by Rev. Jim Fuller
Summer is beautiful, as is fall; winter too holds its own beauty. Wherever we look there are many things to see and do, places to visit, books to read, movies to see, music to hear, restaurants to try. The pleasant distractions seem endless. In truth the possibilities for distracting ourselves are pretty much without limit because we are making them all up and there is no limit to the creative potential of our minds. If we simply use things as distractions or to keep us from feeling alone or unfulfilled they will seem to satisfy us for a time but underlying feelings of dis-satisfaction will eventually bubble to the surface. If instead of simply using things as distraction for the mind we use them as opportunities to notice the Presence of the Creative Divine (God), as means for connecting deeply with others or vehicles for change and growth they can take on new meaning.
During the summer Kay and I spent a few days at the coast of Maine. In planning for our time there we had planned to do a number of things including sailing on a wooden schooner, renting scooters to explore the area and driving to a nearby town for lunch … pleasant distractions. Interestingly not one of those planned things happened. We did enjoy the beauty of the coast and the quiet of the small harbor town where we stayed. Away from the distractions of home we found ourselves walking, reading, meditating and catching up on some much needed rest.
Most memorable were the three people we ended up spending much of one day with, apparently unintentionally. We met them briefly during breakfast at the motel where we were all staying. We encountered them again in a nearby art museum as we looked for indoor activities on a drizzly afternoon. And finally we ended up inviting them to share our table in a crowded café as they prepared to end their vacation and return home. It was at that point that we learned they were long-time students of the Buddhist teacher Pema Chodron which led to a delightful and inspiring conversation. While I recall that the museum was nice and the lunch pleasant it is the memory for our conversation and connection with those people that stands out in my mind many weeks later.
All of this serves to remind me that while pleasant distractions can be pleasant they are in general simply distracting. Recently I have been working to be more conscious of the many small things I do to distract myself, to fill in “empty” time. Why do I feel the need to fill in that time? What might I notice if I didn’t fill in all my time? Might noticing those things inspire me to make some changes in my life, either inner or outer? Might leaving some “empty” time unfilled allow room for deeper connections or perhaps some new guidance?
Remember,
we are the creators of the world
we see and, by noticing and
shifting our thoughts and
stories, we can begin to
experience a kinder and
more connected world.
All of the things we see or experience in this world are at some level reflections or projections of thoughts and beliefs arising from our own minds. This includes all the things of beauty and wonder in our world as well as the painful and disturbing things. The latter are often projections of our own inner doubts and fears. A Course in Miracles reminds us that we have invented the world we see and that we will either see it or not see it as we desire. As we begin to realize that this is true for all things including those we presently value and seek more of as well as those we would like to escape from or have less of we begin freeing ourselves from the belief that we are at the mercy of the world. Remember, we are the creators of the world we see and by noticing and shifting our thoughts and stories we can begin to experience a kinder and more connected world. We can begin to experience a world where distractions are no longer needed because it is now a reflection of a healed and holy mind, a mind at peace within itself.
Because our minds are always connected with God-Mind healed or holy thoughts and ideas are already present within us, in our minds. Having ignored them for many years (perhaps lifetimes) they may seem vague or distant, maybe even absent although they are always there. As we take time away from distractions we have the opportunity to encounter those ancient sacred and healing ideas. We may need to occasionally pause while some of the accumulated clutter of old thoughts empties itself; a parade of distracting and disturbing images. But with intention prayerfully directed toward making a higher connection this parade will eventually pass and both the world within and without will begin to take on a different appearance; one we will not need to seek distraction from.
In all likelihood I will continue to engage in the pleasant distractions of this world, perhaps even today. My calendar already contains future plans for seeing creative performances and visiting interesting places. There will be more coastlines, cafes and some lovely fall walks. But there will also be “empty” time, times for allowing underlying feelings and thoughts to arise in me, times for being open for guidance and nudges toward change. And more attention and intention for appreciating my fellow travelers in life’s journey; both those who seem to be growing in awareness and have things to share with me and also time for those who seem to be temporarily stuck or distracted just like I seem to be at times.
May we all become more attentive to and appreciative not just of the beauty and joy that lies around us but also to the beauty and wonder that lies within us and within each of our fellow travelers on this journey through life. Amen.