Seeking a higher vision

Like 85 percent of Filipinos, I was born and raised a Catholic. I have a distinct memory of biking to church daily at the age of nine or 10. I lived in Forbes Park and my street was not far from San Antonio — the parish church. I was “looking” for something. I got caught in the social swirl of things when I was in my teens. I went to the US for college. During my first year of college I heard about this meditation group and I decided to go. I remember entering the “ashram” where people were singing and dancing. When they sat for meditation, I felt something. I can just remember crying. My heart was touched

That started a 20-year journey that took me through Portugal, India and finally, Africa.

It’s been more than 20 years since I have finally come back home.

I have “left” that group. I was young, naive and quite sheltered.

Much more mature, several decades later, looking back and looking forward, these are my reflections:

• We are more than just our physical bodies. Our bodies will deteriorate eventually. It is unavoidable. What we are is something else. Something deeper, something eternal. We are even more than just mind. Even this is fleeting — and sometimes quite complicated. There is something else which feels much more essential. Sometimes even as children, we unconsciously are “looking” for something.

• Our human spirit inherently yearns for something greater. This hunger can’t be quenched by anything material, or even intellectual. Sometimes this hunger is soothed when one “falls in love” or sometimes when one is fueled by a passion for a greater cause. Or when one feels the Divine. Whatever it is, our spirit yearns to be moved. To be touched.

It is this hunger that has fueled many movements, many discoveries — and, in fact, many benevolent achievements and activities in today’s world.

• There is also something in us that wants to give. One feels a joy in giving. I was like that as a child. My whole family is like that, in fact.  Typhoon Yolanda has manifested this trait on a massive scale. People feel real fulfillment in giving.

When I left home, there was this thirst in me that wanted to contribute towards making things better. I see it a lot in today’s youth. The prevalence of this spirit gives me a lot of hope for the future.

• The fact is, whatever we are now, we can be better. This is a fact of life. We can be better. We can do better. We can feel better. We do not have to surrender to any current state. We have the will power and the wherewithal to make things better. It is this confidence that things can get better that has led to the continual evolution of the human race. The thirst to continually discover newer and newer frontiers. It is totally healthy. To not go forward is a state worse than death.

I can remember in a religion class when a classmate raised her hands and asked, “Why should we suffer because Adam and Eve ‘sinned’?” It’s not fair! Why do you say we are better than the Buddhists? Or pagans? Are we all not created equal?

I can remember the nun (who I actually have much affection for) saying, “Shhhhh! You should have faith. It’s not good to ask too many questions.”

We must have been sophomores in high school — the age when one starts to question.

My current meditation teacher encourages us to ask questions. He says it is healthy. When one accepts without understanding then one becomes “dead” inside. A robot. It’s good to ask, “Why? How come?” 

• Continuous evaluation and questioning brings growth and development on the personal and societal level.

In all these processes, the aspect and necessity of clarity cannot be overemphasized. Clarity: the ability to see what is beyond the chaos, beyond the issues, beyond the doubts. The ability to see what can be, the ability to see and feel what is right. Clarity: the ability to see potential. The ability to feel the horizon beyond.

In this respect the need to go beyond the mind is critical. The need to see situations and oneself with a “higher vision.”

If what I am saying is striking a chord in you, make yourselves free on Dec. 7 and 8 for an Awakening the Third Eye workshop in Manansala Building in Rockwell. There will be instructors that will facilitate a process that you might find quite useful in bringing about better quality of life. I have personally found the techniques highly effective in raising my quality of life.

I look forward to seeing you there. It’s held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — so you can still have your Sunday.

Eat a light breakfast, no alcohol or lots of coffee before. Come in comfortable clothing. Bring a mat for lying down. We will show you how to relax. See you!

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For the Awakening the Third Eye workshop, e-mail Sarah Bulan at sarahjane_bulan@abs-cbn.com or call her at 415-2272 local 3791 to register. Do not forget to cc me in the e-mail.

E-mail me at regina_lopez@abs-cbn.com.