A weekly exercise for Presence

A weekly exercise for Presence

Last week on a visit to the NY Metropolitan Museum of Art, I stood in front of Rembrandt’s “Self Portrait With Beret and Turned-Up Collar.” I make it an aim to visit this portrait whenever I am at the museum. During this particular visit, “I” did not see Rembrandt, rather Rembrandt saw me. Repeatedly walking very slowly from one side of the portrait to the other side, it was an emotional shock to notice how Rembrandt’s eyes seemed to follow my every movement. As Presence between Observer and Portrait expanded, “I” diminished. In those moments, Higher Centers were aware of themselves and all was connected.

These words from a student of the School best described what the Observer had experienced.

  “One thing that great art can teach us is that we are not “source” as individuals. I am not source for this experience. It does not come from me. I think that all great art has this element in it. It does not come from the individual. It comes through the individual—through us, but not from us. What better description is there of consciousness?”

This week, take note of experiences and impressions that flow through you to heighten states of consciousness.

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