Berry picking and the Art of Receiving

There is a different kind of enchantment in berry picking. Anyone who has plucked the firm-fleshed, glossy nuggets of goodness -- and loves the process -- simply needs no further explanation. You “get it”.

The places where these delights are found (Huckleberries specifically) are typically uninhabited by humans. Entering into this space with this awareness (in my experience) often heightens senses that at any time a four-legged friend may cross one’s path, and the sense of anticipation in that something unexpected could happen is palpable.

So where does the receiving come into this?

Focusing on the berries, and the attention that is paid to the “everything else” around you is a form of meditation. While blissfully steeped in the surrounding environment, in a labour of love and conscientiously collecting the huckleberries I fill my hand with the berries and place them into my bucket. This action continues for a long period of time.

Then I drop some berries.

I place what I have in my hand into the bucket, and pick up what I’ve dropped, and continue on.

Another few minutes roll by, and I drop some more berries. Without hesitation, I place what I have in my hands into the bucket, pick up the few I’ve dropped and continue on.

Then a third time this happens. I drop more berries.

I stop. This is beyond me now. Patterns. Time for me to pause and allow the intuitive message to come through.

“Ok” – I say – “What do I need to know? I am listening”

On that warm evening, on the side of a mountain, in amongst berry-laden shrubs, I close my eyes, take a deep breath and listen.

It was as subtle as a sweet summer breeze and the message came in oh so gently.
“Receive.”

“Ahh yes. Thank you, thank you.”

I understood with crystal clear clarity.

I can only receive if I keep my hands empty.

I was in a complete state of receiving and gratitude to be where I was; partly in the sunshine and in the shade; sitting on the earth with the smell of the forest floor around me; fingers picking and nimbly moving around the bushes by feel and my mind was clear. This laser teaching was to direct me to accept that while I was still receiving, I needed to receive most what it is that I want – which in that instance was huckleberries (ego), although I knew this lesson was intended for a larger purpose (higher self).

It reminds me of a story about a Zen master

Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era ((1868-1912) received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen.
Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor’s cup full and kept on pouring.

The professor watched the overflow until he could no longer restrain himself. “It is overfull. No more will go in!”

“Like this cup,” Nan-in said “You are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?”

You have received all your life. 

You have parents or guardians that gave to you, and you didn’t ‘limit’ receiving from them.

The sun, rain provided you with food, and the efforts of many hands to deliver that food to your table, gave to you and you did not take issue with receiving from them.

Did you complain when you received new clothes to wear? Did you negotiate with your friend how your friend would pay attention to your feelings and make you feel better? What about your Grandparents or your children – did you bask in the receiving of their love?

What is it about receiving consciously that seizes people up?

The Zen story is so clever that it speaks directly to the egoic desire to “control” what it is, how much that we get filled up with, which may limit us to the full potential of the gift that is coming our way. There is this neurotic thing that happens in our brain that says “Well if you go fully into the receiving, you’re going to lose control of your time, your energy, your sense of “freedom”, your routines/structure and so forth. How are you going to manage all this?” And you shrink away internally, or you become “selective” about what you will receive.

Or you play it small by saying you aren’t worthy, or not enough.

Does this sound familiar? Is there a situation in your life that is called to mind?

The question then is: The very same force of life whether you call it God, the universe, divine consciousness has led you thus far – do you think that once you “receive” this is the end of the road?

God, the universe, divine consciousness has your back. You will come through to the other side, and you will benefit.

And even if you don’t believe in God – you have received “feedback” or read a book, had a conversation that on some level that has improved some aspect of your life.

Giving and receiving are aspects of life that demonstrate unquestionably the flow of life. There is nothing that remains stagnant – the constant exchange of energy, the ebb and flow of emptying and filling, ending and beginning, the waking and sleeping – the dynamism is at play in this grand orchestra called life.

It shows up in relationships, health, business, money, intuition, food, information – you name it – it’s there – even in berries!

Always in much love and GRATITUDE.