Summary

The article "Lesson from a Wind Chime" encourages embracing a mindful approach to life by viewing oneself as a conduit for experiences and energies, rather than a solid, separate entity.

Abstract

In the presentation "Embodied Leadership: Mindfulness as a Tool for Leading with Presence," Wendy Palmer emphasizes the importance of perceiving ourselves as vehicles that allow experiences to pass through, rather than as agents that control them. This perspective shift is grounded in the scientific understanding that we are composed mostly of space, with particles and waves constantly moving through us. The article reflects on the simple yet profound ways in which things in our lives, like a computer streaming a summit, sunlight passing through a window, or a wind chime resonating with the breeze, exemplify the principle of letting things through. The author ponders the implications of this concept on a personal level, questioning what they are allowing or blocking in their life, such as peace, creativity, love, joy, kindness, and compassion. The article concludes by urging readers to live mindfully, to be conscious of what they might be preventing from manifesting in the world, and to be like a wind chime, open to the flow of the universe to create a positive impact.

Opinions

Wendy Palmer suggests that we should see ourselves as vehicles rather than agents, which aligns with the scientific view of our composition as mostly space and energy.
The author finds significance in the idea that our existence is predicated on the process of letting things through, as illustrated by everyday occurrences.
The article posits that mindfulness involves actively questioning what we might be hindering from coming into being, such as peace or creativity.
It is proposed that by being open and receptive, like a wind chime allowing the breeze to create music, we can contribute positively to the world.
The author emphasizes that living with mindfulness is not passive but a conscious and active engagement with life and its possibilities.

Lesson from a Wind Chime

Let things through

I recently attended an online Mindful Living Summit and listened to Wendy Palmer present “Embodied Leadership: Mindfulness as a Tool for Leading with Presence.” She said that scientists agree we’re not solid. We’re made up of particles and waves, which are made up of atoms, which are composed mainly of space. Then she said:

See ourselves as a vehicle — to let things through.

Usually we see ourselves as agents, not vehicles. We do things. Say things. Make things happen. Palmer suggests I let things through.

“Let what through?” I ask myself when I turn off the computer, lean back in the chair and sip coffee.

To help me answer the question, I think of things in my life that had let things through today:

The computer let through the Mindful Living Summit so I could experience it.
The study window let through sunlight.
The kitchen pipe let through water so I could make a pot of coffee.
The air molecules in the room let through the sound of the speakers.
The wind chime outside the window let through the breeze to create soulful music.

These are such simple, common procedures we take for granted, but I’m struck today by the fact that our whole existence is based on things being let through.

So, my next question is: What is it that I’m here to let through?

Reciprocally, what am I not letting through? What am I preventing coming into being?

Is peace trying to find a way through, and I’m so caught up in frustration, anger or bewilderment that it can’t come through?

Is creativity tapping on me, wanting a way through, and I’m too busy fretting about the future to feel its gentle touch?

Am I allowing love, joy, kindness and compassion to flow through me and out into the world?

Living with mindfulness

From time to time throughout the day, pause and ask yourself, What am I stopping from happening that would be good? What am I denying, blocking or preventing, that this world needs right now?

Letting things through isn’t a passive existence.

It’s a conscious way of living.

Be like a wind chime.

Let the forces of the universe flow through you to make soulful music.

With love, Marlane