Part Three – The Return

Living in the world after we have seen the view from the summit is something we cultivate carefully. It is both an integration of the timeless into the boundary of time and an integration of the Absolute with all that is limited.

When we eventually realize the Truth shown to us at the summit of the Mountain of Spirit we uncover a wisdom that we’ve always Known, that we’ve continually heard as an echo and seen radiating from all things. The view offered as we Awaken shows us that there is nothing lacking, nor is there any excess. There is complete balance and perfection in the Universe. Once we can let this realization permeate our being, we can begin to offer action rooted from this spacious, formless singularity that extends past but also brings along that which is limited in us. An orientation from this openness offers wisdom. Activity consciously sourced from this full recognition of wisdom can’t help but manifest as a continual and effortless expression of compassion for all beings. Bringing this wisdom and compassion together allows us to stand in the face of unconsciousness and meet it in each instance with an appropriate response.

This quiet strength steadily guides our descent from the Mountain of Spirit and brings us to a home that we have never left. Returning from the spiritual summit back into the world, we begin to weave our realization into a life that engages all experience on all levels in ways that continually broaden and deepen our life experiences. Returning home, there is the potential to radically alter the ways we participate with others. Being in the world from this orientation integrates our Big Selves with our small selves and so allows for helpfulness to be expressed through all we do. Since we see that we are intimately connected with all things and that there is no need for us to be anything or anyone special, our actions begin to take on sacred meaning. Everything we do is now considered as an offering for the sake of everyone and everything else in the Universe. From here, powerful realizations arise, showing us that our descent from the Mountain of Spirit never just serves our personal needs. Instead, the view as we return from the summit reminds us to serve the world and everyone in it with selfless, spontaneous presence.

This is the moment when we find ourselves awake in this life, ready to live out the promise offered by spiritual teachers from countless traditions throughout time.