The Objects that Stand in the Way

It's not the light that causes a shadow, but the objects that stand in the way.

This sentence came to mind earlier on as I contemplated the 'appearence' of events.  Events, or objects, for that matter, causing shadows do not negate the light, just as a house creating a shadow does not negate the sun.  Different would be the world if we all knew that the clouds meant that the sun was done.  Right thinking is about knowing that the light remains in spite of objects, or effects, that might get in between us and the light.

For example, in a conversation I was in earlier it was commented that it's hard to see the good in life when watching the news.  The basic premise was, why should one see the world in a positive light given all the bad news on the TV and in the papers?  From the view point of New Thought, Science of Mind, or whatever label you wish to insert, just because the TV or paper presents effects as bad news does not have to translate into you also making the choice of seeing the world as a bad place.  Or to put it another way, what we see or read does not make the sun disappear; rather, dark clouds are only dark when we're sitting underneath them.

What about changing your perspective?  Easier said than done?  Or is it?  One definition for perspective is, "the state of one's ideas, the facts known to one" (http://www.dictionary.com/).  If that's the case then perspective has much to do with the ideas that we have, and ideas are the result of thinking.  Change your thinking and your perspective changes.  If this principle can be accepted then the following become options:

1. Change your perspective and you move yourself from behind the shadow.  Perhaps it really is as simple as stepping out from behind the house, or walking in the opposite direction that the cloud is travelling?
2. Wait for the object to pass.  If you believe you are always surrounded by chaos, hidden in a shadow, or chased by the dark rain cloud, and you believe you have no say in this then you are disempowering yourself.  One of the wisest sayings I've ever heard is, "This too shall pass"
3. Seek the light, always.  What we seek is surely a matter of making the choice to go in a certain direction, starting with the first step?  But even then, what we seek should follow what destination we have in mind.  What is our vision?  Do we have a vision that includes living in the light?

At the same time living in the shadow invariably creates doubt and confusion.  The comment I referred to earlier, about it being hard to be optimistic with all the bad news on TV, speaks to that.  When we get caught up in the chaos it's easy to become disillusioned.  Yet many of the 'illusions' we commonly see are invaribly sleight of hand and the playing with light. 

Pain and suffering are, in my opinion, a call to awaken, yet in the midst of the shadow of pain it's hard to see it that way.  Does that negate the call to awaken?  No, not at all.  What it does do is qualify the idea of perspective; the perspective I have of pain will dictate how I view said pain.  A sense of urgency accompanying a need to change is another perspective I might take from pain and suffering.  Having lived through both perspectives it's my personal and complete opinion that I prefer the latter - I'd rather breathe through the pain knowing that it's an opportunity to change than to see the suffering as a hopeless and helpless cycle inflicted upon me.  Whether or not we acknowledge the Divine in any pain, suffering or shadow can be secondary to the degree of pain equating to the need for change.  In other words, just because we deny that suffering equals "need to change" does not negate the potential opportunity for us; it just confirms that our perspective does not see it that way.

My concluding comment: Do not confuse such conditions as anything other than a call to change.  Change the cause and the effect will cease.  If you've never made the choice to see how you might step out from the shadow that surrounds you with doubt and confusion, then perhaps now is the time?  But I would add that being spiritual is not about the objects, the money, friends or things, but about seeing those objects (the house causing the shadow) from a spiritual perspective, knowing the light being blocked is not the cause of the shadow, and that there is harmony to be found beyond the chaos.

Blessings, joy, and peace.