Closing My Eyes To See.
Our life is full of things we must do and thoughts we must think, images we must see all around us. Life is so busy outside that we do not have time to observe what is happening inside.
It takes courage to look within ourselves because we might find darkness inside. Yet, just like our eyes would need to adjust to seeing in the dark, so do we need to adjust to seeing inside ourselves... and once we learn to see with our eyes closed, then our hearts truly open.
In the darkness of the light,
I am a flame.
With our eyes closed, we can suddenly see. We can suddenly feel the presence around us.
Figure 1: Bouquet from Heaven, from Keith. October 2009, Encaustic wax on card, 21cm x 15cm. Natalie Dekel.
Why does life feel like a game to children? How do children move so experimentally across the canvas of life? In those precious moments where we are children, we leave little outlines of joy in our hearts, so that once we grow up we can then pick them up, and remember once again, who we truly are. What are the forces that set the wind in its direction? Why do the flowers playfully open up, and close again?
It is when we look inside, as adults, that we can see again those patterns of joy that tell us the secrets of life.
I have been dreaming for centuries
the dreams of another man...
Figure 2: From Iosa and Chen #4. 29 Dec 2009, Encaustic wax on card, 15cm x 21cm. Natalie Dekel.
But how can anyone spend time looking inside, where life is so turbulent outside? The answer is there, In the overwhelming power and wisdom that is found when we pick up the flowers of joy - the wisdom that will guide us to move through life better, to sort our thoughts in the right order in the physical life. The light of the spiritual world can shine so bright only if it burns on the oils of the physical world. And so, these two worlds are one, and the wisdom of the spirit is meant to guide us in our physical life, to experience the physical life better, not to run away from it.
In the middle of the ocean there is a fish,
and the fish does not know his left or right, his ups or downs -
but he knows that he is meant
to swim.
Figure 3: Passion flowers on black. October 2009, Encaustic wax on card, 21cm x 15cm. Natalie Dekel.
Can the light bring more light? Can thoughts bring more thoughts? Can emotions inspire new emotions?
We focus so much on our troubles and on big events, that we fail to notice those small things that makes this world go around. The things that shape the sculptures of our being, the tools with which the spirits carve the stones of our lives. The wind that cuddle you when you walk, the sound of snow under your feet and the smell of the earth after a strong rain.
Why do we hear our thoughts so clearly
yet ignore the voices of the heart?
Figure 4: From Iosa and Chen #3. 29 Dec 2009, Encaustic wax on card, 21cm x 15cm. Natalie Dekel.
Happiness does not mean that all in life is perfectly well; it simply means that we apply our best to everything we do. If the opportunities present themselves we use them to their fullest and do not regret the past, simply because it has been and gone.
Happiness does not fall on one at a sudden moment in life, nor can it come from money or fame alone. Rather, it is something to work for, something to find behind the gates of your heart. As such, happiness means living in the present moment, and feeling the awareness of life.
Do you believe in a Kingdom-come?...
...there is no Kingdom-to-come, and there was never Kingdom-past.
There is only Kingdom-Now.
Figure 5: Love - angel and woman. Oct 2009, Encaustic wax on card, 15cm x 21cm. Natalie Dekel.
And once we learn to open the gates of our hearts, a magical opportunity presents itself. The opportunity to actually start a journey, step by step - slowly, moving away from reading inspiring stories, listening to inspiring talks, attending inspiring conferences - and actually starting to Feel the earth of glory that resides inside. We start to actually experience the joy, which so many people promise us.
There are many who support us in our path, some are people who happened to touch our life, and others are those who passed over, and are now in charge of sculpturing our life with the loving hands.
By the time I learned to know myself
the welcoming tables were already laid for me
with fruits of heavens and dances of my soaring heart.
Figure 6: Encaustic #2. Feb 2009, Encaustic wax on card, 15cm x 21cm. Natalie Dekel.
Always look up and believe in yourself. It is not selfish to believe that you can blossom, and when you do, you then set example for others, enlightening their path on which they can grow. You cannot lock happiness inside, rather it is a state that spreads around.
We have been taught that death is part of the living experience. Millions cells die and replace in our body each second; new leaves appear on the trees in the spring and die in autumn. And yet, we still find it so difficult to reconcile that the so-called living people and the so-called dead can freely mix together.
Are you ready to embrace the path?
For the path has already embraced you.
Figure 7: Passion. Oct 2009, Encaustic wax on card, 29cm x 21cm. Natalie Dekel.
» Learn how Natalie was inspired to create these paintings.
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13 Feb 2010
Paintings: © Natalie Dekel. Encaustic Wax on card, size varies (21cmX15cm and 21cmX29cm).
Text: © Natalie Dekel, Gil Dekel and Karen Sargood. Poems: © Gil Dekel.