One of the things I love about the West is "Big Sky." When we drive out here, we no longer find the flat land and vast spaces of the West (and even some of the Midwest) boring. We love how the vista opens up, and how the sky dominates the view as we drive along. In this Big Sky, the stars are more brilliant, and even the light of the sun and moon seem brighter. The "Cloud Nation," as the Native Americans put it, has a special glory and intrigue of its own. Cloud gazing has become a favorite meditation of mine, as well as star and moon gazing. I reserve sun gazing for sunrise and sunset!
The wonderful thing about the sky and clouds and heavenly bodies is that they are serene, always present, yet far away, far above and beyond the turmoil and trouble of life on earth. They remind us that there is a Holy Beauty and Presence which sustains and watches over us and all of life. They help us "lift up our hearts and give thanks to God." No wonder in Hebrew the word for sky and the word for heaven is the same.
Heaven doesn't mean somewhere far off but not here. Just like the sky, heaven is all around us, and it is also transcends this earthly realm. The little round of your life and mine, like the round earth, is completely surrounded and sustained by Heaven/Sky. BIG SKY!
Have you ever tried lying on your back during the day or at night and spending at least half an hour doing nothing but gazing at the sky when it is full of stars or fabulous formations of cloud?
Its a wonderful way to quiet the mind, lift the heart, and calm the spirit. In short, its an effective way to meditate and pray. Its a little bit like going to heaven while living on earth!
You just might want to try it.
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