to know the Wind you have an unmediated meeting with the Wind ~ the Wind has no priest no go-between to be between
such meetings, in varied forms, are always initiated by the Wind
the Wind blowing upon you, moving within your sight is the Wind revealing itself ~ no holy book, creed, or confession can do this
being touched by the Wind, seeing the Wind, two means of a single unveiling
look for the Wind, you can't see it you see what it does
feeling the Wind you can't tell the feeling
don't tell the Wind how it is to show itself to you
leave open all potential means for the Beloved to open the Living Book for you ~ just know, the Book may lead you to wisdom forbidden by your past
by the self-revealing of the Wind directly one knows the Wind, one knowing ~ knowing you, you knowing
one learns, knowing about the Wind as preparation for union with the Wind
religion, generally, takes one to the threshold of Truth, from that point, one enters alone with the Alone ~ even amid others, you will be alone... the more alone, the more intimate with them
And this is like Fire...
those who warm by the Fire teach others to warm by the Fire
those ardently in Love pray to be food for the Flames
when consumed in this benevolent, merciless Burning one is Fire by Fire ~ being Love by Love
knowing about and intimacy are of Grace, we are loved as we welcome being Loved
a Breeze blows through the limbs... Sun caresses buds to flower
*Brian K. Wilcox, "Wind and Fire"
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The wind blows wherever it wishes. .... So it is with everyone [re]born of spirit [or wind, breath].
*Jesus, Gospel of John 3.8
Then he breathed on them, saying, "Receive holy spirit [or wind, breath]."
*Jesus, Gospel of John 20.22
The Gospel of John 3.8 points out that not everyone is born of spirit. All are inherently divine, while not all have realized it. This is akin to Buddhists saying we are all enlightened: we all have Buddha Nature; we are all Buddhas. Still, enlightenment comes after a process of becoming enlightened—that is, realization. We cannot become what we are not. As I wrote to a friend recently, "Sometimes persons need help to see what they see."
A spiritual community, including a spiritual friendship, supports those on the path in experiencing what is already true. We are mirrors for each other. Persons who teach us or embody Truth in a pronounced way mirror what is true of us; hence, attaching to them in an unhealthy devotion is unwise, except possibly for a time when one first enters a relationship with the other. And a wise guide will discourage continued attachment to himself or herself. A light is present to point us to the Light. Clinging to a light blocks our growing into more clarity in seeing the Light.
In the Gospel of John 20.22, a keyword is "receive." We cannot get what Life offers us. We can receive with an open heart. If we grasp, it eludes us.
You cannot hold the wind. The moment you close the hand, the wind is lost. So, letting go of our sense of control is central to the Way.
Rather than being self-made, which humans claim is a sign of self-determination, we yield to the joy and creativity of participation through an alliance with Life Itself. We are being formed through the yielding in Love to Love. Something is happening to us. We are being acted upon. Consent annuls any claim to self-determination - what a relief!
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*(C) Brian K. Wilcox, 2024. Permission is given to use photographs and writings with credit given to the copyright owner.
*Brian's book is An Ache for Union: Poems on Oneness with God through Love. The book is a collection of poems Brian wrote based on wisdom traditions, predominantly Christian, Buddhist, and Sufi, with extensive notes on the poetry's teachings and imagery.
