Adyashanti talks about the notion that all of our thoughts are not true.
What if we began to relate to each other from this place where we know that our thoughts aren't ultimately true, but we're still going to use them?... But wouldn't it be revolutionary if, even as we we're telling each other stories, we knew that they were only approximations of what's true, at best...Can you imagine how much more lightly you'd hold your mind... What would happen if you suddenly realized that happiness, peace, love, and freedom weren't going to come from your mind?" (Falling into Grace, p. 85)
On page 85 he says that the things that we value most (happiness, love, peace, creativity) can be referenced by thoughts, but they are feelings and ideas that transcend the words and thoughts. He asks:
"What does it feel like to have your heart open? What does it feel like to let your boundaries down? What does it feel like to be intimate with this very moment?...When you feel this love, you've entered the heart of reality -and this is the space from which you can live when you let go of the belief that all our thoughts, all our ideas, are true." (Falling into Grace, p. 85-86).
Adya says says that we are addicted to our thoughts. Michael Singer talks about how we have built an entire false identity based on thoughts that we cling to... the neurotic roommate's thoughts, that is.
Why not be revolutionary and accept that our thoughts "approximate reality, at best?"
Please join me in choosing to be intimate with this moment exactly as it is, letting go of attachment to thoughts, and being open to the heart of reality.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
looking into this moment
"The real search isn't a search into tomorrow, or to anywhere other than now. It's starting to look in to the very nature of this moment... look clearly into your own experience. Stop chasing freedom or happiness...Stand in your own two shoes, and examine closely: What's happening right here and right now?...Even in this moment there may be some suffering, some unhappiness, but even if there is, is it possible to no longer push against it, to try to get rid of it, to try to get somewhere else?" (Falling into Grace, p. 78).
Adyashanti suggests that we "reverse the whole process of looking for satisfaction on the outside, and look at precisely the place where you are standing. See if what you are looking for isn't already present in your experience." (Falling into Grace, p. 79).
If God and I are One than perhaps I already am the Peace, and the Love and the Joy that I am seeking. If my awareness is focused on getting somewhere else I will not recognize that I already am who and what I want to be...One with God.
Oh, my friend, all that you see of me is just a shell,
and the rest belongs to love.
Rumi ♥
Adyashanti suggests that we "reverse the whole process of looking for satisfaction on the outside, and look at precisely the place where you are standing. See if what you are looking for isn't already present in your experience." (Falling into Grace, p. 79).
If God and I are One than perhaps I already am the Peace, and the Love and the Joy that I am seeking. If my awareness is focused on getting somewhere else I will not recognize that I already am who and what I want to be...One with God.
Oh, my friend, all that you see of me is just a shell,
and the rest belongs to love.
Rumi ♥
Saturday, January 14, 2012
acceptance
With regard to my New Years intentions, I've been noticing many of the ways in which I struggle with my life...not accepting an uncomfortable feeling and trying to change my situation so the feeling will go away is a big one for me.
Adyashanti says that struggle is necessary in order to stay in the egoic state. "The reason that we struggle to stay in the egoic state is because it allows us to live our lives as if we are in control and separate from the world around us." (Falling into Grace, p. 74). This is the false solidity that Michael Singer talks about. Adya says that the struggle is often "within ourselves- where one part is pitted against another. Its the struggle of trying to be who we wish we were...as long as we're struggling, it's very hard for consciousness to shift out of the egoic state, into something more natural, expansive, and whole." (Falling into Grace, p. 74-75).
In order to really let go of control I recognize that I need to accept my life exactly as it is showing up right now, and not be so focused on making changes nor trying to plan for the future. Even though I am a very goal-directed person (including the goal of working towards awakening to a higher sense of Self), I am beginning to recognize that I need to accept not change. If my focus is primarily on changing myself and my life then I will be struggling with what is showing up now.
"The way we narrow down consciousness is through struggling, through striving. What we all aspire to, and what is in fact natural to us, is openness, peace, love, and well-being...They arise in us when we become conscious of our spiritual nature, of our non-separate, non-somebody nature. Then love flows quite naturally." (Falling into Grace, p. 75)
As I accept what is happening in my life, my consciousness will change. It is not my life that needs changing, it is my consciousness that needs changing. If I want the love to flow then it is about changing me, not the world. This starts with acceptance of what is happening right now.
Adyashanti says that struggle is necessary in order to stay in the egoic state. "The reason that we struggle to stay in the egoic state is because it allows us to live our lives as if we are in control and separate from the world around us." (Falling into Grace, p. 74). This is the false solidity that Michael Singer talks about. Adya says that the struggle is often "within ourselves- where one part is pitted against another. Its the struggle of trying to be who we wish we were...as long as we're struggling, it's very hard for consciousness to shift out of the egoic state, into something more natural, expansive, and whole." (Falling into Grace, p. 74-75).
In order to really let go of control I recognize that I need to accept my life exactly as it is showing up right now, and not be so focused on making changes nor trying to plan for the future. Even though I am a very goal-directed person (including the goal of working towards awakening to a higher sense of Self), I am beginning to recognize that I need to accept not change. If my focus is primarily on changing myself and my life then I will be struggling with what is showing up now.
"The way we narrow down consciousness is through struggling, through striving. What we all aspire to, and what is in fact natural to us, is openness, peace, love, and well-being...They arise in us when we become conscious of our spiritual nature, of our non-separate, non-somebody nature. Then love flows quite naturally." (Falling into Grace, p. 75)
As I accept what is happening in my life, my consciousness will change. It is not my life that needs changing, it is my consciousness that needs changing. If I want the love to flow then it is about changing me, not the world. This starts with acceptance of what is happening right now.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
the essence of spirituality
My intention for the New Year is to let go of the belief that I need to control what is happening in my life in order to make myself happy, at peace... I intend to let go of the struggles to make things go the way of the ego and accept that God is my source of all that I need. We make life so complicated trying to make this and that happen so that we can be happy, feel secure, feel loved. Meanwhile, God who is our true source of love, peace and joy is already waiting to give us these gifts. The catch is that we need to let go of individual identity in order to be able to receive all that God has for us. If we stay in the belief that we are separate from others and from God than we will struggle. In order to maintain this separate identity we will need to protect it and this leads to fear (Ever been concerned about the image you are presenting to the world or how others view you?).
That leads to my second intention which is to move into a greater awareness and acceptance of the fact that I am not separate from God nor from others. There is only One.
Chapter 14 in The Untethered Soul "letting go of false solidity" addresses these ideas.
"Who are you that is lost and trying to build a concept of yourself in order to be found? This question represents the essence of spirituality. You will never find yourself in what you have built to define yourself. You're the one who's doing the building." (T.U.S., p. 130)
I am awareness, that is really all that I am. As I become more grounded in the idea that I am the one who is experiencing my life (instead of I am my experiences), I become more open to allowing that which God wants to express through and as me to pour forth.
That leads to my second intention which is to move into a greater awareness and acceptance of the fact that I am not separate from God nor from others. There is only One.
Chapter 14 in The Untethered Soul "letting go of false solidity" addresses these ideas.
"Who are you that is lost and trying to build a concept of yourself in order to be found? This question represents the essence of spirituality. You will never find yourself in what you have built to define yourself. You're the one who's doing the building." (T.U.S., p. 130)
I am awareness, that is really all that I am. As I become more grounded in the idea that I am the one who is experiencing my life (instead of I am my experiences), I become more open to allowing that which God wants to express through and as me to pour forth.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)