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

what we want most

What do we want or need more than anything else? Could it be: a better job, a more harmonious relationship, more energy, less trouble, fame, more money, better friends, or some profound truth?

With a little reflection this question is an easy one to answer; we most want to be loved and to be loving. If we know Love in these ways then everything becomes just peachy.

To know Love is the goal of our practice.

Here's a poem that captures it well:

Oh Beloved,


take away what I want.


Take away what I do.


Take away what I need.


Take away everything 
that takes me from you.

Rumi

give Silence a turn.

What is this meditation business about really?

We entertain so many positions, mantras, teachers, and techniques. Their purpose is to show you that they cannot work! When we drop all of our techniques and all of our efforting, Silence can begin its work.

Silence is open, forgiving, nonjudgmental, and pure. Why not let it have a turn? Just stop!

peace on you,

bob

prayers are always answered

Prayers are always answered. If we don't 'hear' the answer, the problem could be that our past conditioning, or our expectations, or our thinking that 'we know best', blinds us to the guidance that is always given.

"If My servants ask you about Me, I am near. I answer the call of the caller when he calls on Me. They should therefore respond to Me and believe in Me so that they will be guided aright. "(Quran 2:186)

regular prayer

Prayer, like meditation, is a time when we turn away from things and turn towards the Divine, The Graceful, The Compassionate, The Loving, the Unseen, the Creator, The Light, … (the attributes are many).

At the root, prayer is remembering God. There are so very many ways to remember (re-member) God. I have found prayers of gratitude and thanks to be most effective in bringing about a sense of Peace and Wholeness.

Again as with meditation, regularity is the key. The Quran suggests praying three times per day: before sunrise, between noon and sunset, and between sunset and the cover of night. I have been amazed at the sense of comfort that comes from this practice … give it a try.

peace on you,

bob