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Autumn Sunset... Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Three desert monks visited yearly the early Desert Father, Abba Anthony. Two of them would discuss their ideas and their salvation with Anthony. The third always remained quiet. Once, the Abba spoke to him, "You often come here to see me, but you never ask me anything." The monk replied, "It is enough to see you, Father."
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Contemplatively, seeing someone is more than looking at someone. Seeing is seeing through the outer garment of the Self. The self shrouds the Self. This Self is clothed in the immense variety of selves, all presentations of the Beloved one, for all are the Beloved in the Beloved. So, to truly see the other is to see oneself, and Love meets Love.
Through mindfulness and quiet, one grows into this insight, or in-seeing, and the illusion of the other as an object lessens. Seeing dissipates slowly the power of looking at. Then, seeing someone can be sacramental, for each presence is a center of the radiance of Presence.
This insight the third monk enjoys with Abba Anthony, who is for the monk a ray of the Sun. He bathes in the quiet Effulgence. He sees with love, and through love, he sees. All seeing is seeing with love; it is an act of reverence and adoration. Seeing is worshipful.
One can love without saying anything. And love may often be best expressed by abiding silently in the seeing.
Last, the seeing is not limited to humans. When seeing any creature, human or not, including the mineral or plant domains, union happens. In this seeing, seer and seen are known for what they are - one. Two can become one, for they are one.
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*© Brian K. Wilcox, 2021
*Brian's book, An Ache for Union: Poems on Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major online booksellers or the publisher AuthorHouse.
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