Am starting to wonder if the whole Universe is a bit sado-masochistic..
..because the suffering inherent in living seems so cruel at times, and yet, there is a kind of pleasure that comes from growing through it..
..and if panentheism and nonduality are correct, and all of existence really is One substance manifested in various form..
..then this One Thing has chosen/willed the simultaneity of suffering and joy to happen to ItSelf again and again, in endless combination..
Indeed, I wonder.
The purpose of spiritual practice is to transcend all practices.
The purpose of meditation is to realize that “the one” who meditates does not exist.
The purpose of realization is to realize that the truth requires nothing – not even “your” realization.
And what if even impermanence is impermanent?
Hey y’all. I am so behind in updating this blog. Life has been quite busy. Lots of travel to report on and fabulous experiences with friends and family. Over the past few months, I enjoyed a wonderful trip to the Netherlands (Amsterdam, Delft, the Hague), excursions to the Hudson valley, New England (Massachusetts and Maine) as well as jaunts to New York City (where, among other things, I had the pleasure of meditating in Time Square, enjoying amazing vegan meals, being moved by musical and dance performances and meeting Savion Glover..) And then there was last week’s retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh, where, along with a group of friends — and about 1500 other buddies – we sat just a few feet away from him as he gave a Dharma talk and later led us in walking meditation. It was an incredible day – and my second visit to Blue Cliff Monastery. Lots of pictures coming soon. I hope. Maybe. I’m on sabbatical right now and have my hands full with writing articles and book chapters for my tenure file. But as soon as I can, I’ll post those pictures. They’re beautiful.
But before I can properly update you, I’ll be fluttering away again — this time for a silent “retreat” with Mooji’s sangha. I’d planned on attending this in person at the retreat site in Portugal, but things changed. However, I am thrilled to report that I’ll be joining the group remotely, for a week long intensive. In between writing, data analysis, work and meetings, I’ll participate in the live satsangs and reflect on whatever it is that Consciousness wants to reveal to me at this time. I’m very excited. For the next 7 days, we’ll be minimizing social activity and focusing our attention on awareness.
I’ll see you on the other side . . .
I do not support President Obama’s drive to engage the U.S. in military action in Syria.
I call upon all of us interested in a more peaceful planet to focus our energies on compassion and stillness, while also taking steps to signal our opposition to engaging a possibile war in the Middle East.
Tomorrow, I will be participating in a Buddhist retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh. The steps we can take to build a more just and peaceful world will be at the center of my spiritual practice of mindfulness.
More soon.
Crystal
I do not have to conform to the image of who I thought I was yesterday. I am free.
Me: God, please help me realize the Self! Please burn away any remaining cords of ignorance. Please! Help me! Help me!
God: Me, who?
Me: Oh. Right..
Next is the ego’s idol.
Awakening is a process in which absolutely nothing happens.
Consciousness doesn’t need you to notice It.
Aware of Awareness 