Love comes in!

Another gorgeous Vancouver sunset last night!

The only way love can come into your life

is not through form,

but through that inner spaciousness

that is Presence.

Love has no form.

~ Eckhart Tolle

♥♥♥

Twelve years ago today, presence and love, in the form of Eckhart, came into 'my' life. We met at a small celebratory gathering for The Power of Now hosted by the book's publisher, another beacon of Light, in her elegant home. Although that mid-December Sunday afternoon was composed of many delightful details, one of them stood out, and still does. 

During the 'meditation' part of the gathering, which was the main reason I wanted to attend this party (Eckhart was, at this point, an unknown local author), I was seated two chairs away from Eckhart to his right and was waiting to see what kind of meditation this was... what was going to happen. I noticed that everyone seated there in the living room had their eyes closed. I caught a glimpse of the afternoon sky and the effects of the sun's low light through a small window in the dining room. At that moment of looking, there was a sense of something sacred... something inside was recognized. 

In spite of everything else that was happening, all of the symptons of unwellness in the body, the fear and excitement of being in an unfamiliar place with a group of 'strangers' not knowing what was going to happen, plus everything that had happened leading up to this fateful event (and there was a lot!), I was aware of a sense of calm, of peace, a deep feeling of all is well, of awe, and of blessed. Even though I was conscious of sitting in the midst of great physical beauty and comfort, this inner tranquility seemed much greater.

A thought, which wasn't a thought, came to me. It came from far beyond the mind; it came through the stillness... I heard it. It said, "What a beautiful moment this is." Eckhart must have heard it, too. He turned and looked at me, our eyes met and there was a silent acknowledgment of this truth, a confirming smile and nod. Yes, this is a beautiful moment. 

I had never experienced this before in this way, where the space opened, and wisdom spoke, and was immediately confirmed by someone else. I knew something 'big' had happened in that moment. I could feel it, but I didn't yet know what it was. Something had opened. There was aliveness and joy and peace. 

I don't remember many of the details of what followed after that, except that I left the gathering filled with love and joy and peace and gratitude. Much later, I realized that this meeting had been a significant marker in this journey of unfoldment. And, it also marked the beginning of a long friendship. It was a holiday... a holy day... and one of it's many gifts was the recognition of the true beauty of this moment. 

So, in honor of this, here's to beauty and love and presence and friendship and auspicious meetings... dates with destiny!

♥