Soul Scriptures
A Hope Elder once said, “We are the ones we've been waiting for.” Some days this declaration is an affirmation that resonates with my soul. Other days, my mind needs constant reinforcement of such a truth. I'm not sure the mind can grasp concepts of our innate divinity and greatness; I believe these are truths of the spirit, of which our true self is already aware.
An anonymous fourteenth-century monk scripted in the Cloud of Unknowing declared; “Beneath you and external to you lies the entire created universe. Yes, even the sun, the moon and the stars. They are fixed above you splendid in the firmament, yet they cannot be compared to your exalted dignity as a human being….There is nothing above you in nature except God himself.” My heart grasps this truth, my body responding with a slight bow of the head with humility for the disregard with which I go about some days. I find myself rushing about trapped in the mind, scanning repeatedly for the cause of feeling a certain way. Days of low energy wondering the meaning of this existence. To come upon a quote speaking of our divine nature is humbling and inspiring at the same time.
Sakyong Mimpha Rinpoche said, “If we don't orient our day toward spiritual growth, the speed of our life takes over, by habitual patterns. While some habitual patterns are a source of inspiration, others just drain our energy.” I'm coming to learn that not only is it imperative to feed the body in order to survive, it's just as necessary to nurture the spirit. When times arise that I feel the soul's hunger, I yearn for simple truths to rejuvenate my very being.
“Make your own Bible, select and collect all the words and sentences that in all your reading have been to you like the blast of triumph out of Shakespeare, Seneca, Moses, John and Paul,” An undertaking suggested by Ralph Waldo Emerson. I took this advice and began compiling one gem at a time, words that serenade my spirit. On those “back to the basics” days when I'm searching for the suave of “things I know for sure”, I reference this “Bible” of sorts. It has come to include many quotations from saints and sages of all denominations and eras. Although the language may vary from text to text, the truths remain parallel.
Author Elizabeth Lesser noted,“You live many lives in one lifetime. The truth accommodates your growth.” This has come to prove so true. The texts carry energy of their own, held within every phrase or verse. Our minds are like a calm lake, thoughts causing ripples in the water, with every thought another undulation. Simply reading a timeless quotation that resonates with our souls is all that it takes to return our spirit back to the realm of the divine.
“We are the ones we've been waiting for.”
Vanessa is a year round island resident whose native roots extend back to her great-grandparents. She credits her husband and two children as being her greatest teachers. Vanessa spends her free time with her family and studying yoga. She was recently accepted into Kripalu's yoga teacher training and will be attending this spring. You can reach Vanessa at; VsKent2@msn.com .
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