So many things this morning are reminding me of the quote, "We see things not as they are, but as we are." As I was sitting in meditation this morning the words "the bubble of me" popped into my head (bubble popping pun intended).The me fits the bubble analogy, I think, because it's closed and protective and comfortable, all qualities of a good bubble. Bubbles are transparent so we hardly notice them, in fact they might give us the illusion that they are hardly there. Some bubbles are delicate and short lived and others are strong an durable and bendy. Remember those lovely brightly coloured bottles of suds with wands we puffed away at as children?? But I digress.
We had a lovely day with friends on Saturday with a visit to the Saturday market, a walk in the woods accompanied by 2 lovely well behaved canines. The sun shone and spring greenness lit our world. It all culminated in a delicious potluck dinner which of course gave rise to conversation. At one juncture there was some difference of opinion on something (pleasant and polite). But it reminded me that no fixed truth existed and that each of the varying opinions possessed a quality similar to it's owner. No one was particularly swayed by the reasoning of others, each coming and leaving with the same opinion. And in this group were some serious students of the Dharma. Our bubbles briefly colliding.
So this morning it became very clear to me how strong this bubble of self is and generally how unaware of it we are. It's like we're encased in these little bubbles and our communication consists of bumping into each others bubbles. So easy to see the ground for misunderstanding and miscommunication in this world, the ground for anger and hatred and war and violence. Depending on the strength of the bubble, the attachment to the bubble, the karmic inclinations to protect the bubble. So many bubbles; the bubble of self, the bubble of family, of country, of ethnicity, of religion. It is just interesting to watch our own little bubble making and with awareness and diligence to work at thinning the walls of that bubble. How's your bubble?
My bubble agrees with your bubble!
ReplyDeleteAnd you were part of that lovely day and bubbly conversation!
ReplyDeletePOP!
ReplyDelete:-)
lovely analogy. the thing about bubbles is they are easily popped. either from within or without. i wonder what will pop my bubble? maybe just blowing on it a bit.
ReplyDeleteyou write so well of such matters, could maybe do a little book.
unlitlight - ah were it that easy I would gladly take you up on it. Alas, the bubble of me takes a lifetime (make that lifetimes) to pop
ReplyDeleteSuki - thanks as always for your kind words. I think there are people like Eckhart Tolle and Byron Katie who through great pain managed to pop their bubbles. They are the exception I think. The rest of us require some major realignment through practice to rub away at that bubble. At least this is how it feels to me. We have our moments of bubble free perhaps if we are fortunate!
Reminds me of what Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche said in his recent video. To paraphrase: 'simply be aware of the infinite space within us, the stillness within, and it shifts the frame of mind (the identification) - when we discover that space of infinite awareness we discover Who is really looking and how we are engaging' - and that, it seems, evidently bursts the me bubble of our beliefs and opinions that we hold onto and see others and life with and opens us up to our infinite potential :) The me bubble becomes more transparent... Even if only in moments of clear seeing... It does seem to be a viable "practice" - to keep coming back to this infinite space of awareness - until the bubble dissolves...
ReplyDeleteChampagne anyone? :)
Methinks this is a good time for some bubble therapy! Gonna get me a little wire loop and some soapy water!
ReplyDeleteI love the bubble analogy, there really is much truth to this. It's like a false field of protection, and a lens through which we see the world at the same time. Do we need it to protect us as we go along the path? I do feel that our awareness of it and our honesty with ourselves and others that we hold these filtered beliefs and practices is half the battle.
ReplyDeleteMeANderi - ah yes a little bubbly, a toast to that transparency and infinite space of awareness!
ReplyDelete108- Bubble therapy, good call! I can think of many different incarnations of this: tub, glass and wand!
spirit - yes, the awareness seems to be what we need to work away on that bubble skin.
A lovely Bubble Sutra and, here on May 4, a bubbly birthday wish to you...
ReplyDeleteIn your honor I will make some bubbles and sip some bubbly...I will celebrate that you're aware of being in your bubble and I will be grateful that your bubble is still floating upon the sea of samsara.
Merci - cin, cin! meditation tonight, bubbly tomorrow night! ah yes, the vast sea of samsara, so happy to be swimming it with your wonderful companionship!
ReplyDeleteI love how simply you explained the defense mechanism of human beings, especially to strangers. When we meet people, we don't right away tell them about ourselves, we stay in our bubble, and try to observe how their bubbles collide with ours. Although I want to ask, that because we remain in our own personal bubbles, do we not keep ourselves in as much as we try to keep people out? I understand that through mindfulness, we become more and more aware of our true self,and once we do know about ourselves, the next step is by doing something about it. Do our personal bubbles harm us more that we'd want it to protect us? what do you think?
ReplyDelete