Buddhism has this notion of Dharma Gates. It means that there are ways of entering into this primordial state of freedom and joy. And what’s important is that these gates are plentiful, diverse and always present and available in every moment.
In other words, paradise is right here and now if only you’d ‘enter into it’. Samsara is nirvana. All it takes is a shiftless shift into the freedom of recognition and acceptance.
The tagline on my website used to say, ‘exploring present-moment awareness’ which sounds okay on the face of it, but the truth is I’m not exploring at all; I’m observing, witnessing. I’m not going anywhere or doing anything, I’m not plumbing any depths, I’m not even responding to anything; I’m just here, watching ‘the world’…
Spiritual awakening is a lot like the creative process, because when you engage in meditation or introspection or inquiry, if you’re motivated by money or acquisition or anything like that it pollutes the process. It’s more important to be open and to play and be curious, to be intuitive and fearless rather than be wondering…
Trust Trust God Trust the Absolute Trust Life Trust consciousness Trust yourself Whether it’s Him or Her or It or I It doesn’t matter how we conceive of the Transcendent Supreme Just trust that the ‘Power Greater Than Ourselves’ is at work In all things And although those things and those workings May be beyond…
Beginner’s Mind is very helpful in Self-inquiry. What that means is you let go of all of your concepts, all of your learning, everything you think you know – just drop it for now. Put it in your pocket, tuck it away and come at the observation and inquiry with a fresh, open, empty mind….
Allow for the possibility that you might still struggle after awakening. That you might have to process difficult emotions and feelings and adapt to a new kind of lived experience.
Our minds are so conditioned for complexity, engagement, entertainment. It’s often a challenge just to be willing and able to let go of all these outward drags, and instead allow the mind and being to settle down within itself. To just stop grasping and chasing and see what comes to take its place. To take…