Splendor

Nearly 200 years ago, Robert Browning wrote his famous poem "Paracelsus." Let me paraphrase a small section of it, in modern language:

     There is an inner center in us all,
     where truth abides in fullness.
     To know this truth,
     we must open out a way
     for the imprisoned splendor to escape,
     rather than create an entry way
     for a light that supposedly is outside.

Allowing our inner light to express itself is a common practice in many spiritual teachings, and one that Robert Browning was alluding to in his poem.

But how exactly do we "open out a way" for the "imprisoned splendor" within us to escape?

And why is our splendor imprisoned in the first place?

And by what?

Let me tackle these questions by tying together several ideas that I've covered in recent newsletters.

As many people who have developed a meditation practice will attest, there is an inspired consciousness that can be accessed once the ordinary machinations of the mind are quieted.

In this inspired state of consciousness, we touch into a deep state of peace. But this isn't a boring or sedate peace — it's a peace filled with vitality, inspiration, and joy.

In this place of inspiration, we begin to experience a connection between ourselves and all living things. A sense of harmony emerges. All feelings of aloneness fade. We begin to experience a rising empowerment, clarity, and wisdom.

All this, and more, arises in our awareness. All of this is just a hint of the "splendor" that lies within.

So what stops us from accessing this inner splendor — this place of light — all the time?

Well, the mind is often more comfortable with its old patterns than this new experience. Most people who have accessed this splendid place will find that the light soon fades and "normal" consciousness returns. A concern creeps back into awareness. A distraction pulls focus. A self-critical idea floats back in.

These ordinary thoughts are the bars that seem to "imprison" the splendor. And yet — these bars are just thoughts, and only our awareness of the light is affected by them.

That is the good news: The splendor that lies within us has never been lost, or even truly imprisoned. It has just been hidden from awareness by a slew of distracting thoughts and feelings.

I was reminded of this Robert Browning quote recently when reading the writings of a mid-20th century spiritual healer. Even though this healer spent his days working one-on-one with people, his writings focused not on healing techniques, but on meditation and prayer.

And why meditation and prayer?

The simple answer is that healing arises from an awareness of our inner light — a light that can be accessed by prayerfully, meditatively quieting our mind of interference.

Awareness of the light leads to healing experiences. We do not "make" healing experiences happen. We simply create a space for the awareness of our inner light, and allow it to express itself in healing ways.

Once we access the light, it will flow forth from us in whatever way it chooses — perhaps through an inspired thought, or a statement to be shared with someone, or a helpful action. Our job is simply to bring the light to awareness. That is enough to allow its "imprisoned splendor to escape."

Let me briefly revisit a few practices I've covered in the past year that can help with this.

The How

In a recent newsletter, I talked about the "H-O-W" approach: Honesty, Ownership, Willingness. We can use this approach to unblock our awareness of our inner light.

To begin this practice, close your eyes and express your intention to access your inner light. Then honestly "watch" for an interference that arises.

If you're like most of us, there will be quite a number of interfering thoughts! At least, at first.

Honestly note each distracting thought, feeling, desire, or other element that arises in your awareness. You might, for example, notice thoughts like:

     "I've never been good at meditation."
     "This is boring."
     "I'd rather be doing something else."

Or perhaps there are worldly targets:

     "It's really hot today."
     "What am I going to have for dinner?"
     "I should check my bank balance."

Or relationship-oriented concerns:

     "I forgot to call my friend. I really need to do that."
     "I still feel bad about that comment from my boss."
     "It would be weird if my husband walked in on me doing this."

Or any number of other distracting thoughts.

Honestly note them, one at a time. Imagine that they are like items on an assembly-line traveling past your awareness.

As you honestly note each one, try to take ownership by saying:

     "This is simply a thought of mine.
     I can choose to let it go."

That ownership step reduces the illusion that you're responding to outside interference. It reminds the mind that its thoughts are its own.

Finally, you can express your simple willingness to let each thought pass by. There is no fighting in this process. There is no opposition. There is simply a restful willingness to let each thought pass by like a leaf on a stream, or a cloud in the sky.

You might say to yourself:

     "I am willing to let this thought pass by,
     And create room for the light behind it."

Honesty, ownership, willingness. That process, if practiced for five or ten minutes, can begin to reduce interference and ease the mind into an open and receptive place.

From that open place, the inner splendor can reach our awareness, filling our consciousness and flowing out from us.

Guides

A second approach involves "guiding" the mind toward the inner light.

Imagine that you're one of those airport workers who guides the airplanes to their parking spots. (They're actually called "aircraft marshallers" and their handheld lights are called "wands.")

Like the marshallers with their wands, you will be guiding your mind gently but firmly toward the light.

The simplest way to do this is to choose a centering statement and slowly, gradually repeat it to yourself. Allow it to become the focal point of your awareness.

Although the mind might "buck" like a young colt at first, it will eventually yield to the discipline of this approach.

You might repeat to yourself, for example:

     The light is already here. I am open to experience it.
     The light is already here. I am open to experience it.
     The light is already here. I am open to experience it.

You can gradually simplify that to a few words (or even just one):

     I am open to the light.
     I am open to the light.
     I am open.
     Open.

And then allow your mind to move from that guiding statement to the actual experience of the light. Even if just for one moment at a time.

The repeated statement is a signaling wand — a guide for the direction of movement. You can use it to lead the mind toward the fullness of your inner light. As the mind begins to access the splendor, the words can drop away.

Others

A third approach involves other people.

As I've written numerous times in the past, we strengthen within us whatever we perceive in others. We can use this principal in a powerful way.

In order to un-block the inner light from your awareness, you can simply focus on the splendor in others.

Take a few minutes to think of someone in your life. It can be anyone.

Then state your intention to see an inner light emanating from that other person. They might not be aware of their light — but you are going to "see" it in them.

Hold the idea that there is a beauty, power, and peace within that person — a light that can expand from them limitlessly. Try to focus on that part of them, in your mind.

Allow your vision of them to be transformed as you practice this. Allow your mind to see a beautiful light that brings you joy.

(If this is challenging with any specific person, you might want to remind yourself how easy this is to practice with babies and puppies! And then perhaps choose someone else who is easier to perceive as innocent.)

As you are able to access a sense of this person's spiritual splendor, remind yourself that you too have that same splendor in limitless supply.

Try to access a sense of your light extending to this person, and their light to you. The light flows between you, and out from both of you to the world — to all others you encounter.

This flow of light is already happening, behind the scenes. We are simply allowing the emanation to reach our awareness in this practice.

Robert Browning was right that there is a splendor within us all. Thankfully, this splendor isn't really imprisoned; it is simply un-perceived most of the time.

We can practice accessing this inner light, seeing it in others, and allowing it to flow out from us. As we do this, the light itself will inspire new insights, emotions, and healing experiences.

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