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while traveling is something i generally enjoy,
it has a motive beyond just traveling. it is a combination really.
it's a way of expanding one's consciousness, one's awareness, of
understanding better our world, other cultures, people, societies,
ways of living, eating, making love, worshipping, walking, laughing,
using the toilet, and expressing appreciation and joy. it is a way
of almost constantly having to confront oneself, one's prejudicies
and judgements. life is truly done with mirrors. it seems to me
a rapid fire way of potentially awakening because of having to see
oneself so frequently. it's not about the other person or culture.
it's about me, my actions, reactions, and attitudes in response
to each event or encounter. this does not necessarily excuse or
approve of another's behavior, nor does it suggest that the other
does not have his own issues. however, that is most always something
that is out of our hands. we are enough!
naturally i don't want to see all this. i want to point a finger
at the other, to judge - and remain asleep! assuredly, if i travel
with a pointed finger i will become so frustrated and indignant
that for the sake of all, it would be best for me to return home.
it would indicate clearily that i would not yet be ready for something
so intense. i don't see this as a fault, but simple as a statement
of where i am in my journey. however, if my defenses are developed
enough, i might well be able to travel for a time and place many
encounters in a category of being primitive and uncivilized while
going on my merry superior way. at times i see this in myself, and
often at more and more subtle levels. it's not always so blatant
and obvious but can be hidden vaguely under an appearance of humility
and understanding. we can become quite clever in this way.
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in theory, this can all be done while sitting in an easy chair
at home. it is true that all we need is right within us, we don't
have to go anywhere. yet some of us seem to benefit from an earthquake,
a slap in the face (gently please!) to bring us to a place of
opening and possible change through becoming vulnerable. traveling
in other cultures, other countries, particularily third world
countries, i would say, understandably makes this more accessible
than the comfort of my easy chair. speaking for myself here!
i'm convinced we are here in this lifetime on planet earth for
more than a partner, profession, cars, kids, power and material
possessions as wonderful as all these can be. i see these simply
as the vehicles we each have chosen through which we might awaken.
we are here to wake up, to return to our Original Face, to become
the Living Truth. or perhaps more accurately. to peal away the
layers that hide and imprision the Living Truth that we already
are. this requires the destruction of our biography and the destruction
of our conditioning. for many, and for me, traveling is a way
of allowing this process to unfold.
so i muse, observe, contemplate, try to keep an empty cup, and
witness what happens. sometimes!
Updated4 February 2008
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