presence

205 posts

Mystery of Life: Experience It Without Labels

The mystery of life has held us in awe since the awakening of self-consciousness. The year was one million B.C. A silhouette appeared on a hilltop overlooking a valley. It was a primitive human being that stood there looking to the stars. A second member of the tribe appear, then a third, and a fourth. The first person pointed to the shiny points of light in the sky. He did this repeatedly for several minutes. And, this is how it began. We started to ask why? This was the dawn of self-consciousness.

Mystery

Welcome to the mystery of life. Since then we have been labeling this mystery. The assumptions and labels are many. We first said that Gods gave us life. Eventually, this assumption changed to one God. Strangely, there is supposedly one God. But, many cultures and belief structures have a different God that is the only ‘one’ God. Additionally, we use words and symbols to define what this God can do. Moreover, we assume to know what this God wishes and plans.

But why do we assume, interpret, and define this secret called life? We do this for the same reason(s) as the primitive tribe on the hillside. Because, the mind is always asking “why?” Continue reading →

Things Are not Thoughts Nor of Mind

Objects are not in any way, shape, or form related to our thoughts. Does this should odd or even wrong? Still, let’s consider this further. Things manifest in the universe. They are there without the need for classification. Yesterday, I was relaxing during the transition into meditation. I was aware of a bird singing, a lawnmower, and an airplane during this shift in perspective. There, within it all, was a state of presence and I was observing the brains interactions.

things

Here it is beneficial to acknowledge how the mind is interacting. This is because the things detected were uninteresting to the mind. Instead, it cleverly disregarded everything because the mind is egocentric. Nevertheless, it was busy labeling everything. Furthermore, the mind was having a wonderful time talking to itself.

This never-ending self-dialogue went on an on as the mind chattered away. The mind literally seemed to be on a crusade. The thoughts consisted of assumptions, questions, and supposed answers. But, everything that the mind was talking to itself about was irrelevant. The mind’s dialogue was a self-analysis such as “why I like this” and “why I don’t like that”. Continue reading →

Your Surroundings Do Not Define You

It seems so obvious. But, being what we truly are has become very difficult. Or has it? No, I am not trying to confuse you. Who are you? Just ask someone and they will tell you. Moreover, your immediate and extended surroundings are always influencing you. Truth be told, the majority of people don’t have any clear understanding what it essentially means to live.

surroundings

But, how could we know? People, surroundings, and even our own mind want to dictate our internal nature. There is always more to you than meets the eye. Still, your eternal self has been buried under a huge collection of misguided assumptions and definitions. All of which are nothing but conditioned patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behavior. I can assure you that these are not really you. Then how do we experience our true inner self nature? Continue reading →

Acceptance Is the Way to Harmony and Balance

Acceptance is difficult for most people. Furthermore, it seems we receive or achieve something that we had wanted and then we don’t want it anymore. Mind madness is perhaps the best way to describe our actions. This is the mind and the complex behavior that is mostly a result of conditioning. This conditioning keeps us from allowing life energy, in whatever form, to manifest. Oh, everything will unfold. It happens. But, we express resistance to countless thoughts and things each day. But, life manifestation has nothing to do with personal or collective gain or loss. It is about harmony and balance in our being.

acceptance

Moreover, you have the potential to rise above the cloud of mind confusions and illusions. There is a space of uncontaminated, fundamental energy always available. The mind is a marvelous attribute and basically only needs a reset that is helpful in nurturing conscious awareness. This is because the mind has become entangled in its own web of thoughts, feelings and ego. However, acceptance is an acquired state of being. Still, with practice, allowing and letting go changes everything. And, it is incredible to observe in life that the only thing that really changes is how you observe yourself.
Continue reading →

The Beginning to the End and Again and Again

Would it be accurate to say that everything has a beginning and an end? Let’s rephrase. Everything that we experience begins and ends. This is in reference to and strictly from the level of our existence. These cycles of start and stop, come and go, do and don’t are repetitive. Likewise, everything except living often results in anticipation, attachment, joy, or frustration; to name a few. This imposes limitation illusions unto our essentially boundless state of being. Please reflect on this insight before you continue reading.

beginning

Living (being) is to experience life. This is flowing energy. There is no beginning or end. Life is, so to say, alive. You manifest this energy. There are two possibilities. Go with the flow. Or resist. But, it seems that we would rather resist the flow. Nevertheless, is is as it is. But, we should not define or label our inquiry into conscious awakening. Such behavior is typical for the mind. Still, we are becoming aware. Henceforth, we live life fully and practice consciously observing the mind’s activities. Thus, we will not adhere to thoughts and conditioned behavior. 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?

pursuit

“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 →

Slap Your Face and Experience Living

Yes, I am asking you to softly slap your face. (Or harder if you are into that kind of thing.) 😊 Go ahead. Do it. Why is this something that I suggest? It is to remind you of living. A smack on the cheek is real. It is now. And, it is unavoidable. Why? Because you initiated it. Is everything influencing how you live? Is this what you think or assume? Most people still think that people, things, and other forces are controlling them. Likewise, many people assume there is nothing that they can do or change to live in balance and harmony.

slap

Let’s expand on our face smacking example. We will do this to illustrate mind-conditioning and unconscious living. You might recall getting a slap on the cheek or some other similar experience. These are memories. They are no longer relevant to consciously living. Similarly, you may fear or anticipate a cuff in the face. Fear, suffering, and pleasure have become unconscious demands and anticipations. Still, this mind interference will become obvious. Then a person can let go and remain focused on now. Continue reading →

Flowers or Daggers: What Will You Choose?

Words are one method by which we communicate. Mind-oriented subconscious energy is another way. We can either unconsciously or consciously behave and react. There is a flow of energy during either process. These frequencies influence everything as they ripple inward and outward. Imagine, if you will, holding daggers in one hand. And flowers in the other. What will you offer yourself, others, and the universe? This is what it means to unconsciously or consciously live life.

flowers

The mind can influence these frequencies. Thus, this energy takes on countless forms. Therefore, it would be wise to choose thoughts, words, and actions in a state of presence. This will allow you to unit with universal life energy. Thus, you are indifferent to these mind-invoked frequencies. Ask yourself this question as often as possible. What energy am I offering others, the world and the universe? Focus your awareness on presence. Here and now. This will help to attune you with the flow within the dimension of life. Henceforth, you will actively observe your interaction with the mind. There will be less and less unconscious thoughts and behavior. Continue reading →

Detachment or Non-attachment? Why not Both?

Let’s start by clarifying what each word represents to us for practical purposes. There is a difference and yet there is not. Therefore, the practice of both can be very beneficial in the process of conscious awakening. Why? Because detachment is a vital stepping stone to non-attachment. Accordingly, Wikipedia categorizes both with the same meaning. Still it is always best to remember that these are only words. We undergo a transformation from mind existence to conscious living. This is the experience of being. There is ultimately no need to label the act of being alive. Nor is there a need to define or explain how we became aware of consciousness.

detachment

Still, let’s establish a common understanding. Detachment can, at first, cause avoidance, separation, and suffering. But, please don’t let this distract you. This is because the process also allows us to awaken. A shift in our state of being (living) begins. Detachment is the minds attempt to not care when you actually do care. To not love when you do truly love. This disinterest in living and loving is only a mind-illusion. It is not the true self. Continue reading →

Thought Compression or Conscious Relaxation?

Ask this question. How do I wish to live? Let’s compare the mind to a computer. It has a program (conditioning) used for the compression of data (thoughts). However, the mind usually overloads us with too many thoughts. Why? Simply because we are not consciously aware. We could also call this living consciously or freedom from mind interference.

compression

Otherwise, the mind will attempt to compress more and more thoughts into your conscious state of being (presence). This compression can be an advantage for the storage and transfer of data on a computer. However, it can be very burdening for a life-form with a deeper level of consciousness. Why? Simply because consciousness suggests that an object has the potential to be self-aware. Self-consciousness, in turn, causes us to ask why. Continue reading →