When you're feeling lost in life, there are two questions to ask: (1) Who am I? (2) Why am I here? This post continues the conversation with the ginkgo tree from yesterday. In this part, we discover what it means to become enlightened or to awake, and how to deal with darkness and evil.
Yesterday, with daylight fading, I sat under a beautiful ginkgo tree to learn about who we are as seeds. If you didn't read that already, start there. Then come back to this page.
(And read to the end for a link to the 3rd and final part of this conversation!)
Starting in darkness
Wednesday, 1:02pm. I have returned to the park, and am again sitting under the beautiful ginkgo tree. After praying, we begin.
"Ah yes, welcome. The growing of the seed. Shall we continue?" says the tree.
"Yes, please," I eagerly reply.
"Okay. So it is. All seeds start in darkness. Since you are here as a seed, you are in darkness. Seeds do not fear darkness, they don't actually know they are in the dark. The simply grow."
"All seeds have all they need within to become what they are meant to be. The seed already has a pattern, an imprint, of its fully developed self. So it is with you."
"Seeds naturally seek for and grow toward the light. The light in your space is the sun, physically and spiritually. The Son of God is the light that brings forth your spiritual self. The sun is the star that brings forth your physical self."
"Humans are unique in that they let darkness stump their growth." [Interesting to note the use of stump, and not stunt, as we would normally say. Stump means A part, as of a branch, limb, or tooth, remaining after the main part has been cut away, broken off, or worn down.]
"They fear darkness. What they need to understand is that the light is on the other side of the darkness. Does a seed remain in darkness forever? Of course not. As it continues to move toward the light, it breaks through the ground and finds the light."
Enlightenment, or waking up
"Breaking through the ground is what humans today call enlightenment, or waking up. It is when you become aware of all that surrounds you, all of the lies and true darkness that keeps you programmed to live as you live. Unaware. And yet, still growing."
"Do not disparage the time of being in darkness. Or those who are not yet awake. It serves a purpose, as all things do."
"You humans feel that you encounter darkness again once you are awake. You see much evil in the world around you. This is accurate, for evil surely does exist. However, it is not there to destroy, although as I understand it does seem that way. Evil is there to help you choose. Without evil, how would you know that there was good?"
"Before you came to this earth, all was light and love. Even the darkness that was present didn't seem dark. Not like it does here. This physical space gives you an experience of polarity which was not truly possible before. But I digress...."
Helping others find the light
"Once you are awake, your job is to help those who are still in darkness to find the light. Mimic the light, learn how to be like light, and that is what will serve others best. The light does not coerce. It does not fight. It does not even petition for itself. The light shines, shines, shines, and shows the way with gentleness and charity. Emulate the light."
"Do not despair that this seems difficult at times. It is meant to be so. Helping others to find the light is the next stage of growth for you as a seed."
"Now that you are awake, you are ready for the next step in your own progression. What does a seedling encounter? Winds and rains, being eaten by rabbits and dug up by squirrels, being trampled on by animals...all sorts of things are possible."
"Some seedlings are destroyed by these things, and die. This is paralleled in humans as well. It is not about the age at which you die, but about your stage of progression. The age at which this happens can be at any time."
"If you survive the buffetings of the world, you move on to the next stage of your progression. Now you are established. You are secure in your footing, you have found your place, and you continue to grow. This stage is not reached by many humans these days. It has been, and will be again."
Feeling that I am in the stage of buffeting and sharing light myself, I inquire, "Please tell me more about the stage of buffeting, and of emulating the light. What are the buffetings, and how do we navigate them?"
"Ah, yes. Wise question. I feel that I am not the one to answer that for you. There is another who will add that part to the story. May I continue?"
"Yes please."
"Thank you. Eventually, you can reach maturity. Maturity takes a long time to reach. Men don't live long enough right now to reach that stage. It takes a long time. There are many lessons to be learned before one gets to that stage."
Finding joy in painful things
"The most important thing is to enjoy each stage. No matter your stage, no matter what you are enduring, find the joy."
"All that comes your way is an experience necessary for your growth. Be grateful in your heart for it. Even the things that are painful are for your growth. But you must learn to see them as joyful and as good. Otherwise, you die inside. You heart withers and shrivels and shirks and hides. Find the joy in your shoulder hurting and in your hip and leg issues." [These are both current and ongoing issues I have been experiencing.]
"How do I do that?"
"Find someone else who can show the way by letting their light shine. All that you experience, others have, too. Alive or dead, someone has. This is why it is so important to shine you light. It shows the way for others."
"What about turning to Jesus? He knows exactly what everyone has, and is, and will experience."
"Yes! That is the most pure light."
(The tree becomes sad.)
"Unfortunately, most fear that light. They reject it. They overthink it."
"The time of transitioning from darkness to awareness is a difficult step in your journey. It is at that time that many turn away from the light. Instead, they become obsessed with carnal things. They are so hungry to grow, but they attach themselves to the wrong things. To things that would stunt and injure and destroy."
"This is where many are lost. This is why it is so important to shine the light of Jesus once you find it. Many are looking, but do not realize what they are looking for. Those who are looking will recognize it, though. Shine his light, share his truth, and that is the most important thing."
"Thank you for your time with me today. I quite enjoy our conversations. Thank you for listening, and for asking."
"You are welcome. I quite enjoy this, too."
Finding your way when you're feeling lost
We all have an innate guide that will lead us forth, if we let it. The key is to take the time to be quiet and listen. When we listen to our inner world, we hear and/or feel the Holy Spirit calling and guiding us.
What are the things that bring peace and joy to your heart? How can you let your light shine today? Even a small, simple act matters.
I know that when we seek for good, when we seek for light, we can find it. I know that following Jesus brings peace into our days and comfort to our souls. May you be blessed on your journey as you find your way to the light.
There is a part 3, our final conversation for this topic. Learn how to deal with challenges in life.
Main photo by Daka from Pexels
