Hello Friends

# Today I want to talk about being connected. 
### What do I even mean by that? Well it could mean a number of things such as:
* connected to the internet
* Being socially connected (sending pictures of my brunch to thousands of strangers)
* Or maybe I mean connecting intimately with just one or two people. We could call that an emotional connection.

I think the last one in that list comes closest to what I am trying to get at, but not quite. Yes connected intimately, yet not with any person in particular. This kind of connection is experienced emotionally, or we could say 'subtly'. It's an internal connection - whatever that means!

![network-cable-ethernet-computer-159304.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmTFt9YRtHZzfPbyZL2bNiy5g8xADbLvbwSwhfaxD2yJH2/network-cable-ethernet-computer-159304.jpeg)
[source](https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-switch-hub-turned-on-159304/)

__What I am talking about, is connecting to your 'self'. It's a strange thing to talk about, connecting to ourselves. When were we ever not ourselves? Unless some form of tom foolery is going on then I must be assuming a disconnect. Is it possible to be disconnected from ourselves? Presumably we are a unified entity, why else would we always refer to ourselves in a singular manner? I I I, me me me, this is who I am - can you not see?__

I want to suggest that our individual unity in a tenuous and dynamic grouping of many different pieces and parts. Physically we are cells on the micro, and organs on the macro. Subtly we are emotions thoughts and senses, impressions and intuitions. Experientially and existentially we are so many things, it's actually and incredibly diverse array of experience - yet it seems fairly natural to lump it all together and call it 'Dave' or 'Barbara'. I guess it's also inconvenient to refer to everyone as a multiplicity which is born again into each moment. It sure gets hard keeping track of things without all of these sign posts that tell who I am.

__In a sense we don't really know who we are, yet an effort has been made to work some sense into it and tie it all together. It's almost as if we are both a diverse ecosystem, and a unified organism - all at the same time. Quantum theory seems to agree that there's nothing wrong with several truths acting simultaneously.__

The fundamental thing that holds it together is connection. The state of connection or connectedness is what keeps us together. Connection between our various parts, and a connection to a unified state which precedes and pervades our existence of seperation. Unity provides context for a life of individuality (me in a sea of yous). Without that context I can't really see how this magnificent world would be possible. Surely there must be a backdrop that contains all of this complexity, be that a blank white page or the ineffable void that holds the stars.

![pexels-photo-745045.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmcc6UXNbUQjpjiUcNEroDfYv39U6FyH1GuS6wHhPLUgce/pexels-photo-745045.jpeg)
[source](https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-people-sitting-on-white-mat-on-grass-field-745045/)

### Connecting In
__What does it mean to connect in? Well precisely that, to look inward to your own inner world to get a sense of things and see where your at. How does it feel? What is your body telling you? What are your emotions telling you? These two are important indicators, but more or less we give most of our attention to just the one thing - which is what the mind is saying.__

Paying attention to the mind, is not necessarily connection, or rather it is a connection but only to a specific part of us - the monkey mind. It's good to be aware of this part, to train it and use it well - but to be solely devoted to this survival mechanism is not a balanced way to live. I would describe a romance with the mind more as 'disconnected'. In giving our attention just to the thoughts then there's really no room for listening and subtle sensing. Beneath the noise of mind is another realm, and in my experience that realm is where it gets really interesting.

__So in a round about way I have explained myself. This is what I mean to stay connected. It's simply a continual sensing of what is happening with my various pieces and parts as I move through this reality. It's a connection to what is, it's a connection to life. It's a willingness to listen and feel what needs to be felt. It's a willingness to be baffled and confused. Being connected means we don't need an explanation, even though they can be handy - we prioritize processing internal feedback over speculating about what it means__

And why is this relevant? Because it's the basis for an incredibly expanded way of living, it's so expanded because it's connected to so many things. In the extreme, being connected means that you have a connection to everything. You see your self in everything. You are life, so naturally you feel life intensely and genuinely want to find beautiful outcomes for all of your various expressions.

__It's a funny thing because it could be very easy to misinterpret what I have just said, and this is where a lot of beings get confused. It's not projecting onto life with your story that connects you to life, it's actually connecting inward to find your unified nature that truly connects you.__

![sky-space-dark-galaxy.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmbZPzRFsKMhbuFKXZkG5PY8j3mq55RoBDz5G574prftnY/sky-space-dark-galaxy.jpg)
[source](https://www.pexels.com/photo/sky-space-dark-galaxy-2150/)

## It's a very specific direction, in first and from there outward with clarity and without bias.

Again this is to do with the mind, which in an untrained state naturally seeks some reward and leverage from the outside world. This is not to be judged, because it makes sense for the mind to attempt to secure more berries, hunting grounds, and mates. That's what the mind is good at, but it's not our only aspect.

__If I let the survival mind run the show then my love for my friends will be for my own approval, and my love for my partner will be about securing some emotional or physical need. My love for my country will be about finding an identity, and my love for life will be about my fear of death. The mind runs to things that ensure survival, and it runs away from things that indicate danger. So naturally all things can be divvied up into those two categories depending on our 'mind set'.__

The mind is highly misleading, yet our level of trust in the various stories presented is fairly high (and in some cases absolute). I'm bound to live a life of conflict if all I connect with is my inner story about how things are (or should be), yet if I connect on a deeper level then there can be some real sensing of what life is about, and is asking from me. If my connection is unburdened by my own  self interest - then it has the capacity to reach very far.

__This is the kind of connection that has been the most fulfilling for me, a connection to life on a basic level (before mind). Connecting in through the inward direction, to sense and experience the raw uncut version, as much as I am able to presently.__

This inner connection is a pathway for freedom and transformation, it will never mislead you. It may seem to as your self deception unravels, yet in time you will see the wider story and it's magnificence. It may take you through pain, yet it will only be the pain of letting go. The connection to your self, or just 'self', is the greatest investment we can make in this life. It's a seed that grows exponentially, it is always fresh and full of unexpected flowerings. It is a connection that is always available, it merely requires our intention and our invitation.

My gratitudes for reading this

Expansiveness and Freedom to all beings

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