I started writing a series of short pieces on the “The Bus Stop of Life” at the beginning of the year. They are contemplations on the in-between state of being, neither here nor there. Life is a journey, and on this journey, we often find ourselves in a place of waiting. Waiting for… In this in-between state, the magic of wisdom dawns, if we pay attention. This is the 7th and final part.
As we wait for what must come, let’s read a super short story – I love listening to stories while I wait for the bus
Here is a Buddhist anecdote that always makes me smile…
A man once came to see the Buddha to get help with his problems. After the man had told the Buddha one of his problems and asked for help, the Buddha replied: “I cannot help you get rid of that problem.”
The man was surprised that the Buddha could not help him in this regard, but he told the Buddha about another problem; he thought to himself that the Buddha should at least be able to help him with that problem. But the Buddha told him “I cannot help you with that problem either.”
The man started to get impatient. He said: “How can it be that you are the perfectly Enlightened Buddha, when you can’t even help people get rid of their problems?” The Buddha answered: “You will always have 83 problems in your life. Sometimes a problem will go, but then another problem will come. I cannot help you with that.”
The baffled man asked the Buddha: “But, what can you help me with, then?” The Buddha replied: “I can help you get rid of your 84th problem.” The man asked: “But what is my 84th problem?” The Buddha replied: “That you want to get rid of your 83 problems.”
This anecdote reminds me of the power of LiberatingTouch, and how it works, it may not get rid of my problems, but it does help me be with my challenges, embrace all of life with detachment, love and humour.
Waiting is about Patience and opening to the lessons of Time and Space
Time and Space is where we get stuck. How many of you feel time pressure, feel squeezed as if you do not have the space to be or breathe. I invite you to place your hands anywhere on your body that feels comfortable (for example one hand on the heart space and the other on the solar plexus) and then read the following:
Breathing in, light fills this body, I trust this body.
Breathing out, I smile, I trust the goodness in this mind.
Breathing in, I dwell in this moment, I trust the power in this heart.
Breathing out, I open to the sweetness of trust flowing through this life.Breathing in, light fills this body, I am light
Breathing out, I smile, I envisage light bathing my thinking
Breathing in, I dwell in this moment, Time is my friend
Breathing out, I open to the sweetness of Love flowing through this life
For those of you that have a connection to God, the phrases below may resonate deeply:
Breathing in, light fills this body, God permeates this body
Breathing out, I smile, I trust God saturates this thinking
Breathing In, I dwell in this moment, God resides in this Heart
Breathing out, I open to the sweetness of realising God…
As my breath deepens and expands, I find myself filled with gratitude.
Gratitude and forgiveness are doorways to freedom, love and joy.
Beyond gratitude is surrender
Beyond surrender is gratitude
Gratitude
Thank You
The magnitude of gratitude is beyond anything one can imagine, it’s as if the mind ceases to be in control and the light in the heart bursts through, and makes our world bright.
A few questions:
When you feel flooded with gratitude, what happens?
Can gratitude attract good into your life?
What does gratitude reflect?
A pure mind is one that is free from doubt, is detached from fear and expectation, and is selfless and steady. The heart is the repository of truth, compassion, forgiveness and gratitude. The heart reveals the source of love and joy. A pure mind inevitably seeks to merge with the loving heart. Gratitude is the robust bridge from the mind to the Heart.
“The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness.”
Dalai Lama
A follow-up from last month
Following last month’s blog, I had a few queries about giving yourself permission. One lovely way to experience a deep sense of permission is to write a letter to the inner child. Once you have written this letter, read it out loud, then burn it, put some water on the ashes, and pour it at the foot of a Tree.
Here is one that I penned a while back,
Dearest inner child,
I, now, give you permission to find your way, to accept, let go, and forgive. Let go of the body drama, the mental confusion, the emotional conflicts. To shine with love. To embrace and express your dreams and make them reality. I give you permission to sing, dance, write, have fun, rest, do nothing, become all that you want to be, to ask and receive, to share without fear. You now have permission to live a life without limits, free from shame and guilt. You can cry and laugh with abandon. I give you permission to know God, to love God, to be God, to experience Bliss with every fibre of your being. I bless you now and forever more, I LOVE YOU.
Yours, Me
All fear hides a confused, conflicted and wounded inner child (paradoxically centuries old), as you love this child; it remembers that its nature is fearless and joyous, this recollection results in an experience of overflowing gratitude.
That’s all for now. Till our next encounter, blessings and love, ranjana
Ps. One of the common questions we get is how can an individual make an impact in our troubled world now. Here are 4 things that you CAN now to make a positive impact
1. Plant Trees
2. Avoid buying bottled water, or bottled anything (for e.g. – laundry detergent)
3. Choose organic or fair-trade options
4. Smile when you look in the mirror
Once you start doing any one of these, the rest will follow and you find making a positive impact becomes effortless.
Ranjana Appoo is a dynamic author and co-creator of LiberatingTouch, known for her joyful approach to life and passion for truth. Alongside her partner, Eddie Appoo, she has co-authored the book “Detachment – The Secret to Infinite Peace”. With a vibrant spirit and a commitment to Love, Ranjana continues to inspire others to embark on the paths of Self-Realisation through her writings, teachings, and compassionate presence.
