an empty vessel

Wow...read these two powerful excerpts, both saying something similar:

When we go into a state of humility and request the truth that will make us free, and we let go of everything that we have accumulated, offering an empty vessel, then truth comes.
We can see that which has always been present and has never changed. Everything is already in a state of wholeness and completion. (Michelle Longo O'Donnell)

"To remain unconscious of being is to be trapped within an ego-driven wasteland of conflict, strife, and fear that only seems customary because we have been brainwashed into a state of suspended disbelief where a shocking amount of hate, dishonesty, ignorance, and greed are viewed as normal and sane.  But they are not the sane, not even close to being sane.  In fact, nothing could be less sane and unreal than what we human beings call reality.

By clinging to what we know and believe, we are held captive by the movement of our conditioned thinking and imagination, all the while believing that we are perfectly rational and sane.  We therefore continue to justify the reality of what causes us, as well as others, immeasurable amounts of pain and suffering."  (The Way of Liberation, p. 10-11) 

To obtain enlightenment, freedom, peace, or joy we must let go of what we know and believe...we must empty ourselves of everything in order to make room for truth.

It is so hard to stop clinging to my assumptions, beliefs, expectations, desires, identity, judgments.  Yet I clearly see that they are what blocks me from truth. There is a higher Reality that is not based on my ego-driven conditioned thoughts and the way to connect with that Reality is to stop clinging to what I call reality.

Be A Good Steward of Your Life

Being a good steward of your life means

"that you are not using spirituality to avoid any aspects of your life...The Way of Liberation is a way of completely facing yourself and your life without withdrawing into denial, judgment, or magical thinking. It is a means of piercing through the veils of illusion and awakening to Truth."  (The Way of Liberation, p. 7)

I find the best way to completely face my life is by being present in each moment. I remind myself to fully immerse myself in the moment...noticing and accepting what is happening, what I am thinking, and what I am feeling.  Sometimes this tends to simplify things as I realize that I only have to deal with what is happening now, not anything that might happen in the future nor anything that happened in the past.  This can make things more clear.  I may recognize an old tape that I am listening to in my head and decide to let it go.  At other times I notice pain or discomfort.  As Adya points out, the key is to notice without denial, judgment or magical thinking.    

Whatever is happening in the moment is important.  It can help us to awaken.

"Your life, all of your life, is your path to awakening...Pay attention to what life is trying to reveal to you.  Say yes to its fierce, ruthless, and loving grace."  (p. 7)  

"Never Abdicate Your Authority"

This is another of Adya's foundations.

"This means that you take full responsibility for your life and never forfeit it over to someone else."  (The Way of Liberation, p. 4)

Spiritual teachers and spiritual teachings are supposed to point us toward Reality but they are not Reality in and of themselves.

"To be in a true and mature relationship with a spiritual teaching requires you to apply it, not simply believe in it."  (The Way of Liberation, p. 5)

This week I have been focusing a lot on bringing my awareness to the Witness and noticing my experiences.  I have been noticing my feelings, whether or not my heart is open, and the tension in my body.  I have noticed if I am being honest with myself about what I am thinking and feeling.

It is so easy to see everything that is happening in my life as "reality."  And at the same time I notice that my perceptions of people, places and things can change dramatically and quickly...then what is reality?  As Adya and Michael Singer tell us, there is an Essence within each of us that knows Reality.  However true this is, I cannot rely on what these Spiritual Masters have said to change my experience of Life, Self, and Reality...I must apply what they have said thus making room for a new experience.

This being said, I move into this week with a lighter hold on what is happening in my life and I remind myself to watch and let go.

"practicing absolute sincerity"

Another foundation that Adya discusses is "practicing absolute sincerity" which includes honesty, genuineness, and integrity.

"To be sincere does not mean to be perfect.  In fact the very effort to be perfect is itself insincere, because it is a way of avoiding seeing yourself as you are right now.  To be able and willing to see yourself as you are, with all of your imperfections and illusions, requires genuine sincerity and courage.  If we are constantly trying to hide from ourselves, we will never be able to awaken from our illusion of self."  (The Way of Liberation, p. 6)

How easy it is to hide from oneself.  Sometimes this is very subtle such as when I deny feelings, judgments, and negative thoughts. Being defensive and closed instead of letting a vulnerable feeling surface is another way in which I avoid being genuine.  Efforts to please others or make them feel good can get in the way of my being sincere and genuine.  Or there are times when I have to face an aspect of my dark side which can be very uncomfortable.

"The capacity and willingness to be honest with yourself is your greatest guard against self-deception and deceit, and aligns you with your genuine aspiration.  There is no greater challenge for a human being than to be completely honest with oneself as well as with others, and yet such honesty is absolutely necessary if we are ever to awaken from our dream of separation and live a truly genuine and undivided life."  (The Way of Liberation, p.6)

Asking myself if I am being sincere in the moment grounds me...it brings my awareness into my body and reminds me to check in with my heart and my mind.  It makes me think about how I am behaving and what choices I am making.

We are all imperfect in our human ways, yet at our core we are made in the image and likeness of God.  Our Essence is perfect.  Adya is pointing us in the direction of being aware of the human imperfections...otherwise we will be busy hiding and therefore not able to open to Truth.  I no longer believe that being "spiritual" means being good or doing the right thing all of the time.  Being "spiritual" means noticing how I am showing up in my life.  It is about being honest with myself and others, letting go, and opening to a deeper and higher expression of Self.