Here’s a man who has a lot to offer us as we tread our spiritual paths, enjoy.
John.
WOW! From The Mystery Experience by Tim Freke.
I saw Tim interviewed on Buddha at the Gas Pump in October 2017, and was very taken with his ideas. I bought a couple of his books (he has written more than 30), and today I am reading his The Mystery Experience, which he wrote and published in 2012.
I’ve only just begun and right at the beginning – the book is about the awakening experience into the mystery that is life as a human – and his book is talking about the spontaneous awakening experience. Because, at age 12, he had his first awakening experience, he became enthralled by the mystery that is life as a human and so he went on to become a philosopher, writer, and public speaker who gives retreats to assist people to have an awakening experience.
He says that when it happens for someone for the first time the instant response from nearly everyone is almost always WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here is an excerpt from the 3rd chapter that really moved me:
“Last year my father died of a stroke. For the previous eight months he could move only one arm and he would lie in his bed plaintively muttering ‘help me, help me.’ It broke my heart because I love him. Being deep awake didn’t stop me suffering and I didn’t want it to. I wanted to suffer with my dad. I wanted to be right with him in the awfulness of the situation.
For me, awakening isn’t about transcending suffering, as some spiritual traditions teach. Rather, awakening allows me to suffer willingly because of love. And then my heartbreak becomes poignant … meaningful… even beautiful. When I suffered with my dying dad there were precious moments of deep connection. The bitterness was also sweet. The deep pain plunged me down to the depths of life. It broke my heart and what poured out was a deeper love.
When I listen closely I hear the WOW of life expressing itself in many different tones of voice. There is the ecstatic WOW of joy and the subdued WOW of sadness. The intoxicating WOW of hope and the sobering WOW of disappointment. The warm WOW of intimacy and the piercing WOW of loss. The great song of life passes between the major and and the minor modes … and I am stirred by both.
HAVE YOU BEEN WOWED?
Perhaps there have been moments in your life when you tasted the WOW in some of the ways I’ve been describing? Most of us, at some time or other, have found ourselves suddenly seeing through the superficialities of life and diving into the mysterious depths. This can happen when we embrace a newborn child … or listen to beautiful music … or enjoy a deep conversation. It can happen when we confront death … or feel defeated by failure … or wrestle with a mental breakdown. It can happen at any time. It can happen now.”
And his web site: http://timfreke.com/
Johnsmallman's Blog 
Thank you, John. That is perfect.
Alicia Davies
I never miss a posting, I’m 70 and to make a long story short, the WOW came upon me at 21 and has been my life for the last 49 years, finding as much Fun and Joy as I can in everything. 🙂
I was a bit shocked with Tim’s fathers story. Why o why did he not let him die ??? Seems to me that if I ever get to the point where all I could do was move one appendage and I kept muttering ‘Help’ that, ‘for me’, is most likely a call to, ‘set me FREE’. I am surely thinking, ‘please turn off the machine or give me a pill’ ‘IF’ there is NO hope of recovery, ‘a recovery worth having i.e. able to live life’ . . . who’s choice was it ?? It was not mentioned if Dad wanted to keep going or not but . . . I live on a farm in Scotland and the farmer says, ‘If I treated my animals like we treat people I would be arrested’. Which would I choose, to continue to suffer and keep calling for help OR to let go into the Bliss that awaits. Not much of a choice IN MY OPINION.
We really need to think ‘who’ we are keeping folks alive for.
Keep doing what you are doing, as the Guru once said. I enjoy your posts lots never miss one, can never be reminded enough in the world of Whooooo Boyyyyyy !!!!!!!!!
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That was really beautiful. I am suffering a mental breakdown, but it is bringing me closer to God. I have started meditating before bed every night. It helps so much.
I think the breakdown is a result of an ongoing war between my ego and reality/God’s pure love. It scares me (and my ego) to surrender. I wish it wasn’t so hard. It’s horrible, be she’s I feel God’s peace when I meditate, but I’m a nervous wreck all day.
I’m also a recovering addict and alcoholic. I was actively using for nearly 40 years.
Can you offer any advice?
Much love and thanks for your wonderful blog and video,
Sue
WOW! Very poignant and beautiful excerpt–I identify with Tim’s words greatly…thank you!