Nothing is Everything: 2014

Muffin in the morning.

This morning, I was asking Muffin how it could be possible that each day he shows up cuter than the day before. And on any given day he is the cutest he has ever been! And he told me that's because a squirrel's "cuteness" is infinite! He said that the Shining One made squirrels for the express purpose of teaching humans what "infinite LOVE" means.

Muffin said that humans have a hard time understanding infinity. For example, humans tend to believe they can only really love one person, one animal, and if this 'special' being dies, then they feel abandoned and suffer. Muffin said that squirrels don't have the same view. Squirrels know that there is no end to squirrelove... no end to squirrel cuteness... no end to life. Squirrels know that love is infinite and so when they run into the street and get hit by a car, they don't even know they got hit. They keep running but we just don't see this. When a mama squirrel loses a baby that fell out of the nest, she doesn't suffer. She knows that she has exactly as many babies as she is supposed to have. The One Heart is taking care of everything and everyone and there are no mistakes.

Rosie getting a squirrel kiss from her baby.

Muffin said that is why every squirrel is the most beautiful squirrel you have ever seen. And this is true of every squirrel! IT's because squirrel beauty is infinite! There is no end to it! If you just contemplate this in your meditation, you will soon realize this Truth! Just gaze into the eyes of a little squirrel and receive the experience of the Infinite!

Little squirrel demonstrates "letting go".

Letting go is easier said than done! In March I signed up for a silent retreat with my Beloved Mooji in Portugal. Since the event was scheduled for the end of May, I figured I'd have plenty of time to release two squirrels before I had to get on the plane!

Little did I know....

I started releasing Rosie Posie (approx. 7 months old) at the very beginning of April. First she spent a couple of weeks inside her cage which was now outside next to the front door. Then once her cage was opened, she went exploring. Usually, after about a week or two, the new squirrel on the block finds a place to build their own nest and starts to sleep there.

But this is not what happened with Rosie!

Rosie did spend a few nights away, but she would always show up the next evening and want to come inside! Rosie has a sweet cubby hole in the house that she just loves to hide in. Plus I think she really has grown fond of the 4-star treatment... ie. great food, free massage, clean bedding, and lots of mama's love!

Rosie in her cubby!

The other little squirrel for whom it was time to offer freedom was Muffin... aka Muffington Stinky Poops-a-lot (for fun!).

Muffin, a bit older, had been detained from release last fall due to some teeth issues. His teeth needed trimming and had to be checked again 6 weeks later. We had to make sure his teeth aligned properly so he could trim them himself!

Once this was certain, he was free to go... but not in winter! So the next opportunity was in spring... alongside Rosie!

Muffin spent a lot of time in the big outdoor cage. Mr.Nut had first dibs on the cage in the early morning and Muffin went outside in the afternoons and evening. In the beginning, Muffin seemed to always be hiding....

You mean I have to leave here?

Day by day Muffin got more used to the outdoor sounds and activities and started acting like he wanted to test his wings.
On three consecutive days, his door was opened, and he started to explore the area just around his cage. Then finally on the fourth day, he made it to the roof! Wow! What a surprise that was! Muffin could see all around and could run far and free! Muffin's favorite part of being free was hanging out in the trees!

Happiness is hanging out in a real tree!

Now I think if there were no other squirrels in the neighborhood, Muffin would have done just fine outdoors. However, it turns out that Muffin had no clue on how to interact with the neighborhood squirrels. So much so, that on two separate occasions he got into fights with them!
Poor Muffin! His first injury was a gash to his left shoulder. At least he came home and could recuperate in the big cage. On the second try, he came back 48 hours later with a sizable scratch from his eye to his nose... (which is now healed into a triangular scar). It just wasn't looking good for a safe release for the the Muffin man!

Scarface Muffin!

Finally the departure date was a day away! It would be easy for someone to squirrel-sit Mr.Nut... but three squirrels was asking a lot So it was decided that Muffin would be confined to the big cage outside, Mr.Nut would remain in the house, and Rosie would be kept inside her cage until she made it clear to my sitter that she absolutely had to be released!

Then on the last day, as I was putting food out for Muffin, he ran up my leg and out of the cage! It happened so fast and although I tried to grab him, he was gone! OMG!
At this point, I had no choice but to let go of the outcome!

Then I realized that they had all got their wishes! Mr.Nut wanted to be in the outdoor cage, Muffin wanted to be free, and Rosie wanted to stay close to home.

On the morning of my flight, Rosie approached me to go outside like she always does, but this time I closed her in her cage. I felt so bad having to do this, but knew that my sitter would not be able to handle Rosie running all over, coming in and out! All I could do was let go and pray that they would all be watched over while I was away! And if he released her, then it was what was supposed to happen.

Mr.Nut keeping watch.

I had truly exhausted myself from the worry over my squirrels and reluctantly had to leave town not knowing how it would all turn out. If Rosie was released, while I was away, would I ever see her again? And if she was kept in her cage for 8 days, certainly she would flee upon my return! And Muffin.. would he be able to survive on his own? My mind was going crazy! Thank goodness the retreat was all about quieting the mind and resting in Silence. I had to remind myself of my Master's words:

So I put my squirrels in the lap of God and trusted their physical care to my dear squirrel-sitter. I boarded the plane without looking back.

The retreat proved to be an oasis of peace and rejuvenation. Being in the Presence of Sri Mooji and listening to his daily satsangs erased all my thoughts. His guided meditations were so expansive that nothing remained but empty space. So sublime. No words can describe meeting Mooji. He is the most unconditionally loving being I have ever met. His gaze erases years of conditioning and his embrace simply melts your heart!
All that's left is gratitude!

Finally, upon my return home, I was delighted to find out that Muffin had worn himself out and willingly let my sitter bring him back inside. Rosie was so happy to see me, that even though I let her go the next morning, she was back home that very afternoon! And Mr.Nut took advantage of the massages I offered him... and had several. LOL.