To sit patiently with a yearning that has not yet been fulfilled, and to trust that, that fulfillment will come, is quite possibly one of the most powerful "magic skills" that human beings are capable of. It has been noted by almost every ancient wisdom tradition. -Elizabeth Gilbert
I was sitting at my desk computer a day after flying the friendly skies from New Jersey, back home to Hawaii, and recalled my pre-trip wishes. Although my parents were more than capable of making the trip by themselves, they pinned me with the trip guide nametag and holding that bit of responsibility in mind, I wanted (1) our luggage to arrive along with us, (2) a safe and comfortable journey and (3) a super-memorable visit with my brother and his family. Just those three things.
Well they all came true! Never mind that we sat in the plane in Kona for nearly 90 minutes while a mysterious leak was being investigated (better than springing a leak over the deep blue Pacific). Never mind that my dad forgot his week's supply of meds (his daughter-in-law skillfully got them replaced before the end of the day). Never mind that two taxicabs collided not far from where we stood in Times Square, injuring six people (the six of us were there the day before). Yes, never mind all that, I got my three wishes. My brother Jason, his wife Heidi and their son Kai, must have had more wishes that also came true because we had a wonderful and perfect time.
It all sounds selfish, I know. But I haven't yet developed the power to wish for, and receive, the safety and well-being of the entire planet. Planes still crash, cars jump curbs and some people just can't get along with each other. But I do pretty well within my own sphere of influence and I think with a little practice, I can expand my reach. Imagine what a group of like- hearted-well-wishers could accomplish!
Here's something from Confucius that you won't find in a fortune cookie:
"To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must cultivate our personal life; and to cultivate our personal life, we must first set our hearts right."
Well they all came true! Never mind that we sat in the plane in Kona for nearly 90 minutes while a mysterious leak was being investigated (better than springing a leak over the deep blue Pacific). Never mind that my dad forgot his week's supply of meds (his daughter-in-law skillfully got them replaced before the end of the day). Never mind that two taxicabs collided not far from where we stood in Times Square, injuring six people (the six of us were there the day before). Yes, never mind all that, I got my three wishes. My brother Jason, his wife Heidi and their son Kai, must have had more wishes that also came true because we had a wonderful and perfect time.
It all sounds selfish, I know. But I haven't yet developed the power to wish for, and receive, the safety and well-being of the entire planet. Planes still crash, cars jump curbs and some people just can't get along with each other. But I do pretty well within my own sphere of influence and I think with a little practice, I can expand my reach. Imagine what a group of like- hearted-well-wishers could accomplish!
Here's something from Confucius that you won't find in a fortune cookie:
"To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must cultivate our personal life; and to cultivate our personal life, we must first set our hearts right."
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NOTE:
There are many ambitious trials being done to prove the power of collective intent. The Intention Experiment, working with leading physicists and psychologists, continues to study the effects of focused wishing for philanthropic results such as physical and psychological healings and environmental improvements. The Global Coherence project, by the folks who make my favorite emWave device, are in the process of examining "how fluctuations and resonances in the earth and ionosphere's magnetic fields affect or are influenced by human heart-rhythm patterns, brain activity, stress and emotions." They admit that it is a grand quest, but I like to weigh the implications.
Photo: i go2thegym