Tag: Mindful Existence

Embracing the Octopus Within

The Path of the Saint and the Bodhisattva

In the boundless depths of the ocean, a remarkable creature flourishes – the octopus. With its eight arms and three hearts, the octopus presents a fascinating analogy for a life dedicated to compassion and altruism. What if I told you that by embracing the wisdom of the octopus, you could walk the path of a saint or a bodhisattva?

Three Hearts, One Soul

The octopus’s three hearts are not just intriguing biological features; they symbolize a trinity that is central to a life of selflessness – compassion, wisdom, and courage. These three tenets are the lifeblood that sustains the spirit of those who strive to benefit others. Just as the octopus’s hearts pump vitality through its body, these principles energize and direct our moral compass.

Compassion is the first heart. It moves us to alleviate the suffering of others. Wisdom, the second heart, grants the discernment to understand the complexities of life and the interconnectedness of all beings. The third heart, courage, gives us the strength to act upon our compassion and wisdom even in the face of adversity.

Arms That Give

Now, imagine your capabilities and resources as the arms of an octopus. These are the conduits through which the heart’s intent flows into action. With its eight arms, an octopus can achieve an astonishing level of multitasking and adaptability. Likewise, when we apply our varied talents and strengths in the service of others, we, too, can touch many lives. The octopus doesn’t discriminate as to which of its arms is more worthy; similarly, no act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.

The Saint and the Bodhisattva: A Singular Journey

To “be like the saint” is to embrace a life of purity, humility, and service. This aligns closely with the path of the bodhisattva in Buddhism, who seeks enlightenment not for personal gain but for the benefit of all sentient beings.

A true saint, like a bodhisattva, doesn’t keep score. The concept of giving without expecting anything in return is deeply rooted in this path. This is not to be confused with self-neglect; rather, it’s the understanding that in the giving, we receive. We receive growth, fulfillment, and connection – treasures that cannot be quantified.

An Octopus’s Embrace

So, let’s learn from our wise friend, the octopus. Let our three hearts be full of compassion, wisdom, and courage. Let our arms be open and giving. And may we swim through the currents of life with grace, as saints or bodhisattvas, serving as guardians and guides for all those navigating the tempestuous oceans of existence.

In embracing the octopus within, we embark on a journey that ripples through the waters of our communities and touches the shores of every heart. In this sacred odyssey, we do not merely live; we become vessels of immeasurable, boundless love.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

Essence Unbound

Unleashing Our Cosmic Consciousness

Across the infinite, immeasurable canvas of the universe, there echoes a profound cosmic truth: “Your authentic self lacks a definitive shape or form, yet it is capable of embracing all shapes and forms.” As cosmic beings traversing the fleeting plane of human existence, we may find comfort in this wisdom, a call to venture into the core of our authentic nature, the quintessence of our very existence.

Our temporal existence is nothing but a kaleidoscope of experiences, a tableau on which the diverse hues of life enact their complex ballet. The physical forms we occupy, the personas we adopt, the emotions we convey – these are ephemeral representations of our limitless potential. The human body, as it matures and alters with time, merely serves as a vessel, a channel for the quintessence of our existence to express itself.

Yet, transcending the boundaries of our physical form, lies an ineffable, formless essence. This essence, eternally omnipresent, permeates each fragment of our existence, tethering us to the cosmos. Recognizing this truth propels us to understand that our authentic self is not confined by the fleeting appearances of our individual lives. Rather, we are integral to a larger entity, a universal consciousness that encapsulates the entirety of existence.

This epiphany transcends the capacities of our intellect, propelling us into a dimension of infinite wisdom and compassion. We start to perceive that every shape and form – from the intricate crevices of a mountain range, the rhythmic rise and fall of the ocean tides, to the limitless spread of a starlit sky – mirrors our intrinsic nature. The forms may metamorphose, yet the essence remains untouched, an everlasting, unaltered presence that pervades the cosmos.

As we set sail on this voyage of self-realization, we are inspired to disentangle ourselves from the illusions that tie us to our fleeting forms. The attachments we cherish, the desires that blur our perspective, the fears that stunt our evolution – these are mere diversions, impeding our recognition of our true potential. By shedding these illusions, we reveal the radiant brilliance of our innermost essence, a glowing beacon directing us toward enlightenment.

In this enlightened state, we comprehend that our intrinsic nature is not disjointed from the world around us. Instead, we are intricately interwoven with every organism, every atom, every quark in the universe. As we accept this interconnectivity, we nurture a profound sense of compassion, a limitless love that includes all creation.

In this ballet of shapes and forms, let’s constantly remember that the essence of our existence remains immutable, timeless, and all-embracing. As the mystic poet Rumi philosophically stated, “You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.” Equipped with this understanding, we are poised to surpass our perceived constraints, unlock our boundless potential, and illumine the world with the radiant light of our authentic nature.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation & My book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith