Acceptance: A Life-Giving Principle

Acceptance: A Life-Giving Principle

Self-observation has illuminated many things about this earthly experience of being human. One fundamental verification that I have made is that whatever “I am” dwells inside of this cellular body and has the potential to become something more beyond cells and molecules, something more akin to the electronic world of the spirit. When I am more conscious or awake, the lessons of life pierce through the veil of sleep at an astounding pace. The fusion of knowledge and Being transforms into understanding nearly simultaneously when I am able to be present and accept what “is.”

To transform suffering, we have to take it as a life-giving principle. From one angle, there is nothing else for us to do but accept the play each day of our lives. —The Teacher

Today - with uncanny synchronicity – the drama of my play requires a more final acceptance than usual: the imminent death of a dear family member. It seems that all real Work, and especially the capacity of acceptance, is preparation for the death of those we love and eventually of my own impermanence. It is “uncanny synchronicity” because I am living through this week’s topic in “real time” as though designed by higher forces. I not only have the knowledge of acceptance, but I have the opportunity to BE the word and deepen my understanding.

So how can I draw from myself the highest part that is able to not only transform this experience into presence, but to be of service to others struggling with the same circumstance? I can start by accepting and not resenting the suffering, by standing guard over the lower self as it tries to pull me down into self-pity. If I can stand apart or separate from it, then I am more able to see it as “a life-giving principle.” Can I zoom out and watch today unfold with detachment to harvest the energy of this powerful experience and transcend the emotional pain?

Acceptance looks like a passive state, but in reality it brings something entirely new into this world. That peace, a subtle energy vibration, is consciousness. — Eckhart Tolle

I begin by trying to be conscious of the little moment-to-moment activities, the mundane process of letting go of a normal work week: cancelling and rescheduling appointments, dinners, classes, last minute laundering, and clearing all the plans of my week to unexpectedly pack my luggage and travel with my family. Death has a way of reorienting our sense of importance and clearing our calendars and illusions.

As I make efforts to accept what “is” I am reminded that it is also work against expectations. The Teacher reminds me to “Expect the unexpected, and also accept the unexpected.” At these times, self-remembering feels like a life vest that I can hold onto while taking care of small details and working at not resisting or resenting what is necessary today.

Close your eyes and let the mind expand. Let no fear of death or darkness arrest its course. Allow the mind to merge with Mind. Let it flow out upon the great curve of consciousness. Let it soar on the wings of the great bird of duration, up to the very Circle of Eternity. ― Hermes Trismegistus

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Dad’s Coming by Winslow Homer