.
I love the quote of Anandamayi Ma:
We are so often, and so naively, identifying with all the change that it takes *effort* to understand the unchanged nature of the Soul. I believe Yogananda descried the Soul best as, "ever-new Bliss."
It's quite a paradox, all things considering. But how much of a better place would this world be if we were all Self-Realized? If we understood our true identity?
With regards to my job, I was forced to get a new one due to circumstance. It's circumstantial with my relationships too. But none of that change is bad. . . How often do we realize God provides us with exactly what we need? ...Did I mention how much effort it takes to keep our awareness nestled in self Realization?
"
You do not have to struggle to reach God,
but you do have to struggle to tear away
the self-created veil that hides him from you."
~Paramahansa Yogananda
By meditative practice we cultivate awareness and learn to turn the lens of judgment within. That is not to say do not judge. Naturally we judge. It is to say that by this practice of self awareness we realize we too are imperfect and are having to work towards some end. Do we have spiritual amnesia and forget what that end is? Only near the end of their earthly demise, do the majority begin to prioritize what really matters in life. And some are graced with the realization that God was always with them providing exactly what they needed. Beautiful tears of gratitude are shed in humbling surrender as we make peace with our earthly incarnation.
I believe at this time the majority are yearning for Union. Re-Union. And all of these struggles are providing us the experiential wisdom and tools to liberate ourselves from what many mistakenly call a prison planet. In you, is another me. In me, another you. And God is all there is.
I actually came back here to reply to something entirely different. I initially replied to this thread while at work. When I got home, I saw the most majestic bird in my Sufi tree. I've lived in this house my entire life and have never seen a black bird so large taking refuge in my tree. I grew up with this tree, this is the same tree from my, "I am Sufi" dream. It's cloudy and dark out, and the leaves have all fallen. To see this magnificent bird in the night sky in contrast to the rainy weather with the occasional flash of lightning. Wow... It definitely caused me to stop in my tracks. It's slightly above me outside my bedroom but I couldn't get a good angle with my phone. The picture doesn't do it justice. This bird is still keeping me company, just outside these walls.
I wanted to come back and say, I hope the magic in you never dies. I mean, this kind of sighting rarely happens... And it happens in the middle of our fellowship! If you have the impetus to leave the country- it's all fine and dandy. I used to have a manager that would say, "the sky is the same color no matter where you go." In other words, your problems won't disappear just because you go somewhere else.
Gurunath would say, "Self Peace for Earth Peace." If we try to attain this attitude, we can really catapult ourselves into the ultimate desire for Union/Re-Union and maybe liberate ourselves from the "prison." This mass shift is happening within the individual. One person at a time.
I believe the hawk represents higher knowledge. For me, it is very pertinent to the conversation. I'm not obsessing to the point I am unable to fulfill my duty, I'm just recognizing a Divine Moment and deciding- by my will, to use this moment as a stepping stone towards Liberation.
And... If this wasn't long-winded enough(sorry)... I'll just say... Sometimes you *don't know* but you take a step forward anyway. That's where the real magic happens.
Peace Brother Steve.
