As we continue to stand on the rocky shoreline of life, many of us have
found ourselves consumed by the desire to scramble over the rocks until we
reach that untouched stretch of golden beach; it seems that the desire to
overcome the rocks and the unpredictability of the tides has taken over our
focus and energy as it is a human tendency to seek out calmer seas and smoother
terrain. Yet, when we pause for a while to gaze at the current moment, we
realise that just because the shoreline is rocky it does not mean that it is
not a life-giving or life-affirming place to be. When we take a closer look, we
can see the life teaming amongst the rocks and the energy of the sea vigorously
bringing us new life with every turn of the tide.
The rocky shoreline stimulates every single sense and with every deep
breath of life that we take, the sea air and the energy can invigorate the soul
and instil hope, exuberance and belief. When we become conscious of where we
are, rather than consumed with thoughts of where we either want to be or feel
we should be, we fully awaken to the richness that is already within and around
us.
Although life can be unpredictable on the rocks, when we pause and
re-centre we re-connect to the light in the distance that switches on, then
off, then on again. Even though the waves crash at our feet, the light soothes
and calms as we intuitively know that it is there to guide, protect and
illuminate any challenges we might face. When we pause in the moment we realise
that this lighthouse of the soul is always present, but life is often too full
of chatter and distraction for us to notice. Yet, when we do re-connect to this
brilliant light, we no longer feel small and vulnerable on the rocks, but our
essence expands as we feel able to breathe freely once again.
We spend so much of our lives with our breath held in, trying to cling
on to what we know or trying to fight ahead to get to where we want to be that
we so often lose sight of those beacons of light that are available to each and
every one of us when we open up our hearts, minds and souls to their presence.
The light switches on, off and on again, whether we see it or not, but when we
do see it we realise that we no longer need to fear life or chase life, as we
can simply choose to be alive instead.
The lighthouse reminds us that despite the rocks and the highly-charged waves, we do not have to get lost in the chaos as there is always an air of calmness that we can connect with. When we feel the power of this connection, the need to chase horizons or to get to that beach changes, as we begin to realise the value of where we are now. As the light switches on and off, it is not affected by worry, angst, doing or chasing; it just is what it is and does what it does. This simplicity acts as a timely reminder for each of us to pause in times of storms and in times of calm in order to re-centre and re-align. There is no ‘do’ about the lighthouse of the soul; it just is.
The lighthouse reminds us that despite the rocks and the highly-charged waves, we do not have to get lost in the chaos as there is always an air of calmness that we can connect with. When we feel the power of this connection, the need to chase horizons or to get to that beach changes, as we begin to realise the value of where we are now. As the light switches on and off, it is not affected by worry, angst, doing or chasing; it just is what it is and does what it does. This simplicity acts as a timely reminder for each of us to pause in times of storms and in times of calm in order to re-centre and re-align. There is no ‘do’ about the lighthouse of the soul; it just is.
When we apply this light to our own lives we can begin to let go of the
layer upon layer of worry, action and doing in order to become One with the
light and to let it lead the way. After all, every lighthouse has a role and we
would be wise to acknowledge this rather than trying to think that we know
better and push ahead regardless.
Becoming One with the light within is not a sign of surrender or giving
up though, it is a sign of conscious awareness as we step from fear to a place
of peace and strength. Whilst we can never know what the rocky shoreline or the
pounding waves have in store for us, the same can be said for that golden
beach. At the same time, why be consumed with getting to that beach to make
life better as this diminishes the value of where we are now? Placing
conditions on life (once I get to the beach then all will be well, etc.) is
only natural, but it devalues the present immensely. Although, in this moment,
we may not be where we ultimately want to be, to dismiss it is to dismiss the
lighthouse and the beauty of the rocks, the waves and the mysteries beyond.
So, as we pause for a while and re-align our breaths and our souls with
the present moment, we can feel a deep sense of comfort from the light
switching on and off. Yet, there is no panic when the light switches off; there
is just peace and stillness. When we attune with the light, we stop fearing the
dark for they no longer remain separate entities in our lives but they merge
into the Whole and remind us that we are all integral parts of that Whole, and
this allows us to become One with the lighthouse of the soul and to take a deep
breath of joy as we stand amongst the rocks and feel the life force of the
oceans lapping and pounding the shores of the soul...