It has to be hard.
That’s what they say.
It will be difficult. Self-sacrificing. Time-consuming.
I hear it again and again.
If I want peace in my heart, I have to work hard for it.
Well, I don’t buy it.
I know it could be all of those things, that for some people the path of sacrifice and hard work is the way to spiritual awakening.
But it is not the right path for all of us.
It’s not the path for me.
It may not be the path for you. At least not all of the time.
What if there were an easier way?
I see it as bright and playful and quick.
I feel it open my heart, release my worries, bring me peace.
I honour its encouragement to practice kindness.
It’s as easy as a visit from a butterfly. A moment filled with Beauty, Wonder and connection with the Infinite.
At its simplest, this is a gentle, lovely pick me up.
At its deepest, it is the essence of all spiritual practice.
Peace. Breath. Release. Wonder.
It starts with a simple butterfly.
Perhaps a childhood memory. Perhaps an idea you envision.
A butterfly arrives and you pause long enough to see it.
That could be all it is. And it could be so much more.
In that moment, the weight of the world disappears. Your attention is fully present to the beauty that has just appeared. Your heart fills with wonder and opens to possibility.
This is the essence of spiritual experience.
Without the sacrifice. Without the hardship. Without the overwhelming amount of time they seemed to predict it could take.
I believe it can be easy.
I believe it can be quick.
I believe in Butterflies.
Do you?
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How beautiful. It really doesn’t have to be so hard, yet I see so many people around me taking the more difficult path when I see easier paths for them. I’d much rather be a butterfly—grace and ease.
This is such simple and beautiful advice. I remember once long ago, counseling a heartsick friend over his rocky romance — he kept saying how hard it was, and my point was like yours: it doesn’t HAVE to be hard to be right. You were sending me butterflies even before we met! 🙂
Yes! Loving this. It’s so heavy when we have to take the hard path. Pausing to re-frame and go with a light approach is so much…well, it’s so much lighter!!! As a hypnotherapist I love working with guided imagery and this idea of taking the butterfly approach really does resonate with me. Thank you for sending more butterflies into my life. xox
I’ve been thinking about this the past few days as i’ve been feeling run down and deep in launch fatigue. I started asking myself- How easy will you allow it to be?
What if everyone and everything was here to help me?
What if everything was truly easy for me?
I’ve been sinking down into te feeling of this and finding peace as i do it.
Yes! Finally I do believe it can be soft and gentle, quick and easy, and feel good. Striving has left me.
Thank you.
ohhhh. I love the reminder that it can be easy…..I couldn’t agree more that we are constantly reminded that “it” will be work and the work “makes it worth it.” It’s nice to hear the opposing view. And how lovely about the butterflys….my heart lights up whenever I see one. They really are magic. xx
I definitely do! Forced and hard doesn’t quite jive with “peace in our heart”.. they are different energies.. your writing perfectly illustrates the position that moves us into a softer more receptive place. Reminded me of a moment on my walk yesterday when I saw a deer in somebody’s front lawn (we live in the country) but still it was an unusual place to see it right next to the house.. I always love seeing the deer.. and they always will stay put, looking me right in the eye.. I stay and look into theirs for as long as they will let me.. it’s so peaceful and brings me such happiness. Those moments of pure presence, where all of the noise and chatter is shut out.. is effortless and powerful at the same time. The best.
Love your writing, Teresa.
Love and blessings,
Lisa