This is the fourth version of this blog. There is so much depth to explore that it has been difficult to write. I finally decided there will be more than one part to this post. The themes are acceptance and shame, freedom and authenticity, and how we choose to look at reality, so please read knowing there will be more.

A story, whether real or mythology, can be a wonderful teaching tool, so whether you believe the story of Adam and Eve as real or imagined, follow along with me for new lessons I have been learning from this ancient spiritual text.

As the story goes, God made man, Adam, and woman, Eve. They lived happily in the garden paradise of Eden. Where they ate fresh organic produce directly from the earth, naturally communed with Creator, lived harmoniously with each other and the animals. A picture of bliss. Eden was earth, it had no boundary until one was created. The picture this paints is that all was well, connected, flowing, pure, unified, living in a balanced harmonious symbiotic relationship as one living universe.

Scene 2. Bring in two trees. Two choices. The Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Let’s consider these two trees. Not much is said about the Tree of Life, maybe it seems obvious, eat from it and have eternal life. Then there is the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Eat from this tree and your eyes will be opened to the knowledge of good and evil. Meaning your mind will now see the world from a different lens. Duality.

Recently, I posted a question on FB, “what would you differently if you knew no one would judge you?” Great question to consider. It exposes the separation, the difference, in our inner and outer worlds. The word separation here is key. When our thinking is dualistic we perceive everything as separate. We are separate from other humans, animals, plants, planet and our moments and actions are all separate.

Can you imagine a life where your inner and outer worlds are aligned? Where you say what you are thinking? Do what you want to do? I am not talking about saying or doing things that hurt another, but expressing yourself fully; that is authenticity. Can you picture yourself having the courage to remove the masks? One person commented that they would run through a field naked. Running through a field naked and free! Why not?

When I read that comment it conjured up the Bible verse “naked and not ashamed” from Genesis 2.

This verse is speaking of Adam and Eve before choosing to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Christianity teaches this is how sin entered the world, but what if it isn’t pointing to sin? What if this story is trying to teach about two ways of thinking? Two differing world views, two ways of viewing reality?

One choice is the Tree of Life. Accepting life as it truly is; eternal, energy, flowing whole, blissful, unfolding, pure, clear, calm, silence, sound, awareness, Divine, love, Universe, etc. How can one give words to it? But these are words that come to mind when I think of my experiences of connecting with that something more.

Scene 3. The crafty serpent came and encouraged them to eat of this tree for their eyes would be opened and they would understand good and evil and be like God. The mindset of this tree is judgment, knowledge and separation. It is here at this tree that the false idea of separation; even being separate from God seeps in. Knowing good and evil, right and wrong, but how can there be when the nature of life is pure? This tree represents the mindset of duality. I think the crafty serpent is our Ego-mind. The contant chattering, thinking and comparing. The judgment and pride that comes with it, our need to be right. The stream of consciousness that is difficult to slow down or shut up. We must admit that this much needed part of ourselves can run a muck.

Every day, every moment, we choose one tree or the other; Life or the Knowledge of Good and Evil. How are you viewing reality? Which Tree are you eating from?

As I thought about being naked and not ashamed, what that symbolizes to me, ideas of freedom, love, acceptance and wholeness formed in my mind. Freedom for myself as a woman and for others who get judged for who they are, who they love, the color of their skin, the amount in their bank account, and the country they were born in. The list of terms we use to separate ourselves is long and seems to continue to grow. I considered how we have made each other feel by the false constructs and standards we have created. The fact is these ideas come from our minds. Our ego-mind’s way of elevating itself, making itself feel good by covering it’s shame.

Naked and unashamed to me means acceptance, letting go of judgment and shame. It means approving of myself as I am, now, not the better me I hope to be in 2020. It also means approving of others as they are, in this moment, accepting them as is now. Then we can take it a step farther and accept reality as it is, now. Be at peace with life as it is now. Feel it’s freedom, vibrancy, love, calm, unity, wholeness because that is the true essence of the Universe, therefore, it is our true essence and state of being as well.

We have been taught that the Garden of Eden and Heaven are paradise. Places that are far from us, separate from us. But the truth is it is here, now and within. We have these ideas of what paradise is and we try to achieve it. We put this standard onto our lives like a shackle weighing us down; it keeps us from accepting and enjoying the life we are living. We constantly set intentions and goals, which is not a bad thing, but are we enjoying today? Or are we reaching for tomorrow while looking back at the past with regret?

What if the two trees represent two different mindsets? What if that story is telling us we can choose between these two ways of perceiving reality? The Tree of Life, which is one of acceptance, unity, peace, love and understanding the interconnectedness of all things or we can choose the Tree of Knowledge which means we live according to the Ego-mind.

What if we just lived? Trusted ourselves to do the best we can, to learn and grow from life’s experiences. Ouch, fire is hot, I won’t touch it again. That is the way of nature. What if we let it unfold instead of trying to control all the details and outcomes? We will learn as we go, naturally.

Is your mind is very busy right now as you read this? Filled with what ifs and how could that work.

The Tree of Knowledge represents duality of thought; good or bad, up or down, black or white, male or female, right or wrong, etc. We begin to judge everything according to this; others, ourselves, our lives, everything comes under it’s microscope and usually comes up lacking. We think we can tweak it to make it better, but it is a constant never ending arduous cycle. By eating of this tree, we are thrust out of “Eden” and into a harsh environment where everything that is natural becomes difficult. We lose touch with the true nature of ourselves and the true nature of reality. We lose our sense of freedom and feel enslaved to life instead of enjoying it. The Italian movie, “ Life is Beautiful” perfectly demonstrates how our perception and responses to reality change our interpretation and experience of life.

As 2020 begins I am pondering these things and hoping to choose the Tree of Life. Setting the idea before me as a practice, ironically, it is the logo for my business, this symbol of divine life and healing has called to me for a long time. Perhaps, I am finally getting a glimpse into it’s deeper message.