Like many others, I ponder the questions of quantum physics, & wonder why we are here, what’s out there, & what is the point of all this??
One of the many benefits of living in Vail, CO was a colleague whom I had the privilege of experiencing on a daily basis. He is one of the most gentle, compassionate, trustworthy humans I have ever encountered who has truly mastered the art of being (he is a human being). He affected my life in countless ways (this is typical for the people who come across his path), but there was one snowy afternoon when he brought tears to my eyes which I will never forget.
It was natural for me to look to this man for lessons, inspiration, & understanding but it happened during subtle instances like watching his interactions with others & analyzing the beauty he spread into them, or trying to decode his humble words of wisdom he would toss to me in a simple conversation. But, this specific moment was different; we were both engaged in something deep, something he had already come to terms with and something that would change me for the rest of this lifetime.
It all started with the agreement that the difference between an old soul & a young soul was the attainment of lessons & the amount of time spent learning them. We discussed our beliefs about reincarnation, for me it was good to talk about because I didn’t get to speak (let alone be in agreement) of such things in Vail very often. So, my question to him was “what is the point?” Understandably an old soul is more wise because they have been through more, but what is the purpose of repeating the cycle of birth & death, and being forced to start all over again…..?
At this point I could see in his eyes that he was going to test my grounds to see what I was capable of understanding… He explained to me that every human is on a different level (of consciousness) & their placement depends on what lessons the spirit has truly achieved. I knew what he was talking about, & because of his composure & confidence it was obvious that his spirit has been through much adversity.
I found the courage within myself to ask “what does reincarnation have to do with enlightenment then?” The answer was obvious, but I just needed to hear it.
He told me that the point of our existence in our physical bodies (and situations) is to embrace the inevitably of change, and endure each circumstance because it is there, where the lessons unfold. Then he summed it all up by articulating the words I needed to hear; he said the more you overcome in this lifetime, the less hardships you will have to go through in the next. Meaning, the faster you learn & recognize the trials of human suffering such as jealousy, attachment, fear, craving, judgment, hatred, etc. the closer you come to enlightenment. When you truly attain a lesson the chains of resistance are freed from your spirit & you are one step closer to opening yourself up to the world. A spirit will face the patterns of the hardships & lessons until they are mastered.
My spine shivered, & goose bumps covered my skin because I knew what he was speaking was Truth.
Something else he told me that will always stick with me, was to ALWAYS leave situations better than they were when you arrived, but that is a whole nother’ story in itself. I was so blessed to cross paths with this individual.
I wandered through the rounds of countless birth,
Seeking but not finding the builder of this house.
Sorrowful indeed is birth again and again.
Oh, housebuilder! You have now been seen.
You shall build the house no longer.
All your rafters have been broken,
Your ridgepoles shattered.
My mind has attained to unconditional freedom.
Achieved is the end of craving.
~Dhammapada
