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Start for freeThe Unanticipated Encounter
Earlier today, an unexpected knock at my door unfolded into a surprisingly profound encounter. Initially mistaking the visitor for a courier, I soon realized the knock was a message in itself, delivered by someone I had met years ago but never expected to see at my doorstep. This gentleman, seeking assistance, asked if I accepted walk-ins. Despite an initial internal hesitation, I invited him into my home, stepping into an experience that would remind me of the true essence of connection and service.
The Essence of Service and Connection
In inviting him into my space, I confronted an internal price point we all have when it comes to our time and space being 'inconvenienced' by others. Yet, it is this very connection that brings us closer to ourselves. In the words of Ram Dass's guru, Neem Karoli Baba, the path to getting closer to God is simple: "Love people and feed people." I extend this mantra slightly, emphasizing the importance of loving and serving others. This encounter wasn't about the physical setting or even my own readiness in terms of personal grooming; it was about the act of love and service itself. We discussed deep topics like God, consciousness, and the essence of love in healing.
Love, Service, and Healing
Healing, as we discussed, isn't found in a bottle of pills or through external searches, but through the heart. It is through connection that we find true healing, both for ourselves and for others. The reason for my visitor's arrival was rooted in his own discomforts, but what he left with was a reconnection to himself. This experience served as a powerful reminder of how service is not just an act we do for others; it's a pathway to understanding and healing ourselves.
When we agree to heal someone, we are also healed in the process. There is no separation between the healer and the healed; it's a dance of love and consciousness. Loving someone means both parties experience healing and love. Our connection with the world and others is akin to switching television channels, where moment to moment, we have the choice of what we wish to tune into.
The Power of Choice in Connection
This unexpected visit highlighted the power of choice in how we connect with others and the world around us. Choosing to open the door, to invite someone into our space, and to engage in acts of service, is choosing to connect on a deeper level. It's an affirmation of our ability to love, to serve, and to heal not just others, but ourselves in the process.
The simplicity of Neem Karoli Baba's advice, supplemented by my own experiences, underscores a universal truth: that love and service are not just noble ideals, but practical pathways to deeper connection and healing. In every act of service, we are given the opportunity to step outside of ourselves, to connect with something greater, and to rediscover the healing power of love.
In reflecting on today's encounter, it's clear that the most unexpected moments can lead to the most profound insights. By choosing to love and serve, we open ourselves up to the transformative power of connection, not just with others, but with our true selves.
