Questioning Beliefs in the Enchanted Forest

Something is always lost in translation. I tried to explain to a friend who doesn’t walk the same path my profoundly transformative experience this weekend. She asked if we learned more techniques, I said, “no, went deeper.” “Deeper into what?” Those who have been there know; those who haven’t are confused. Words don’t even exist in the non-conceptual field of awareness, I tried. I stumbled through something and as I sensed her eyes glaze over I switched topics to something more mundane.
Much later, I realized the closest description is an enchanted forest. You stand at the edge of the forest, looking at a thicket of trees (initial meditation). As you calm down and slow your mind you recognize there is something bright and shiny, though you can’t really tell what or where it comes from. A glow emanates from somewhere unseen. The dense green trees surround you with rich debris and soil under feet. Heavy moist air wraps itself through your breath. The trees filter bright white light to a gentle illumination. As you find your way down a path you find more light, more space, more clarity. Light and shadow play tricks on your eyes. Slowly, slowly as you walk deeper you find more light, less shadow, more space, less matter, more clarity, less confusion. After years and years of struggle, sometimes getting lost, others running gleefully only to be disappointed and having to find your way back again you finally reach the center of the forest. As you step into the clearing angels sing and you see the source of light, an almost blindingly bright light that permeates your Being. Crystal clear. You understand. Here, you look back to the forest and see with new eyes, the shimmering luminescence exists in everything just waiting to be invited into the opening.

I walked in this forest exploring love and value. Every step along the way we questioned – “what is value?” “what is love?” “am I really separate?” This is a practice similar to the Kaizen 5 whys only a hell of a lot deeper. The questioning took me deep into the forest. As I entered the center of the forest full, POWERful love overtook and erased me paradoxically also showing ME. I soooo long for leaders who lead from this understanding, for leadership with this profound level of inner inspiration. I yearn for leadership that replaces the dehumanizing concept of human "resources" and sees people as the shimmering luminescence asking to be invited in. How different would the world be through those eyes? How vastly more life-afirming would decisions be ...and through those eyes what a different world we could create.