Arjuna Ardagh - Leap before you look: 72 shortcuts for getting out of your mind and into the moment

Awakening into Oneness
Let Yourself Go
The Translucent Revolution
The Last Laugh
How About Now
Relaxing into Clear Seeing
Living Essence Audio Series
Living Essence Live (Audio)

For Chameli, my partner in Translucent Practice,
and Abhi and Shuba, my sons and teachers

MEET FRED.

From a very early age, Fred had felt that something was missing in his life. Quite early on, after reading the right books and listening to the right teachers, he came to understand what was wrong: he had lost his cello. So, as a young man, Fred became a cello seeker.

Every now and then hed hear cello musicfar off, just a hint, but enough to remember: the purpose of his life was to find his missing cello. He toured the world, and wherever he heard cello music, or even just the word cello whispered on the wind, he would follow. Fred climbed the highest mountains, dove into the deepest oceans, trudged across the farthest deserts, all in search of his cello. He met many great teachers and tutors, visited countless concert halls and music schools, and sought out the finest quartets, quintets, and orchestras. He joined support groups, where people would gather in circles to rediscover their inner cello. He bought books and videos with titles like Ten Steps to Cello Discovery. Over and over he asked, Can you help me find my very own cello? He was passionate, dedicated, and intense. Fred was a full-time professional cello seeker.

One day, after many decades of living a life where everything else had become secondary to his quest, he was rushing down the street to a cello seekers support group meeting. He was looking only at the pavement, focused on where he needed to go, when he collided with an old friend.

Fred, where are you going in such a hurry? asked the friend.

I dont have time to talk to you now, Fred retorted. Im on my way to my cello finders support group meeting. I cant stop.

But Freds friend caught his arm, and held him there on the street. Just wait a minute, Fred. Hold on. What is that thing on your back?

Whats what on my back? asked Fred.

That big, wooden, curvy, stringy, hollow, strange-shaped thing?

Fred glanced impatiently over his shoulder. I dont have time to bother with unidentified, wooden, curvy, stringy things. Time is short. I have to find my cello.

But that thing on your back, that aint no trombone, fella. And that sure aint no violin or saxophone either. Youd better take a look.

Finally, just to get rid of this interference so he could carry on with his search, Fred agreed to look over his shoulder, to stop, to pay attention. To his shock and amazement, Fred discovered that strapped onto his back was a large cello. He was flabbergasted. He didnt know what to say. He sat downright there on the sidewalk. He took the cello onto his lap, tears streaming down his face. Fred laughed and laughed and laughed. He had finally found what he had always been looking for.

With trembling hands, he took the bow and rosined it. Holding it in one hand and the cello in the other, he fell absolutely silent and still. His eyes glazed over, as though he were staring at an object on the other side of the universe. He rested deeply in a state of absolute cello reunion, of oneness with the cello.

Whats with you, Fred? his friends and family asked.

The search is over, thats whats with me. Ive found my cello. I am free of my search. I have realized my essential cello-carrying nature. Fred looked at people with long and meaningful stares. Children would run away. But Fred just went on sitting there, cello in one hand, bow in the other, staring and silent.

And that, dear friends, is the end of the story.

Or is it? From the perspective of being a cello seeker, of having always been a cello seeker, thats it. Within the story of Freds whole life being about rediscovering something lost, that could be the end of the story. We leave Fred sitting silently and contentedly with his cello, and nothing ever happens again.

From another point of view, however, much more is possible for Fred, now that he is reunited with his cello. His story could have many more chapterschapters about music. Fred could bring the bow to the cello and begin to play; he could find out what is possible when he not only enjoys his discovery but lives it, makes it into art, and gives it as a gift to all of humanity.