Thoughts From A Mystic

. Religion is not about 'holding a certain set of beliefs', rather it's about a profound 'transformation of the person'. This transformation happens at 'a deep level' within the person; a place that Jesus called 'heart'. It's not important to clarify what this 'deep level' is; analysis of such matters tends to distract the person's awareness, creating confusion and anxiety. What is important is to recognize that the effects of the transformation results in a new way of 'seeing'. Those 'with eyes to see' discover, to their surprise, that what before seemed profane and lacking, is now discovered to be sacred and perfect! In the Buddhist statement, 'nothing special', is the insight that Samsara IS Nirvana! "How wonderful, how wonderful, everything is perfect as it is." [attributed to Buddha] Matthew

. Principle # 2 - People ARE ALREADY awake (saved), but their preoccupation with a fantasy about reality keeps them from recognizing this truth. 'The truth will set you free' points directly to this understanding. Buddhism speaks about all people BEING Buddha(s). A person's ignorance and distraction through desire(s) keep that person from recognizing this 'fact'. Buddhist practice involves training awareness upon reality, especially 'reality within' (which is directly connected to 'reality outside'), thereby perceiving illusion for what it is, and 'finding' the truth, as already present. In Christianity 'being saved in Christ' is similar. It implies that those who 'believe in and follow' Christ have already been set free, by way of His physical sacrifice, 'as a ransom for many', on the cross. This argument is limited, missing important spiritual teachings, in favor of offering a more 'tangible' (easily con...

. Principle #1 - Thoughts about reality are NOT reality. Don't believe what thoughts imply; they can 'point towards' reality, but not encompass it. Matthew

. "Everybody in the world was once a child. So in planning a new picture, we don't think of grown-ups, we don't think of children; but just of that fine, clean unspoiled spot down deep in every one of us, that maybe the world has made up forget, and that maybe our pictures can help us recall ." Walt Disney

. Mrs. Harrington, in a treatise on proper womanly amusements deplored “the amazing increase of Dissipations of almost every kind, at present seems to fascinate our minds, and occasion an almost total neglect of those Refinements so necessary to real happiness of human beings.” quote from- Silhouettist Bios, Peggy McClard Antiques, Americana & Folk Art. Referencing Sarah Harrington, (c 18th century)

. What you believe isn't as important as how you connect, in all ways, with reality. Belief is too limiting...it's too 'head' oriented. Reality is so diverse that to participate with it requires freedom from limitations imposed by thought. Matthew

. "If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything." Mark Twain

. "Troubles are only mental; it is the mind that manufactures them, and the mind can gorge them, banish them, abolish them." Mark Twain

. "Typical! That's a human being for you. Spend most of their lives running around in circles for a series of nothings!" Endora [Bewitched, Season 1, 'Mother meet what's-his-name']

. Beliefs are not important, because reality is not 'made up', or dependent on belief(s). When Jesus said, 'Not my will, but yours be done', he's guiding us to follow his lead in letting go of belief, desire, hope, but most importantly SELF, which is thought to be separate and self contained. Self is that which 'needs' things, since it is at odds with what is, and can only get what it wants by force or coercion. It is controlled by wants and desires. Again Jesus guides us to not be self-directed, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" Mt.6:25 The more a person lets go of self(involvement), the more that person can turn (repent) and see what reality is. Don't be concerned about 'what does it all mean', since meaning is another desire of self. Matthew

. To understand the following message you must integrate both phrases into a meaningful whole- You are completely expendable and unnecessary; yet nothing is more completely loved and valued as you are. Matthew

. Whenever you notice a feeling of discomfort or pleasure, look very closely at why you've set up the reaction. Once clear about the cause and effect chain that causes it, recognize that you've made judgments about what is, that you are alienating yourself from reality. The more you practice 'tracking down and recognizing' why you judge, the more clearly and subtly will you 'understand' why and how you're missing out on life! John 10:10b "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." Matthew

. "In my experience, nothing is ever what it seems to be, but everything is exactly what it is." Buckaroo Banzai (from "The Adventures of BB Across the 8th Dimension" 1984)

. A slogan on a poster at a bus stop read, "I want my future back." If the future hasn't happened, how can anyone 'get it back'?! Since the future isn't fixed, or clearly known how would a person be able to tell if they had 'gotten it back'? Unclear (or mistaken) ways of 'seeing' cause MUCH suffering- creating conflict, not only with what is, but within the person 'themself'. Being observant (mindful), in order to distinguish between what we want (have, or do, etc.), and what IS is the starting point to discovering reality. When a person refuses to step out of their self-created fantasy world, and decides to 'set things right', they create a suffering situation that is (for all intents and purposes) impossible to resolve. Matthew

. When you are able to welcome and see everything as acceptable and worthy (of being), and exclude nothing as defective or unworthy, you will see reality (as it is). Matthew

. A person can't 'force' their way into reality. Any efforts to do so creates more conflict, or fragmentation of the person from their true being. Wanting what is familiar, instead of what is real is a troublesome distraction; only effort applied to the cessation of such efforts (to control or alter reality) is beneficial to a person. Participation and wholeness is built into reality. A creature need only accept this to discover 'forgiveness' and complete acceptance. Matthew

. When Mother Teresa talked about prayer she would speak of 'listening'. Listening is concerned with unfettered attention (awareness), as opposed to looking for specific answers or solutions to concerns. When self is in charge, and dictating the focus of attention, suffering and dis-ease MUST follow. Relinquishing self (discovering no-self) dissolves suffering, since without a cause there can be no effect. Matthew

. The 'One way' has to do with 'no-self', not a particular religious tradition, or set of beliefs. No tradition encompasses (or can claim ownership of) the 'One way', as it's beyond any means to articulate or document. It is accessible to anyone and everyone. Matthew

. 'The eradication of suffering' is the central focus of Buddhism, yet outside the tradition 'suffering' is misunderstood to mean extreme physical, mental, or emotional pain. Since very few people are in extreme pain, they don't believe Buddhism has any value to them. In Buddhism the term 'suffering' implies any [person's] state that is not peaceful. For example, imagine you're out with friends after work at a tea or coffee shop. As you take a sip you feel/think it's not hot enough...or it's too hot...the flavor isn't right...it's too strong, or not strong enough...it needs sugar, or cream...or the cup is hot and hard to hold...or the weather is too cold...or you're recalling how your boss yelled at you during the day...thoughts about money problems...or your marriage...or someone just coughed in your face...or you've got an itch on your face...or back. You are 'suffering'. Consider how often during any day you a...

. I'm impressed by the similarities between how Socrates and Jesus lived and died: Even after he has been convicted by the jury, Socrates declines to abandon his pursuit of the truth in all matters. Refusing to accept exile from Athens or a commitment to silence as his penalty, he maintains that public discussion of the great issues of life and virtue is a necessary part of any valuable human life. "The unexamined life is not worth living." (Apology 38a) Socrates would rather die than give up philosophy, and the jury seems happy to grant him that wish Jesus lived and taught 'the kingdom of God'. Jesus' life and teachings show what life is like with God as ruler. Any other way of living is described as 'death'. His example, through teaching and life[style], were the reason the Pharisees wanted, and got Jesus' execution. Jesus may have been able to escape and continue teaching in another 'land', but he describes his 'mission' as th...

. To be 'on the path' a person MUST be willing to deny everything s/he holds dear. 'The path' IS the payoff, it's not 'self' serving, which means it doesn't deliver anything (riches, power) beyond 'life in abundance'. A person is either on the path, or not; and a great challenge of staying on the path is to remain watchful to avoid falling from it. Nothing can be held back, which is why Jesus speaks about 'God's kingdom' as if it were a treasure that can only be purchased AFTER SELLING EVERYTHING a person owns [to 'possess it]. 'Works' are dead, since they are attempts to get a priceless 'something' for a limited price (having your cake and eating it, too). Repentance, which is necessary IN ORDER TO FIND and GET ON the path, isn't about doing 'good'. Repentance is an 'about face' in the way a person sees and responds to reality. A 'your will, not mine' way of seeing, that completely ...

. "He who has encountered the mystery of life has reached the source of wisdom. He experiences...,his finitude in face of the infinite. He learns that acceptance of one's limits is the decisive step towards wisdom. The fool rebels against the limits set by his finitude. He wants to be unlimited in power and knowledge. He who is wise accepts his finitude. He knows that he is not God." Paul Tillich THE ETERNAL NOW p.168, 2ndPP

Expression is not the 'thing'. (Neither is a reproduction of an expression of a thing.) '...,and the truth will set you free.' John 8.32b Matthew

. Seek Peace. Gaining knowledge (learning about specific 'things'), is a detour to finding Truth and Life. Peace comes from discovering Reality- which is not a 'thing'. You have awakened from the 'dream' of self (which is the cause of alienation and suffering), when you discover that everything which IS is exactly the way it should be. Your PRESENCE- awareness and participation with Being, is all that's required of 'you'. Enjoy the journey! Matthew