searching for what cannot be lost

Many of us, in our meditation or spiritual practices, are searching for something: some sense of freedom, some better identity, or perhaps some good feeling. Searching can never uncover what has not been lost.

You are, in fact, that vast timeless space in which all 'things' appear. You are not a 'thing. Rather you are That in which all 'things' appear. By things I mean: thoughts, feelings, body sensations, and any external object.

So .... in meditation JUST BE ... don't take yourself to be anything that is thought, felt, or experienced. Do this and you will find stillness; then all will become clear.

ok?
bob

rest redux

Recognizing the awakened state is easy while imagining that you are separate takes careful planning and constant effort. Resentment, envy, and negative opinions drain us of life energy ... they drive us into a sort of sleep where we seem alone and unfulfilled. Blaming others is hard work.

When the desire for things to be other than they are drops away the immutable peace [pure awareness] that is always present becomes visible. The habit of unconsciously recoiling from life as it appears right now hides this fact. So ...

Give this a try. Next time you want to harshly judge another [which by the way is only thinly disguised self hate] - instead just relax. Just relax your body and your mind. Forget about the past and the future; let go of the things you think you need or want. Then notice, right here right now, the radiant peace that permeates everything in your field of awareness ... the pencil laying on the table, the sound of the air conditioning, the hairs on 'your' hand - peace everywhere without any effort at all on your part. So easy ... just relax.

Awakening is effortless ... bathe in this knowledge and all will become clear.

ok?
bob

just rest

Effort based 'spiritual paths' only feed the small self (ego). The foundation upon which the small self rests is the belief that you are somehow separate and that you need to do something to end that condition. A tasty meal for the small self is a large plate full of seeking, as the small self is only made up of unfulfilled expectations.
So ... how do we see though the fog of all this seeking? The answer is given in many teachings but one of my favorites is the way Jesus put it over two thousand years ago. He simply suggested that we unburden ourselves and join in That which has already been accomplished. His good news was and is that you are without the blemish of guilt and that you have always been Whole.
So ... during meditation we just relax and let all searching go. We gently surrender our expectations, hopes, and efforts. We simply rest - rest in the spaciousness and freedom found in the present moment - rest in the Wholeness that becomes evident when we give up the search.

In Matthew 11:28-30 we find this wisdom stated perfectly. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

ok?
bob

life without center

In spiritual circles there is this idea of 'centering' ... that is, finding "our center." I guess the idea is ... if we somehow "find our center, "we can remain there and not be affected by life and its many twist, turns, and ups and downs. Does this ever work? Have you found your center?

Where would your center be? Take a look right now and see if you can find it. Bet you can't!

The idea of finding our center is one 'spiritual' variant on the idea that we can find some state or place where, in the future, we will have some consistent experience. As Dr. Phil often wisely asks: "How is that working for you?"

I suggest that if you take a careful look right here right now, you will find that there is only emptiness when you ask the question: "Who am I?" How can emptiness have a center? How can the profound freedom to let things be just as they are right now have a center?

Living life without center is to live life as it spontaneously arises in each moment ... noticing its astounding perfection. How do we know that it is perfect? Because that is how it is ... nothing can ever be other than it is.

So ... rather than trying to find some 'center' when you meditate, just notice how perfect everything is right now. Then you will see that the idea of 'you' having a 'center' is riotously laughable. Enjoy the laughter! As Alan Alda notes: "When people are laughing, they're generally not killing each other."

ok?

bob