Transparency and Translucency.
Transparency is a word that we are hearing in the news, on TV, radio and in everyday speech lately. What does it actually mean in our day to day living? When you hear the word what do you actually feel?
The dictionary definition of transparency is: light shinning from behind so that objects can be seen. As I meditated on the word what came to me was, “A Sea of Glass, Clear as Crystal.” When teaching Attunement I use a visual of a perfect reflection to demonstrate the concept. This relates to the thymus gland, the cross over point between heaven and earth. The invisible to the visible.
As the light shines through us it can illuminate our shadows. It can bring them into our awareness so that we can resolve them. Many times I feel that we are more translucent than transparent. The light shines through us but is somewhat diffused so that we do not see as clearly as is possible. This can be a saving grace in that we become more aware of our shadows at a pace that we can manage.
Glass is a perfect example of transparency and translucency. Walk through your living quarters and look out the windows. Clean windows are just a joy, especially when the view is beautiful. I have a sunscreen on my front window that I can see through, yet it diffuses the strong summer morning sun and keeps my home 10 degrees cooler. I have also seen the judicial use of glass block and frosted glass to let in light but provide a semblance of privacy.
Where and when am I transparent and when am I more translucent? Equally important, am I aware and able to distinguish between the two? Have fun with the word transparency.
Joyce Ellenbecker
Joyce Ellenbecker
Thank you, Joyce, for what you have written. I have enjoyed pondering this from different angles for some days now. Thank you also for your invitation to have fun with the word transparency and for this opportunity to consider what the clarity of transparency may mean to us.
I love the image of sparkling windows—gleaming on a sunny day after a good scrubbing! Truly very satisfying! Yet, I am always amazed at how easily these same windows can again become soiled, or streaked requiring a watchful eye. The clouding or soiling of glass windows can occur so subtly that it is almost imperceptible until one day we notice we see more streaks and spots then sun light.
I was particularly struck with your words,” As the light shines through us it can illuminate our shadows”. I am at a time in my life when I am more willing to look at my own shadows rather then focusing more attention on another’s. I am not sure when this shift began exactly to occur, but maybe it is no accident that I also have been living in a home that has more windows to clean then any other home in prior years. There are certain times of the year or the day when the angles of sun shining through the glass show no mercy—every streak is revealed, every blemish is clear. And I love it that I am able to work on and rub out some of the streaks, but have to also accept some of the pitting or blemish in order to allow the view to come through as well. So, I am wondering if perhaps that transparency is in part a willingness to be truthful to self and other, rather then intensely engaging in an ongoing vigorous and perfecting cleansing (as I so zealously initially considered). Indeed the cleaning must occur and so must a deep letting and loving and accepting that the Light will reveal—Yes, the shadow And the Love.
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Thank you, for your insightful comments. Joyce
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Light Hearted by Diana Durham
the molecules of glass
match the frequencies of light
which is why we have windows
and not dense dim rectangles
of other matter
to look through darkly
and how we can see, while still
indoors, the grass and green leaves
of gardens;
when we go outside it is the same
but unframed, larger, wider
views of plane-trailed skies.
so is our heart the framer
of all clear sight, its frequencies
know light and that something
larger lies beyond
which is why when they match
we no longer take ourselves
too seriously, seeing that
light always makes us lighter.
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