Years ago, while living on the East Coast of the US, I would often visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. “The Met” as it is called is the largest art museum in the U.S. I found it to be a wonderful place to experience firsthand beautiful art collections and exhibits from all over the world and throughout human history.
While I had many favorites exhibits, I was always drawn to those from the Post Ice Age civilizations living in Fertile Crescent area of Eastern Mediterranean from 10,000 B.C. Seeing the magnificent collections of pottery, jewelry, sculptures and wall paintings made thousands of years ago was always inspirational. A total sense of wonder and gratitude would swell up within me just thinking about how they were each brought to life by a fellow human.
For me, it seemed like a natural reaction as I witnessed first-hand a beautiful example of someone else’s moment of Divine inspiration.
Perhaps the biggest emotion I that would arise was a sense of connection. At times it felt overwhelming knowing that piece of artwork was now Blessing me by way of its creator’s energy that was imbued within. Like a recording of beautiful song, a single piece of art can also carry within it the emotion of joy, peace, compassion, and love.
One cannot help but resonating with the energy carefully and consciously contained within.
When in the presence of something as wondrous as such antiquities, it’s not unlike when meditating. Your breath slows down. Your mind stills. Your heart and soul swell with heartfelt emotions. Much like when observing a sunset, sunrise or mandala become their own form of soulful meditation.
Once, one a more memorable visit to The Met with the specific intention of meditating, I approached the Museums’ Concierge’s Kiosk. I asked the Senior Docent could she direct me to “the most Spiritual place in the museum”.
Before, the Senior Docent could answer me, her young assistant replied, “The most Spiritual Place is where you are right now.”
In addition to being embarrassed for even asking the question, I was blown away by her quick reply. I knew instantly, she was absolutely correct. The truth was so in my face.
Feeling a little foolish for even asking such a question, I knew then to stop looking outside and only look inside for my most spiritual place. Like Dorothy in The Wizard of OZ, I had temporarily forgotten that all of us hold the key to “the most spiritual place in our lives”.
We all laughed, as I thanked them both for their help and “directions”. The young Docent in Training was my teacher that day. She showed no doubt in her knowing of what is the most Spiritual Place. She obviously was on her own journey and had done her inner work. She was now had the self-confidence to assist others on their journey.
That was the day that I stopped looking for “the most spiritual place in the museum”. It took my momentary curiosity for a sense of connection that day, to be reminded “that what you seek is within you.”
I definitely don’t ask anyone anymore. I have the answer and always did. I had just forgotten. Yet, not everyone forgets. And not everyone remembers where their most spiritual place is.
While I haven’t been back to The Met since, I continue to still find a sense of connection when in other “spiritual places” such as forests, mountains, or large bodies of water. And you can be sure that when I am “connecting”, I am sending out Blessings of Gratitude to that young Docent assistant, from The Met, for her timeless wisdom that definitely applies to us all.