When so many people are suffering from war, degradated environments, drug and alcohol abuse, mental and physical pain, disease, hunger and poverty, it seems almost out of context to talk about a place I've found where I'm happy, safe, loved, full, rich and free; a place where "Nature sings and round me rings, the beauty of the spheres." (1)
This place I've found is apart from all the cruel goings-on of humankind. Although I am still affected very much by what goes on in the world and I experience deep hurts as a result of inconsiderate acts of others, I find peace, love, joy, restoration and healing in this place. I call this place, Paradise; there I feel compassion, forgiveness and hope for the world.
This Paradise is green and lush, with clear skies, rain, soft moss, dazzling rivers and creeks; calm hills and blowing evergreens that sweep across blue, twinkling nights. It is white: a mix of pink, coral and lavendar. It is luminous and mirror smoothe and the temperature is always moderate. This place brings out the best in me. There, I am gentle, kind, hopeful and supportive. I let go of greed, vanity, anger and despair and seem to heal quickly, center quickly. In Paradise, all my senses sharpen and I become quickened; I see only the restoration of a world that has become confused, panicked, futile and self-destructive.
Paradise is a place in the Light where my soul romps and plays like a litter of puppies, among children and friends; where work is pleasureable sustainment and an "esprit de coeur", "joie de vivre"(2) permeates all who are near me when I'm there. To vacation there costs me nothing but vacation time. The only requirement is that I choose to become still and prayerful asking the guide to come for me; then, carefully listening for his arrival or presence. Waiting is a hopeful, trusting time. He comes by ray of light.
When the guide arrives, he nods and asks that I have faith to follow him and that I follow two house rules in Paradise: the first, is that I love, honor and respect his mother/father who owns Paradise; the second, is that I love, honor and respect all that belongs to his mother/father. All means everything from earthworm to human, from lichen to evergreen, from pebble to mountain, from dewdrop to ocean. Because I love spending time in Paradise and choose to vacation there as often as I can, I honor the rules.
I enjoy the company of all who come to this place; and have found that it is available to everyone who faithfully follows the guide and follows the rules. Paradise is there for the asking and receiving for everyone regardless of their race, color, sex, mental, physical, emotional or economic state:since that is so, perhaps Paradise is in context after all. After all Paradise is in the soul where the Holy Spirit dwells, here, now and forever. (3) Paradise is being in the mind of God!
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(1) Babcock, Maltbie D., and Crawford, Mary Babcock. "This is my Fathers
World," 1982, Episcopal Church Hymnal. The Church Hymnal Corp. NY.NY
(2) Dubos, Rene, 1990. The World of Rene Dubos, A Collection of His Writings:
"Joie de Vivre vs. Happiness," Henry Holt & Co., NY,NY.
(3) NIV. Eph 2:5 & Rom 5:8.
published in Paradise Within: Intimate Earth, Intimate Spirit. Available from the author - 517 Roxbury Rd., Southbury, CT 06488.