I have wanted to share this video for a long time. I met the visionary artist Drew Brophy in November at an event in Nosara, Costa Rica, where he told a powerful story about his near-death experience earlier that year. This is the recording of his 9-minute speech. Find a quiet moement to watch it. It carries information beyond mere words.
"First to give us the courage to become lost, and then the wisdom to find our way."
The other day, after spending the morning grasping, grappling, trying to hold it all together and figure it out... and not even seeing that this is what I was doing... it hit me: just fall apart. Let it all go, and do nothing but trust the unraveling.
I'm constantly remembering this part of the journey. Words like yours help me do so.
Thanks, Grace! "Let go, let God." I grew up hearing that, but my own faith stayed fairly dormant until later in life. One day, I was walking in the woods, and it occurred to me that all of creation shares my burdens. I felt, in a powerful way, that I could share that which was weighing on my mind with the trees-- that they could lend a hand in holding my grief, anxiety, pain, shame, etc. "Let go, let God" took on a new meaning to me that day.
Thank you for that second thought. It has strong Matthew 6 vibes to me ("look at the birds..." and "sufficient until the day is the evil thereof"), which is probably my favorite part of Christian scripture. The entire sentiment feels exactly the same as what Charles is saying when he talks about living in the gift. We do what is ours to do and trust that in doing the same, others will hold us up.
I've heard a lot of great things about Pema Chodron's writing, but have never read any of it. Thanks for encouraging me to do so. I'm curious: how would you summarize her message?
I obviously relate, and for you to tie that back to grief and love becoming the same... I'm just nodding along more. I kind of think of love as the ocean and grief as the sea. Or, just that grief is a special angle of love. Blessings on your journey :)
I thought of something else related to what you brought up, which is that for me, it was grief that made me so afraid to let go. When I finally faced the giant block of grief I was holding, it was so all-encompassing. It asked that I fully surrender, let my guard down, and become meek. That was scary.
I say this like I did it once and that was that, which isn't true. It's been a continual process for me. Just wanted to share that for me, letting go is almost always coupled with a willingness to grieve. Given what you said, that grief and love become the same, I'm guessing you feel similarly?
I've been walking with grief for some years now. It is very compounded by what is happening in the world and by isolation as well.
I do feel very similarly to what you write. I've been brought to my knees at times, quite literally, by grief.
I think isolation is dampening my energy, so the challenge shifts.
Sometimes it is focusing on something simple, maybe bodily sensations like hunger and taking baby steps.
Or noticing that I feel numb and making space for it, the incredible discomfort.
I have been playing with vibration, the idea of. What our bodies do when we sob or scream. Or what I find my body wants to do when I feel anxious, to shake or vibrate. (which amazingly can reset my system very quickly)
But vibration mostly through voice, audio journaling or singing (as in letting my voice move through me, playing riffing). It is something that brings me back to feeling whole, grounded.
who ever said it's easier to destroy than it is to create...when it takes such courage to unravel. Did you have that aha moment when you were exercising...any time of day? curious, as I have a hard time letting go.
Actually, yes! A little back story: the day I'm talking about was an anniversary of my father's death, and I had set aside time to take it slowly and do something I enjoyed. I spent about four hours at a nearby park that overlooks a river and the land that stretches out from the southern end of the city, using the time to read a book, meditate, nap, and soak up the sun. This was all enjoyable, but I also noticed that I was feeling an inner turmoil related to a whole slew of questions in my life, from the complex (and ongoing) relationship with my father to matters of career, vocation, and relationship. There was a dark storm brewing inside of me that touched some real depths. I did my best to just notice it, but it didn't feel particularly great.
Eventually I got up and began walking home. It was a few blocks in that I realized: just melt into this. I pictured the energy of compassion coming and sitting down next to the turmoil, and then I just did my best to let go.
Funny what motion and movement can do.
I agree that the letting go part is hard. What defines that struggle for you?
Jonathan those words jumped out of the screen for me too> as do yours.
its so true isnt it that things need to unravel inspite of, and probably because of us trying to hold them all together. i have had a few opportunities in this life to experience the grace that comes with letting it all go and yet still i forget .
I’m 61 and I had a similar experience. But it started with a spontaneous state of non dual, spiritual awareness that lasted for 10 days on Vancouver Island in Spring 2015. In 2020 I was given approximately 4 to 6 months to live ( when Covid started) a case of non chemo responsive Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Long story but I did make it to remission then a stem cell transplant from my sister that was a perfect match. Although I did did “ sink” during my period of isolation and recovery, when I bounced back I’ve experienced a permanent state of non dual present moment awareness. My chemo experience was on par with my pant medicine revelations. So much to say…I’ll just say I know he is us/ we are real.
Covid shots and all… I simply took the shot in solidarity with my caregivers and fellow patients….it was a deeply spiritual trip being taken care of…Canadian system took care of the cost
So many inspirational and encouraging thoughts in your comment. Thanks, John. My brother is ill with cancer. Heartfelt wishes for your continuing health and growth.
In case you care to share more about your experience with chemo revelations on par with plant medicine in the context of AML and stem cell transplant…I’m quite curious to explore the possible “benefits” in the poison route…my sister was diagnosed at the same time as you with the same thing and did a version of chemo and also a perfect match stem cell from my brother…she passed on in May 2022 and I’ve struggled and been humbled and curious to grapple with/explore the meaning/power of the poison and my own anger, as we grieve…
I am sorry about your loss. It’s a big topic what you’re asking and what I mean by revelations is strictly personal although the experience involved what are called “ spirit guides” , or “ Guardian Angels”…in other words the idea of a constellation of spiritual entities or beings that are related to me and my life experience here. This realization what what happened during my dreams on Chemo. Very deep dreams unlike anything I’d experienced.
But these states involve a personal story line that ties into an individual’s memory I believe… higher risk varieties of AML are deadly no question about it.
I’ll tell you that when I didn’t respond to chemo and I was given the choice if I wanted to continue it was the most difficult choice of my life…that’s because even thought I knew I was on an “ authentic spiritual path “ I was very concerned about my future welfare… I don’t want to get into it but I was already getting tired of my “situation”… no kids or family issues or anything… just a lifetime of depression and anxiety and tired of living in rooms at 60 and thinking..why not let nature take its course you idiot!
But I did it and maybe I’m a miracle or maybe its like I believe it is.. just that.
Thank you for sharing more, John. I think I understand about the necessarily individual, the very personal nature of the experience
My sister went deep on the spiritual and emotional and also revealed to us that she had spent her life in anxiety but also very much wanted to stay here for her daughter and son ..the part I wrestle with is trying to understand the role of the physical reality too and whether that physical was the crux of what was presented to her, yet that was also the part she eventually let go of and that is the reason for the pain of her family left here…we are happy that she has “escaped” the pain but was that what was meant by the challenge? Do things like this have purpose? If so, what about the Haitian children Charles mentions suffering so much..why must they suffer..whose meaning is that?
As for my own suffering I know I had to go through it to be where I am now. But I learned to accept my situation many years ago while incarcerated for a while for the first and only time in my life. I believe everything is tied together… it’s nature .. nothing can really be separate… it’s as a bee is to a flower. I believe Physical life and death, as is physical birth and death, as is pain and suffering are not real… not in the ultimate sense… and the ultimate sense is all that actually matters to me now.
Thank you for sharing this Charles. My son was not born alive due to a medical error with an injectable during childbirth. He was resuscitated. It was clear from his way of being that he too experienced what I like to think of as a “pure light”. That experience showed me things about our medical system that I can’t unsee and while painful I’m grateful for the insights my family has had through this time. I believe it’s this expansion that will guide us through this birth canal. Blessings to all of you.
needed to hear this today. Drew has helped remind me of what I know at a deep/expansive level is true and how important it is that we aim to cultivate a certain high quality of consciousness while we are here. I have been fortunate to know since childhood that we are, or our consciousness, is much longer lived than our bodies so we never really die.
There is no reason to live in fear.
It’s far too easy to have our minds/ consciousness highjacked these days by the relentless stream of fear mongering, political drama and distracting events going on all around us.
I know for myself I need, for my own sanity, to be very, very selective about what I think about right now. Yes, it seems like we are under siege by psychopaths, people are suffering and dying and we may see a whole lot more of that I’m afraid, but we must not give into fear or hate.
We must bring love and light to those around us in anyway we can, which you seem to be doing beautifully so thank you!
Beautiful and if you need more stories like this there is a group on Facebook called Exploding Rainbows where you’ll find many people who understand this. Thank you for sharing. 💙
You’re a good man Charles. The narrative (“the reality” if you will) maintains itself by our attention and agreement, quite literally. We are taught to accept only a fraction of the input we receive and ignore the rest. More and more humans are starting to poke their heads out and look around, to grant other input equal weight. Once “here” is seen for the assembly it is, the choice can be made to collectively quit funding it.
I’m so grateful to both of you, and Drew’s wife, for discussing this together and sharing it with us. It has affected me profoundly, along with a knowing that the timing is perfect. I’ve listened twice now and keep getting such gut connections to what Drew shares it is really uplifting. It’s far from a walk in the park but what transcends everything is how real it feels, and how truth can be faced eyes wide open when there is so much beauty and joy that comes with it. I feel spurred on to be the most that I can be to help as many as I can.
i have had such intimate connections with death and these past 7 years that it is more than clear to me that death is not the end. today, we went to a dear friend's cremation and borrowed a car to drive home her husband with her ashes and her large portrait and accoutrements for her altar. on the way to the ceremony, we had made a wrong turn and took us far from the venue. but as soon as we got on track and started to head in the right direction, there, directly in front of us, seen from the far away outskirts of Tokyo, was an amazing and breathtaking full view of Mt. Fuji, completely covered in snow. our friend was born in a city where she could see Mt. Fuji daily. it was no doubt that she had wanted to share the grandeur with us.
(wanting to also add that this friend and i had struggled through some challenges over the 15 years we have known one another, but always came back to love and the passions we shared, which were what brought us together. to me, this gift of hers was a sign that our connection is everlasting and the way it endured through thick and thin was significant. it was a monumental force towards beauty and change and expansiveness towards potential to share with my family and now the new friends i have made through her physical death.)
Charles, you continue to be one of the three HUMANS that I subscribe to monetarily ... at this time, and one of the 3 is my son, Ezra. I have had 3 NDE's and never shared publically although I have no problem with that ... I have only shared in small circles or one on one up till now. I have been gifted several, what I referred to in this moment ... as "Living Visions" ... over my lifetime. I love the work you do in the world and support you 100% in all that you ARE. I would love to visit CR as it has been on my bucket list for over 40 years. I was planning on going in May of 2020 and was scheduled to stay at somewhere that changed their minds about COVID, and joined the narrative that wasn't TRUE for me so I cancelled. Anyway, for what it is worth, I love and appreciate you always, Charles.
I took this audio and sat by a creek. Thank you for the tip to find a quiet space for listening. Such an important message and podcast for these times. Shared it already with many.
You have been on fire since before Christmas Charles, your 6 part essay was incredible, you are very much touching source each time,on the pulse in the centre,riding the wave on that razor's edge. Take time in between. Hats off to you, give me a couple a weeks ta manifest the lottery and we'll be out to you in Costa Rica muy pronto. Keep Shinning Charles, ride on, see you......Phoeagdor.
Aint a mind reader but can definayely predict the name of your next post Costa Rica,the have's and have not. Should be an interesting one, there's a 6 parter there. Serious subject but riding high in April,shot down in May has been between posts. There is another idea called One Small Town - Michael Tellinger, look into and use it as part of the new article. Keep shining Charles, on that razor's edge. All the best, Phoeagdor.
Wow, I'm browsing very superficially the comments because I need to rest my eyes.. but this one was for me. You mention One Small Town by Michael Tellinger. It's a very interesting idea to pursue, don't you think? Are you involved with it in any way?
I watched many videos of M. Tellinger on Gaia and Youtube and I admire him for challenging the South African central bank in court. His latest endeavor, the One Small Town is extremely inspiring, isn't it?
Thank you for sharing this. It resonated with me very much. As you say, we need to get lost to find ourselves. I have certainly experienced that more times that I can count. The video reminded me of an experience I had when I was younger, after I had a harsh car accident. Since then, I have always felt that I am living in "extra time", and once we come back, what is important...all that matters, radically changes. It is easier said than done, but life does change forever when we understand there is a higher consciousness, and all we need to do is listen to the callings. Cheers again.
I find this a bit bizarre Charles after all the comments on your post yesterday that you immediately go off on another tangent...I suppose an old coping response to perceived criticism...I want transcendent peace rather than have to deal with people who have different and valid points of view. Well your kind of response is the kind of response that evokes conflicts, on a national level evokes war because there is a huge disrespect for the people who are ignored and it builds outrage especially when they add their own personal history to it. Every community, every relationship to be healthy must be able to engage in conflict because conflict is about diversity, it gets us to have that transcended experience of why that person thinks that way whilst we are physically in bodies...in a way you could say it's the next stage of maturity for humanity to tolerate all the fears and shame we have learned about differences and conflict. Without it we are consigning ourselves to conformity with whoever holds the power and influence. In this substack you are the person with that power. By ignoring the controversy of your last post you model the same system you say you don't agree with. It takes courage especially when you have old history of conflict as a child but we all have to step over that threshold if we want the kind of communities you describe.
I didn't intend to ignore the controversy. I had scheduled this post and was without internet for the last 24 hours. I have just now sat down to a pile of emails. But thank you for alerting me to the controversy.
"We have to stop running around blind—blind to the fullness of what is."
Yes, yes, and yes. Thank you for this piece. I also struggle with all the pain and suffering I see in the world... brought on by our blindness. It is so easy for me to give in to despair these days, seeing all the non-sensical pain, suffering, othering, (blaming/shaming) that is in our faces EVERY day.
WHY do people not see ?!?
I keep coming back to a moment such as Drew's that I experienced. I rarely speak about it, as people who have not experienced it do not understand... I just can't explain it... perhaps I'm not meant to.
Love is the answer. The greatest commandments...
The light will overcome the darkness... I'm certain of it. One foot in front of the other. Be aware, be love. We have no clue how just one action, one smile, can transform a person's reality in the moment.
"First to give us the courage to become lost, and then the wisdom to find our way."
The other day, after spending the morning grasping, grappling, trying to hold it all together and figure it out... and not even seeing that this is what I was doing... it hit me: just fall apart. Let it all go, and do nothing but trust the unraveling.
I'm constantly remembering this part of the journey. Words like yours help me do so.
Let go- let God.
... one of my short and sweet mantras...
Another, that I used to use at the beginning of each work day (RN) is "Let she that is within me, perform the tasks appointed to me. "
Thanks for reminding me of that one...
Thanks, Grace! "Let go, let God." I grew up hearing that, but my own faith stayed fairly dormant until later in life. One day, I was walking in the woods, and it occurred to me that all of creation shares my burdens. I felt, in a powerful way, that I could share that which was weighing on my mind with the trees-- that they could lend a hand in holding my grief, anxiety, pain, shame, etc. "Let go, let God" took on a new meaning to me that day.
Thank you for that second thought. It has strong Matthew 6 vibes to me ("look at the birds..." and "sufficient until the day is the evil thereof"), which is probably my favorite part of Christian scripture. The entire sentiment feels exactly the same as what Charles is saying when he talks about living in the gift. We do what is ours to do and trust that in doing the same, others will hold us up.
You are reminding me of Pema Chodron, a Buddhist nun, in her classic book, When Things Fall Apart.
I've heard a lot of great things about Pema Chodron's writing, but have never read any of it. Thanks for encouraging me to do so. I'm curious: how would you summarize her message?
Good application
It's curious how there is such a universality to our experiences. For I was about to choose those same words from Charles's writing.
What you speak to is where I am as well. Fall apart, let yourself break, were my words to myself as well. Somehow grief and love become the same...
“Let pain be glory’s mask”
Graffiti in Sydney spotted 2018
A way to include it all opened for me.
Peace.
I obviously relate, and for you to tie that back to grief and love becoming the same... I'm just nodding along more. I kind of think of love as the ocean and grief as the sea. Or, just that grief is a special angle of love. Blessings on your journey :)
Beautiful, thank you
I thought of something else related to what you brought up, which is that for me, it was grief that made me so afraid to let go. When I finally faced the giant block of grief I was holding, it was so all-encompassing. It asked that I fully surrender, let my guard down, and become meek. That was scary.
I say this like I did it once and that was that, which isn't true. It's been a continual process for me. Just wanted to share that for me, letting go is almost always coupled with a willingness to grieve. Given what you said, that grief and love become the same, I'm guessing you feel similarly?
I've been walking with grief for some years now. It is very compounded by what is happening in the world and by isolation as well.
I do feel very similarly to what you write. I've been brought to my knees at times, quite literally, by grief.
I think isolation is dampening my energy, so the challenge shifts.
Sometimes it is focusing on something simple, maybe bodily sensations like hunger and taking baby steps.
Or noticing that I feel numb and making space for it, the incredible discomfort.
I have been playing with vibration, the idea of. What our bodies do when we sob or scream. Or what I find my body wants to do when I feel anxious, to shake or vibrate. (which amazingly can reset my system very quickly)
But vibration mostly through voice, audio journaling or singing (as in letting my voice move through me, playing riffing). It is something that brings me back to feeling whole, grounded.
It is a constant play of what works.
Sometimes stillness, quiet, breath.
These are really nice thoughts. It was great to interact with you here in the comments. Many blessings :)
who ever said it's easier to destroy than it is to create...when it takes such courage to unravel. Did you have that aha moment when you were exercising...any time of day? curious, as I have a hard time letting go.
"It takes such courage to unravel" ❤️
Actually, yes! A little back story: the day I'm talking about was an anniversary of my father's death, and I had set aside time to take it slowly and do something I enjoyed. I spent about four hours at a nearby park that overlooks a river and the land that stretches out from the southern end of the city, using the time to read a book, meditate, nap, and soak up the sun. This was all enjoyable, but I also noticed that I was feeling an inner turmoil related to a whole slew of questions in my life, from the complex (and ongoing) relationship with my father to matters of career, vocation, and relationship. There was a dark storm brewing inside of me that touched some real depths. I did my best to just notice it, but it didn't feel particularly great.
Eventually I got up and began walking home. It was a few blocks in that I realized: just melt into this. I pictured the energy of compassion coming and sitting down next to the turmoil, and then I just did my best to let go.
Funny what motion and movement can do.
I agree that the letting go part is hard. What defines that struggle for you?
Thank you for sharing this. I relate. Trying pieces that aren't quite addressing a vibration of energy.
Then just in the movement of my body doing simple chores here, I fell into balance.
Totally. It's like whatever's blocking the flow needs to physically be knocked loose.
But there is also the need of great respect of my body shutting down. A balancing act.
Jonathan those words jumped out of the screen for me too> as do yours.
its so true isnt it that things need to unravel inspite of, and probably because of us trying to hold them all together. i have had a few opportunities in this life to experience the grace that comes with letting it all go and yet still i forget .
I’m 61 and I had a similar experience. But it started with a spontaneous state of non dual, spiritual awareness that lasted for 10 days on Vancouver Island in Spring 2015. In 2020 I was given approximately 4 to 6 months to live ( when Covid started) a case of non chemo responsive Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Long story but I did make it to remission then a stem cell transplant from my sister that was a perfect match. Although I did did “ sink” during my period of isolation and recovery, when I bounced back I’ve experienced a permanent state of non dual present moment awareness. My chemo experience was on par with my pant medicine revelations. So much to say…I’ll just say I know he is us/ we are real.
Oh, and I’m feeling fantastic!
Covid shots and all… I simply took the shot in solidarity with my caregivers and fellow patients….it was a deeply spiritual trip being taken care of…Canadian system took care of the cost
Thank you for thinking of others on your journey. I think we all need to look at how our actions affect those around us. So many do not.
Thank you for sharing your story, John!
So many inspirational and encouraging thoughts in your comment. Thanks, John. My brother is ill with cancer. Heartfelt wishes for your continuing health and growth.
https://youtu.be/guLQ8KDNyLw. We are one. Greqt b5 msg
In case you care to share more about your experience with chemo revelations on par with plant medicine in the context of AML and stem cell transplant…I’m quite curious to explore the possible “benefits” in the poison route…my sister was diagnosed at the same time as you with the same thing and did a version of chemo and also a perfect match stem cell from my brother…she passed on in May 2022 and I’ve struggled and been humbled and curious to grapple with/explore the meaning/power of the poison and my own anger, as we grieve…
I am sorry about your loss. It’s a big topic what you’re asking and what I mean by revelations is strictly personal although the experience involved what are called “ spirit guides” , or “ Guardian Angels”…in other words the idea of a constellation of spiritual entities or beings that are related to me and my life experience here. This realization what what happened during my dreams on Chemo. Very deep dreams unlike anything I’d experienced.
But these states involve a personal story line that ties into an individual’s memory I believe… higher risk varieties of AML are deadly no question about it.
I’ll tell you that when I didn’t respond to chemo and I was given the choice if I wanted to continue it was the most difficult choice of my life…that’s because even thought I knew I was on an “ authentic spiritual path “ I was very concerned about my future welfare… I don’t want to get into it but I was already getting tired of my “situation”… no kids or family issues or anything… just a lifetime of depression and anxiety and tired of living in rooms at 60 and thinking..why not let nature take its course you idiot!
But I did it and maybe I’m a miracle or maybe its like I believe it is.. just that.
Thank you for sharing more, John. I think I understand about the necessarily individual, the very personal nature of the experience
My sister went deep on the spiritual and emotional and also revealed to us that she had spent her life in anxiety but also very much wanted to stay here for her daughter and son ..the part I wrestle with is trying to understand the role of the physical reality too and whether that physical was the crux of what was presented to her, yet that was also the part she eventually let go of and that is the reason for the pain of her family left here…we are happy that she has “escaped” the pain but was that what was meant by the challenge? Do things like this have purpose? If so, what about the Haitian children Charles mentions suffering so much..why must they suffer..whose meaning is that?
As for my own suffering I know I had to go through it to be where I am now. But I learned to accept my situation many years ago while incarcerated for a while for the first and only time in my life. I believe everything is tied together… it’s nature .. nothing can really be separate… it’s as a bee is to a flower. I believe Physical life and death, as is physical birth and death, as is pain and suffering are not real… not in the ultimate sense… and the ultimate sense is all that actually matters to me now.
Thank you for sharing this Charles. My son was not born alive due to a medical error with an injectable during childbirth. He was resuscitated. It was clear from his way of being that he too experienced what I like to think of as a “pure light”. That experience showed me things about our medical system that I can’t unsee and while painful I’m grateful for the insights my family has had through this time. I believe it’s this expansion that will guide us through this birth canal. Blessings to all of you.
Thank you so much for sharing this! I
needed to hear this today. Drew has helped remind me of what I know at a deep/expansive level is true and how important it is that we aim to cultivate a certain high quality of consciousness while we are here. I have been fortunate to know since childhood that we are, or our consciousness, is much longer lived than our bodies so we never really die.
There is no reason to live in fear.
It’s far too easy to have our minds/ consciousness highjacked these days by the relentless stream of fear mongering, political drama and distracting events going on all around us.
I know for myself I need, for my own sanity, to be very, very selective about what I think about right now. Yes, it seems like we are under siege by psychopaths, people are suffering and dying and we may see a whole lot more of that I’m afraid, but we must not give into fear or hate.
We must bring love and light to those around us in anyway we can, which you seem to be doing beautifully so thank you!
Beautiful and if you need more stories like this there is a group on Facebook called Exploding Rainbows where you’ll find many people who understand this. Thank you for sharing. 💙
That's a name that's easy to remember...exploding rainbows. Love it! Thanks for sharing.
You’re a good man Charles. The narrative (“the reality” if you will) maintains itself by our attention and agreement, quite literally. We are taught to accept only a fraction of the input we receive and ignore the rest. More and more humans are starting to poke their heads out and look around, to grant other input equal weight. Once “here” is seen for the assembly it is, the choice can be made to collectively quit funding it.
I’m so grateful to both of you, and Drew’s wife, for discussing this together and sharing it with us. It has affected me profoundly, along with a knowing that the timing is perfect. I’ve listened twice now and keep getting such gut connections to what Drew shares it is really uplifting. It’s far from a walk in the park but what transcends everything is how real it feels, and how truth can be faced eyes wide open when there is so much beauty and joy that comes with it. I feel spurred on to be the most that I can be to help as many as I can.
Wow, Drew and Maria are our dear friends, it was such an intense time for them. How wonder full that you are sharing this powerful story dear Charles!
Thank you, Charles. I love the background lightening flashes, like a coordinated music.
The universe nodding in agreement, I noticed it too. Once it hit after he said “You’re powerful.” Chills.
YES!! The first one punctuated "I am not this body", and the second one "I am light".
i have had such intimate connections with death and these past 7 years that it is more than clear to me that death is not the end. today, we went to a dear friend's cremation and borrowed a car to drive home her husband with her ashes and her large portrait and accoutrements for her altar. on the way to the ceremony, we had made a wrong turn and took us far from the venue. but as soon as we got on track and started to head in the right direction, there, directly in front of us, seen from the far away outskirts of Tokyo, was an amazing and breathtaking full view of Mt. Fuji, completely covered in snow. our friend was born in a city where she could see Mt. Fuji daily. it was no doubt that she had wanted to share the grandeur with us.
(wanting to also add that this friend and i had struggled through some challenges over the 15 years we have known one another, but always came back to love and the passions we shared, which were what brought us together. to me, this gift of hers was a sign that our connection is everlasting and the way it endured through thick and thin was significant. it was a monumental force towards beauty and change and expansiveness towards potential to share with my family and now the new friends i have made through her physical death.)
Charles, you continue to be one of the three HUMANS that I subscribe to monetarily ... at this time, and one of the 3 is my son, Ezra. I have had 3 NDE's and never shared publically although I have no problem with that ... I have only shared in small circles or one on one up till now. I have been gifted several, what I referred to in this moment ... as "Living Visions" ... over my lifetime. I love the work you do in the world and support you 100% in all that you ARE. I would love to visit CR as it has been on my bucket list for over 40 years. I was planning on going in May of 2020 and was scheduled to stay at somewhere that changed their minds about COVID, and joined the narrative that wasn't TRUE for me so I cancelled. Anyway, for what it is worth, I love and appreciate you always, Charles.
I took this audio and sat by a creek. Thank you for the tip to find a quiet space for listening. Such an important message and podcast for these times. Shared it already with many.
You have been on fire since before Christmas Charles, your 6 part essay was incredible, you are very much touching source each time,on the pulse in the centre,riding the wave on that razor's edge. Take time in between. Hats off to you, give me a couple a weeks ta manifest the lottery and we'll be out to you in Costa Rica muy pronto. Keep Shinning Charles, ride on, see you......Phoeagdor.
Aint a mind reader but can definayely predict the name of your next post Costa Rica,the have's and have not. Should be an interesting one, there's a 6 parter there. Serious subject but riding high in April,shot down in May has been between posts. There is another idea called One Small Town - Michael Tellinger, look into and use it as part of the new article. Keep shining Charles, on that razor's edge. All the best, Phoeagdor.
Wow, I'm browsing very superficially the comments because I need to rest my eyes.. but this one was for me. You mention One Small Town by Michael Tellinger. It's a very interesting idea to pursue, don't you think? Are you involved with it in any way?
I watched many videos of M. Tellinger on Gaia and Youtube and I admire him for challenging the South African central bank in court. His latest endeavor, the One Small Town is extremely inspiring, isn't it?
Thank you for sharing this. It resonated with me very much. As you say, we need to get lost to find ourselves. I have certainly experienced that more times that I can count. The video reminded me of an experience I had when I was younger, after I had a harsh car accident. Since then, I have always felt that I am living in "extra time", and once we come back, what is important...all that matters, radically changes. It is easier said than done, but life does change forever when we understand there is a higher consciousness, and all we need to do is listen to the callings. Cheers again.
I find this a bit bizarre Charles after all the comments on your post yesterday that you immediately go off on another tangent...I suppose an old coping response to perceived criticism...I want transcendent peace rather than have to deal with people who have different and valid points of view. Well your kind of response is the kind of response that evokes conflicts, on a national level evokes war because there is a huge disrespect for the people who are ignored and it builds outrage especially when they add their own personal history to it. Every community, every relationship to be healthy must be able to engage in conflict because conflict is about diversity, it gets us to have that transcended experience of why that person thinks that way whilst we are physically in bodies...in a way you could say it's the next stage of maturity for humanity to tolerate all the fears and shame we have learned about differences and conflict. Without it we are consigning ourselves to conformity with whoever holds the power and influence. In this substack you are the person with that power. By ignoring the controversy of your last post you model the same system you say you don't agree with. It takes courage especially when you have old history of conflict as a child but we all have to step over that threshold if we want the kind of communities you describe.
I didn't intend to ignore the controversy. I had scheduled this post and was without internet for the last 24 hours. I have just now sat down to a pile of emails. But thank you for alerting me to the controversy.
What were these comments about. Do you believe spiritual elevation is a tangent? What do u believe is important. Power? Land? Military?
Conflict is providing loosch food to satan.
Thank you. Spot on.
"We have to stop running around blind—blind to the fullness of what is."
Yes, yes, and yes. Thank you for this piece. I also struggle with all the pain and suffering I see in the world... brought on by our blindness. It is so easy for me to give in to despair these days, seeing all the non-sensical pain, suffering, othering, (blaming/shaming) that is in our faces EVERY day.
WHY do people not see ?!?
I keep coming back to a moment such as Drew's that I experienced. I rarely speak about it, as people who have not experienced it do not understand... I just can't explain it... perhaps I'm not meant to.
Love is the answer. The greatest commandments...
The light will overcome the darkness... I'm certain of it. One foot in front of the other. Be aware, be love. We have no clue how just one action, one smile, can transform a person's reality in the moment.
"We have no clue how just one action, one smile, can transform a person's reality in the moment."
Yes this! ❤️
Although I do think many have a clue.