Well, when the universe talks to me, I certainly listen!
There were two notable moments that happened in the last month, in the time I left Seattle and moved to Thailand, that shook me to the core! I mean, situations where undoubtedly, I know the universe was communicating with me. You know, those moments that send all the hair on your arms straight up!
Through meditation, I feel an enlightened sense of self-awareness, and a connection to something I can't really explain. Maybe like how people feel with a religion, but with less rigidity. Meditation is such a powerful tool that helps you connect to something that only you can understand in your own personal way. It can align all the misdirected thinking and feeling into one transformative union between a heightened self-awareness and an improved well-being. Creating a peace that is always present. Like you can handle anything that crosses your path, and with no fear of what you can't control. Life can feel a little easier to deal with.
The big "fad" now in spirituality, and frankly a revolution in modern psychology, is the concept of "mindfulness." Derived back in the late 70's by an MIT-educated scientist, the idea was for individuals to be completely aware and purposeful in whatever they are doing in every passing moment. Basically to only focus on what you are doing right now in that very moment, and nothing else.
Seems simple, right?
So, here are two instances when the universe was shouting at me, and all I could do was listen.
Moment #1
I was flying home for Christmas, Christmas Eve actually, literally to say goodbye to friends and family one last time, not knowing when I'll actually see them next. I boarded my connecting flight from Denver to Indianapolis, sat down in my seat, and prepared to throw on the headphones and pass-out for the remaining leg of my flight. I don't usually talk to people sitting next to me on the plane, and if I do, it's only because someone started talking to me. Sometimes it's nice to just zone out and not be bothered with idle conversation sitting on an uncomfortable airplane.
There was a young newly wed couple next to me, and they were both super friendly and began casually chatting with me. Ok, fine. They were from Indy, and we started talking about their move to Denver, and discussed my pending move as well. He perked up when I told him I was moving to Thailand, as his brother had just done the same, but uprooted to India.
We discussed what inspired my move, and also what inspired his brother's as well. It sounded like our stories were quite similar. His brother found some inspiration from a book he had read earlier that helped him make the decision to move, and suggested I read it. The book was called "The Dharma Bums," by Jack Kerouac. I was certainly looking for my next travel read, and so I obliged. I wrote the title down on a piece of paper along with the young guy's name and email. I was thankful for the suggestion, but didn't think much of it. I told him I would totally read it before I left.
My parents met me at the terminal to take me back home. My brothers were both waiting at the house, and I was greeted by my whole family together, it was really nice seeing everyone - my first Christmas back home in three years. We sat around and chatted pretty late, and all discussed exchanging gifts that night instead of the next morning, mostly because we knew we weren't going to be up that early. (copious amounts of wine was being consumed) I shared all my gifts I'd brought back from Thailand, and my parents and brothers all exchanged theirs with me.
The last gift I received was from my little brother Kyle. Kyle certainly shares in my spiritual beliefs, and knew he would certainly give me a gift of meaning and inspiration. He hands me the gift, and I began to open it. The moment I opened the present and peeled back the last piece of wrapping paper, finally exposing itself, I suddenly fell completely silent. Everyone looked at me, and were confused by my reaction. I stood up and freaked out a little!
It was the exact book the kid on the plane had just told me to read two hours earlier! It was "The Dharma Bums," by Jack Kerouac!!!
Moment #2
Once I arrived in Thailand, I was eager to rent a motorbike and jet up into the mountains right outside of Chiang Mai. The beautiful lower lands of the southern Himalayas are so breathtaking. A wild untamed jungle, nestled in a stunning green landscape overlooking the city from above.
My eyes began to soften with disinterest, and I could feel a good nap coming on.
This book is a travel novel, and discussed Geoff's experiences all over the world, but nothing about any time spent in Thailand, just a brief excerpt about his time in Cambodia.
However, the next paragraph shot me right out of bed! I was wide awake now.
You can see the last sentence in the first page on the left image below, where he suddenly takes the focus from Black Rock City to a random temple in Chiang Mai! Wait, Chaing Mai?
I continued reading the small paragraph on the next page about this temple he had visited, and he mentioned a gold leaf, and I remembered this gold leaf! WTF!!
Now, there over over 200 temples in Chiang Mai, and although this is a famous one (there are like 50 famous ones), its hard to get to way up in the mountains, so far off the beaten path. This just couldn't be the same one.
I did a quick Google search, and BAM!! There it was, the exact same temple I was just at moments ago. Even the first image that popped up in Google was the exact shot I just took and posted to Facebook early that afternoon. I was just completely shocked!
The chain of events are baffling to me with how random it all was.
The book that I planned to discard before I left, and was really disinterested in reading altogether. The random trip up into the mountains that afternoon, up that particular side of the mountain. The random temple I didn't feel like visiting and drove past, but somehow stumbled back upon without realizing, and feeling compelled to visit it once there. All within the same hour, I decide to return to my room, and very randomly open the last chapter of this book to fall asleep to, and within only two pages the author randomly mentions his time at this exact temple, when the whole chapter is literally about Burning Man. It's just one single paragraph in this book mentioning this temple, nothing more about it or Thailand. The timing of it just blows my mind! I had been putting off reading this book for months. The unique circumstances and timing of my randomness that day couldn't have been anymore perfect for this to occur.
It was a perfect storm alright!
The universe was clearly telling me: I am where I'm suppose to be right now, in this moment.
There's simply no denying this fact.
It moved me to tears, and still does. It was overwhelming how powerful it felt, but I knew there was something greater at work here. It all happened for a reason. The reason telling me to continue this inspired journey.
I hear you universe, loud and clear!
Its about consciously thinking about washing your hands when you are washing them. It's going on a walk and only thinking about what you are seeing and feeling on that walk in that moment. It's about eliminating the consuming thoughts of the past or future, and to just be in the "now." To be mindful of your existence right this second, because the only thing that exists IS this moment, right "now!"
In a digitally dependent society, and the fact human beings have only slightly evolved away from our animalistic fight or flight impulses, its no surprise that we can't seem to take the time to just "stop and smell the roses." If distraction is the preeminent condition of our modern society, then mindfulness meditation must be the answer to slowing this predisposition down a bit.
When you become more aware of the "now," things do slow down, and the universe starts to really talk to you...but only if you are listening.
So, here are two instances when the universe was shouting at me, and all I could do was listen.
Moment #1
I was flying home for Christmas, Christmas Eve actually, literally to say goodbye to friends and family one last time, not knowing when I'll actually see them next. I boarded my connecting flight from Denver to Indianapolis, sat down in my seat, and prepared to throw on the headphones and pass-out for the remaining leg of my flight. I don't usually talk to people sitting next to me on the plane, and if I do, it's only because someone started talking to me. Sometimes it's nice to just zone out and not be bothered with idle conversation sitting on an uncomfortable airplane.
There was a young newly wed couple next to me, and they were both super friendly and began casually chatting with me. Ok, fine. They were from Indy, and we started talking about their move to Denver, and discussed my pending move as well. He perked up when I told him I was moving to Thailand, as his brother had just done the same, but uprooted to India.
We discussed what inspired my move, and also what inspired his brother's as well. It sounded like our stories were quite similar. His brother found some inspiration from a book he had read earlier that helped him make the decision to move, and suggested I read it. The book was called "The Dharma Bums," by Jack Kerouac. I was certainly looking for my next travel read, and so I obliged. I wrote the title down on a piece of paper along with the young guy's name and email. I was thankful for the suggestion, but didn't think much of it. I told him I would totally read it before I left.
My parents met me at the terminal to take me back home. My brothers were both waiting at the house, and I was greeted by my whole family together, it was really nice seeing everyone - my first Christmas back home in three years. We sat around and chatted pretty late, and all discussed exchanging gifts that night instead of the next morning, mostly because we knew we weren't going to be up that early. (copious amounts of wine was being consumed) I shared all my gifts I'd brought back from Thailand, and my parents and brothers all exchanged theirs with me.
The last gift I received was from my little brother Kyle. Kyle certainly shares in my spiritual beliefs, and knew he would certainly give me a gift of meaning and inspiration. He hands me the gift, and I began to open it. The moment I opened the present and peeled back the last piece of wrapping paper, finally exposing itself, I suddenly fell completely silent. Everyone looked at me, and were confused by my reaction. I stood up and freaked out a little!
It was the exact book the kid on the plane had just told me to read two hours earlier! It was "The Dharma Bums," by Jack Kerouac!!!
Of all the travel novels in existence, or books that inspire things of that nature, it had to be this book!
It was overwhelming how creeped out I felt! But, I could see and feel the significance.
Within two hours of getting off the plane, having this short, seemingly meaningless conversation with a complete stranger, someone I never would've talked to otherwise, coupled with my serious intentions of keeping my promise to this person, it was here, NOW, in my hands! It was the exact same book!
This is the universe talking to me loud and clear. It still sends chills down my spine. To me, this isn't coincidence! This is something powerful, and it confirmed I was on my right path.
Whether I read this book or not, it's a powerful and obvious energy force that entered my own.
It's something telling me to follow this inspired journey.
Moment #2
Once I arrived in Thailand, I was eager to rent a motorbike and jet up into the mountains right outside of Chiang Mai. The beautiful lower lands of the southern Himalayas are so breathtaking. A wild untamed jungle, nestled in a stunning green landscape overlooking the city from above.
I didn't know where I was driving, but there didn't seem to be too many other roads going up, so, I just headed straight up! I soon stumbled upon a little town called Doi Suthep, which appeared rather touristy. There was yet another big temple perched up on the ledge of a cliff, with a staircase up to it that looked rather daunting, so I continued on driving. It was realty hot out, and I just wasn't in the mood for all that climbing, plus, it was just another temple and I'd seen plenty at this point.
I went to a national park about a mile up the highway. I parked, and began trekking though the forest, not really knowing where I was going. Very responsible, right? It was all so beautiful, so I just kept walking. Well, low and behold, I ended up back at Doi Suthep, and back at the base of that formidable staircase to this temple I earlier wanted nothing to do with. How did I end up here again?
I went to a national park about a mile up the highway. I parked, and began trekking though the forest, not really knowing where I was going. Very responsible, right? It was all so beautiful, so I just kept walking. Well, low and behold, I ended up back at Doi Suthep, and back at the base of that formidable staircase to this temple I earlier wanted nothing to do with. How did I end up here again?
At this point, I figured what the hell, I'm here, just do it! I meandered my way up to the temple, and wow, it was stunning! All the gold, the huge Buddhas, the aroma of temple incense, and all the monks giving blessings inside. I knelt down and was blessed by a monk, took my pictures then decided to head back.
It was sweltering hot outside, and once I made it back to my guesthouse, I needed to lay down and possibly take a nap.
When I was purging my life belongings back in Seattle, I really had to get rid of everything. Anything of modest importance had to go, especially anything with weight. However, there was one book that I'd been reading the last few months, even before my first trip to Thailand, with little to no frequency, but for some odd reason thought even with just the one chapter left, I should still bring this book and finish it. I debated this, but felt I'd read the last chapter on the plane and get rid of it once in Thailand.
Once back in my room, I couldn't sleep because of the heat, the ceiling fan just did not suffice. I was bored and with no Internet, so I decided to finally open up that book and finish that last chapter. This book wasn't a page turner by any means, which was the main reason I didn't bother reading it during my 26 hours in the air. I really wasn't in the mood to read at that moment, and desiring a quick nap, I figured reading it would put me sleep.
The book was called "Yoga for People Who Can't be Bothered to Do It," by Geoff Dyer.
I began reading the final chapter, as the author talked about his time at Black Rock City, for Burning Man. Comparing experiences that can be achieved in a place that only exists for one week, to those spiritual experiences at holy sites around the world. Places that have stood the test of time.
It was sweltering hot outside, and once I made it back to my guesthouse, I needed to lay down and possibly take a nap.
When I was purging my life belongings back in Seattle, I really had to get rid of everything. Anything of modest importance had to go, especially anything with weight. However, there was one book that I'd been reading the last few months, even before my first trip to Thailand, with little to no frequency, but for some odd reason thought even with just the one chapter left, I should still bring this book and finish it. I debated this, but felt I'd read the last chapter on the plane and get rid of it once in Thailand.
Once back in my room, I couldn't sleep because of the heat, the ceiling fan just did not suffice. I was bored and with no Internet, so I decided to finally open up that book and finish that last chapter. This book wasn't a page turner by any means, which was the main reason I didn't bother reading it during my 26 hours in the air. I really wasn't in the mood to read at that moment, and desiring a quick nap, I figured reading it would put me sleep.
The book was called "Yoga for People Who Can't be Bothered to Do It," by Geoff Dyer.
I began reading the final chapter, as the author talked about his time at Black Rock City, for Burning Man. Comparing experiences that can be achieved in a place that only exists for one week, to those spiritual experiences at holy sites around the world. Places that have stood the test of time.
My eyes began to soften with disinterest, and I could feel a good nap coming on.
This book is a travel novel, and discussed Geoff's experiences all over the world, but nothing about any time spent in Thailand, just a brief excerpt about his time in Cambodia.
However, the next paragraph shot me right out of bed! I was wide awake now.
You can see the last sentence in the first page on the left image below, where he suddenly takes the focus from Black Rock City to a random temple in Chiang Mai! Wait, Chaing Mai?
I continued reading the small paragraph on the next page about this temple he had visited, and he mentioned a gold leaf, and I remembered this gold leaf! WTF!!
Now, there over over 200 temples in Chiang Mai, and although this is a famous one (there are like 50 famous ones), its hard to get to way up in the mountains, so far off the beaten path. This just couldn't be the same one.
I did a quick Google search, and BAM!! There it was, the exact same temple I was just at moments ago. Even the first image that popped up in Google was the exact shot I just took and posted to Facebook early that afternoon. I was just completely shocked!
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| My picture |
The chain of events are baffling to me with how random it all was.
The book that I planned to discard before I left, and was really disinterested in reading altogether. The random trip up into the mountains that afternoon, up that particular side of the mountain. The random temple I didn't feel like visiting and drove past, but somehow stumbled back upon without realizing, and feeling compelled to visit it once there. All within the same hour, I decide to return to my room, and very randomly open the last chapter of this book to fall asleep to, and within only two pages the author randomly mentions his time at this exact temple, when the whole chapter is literally about Burning Man. It's just one single paragraph in this book mentioning this temple, nothing more about it or Thailand. The timing of it just blows my mind! I had been putting off reading this book for months. The unique circumstances and timing of my randomness that day couldn't have been anymore perfect for this to occur.
It was a perfect storm alright!
The universe was clearly telling me: I am where I'm suppose to be right now, in this moment.
There's simply no denying this fact.
It moved me to tears, and still does. It was overwhelming how powerful it felt, but I knew there was something greater at work here. It all happened for a reason. The reason telling me to continue this inspired journey.
I hear you universe, loud and clear!
