Have you ever wondered how old the universe is? Is it really 13.7 billion years old? Did it begin with a “Big Bang?” If (linear) time; time as we know it, also began with the Big Bang, then what preceded it? For how long did what preceded it last? Without time, how can we know? How long have we been here? Why are we here?
Consider this possibility – Science says that something cannot come from nothing. If this is true, then let’s assume that there was something before the beginning, a singular presence. Let’s call it the Great I Am. This was before time. It was all there was. It predates the Big Bang and the Universe (one turned on itself). All that existed was quiet and dark.
What would you do if you were all there was? Do you think you might wonder who or what you were? Do you think you might ask yourself questions like: “Who am I?” You are everything and yet, you wonder. Might you, a something, who is wondering about itself, since that is all there is, by this wondering, cause something to happen? Twenty-five hundred years ago, in China, Lao Tsu wrote the following poem:
Tao
“Something infinite,
Older than heaven and earth,
Silent, solitary and vast,
Eternal, unchanging,
Yet, ever evolving,
Throughout ten thousands things.
Not knowing its name,
I call it Tao.
A mystery beyond words,
I call it great.”
Could a singular, creative, omniscient, omnipresent force, by its wondering, cause a Big Bang? At least this would be something coming from something, not nothing. Is there any reason that this force had to disappear after the Big Bang? Might it still be here?
Might it be the force behind all that is; an eternal singularity that is the only real entity there is? Could it fill the universe and give it life? Could it be in us and, furthermore, could it be us? Would it feel like unconditional love? Would it be unconditional love?
I call it the divinity within. I do not picture it. I do feel it though; with my sixth sense, my intuition; my heart. It is undetectable by the five senses. It is neither rational nor logical. It is love. Love is a matter of the heart, not the head. It is non-intellectual, so there’s no point in trying to logically understand it. But, it can be felt.
You can write or sing or talk about it, but until you feel it, you don’t really know love.
This presence cannot be seen, heard, smelled, tasted or touched. It is truly undetectable by our five senses, yet, it can be felt. It can be felt when it comes to the external world; that of the five senses; using your five senses to navigate. But when it comes to what is internal, let your sixth sense, your intuition and your heart to guide you.
This entity, this presence is in you. You can feel it. It is part of you and you are part of it. You are part of something greater than yourself. In fact, you ARE it and it is (in) you. This force, this presence, IS inspiration. When you are inspired, it is this presence coming through…Through you to the 3three-dimensional, physical world of duality. To be inspired is to BE in spirit. It is our reason for being.
Our purpose as human beings is to consciously connect with this source within and, thereby, become the best we can be - our true selves. With conscious recognition of our divinity within, we fulfill our destiny as human beings and become healthy, creative, fully alive, compassionate and loving.
Being open and sympathetic to this force allows us to be inner-directed. No longer controlled by external forces, we are now in sync with the universe. We are focused on the present moment and firmly planted in the now.
This force/presence was here before anything else. It is not subject to the law of change. It is eternal, and thus, cannot die. It was here before the universe was born; before there was a “here.” It will be here long after the universe has died. It is one with itself. It is creative and curious. It evolves. It is love without conditions. It does not judge. It is always forgiving and accepting. It serves others, which are itself in various, temporary forms.
Lao Tsu, writing his Tao Te Ching, wrote the following about the universal force:
“There was something formless and perfect
before the universe was born.
It is serene. Empty.
Solitary. Unchanging.
Infinite. Eternally present.
It is the mother of the universe.
For lack of a better name,
I call it the Tao.”
Recognizing and accepting this force and allowing it to work through us replaces stress with inner peace. This reduction in stress leads to improved health of all kinds, including physical.
You are one, unique being of 7 billion on this planet. You have a one-of-a-kind combination of flaws, weaknesses, gifts and talents. Only you can be you; a “you” true to itself and its inner presence. Following your heart and intuition encourages your gifts and talents to emerge and blossom. This leads to a fulfilling and lasting happiness that cannot be taken away from you.
Allow yourself to feel this eternal presence within you. Let your heart and intuition be your guide. When serving others you will know a contentment of the highest order. No longer a part of the human problem, you will now be part of the human solution. Operate in the eternal now and represent the best in human behavior. Not perfection, just your best in each moment. Be one with your inner presence. Peace will be in you and with you. All is one and as it should be.
Don Lubov, author, artist, teaches classes in "Spirituality With A Touch Of Zen," Creativity and Drawing, at three local colleges. His "Six-Step Path" can be seen on his website: donlubov.com.
