An Invitation
Posted by Robin Easton
This slide show is made from photos I took last summer while visiting Chaco Canyon. To read more about Chaco click this link:http://www.nps.gov/chcu/ I hope to again pilgrimage to Chaco this summer. It is a powerful and peaceful place. The flute song is one I composed on a flute made by Ojibway flute maker, Odell Borg of “High Spirits” – http://www.highspirits.com/
An Invitation: We are all both student and teacher and I believe the best teachers don’t “talk at” others. A good teacher “talks with” others, from the heart and from their own personal experience, and always as equals. A good teacher doesn’t try to “fill” their students, but rather tries to draw them out so that each student might see who they already are. So in the spirit of invitation I would love for you to share some bit of truth that comes from your own heart. Below I share one of my own. It is not necessarily a profound truth nor is it written in stone, only in my heart.
_______________________________
Your life awaits you.
Have the courage to live it.
Get to know yourself and the world around you.
Life will teach you everything you need to know as long as you don’t
fill up your inner emptiness with other people’s beliefs and judgments,
with other people’s knowledge and wisdom,
no matter how well intended, no matter how brilliant.
You must still experience life yourself to know who you are.
The world may never have known your unique way of looking at things.
Unencumbered by conditioning it could be the most
astounding thing the world has ever known. ~ ©REaston
________________________
Love,
Robin
PS: I will be away from my desk much of this week, but will catch up with you all as soon as I can.
I send you my love and good wishes.
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This Site: © Robin Easton
Website: http://www.nakedineden.com
Blog: http://nakedineden.com/nakedinedenblog/
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35 Comments so far...
igakely Says:
12 April 2009 at 7:44 pm.
Dear Robin,
Many thanks indeed !
I think that this “spirit of invitation” is a rule for a good communication in life.
You know our world is not an human world : its Lord is Money.
So, everybody tries to TALK AT others AS THEIR LEADER.
And this situation is a reality because of the Presidents of the rich, and the poor nations are not considered as equals – Not at all !
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Lisleman Says:
12 April 2009 at 8:07 pm.
Our family took a vacation in the four corners area including a trip to the grand canyon years ago. The rocks, canyons, vistas, and ancient sites are worth the trip. Just seeing what can result from wind and time is amazing.
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Joey Says:
12 April 2009 at 8:15 pm.
Core truth huh…well, over the past couple of years I have had a lot of them that have come to me. I guess one of the biggest things I’ve garnered is that you can not be afraid to walk away from everything you have ever had or known at the drop of a hat. I came up with a quote to sum this train of thought up. I have a lot of quotes that are original to me but this one is perhaps a favorite.
It’s o.k. to look back, just don’t look twice. ~Jc
And that’s how I feel about a lot of what has transpired in my life in the past couple of years. It’s o.k. to look back on things, just don’t dwell on them cause it will only bring you down. Oh Robin, there is so much more but so little time and space. Soon though I shall have that site up and you can go get all the thoughts you want.
Peace to you,
~Jc
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Rich Says:
12 April 2009 at 8:51 pm.
core truth.
not from a book…
if i’ve learned one thing in life, it’s that our friend robin will never offer an easy challenge.
how to begin?
i guess life has taught me to be true to myself.
the principle came to me in many forms over many years.
so much so that i became concerned with why being accepted, maybe even well thought of, was so important to me.
but as time went on, i came to realize that most people are seated at the center of “t-h-e universe”.
so, for all things to be in their place, most of us have a need to be accepted. maybe even admired!
but i found that craving the approval of other people was a never ending chore. and one which had only fleeting successes.
a behavior which is lauded by one person, or group of people, will no doubt be shunned by another group.
in the end, the actual lesson i was fortunate enough to learn was this:
what other people think of me is none of my business.
very simple and most effective.
and even more important, it has the wonderful side affect of giving peace of mind to the practitioner.
thank you for challenging me to dust out the cobwebs, robin…
i always find myself having to dig a little deeper because of your vibrant spirit.
be well, rich
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Michael C. Dewey Says:
12 April 2009 at 10:29 pm.
My truth came from the Inner Game of Tennis by Tim Galway where I applied his non-judgmental awareness to my pool game, which carried on in my dealings with real life.-nothing is good or bad…as if you just see where your shot missed…you will program your self to battle on without losing your stroke or composure.
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mysticdave Says:
12 April 2009 at 11:06 pm.
My best friend just left for Chaco Canyon last week, I plan on joining him this summer. I haven’t been there yet, but I have learned a lot about the place from friends. Life is teaching me to listen to my own voice, and like you said, not fill it with others voices, I am learning more and more everyday, and sites and blogs like yours are so inspirational and important in my *awakening* process. I am so glad I found your site, very timely if you ask me:)
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BK Says:
12 April 2009 at 11:31 pm.
Robin, the place and the music are beautiful. I will love to have the chance to go there once. Through you I have gotten to know of this wonderful place and as you said, I have to experience the beauty of it through myself. What really touches my heart is what you said, “A good teacher doesn’t try to “fill†their students, but rather tries to draw them out so that each student might see who they already are.” Indeed, there were a lot of times which I believe that people already knew what I was sharing with them … it was just that they need to be reminded of what they already knew.
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WD Favour Says:
12 April 2009 at 11:45 pm.
Throughout this week, I’ve been feeling very grateful for a conclusion I reached early in life, in my early twenties (20 to be precise)…
Never let anyone do your thinking for you..
I am not free until I can choose what to believe and discard what does not resonate with my spirit.
To take possession of my own mind and think my own thoughts, that’s life’s greatest gift to me…and for that I am grateful
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starflight/marcel lemieux Says:
13 April 2009 at 1:30 am.
Hello Robin..a core truth..well i’m not sure how to go about this ..but here goes..i started out my life as a street kid..left home very early..never came back.. i look once behind me, saw that many would have a somewhat normal life..as for me..my destiny was other …i decided to travel and discover the world..by the time i hit 18 of age..i had traveled and seen most of Canada..and later on came the U.S.A….by age 24 i had seen America many times..growing up, working and traveling was not an ordinary life..but a very rich one in freedom and experience…a dangerous life, sure but i wanted to taste life to the max, and i did and still do (differently a bit now)…..so one core truth that i discovered is that my happiness depends no one but me and another one is what makes one strong is his ability to continue his journey no matter what, even if its not in the thought line (patterns) of others. We all have our experiences to live and knowledge to acquire..the idea is to be ..just be…whatever that is for you…your soul and heart are your best friends..(your inner world is your sanctum, your real house)..the one’s you meet on your path are loving souls that also have their own journey (we exchange, talk, check out things and go on)….innocence is a gift..discovery is a way…imagination is a key…. one of my favorite quote’s is this one…there is a old wise man that once said..the fishing net exist because of the fish, once you caught the fish, you do not need the net ..the words exist because of their meaning, once you know the meaning you don’t need the words ..show me someone that has forgotten the words so that i may have a talk with him or her……i also found out that there is knowledge and wisdom in silence but its not easy to explain…….Oh! there is one small important thing i keep telling myself..(remember your roots and always stay humble. truth is continuous..it has no end) …..well, that was a small that part of my story..Robin..peace
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Stephen - Rat Race Trap Says:
13 April 2009 at 3:27 am.
You are unique. Celebrate the uniqueness that is you. It’s awe inspiring when you think about the fact that there was never another you and there never will be another you. You have something that nobody else in the world has – whatever it is that makes you you. Why do you need to compare yourself positively or negatively to others? They are not you. You cannot be them. You do not want to be them. You are not better than them and you are not worse than them because you are not them. You have something unique to offer the world so don’t mess it up by trying to be somebody else. You may think you have flaws, but somehow those “flaws” are part of you and help make you you. Without them you wouldn’t be you and the same thing that causes your “flaws” may also be the thing that causes your genius. Be careful about messing with yourself and trying to change who you are. You may break what makes you great. I’m always trying to improve and grow, but I have stopped trying to not be me. When I fake it and become somebody else, the world loses that unique me.
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Shirley Says:
13 April 2009 at 5:12 am.
One day, after we give the promised Disney World, I want to visit. It looks like a great way to teach history.
Core beliefs…
Nobody’s perfect.
Just because you’re pretty on the outside that doesn’t make your inside pretty. High school taught me this.
Life will go on no matter what tragedy happens life doesn’t stop for you. The death of my grandmother taught me this. I thought everything should just stop. Reality: The next week I still had a job to go to, rent to pay, and life to live.
You can pick your friends but not your family. I had a few friends that were more like sisters. Since my family was not normal I was very happy to pick friends.
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Tara S. Dickherber, M.Ed, CPC Says:
13 April 2009 at 6:36 am.
Love the poem! Have a great week away!
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Walter Says:
13 April 2009 at 8:26 am.
All things are holy, and of the Great Spirit, and we are never far from Him. God and his heaven are not in some far away place as some others would have you to think. As I see it, all that exists has been created inside of the Great Mystery.
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timethief Says:
13 April 2009 at 9:22 am.
Ideas, theories and beliefs are not necessarily truths.
A belief is not an idea held by the mind; it is an idea that holds the mind.
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Robin Easton Says:
13 April 2009 at 9:46 am.
I am very move by your comments here and impressed with the level of heartfelt wisdom. It is heartwarming to see and feel so much magic, hope, faith and beauty. Thank you my dear friends. I am very blessed.
I just had a friend on StumbleUpon (who goes by the name of “MadHollywood”) ask me to share another core truth. There are so many that have arisen from simply living a rich life, and yet I was blank for a few minutes. Then I chose the first thing that came to me. As I thought about it, it is similar in theme to the poem I wrote in this post. This is what I told him:
MadHollywood this one’s for you.
“We already know everything we need to know; it’s just a matter of having the courage to trust the obvious. We often are afraid to trust the obvious and the simple. We tend to say, ‘Oh, it must be something more complex, more profound, wiser, etc.’ So we turn to books, religions, gurus, words, concepts, etc. to find out who we are. We are very afraid to trust and claim the astounding power that we already ARE. We are so much more than we realize, than we often are willing to claim. Surprisingly, our own power terrifies us. But once we claim ourselves and start to believe in and listen to our hearts, that very power sets us free…and we come to know Life.”
After I sent this to MadHollywood, I remembered this poem. I wrote it many years ago when I came out of the rainforest.
______________________
Oh, how afraid we are.
Afraid to trust the glorious power
that we’ve been given,
that we are.
It’s a great power to see
that we may actually “knowâ€,
know many things,
grand things,
ALL things.
We may actually know what is best for us,
We may know better than anyone else.
It’s almost incomprehensible
to even glimpse what we’re capable of.
We hand over our power to others
at the slightest provocation.
Its light is too bright,
its responsibility too heavy,
the risk too great.
We are born Gods,
and we are fools in flight,
running from our own powerful selves.
~©REaston
So MadHollywood, I know that you are very bright in so many ways. Dare to live all the things you dream of living, and I know you have great dreams. They are written all over you face. Make them real, trust that you have all you need. And perchance anything is missing, Life will send it your way…once you jump. Thank you my friend.
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Carolinafrica Says:
13 April 2009 at 12:08 pm.
Hi Robin,
I want to share this quote I found: “One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today.” (Author unknown)
We all do this. We say that we need to sort things out first and then we might be free to follow our dreams. But that never happens immediately as life always gives us obstacles which suddenly become more important than whatever else we had in mind. This is part of life and somehow also part of going forward. We procrastinate and we are afraid of what we actually wanted to do. I guess we often sit in an uncomfortable comfort zone, to afraid to take this one big step into the unknown, until the day we realise that this is/was our life and we wasted precious time.
I agree with Joey; that it is ok to look back, but don’t look twice. There is no use to linger in the past and try to find out “what would have happened if…†To hang onto the past will only stop us from growing and from fulfilling our dreams.
I also agree with what Marcel says: “what makes one strong is his ability to continue his journey no matter what”. I accomplished that and it made me a different and stronger person. He is right with saying that happiness depends not on others but you. I discovered this for myself, but I am still trying to put this into practice. I know that there is little needed to make a happy life as it is all within ourselves and in the way we are thinking. Unfortunately negative thoughts are sometimes stronger than positive ones and it’s not an easy task to change the way of thinking. However whatever life throws into my path, I will tell myself: “this will pass tooâ€.
Another core truth I came to realise is; that people appreciate more than anything if one takes time to listen and to show them that you care. Most people live in their own world, don’t care about others and are just too busy with their own lives and own problems that they have lost the ability to see and to hear.
I learned a long time ago to not care what others think about me. We are all different but many people are too afraid to show their differences as they don’t want to be judged by others or be seeing as strange and not “normalâ€. People always try to compare themselves with others and try to be like them. I think that this is sad as they miss out on showing their uniqueness and growing in their own abilities and personalities. I believe that being different opens doors and might even be a challenge others to try the same.
You said that: “We already know everything we need to know; it’s just a matter of having the courage to trust the obviousâ€. However I often read a book about spirituality or awakening and I think, hey I did know that… but one does not realise until you are “remindedâ€. It’s not that we might not always trust or that we are blind to the obvious; it’s just that we might have forgotten….
Take care, Carol
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Walter Says:
13 April 2009 at 12:12 pm.
From the BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A1073945
Schrodinger’s Cat
“The problem is that until you look in the box, the isotope is both decayed and not-decayed, and as its fate is linked, the cat is both dead and not-dead. At the same time. This is not the same thing as saying that the cat’s fate is unknown, or that the cat is half dead. The cat is dead and non-dead (alive) at the same time”.
“Science has yet to determine if the cat exists in both states or if two ‘pseudo’-cats exists in the box. The theory raised a lot of eyebrows, particularly in the clergy, because it suggests that not even God can know the fate of the cat until the box is opened”.
But I say, all matter is alive, and is the essence of God. Therefor, God is the box, the cat and also the poison; as well as all the atomic particles that make up you, Schrodinger,and myself.
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soulMerlin Says:
13 April 2009 at 12:43 pm.
Just back from YouTube, watching your video – lovely.
My little thought: “Laughter is the Music of Heaven”
love
henry
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madhollywood Says:
13 April 2009 at 2:50 pm.
I feel so honored to have found myself a source of conversation and my confused thoughts a muse for others.
In your comments, I am reminded of the words of Nelson Mandela who said, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
A moment of clarity is hard to come by, but I feel like I have had one today. Thanks Robin for your wonderful insight.
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Tamera Says:
13 April 2009 at 4:58 pm.
..been chewing on this one all day, and weighing which has been the most important in my life. Not only the most important, but also the most difficult lesson for me to learn. And, it is this:
Faith.
Not faith as in religious dogma…but, faith that each circumstance, each situation, and everything else will work out in the best way, and all the delicate pieces will fall into place as they are meant to. Each time I’ve become impatient and not had faith and trusted, I have tried to steer too much……first of all, it doesn’t work out that well, and outcomes usually become delayed. AND! Most often they are not always the best outcomes.
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Robb Says:
14 April 2009 at 12:44 am.
Kia ora Robin,
Chaco takes me to same place as Kura Tawhiti.
A Truth I am Pursuing : To be Genuine.
Aroha,
Robb
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Nards Says:
14 April 2009 at 5:29 am.
Dearest Robin, I accept your “bring a dish” invitation. The truth for me is the sudden and profound realization that I will be here in form for only a relatively short time; and that it is up to me to do my part to assist in turning this place in which we live, a place of peace and love. Doing things for others without expecting anything in return is a good start. It is something that we should teach our children, while leading by example. Thank you friend….~Nards~
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Chrissy Says:
14 April 2009 at 6:45 am.
Hi Robin, thank you for your lovely message on my blog…I hope you are doing ok and perhaps that you have something nice planned instead of being at your desk. I will come back to view your photographs…when I have a better connection, I love seeing other places by image!
I also enjoyed your little piece of wisdom..
One of my core beliefs has always been “You have to believe in a little bit of magic, otherwise nothing magical ever, ever happens”… 
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Evita Says:
14 April 2009 at 3:38 pm.
Hello Dear Robin!
What a beautiful and moving idea! A big part of me wants to open up so much right here, right now and yet another part of me is humbly silent.
What is coming to me is the ideas about teaching. This is my 7th and last year as a secondary school teacher and I cannot tell you how much my students have taught me. These amazing 7 years have been perhaps the groundwork for some of my biggest lessons and I will always fondly look back at every face and soul that touched me in some way, and that I was able to touch.
My truth today is that yes, we are all teachers, and hence we all learn from each other, and no lesson is more or less important, for how can we judge the importance of something on the soul level. Every word that was ever spoken, every action, every nod, every wink – has a meaning, shares a message and lays the foundation for great learning and from it can sprout the potential for great growth. I guess I just hope that people only open themselves up to that much, for then the possibilities of life are infinite!
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Diane C. Says:
14 April 2009 at 6:08 pm.
Hi Robin, I loved your slide show of Chaco Canyon. Especially enjoyed seeing light and sky through the window openings.
A bit to share: I prefer to be like water, and go with the flow, not being afraid to settle into the low places.
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Chris Edgar | Purpose Power Coaching Says:
15 April 2009 at 10:10 am.
Just thought I’d drop by and appreciate the beauty of this site! Best, Chris
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Sara Says:
15 April 2009 at 10:36 am.
Robin — You have hit a triple play with this post. First, the slideshow, which was amazing. I loved the photos, especially the third ? photo of the building with windows showing the blue sky– the way the sky is slanted out the window is so well done. The whole thing makes me want to go visit Chaco Canyon.
Second, you let us listen to your own deep music, which made me feel the pulse of the life that must have lived in this Canyon.
And third, you wrote “Your life awaits you.” I read it aloud to myself. It made feel calm and peaceful. Bravo to you for this triple play:~)
I am so glad I stopped by for a visit…and there’s so much at your site to see, hear, and read. Thanks:~)
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gene Says:
15 April 2009 at 11:17 am.
Beautiful music and photos! Would love to visit Chaco one day!
I guess my truth is what I wrote in your previous post.
Stop thinking about what other people might think and just do it, live your dreams!
Hope you have a great week!
blessings!
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Liara Covert Says:
15 April 2009 at 12:07 pm.
Robin, you remind human beings that everything has energy vibration that speaks in its own language. Each energy being has choices as to whether or not to listen to what is said. As the unconscious opens up, each being has the option to surrender and fall freely into it or resist. Each choice has foreseen and unforeseen consequences for everything, everywhere, even in dimensions beyond the physical. As one taps into inner knowing, diverse truths emerge again.
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Julie Says:
15 April 2009 at 5:27 pm.
Step lightly and embrace it all. And do it with passion!
starflight/marcel lemieux, your words filled me. Thank you.
Robin, through your video and music, I could hear the silence in the village and feel the life of the people. I love these places! Thank you.
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David Says:
17 April 2009 at 5:48 am.
I discovered about ten years ago that when you are really, really down on your luck and see no options for improving things the best thing you can do is simply relax and say something like “Well God it’s just You and me. And the fact that You are here is more than everything in the world put together.”
And don’t just say it. Believe it and be happy. Because that’s all we really have no matter what happens. Of course, all my problems were solved in about a week after making this discovery but that’s not even the point.
That’s not even what matters here.
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JOURNEYTIME Says:
18 April 2009 at 12:29 pm.
Hello Robin,
Since change is something of a constant in my life:
Through the realms of change do I wistfullyy embrace the moments, knowing that in the acuteness of all that is between the moments, lies a path, that is more than self, and encompasses the whole holistic passage of time, in the bliink of an eye.
Take care
namaste friend
derick
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Kit Says:
27 April 2009 at 9:01 pm.
You know how, years from now, you’ll look back on this situation and laugh? This will all be funny, or at least you’ll see it for what it was, and laugh?
Why not laugh now?
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Scout's honor Says:
1 May 2009 at 10:38 pm.
I love that music. I used to take a deep meditation 2 hour yoga class in my early twenties and we always listened to the flute at the end. Listening to this took me back there. The flute is such a stress melter which is much needed in my life and many others now a days.
Thank you Robin.
My truth: While I laugh and brush off the pain, it still remains. I don’t know how to let it go.
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