What is a Miracle?
Café-Salon Philosophique #4
December 20, 1997
No. of Participants: 17
Bubb's Café - 30th & Baseline in Boulder Colorado. The event is held every first and Third Saturday of every month
Host and moderator for this event is Samuel Avital one of the world's greatest mime artist and "provocateur extraordinaire".
Once again, Café Salon Philosophique met in Boulder at Bubb's Café located at 30th and Baseline. The topic for the evening's discussion was, "Miracles" - "What is a miracle?" "Do you know of people around you where actual miracles have happened?" "Do we know the miracle of being?"
Samuel began the evening by introducing those new to the Salon and by reminding us to share the space for expressing the self verbally and to once again practice the art of "listening" with attentiveness in order to understand what was happening among the groups.
Some responses to the first question, What is a miracle? were, "it's the work of many angels," "it can be something that I choose to see happen," "I create what I choose to see in certain ways," "it's a chain of events with positive outcomes." One "didn't believe in miracles" and others chose to describe so called, "religious experiences," (near death, etc.).
"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is." Albert Einstein
Miracles were also described as "magical things, special times, those things that create a sense of elation and joy." They could also be "things out of the ordinary, inexplicable events, and breakthroughs in consciousness." We also described how miracles can create a sense of wonder.
So from where do miracles come? and how do they manifest? The general consensus was that miracles are everywhere - ready to happen, ready to be born. Miracles has to do with to what degree one is present with the self in living each moment. Not auto-mechanical or daily routines, but like nature - naturally and slowly unfolding.
The world rushes here and there and most people can't even take a minute or two to stop and consider the "miracle" of what they are doing right at the present moment. People choose to stay in routines and preoccupied with themselves because miracles "could never happen to me!" or "they are too hard to believe."
"A miracle cannot prove what is impossible. It is useful only to confirm what is possible." Maimonides (1135-1204) Guide to the Perplexed.
We were then asked to stop and consider persons we know and where and how actual miracles occurred. One participant related the story of how at the end of a long hard day and a long ride as a bus driver, that he was able to be totally present with his last customer - a handicap woman. He described how he was able to be totally present with her while assisting her to the front door. And the feeling he described was one of satisfaction and peace. Other miracles described were "birth," the "rise of the early morning sun," "the end of disease such as cancer," and "experiencing the radiance of the presence from within".
The group discussed how doubt was "the stopper" for creating miracles. If one chooses to be receptive and open to the real presence of the self, then action can be taken to create one's own miracles. Many, many, many things are taken for granted. Everyday movements are taken for granted.
One has to learn to think and do consciously in a balanced manner, if "miracles" are to happen. Some argued that miracles were "out-of-the body divine intervention." Others believed that there is a process towards creating miracles. And others thought miracles were "pure luck."
Samuel then proposed the questions, "What is the miracle of being?" "Are we puppets?" "How does one create miracles?" "How do we live them?".
The group discussed how we tend to try and control our behaviors and actions. This usually is done from a constant state of tension. Many haven't learned the art of working with a ordered, focused and relaxed body to experience the power and force of the "true presence." It tends to be overshadowed by doubts and the "what ifs." We have to allow ourselves to be receptive to discover more options. We have to quit deceiving ourselves and stop and consider the real miracle of our existence.
We have to imagine a better life and take necessary steps towards manifesting daily miracles. One needs to learn to distribute energetic potential throughout the whole body for beneficial expression with action.
"Words that are uttered before self-realization are empty and meaningless. Words that are uttered after self-realization are potent, meaningful and powerful." Samuel Avital
Attention must be shifted from auto-mechanical, routine, and our self centered lives to the bigger picture. We need to rid ourselves of verbal abuse, stop and appreciate where we are at the moment and the possibilities of where we can go from here. We need to breakthrough the stupidity of personalities and transcend the imaginary divisions of man/woman, plants/animals, etc. One has to learn to define a new conscious universe.
Is it possible to shift our attention instantly? Yes, it is possible. If one can stop taking themselves, those around them and all the worlds for granted. Yes, it's possible. Miracles occur before your eyes everyday.
They are there vying for your attention, for you to open your eyes, to see and understand. It is opening your heart and listening to your own inner voice and guidance and acting consciously. Getting in touch with the real, true nature of your being.
So in summary, were we able to share truly what a miracle is? No. One felt that we had "boxed up miracles" with words. The evening was like a ping pong game of trying to describe and define what a miracle was.
There was no real exploration or work in discovering what a miracle is within the group as a whole. Emphasis was placed more on the "I", "me" and the self, rather than what the group could relate to as a whole. Could this possibly be a human escape from facing the "What is?" or the "As is?".
We need to learn to use our consciousness and become more aware of what we do everyday. We need to learn to take the time, energy and effort to re-direct our energies in order to discover true miracles. Each moment is truly a miracle. Are you aware of what you are doing right at this moment? Could you name all the movements that you have just done in the past five minutes? Piece by piece? Joint by joint? Are you aware of how you stand, sit, walk? How present are you to all the workings in the body?.
These are only a few questions to ask yourself towards discovering the miracle of your existence. Think about it. If you are seeking more than just mental stimulation and truly want to know more about the miracle of your being, then studying BodySpeak™ - Moving Mind and Body with Samuel. His work enables you to live a more conscious integrated life which leads to true happiness and satisfaction.
The next topic for discussion will be: Who is writing your script? Who is playing the lead role in your life? Who or what influences or motivates us to act, create and write our own script? Who is our true being?
Our next Café-Philo gathering will be Sat, Jan 3rd, 1998. 7pm. See you there! And please invite your friends
Reported by Alessandra
