Article February 4, 1991 Issue

Spectator or participant?

The only thing holding us back from a closer relationship to God is our reluctance to "lift off" from the belief we are material beings and to accept our at-one-ment with Spirit.

John Michael Creed

Several years ago I had an opportunity to take a hot-air balloon ride in the southwestern part of the United States. Takeoff was in the early morning. It was absolutely beautiful and exhilarating to watch the sun rise while we hovered in shimmering stillness of a new day.

In preparation for takeoff, our crew filled the balloon with exhaust from an open flame. As the exhaust rose it was trapped inside the canopy of the balloon, which ultimately expanded to its full size.

What caught my attention was that as the balloon filled, it started to strain at tethers holding it to the ground. It wasn't until all was ready, and our captain gave a signal to lift off, that the ropes holding us down were loosed, and we started to ascend. This conscious decision to let go was the real starting point of our journey.

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