Draw Away and Rejoin

That isn't the best title for this blog post, but it will do.  I'm enjoying some time doing a puzzle and listening to ambient and chant music and will resume doing it upon finish of this blog post, but the pieces came together in doing it for this blog post in my mind and what I want to say with it.

I love that kind of music.  The music plays softly in the background and slowly and quietly a chant rises over it saying something as simple as Amen or Alleluia or whatever.  And, in that moment you feel transcended to connect with God on a very personal level and at one with the universe at work.  Notice that I didn't say you felt connected to the person singing that note... you probably would never even think of him as a person, had I not just said that.  His purpose isn't to teach some grand message or draw any attention to himself at all but to make it possible for you to connect with the divine on your own, serving a very selfless purpose.  

So, how is it that the person that is doing the singing is personally satisfied and has peace without being noticed?  I have come to a clearer undersanding of this over the years and especially recently upon my own reflection and growth.

We are pushed into a very extroverted society.  I have noted this before, saying why is it that people think they need to fix introverts by making them more social, rather than fix extroverts by getting them to more respect boundaries of those that would rather not be so public?  But, our society thinks that to have balance and to be complete, you need to have someone else there... a mate, family, friends, a group, or more.  Now, I am not saying that you should not be a part of those things.  You should.  But, first... you need to do what the monk does that is singing the chant and what I have done and am in the process of doing... draw away... pull back away to more solitude and find comfort and peace in that.  Rcconnect with God on an individual level, so that you always have God there.  Learn to love not to be noticed but simply because it is good and will benefit others.  Find balance in yourself, so that you know that if it is only you and nature and God and music and the wonders of life, it is more than enough.  Then... rejoin.  

I believe that doing this will benefit everyone, and sometimes it may take drastic changes in your life to get you to be still enough to do it.  But, that would be my challenge to you.  As you improve yourself ... for yourself.. add to that improving your mental health by moments of peace and prayer daily.  Then, rejoin your day as a more complete person, ready to not only address challenges but contribute to the lives of those around you.