Circles
I have a friend who is a master at drawing circles. In this she has a been a great teacher, I know few who do it so well or so consistently. I am talking about circles of inclusion and exclusion, which I see as spirituality in action.
There are those who draw small circles to exclude others. What is beautiful to experience is the ability of my friend to be seemingly always able to draw a bigger circle again, to include the very ones who seek to exclude.
Ultimately this is what healing is about. At one end of the healing continuum is ego mindedness, the small, closed circles of “I”, “me” and “mine”. Expanded awareness, being willing to hold an ever expanding circle, to know the oneness in all things, is at the other end. “Healing” is everything in the space in between.
Small circles are driven by fear, which always involves suffering. Small circles are commonplace. The feeling that goes with expanded consciousness and willingness to hold the bigger circle is love. While this may also involve pain, ultimately it leads to peace.
“How big am I drawing my circles?” has become one of my “self check in” questions.