There was a bit of craze years ago called Magic Eye images. They are images that look like an abstract image on the surface but when you look beyond what the image appears to be, a three-dimensional image of just about anything hidden within begins to appear—a fish, a face, a car. Magic Eye stereograms are the best example I’ve found to explain a different way of seeing that has nothing to do with physical sight.
I’ve written a little about having profound spiritual experiences that began many years ago but don’t tend speak about them too much. Some of these experiences involve something that is very difficult to describe because if it’s never been experienced, there is simply no reference point for it in the world. (It’s like trying to explain what corn chips taste like to someone who’s never tasted corn, salt, chips or anything remotely similar to them.) It’s a way of seeing the world that isn’t related to physical sight but is more clear than an eagle’s vision. It’s an awareness of what lies beyond the picture of appearances that we see all around. This way of “seeing” reveals ineffable Love where hate appears, Peace where fear seems to be, and breathtaking Beauty beyond the “dots” of ugliness.
What often happens when you see beyond appearances is what the world sometimes calls miracles but what you begin to understand is the only thing that has ever been true. These “miracles” are always present just waiting for us to look beyond the surface dots to where they are. Once seen, the appearance that seemed to be so immovable often dissolves resulting in what is often called healing of some sort. The appearances conform to reflect what is seen beyond appearances.
I’ve experienced this too many times to count and too many times to count it out but it really needs to be experienced to be understood as there’s just nothing in this world like it.
One time I was living a few hour away from my dad’s house but had come in for a visit. I was lying in bed reading and feeling a deep desire for my own comforter (I love bedding). I paused, got quiet and closed my eyes to listen deeply within for what is true beyond the appearance of lacking something. I saw that I what I really desired was not a comforter but to know comfort. I immediately saw with that inner vision that I can’t be without Comfort and the biblical idea came to thought, “I will never leave you comfortless.” I understood in that moment that “never” means never, not ever, no never—that never means there isn’t one instant at any time ever that I can be comfortless and any appearance that ever seemed otherwise is just that, only appearance. I felt a deep sense of peace.
Just moments later I heard a knock at the front door. I opened the door to find the friend I was living with at the house a few hours drive away (who I thought was still at home) standing at the door holding my comforter.
I chose this experience of the comforter because it’s important to see that this vision applies to every “big” appearance and every “little” appearance equally. The miracle is the experience of peace that comes when we see beyond any and all appearances and has little to nothing to do with whether we’ve judged the appearance to be little or big.
From the time that I began to see in this way, it became my life quest to have this be the only thing I see. I can’t say it’s an easy journey or that there aren’t many challenges that come, but I can say the rewards are well worth the great effort it requires.
Every time you share such things, it resonates deeply and aligns me to truth. Thank-you. xo
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That’s where my comforter went. Lol
Very comforting story
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Beautiful experience. Thank you for sharing! I will try to apply this in my life.
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oh what a wonderful feeling
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what a wonderful feeeling , thank you .
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that is a wonder feeling , beautiful
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This is a beautiful reflection. You have put into words what is difficult to describe, but oh so often felt in the heart. Thank you
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