This episode is best listened to in conjunction with readings in “The Connoisseur of Time: An Invitation to Presence;” specifically the chapters “Threshold,” “Time and Spiritual Health” and “What is Spirituality?” (p. 31 – 40). Again, available at no cost from our website www.presencequest.life or bit.ly/timeweaver99 or https://dl.bookfunnel.com/444146y1ye
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This episode continues the conversation about “threshold” and its symbolic meaning and application to our growth as time weavers. Overall, this episode is about the distinction between the ego and the essential self. The threshold is that place where we begin to recognize this distinction and start moving toward the essence by embracing a new understanding time, to honor the moment, and allow life to give to us. We attend to spiritual matters not because we must (as tradition or routine dictates) but because we can, because it feels right—in its own time, or because we have cultivated a routine with devotion.
In this work, we move from the old “I” to the new “eye” – we tap into presence as a gift. We then observe the world through our essence not, necessarily, from our humanness. Not from the need to beanything for others—to be seen. We embrace the question: Are we going to live the life as a creature or are we going to live the life as a spirit? We are invited to take a moment – as Kristi says “I have this time now to choose what I want to experience on the other side.”
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and they with me. Revelation 3:20
Then, with Art, the conversation turns to ways we do not open the door, and accept the invitation (referencing ego, Enneagram, and 12-Step work). Being the center of attention is its own form of presence—but it is an imitation. We draw attention to ourself to have a facsimile of presence. The ego can only imitate presence and the essential state of freedom. Idealistic or ego-fabricated freedom can be obtained by being clever, getting attention, escaping restriction, militancy, being seen as the rebel, the maverick, the creative. A mistaken notion of leadership.
I'm always running from something
I push it back, but it keeps on coming
And being clever never got me very far
Because it's all in my head
And "You're too sensitive", they said
I said, "Okay, but let's discuss this at the hospital"
“Free” -- Song by Florence and The Machine/Songwriters: Florence Welch / Jack Antonoff
The song from Florence and the Machine and conversation on freedom moves the discussion into the topic of spirituality and the role of time and spirituality. Can we live in this world and maintain our spirituality? Those of us who are “sensitive” may be the most tuned in to – and struggle with – the threshold.
We then talk about honoring tradition (e.g., going to church), which is like showing up. But, since COVID, there has been less church/religious attendance. Is tradition something “we have to do” or an opportunity to “be present” (honor space, allow, do nothing, enjoy peacefulness). In many spiritual traditions and when the quest for presence is genuine, we are drawn to discover, to know, to meet the teacher, the spirit, the divine in whatever way may be unique to our situation.