Around me, there is a circle of engagement. It follows me around. Sometimes it grows in size, sometimes it shrinks. I suspect its size has something to do with my mood. More likely, it reflects and is affected by how present I am to myself and my surroundings.
The circle of engagement also depends on the intention of the world around me. My sense of presence engages only with willing participants. For the inanimate world, their intention to be present is simply a given. The rocks, the hills, the wet waves are all totally inclined to be part of my engagement circle.
Plants and animals are perhaps more passive, but each in its own way is available to be engaged. I need to lean more actively to the plants in my garden, but they casually accept my presence with radiance. They present in such a manner that they are somewhat easy to welcome into the circle of engagement.
Animals are more wary. Only the more boldly brave are willing to join me in feeling the kind of engagement I might offer. Perhaps it is the times that I present more of a passive presence that they are more willing to be engaged with me. I sometimes think they can sense my calmness and are less wary of joining my presence.
Humans are an even more challenging dance of engagement. As I grow older in confidence and the sense of my own presence, I am more expressive in how I invite other humans into active engagement. Sometimes I even use words that make it clear that I am inviting someone into my circle. Other times it is much more subtle. Always, the invitation is coming from my own sense of being present.
I am aware that my focused eyes or a smile is usually an invitation to someone to enter into my circle. Sometimes the invitation is more obvious in the form of a touch or a hug. Always it is my presence reaching out and saying “Join me.” The circle is open, but never broken by coming and going.
I am aware that in all instances, the binding connection with the other, with others, is already present. What remains to be done is experience the reality that exists. What remains is to feel the connection, to experience the circle of engagement that I naturally have.
That is my intention, to experience being deeply intimate with the world around me. It is my intention to experience the intimacy that I already have with all that is. That involves being very aware of every thing and every one that enters my circle of engagement. It also involves my openly inviting all who would be inclined to actively be engaged. I feel that circle expand.