Life, as everyone realizes, can wear upon us. The challenges of unfamiliar circumstances may overwhelm us. Our fears may be high, and our reserves of strength low. On their own, each pelting raindrop of trials and tribulations may seem innocuous; but collectively, such drops can seem a torrential downpour intent on drowning us. “Dear God,” we pray, “please..please stop the rain and give me peace.”
The details of the challenging chapters of my life story are unimportant. For the purposes of this article, it’s enough to share that healing included several long solo motorcycle trips. On surface level, the trips were apparently about visiting new places, meeting new faces, and learning to live on my own again. In hindsight, however, I now understand that the trips were about so much more. Learning how to outride our history is a tremendously important lesson; for unless we stop carrying it, our personal baggage–both the good and the bad–will prevent us from riding into a glorious new future. It’s also vitally important that we investigate the nature of the person who we believe is carrying the baggage.
Although I was unaware of it at the time, divine magic was definitely at play during my High Way to Healing. From the depths of suffering, there arose a great gift. Please join me now, if you will, and look at some of the following photos that “somehow” caught my eye as I rode away the pain during those lonely kilometers:








These photos (and several more that I haven’t shared) reveal a strong religious theme. The images naturally caught my eye while I was riding my motorcycle. For some of the photos, the attraction felt so strong that I was compelled to turn around and backtrack to ensure a photograph. Please keep in mind that prior to my departure, it was never my intention to capture a religious collage. The photos simply occurred.
By a few of the photos, it might be easy to assume that I was then, or that I am now, this religious guy who follows a particular spiritual doctrine; but such is not the case. With regard to our spiritual nature, I’m more comfortable with how Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj expressed our shared Oneness in his spiritual classic I Am That:
“The same water is in all the wells. You just draw from the nearest.
In my case the water is within me and I am the water.”
The story of my life also includes off road healing that occurred through the reading of many books by some of the greatest spiritual leaders, past and present. I became familiar with–and was nurtured by–the works of Rupert Spira, Eckhart Tolle, Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, Mooji, Neale Donald Walsch, Ramana Maharshi, David R. Hawkins, Swami Vivekananda, and Ramesh S. Balsekar, to name but a few in very long list. The content which they generously shared helped to unearth a spiritual knowing buried deep within me. My deepest appreciation goes out to each and every one of them.
I’m happy to report that The High Way to Healing occurred through the Grace of our Creator. I now clearly understand that the real cause of our suffering is not our apparent life circumstances, but our delusional belief that we are–or ever could be–separate from our essential nature. The Bible expresses this very clearly in Acts 17: 28: “For in Him we live and move and have our being.” The most important message in this article is this: The healing recognition of true Self can also happen for you. My wish is that you’ll discover the peace that you’re seeking. Here’s a clue: look within. To seek elsewhere, is to search in vain.
Dare to dream (and care for one another).
With heartfelt regards,
Art
Copyright ยฉ โ 2022 โ R. Arthur Russell
P.S. Please share this article if you enjoyed it. If youโd like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bonesโreleased September 8, 2020), press here. My YouTube videos may be found through this link. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. (F. A.) ๐๐งก
Great pictures, Art! Thank you for sharing your journey!
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You’re welcome, Wynne! ๐
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A comforting and inspiring post. My dad used to take solo trips on his Harley. He was also a photography enthusiast. Your post made me think of him. ๐๐ป๐
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Thank you, Michele. Iโm glad that you liked the post; and it was wonderful to learn that your father also enjoyed motorcycling. The journeys helped me immensely! ๐
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You are welcome, Art. ๐๐ป
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Such a beautiful post Art . Thank you . Inspiring and resonant
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Thank you, Ananda. Your kind words mean a lot. I’m glad that the post resonated with you. It’s all true; I didn’t realize the work that Source was doing through “me” at the time. Blessings.
I hope all of us will get to read another of your pieces soon. They are absolutely divine.
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