Rediscovering the Extraordinary in the Ordinary: A Contemplative Journey

Have you ever wondered why certain things, places, or objects in our lives become labeled as "boring" or "mundane"? It's a curious phenomenon that occurs when we encounter something repeatedly, and it becomes so familiar that we no longer grant it the fresh attention it deserves—attention born in the present moment and directed toward someone or something right there with us.

We pass by the same staircase daily, walk on the same carpet, and barely notice the shadow cast by the bed's foot in the glow of the setting sun. We don't look at them anymore; they cease to exist for us. And if we do happen to glance at them, we dismiss them as mundane aspects of existence. "Why bother with these," we ask, "when there are far more interesting things in the world to gaze upon and give our attention to?"

But what if those "other" interesting and dazzling things are not in front of us right now? What if all we have before us is this mundane staircase and that ordinary charging cable? Do we ignore them, close our eyes until we stumble upon the captivating? Do we metaphorically set fire to the banalities before us? Do we pretend to be blind to the mundane? Do we declare that we don't resonate with what we see here and reject it in hopes of encountering a more enchanting and luminous spectacle that will delight our eyes, hearts, and minds? Something that will pique our interest like a defibrillator, jolting our heart that has been stationary for far too long amidst the mundane and the ennui.

This raises the question: What makes one object worthy of genuine interest while another gets relegated to the daydreaming corner of our minds? What creates this distinction in the observer? What compels us to adopt these two different attitudes towards life, from the most ordinary stone, pen, or leaf to the most spectacular sights (which can vary greatly from person to person)?

How have we trained our minds to perform this stringent triage, cutting and condemning elements of our existence, dismissing what we've seen before and believe we know too well, no longer capable of surprising our minds, like the daily carpet we tread upon? How can we rekindle our minds, like curious children seeing the tassels from the carpet for the first time in their lives?

How do we position ourselves within and in front of the grand screen of manifested consciousness that is reality, so that we can once again gaze truly, with curiosity, freshness, and openness?

What harm could this opened attitude possibly do, when it appears to be somewhat unpopular in the everyday world? Does it seem as though we should be giving something away, squandering something—perhaps time, energy, or attention? What do we have to lose, and what do we gain in this adjustment of the lens through which we perceive the everyday forms that greet us in the morning and bid us goodnight at the end of the day?

As you can see, I like questions very much; they often hold the key to unlocking unexplored territories of consciousness and expanding our horizons. They invite us to delve deeper into the mysteries of existence and challenge our preconceived notions.

These questions are not meant to have definitive answers but to serve as the starting point for a contemplative journey. Let's explore how we can reawaken our capacity to see the extraordinary in the ordinary, to embrace curiosity, and to revel in the beauty of the present moment, even when it seems mundane.

The childlike curiosity, when applied to the mundane, can transform our perception and rekindle our connection to the world around us.

But how do we achieve this heightened awareness? How can we make the experience tangible and embodied rather than just a mental exercise? To truly engage with a mundane or boring object, we must enlist all our senses—sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch. This multi-sensory engagement allows us to fully immerse ourselves in the present moment, making it a vivid, lived experience.

Why do I keep emphasizing this? Because the journey of becoming present in our physical bodies is a profound one. It involves having a clear and fresh mind, open to the experiences that lie ahead. It means feeling our hearts beat in rhythm with our breath, being fully present, tasting the crispness of an apple as our taste buds connect with the Jonathan apple's juice for the thousandth time in our lives. It's about our fingers brushing against our own hair as if it were our lover's. Imagine hearing the birds outside your window as if they're putting on a Broadway show just for you, even though you heard them yesterday! Everything is fresh, everything is new.

This conscious connection with ordinary, mundane, and seemingly boring objects, places, or people is a gateway to a different way of experiencing life. But why should we strive to be present in our bodies? Because life looks and feels different from this vantage point. It transforms into a carnival of delights. I could tell you how it feels for me, but you'll need to experience it firsthand beyond my words. Your unique journey will unfold, teeming with the vitality of a new perspective, offering you a sense of purpose in this body that bears your name, here and now, in this earthly human experience.

Give it a try—immerse yourself in the present moment, feel the air in your nostrils now, listen to the rustling of the leaves now, bask in the sunlight now. In this way, you may discover the extraordinary in the ordinary and breathe fresh life into your daily existence. Who knows what extraordinary surprises may be hiding in plain sight?