Often people have difficulty believing that their own deepest self is truly radiant with an innate beauty. This is especially true of those with a religious upbringing who have been trained to see the flaws inherent in their behavior. In addition, every one of us has done things in our life that we are not proud of - actions we wish we could reverse. As a result, WE ALL have a tendency to doubt the fact that we are possessed by an innate inner beauty. However, perhaps autumn leaves can help us integrate both perspectives into one. Just as the leaves are always at their most beautiful in the very moment when they are in the process of dying and falling off the tree, so perhaps our inner beauty is able to reveal itself precisely BECAUSE our external behavior is often so less than perfect. In this metaphor, the imperfection corresponds to the death of the autumn leaf insofar as it is the result of a lack of conscious connection to the LIFE of the spirit. A gem is most beautiful when everything around it is rather dull in color. Similarly, would our true nature appear as beautiful as it is if our outward behavior were always exemplary? It seems to me that the most attractive people are those who DO have neuroses, but who are quickly able to let go of them in order to live from their true nature. Which is more admirable - a person who is never fearful or angry, or a person who manifests a bit of fear - or anger - but then is able to overcome it quickly by allowing their deepest faith, hope and love to radiate all the more brightly by contrast?
Photo: Narrowleaf Cottonwood trees radiate next to a rocky outcrop, Red Feather Lakes, CO; October 14, 2013
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