“Say your truth – kindly, but fully and completely.
Live your truth, gently but totally and consistently.
Change your truth easily and quickly when your experience brings you new clarity.”
Have you ever heard of a chladni plate? Named for a German musician and physicist, Ernst Chladni is sometimes called “the father of acoustics.” Basically, he sprinkled sand on a metal plate, and then drew a violin bow across the side of the plate. The sand reacted to various frequencies, shaking themselves into beautiful patterns. Seriously, watch the incredible vibration dance on this link. I’ll wait. Totally awesome, right? You can’t see the vibrational catalyst, only the gorgeous result.
So anyway, those gorgeous sand patterns are now called Chladni figures and are used in the design of wooden acoustic instruments like cellos and guitars. Izzie’s beautiful Martin guitar is designed in this fashion, giving it a rich, melodic sound.
My point is that just because we can’t see something doesn’t mean it isn’t also exerting a powerful force in our lives. Though I am not aligned with a religious belief system, I do have a faith in something bigger, a divinity of sorts. I choose to call this unseeable power Source. You might call it God, Allah, Spirit, Kismet, Nature, The Breath, The Big Kahuna, or The Big Lebowski. Yoda calls it The Force. Liz Gilbert writes about “Big Magic.” Harry Potter utters, Expecto Patronum to conjure his cosmic guide. Nikola Tesla names it simply vibration. It doesn’t matter what name we use to describe the unseen powers of the cosmos, as long as we’re willing to acknowledge they exist.
Source reminds us that each individual on the planet totally matters. This is great news for those times when we feel overwhelmed by life and we just want to curl up in a giant bag of potato chips. We have a responsibility to take care of ourselves because we play an important role in the collective. But Source also reminds us that we are but a tiny speck of dust on a tiny blue dot in one universe of billions. This necessary perspective keeps us from taking it all too seriously or feeling like our problems are unique or even all that important. But best of all? Source reminds us to let go and trust the process. Source gives us infinite do-overs to relearn this message as many times as it takes.
Source isn’t external to us. It is us, within and without. We arose from stardust and shall one day return. It’s always available to us, when we need guidance or solace. The best ways to hear the divine melody of Source? Meditation, prayer, saying thanks, attending church, journaling, eating well, moving our body, practicing yoga, forgiving, being in nature, having sex, spending time with friends, sleeping deeply, laughing, hugging, taking care of others, or doing anything that lights our inner fire. A strong tie to a higher power creates more peace, joy, and contentment in our lives. It also strengthens our resolve to figure out what things best support our individual path to wellness. A lack of spiritual awareness attracts negativity and poor health. So spend some time clarifying your beliefs surrounding a higher power.
Journal prompts:
How does it feel in your body when you are connected to Source? Be specific.
What connotations does the word “faith” have for you? What were you raised to believe? Do you now reject or embrace those beliefs?
To connect more deeply to Source, what changes would you need to make in your life? What would you add or subtract from your life?
Do we have a soul? If so, what do you think happens to that soul when we die?
