enlightenment

93 posts

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.

yo-yo

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.

whisper

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.

avoid

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.

lucky

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.

thoughts

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 →

Story Created by the Mind and Is Not True

The mind insists that you listen to its story. But it is surly only telling you a mind-made fairy-tale. Therefore, we often remain oblivious to living consciously in the moment. The body will experience discomforts, pain, illness and eventually death. There will also be experiences of mental and emotional happiness. But, do we need to make everything into a story? And yet, the mind insists on using all experiences as a continuation of our human saga. Hence, it seems impossible to disregard what it is telling us.

story

The tale of your experiences seems so real. Alas, the now of your existence does not offer a story even if the psyche tells you otherwise. The mind will attempt to tell you a tale based on the past or future. But will gradually cease as you remain anchored in the moment. It is the constant present that manifests life and not the illusions fabricated by thoughts, beliefs or fears. Living consciously allows you to flow with life energy. Continue reading →

Lights, Camera, Action: You Are the Star

Have you ever wished to be an actor? Many people dream about it. A few aspire to make it happen. But, the preparation is tedious. A person attends a school of arts, drama classes etc. Then the big day comes. There is a casting audition. But, you have two weeks to memorize a script. The lights start shining on you.

lights

But, to often an actor will lose his or her true identity. They become a reflection of the screenplay that they rehearse. You, as an actor, must read these lines again and again. Eventually, you might become assimilated by the character you are playing. But, your career takes off as a star. The lights seem to shine even brighter on you. Continue reading →

Unity of Life: Come Join the Party

We mostly remain unconscious to the bond that connects all things. This unity is based on life. Moreover, it is energy. What if each individual could catch a true glimpse of this oneness? Does object consciousness readily expand after the initial awakening? Definitely! Uncertainty, judgement and suffering would likely fade away. Likewise, we would acknowledge the person and divine presence as one being. Additionally, we would actually live as the unbounded life energy that engulfs us.

unity

But, there is something to consider. Mind conditioning often influences the flow and manifestation of life. Thus, we unconsciously exist in repetitious patterns. Every new generation unknowingly inherits this behavior. Hence, thoughts manifest a conditioned and egoistical world. Therefore, egoism and isolation overshadow our unity with life. So much so that, conditioning has become a way of living. Thoughts overwhelm us. Thus, we accept mind-generated falsities and illusions as true. Continue reading →

Science and Religion: But What About Life?

Why do we feel compiled to explain life through concepts such as religion, atheism or science? Personal and collective influences condition us to accept, reject or conform to ideas, guidelines, and beliefs. What do the three conceptual structures have in common? They invoke separation. Moreover, this is true of most existence content. Consequently, this deters the awakening of consciousness.

science

There appears to be generalizations in most conceptual religions. This is the belief in the big G word. (I am reluctant to use the word because of the conditioned effect it as on people.) Atheism, on the other hand, rejects these beliefs. Subsequently, science offers us the mind-conceived facts. However, these have really only added more complexity to the simplicity of life. Object consciousness would surely expand easier without these mind projected influences. Continue reading →

Fear: Why Are You Afraid?

This is a continuation of the recent article Afraid? But Why? Moreover, Why Now? We all have experiences with fear. There are levels of worry; often followed by anxiety. These anxiety attacks sometimes end in panic outbreaks. This behavior takes on many forms. Furthermore, it begins with conditioned reactions brought on by thoughts (mostly past or future). But, they are illusions of the mind. So, what does it mean to be afraid of fear? Let’s use a daily situation to illustrate. You have various tasks to accomplish at work.

fear

There are one or perhaps even several tasks that involve interacting with other co-workers. Likewise, you may need to work together with the management department. You are busily working. Suddenly, you realize that the next task will involve collaborating with others.

No big deal, right? Wrong; it is a very big deal. At least, this is what the mind might tell you. But, why? Because, you have had one or several uncomfortable situations in the past. This has resulted in discussing these troublesome situations with a supervisor. However, he or she is actually responsible for the problems. Hence, both you and the supervisor remain frustrated and withdrawn. What happens many times in such a situation? Both you and the supervisor do everything possible to avoid any interaction. Continue reading →