Central Park at Night

Manhattan, as seen from a short footbridge in Central Park

The soundtrack of insects featured on this audio contemplation truly was recorded in the heart of Manhattan.

I hope you find time to take a break from the busyness of your life, to daydream in a quiet place around your neighborhood.

A few moments in thoughtful contemplation will help you sort out feelings, reassess strategies, and imagine your future.

Those fanciful places you drift off to when you sit in quiet repose contain a wealth of psychic messages.

Click on the play button above to take a 7 minute journey into Central Park at Night.
(A smart phone may not display the mp3 player).

Once you've listened to the mp3 above, click on the "read more" link below for a psychic reflection on the time I spent in The Kingdom of the Crickets.

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The very day after recording my thoughts in my time with the crickets, I spotted a grasshopper about the size of my pinky, hidden in a brilliant stalk of lavender.

No sooner had I laid eyes upon him, I said, "What a coincidence! I was just thinking of your cousins last night."

I could tell he was mortified that his camouflage was broken. His shy and longing eyes said, "You won't hurt me, will you?"

I said, "Hurt you? I'm admiring you! Would you let me take your picture?"

Slowly, I pushed my camera-phone to within inches of his face. He stayed clutched to his perch, his body reared back. He was obviously uneasy, but faithful enough to indulge me.

I imagined, as I was going in for the shot, that I could hear the grasshopper's thoughts.

He'd heard a kind voice, from somewhere beyond. The voice requested he allow me to enter his personal space for a benign purpose he wouldn't entirely understand. The voice suggested he was safe, and asked him to be trustful, still, and patient.

I felt the grasshopper acquiesce. I snapped the picture.

Slowly, I withdrew my phone away from the lavender, thanking the grasshopper for the honor of such an intimate visit.

Over the next several days, I thought of the uniqueness of this encounter. Somehow I felt I'd met a sacred deity. I mean, did my eyes really fall upon this creature by pure and random chance? Might I have happened upon him because I was thinking of him?

Maybe he was calling me...

When you experience a coincidence significant enough to prod you to question the presence of a greater intelligence, consider the possibility you've met a Spiritual Teacher.

Responding to my intuition, I began investigating the symbolic significance of the Cricket, as well as his cousin, the Grasshopper. I felt these insects were Totem Spirits, sent to share a message.

I learned that crickets are known for being aware of their surroundings and circumstances. They have a unique facility for communication, stillness, and quiet reflection.

Weren't these the very same themes on my mind during my evening's meditation? I felt like the crickets shared their talent with me, that I'd taken on some of their qualities, just by being in their presence.

At least, that's what I like to imagine!