#1423 - we are the ocean
I found this quote from Alan Watts this morning.
You and I are all as much continuous with the physical universe as a wave is continuous with the ocean.
It reminded me of the beautiful little story from The Mystery of Love By Marc Gafni that I shared a while ago in this post.
Two waves in the ocean were having a conversation as they flowed toward shore. The larger wave was extremely depressed, and the small one was peacefully flowing along.
"If you could see what I see from up here," says the large wave to the small one, "you would not be so happy."
"Well, what is it?"
"In not too long, we will crash into the shore, and that will be the end of us."
"Oh that," says the small wave. "That's okay."
"What, are you crazy!?"
"No. I know a little secret that tells me it's all okay," says the small wave. "Would you like me to share it with you?"
At this point, the large wave friend is both curious and suspicious.
"Will I have to pay a lot of money to learn this secret?"
"No, not at all."
"Will I have to do zazen [sitting meditation] for thirty years in the lotus position?"
"No, not at all," says the small wave. "Really, the whole thing is only eight words."
"Eight words!!! Well, tell me already!"
So the small wave says ever so gently, "You are not a wave. You are water."
Something powerful happens when we realize that we are more than just waves separated from each other. When we become fully aware that we are the ocean, that we are water, then we begin operating from a whole new dimension. A dimension from which we can positively impact all waves, no matter the distance in space and time.
One of the thoughts I was carrying around yesterday in my cluttered mind was the idea of the common good. What is it? Who defines it? How do I know that my idea of the common or higher good is such?
The answer lies in reckoning with my whole self that we are all water.
As a wave, what I do will benefit me. I may do something for the good of other waves, supposing I know what is good for them. But if I can expand my consciousness and fully embrace being water, my actions are universal.
Beautiful. Thank you my friend