Category: Oneness

Rest in Stillness

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And I found myself very, very tired, soulfully tired.
The human being longs for peace, to rest, to rise above the mundane chatter that creates and apparently, in contrast to this desire. We are at these times subject to the many thoughts that continue to run us and most, if not all of them based on the past.  Is this what I want? To be here based on programming that repeats it self? Or do I want the stillness, the silence that comes of being present in this moment, taking note of every nuance; to the world unfolding. We are all the same essence unfolding as one! If we stand still in this moment and notice the leaves twitching in a slight breeze, the sound of a car racing by, the ever present chirping of that which runs through all that exists and all that which we do not see, where are my questions? My concerns have no basis. They are not here in this moment unless I bring them here. As human beings we are conditioned to that; conditioned to think, and in so doing to constantly repeating our selves in suffering.
A time will come when it occurs to one that this way of being is contrary to my attempts to be happy. We drop all desire to resist and accept what is as the only thing that can be right here right now and continue to move forward. The movement can appear to be almost non-existent or it can feel like rushing down river heading for the grand rapids! As we are continually motivated toward Self realization we must trust that what occurs is part of the journey and keep moving. If one notices, becomes aware of feeling stuck it may be a time of readying before letting go even more. The road to ‘happiness’ is a road that takes us hither and yon until leading us to the place where my thoughts are finally recognized as having no more significance than the million grains of sand to my true nature. And yet I am one of the million and the million. In that I rest utterly at peace. I have given way to the stillness, the silence, the peace of mind.

Now?

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“Letting go is not a one time event; it is a letting go as long as there is anything left to which one clings. For anything to which we cling is not our sacred self.” ~Robert Wolfe, Living Nonduality

There may be a dozen excuses why at this moment, now, it isn’t possible to wade through the thoughts and dive into the unknown, hands reaching out to feel the emptiness, no expectation of grasping anything and coming up free; empty handed and empty-minded. Now what excuse is there that would deny me everything?

In this moment…

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“You are telling me that you perceive an obstacle on the path. Your idea of a path is itself the obstacle. If the One is omnipresent (:present in all places at all times) your path of improvement–which takes your focus out of the present–is leading you away from what can in this moment be seen!” ~Robert Wolfe, Living Nonduality

We can be saved a great deal of energy by ‘attending’ to the moment. Wherever we are and no matter what may appear to be going on around us, the inhale and exhale, of the billions, in unison, of the One, delivers to us everything we need. In this moment therefore, there is nothing I want. Without filters everything has no limitations. Without resistance the immaterial is seen to reside as easily as the material is ‘seen to reside’. In other words, all in all at all times–what more can there be?

“It needs practice, like anything else. In the same way that you have to build up your muscles to carry heavy weights, you need to practice with consciousness to see things more deeply.” ~Russel Williams, Not I, not Other than I 

In Praise of Silence

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“A day of silence can be a pilgrimage. A day of silence can help you listen to the Soul play its marvelous lute and drum.” ~Hafiz

So much is being said about these days and what they mean…really, do we know? Our words are supposition, digging in the past and projecting into the future. Neither are effective. Words seem inadequate to describe unfamiliar circumstances the effect of which has us occasionally spiraling out of control.

We are not in control. We do not know. And yet, we are not victims. Whatever goes on here, we are all in the same soup. We create, we experience—we react—we learn—we evolve. No matter what the circumstances we are presented with, we always have the option of creating with our best foot forward. In challenging situations human beings are very good at giving their best.

Most of us see this as an opportunity not to feel that we must go to battle but to take a look at whatever fears we may have based on the current situation. As much as we may miss connections with our loved ones, friends and family, we honour this time as a reprieve from the routine that may keep us focused externally. It is a time to ‘abandon’ our thoughts, give our selves space to have clarity; to listen to the silence. In silence there is no suffering. In silence we find there is no separation. Even in this current circumstance of needing to physically separate, we find there is no separation. We come to rest between the thoughts, a length of time that eventually has no measurement. There is only Now.

“Now is quieter than the mind.” ~Adyashanti (April 5th livestream)

Silence, though ever present is not what we are accustomed to. Silence though, is peace. It provides a moment in which to notice and feel into the inexhaustible, infinite nature of Reality. A moment here is enough to carry us forward to further inner inquiry. We are pulled, called to go deeper. We seek Truth.

“What am I between my thoughts? Where do I end and the trees begin, the sky…” ~John Butler

It is very possible to side line our attention to all the goings on, the noise of our human community and listen instead to the stillness, the silence. Reflection occurs and realization happens. Realization that the ‘me’ I thought I was exists as a thought. In the silence I do not find ‘me’. Me is what stands between one and freedom.

“Me stops us from going deeper. When we listen deeply we forget about me.” ~John Butler

Recently I came across the videos of John Butler and his expression of Truth after his many years of meditation and inner focus. His way of communicating may be of interest to some. Included at the end of this article is a link to one of his short videos, Silence is never boring. John also shares his very simple way of Being that promotes listening, looking and feeling, a meditation that allows for deepening. That in another video. The basic steps I share here.

According to John: Keep your feet on the ground. Feel the weight of your hands on your thighs. Look at what is around you, take in all that is in your environment. Listening, looking and feeling. Being the observer and being aware that I am the observer we become aware of infinite presence. This stilling the body and the mind in a very simple way helps create peace and calm as does any form of meditation; sitting with what is and noticing that.

“True knowledge comes through revelation.” ~J. Butler

New Moon April 22 Taurus 3 degrees 24 minutes @ 7:26 p.m. PDT

Conjunct with Uranus and Square with Saturn, expect the unexpected and emotional ‘unrest’

How can we best utilize this New Moon in Taurus? What might our intention be to assist the realization of the vision we nurture, wherever one is on their path. We can look at the qualities of Moon in Taurus as a reference point. Moon in Taurus people appreciate stability, to feel secure and to know that they are cared for. Taurus, ruled by Venus (Roman), Aphrodite (Greek) is the sign in which we learn what has value to us and where we seek pleasure and happiness. Taurus, an earth sign is most often regarded as that which acquires all things material.

However, as Aphrodite was born of the sea, from the remains of her father Uranus’s genitalia, there is a deeper aspect to this planet’s expression that is taken into consideration at this time as Uranus is conjunct to this New Moon. Uranus is known as the ‘awakener’ in astrology, as its presence is responsible for significant change—revolution for evolution. Uranus disrupts the usual in favour of freedom to Be. In order to Be we shed the accumulated conditioning that has encapsulated this planet for—a long time.

‘To be that which you cannot, not be.’ ~Bob Nickel

Uranus will direct attention to a deeper level of Taurus ability that relates to the five senses. Taurus is sensitive to the feeling nature, listening, observing, smelling, tasting and touching. These heightened aspects in human beings gives one a greater sense of security in the world, knowing what dangers one might need to deal with. When we give deep attention to our senses, as is possible at any time but more so during this New Moon, we discover a new ‘area’ accessible to all. Here there is Truth when we experience depth of being through our senses. We gradually let go of the material to achieve peace. Detachment for Taurus is a healthy achievement. Through detachment we eliminate emotional limitations.

To assist in this process is Saturn, the planet of discipline, focus and work squaring Sun, Moon and Uranus. The taskmaster is overseeing our travail to make sure that we dutifully approach the acknowledgment of patterns and conditioning that inhibit greater awareness.

Taurus is earth, the farmer, those tuned into nature with a natural ability to appreciate how all in nature unfolds without the need for thought. If we stand and listen deeply, no matter where we are, we can hear the rhythm that moves everything. This New Moon can guide us deeper to a permanent security known through ever present interconnectedness—no separation.

Also in this New Moon chart, Point of Fortune in Scorpio opposition to the New Moon. Here is another call to deepen. Scorpio wants depth and to connect with the vital nature of existence, the essence. Scorpio does not abide with pretense. The Point of Fortune is where we find our greatest sense of fulfillment. Venus, ruler of Taurus is being called upon to exhibit what lies within not just the beauty without, for which she is most often appreciated.

“You want to overthrow the established order and transform it into something better because you know that true security can only be found by being in touch with the source of life.” ~Jessica Davidson from Point of Fortune in Scorpio

In conclusion, this New Moon offers us an avenue for deepening, emotional growth and realizing an imperturbable security with which we proceed with greater confidence and sense of well being. As we are exploring new territory at this time, our vision is to be open to the unfolding of ‘this one’, the deeper expression of what ‘I’ have known to be true thus far. Sharing the light within that so beautifully illuminates this world in which we live.

Video: John Butler-Silence is never boring (one of his lovely offerings)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SVxdnE84bM

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“The immanent Reality alone is. It is infinite.” ~Ramana Maharshi Teachings of Self Realization by Robert Wolfe

Our true nature is infinite. And even in this stressful, demanding global situation we are creating healing. Humanity has infinite resources, abundance, intelligence, compassion and LOVE. No matter what appears to be going on all around us, the cure is rising out of omniscience. Each of us can reach deep into our own knowing to find peace, calmness and the strength to overcome and all the while supporting a collective rising into well being.

This New Moon at 4 degrees Aries is a good occasion in which to envision a strong society guided by our passion and intention for balance and harmony. We are the solution. We are the creators.

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“By the grace of my guru I have realized once and for all that I am neither object nor subject and I do not need to remind my self all the time.” ~Nisargadatta Maharaj , I am That

Without identification with either object or subject, the doings, we are free from the general complexities of life that create all manner of discomfort and realize the one life living, gloriously, graciously unfolding light.

Light=Clarity

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“If you are light and God is light, where is there a discontinuity between you and God?”~Abiding In Nondual Awareness by Robert Wolfe

In the deeply still inner sanctum of the Vedanta Temple is an opportunity to come to rest away from the chaos of collective doings. Always an insightful moment to carry away after having been immersed in ‘listening’ and Truth. Ramakrishna, Essence of the Vedanta society continues to teach long after his leaving in 1886.

He arrives at no appointed moment. On this occasion, a hand reaches out across the empty space between altar and the place where Anna sits cross-legged on the floor. Then seated, shrouded in light he lays a hand on the head of the little one resting at his knee. The light burns brilliant. The little one is a shadowed form.

“You are not the little one. Do not look to me for that which you seek. You are that. You are this light.”

The dark form, freed from divisive thought, disappears into the light.

“Walk into the light.” Light, lighter. We are continually discarding the old, moving and becoming lighter. It is an organic process. And as Adyashanti says, “the instinct of spirit is endless. In and of it self the instinct is continuous. Spirit is unfolding endlessly.” As ‘That’, we are unfolding endlessly.

It is an organic process, awakening, that eventually is absolute clarity. Clear that there is nothing between ‘me’ and Reality, the light, God, Essence—one uninterrupted Being. Being, present in this moment and not disagreeing with what is. Acceptance=peace=Truth. And no effort required. Efforting is a construct of the mind and ultimately gets us no where. When we accept what arises in this moment we are free. What causes argument in this moment? The belief that something SHOULD be different. This causes confusion as the mind disagrees with the perpetual unfolding (over which we have absolutely no control). Confusion does not allow for moving with the natural flow and rhythm of life.

All arguments with what is suppose that the mind is master. The mind, our thoughts are generated from a collective pool, all based on the past. What Truth in this moment when we see things from a place of judgment rather than what is? And yet we blindly trust our thoughts; have little faith in the deeper feeling that ALL IS WELL and IS. And what a relief! To know that no amount of concern, involvement or worry will bring about certain results created by ‘me’. Rest!

When the human being steps into this light, all is seen clearly. We move easily, gracefully, lovingly. There is not a moment of disquiet. Only a purr, a hum in the stillness that suggests, coming to rest. We seek nothing and travel with mastery–liberated from ego, perpetrator of confusion.

“The human being must completely surrender to the light within.” ~Irina Tweedie (04.20.1907-08.1999), Sufi Master

Letting Go…

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Old worn out broken leather boots.

I have walked a long way in these boots so worn, and yet they never seem to wear out–the story held in the soles, in the laces tied a hundred thousand times. My story. At the next bend in the road, I will stop and take them off. Yes, the next bend. The story as it turns out, is woven from illusion; evaporates like mist in the ferocious heat of the sun. In the blinding light of mid-day I see clearly as everything else dissolves. There is only endless pause and accompanying stillness.

………..

 

The sky is clear,

clear without even the hint

of a cloud.

Yet still,

it is the sky.

 

 

 

Russel Williams

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“…this is how we free ourselves, by seeing the nature of things. It is not by any great effort, but by letting go that we achieve this.” ~Not I, Not Other than I ~Russel Williams

Russel Williams was a remarkable man. Still ‘teaching’ or sharing nonduality with a regular group who came to his meetings at the age of 94. Pure and simple is the message that he conveys to listeners with a gentle, loving kindness. Relatively unknown, I was very fortunate to come across Mr. Williams and his only book (mentioned above), to learn about this man, now deceased, and his extraordinary life.

*apologies: when first posted Russel was spelled with two ls…