We are in retreat preparation mode around here! Sorting out the final parts of the schedule, getting the dietary request/requirements dialed in, talking about rides from the airport…all the little details involved in bringing a group of people together for four days.

I walked down to my mail box yesterday with my mind filled by these thoughts and more. I caught myself drifting out of the moment, stopped, cleared my mind, and looked around with new eyes.

My gaze landed on this Manzanita tree. I’ve seen this tree 1000 times if I’ve seen it once. Yet, this time, my eyes saw something brand new.

 

Level 2 – Such a limited number of choices. They look old and weathered. All paths well traveled and leading only to a revisting of themselves yet again.

 

Level 3 – More choices yet all look as though they wrap back around into themselves as the hamster-wheel mind turns and turns.

 

Level 4 – So many paths, such potential. Choose and choose and choose.

 

Level 5 – Look at that surface area! So much to explore!

 

Level 6 – My eye traces each leaf and explores every option. Each offers me so much. Everything is mine, everything is for me.

 

Level 7 – It’s all me. I’m all of it. The full tree, all of the potentials, all of the possibilities.

As I gazed at the tree it came into sharper focus. It felt like I was adjusting the lens of a camera. I turned and looked at the other trees and each looked new to me. Every leaf and branch stood out from the blue sky in a new way.

The Levels of Creating teaching continues to unfold again and again.

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Read the Life with Eloheim series: part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 | part 8
part 9 | part 10