enlightenment

108 posts

The Winding Eternal Path of Being

The image of a winding path depicts a journey. And, obviously, a path must go somewhere. Is that an accurate statement? A twisting trail begins and it usually ends at some point. Is this true? Most people would say yes. However, this is not necessarily correct when we refer to life and being. We literally take hundreds of journeys down a curving road. These are usually physical journeys. But, can also be mind-made. Still, are we truly going anywhere? Or, are we always there where each journey began?

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The winding road to somewhere really leads nowhere; spiritually speaking. It is always about where you are in each moment and not where you are going. The concepts of past and future lose validity when a person is actively conscious. I was walking the other day. It is a gratifying experience to walk outside in nature. Especially during the springtime. I became very aware of the curves and directions of the path. Continue reading →

Pursuit of Purpose Without Having a Purpose

We are familiar with the pursuit of purpose. This relentless quest for existential validation begins in childhood. Furthermore, needing a purpose has become our prime directive in living. However, what if we are wrong? What if there is ultimately no purpose for your existence? Oh no! What will you do without a purpose and what will you be?

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“Those who flow as life flows know they need no other force.” – Lao Tzu

This simple wisdom is very accurate. Nevertheless, the mind usually wants to ignore or deny this truth. You do not need to think to live. Thinking is a by-product of living. Presence does not require thinking. But, this frightens the mind. What would you be without a reason for being? Well, you “are” with or without a purpose for being. Continue reading →

Spider Web and Dangling Thoughts

When does something become a routine? When does this routine become conditioned behavior? Daily activities tend to become routines. This is unavoidable. But, then again almost anything can become a pattern of repetition. This could be things that we physically and mentally do. A clearer understanding of the latter is significant for awakening to consciousness. The mind becomes a spider web. And unconscious behavior patterns have entangled us. Still, a routine or conditioned behavior can really only be detrimental if we remain unconscious.

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Yes, on the flip side, it is beneficial to be aware of a conditioned behavior. But, your relationship with the mind decides how you will live. Moreover, your awareness to this relationship is primary. Thus, what you think or do is secondary. Do you consciously or unconsciously do or think something? “Living oblivious to living is still typical for most people.” Please pause and reflect on the previous sentence. There is a sign post there beyond the words. Operant conditioning is the basis for the interaction with ourselves, the world, universe, and life. Operant (also known as instrumental conditioning) is similar to classical conditioning. Both restrict conscious awareness during our experiences. Continue reading →

Seeking Life Is not the Same as Living It

Living life is to consciously be alive. The object through which life manifests is always changing. You cannot live if you are always looking for life. Seeking something can prevent you from actually experiencing it. Looking for happiness can result in you never truly being happy. This is true of living, loving, or conscious awareness.

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This may be helpful insight for people seeking enlightenment. How is it possible to live in balance if we are always searching for something? Harmony is not possible when we keep playing a new song. Ultimately, there is one universal song of life. Therefore, experience it and dance regardless of the lyrics. The melody will change as you awaken. Continue reading →

Struggle and It Becomes Worse

There are rope knots that tighten when you pull. Sailors and cowboys use such knots. A knot used on a boat or for horses on a farm are examples. This is ideal for practical purposes. But what if you are in the process of consciously awakening. Well the more you listen to the mind and struggle means less awareness to consciousness.

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Unfortunately, we still struggle against almost everything. Therefore, the mind-knots just keep getting tighter. Thus, there is no space to breathe or live. We grasp fur air and cling to mind-details. But we don’t truly breathe nor do we truly live. We scuffle along always trying to get more and be more. But more of what? There is not more enlightenment. There can only be consciousness. Not more consciousness. You are you. There cannot be more of you. Not more and not less in any given moment. Continue reading →

Yo-yo and the Path in Life

What happens when you play with a yo-yo? You release it from your hand. You expect it to go down. And you want it to return upward to your hand. However, this doesn’t always happen. Then what? Everything doesn’t happen like the mind tells you. This is partly because it is making up the game/story as you go along.

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Playing with a yo-yo is similar to the search for enlightenment for many people. Expectations are many during the search. But Why? The simplest answer. It is human nature. Still we are more than just human. Every object is much more than just a thing made up of biological components. This acknowledgment is the master key to living in a state of enlightenment. Please remember that the circumstances of your existence will always be there. People, things and situation do not change. But you can. Continue reading →

Whisper Softly: Telling Me Secrets

Do you often hear a soft whisper? It is here. A being without definition or purpose. It is a presence. We have known of it since the dawn of consciousness. And we are always striving to become part of it. Sometimes timidly and other times frantically during our evolution. We grasp for this mysterious something because it feels like home.

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Some people are oblivious to it. Still others want to label it. Therefore, space consciousness gets names and reasons for being. This has become a repetitive cycle throughout our history. Some people even call this mystery a secret among many more secrets. And yet the soft whisper of life consciousness shares everything. But we don’t truly listen. Still this presence is intense. Hence people continue to relentlessly search for it. Many individuals want this so badly that they will think and believe anything to get enlightenment. Continue reading →

Avoid Thoughts: A Step Toward Enlightenment

Should you avoid your thoughts? Yes, definitely. At least 99% of these are opinions, judgements, sentiments and beliefs. In other words, you don’t need them. This is a follow-up article to Thoughts About Thinking Can Hurt You. Does it irritate you to read about shunning your thoughts? If so, please realize that the mind reacts to almost anything that represents change.

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Let’s go an additional step. To avoid your thoughts does not mean to deny or reject them. You should not oppose the mind and its process of thinking. It is best to accept them. But then let them go. Observe any give thought. Especially one or more that stands out from the others. It will be possible to acknowledge most thoughts as repetitive, inconclusive and superfluous. Plainly said, you don’t need to focus on the majority of thoughts. Do you truly desire conscious awakening and to live consciously? Continue reading →

Lucky Penny: This Is Not Enlightenment

The quest to reach enlightenment is similar to a 16^th century quote. Oh! What a tangled web we weave. (Marmion: A Tale of Flodden Field, Walter Scott) And indeed there is still a lot of confusion about living in a state of conscious awareness. Mind conditioning has mostly dominated our existence. Thus, people often consider the search for enlightenment to be a quest. Still more prevalent is our behavior regarding this illumination. Many people compare conscious awakening to finding a shiny lucky penny.

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So what happens when you find a penny? Mind conditioning tells you that it will bring luck. This is a fantastic discovery because the worth of a penny is nothing compared to the luck within it. At least this is what the mind thinks. Thus you hold the penny tight for fear of losing it. And you dream about the wonderful things that are going to happen. People proclaim that everything will be different (better) because of the shiny piece of metal. Continue reading →

Thoughts about Thinking Can Hurt You

You think too much. It seems that you are always thinking. Meanwhile the process of conscious awakening as begun. But you still can’t stop thinking. Friends, books, and spiritual teachers tell you to stop thinking. And still the thoughts rattle around in your head. You try to meditate. Enlightenment is your wish. However, trying to stop thinking only causes you to think more. Oh, the misery! These excessive thoughts are dreadful.

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What can you do? How do you stop thinking? The first two conscious steps correlate directly to these questions. First step. Practice “doing” less. Thus, you will automatically do more and be more. Second step. Realize deeply that you can’t stop thinking. No one can stop thoughts. They are the result of a thinking process. The brain is a biological organ. Sadhguru once said that trying to stop thinking is like telling you liver or pancreas to stop working (paraphrase). This is something we can’t and don’t wish to stop. Continue reading →