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Though I live in and love the mountains, I try each year to make at least one trip for a getaway to the ocean. This, for me, is the best of both worlds. The Colorado Rockies give me my hiking, deep wooded forests, refreshingly clean and thin mountain air and then – at their pinnacle – the feeling of standing on the top of the world. Theirs is the place of wildlife and plant life – of magnificent sunrises and sunsets. For me, the mountains are the true birthplace of serenity.
But then there’s the ocean. That mighty and massive body of water, never failing to communicate to me just how small I am and how large the Presence that is ‘in’ and yet ‘beyond’ me (and all things!) is. And to think that I can know such a Presence and even be a part of this One’s nature – there’s such power in owning this thought.
Being at the ocean also reminds me of something else – a spiritual teaching from a source within Eastern wisdom literature: the principle states that, “It is the surface of the sea that makes waves and roaring breakers; the depth is silent.”
Think about this for a moment.
I love this. I love to recall it in times of upheaval when I know I should affirmatively respond to that numinous nudge to sit down, rediscover stillness, and enter into a place of quiet meditation. Again and again it reminds me that the turmoil of life occurs at the shallow shore of my egoic fears and incessant desire to be in control. Over and again this teaching affirms my need to go deep with God and there find the calm and rest for which I seek.
I think Jesus had this in mind when he spoke of those tossed back and forth by the wind – carried on the waves as if they had no choice or power over their destiny. For Jesus, these were people who did not know (or did not desire) to go into the deeper things of life; to descend to the greater depths of knowing and meaning and therein finding peace.
Think about it: When the surface things of life are breaking hard, there is a place of stillness to which you may always go. It’s the place that is perpetually calm because it is the deep place of real Presence, of real Spirit, of real Selfhood where nothing can hurt you or take away the eternal life that you are.
It’s a new week and the world is tentative because the winds and the waves abound – but you, YOU are an infinite soul with the infinite power of Presence guiding you to the depths of what is real. And with that, the words ‘have a great week’ should more easily and believably be received!
7 comments to “A Deep Calm”
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This is one mighty beautiful piece of writing, Tim. Thanks! It has profound joy, life, light, peace written all over it.
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Tim, Beautifully written…centered thoughts…you’re speaking my language and I fully identify with your connections to the mountains and the sea! Love your summary statement: “YOU are an infinite soul with the infinite power of Presence guiding you to the depths of what is real” and it is why I have shifted to reminding myself and saying to others: “Create a great week”!
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Tim what awonderful way to start anew week God’s love is new everyday thanks for reminding me.
Love Dan -
Being from West Texas, I don’t believe what everyone is saying about mountains and large bodies of water. They simply don’t exist. On the other hand, Tim, I greatly appreciate the analogy about how calm the deep is while the surface is full of activity. I used that illustration yesterday in a particularly volcanic situation. Deep peace won out. I still need more proof about the mountain/ocean stuff though.
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This is true on so many levels…what a lovely picture! I would go so far as to add that going deep may also be painful (because you might see yourself as alone in the journey), but it’s SO worth the quietness and peace in the end. Thanks for this, Tim!
Nice thoughts to start a new week.