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The truth about who you are...

9/24/2017

11 Comments

 
by Gwendolyn M Plano
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Writer Anne Lamott gave a haunting commencement speech at UC Berkeley a while back. Two sentences, in particular, struck me: “Your problem is how you are going to spend this one odd and precious life you have been issued. Whether you’re going to spend it trying to look good and creating the illusion that you have power over people and circumstances, or whether you are going to taste it, enjoy it and find out the truth about who you are.”

Lamott's quote prompts the question, what is the truth about who we are?

Is it possible that we are an accident of nature, a haphazard blend of genes? Are we the mistake of our parents or even their planned prodigy? Are we titles like president or director or even the recluse who lives down the street?

Who are we? What is the truth? Why are we alive?

For decades, I have researched Near Death Experiences (NDE). I’ve read most of the published books on the topic, studied the testimonies of large numbers of people, and have been blessed to talk with a few of those who have had an NDE. My interest began as an attempt to understand my own experiences of the same, but it soon morphed into an unexpected journey.

I was a very young child when I first experienced another realm. I was looking at all the nuns in dark habits surrounding a child in a hospital bed – each nun had her head turned downward in prayer. I heard mumbling, but I have no recall of words. I saw a doctor in white, bending over the child doing something to her chest. I watched curious of the scene before me, and then suddenly I was in the bed, coughing, under a  plastic oxygen tent. I remember the doctor’s smile when I opened my eyes, the joy from the nuns when they saw that I was alive. Only later did I learn that I had pneumonia and nearly died.
 
This early experience was followed much later by another. In both, I glimpsed a state of mind that was unencumbered by fear or worry, a state of mind that was rational and loving.

So, who are we? What is THE truth?

What if our bodies, our brains, our senses are only a limited part of our story? Is there a way for us to know the unlimited part of who we are - short of a NDE? I suspect we glance at another reality whenever beauty or love brings us into wonderment. At such moments, we let go of our human confines and experience something divine.

To discover the truth of who we are, I believe we need to taste and enjoy life, as Lamott has suggested – the warmth of a child’s embrace, the tenderness of a friend or stranger, a sunbeam bright through the clouds, a pet’s adoring affection. Within the ordinary lies the extraordinary - we just need to embrace it. 
​
If we all honored the “precious life,” would our world be so divided?

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11 Comments
Karen Ingalls link
9/25/2017 06:14:27

Anne Lamott's piece is beautiful as is your account of your interest in NDE's. My mother had three such experiences which she shared with me. Her accounts confirmed that death takes us to another realm, it is beautiful, and it is important to do the works we were sent here to do (part of John 9:4). Thank you, Gwen for writing about NDE's.

Reply
Gwen Plano
9/25/2017 13:10:23

Thank you, Karen. How lovely it must be to have your mom share such experiences with you. Oh yes, John 9:4...faithful to our purpose...♥

Reply
John Howell link
9/25/2017 07:05:31

This piece causes one to really think about the purpose intended for the gift of life. i think it is up to each of us to spend the time paying tribute to the opportunity given. Beautiful post, Gwen. Thank you.

Reply
Gwen Plano
9/25/2017 13:12:01

Thank you, John. You've described it so beautifully - to spend our time paying tribute to the opportunity given. Have a wonderful day.

Reply
Jan Sikes
9/25/2017 08:31:32

This is incredibly beautiful, Gwen. We spend our one and precious life oftentimes chasing some illusion that we believe will bring us the happiness we crave. I have two personal friends who have had Near Death Experiences and both of them are now practicing psychics. One has a brand new book about her experiences and I'll be blogging about it when I've had a chance to read it. Thank you for keeping it "real." Big Hugs!

Reply
Gwen Plano
9/25/2017 13:16:52

Thank you so much, Jan. How wonderful it must be to have two friends who have glimpsed the other side. Maybe you can give expression to this beautiful state in song ...:) Big hugs to you too!

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John Fioravanti
9/25/2017 09:27:53

Thanks for bringing Anne Lamott's quote to us. It is one of those core life questions that people have struggled with for generations, Gwen. I've not done the reading and research on NDE that you have, but the possibility of existence in another realm fascinates me. It seems such a waste that our spiritual realities just die with our bodies. This also raises the question of reincarnation. Thank you for this beautiful reflection, Gwen!

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Gwen Plano
9/25/2017 13:18:58

Thank you, John. It does raise a lot of questions...and it offers hope and confidence as well. Have a great day, John.

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D.L. Finn
9/25/2017 10:27:52

I love Ann Lamott's words thanks for sharing them with us. You have written on a subject that is so personal. It amazes me how often the same scene is described of peace and seeing the body below. It is easy to lose track of that important moment NDE ( I know I do sometimes...) where one is shown there is so much more-- than just our daily lives. "Within the ordinary lies the extraordinary" very well said, Gwen. And no, if we all honored the "precious life" things could be very different I'd bet. Thank you for writing this!

Reply
Gwen Plano
9/25/2017 13:25:10

Thank you, D.L. I've just begun reading This Second Chance, so I know you've experienced and considered the celestial realms. There's so much more to life than what we see displayed on the news or a sitcom. It is, indeed, a precious life. ♥

Reply
Ritika link
10/6/2017 06:44:48

I love the conclusion, 'within the ordinary lives the extraordinary'. When i started reading your blog, the question hit me on my face. But i started thinking, is the answer within our reach, or is it there just in front of us but we cant see it. And whatever the case may be, do we need to keep the quest towards the answer or just experience the life as it comes to us, living every moment.
I have felt surreal emotions in the most ordinary things; gazing a tree, catching the radiance in child's eyes, more than the worldly achievements.
I know i have said a lot, but this post is reminding me of the meaning of my life which i was tending to bury down.
Thanks for sharing your story. :)

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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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