That Which Abides

by Christina Pratt

September 11th was a tragic day for humanity. People around the world were touched by a sudden and enormous loss of life that was so great that all we could do was struggle to grasp the vastness of it. For many people, particularly in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania, the tragedy was literal and personal. These lives were torn asunder as loved ones vanished into smoke and dust and homes were transformed into "Ground Zero." My deepest condolences go out to those whose losses are literal and physical. They deserve our compassion and prayers, if not our actual help.

At the same time we must all remember: "that which abides remains." That which matters at birth and death remains. That which transcends the limitations of this life remains. All that is of true power and heart remains; some is transformed, but all remains. As the mystic Rumi says, "death has nothing to do with going away." In that we can all seek comfort. That which abides is with us always. That which abides is within us always.

New Yorkers felt this. They felt it in the days after the 11th when priorities were suddenly different. Helping, kindness, and concern for the well being of others mattered. Children mattered. Taking action and making connections, even with strangers mattered. Suddenly all that mattered was that which abides.

In this sense nothing has changed. Your soul's purpose is still your soul's purpose. The spirit world is still here to support you. You are still here to bring the same gifts to the same world. All that was shattered were your illusions.

...the illusion that your government and your insurance payments make you safe.
...the illusion that the way we live as Americans doesn't affect other people.
...the illusion that you have the luxury to remain unaware of yourself.
...the illusion that the world can get by without the gifts you were meant to bring to it.
...the illusion that there will be time later to live out your soul's purpose.
...the illusion...there are so many...

Let the illusions go. Open your mind and heart to all that is real. You can begin by being willing to feel what you feel without judgment. For example, feel the grief you feel for anything that is ending so that you may open to the beginnings of new relationships. Feel the anger you feel so that you may expose your passion and move toward it with your life. Feel whatever it is that you feel so that you may connect to what is real.

By relating to what is real you can learn to know yourself. When you know yourself you can see through the illusions. You can see how they have hooked you in and colored your perception. There is freedom in this clear sightedness. It allows you to see that which abides and to know that your purpose is still your soul's purpose. Let your homage to those who died be the willingness to risk living the life that brings your soul's purpose into the world.

© 2002 Last Mask Center for Shamanic Healing. Do not use without permission.
http://www.shamansense.org