absolutely harmless

Regular meditation practice leads us to see that thoughts are absolutely harmless. Here are a couple of quotes that point to this truth.

It is your thoughts alone that cause you pain. Nothing external to your mind can hurt or injure you in any way. There is no cause beyond yourself that can reach down and bring oppression. (Course in Miracles lesson 190)

Any good that befalls you is from God, and any bad that befalls you is from yourself. (Quran 4:79)

see?

bob

perfect surrender

While hiking along the trail next to the San Gabriel river just outside Georgetown today, I noticed a small bush. It came to me how surrendered that bush was … waiting for rain, waiting for sun, waiting for insects … just waiting for whatever happens next without any resistance or expectations whatsoever … some sort of perfect surrender.

Our daily practice teaches us that surrender (and the realization that ultimately we are no different that that bush) is the path to lasting peace.

(Quran 13:15) All that is in the heavens and the earth prostrates itself, whether willingly or by force, before God; and so do their shadows in the morning and in the evening.

bob

give it a break!

When we meditate we notice how the mind is ceaselessly planning, reviewing, and working towards some end (trying to get enlightened; hoping to still itself; thinking about some better future, and so on). This leads nowhere. Seeking only leads to more and more seeking … do you see? Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj says it perfectly:

Unless you make tremendous efforts, you will not be convinced that effort will take you nowhere. The self is so self-confident that unless it is totally discouraged it will not give up. Mere verbal conviction is not enough. Hard facts alone can show the absolute nothingness of the self-image.



Who is working so hard?

bob

why rent a cheap room?

Some say that fear is the opposite of love … but I think Hafez says it better:

“Fear is the cheapest room in the house.

I would like to see you living

In better conditions.”

― Hafez

bob