A Day in the Life

Everyone’s lifestyle differs in so many ways, from the busy mother with children to the nurses, taxi drivers, office workers and those with physical disabilities. Living the truth is doing what needs to be done in the world while not disregarding the essential practice of being in touch with the spiritual presence within. Here is a typical day in the life of Lance Kelly.

The first impulse when entering sensory awareness is to acknowledge inwardly the privilege of being here in this body. I am conscious of the source of love I’m intimately connected with, for I know this is the inner source of spirit behind all things. I embrace and kiss my partner, which reaffirms the love that is so precious and restorative in this world. Drawing the curtains (carefully so as not startle the possibility of a close encounter with the robin or some other bird that may be on the windowsill) I take in the scene of whatever catches my eye as an introduction to the new day. This moment is always significant as a conscious reminder of the passing of time and profundity that is life on earth.

Often, the simple action of filling up the kettle with water for morning tea invokes a deep love for my fellow man and woman. Somewhere in my earth experience I have the innate knowledge of the privation of not having had access to the convenience of drinking water. I acknowledge the abundance in my life and all the things provided which make living so much easier and less of a burden than it used to be. Seeing everything is in order around the house as it was the night before demonstrates to me how time continues to be released into existence, even in my absence. Sometimes even the metallic waste bin reflects back an inanimate presence; a manufactured light, but a light nevertheless which has its source deep within the being.

A clean and tidy home mirrors the inner space of the psyche and keeps what the Chinese refer as the Chi life force flowing harmoniously. In fact I make it a practice of tidying up the living space when day is done, such as puffing up the cushions on the sofa and leaving everything ship shape. To me it’s like a preparation for death and not having to be concerned about leaving anything out of place. The morning time is a usually a period of attending to the priorities of the day concerning work commitments and other practical matters. In between the actions there’s always a moment to pause and acknowledge the beloved and to tell her how wonderful it is to me that she is here. During the waking hours there is always a subtle perception that is sweeping the inner space and alert to the possibility of any intrusion of emotional energy that would sully the harmony of the moment. Vigilance is always the prerequisite for inner peace.

Occasionally, when in the garden, a neighbour might stop to say hello and engage in a conversation for a while about nothing in particular. But the interaction often has value and reaffirms an intrinsic aspect of our everyday lives. People love to belong to something tangible whether as part of a community, nation or affiliation to a political party. Everybody is being what they are in accordance with their inner light and worldly conditioning, and has a right to be acknowledged, as do all things manifested on the earth.

Lunch time demarcates the half way point of the day. The afternoon has a different energetic quality to the morning, not unlike the upper and lower hemispheres of the physical body. The sun is the external symbol of time and rises and sets with timeless precision. Whereas mornings are good for initiating ideas, afternoons are periods of consolidation and for tying up loose ends before the end of the day. The golden hour, as it’s called, is the first hour after sunrise and last hour before sunset. Both are beautiful, but sunset to me has a mystical quality that can be savoured as the light begins to fade and the earth falls silent allowing the spirit of the night to emerge.

As evening beckons there can be an enveloping sense of returning to the womb whence life in form began. After dinner, the night time is the right time to cuddle up with a loved one (is there ever a wrong time?) or maybe with the cat or dog. Or if alone, just to be still for a little while and allow the busyness of the day to settle. At bedtime, after ensuring everything’s locked up and puffing up those cushions, it’s ‘up the wooden hill’ (unless you live in a bungalow, in which case just keep moving until you reach the bedroom!). I usually look up to the night sky before sleep, and if it’s a clear sky marvel at the beauty of the heavens and the celestial radiance of the stars. They were here when I was born and will be when the body is no more. This is a sacred moment; a time to be with the formless One who appears in so many forms in the waking hours but is more real here as my undivided self in union with the presence of love.

Life is about getting on with the business of living, which all are compelled to do as the price for being born. To have discovered the true purpose of life and love amidst the chaos, confusion and romance of it all instigates the shift in perception that changes the life forever. To be willing is all that’s necessary; the rest will look after itself.

 

Extract from the e-book: Living the Truth: http://www.amzn.com/B0C4FNZ59D B0C4FNZ59D