Between Heaven and Earth

My morning walks take me through a wooded path that runs alongside a creek that flows from Mt. Ashland. The path crosses the creek four times before it reaches a waterfall trickling through rocks and fallen trees to a small pond where our furry friends and favorite pets bathe and frolic. I often pause on the foot bridges and rocks that allow me to pass from one side of the creek to the other. As I look upstream I give honor and gratitude to the ancestors, all those who have come before who have honored the earth and our journey upon her. As I look downstream I whisper a prayer for all those who are yet to come, the future generations of the paradise of earth. Suddenly I recognize that it is I who stands in the here and now between these two realities. All that has been, and all that is yet to be is dependent upon me in some way to do my part in supporting the continuum of life.

The significance of occupying this position, as between heaven and earth, has been a difficult concept for me to grasp. For the better part of my life, I made a practice of surrendering my life to a greater power. My prayer was to ask what Spirit wanted from me, where I was needed to be, how I could be of service. It was quite shocking to me when the response I heard was “whatever you want to do”.

In my last forum entry I recorded the advice I received from the Cedar tree reminding me that whatever I am capable of doing is mine to do. Little by little I am beginning to understand the position I hold as I live my life between Heaven and Earth and in accordance with those who have come before and those who are yet to be.

“By myself I can do nothing” reminds us that it is through the grace of Spirit that we walk this path. Our breath, our life, our journey is a gift of the divine. All that we are capable of doing is the divine blessing of life itself. It is the earth that supports and nourishes our journey here. And it is I who stands here alive in this moment to embody the consciousness that allows me to bring these graces through me and into the physical world. It is up to me and the choices I make as to how I live that will render the purposefulness of my life.

As we progress upon our spiritual paths and evolve into our greater selves, each of us is given a little more responsibility in learning to live an enlightened life. I am grateful to the many daily gifts of friends and spirit that assist me in my awakening, and for the blessing of this forum that permits me to share my thoughts with others.