I had earmarked Tuesday morning, September 11th, to complete this column. For
weeks I'd been jotting down thoughts and this was to be the time to collate
them. At the top of the page I had scrolled the word "Imagine," and my first
musings had been some of the key words in John Lennon's song:
Imagine all the people living for today
Imagine all the people living life in peace
Imagine all the people sharing all the world
There were other notes all aimed at using our brilliant imaginations to
create more beauty and fulfillment in our personal lives and ever expanding
love and peace in our world.
And then it happened!
In certain circles John's song wasn't, and still isn't, well received. His
lyrics speak of imagining no countries -- no religions -- the very source of
identity for many of us. But John's whole thrust here, it seems to me, is
encouraging us to be here now -- today -- with peace in our hearts and love in
our minds. To share this world openly, freely, and with great delight. No
more separation -- no more arrogance that declares, "I'm better than you
because I belong to this religion or live in this country."
The truth is
that we are family on this tiny, precious planet and he knew that. He knew that "we are all one." And
anything that obscures, denies, or defiles that innate connection and
brotherhood is counterproductive to the natural flow of life.
If you're reading this column it's no accident, and you've got work to do.
We all do. This is why we're here now.
Certainly we have to search our
hearts for ways in which we can be helpful to our fellow beings and move
forth to do that. But most of all, we need to Imagine.
On Friday evening, Sept. 14th, all over this country and in many parts of our
world, candles were lit in an outpouring of spirit that sent light forth
into the darkness. We can be doing that with our thoughts constantly. Light
literally emanates from us when we think upon love and peace and all the
positive energies.
So begin today to imagine that you are a bearer and
beacon of light. See and feel that light is emanating from the center of
your chest, what is metaphysically referred to as your heart center. Imagine
it like a gigantic search light, and focus it wherever you choose. (You can
do this anywhere, anytime -- walking down the street, sitting on the bus,
doing the dishes, making the bed, etc. You don't have to be at a prayer
meeting on in meditation.)
Also imagine that the light of compassion is
pouring from your eyes everywhere you look and that light flows from your
hands healing everything you touch. Imagine your "heart search light"
flowing into those who are grieving the loss of loved ones and profoundly
comforting them. See it descending upon ground zero, assisting the
courageous beings who are working there with such relentless determination.
See it blessing and releasing the suffering of those who so abruptly lost
their lives. See it bringing hope and new vision to those whose lives have
been so drastically shattered. See it filling the hearts and minds of all
our world leaders with inspiration and great wisdom at the most critical hour
our world has yet encountered.
Imagine that you are sending forth light to
encircle our earth and rain down a soothing balm that, now and forevermore,
heals the anger and hatred that source such egregious acts. Imagine.
Imagine that this time we finally wake up; we get it. Imagine that this time we
recognize and claim that the love, the beauty, the deep compassionate caring
that become our modus operandi in times of great crisis is who we really
are. Imagine that this time we shift into that way of being, always.
Imagine that this is the catalyst that transforms the consciousness of the
entire planet. "Imagine all the people sharing all the world" in love, harmony and understanding.
Albert Einstein
said that imagination is more important than information. Imagine that your
mind and heart and every fiber of your being is a healing instrument. It is
when you say so. Be the Light. Imagine.
by Elizabeth Hepburn
Columnist