Inward Lift

By Banipal K. Seperghan

Inward Lift is a book of essays which reflect on the author's childhood memories. Many early experiences introduced the author to a welcoming spiritual dimension, which has since directed his life. Writing in a poetic style, Seperghan provides beautiful imagery and rich descriptions of life as an immigrant family in the United States. The reader is allowed an intimate look into the author's spiritual coming of age and is invited to join him on the journey. In this inspirational memoir, Seperghan reveals how a near-drowning experience provided a large piece of the puzzle that transformed his life. Seperghan discovers that enlightenment and lessons about the meaning of human existence are within us all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Apr 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781732749344

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Growing up in Chicago, I was subject to knowledgeable winters. As a child after a heavy snowfall, especially on a school day, I would run downstairs to observe our world. Knowing a storm was imminent the night before, I would pray that the snow would swallow the yellow school bus that was to take us to that treacherous place the following morning. My loving mother, who naturally brightened the kitchen, already knew my prayer was answered. She had already prepared the traditional Persian breakfast with warm bread, butter, assorted fresh jams, and hot tea.

I was fortunate to live near a beautiful forest preserve with an entrance to a trail located one block from the house. I had an exciting sensation stirring within my chest, so I ate breakfast quicker than usual. Something within me pulled me out of my chair and out the back door to step into the magic that fell upon us. When my first footprint took form, my eyes widened and my lips moved toward the heavens. I continued northbound towards the forest preserve, each foot being swallowed over and over again in the snow.

As I approached the trail, I just stood there, and gazed at the entrance. I had entered this trail many times before, but that day something was different. During the next stride forward my vision changed, and everything around me started glistening. Shaking my head and blinking my eyes, my sight remained the same. It was as if the forest came alive—like I was viewing a reflection on still water. Gently, my point of view began to change. Unable to differentiate myself from the forest, peace, harmony, and oneness overcame all my senses. Feeling this was exactly where I needed to be at the moment, I slowly disappeared. Sensing no beginning or end, I had never felt this symphony of silence before in my life.

I blissfully departed the forest preserve, following the trail south toward the house. As I walked, my footsteps felt heavier. Just a few steps from the house, the depth of my footprint was consistent to our gravity. The savory aroma of basmati rice with a hint of saffron entered my nasal cavity. If angels did exist, one was in the kitchen, preparing saffron buttered rice. I took off my boots, removed the layers of armor from my body, and took flight to my room. Leaping onto the sea of blankets, I stared at the ceiling. Finding myself flying just above the snow-covered treetops, the air rushing around my ears was deafening as I maneuvered around my neighborhood. Suddenly, I felt my body lying on the bed, eyes opened, but unable to move. A panic stirred within me as I did everything in my power to break free from the heavy chains engulfing my entire body. Slowly my toes began to wiggle, and the lead blanket gently rolled upward and vanished. An Etruscan pygmy shrew had nothing on my heartbeat. This had definitely been the best snow day of my life.

After lunch, I put on my