Confined in the dark, narrow cage of our own making which we take for the whole universe, very few of us can even begin to imagine another dimension of reality. Patrul Rinpoche tells the story of an old frog who had lived all his life in a dank well. One day a frog from the sea paid him a visit.
“Where do you can from?” asked the frog in the well.
“From the great ocean,” he replied.
“How big is your ocean?”
“It’s gigantic.”
“You mean about a quarter of the size of my well here?”
“Bigger.”
“Bigger? You mean half as big?”
“No, even bigger.”
“It is…as big as this well?”
“There’s no comparison.”
“That’s impossible! I’ve got to see this for myself.”
They set off together. When the frog from the well saw the ocean, it was such a shock that his head just exploded into pieces.
This quote is from the start of Chapter Four from The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, by Sogyal Rinpoche. It’s a big book (22 Chapters) and to be honest I haven’t got further than Chapter Four! This quote has sat with me for many years. What I see as reality, is just my reality!
For me, it captures what is going on for me / us at the moment in UK lock-down as we experience a different reality. Not just in the physical world – the routines, etc…But for me, I seem to be slowly slowly, shifting into something different – into the ’empty space’.
Could it be a different level of reality? Could the ’empty space’ be a different level of reality that has been written for hundreds, if not thousands of years?
The most common word used in media, news, radio, etc…of this UK lock-down is…”in these strange times“. It is so very different to what we are ‘usually’ used to – yet instead of wishing that we return to “normal times” – how it used to be. I am trying to embrace it and go deeper in to it.
I am wanting to stay with the empty space to see where it goes.
Just like the Frog in the Well, I want to find a different reality.
Today, I was trying to imagine how life would be once we return to “normal times” (as media, radio, news, etc…describe it). I love the silence and stillness in the air – especially in the evening and early morning. It’s when there are no cars on the roads, no one outside. Being in the city, there’s usually always some noise.
But there’s complete silence now. I love just to stand outside and enjoy the silence and stillness. My inner voice seems to be less.
I actually, I don’t really want to return to how my life used to be. I don’t know how that would pan out, but it’s made me realise just how I want my life and reality, to be different. It’s time to move out the city.
Earlier in the week, I had a conversation with my friend Fiona about the inner voice, that for many of us, gives us an inner monologue / commentary. When I am in the place of silence and stillness my inner monologue seems to be virtually not there. Instead, an awareness.
I will continue exploring this in days to come…and get back to you!
How did you get on with the Round Three of the Quiz – Capital Cities? Here are the answers.
Thanks to Fiona who stayed up till 01.30 on Wednesday night for all the answers!
Anyone know what 14. is? Can answer in the comments at the bottom of the blog.
Round Four – TV and Film Characters.
Yesterday was the first day of Daily Chi Gong – Morning Chi Gong (at 09:10) and Bedtime Chi Gong (22:10). It was weird, as this was the first time in lock-down that I had to be aware of the time. I had to plan my day around the Chi Gong, it was different to how the last 9 days have been.
I have never done Chi Gong in the evening and it had a different feel to it. Afterwards, I felt tired, but also less of a tired energy.
I will continue offering morning and bedtime Chi Gong every weekday (Monday to Friday) next week. Links for the whole week at the bottom of this blog. So please do come along to either or both. I will be in the Zoom Room 25 minutes beforehand, to help anyone to get used to Zoom.
Also, after the Chi Gong, I will be around for any sharing.
If anyone would like to give me a donation for the Chi Gong, this would be greatly received. By no obligation to do so. I am enjoying doing the Chi Gong, it is bringing awareness and stillness to my life.
[PayPal – jim@beyondbeliefmagic.co.uk][Patroen https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32427537] (monthly subscription)
Finally, before I go. I want to give a plug to my friend Sam Lupton. He is a magician and actor. However, as he is now out of a job in lock-down, he has returned to broadcasting with ‘Off the Chart Radio‘.
An internet radio station that broadcast from 2004 to 2014, but due to lock-down it has come back for 2020. As Sam says it brings a “sense of togetherness, being together and also listening to some amazing music”.
I’ve listened to Thursday’s show twice! You can listen to Sam’s show from Thursday here – https://www.mixcloud.com/offthechartradio/off-the-chart-radio-pop-up-sam-lupton-020420. Sam is back tomorrow (Saturday) , 8pm to 10pm – https://www.offthechartradio.co.uk
Hope you all have a fantastic weekend – see you tomorrow.
Thanks for reading.
Jim xx
DAILY MORNING CHI GONG – Monday 6th April to Friday 10th April @ 09:10 (lasts 25-30 minutes)
(I will be in the Zoom Room from 08:45 for anyone who needs help with set up).
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/362232526
Meeting ID: 362 232 526
DAILY BEDTIME CHI GONG – Monday 6th April to Friday 10th April @ 22:10 (lasts 25-30 minutes)
(I will be in the Zoom Room from 21:45 for anyone who needs help with set up).
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/780129625
Meeting ID: 780 129 625