Finding the Miracle
A few years ago I was invited to MC an event at the Shrine Auditorium, in LA, where Maharaji would be speaking. While I was totally thrilled to be asked, I was also totally terrified -- convinced I was the wrong choice and would be a huge disappointment.
Doing my best to ignore the sorry state of my mind, I fly to LA, and make my way to the hall. Though I am clearly not at my best, I get through the dress rehearsal, review the announcements, say hello to some old friends, and figure I'll find my groove after I have time to meditate.
I don't. It gets worse.
People are wishing me well, but I am in a well -- a well on the moon -- and the air is very thin.
A few hours pass. I take my seat. I take a breath. I study the announcements one more time and wait for my cue to go back stage.
The cue finally comes and I take my new seat, now in the wings, and listen to the wonderful sound of the hall filling up with thousands of people waiting to see Maharaji.
The backstage manager tells me the event will start in five minutes. I am still, shall we say, not on top of my game.
I find myself hoping the building will catch on fire -- anything to get me out of there.
"Two minutes," the backstage manager says.
Now I'm in BIG trouble. In two minutes I'll be walking the plank and I AM NOT READY. My eyes are open, but my heart is not.
And then, with 90 seconds to go, two extraordinary things happen to me that I will never forget.
First, I remember something Maharaji said years ago -- that human beings have two choices: to go through life gnashing their teeth and waiting for it to be over OR saying YES to life and enjoying the moment.
I choose the moment. I say YES. I embrace it all.
The second thing? I hear a few lines of Daya's Find the Miracle now being piped into the hall.
Somehow, I find the miracle. I find the place of peace within me, the place of love and happiness. Everything that was weighing me down evaporates in a heartbeat. Poof! All I'm left with is a spacious feeling of joy, light, and gratitude. I am home.
"Three, two, one" the backstage manager tells me, holding up his fingers in case I didn't hear.
I stand up. I take a few steps. I walk to the podium and begin.
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at January 20, 2010 09:02 PM
Comments
....and i remember too, you were brilliant Mitch !
Posted by: craig klawuhn ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.ideachampions.com/heart/nav-commenters.gif)
at January 21, 2010 08:36 PM
...And at the time I recall sensing from you the "spacious feeling" you mentioned above. Your writing has transported me in a flash of an eye back to the wonderful event. Thank you!
Posted by: Phil Stoiber at January 22, 2010 01:18 AM
Thanks, Mitch. I needed that.
I was sitting center front, 3rd row!!!! You were a wonderful MC to a great, thirst quenching event. Ahhhhh!
Thank God I have a living master to remind me where to focus my attention and what is really real.
These are strange times when money and greed rule to the point of the possible (probable?) obliteration of life on the planet.
I have been worrying about what I can do in this Greed vs Life on the Planet battle. I'd like to open that up as a Forum, if anyone is interested.
Posted by: Michelle Cameron at January 23, 2010 04:07 PM
Just what I needed to hear: "First, I remember something Maharaji said years ago -- that human beings have two choices: to go through life gnashing their teeth and waiting for it to be over OR saying YES to life and enjoying the moment."
I've been gnashing a bit of late - ah yes! why not enjoy it instead?
Indeed and thanks!
Posted by: j bhutu-ji at January 26, 2010 08:20 PM
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