Yesterday afternoon a group of inquirers gathered in my little cottage to do The Work. It was a brilliant, warm summer afternoon with a light breeze wafting through the open doors and windows of the cottage.
The wind chimes were singing, the air was warm (sometimes hot), and everyone was attentive and interested.
When I first offered a meetup, a couple of weeks ago, I was a little nervous. I reserved a meeting space at the public library. I made packets for everyone who would come (I made twenty).
Best case scenario it would go like the picture above. Can you guess who I would be in that picture? Chuckle.
More than twenty people sent an RSVP, there was a short waiting list.
I practiced in my head which story I would tell that would best demonstrate my own journey using The Work, what would be able to convey the power of personal awareness through inquiry, how it changed my life.
I had to make a good impression in 2 hours.
How could I say what a difference this has made? How could I let these people know, who were total strangers, the way this work altered the way I looked at the world, and therefore altered my entire experience…..of everything?
How could I say in words this deep shift….a shift so subtle but so profound that I see so many new possibilities, it’s crazy?
And that it’s led me to other insights, teachers, and awareness, that I feel like I’m on a conveyor belt of enlightenment that I can’t get off, if I wanted to?
(In a good way).
Oh boy. I noticed a little stressy thought.
Called HOPE thinking. I HOPE it goes like ____ . I HOPE they get it, I HOPE I really communicate how powerful, I HOPE I can tell them how awesome, I HOPE I can demonstrate how fabulous….
Blah. Blah. Blah.
Did you hear the huge horn again? That one that is like the Gong Show, a giant HOOONNNNKKKKK….only in my mind. It’s one of those big horns they use when lifeguards have to get the attention of everyone in the water, or a boat is telling another boat to get the heck outta the way.
Stop. Listen. Move into inquiry.
Oh yeah!
I need to explain, they need to get how GREAT it is (whatever it is, you can substitute your own idea or thought about the greatness of something….you know what it is, right?)
Is that true?
Well. No. Not everyone has to “get” what I get, or see what I see, or understand. In fact, they couldn’t. Ahem.
How do I react when I believe someone has to understand what I have to offer, get me, feel what I’m saying?
Like I did the first time I had a meetup. Thinking about the BEST way to do it. Not exactly relaxed. Planning.
Who would I be without the thought?
Scheduling the next meetup with a whole different attitude (the one I had yesterday). Gentle on the inside. Resting. Noticing how sweet and unique and awesome everyone is, even if they are supposed “strangers”.
Without the thought that I need to somehow get any information whatsoever from inside me over to people over there, I notice how it doesn’t matter.
Everyone on their own timeline.
Me here now, enjoying all these people, so appreciative of them coming, showing up, trusting their process, their life pace and interest.
Noticing they are here to give to me, actually, not the other way around.
How beautiful! WOW!
Without the belief, I prepare for people coming with no expectations, being only myself, nothing to fix, nothing to change, nothing to deliver.
Ha ha, how funny.
The meetup was so much fun…more fun than ever.
Whatever and whoever was necessary showed up in the moment, and it was better than any plan or presentation or structured format could have ever offered.
“True autonomy arises when we have broken free of all the old structures, all psychological dependencies, and all fear. Only then can that which is truly unique and fearless arise within us and begin to express itself. Such expression cannot be planned or even imagined because it belongs to a dimension uninhibited by anything that has come before it. True autonomy is not trying to fit in or be understood, nor is it a revolt against anything.” ~ Adyashanti
I love everyone who comes to do The Work with me. Everyone.
We’re digging into holy ground. They stay or they move on, it doesn’t matter at all. They are held by reality and the universe and whatever is running things around here.
Which isn’t me, by the way.
DOH!
If you want to come along for the One Year 2014-2015 adventure in inquiry, where we address a stressful topic every month in a small telegroup, with two in-person retreats in Seattle, then visit HERE for more information.
Or just sign up by clicking below (this is still the early bird rate, which will end today).
Click for Complete Year of Inquiry Program
Click for Telesessions Only Year of Inquiry
Much love,
Grace