Space as a connector; rather than a separator

Jeanette and I shared our perspectives in a piece titled Dots, shared here on June 16th. The conversation continued and we feel called to share it here, with you in this space. May these words, may aspects of this exchange meet you where you are, inviting you to look within.

Space as a connector; rather than a separator.

What arises within you as you read these words?

Jeanette: Interesting to sit with this for a few days + observe the words enliven in the theatre of life. “Getting to that space”

First to arrive on this magnificent stage is the concept that space is separate. As a young child I felt the parental expectations to assimilate into the norm yet with a subliminal agenda to separate , excel + rise into excellence. As I grew up I chased the promised external prize of happiness believing that popularity , good grades and material success seemed to offer. I bought into the thought that happiness was external + IF I could just get “to that space” then all would be fulfilled. The media, culture in which I lived , friends, family + self created stories cheered me on as I ran in this illusionary gerbil wheel of life . Driven to bigger, better + more, parties, shopping, sex drugs and rock and roll. The rat race of stuff to get to that happy space. The Ego’s hunger of “ wanting” was insatiable -always seeking and never satisfied, always looking, never seeing. And yet in the darker quiet moments a voice whispers that  of a deeper connection +greater truth. The actress stands and the veil of the curtain rises.

Second to arrive on the stage, a new understanding , stillness, clarity and quieting of the demands of the mind.  And rather than get “spaced “out or running from the  illusion of separation -  I “space in'', discovering peace, an inner smile and joy. Home, here within the heart. No boundaries or separation. Nowhere to go or hide, nothing to do just be.  And in those Deeper dives, discovering space as a connector not a separator one sees Unity and diversity happening simultaneously, as one. 

Sara: You appeared surprised when I wrote space as a separator. I used to think that space was a separator. For me, space was a separator.  I would use the phrase, “I need space,” and “Please give me space,” to indicate that I needed time alone, away from others. When I used the phrase, “I need space,” I was really indicating to myself, “step away or you are going to lose it.’ 

Now, I rarely say I need space. I think that is partially because I do not spend much time around others and spend so much time with myself (which I am able to do, because I have faced myself and I do not feel the need to escape- more on that another time). I am also more comfortable removing myself rather than asking for permission or needing to excuse myself. I am also aware that my mediation practice and the techniques I have learned from Sattva have provided me with experiences where I have accessed stillness within. Through consistent practice, I know my nervous system has become more stable and I find that I am more even in my responses, with how I handle events of life unfolding. These techniques are deeply rooted and I turn to them when I become aware of the sensations and messages from my body that indicate I need to turn inward and when I do, I am able to come to center. So, now I can remain in a space where I would once feel like I needed to flee and turn inwards. As I type this I am delighted to notice that I am aware of the messages in my body, the subtle clues that I now recognize as indicators that something is off. Before my system was on such high alert that there was only stillness within when I was sleeping or numbing. 

I see how this space that I was once seeking, the space that I was looking for was the space I needed to de escalate and calm my nervous system. Now, I know space is necessary for me to connect with myself and in connecting with myself, I am actually able to connect with others. I am able to hold space and be with events that are unfolding around me that I may not like or may not agree with, with less intensity and the desire to run, hide or numb.

All boundaries are on the level of the mind, on the level of thought. Created by humans, created by us. In space, there are no boundaries.  How then is space a connector?

Jeanette: When one begins to see himself he sees himself everywhere “the one that hates can not be at PEACE.”

Sara: The essence of space is space. Infinite in all directions.  There are no boundaries in space, since boundaries are only on the level of the mind, the boundaries can only be located in the mind. 

I pondered this when I slept outside this week. I have in the past shared, I am going to sleep under the stars, yet this time I knew I was sleeping among the stars, with the stars. For I am here with them, floating in space with the stars. I am around them, I am among them. They are around me, they are among me. 

It is like the ocean. There is one ocean, all connected. We labeled them and placed boundaries and yet the ocean is the ocean. Same with the air we breathe, all of the air is here. Inhale and breathe life in. The air I breathe is the same air you breathe in, from different versions of here only.

For me, I find, sitting with myself, being with myself and accessing the space within allows me to connect with others in a deeper way. In knowing myself, with being comfortable with myself and all that arises within me and for me, I find I am able to see others from a different perspective. I am able to see them, often meet them without perceptions and projections, labels and identities. I am able to see myself within them, and them within me. From this space, I see that we are all connected.