Thoughts From A Mystic

"You" are not what you think. Self is imagined. Distinguishing between 'S'elf (big S self, as my university professor used to call it) and 's'elf may be helpful to see the error of 's'elf, but both retain the 'taste' of alienation and being-from-it's-own-side, which miss the mark. If you distinguish between self and others (whether people or things) you are lost in a fantasy world created by, and supporting self. Like an addict with his drug, so long as the addict lives in the world of the drug, he remains lost in a 'haze' of unreality. There's only one way out of self, and that is to stop supporting the way of self. It's this way, the 'Narrow' way, by which 'no-self' is found: Matthew 7.13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate (the path of self) and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 7.14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life...

As we near the end of 2007, I would like to share a message that is as valuable today, as it was nearly 2000 years ago- Luke 6.27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 6.28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 6.29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 6.30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 6.31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. A simple, yet profoundly difficult message to live. Those who feel religion promotes hatred of one's fellow man, haven't recognized Jesus' message. Matthew

One central problem with conventional religions, is that they are driven by human want (desire), not need . Need is the more important, but people prefer to stay attached to what they want. Discord between conventional religions arises from conflict of want(s). The core of true religious teaching can be found in the simplicity of LOVE . Here's a sample quote from Hinduism, highlighting the core of true religion (as opposed to conventional religion); "I make no distinction between one religion and another. People may worship me in any form they wish. The form of worship does not matter to me; my only concern is the quality of love which is expressed in worship. I accept every kind of worship, because I am supreme." -The Bhagavad Gita (Sorry, no chapter attribution available.) Want, which focuses on outcome, is a test of one's religious allegiance. If you ask, 'Am I part of the winning side?' Or, 'Will I receive the good reward for my allegiance?' ...

From the Dhammapada_The Twin Verses: 19] Thoughtless ones , even if they can recite many sacred verses but do not follow them , have no claim to a religious life, but are like cowherders counting the cows of others. 20] Thoughtful ones , even if they can recite only a few verses, but do follow the law and, forsaking lust, hatred, and delusion, possess true knowledge and peace of mind- they, clinging to nothing in this world or the next, have indeed a claim to a religious life. A religious life is not about what one knows or thinks, 'can recite many sacred verses', rather it's about how one lives... the path one follows (remember, Cristianity has been called 'the Way'.) Jesus speaks out agains belief, as a way to God's kingdom- "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you ? Mk 6.46 Jesus was teaching a path, a way by which people would turn and live by God's law (love). It's imperative that people let go of their self-abso...

This may come as a shock to many people, but you can't love (unconditionally) unless you are empty of self. It's because the limited, protective self is always looking for a payoff. How many times can you truly say you loved, without wanting some recognition or payoff? I suspect mothers (and good fathers) can show unconditional love to their children (especially when those children are very young), but after they grown enough to 'know better', I suspect love is compromised by conditions. Conditional love is the reason we see high divorce rates in the United States. Hinduism has a wonderful way of talking about being unconditionally loving...don't act for the payoff. It's in the journey, not the end result of action, where love (I'll use this short form to mean 'unconditional love') is found. If you're always in the moment, participating with what is, you'll never get caught up, and tainted by the end result. I usually talk about this in...

An exerpt from AWARENESS by Anthony DeMello: "Every time you are unhappy, you have added something to reality. It is that addition that makes you unhappy. I repeat: You have added something...a negative reaction in you....And if you examine what you have added, there is always an illusion there, there's a demand, an expectation, a craving." p.109 AWARENESS, Image books, Doubleday. copyright 1990 After reading this excerpt, consider my previous post about Martha and Mary. Notice how Anthony's way of phrasing the cause for Martha's dis-ease (Martha's outburst clarifies it) shows that it's NOT what Martha was doing (she could have been sitting alongside Mary, and STILL have been troubled), which was the cause of her dis-ease (she felt a great burden in her toiling), but what she added to it (thoughts and feelings). Mary, on the other hand, was simply participating; an attentive listener, who, in the moment, had no concerns about anything else. "So d...

"But Martha was distracted by all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, 'Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.' But the Lord answered and said to her, 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things' but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.' Lk. 10.40-42 Interpretation- Jesus is lovingly directing Martha away from her distracted way of life, and is guiding her to focus on the 'one thing' that is necessary (exemplified in Mary's way of being). Martha can easily be seen as a prototypical 'every-person', in today's post-modern world of information. In this world people are fantasy images of their true nature...they're 'thought people', lost in their own shadowy fantasy worlds. Post-modern people believe they control their lives (think about what guides your daily...

I was reading an entry (Sept. 17, 2007) from 'A blog of mystical searches', and found this; "Last week, I attended a "Living the Questions" DVD seminar... That week's lesson on the DVD included an interview with Marcus Borg, in which he was asked whether it was necessary to believe in a literal resurrection of Jesus in order to be a Christian. He said no. Afterwards, during the discussion period, the pastor... mentioned that this statement could be shocking or controversial in some circles,... But no one in the room seemed fazed at all. I was surprised to discover that I wasn't alone on this matter. There really [are] other people in churches besides me who see religion in unorthodox ways." It can be a little shocking to discover that what we think is not free from the conventional thoughts of our compatriots. There's usually an underlying belief that our 'uniqueness' separates us from the rabble; that in some ways we've outgrown the...

"But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." Mt 6.6 Interpretation- Jesus is commenting about 'one's secret room'; a deep place within a person, where no one but God can see. It's how one is directed from this deep place within, that determines how we think, speak and act in the world. Too often, people believe it's what they think , say or do that are the guidelines for determining if they are doing God's will. Of these three only think is an inner process, but that's not deep enough. It's how our heart sees and directs us that matters. It's one's ' heart orientation ' that clarifies whether we are aligned with our will, or Reality (God's will). If we are self-focused, we will be aware of thoughts, feeling and perform actions that try to protect and serve self. We will be alienated from...

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven." Mt 6.1 Interpretation- Attention/Action focused on rewards received from man (in this case, trying to earn points within society, through righteous displays in public) will disallow the 'good reward' that is given only from God (in private). Wholeness, and the benefits thereof, are not available to those who live and pander for rewards in the fragmented world of man. Reality and man's fragmented (illusory) world, conflict for people's attention. In this passage, Jesus is clarifying the only place where the 'good reward' is found. Matthew

"You have heard it said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." Mt 5.43-45 Interpretation- As people, we are to unconditionally love EVERYTHING. This is God's way- 'for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.' Unconditional love implies total acceptance of what IS. Any judging, or dividing up of Reality into categories of either 'acceptable' or 'unacceptable', immediately brings alienation from God and His kingdom. A person can choose to live in REALITY and enjoy the wonders that are freely given, or choose to live in an imagined, FANTASY world (which that person is desperately trying to control.) One chooses every moment...

"You have hear that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also." Mt 5.38-39 Interpretation- Jesus is 'fulfilling' Old Testament regulations, by pointing to a deeper integration of the Law into a person's heart. Resisting evil, which is clearly an imperative from a legalistic view, is now overturned with a deeper orientation from the heart- that of acceptance and love (this will be clarified in other passages). Jesus is directing listeners into compassionate acceptance, which goes hand in hand with unconditional love...as God loves. This shift into compassion is even more important today. Weapons technology magnifies the effect hatred and violence have on our 'neigbors' (and this beautiful planet we ALL live on.) Jesus, in his brilliant insightfulness, cuts to the core of how we should 'see' with our hea...

"Again you have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord.' But I say to you, make no oath at all...But let your statements be, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil. Mt 5.33,34,37 Interpretation- Vowing, which implies the person is dedicating him/herself towards a particular end result (in time), alienates that person from Reality. Dedicating your heart to anything that ISN'T (in the moment) bespeaks desiring Reality to be other than it IS. Saying YES or NO keeps you aligned with the MOMENT; you're essentially saying, 'I will participate', instead of, 'I won't participate'- in the particular activity. There is no denying Reality in either of those, simply a statement of what, in the moment (amongst many, many options) you will apply your heart to. As an example, when Jesus' disciples wanted to help him escape his inevitable capture (and s...

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Mt 5.27-28 Interpretation- Jesus is emphasizing what our 'heart' does, in contrast with legalistic regulations specified by 'The Law'. A simple test of one's actions, such as- do they fit within regulatory boundaries, does not go deep enough to ascertain if one is following God's will. This teaching, which probably developed out of repeated interactions with Jews who asked if they would enter God's kingdom by obeyed the Ten Commandments, gives us a simple, clear view of the importance of 'heart' over 'head' in Jesus' teaching. Today this teaching is even MORE important. In the 'information age' data/information has essentially been 'deified'. People are convinced the more information they can have 'at hand...

"You have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not commit murder' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court;..." Mt. 5.21-22 Interpretation- Reality is fluid, and is unconditionally loving toward all it's manifestations. Reality does not judge between Good or Evil, Acceptable or Unacceptable, as 'selves' do. When a person holds onto a particular position, which is not unconditionally loving- such as 'feeling angry towards his brother', that person is rebelling against Reality and is 'guilty before the court' (paying the price in suffering). Matthew

"For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter God's kingdom (the kingdom of heaven.)" Mt 5.20 Interpretation- Scribes and Pharisees represent those who are 'works' focused- they are motivated by the end result. 'Righteousness surpassing' that type (of person) refers to anyone who participates fully in the moment. Anyone swayed by end results is 'time blind'- unable to see Reality (God's kingdom) as it IS (in the moment.) The perspective of works, and that of judging, completely alienates a person from Reality. It's due to the replacement of Reality (what IS) by 'your view of how reality should be' (IS not). When you accept Reality, you will find yourself 'instantaneously' IN THE KINGDOM! It's as if reality suddenly shifted (and became perfect), WITHOUT any change on your part. Matthew

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It's no good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men." Mt 5.13 Interpretation- Jesus is speaking to those who are 'spirit filled', either because they have been unpolluted by 'the world', or because they have been transformed (from worldly manipulation) through repentance (most likely this second group). The 'once born' person (culturally hypnotized) isn't valuable, except to be 'trampled under foot by men' ('men' refers to any once-born person- those who prey upon each other for selfish ends). The 'salt of the earth' are important as representatives of God, who help bring about it's fulfillment. Self-absorbed people often think they're 'God's gift' to the world in many ways. Jesus is clearly denouncing their fantasies! Matthew

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Mt 5.8 Interpretation- When one stops 'dirtying' one's 'heart' [it remains unsullied by soiling action (karma)] one will see God. The 'pure in heart', represents every creatures state of BEING. One's heart is made impure through soiling 'action' (karma in Eastern terms) which pollutes and distorts it's 'sight'. In this soiled state the heart is incapable of 'seeing' clearly and it 'flops around, like a fish out of water'...desperately trying to find it's home. When all the 'doing' is relinquished (attempts to 'make it work' from an alienated self's perspective) the heart rests serenely in it's pure, natural state...and sees God! Matthew

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." Mt 5.7 Interpretation- Those who relate to 'others' (this could be broadly stated as everything in creation; not only people) with forgiveness will discover they are unconditionally accepted with mercy. Mercy is a 'forgiveness' attitude- beings are unconditionally accepted for what they ARE; NOT what they MAY BECOME. Mercy isn't earned by following a set of laws/commandments. It's Being, not Doing that's the important quality. God, alone has control over 'your' Being. This brings up the greatest challenges for most people... How do I find God, and His kingdom? Why is God so distant? I've accepted Christ, so why do I still struggle with my life? Repentance is the key (born of spirit) which allows the follower to participate in God's kingdom. Layering new beliefs onto an alienated, unconverted self only shifts the problems around. Let's look at an analogy- Think...

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Mt 5.6 Interpretation- In Buddhism it's called 'Right Effort', one element of the 8-fold Path. If your attention is kept on rightousness (following God's will) you will find it and be satisfied. Matthew

"Blessed are the gentle (meek), for they shall inherit the earth." Mt 5.5 Interpretation- Those who accept God's will [Reality] (don't try to be in/take control) will inherit the earth. Matthew

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Mt 5.4 Interpretation- When a person is 'broken' (they find little, or no solace in self-support) and mourns, that person will find God's love and compassion supporting them; and be comforted. Matthew

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (God)." Mt 5.3 Interpretation- Those not self-absorbed (self-indulgent), allow God to be in control, and have access to God's kingdom. The Beatitudes are filled with statements about self-poverty, and highlight the benefits thereof. This first statement speaks of meager self-absorbed energy; that is, the individual is not energized to control what IS, rather s/he allows God to be in control. Matthew

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven (God) is at hand." Mt 4.17 Interpretation- Become transformed (transformed perspective/heart/mind), and enter God's kingdom. Repentance is not something one does, it's more a 'relinquishing of control', or 'letting go'. 'Dying to self' is understood in 'repentance'. 'Death and resurrection' is another phrase with the same personal transformation. Of course, Jesus believed ever more people would follow the path (of repentance) he lead, thus populating God's realm (it's fulfillment). Due to the 'hard heartedness', or 'self-absorption' of most people, Jesus' concept of the fulfillment of God's kingdom is probably further away than it was in his time. Matthew

Today I will begin a series of 'translations' of wisdom statements attributed to Jesus. Too often people miss the real meaning of Jesus' teaching, and I'll try to clarify, in modern English, what the sayings mean. Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Attention focused on false self (alienated self) keeps you from finding LIFE. Matthew

The mind of the past is ungraspable; The mind of the future is ungraspable; The mind of the present is ungraspable. DIAMOND SUTRA Ungraspable is the key...if you can grasp it, you're missing Reality. When you sense conflict, and become agitated or anxious, you can be certain you're holding onto a fantasy, mental image of what is. Matthew

Conflict isn't with what IS, it's with/between what is THOUGHT TO BE and what IS. Accept what IS and conflict will vanish. Most people BELIEVE they are seeing what IS, while they are trapped in a fantasy world view- a mental creation of 'what-they-think-is'. Conflict provides proof of one's disconnection with what IS. Finding the IS is simple..."Nothing special" is a simple Buddhist way of describing it. Matthew

Mt. 11.25 Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. ANYONE can see and enter 'God's kingdom'; not just the learned and 'wise'. ("Wise" may be a mistranslation, as 'wise' usually denotes clear insight.) It's when one is blinded by one's own world-view (generated from selfish motives) that the kingdom vanishes. (This 'vanishing' isn't permanent, as it remains available even to those who are temporarily blind.) What Jesus tried to teach his followers wasn't adherence and acceptance to a set of 'fact statements', rather it was a living, moment by moment way of existing in 'the world'. It's in allowing oneself to be completely guided by God's (Reality) direction that one discovers the kingdom. He lived this way and expected his followers to do the same- "Follow me". ...

Whatever you see 'outside' originates 'inside'. If you sense a conflict or problem in the world, look inside yourself to find where the conflict originates. There are no difficulties 'outside' that can be resolved from trying to change anything in 'the world'. Resolve your inner conflicts and the outer ones will disappear. Why are so many people blind to this truth? Matthew

Awareness, what I call 'consciousness', is a rare thing; but it is what we, as human BEINGS, are about. No 'one' can be conscious when they are controlled by thoughts or beliefs; nor can they be conscious by rebelling against any particular thoughts, or substituting 'better' ones. Only by accepting Reality, AS IT IS can we wake up to consciousness. Trying to control Reality is laughable, and I'm continually amazed to see people live this lie! It's no wonder they suffer! Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism are about waking up and finding one's try nature within Reality...recognizing and living conscious. There are no right or wrong beliefs; no right or wrong rituals or actions that make us whole. Nothing we DO is of any real importance (as most people believe); rather finding and living out our BEING is what the 'point' is; and here is where people stumble and fall; and where conventional religions fail us. Conventional religions maint...

What's acceptable to you? Will you accept the way things are, to participate with what IS; or are you convinced (heart-set) on changing the world to make it a 'better' place (in large or small ways)? If you do as Jesus taught, Mt 6.33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things (what you will wear, eat and drink) will be given to you as well." Jesus is teaching acceptance of Reality (rule by God). We must learn to let go of our convictions that we can do it better than Reality. Reality has things well under control. There is no need for you to 'fix' anything! Bring to mind plans you've set for yourself...who's running the show? Are you determined that without your efforts your life, the lives of your family members, your community, city and nation...even the world would be worse off?!! OR, are you funtioning from a state of unconditional love? That is, everything that IS (is happening) is completely accepted, wi...

This will seem odd to most people, because what people 'think' (their faith in the conceptualization of Reality) seems to them undoubtable...but Truth is only known when 'naming' is released. 'Naming', the spoken or thought word (concepts) limits our ability to see, thus distorts our perceptions of what IS. From the Tao te Ching, "The eternal Tao (Reality) cannot be spoken." We wouldn't have a problem if we saw our limited world-view AS limited; since it wouldn't overstep what it 'saw'; but we don't believe we have limited concepts! Certainly we don't claim to know 'everything', but the underlying faith in the 'knowability' (rational, 'named') nature of the universe continues; and THAT is where we detour into 'The Fall', or 'miss the mark' (sin) begins. We believe we can KNOW through naming. It's by way of freedom from thought entrapment, that Truth is known. Strangely, when we di...

A young man told me a story about a very strange dream he had. His dream came after he read a sci-fi book about the future, in which everyone has been given the power to create whatever they desire. In his dream he found he COULD control things and events with his thoughts, just as described in the book! He also discovered something unexpected...everything was interconnected. So no matter what you did or created it couldn't be isolated and protected from other things; everything was subject to change. Nothing existed on it's own. No problem, he thought to himself, he'd use his power to make a world where things could be protected. But he couldn't. The underlying reality allowed things to be created, but it couldn't be controlled in it's basic nature. Skirmishes broke out between people; then terrible, all-out war. Everyone was trying to get what THEY wanted...at the expense of everything else! Since there was no way to dis-connect, there was no way to a...

Averywhere/Anywhere How much better off people would be if they realized there is nothing special about God and spirituality. It's your birthright to be whole and present with Reality. (Instead of 'Reality' you could substitute 'God', but if the term has distinct meanings that are limiting, it's not a suitable substitution; as the term has to encompass EVERYTHING.) Here' s an example of how you can 'see' into daily events to discover your true 'Self'... Imagine you're in a grocery store; waiting in line to check out. What feelings do you notice? What thoughts 'run' through your head? Are you at ease, or dis-ease? Would you rather be someplace else, or are you satisfied just where you are? This is how we find ourselves. Nothing special. Pay attention to the thoughts, feelings, urgings, etc. that you notice, NOW. Why do you feel compelled to run away from something; only to get to another place from which you want to run? ...

Here's a teaching that is often not understood, or misunderstood...DON'T RESIST EVIL. Here's one of Jesus' teachings- Mt 5.38 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’(No more than that!) Mt 5.39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. Mt 5.40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. And a great story about Buddha that teaches THE SAME MESSAGE (credit for this story to Tara Brach, from her book- "Radical Acceptance", pp. 75,6.) When Mara (the Buddhist name for 'The Evil One') fled, after Siddhartha's awakening as 'Buddha', it was only temporary. Mara kept coming back; and when he did Buddha would calmly acknowledge his presence, saying, "I see you, Mara." He would then invite him for tea, as an honored guest. Offering Mara a cushion, so he could ...

Reality takes no particular shape. It's plastic and can take any form. It doesn't distinguish between 'Right' and 'Wrong'. 'Right' and 'Wrong' are interpretations. There is no suffering in Reality...that's created by alienated selves, who are in conflict with Reality. These selves select parts of Reality and call it the whole, or the 'Good' and exclude other parts. In so doing they've just emprisoned themselves in their concepts. If you want to eliminate suffering you couldn't do it by changing your interpretations, since that's just another prison. You've got to be FREED from those concepts and this is what Buddhism and Christianity are about at their core. The great traditions teach, not a set of beliefs, but A WAY of transformation OUT OF the sickness of the alienated self. At-one-ment, as many like to say. In Buddhism it's realizing our Buddha-nature and in Christianity it's about being one with...

As lost, ignorant creatures, sleep-walking man makes patterns based on desire and fear. Reality is fluid. 'It' isn't fixed in one specific 'objective' form, but flows throught 'forms', or 'incarnations', if you will. This is why varying viewpoints exist about what is. My favorite analogy to describe Reality, is as water in an ocean. Waves form on the surface (deeper realms have currents), and these waves change from moment to moment. None of the 'waves' exist on their own, in an 'objective' way. The surface 'waves' are water swelling into the atmosphere. Man desires to 'objectify' the wave shapes; to compare, contrast and categorize them; what better way to have control over them than to name them! But take a closer look...the waves are ocean water. They are not the patterns or names we conventionally attach to them. With 'eyes to see', look at the world. Notice the 'waves' of Reality (Be...

No. The path of 'no-self' is no secret. It's part of what it means to be human; in fact it IS the path that leads to true humanity. Jesus was correct is stating there is 'only one way', but people don't want to hear that message. It's the 'addicts curse', meaning- no addict wants to be without his/her drug(s); therefore has no 'eyes or ears' for the truth. Anyone who practices 'attraction' will find they are still stuck in their mental world-view, or 'Samsara' in Buddhist terms. As long as what they want (take note of the taint of desire) comes to them, they will remain stuck in that mental world-view. What one thinks is not WHAT IS; and suffering comes from being disconnected from WHAT IS. Buddhism gets immediately to the solution- 'Life is suffering and there is a cure' (The 4 Noble Truths.) That cure is RELEASE from the limiting mental world-view. "The law of attraction" doesn't care if you are an ...

'There is nothing required of me to do; and nothing to be done that I haven't already accomplished.' This line from the Bagavad Gita speaks about the 'perfection' of what is. The way things are is the way they've always been and always will be...the only difference is how we see, or recognize what is. It's popular of people to think in terms of 'Teleology'- The word "teleology" is derived from the Greek word telos, meaning end or purpose. Teleology is the supposition that there is purpose or directive principle in the works and processes of nature (or in a person's suppositions about their life or their culture's path.) Getting back to the original quote, we discover that Reality continues in it's plasicity; always flowing from this form to that. There's no 'End', just an endless process. Everything that can be done, already has been done; and will be again, and again...and again! Here, from Jewish tradition- Ecc...

People often think they're awake when they are up and about, perhaps thinking about this or that. What people normally consider consciousness is actually 'daydreaming'; biased involvement with thoughts about what might be, and less about what IS. They rarely become conscious, in the truist sense; which is the great gift of being human. 'Self-concious' people rarely experience 'what's going on'. 'What is' is always flavored by self; distorted by desires. This false consciousness fails in its awareness of 'others'; and finds itself tripping over speculation and inaccurate predictions. Jesus spoke of 'normal conciousness' as; "The blind leading the blind." How elegantly and succinctly stated! What humans COULD realize is 'awareness of awareness'. This is Consciousness in it's purest form. This might be the best explanation, or reason (if you are determined to find one) of why man exists- to become AWARE...

Each of us creates our own problems- what Buddhists call 'suffering'. Our problems arise from our sense of alienation from the universe, or more broadly reality. Western thought supports the concept of self, which has been used as a means of control over individuals and society as a whole. Each person's self-concept is fluid; having no long term stability. You are not 'self', but 'awareness'. Descartes was close, when he stated; "I think, therefore I am." Substituting 'feel' for 'think' would be equally accurate. But both are still secondary to what 'I' is. "I'm aware, therefore I am." would be more accurate (but concepts and words fail to give us an exact understanding.) Existing as awareness, without letting it be stained from thoughts or feelings, which come from desires and biases, is the path taught by Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity- "The goal of the Buddhist contemplative is to develop f...

Suffering comes from separateness and alienation, with the resulting futile attempts to correct one's alienated state. Buddhism says you are already Buddha- there's no need to struggle to 'better' yourself or to 'become' Buddha. Reality is not the problem. There's no need to improve things as they are. Reality is hidden from most people, because they're preoccupied with their own perspectives. It's not hidden purposefully, as if by some evil power. The good news is that YOU HAVE EYES TO SEE, and once you learn to use them you will be able to see clearly. Learning to see, or being conscious, is challenging. Culture (I don't like to use the phrase 'the World', because Truth is infused in all creation) doesn't support consciousness; which leads to freedom from all cultures (human created systems.) The journey is one of 'waking up' (realizing 'Buddha', or 'Christ living in me') and coming to see reality apa...

1) All that we are is the result of what we have thought. __It is "founded on our thoughts. It is made up of our thoughts. __If one speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows one, __as a vehicle follows the tow-truck that pulls it. 2) All that we are is the result of what we have thought. __It is founded on our thoughts. It is made up of our thoughts. __If one speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows one, __like a shadow that never leaves. 3) "She abused me, he beat me, she defeated me, he robbed me": __In those who harbor such thoughts, anger will never cease. 4) "She abused me, he beat me, she defeated me, he robbed me": __In those who do not harbor such thoughts, hatred will cease. 5) For never does hatred cease by hatred at any time. __Hatred ceases by love. This is an eternal law. 6) Everyone in the world does not know __that we must all come to end here, __but those who do know, __their quarrels cease at once. It's not enough to ha...

"All know the Way, but few actually walk it." Bodhidharma If anyone tells you someone (not you) will save you if you believe in that person sincerely enough; or that someone will make you right with God, don't believe them. There is only one person who can, and must do that work, and it is YOU! Jesus, Buddha and other 'great' religious teachers show us a path to follow. They can't make you follow it; and without following the path you won't reap the rewards of that path. It's important to believe in them; but that belief is not one of slavish acceptance, but of seeing the value of the teaching and putting it into practice. Doing the work is very important! No matter how sincere you are, restricting your spiritual walk to statements of commitment, no matter how sincere (the Way is not that of proper incantations), without following the path (works), you'll never reach the 'goal'. Look at this parable from Jesus (Matt 21:28-32 ) But w...

I'm continually amazed how many people believe they can think their way to know Reality! It's a very strange theory, but there certainly are a lot of people who have bought it. The central message revolves around 'self'...ah yes, the 'self' (I'll talk about this theory another time.) The theory says that self, by way of rational thought and repeatable experiments, will be able to know (thoughts again) what is real (having reality it itself; or as Buddhist's say- "real from it's own side"), and by way of this knowledge (putting it to use, by manipulating reality) find true happiness. That's quite a theory! I've never heard of anyone becoming truly happy by using the theory. I suspect it's rather like being born, but never dying. Yet I'd guess over 99% of post-modern Westerners believe the theory and hold onto it throughout their lives. (That's great brainwashing!) I hope it's comforting, because that's abo...

It sounds strange in a culture where we've been trained to achieve goals, to get somewhere, but in fact there's nowhere to go because you're there already. The Japanese have a nice way of putting it: "The day you cease to travel, you will have arrived." Your attitude should be: "I want to be aware, I want to be in touch with whatever is and let whatever happens happen; if I'm awake, fine, and if I'm asleep, fine." The moment you make a goal out of it and attempt to get it, you're seeking ego glorification, ego promotion. You want the good feeling that you've made it. When you do "make it," you won't know. Your left hand won't know what your right hand is doing. "Lord, when did we do this? We had no awareness." Charity is never so lovely as when one has lost consciousness that one is practicing charity. "You mean I helped you? I was enjoying myself. I was just doing my dance. It helped you, that's wonde...

The "Scholars' Translation" of the Gospel of Thomas by Stephen Patterson and Marvin Meyer 1 And he said, "Whoever discovers the interpretation of these sayings will not taste death." 2 Jesus said, "Those who seek should not stop seeking until they find. When they find, they will be disturbed. When they are disturbed, they will marvel, and will reign over all. [And after they have reigned they will rest.]" 3 Jesus said, "If your leaders say to you, 'Look, the (Father's) kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is within you and it is outside you. When you know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will understand that you are children of the living Father. But if you do not know yourselves, then you live in poverty, and you are the poverty."

Silence We cannot find God in noise and agitation. Nature: trees, flowers, and grass grow in silence. The stars, the moon, and the sun move in silence. What is essential is not what we say but what God tells us and what He tells others through us. In silence He listens to us; in silence He speaks to our souls. In silence we are granted the privilege of listening to His voice. Silence of our eyes. Silence of our ears. Silence of our mouths. Silence of our minds. ...in the silence of the heart God will speak. ---Mother Teresa, from No Greater Love