Master of Your Own Universe
Posted by Raul on August 19, 2010
The canoe is gliding over the fresh, cold waters of this magnificent morning; the quiet lake surrounded by beautiful trees while the sun shines by the side letting the natural colors bright with their maximum intensity.
I can hear the gentle noise of the water as I slowly paddle my way through the center of the lake. Some birds I cannot see let me have their morning songs that go in perfect synchronicity with the air, the smell of fresh grass and new flowers in the distance.
Some brownish leaves floating in the lake, waving with the gentle movements of the waters that hold them and let them be a different kind of shining spots to complement the beauty of the place.
My heart is complete with joy as I experience the beauty of nature and the simplicity of being. No complex thoughts, no worries about civilian life, just a human being in nature, as part of nature, being connected with the whole, the universe
My spirit finally free so I can be, instead of the struggles we self impose by our built society. Free to be, free to climb, free to experience the moment as it should always be. At this point I am one with nature and the universe!
Finding the connection of an intelligent and sensitive being, born out of a powerful specie among the many that conform life in this beautiful planet, among the many that conform the universe, with the universe itself.
Connections that present us with the truth of a master plan, a purpose, a reason to be here, to be born; nature and a human being, synchronized, being part of each other, connected, to make the whole.
A piece of wood floating in the waters; I didn’t see it, I hit it and the sudden movement of my body by the surprise makes my canoe move quickly and tip to one side, I loose balance and fall to the waters.
Cold waters that shock me and cut off my breathing, I can’t breath and my arms and legs instinctively stretch instead of moving to swim back to the canoe; water reach my mouth, nose, ears and eyes; grasping for air I swallow the cold, bitter water while I can’t see anything and a rumbling noise surrounds me.
I fight, I start moving my arms and legs, but no air that I need, so it’s drowning instead of breathing and the more I try the worst it becomes, so the pain in my chest, that feeling of exploding from inside, my lungs burn and I completely loose any control over my body.
Then the pain recedes and my body calms down, stops moving, I float just a couple of inches under the waters, and I can see.
My family, my little child playing and laughing, my spouse’s face smiling, the house, the mountains close to where I lived; the ocean with the sunset that was part of my life so long ago. The struggles and dreams for so many years.
Then nature around, life itself and the universe that I learned to be part of; another magnificent creature connected that I came to be, now being absorbed and destroyed; all the memories, all the experiences, all the knowledge accumulated, the thoughts, the questioning, all that became a part of this human being, all being quietly destroyed by Mother Nature while some little birds sing their morning songs and the sun gives the colors around a vibrant shine.
The feeling of being disposed of, discarded, reduced to just new soil or dust, the nothingness, while all nature’s creatures and nature itself remain silent in complicity of the murdering
I was, or I thought I was; connections or pretensions? Vision or happy, ignorant blindness? No cold, no perceptions other than a vague vision of the waters and just floating in the nothingness.
I could, for a brief moment, convince myself of being in harmony with the whole, of being a part of the whole, under a controlled situation where I got to have the power, the decisions, the faith, until the whole claimed its power back and showed me how insignificant this physical body can be.
A brief moment, just a second of an entire life, from the powerful being to the disposable element, like a brownish leave in autumn, like the piece of dead wood floating lifeless by the lake, just like a dead bug on the ground…so is the time…to say good bye…
Raul
Wow, Raul. Just Wow!
I was captured by your opening sentence, read along peacefully and then… completely surprised by what transpired. I’m sitting here caught up in the intensity of this. Fantastic journey. Great writing!
Davina´s last [type] ..New Reality Show Coming to a Tree Near You
Raul Ojeda Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 4:22 am
Hi Davina,
A little experiment to see if I could turn things around; watch a circumstance from opposite positions.
Raul
Raul Ojeda´s last [type] ..Master of Your Own Universe
Wow, Raul… very captivating. I was not expecting the turn this journey took. well done.
rob white´s last [type] ..Creating Money Matters – Not Reacting to Them
Raul Ojeda Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 4:24 am
Hi Rob,
A little surprise, just to see how it’ll go in the story
Raul
Raul Ojeda´s last [type] ..Master of Your Own Universe
Hi Raul,
I loved the imagery in this post (“like the piece of dead wood floating lifeless by the lake…”). I agree with Davina and Rob — captivating!
Excellent writing, Raul.
~xo
Lori´s last [type] ..No Tom Toms in Trottersville
Raul Ojeda Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 4:26 am
Hi Lori,
Thank you; I’m trying to learn the art of writing and this one was one of my “self assigned” assignment
Raul
Raul Ojeda´s last [type] ..Master of Your Own Universe
I had to comment today and not just lurk….I am feeling so disposable
the amazing writing reminded me that my disposable body always floats – always….if I stop struggling…I am right back to needing to surrender and let go
Thank you
Raul Ojeda Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 4:30 am
Hi Patricia,
Disposability is a characteristic of physical elements only; when we consider our entity alone then there’s no disposable one
Thank you for your comment
Raul
Raul Ojeda´s last [type] ..Master of Your Own Universe
Raul,
This was very intense. I agree with others about imagery. This story brought back a memory for me of a time when I came close to drowning. I remember struggling and then sinking down, but I felt actually peaceful…until my dad jerked me out of the water and got breathing again.
The only thing I struggled with is the finality of this writing. This is just me, but I don’t think we are disposal, even in death. Our bodies will feed other living things and our souls will go where they go next:~)
This was excellent writing…I’m enjoying how you’re exploring different ways of sharing your words:~)
Sara´s last [type] ..Schindler’s Choice
Raul Ojeda Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 4:40 am
Hi Sara,
As I mentioned to Patricia, it is my belief that only physical elements can be disposable (you can’t discard something that’s not physical) so in this case is the body that’s discarded while the mind continues, but the character (which is not me since I’m still alive) reacts in frustration rather than enlightenment.
Just a possibility to explore as you know I like to do
Thank you for your comment
Raul
Raul Ojeda´s last [type] ..Master of Your Own Universe
Like everyone else seems to have said already, very powerful prose Raul. Very well done
Steve´s last [type] ..Tony Montana’s Guide to Leadership and Life
Raul Ojeda Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 4:50 am
Hi Steve,
Thank you for your kind comment
Raul
Raul Ojeda´s last [type] ..Master of Your Own Universe
Raul,
I am feeling relaxed and calm as I read through your journey to nature!
It has been one hectic day with starting to prepare for my fall teaching job (volunteer position) and my 1 year old falling and getting a little bump! He is okay !Phew ! I needed this calming and relaxing read! Thanks.
Preeti @ Heart and Mind´s last [type] ..101 Changes- Change 7- Watch Less Television
Raul Ojeda Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 4:53 am
Hi Preeti,
I’m glad to hear that your little one is OK, and hope everything goes great in your fall teaching job. Also I’m glad the reading helped you get more relaxed; we all need to slow down from time to time
Raul
Raul Ojeda´s last [type] ..Master of Your Own Universe
This is beyond powerful!
Raul Ojeda Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 4:55 am
Hi Tess,
Thank you, that’s very kind; I’m still learning the writing craft but will improve as time goes on
Raul
Raul Ojeda´s last [type] ..Master of Your Own Universe
Raul: Very nice post and story. I think you are being too modest. Your writing is very strong
I agree with the other comments … was definitely not expecting the twist, but is was a really cool read and adventure. Great job.
Sibyl – alternaview´s last [type] ..How to Succesfully Move from Employee to Entrepreneur
Raul Ojeda Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 5:21 am
Hi Sibyl,
Woohoo! I could never dance the twist, but it seems I can write it
Thank you for your kind words!
Raul
Raul Ojeda´s last [type] ..Master of Your Own Universe
Wow, Superb story Raul! As I began to read it, I had a feeling where it was headed based on some of your comments on another recent story. You did a great job painting the picture of our physical world and the fragility of our animal bodies. And even in the transfer of power from being master of the universe to just a small piece of nature in a physical world, I felt a sense of peace.
It rings true that while we inhabit this physical world, most times we are masters of our universe, but that power is loaned to us. It can be taken away at any moment. It leads me to think that we should use our powers more wisely.
Thanks for sharing this great story.
Eric | Eden Journal´s last [type] ..Eden Journal – Eric Quote 3
Raul Ojeda Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Hi Eric,
It is amazing all the power we have in this life at the same time of the fragility of our bodies. There’s so much we can do and yet loose everything in a moment, so the need to use our time here wisely.
Thank you for your comment
Raul
Raul Ojeda´s last [type] ..Master of Your Own Universe
Raul,
…and this reminds me…there are no guarantees in life. Things can always change…in an instant. What might seem like a perfectly calm and serene place can quite quickly become just the opposite.
And on that thought…I intend to live my life fully, openly, and connected to what matters to me. If not now, when??
Wonderful writing….
Lance´s last [type] ..The Moment
Raul Ojeda Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Hi Lance,
That’s a great point, living life in the now, even when working towards the future, still enjoying every moment we have. As you pointed in your blog, life is a million moments together.
Thanks for your contribution.
Raul
Raul Ojeda´s last [type] ..Master of Your Own Universe
Nice one, Raul. This was an interesting take on someone drowning that on one hand was tragic and final, but on the other strangely engaging. Yeah, I can’t explain it but the fact that your protagonist “lives on” after death was interesting to me. That’s how I read it anyway.
Raul Ojeda Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 5:01 am
Hi Tony,
I wanted to explore what would happen in a situation like that (without drowning myself) I’m glad you liked it
Raul
Raul Ojeda´s last [type] ..Master of Your Own Universe
Hi Raul,
My heart was celebrating the entire opening…I love to kayak and I experience the calm, the peace, the wonder as I allow my heart to be completely open in such a ‘safe’ environment…
Like the others I was captivated, and then taken by surprise…
That is life..and perhaps my life on the water and my love of being in nature has taught me that perfect moments of pure openness may be interrupted in a flash so to appreciate and grow them while I am able..
Interesting, I allow my “self” to experience nothingness/wholeness…on the hiking trail, in the middle of the vast ocean, in silence somewhere…
To me death may be of a Spirit, a trait, or a physical body…people experience moments of ‘death’ all of the time, just as people experience moments of ‘living’..labels I suppose…
I *love* your story…I am excited to read the next one…
Joy´s last [type] ..Fearless Fun Friday- Random Facts…
Raul Ojeda Reply:
August 23rd, 2010 at 3:40 am
Hi Joy,
It seems many people were caught by surprise with the change in perspective
As you mention, we always experience moments of death and moments of living, mostly depending on our feelings and the focus we are using at that moment.
Raul
Raul Ojeda´s last [type] ..Master of Your Own Universe