A message sent to me by a friend

by JB
(Boston)

THE MAN

THE MAN

I received this photo in an email from a friend. He said it had a simple and profound message about awakening.

I didn't understand what it mean at all.

I thought it was a joke at first.

But then I thought about it. For a man like that, in a very expensive suit and tie, the removal of his shoes and socks would mean a break with the paradigm of the successful, powerful business executive.

The picture of the shoes - above - was attached as well.

To go barefoot is to be vulnerable. The man in the photo would seem to be in control. I would assume he was wearing shoes! But he is not.

That breaking with the control seems to me a very important step in awareness.

That is my thought. Does anyone else who sees this picture think that? Something else?

thanks

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Aug 25, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		All my Best!
by: Carl

JB,
First, let me sincerely apologize for not getting to this earlier. I somehow missed it when it came in.

I am so excited for you. I hope that the experience is a good one for you and I especially think that by keeping a journal you will be able to look at the subtle changes that occur in your life.

You have my best wishes for what I think will be an incredible journey and please, please, please keep in touch. I so look forward to hearing from you.

All my best,

Carl
Jul 31, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Wonderful
by: JB

This is wonderful. Thank you so much. There is so much to meditate on and so many observations that I was not aware of.

I am preparing a time of meditation with visual imagery based on this and on a suggestion from that same friend that I put myself into the picture and let it unfold. Then apply it to my own life. Your insights are invaluable for this.

I am starting with the observation:
"The removal of the shoes as a first act is interesting as that is the part of us (our feet) that is most closely in touch with the earth or "reality." It represents a beginning of awareness and that all important connection to the "roots" of our existence."

I will write down my thoughts and would like to post them here as part of the conversation.

Thanks again!
Jul 28, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks!
by: JB

Thank you for posting my comment and the photos. I look forward to hearing what anyone has to say about this as I find my way.
Jul 28, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Got Shoes??
by: Carl

JB,

Thanks for sharing the message from your friend and your thoughts on it as well. I think you covered it very nicely but the symbolism/metaphor has many connotations.

For me it reminded me of how we cover or mask over what we are in reality by becoming something else. We are conditioned to see the world in a very different way than it really is and I think our clothing, whatever the costs, represent the "isolation from the real" we all experience as we try to "fit" in a world of masks and artificiality.

The removal of the shoes as a first act is interesting as that is the part of us (our feet) that is most closely in touch with the earth or "reality." It represents a beginning of awareness and that all important connection to the "roots" of our existence.

It might be said that the reality of our existence is not what we see or think it is. Our feet connect us intimately with what is and instead of "having experience" they (WE) "are experience."

I don't think it matters what the cost of our "mask" is. The metaphor of the $1000.00 shoes might only represent the difficulty in removing them. That might be expressed as the depth and complexity of our egoic attachment to all the things we see as important in the world, that in reality, are not.

Like I said. lot's of great connotation. Thanks again for sharing and I, too, am anxious to hear/learn more!! All my best,

Carl

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