Yesterday we discovered how Calvin Niles, the Mindful Storyteller, navigated a series of, in his words ‘mini traumas’. Today we continue to explore how his story evolved. For Calvin with maelstrom of changes going on in his life, changing jobs seemed reckless, so he settled at his corporate job. I say settled because he admits to a deep sense of dissatisfaction but not enough to do something about it.
So Source, The Universe, God gave him something which would catch his attention.
Early one winter’s morning Calvin’s car span out of control on ice & flying across 3 lanes of traffic into the central reservation, crushing 3 sides of the car. He walked away miraculously with just a scratch on his elbow. Waiting for the pick-up truck to tow him & the car home he meditated. He received the clear message to call time on his corporate career. He’d been feeling discomfort at not living his passion or purpose but had dulled this down until The Universe made it crystal clear to him. He handed his notice in the next week & hasn’t looked back. Synchronicities abounded as they tend to, because once The Universe has out attention she likes to remind us she’s listening – it’s a gentle nod to come back to conscious awareness because you’d miss them if you weren’t paying attention.
For many there were cosmic & mystical happenings usually experienced during deep meditative practices that defy language or words so other worldly but sublimely peaceful & connected they are. Everyone’s experience is unique & true to them but once you’ve experienced this when others try to describe theirs you just get it even though words do not suffice. The insights, healing & growth continue & do so today in ‘ripples’ as Calvin describes them.
And that’s led us to the next part in a spiritual journey: that there’s no end point to a more conscious awareness. No-one is ever finished. And that’s really quite liberating. Everyone’s path is different: some experience all these stages again & again, others may skip some stages. I know one person who I would describe as have a spontaneous awakening. He never meditated or practiced any contemplative study, he wasn’t religious, nothing epic happened in his life just one day he awakened to a deep connection to source. The point is this conscious awakening is possible for everyone & available for us all to experience, it’s our birth-right if you like.
Calvin exudes serenity, compassion & presence that speak volumes to the inner work he has done & reflect his inner peace & equilibrium & you’ll discover this energy is amongst those who have embarked on a more conscious & present way of living & being. At the end of our chat he summed up everything he’d been sharing with me in his poem, which I’d like to share with you:
Water and Fire – A Poem by Calvin Niles
A trickle is how it starts
Sometimes you don’t see it.
Too busy thinking about thoughts.
A spark is all it takes
Not everyone notices.
Too busy worrying about worries.
When the rivers burst their banks and forests turn to cinders
Everyone in the neighbourhood notices.
Wouldn’t you say?
Can you see the small things?
Do you feel the tiny tickle before the pain?
Or the little drizzle before the rain?
Can you spot the wildness within the tame?
Or your irks before you complain?
Or is it all the same?
Let me ask you again.
Do you feel the space between your breaths?
Or note the taste in your mouth of whatever’s left?
Do you feel abundant or bereft?
Are you in the now or seeking the next?
Can you do and not impress?
Or is give and not expect?
Each moment is a new opportunity to choose.
Choose to see not just look.
Choose to listen not just hear.
Choose to love.
Choose to forgive.
Choose to let go.
Choose to live.
Choose wisely.
Listen to Calvin’s podcasts:
3. Stories of Awakening
4. Mindful Conversations
Read Calvin’s Fiction Spiritual Adventure: The Sun Rises in Eastmoor available here
Facebook: @calvinnilesofficial
Instagram: @calvinniles
Website: www.calvinniles.com
Email: contact(at)calvinniles(dot)com