ALL STRANGERS are not STRANGE
The occasion for my story was an invitation by High Writer for me and others (including Johnathan T. Phillips) [Evolver.net] to participate in a conference called Introspective Truth held at Indiana University in Bloomington. One hour before I was to discuss my work on Demystifying Synchronicities - I took a walk in back of the college. This turned out to be a brilliant choice.
The atmosphere
that day was pure radiance as springtime had clearly sprung in
Bloomington. As I walked along the path enjoying the colorful flowers I
saw three young boys I guessed were about 15 years old. They were doing
what many boys of that age do: outdoing each other doing tricks on their
skateboards.
I
walked over to them indicating they would have an opportunity if they
so desired to rescue a foreigner by giving me directions to the nearest
place for me to get a cup of coffee and perhaps something like a
doughnut. Eagerly responding they pointed me in the direction of a
Dunkin Doughnuts store.
Appreciating
their perfect response I said that if they happen to be going in my
direction and see me walking in circles they would do me a great favor
if they would guide me to the store (about 2 blocks ahead) as I have a
tendency to get lost. The boys laughed - said they would keep alert -
and spiritedly waved goodbye.
Somehow
I made it to the suggested "Oasis" where I serendipitously met three
smiling, gracious, and stimulating counter women. I sincerely gushed
about my experience of Bloomington, Indiana University, High Wire and
his mother, my fellow participants, the friendliness of virtually every
stranger I met.... overflowing with unusually positive feelings about
being alive in Bloomington. The counter-women - animated and interested
in my story - offered me a free cup of coffee (unheard of in New York
City) - reinforced my already positive feelings that strangeness can be
converted into meaningful connectedness (under certain conditions) in
amazingly short order.
More
of this 'magical' conversion process was to happen.
Seated by the
front door of the shop I was pleased to see my skateboard 'friends'
coming into the door. We simultaneously smiled at one another as if we
had known each other all our lives and were thrilled that after eons of
time we had reunited.
I
introduced myself to them and asked their names. They noticed the book I
was reading - my own. They were thrilled when I told them I was the
author. One of the boys said he wanted to be an author. I told him to do
what I did - take the idea seriously, study hard, be passionately
interested in something and learn all about it - and one day when he
felt he had something original to say he too would write a book.
The boys were
clearly awe struck. Perhaps some of it had to do with the fact that they
met a real live author but I am more inclined to believe that they were
pleasantly surprised that a 73 year old visitor from New York treated
them as equals.
We
exchanged some facts about our lives. I gushed some more about what I
feel is the well kept secret of Bloomington telling them that they were
living in a Paradise - shook hands, and started to walk back to give my
talk - getting lost in the process - having overshot the mark.
Although
this whole encounter took only about an hour this experience for me is
what Jung refers to as numinous emanating an implied quality of
spirituality. A spirituality that is not transcendent but rather
grounded on the earth plane wherein virtual strangers - like dogs
sniffing each other - are able - if the conditions are right - in
becoming instant friends.
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