My grandfather, D.D. “Woody” Choha, is one of the most influential and inspirational people in my life. For me, he has always been a great educator, mentor, father, supporter, and guide.
He was always encouraging me to look deeper and question…everything. How does a camera capture an image and transfer it to film? What makes the TV work? Where does the sound come from in a radio? How is it possible to talk to someone over the telephone? How do our eyes work, and why do we cry?
What happens to us after we die?…
While growing up, I was not raised to follow any particular religion or school of thought. I had the freedom to choose. Looking to my grandfather, I knew him to gauge his spirituality somewhere between atheist and agnostic, so this is how I went through most of life…not sure what to believe, but if there was something out there, great. If not, at least I wouldn’t be too disappointed.
As we grew older, we both started becoming more open to the idea of “something” as we explored various ideas and cultures: The Native Americans’ spiritual connections to nature; the general flow and synchronicity in life, which we so often experienced together; several philosophical and scientific theories and concepts, such as black holes, worm holes, time and space as an infinite loop, parallel universes, and the idea of existing and not existing simultaneously; and eventually the mystical path to transcendental meditation. He started listening to Deepak Chopra and shared his reflections on what he was experiencing. He started telling me about his meditations and how he benefited from them. I truly enjoyed listening and learning from him, and slowly started absorbing little bits of information…as much as an early 20-something vata-pitta wild child can…
From him I have not only learned to constantly question and analyze everything in life, but I have also learned when to let go and just trust. It’s a delicate balance…
After years of taking it all in, I am now ready to continue the journey we started together many moons ago. While seeing and believing, I am finding beauty and joy in everyday life. I am opening myself up to spirit and connecting to source. There are times when I’m still not sure exactly what that means, but I just know that when I do feel it…it’s too beautiful for words.
During his last few years of life as Woody Choha, he started using the phrase, “Go with the Spirit…”
Something had definitely shifted in him. “Go with the Spirit,” he would say, as I hugged him good-bye or as I walked out the door after a visit. “Go with the Spirit,” he said with great emotion and conviction…and one day I finally asked him, “What does that mean anyway?!” He seemed a little surprised and for once, at a loss for words. Finally he said, “I don’t know…just go with the spirit…you know…just do your thing and be one with the spirit. Just…go with the spirit!” while using various gestures, waving and motioning with his hands. I still didn’t quite understand, but I smiled and laughed and just knew that whatever it was, it was all good. “All right. I will. You, too.”
So…here I am. Finally stepping in. Finally embracing it…and Going with the Spirit.
