spirituality

156 posts

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.

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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 →

Look Within, Without, and Beyond

Do you wish to take a closer look at yourself? This is easier than you may think. Look at everything surrounding you. What do you see? Furthermore where you are and what you are doing is of no true importance. You are actually observing yourself. You and the self are in everything. This refers to you as a person. This is the mental, emotional and physical aspects of being. And this refers to the self that is universal. Ultimately both are one and the same.

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We usually experience mind energy resulting from mental, physical or emotional aspects. Additionally there are behavioral factors. Assumptions, beliefs, judgments, fear, and ego are the result of mind conditioning. Thus the mind uses these as reasons for labeling and defining everything. This occurs because we only mentally see something. Continue reading →

Life Is to Be Lived in Unity: Don’t Be Afraid

We often use the word unity in our daily activities; including spirituality. But what is beyond the word? Stop before you start thinking about unity. This is not something to think about, define, or even assume. At least not if you wish to truly experience it. The pure essence of the universe is unification. Living is much more than what we can think. Let’s attempt the Star Wars Jedi Knight approach. This suggests feeling the life energy in you and in everything that is around you. Moreover, please realize that you are within everything. What you experience is essentially a reflection of yourself.

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Aware presence will allow you to experience harmony. The body is already flowing harmoniously with life energy. Therefore, it does not need to interpret anything. Nor does the body need to consider what it does. It simply is. The flow of energy is constant. Your body is a catalyst. Life awareness can and will nurture this flow. A conscious state of awareness opens a portal to the isness of life. You awaken. Thus, this gateway will remain open. Henceforth, we awaken more and more to the isness of life. Furthermore, the alliance between everything becomes very clear. Thoughts and feelings of separation will still appear. But they will have no manipulative power of you. Continue reading →

Two Were Once One: What Is Beyond Dualism?

This is a discussion about the mind and consciousness. Were they one and the same? Did something happen after we became self-conscious? Did one become two? This is, at least, what the mind has convinced us is true. Likewise, it is this conditioned believing and thinking that causes dualism. But, the apparent separation is strictly mind-made. Thus, it is ultimately not real, Hence, an illusion.

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Almost every person will have a different interpretation about this topic. We often use science or religion in an attempt to understanding mind and consciousness. But, your present level of awakened object consciousness is very beneficial. Let’s consider both from a state of non-attachment to either. Still, many will insist that the one (universal consciousness) cannot be without the other (object consciousness). What is your response to this idea? Please notice that I asked about your response and not your reaction. A mind reaction will not benefit us. Furthermore, this type of duality thinking will actually impair our experience of universal intelligence within the flow of life. Whereas, responding to something is based on synchronicity with consciousness. Continue reading →

Choppy Water: You Can Alleviate the Turbulence

My youth was very turbulent. At least, this is what the mind had convinced me. Still, I am very thankful for all situations. Everything was and is as it should be. Additionally, all experiences are beneficial to the conscious awakening process. I recall sensing something at a very young age. The essence of life, of being, were calling for me to awaken. But, I didn’t grasp the significance of this until I was much older. There were years and years when I choose to suffer instead of accept the calling from deep within. I had chosen to make choppy water by resisting the flow of life.

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There is a lake that I had often visited in my youth. Reflecting on such experiences is beneficial as an analogy during the conscious awakening process. Likewise, we can use this experience for our discussion topic. High Point Lake is one of many places that I visited as a boy. And, in hindsight, I know that it was these experiences that nurtured the connection I (we) have with life. The analogy that we will use is between choppy water and our thoughts. Continue reading →

Doubt Nothing and Be Everything

How often does doubt influence your experience of life? But, isn’t living enough? Granted, this is a philosophical question. But, uneasiness caused by mind details contaminate the simple act of being. Doubt is (a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction and to fear and be afraid) as defined by the internet dictionary. The mind tells us that living is very difficult and complex. Whereas, it is as easy as being and living. More importantly, it is helpful to acknowledge and accept life. Let’s say it this way. Either you are or you are not. Hence, this simplifies everything. You are and you know it through the awakening of object consciousness.

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Nonetheless, a few mind-generated details do have a relative purpose. Still, the majority of thoughts, even emotions, are insignificant. We don’t need them to experience life; ultimately speaking. But, they are there and that is okay. Living in an awakened state does not mean to ignore or resist our thoughts. Instead, we can and should accept these mind activities. But, not over-dramatize and not become attached to them. This practice would be consciously beneficial to living in harmony with life. Continue reading →

Trust Me and Buzz Off

The meaning of these terms is obvious. Likewise, it is clear that they are opposites. Living in a state of conscious awareness does not mean that we are to avoid human experiences. Trust me, is a solid statement. It is a bond that is based on reliability. You are willing to accept that, what a person tells you is true.

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But, look out! The majority of people are sitting in a self-made movie of deception. The unconscious mind constructs it. The film is playing. They can change their role in it. But, conditioned behavior prevents clarity. Thus, a person will tell you one thing but do another. Or, not do anything after promising you to do something. Still, there are others that choose to avoid any further interaction after getting something from you. They are basically saying buzz off. Continue reading →

Awareness Nurtures Conscious Living

It is each and every person’s choice to change or not. Are you ready? You only need to let go. Acceptance is the key. It may be very beneficial for us to focus on the flow of life. This, in turn, would open the portal to presence. What is holding us back? Generally, most people believe that deeper consciousness is only reachable through hard work and sacrifice. Still, there are others that think it is unreachable. It is an individual and collective mindset that cause these assumptions. A deeper level of consciousness often instills images of magical powers and or lengthy meditation practices. It is the over-active story-teller within the mind that conjures up these illusions. Whereas, it will gladly portray a universe of illusion and impossibilities. Realistically there are two stepping stones that can initiation deeper awareness.

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The first is not really a step. It is the awakening to the limitless simplicity of consciousness. Thus, we will experience true presence. This awakening process often involves different levels. Every person will experience various stages at different intervals. There is no right or wrong in the process. But, it is beneficial to acknowledge that the process has begun. What follows the initial awakening? This is usually based on a shift in how a person observes his or her thinking. A change in perception/focus will develop as a person actively remains within the awakening process. Continue reading →

Bobbing for Apples and Conscious Living

Yes, what I wish to share with you today is related to bobbing for apples. But, not in the customary manner that many people are familiar. I was running today as part of my ongoing physical therapy. This is bodily painful but mentally and spiritually beneficial because I have always loved to jog. So, there I was jogging away. The sun was shining and the birds where singing. Well, maybe the bird song was only in my heart. 😊

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I was very active in marathon running years ago. The runner’s high that people often talk about is possible and can be very beneficial to object consciousness development. You (the mind) may still be pondering on the relationship between bobbing for apples and conscious awareness. I will get to this shortly. But, first we should discuss and reflect on a few things. The reason for mentioning the runner’s high is because it is a portal to living more consciously. Not only this but, it is possible to experience without running everywhere you go. 😊 Moreover, I wish to share an exercise that can be beneficial in the conscious awakening process. Continue reading →