The unconscious mind guards a variety of treasures like a guard in an art museum, standing in a room full of sculptures and paintings of beautiful women.  They get to observe the reactions of people as they walk into that room, and hear the sudden exclamations, the oohs and aahs of appreciation that just burst forth from their lips as soon as they see those things that are so beautiful it takes their breath away. 

It is easy to demonstrate our appreciation with that unexpected, uncontrolled response, the same kind of reaction you see in children when they receive a special gift, a toy perhaps, a birthday present or a Christmas present.  I love watching their uncontrolled excitement as they tear off the wrapping paper and throw it everywhere and jerk out that toy and start playing with it at once and probably break it before they even have a chance to say, 'thank you!'. 

But sometimes it can be more satisfying watching a friend or lover receive a gift, carefully examining the package, appreciating the beauty of the wrapping, and slowly undoing it, savoring each moment of anticipation, enjoying the pleasure of each step, stretching it out over time, not giving in to the temptations, but taking their time to enjoy each step, pausing every now and then to say something, to express their appreciation, wondering out loud what it could be, and then finally opening the box, taking out the gift slowly, gently, softly expressing their pleasure in a deep and genuine way, letting the giver receive attention for a time, telling them how wonderful and thoughtful.

And then, and only then, when everything else has been done, finally exploring the present completely, enjoying themselves thoroughly, like real art lovers who also take hours and hours on end.

With a quiet reverence and respect they pay tribute in a quiet way, that takes them far away from the crowds of noisy children skipping through yelling Look at this and that!”

And through it all, the guard stands back watching and protecting, knowing that sometimes a teacher comes in, calms the children, gets their attention, and slowly and carefully explains to them how to look at the beauty quietly, how to see what’s really there, so that they too can sit and stare and feel the pleasure grow as they slowly begin to know how to control their own awareness.