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The
Universe is Talking, Pay Attention
by Patricia Rose Upczak |
In every moment, the Universe is whispering to
us. There are messages being carried on the winds,
waiting for us to pay attention. The morning songs of
the birds outside the window, the sound of an ocean
spraying the cliffs, or the babbling brook gurgling over
rocks. Ordinary, everyday happenings in our lives carry
communication for the realm of spirit.
In the past, people understood and knew how to
interpret these signs, symbols and omens. Often the
entire destiny of a tribe or nation was decided by
signs. As technology and science became more
disconnected from the concept of the world as a whole,
people became more and more isolated from their
connections to the earth and their inner wisdom.
The natural essence of the Universe is perfect
harmony. Spirals, labyrinths, numbers, and other symbols
create a myriad of intersecting landscapes for us to
investigate. There is no point where God begins or ends.
Our lives are intimately connected to everything. There
are those who hope to dissect the parts and thereby
understand the whole. Thus mystics and scientists travel
down different roads, but their destinations are the
same.
The majesty of the Universe is beyond our minds. The
symphony of the Cosmos is beautiful and harmonious.
Sunflowers grow in spite of the weeds, reaching for the
sun. Hummingbirds remind us to taste and enjoy the sweet
nectar of life. Coyotes trot into our lives to help us
laugh and be creative in our undertakings.
Spirals and labyrinths connect us to our souls, and
remind us who we really are. Numbers, throughout the
ages, guide us to the mysteries of the Universe as we
learn their codes. Cooperation and harmony is the way of
Nature. Greed and discord is not natural. Our lives are
designed to follow a plan that promotes growth, joy and
harmony. Anything that doesn't fit in that category is a
waste of time.
The symbolic world is the language of the Universe.
Thus words often do not convey the essence of truth. It
is important to realize that our perceptions create our
inner stories, which in turn create the directions of
our lives. Spirals, triangles, circles, squares, and
crosses evoke feelings of connectedness that seems
universal among humans throughout history. Different
cultures, arts, and deigns tell us their stories through
the symbolic world.
One of the reasons that our systems and institutions
are struggling on this planet is because people are
evolving to new levels. They need different
perspectives, different and more open techniques, to
discover the world around them. Their stories are
weaving the 21st Century's history, and as a
society, we must make the necessary shift, to help our
searching minds and hearts.
The symbolic world is a rich resource for us. We have
symbolic systems that been used throughout history.
Although many look upon tarot decks, runes and the I
Ching with suspicion, these symbolic systems are tools
to allow us to use and develop our own intuition. Prayer
beads, prayer wheels, mantras, rosary beads, crosses and
mandalas are all tools to allow us to connect with our
spiritual essence.
Synchronicities, signs and symbols are at their most
potent in the realm of plants, animals and insects.
Patience and openness is the missing link in the
discernment process. As we search for guidance and
clarity in our lives, the Universe will guide us. It is
our job to be still, observe, meditate and take time to
connect with nature, where often the answers to our
questions will gently unfold.
Throughout time, our ancestors have learned how to
uncover the solutions to their problems and the guidance
they needed, by paying attention to the signs and
symbols in Nature. The Etruscans coined the word "ostenta."
Ostenta are signs in the natural environment that
usually comment on what is happening right now, or
foreshadows of those events in the future. The Etruscans
interpreted the direction of the wind at a particular
moment, cloud designs, and patterns in lightning much as
did the native people of many cultures.
While interviewing people for my latest book
SYNCHRONICITY, SIGNS & SYMBOLS, I was especially
touched by the stories I was told around animals and
birds.
One woman told me a significant story about her
encounter with the eagle. Some years ago her life was in
major turmoil. She had gone through a difficult divorce
and had some important decisions to make about her life
and her home. She walked out to a large rock outcropping
that overlooked a valley near her home. As she sat there
crying, she begged God and the Universe for guidance and
help. Suddenly two large golden eagles started circling
about thirty feet above her as she sat on this rock
overlook. She knew in that moment that no matter how
bleak things looked that she was on her right path.
Later in that same week, much to her delight, a pair of
eagles circled her home for about a half of an hour. She
had never seen eagles near there before and has not seen
them since. In many traditions the eagle signals a time
of power, strength and soaring freedom in our life.
Denise Linn told me a number of wonderful stories
connected to the owl and the crow. She told me that they
show up whenever she needs help, encouragement or
wisdom, in any way. The crow is a very powerful sign.
The crow is thought to have mystical powers and to be a
messenger from the spiritual realm. Change is always on
the way when a crow shows up in your life.
Our lives are intimately connected to everything.
Stop from time to time and listen to the whispers of the
Universe. You might be surprised at what you hear.
©Copyright 2002 Patricia Rose Upczak. All Rights Reserved.
Patricia Rose Upczak
is a Reiki Master, author and teacher. She worked in the
public school system for over 25 years. She has been
involved in the healing arts for almost 20 years. The
insight she provides about truth and simple living could
only come from a person with life experience, compassion
and understanding. She is dedicated to helping others on
this wonderful journey we call life. Patricia's latest
book SYNCHRONICITY, SIGNS & SYMBOLS is available in
bookstores,
Amazon.com or through the Synchronicity Publishing
website. She is also the
author of REIKI A WAY OF LIFE, and STEVE. For more
information, visit her website, www.csd.net/~synchron.
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