Tantra Tip of the Day- Looking Beyond the Surface

I am reading a wonderful book on the practice of eye gazing as the primary practice that Rumi used with his teacher Shams to become enlightened. It is called The Spiritual Practices of Rumi, Radical Techniques for Beholding the Divine by Will Johnson. It contains Rumi’s poems and explores how the poems contain the secrets to his awakening process. It is beautiful and inspiring.

Eye gazing opens you to looking at life in a new way. The presence you develop in the practice begins to color your life. You begin to see beyond the surface of things.

Try this: As you move through your day take every opportunity to look beyond the surface of life. This requires being present and connecting to the world around you. Take a few moments every hour or so to connect with your breath and call yourself into the present moment. Breathe deeply into your belly and allow your shoulders to relax. Notice how it feels to be present. Look deeply into the eyes of the people you meet even if only for a moment. Become aware of the beauty hidden all around your. Feel gratitude for being alive.

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Opening to Devotion - Rumi's Wedding Day

On Dec 17th I was at an event celebrating Rumi’s Wedding Day, the day he left his body. My friend Gabriella, recited the poems of Rumi, Hafiz and Lalla’s , actually she does more than recite their words she channels their presence through their words. She was backed up by a band of 4 men who accompanied her with drums, bells and didgeridoos. The magic of these Sufi poets and the beautiful music sat the tone of the evening.

The second half of the event was devoted to ziker, a dance of turning in a slow circle as Rumi did. As I danced I became aware of the energy of the ziker as masculine, one of entering into the emptiness. I then allowed myself the freedom to dance in a feminine way which was wild and passionate. I then experimented by going back and forth between the two forms of dance. In finally accepted that I was much more at home in the wild feminine form and I surrendered fully to my feminine passion.

At the end of the evening, as the last noted was played I dropped to the ground in surrender and at that moment my heart was flooded with devotion. I recognized the power of the masculine to hold the space and provided the container for my feminine passion to express herself. I was deeply moved to express my devotion to Gabriella and to the band members. I went up to each of them and bowed down to them and thanked them. I felt so much trust and presence in that moment, so much love. The depth of consciousness had penetrated me fully and I was one with the emptiness and I was not afraid. I was at peace.

Art by Andrew Gonzalez:

http://www.sublimatrix.com/
Learn more about Rumi's wedding Day : http://http//www.sedonacreativelife.com/pre1069.html
Learn more about Gabriella: http://www.gabrielleyoung.com/home.html