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Contents
Introduction Posture Breath Surrender Acceptance Meditation Big Mind
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Introduction
The path of awakening is not about reaching some goal in the distant future. What matters more is that we consciously choose to follow a path of awakening, instead of a path to awakening. Then every moment becomes an opportunity to become more fully and truly awake. It is with this vital shift that we are able to put an end to our sleepwalking and wake up to the beauty of each moment and to the truth of who we are. Peace and awakening are to be found here and now, in this very moment. May you awaken deeply to the truth of your own Being, and through that, help others to do the same.
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Posture
"All things, trees, flowers, birds, and the human form, all exist as an interconnected whole, within one unified field of Consciousness."
There are countless different postures that the physical body and mind will assume throughout this lifetime. What is most important is not necessarily the posture itself, though rather the way it is assumed. When attentive stillness holds the space for the natural movement of mind and body, posture is taken properly. It is when we lose this clarity and openness that the idea or feeling that "I am merely this body and/or mind " arises, and in identifying with this idea, many painful emotions are bound to arise, like feelings of separateness, loneliness, fear, anger, sadness, discontent, and lack of true fulfillment. It is true that the human form is an aspect of the Self to be valued and appreciated, though when seen clearly, it is seen as a part of the Whole, a wave in the Infinite Ocean of Consciousness. When limited identifications are seen for what they are and left alone, the Truth of our Being, our inherent wholeness, will reveal Itself. Consciousness, like a light, penetrates through all darkness, all ignorance, all delusion, until all that is left is the purity, wholeness, and Light of Consciousness Itself. In this purity of Consciousness, things are seen with great clarity. Things are seen simply as they are, beyond the distorted filter of the mind. In this clarity, one's posture not only includes the physical body, or the thoughts, though also includes the mountains, the passing clouds, the dancing butterflies, the meandering streams, and all that is. We come to realize that all things, trees, flowers, birds, and the human form, all exist as an interconnected whole, within one unified field of Consciousness.
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Breath
"When the breath is calm, the mind is calm."
The breath is one of the most powerful tools in helping to get out of the head, and back into the Heart. Breath is the natural mantra, continually offering an anchor into this moment. With each breath smooth and even, the breath is felt moving through the body, relaxing the body, soothing the nerves, and filling the body with life energy. The breath is continually arising from and returning to a place of deep stillness. This stillness is in the pauses at the top and bottom of each breath, and also found pervading the entire breath, as its source and support. By smooth and mindful breathing, the thoughts quiet down and the awareness is brought more deeply into the moment. Through noticing the movement of the breath through the body, there is also a deeper noticing of any tension present in the body, and an opportunity for a deeper letting go and relaxation into the moment. The continued observation and regulation of the breath provides a stable energetic environment, allowing for the Light of Consciousness to shine in its eternal splendor. When the breath is calm, the mind is calm. With both dedication and grace, the mind will eventually become quiet and there will be a greater relaxation into one's Being. This Being is without the need of a support of any kind, as It is Self-supporting and Inherently Whole.
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Surrender
"The clear recognition of wholeness and fulfillment arises when there is no clinging to, or pushing away of, ideas or forms of any sort... one remains clear and open like the boundless sky. This is the essence of surrender."
Everything is already here, total, and fulfilled. When there is true emptiness, there is also true fullness, or true fulfillment. It is never any other way and never can be. It is the ideas of lack and separation that are given attention and belief, which delude us and bring us the experience of pain and isolation. Peace and happiness are always found here, in one's own Heart. To tap into the Heart of wisdom and truth, a beginner's mind must be maintained, a mind that is deeply present and open, enabling there to be clear seeing, without mental distortion of any kind. The mind sometimes has various ideas, beliefs, assumptions, likes, dislikes, and so on. The identification with these ideas is what prevents the direct recognition of true happiness, contentment, and fulfillment. When certain conditions are not met, the mind becomes unhappy, and instead of saying "the mind is unhappy," there arises the statement "I am unhappy," when in truth the real "I" is simply the peace and stillness observing the thoughts. We allow ourselves to be a slave to the thoughts, without even knowing it. When all ideas and thoughts are seen clearly for what they are, without getting entangled in them, an ever-present stillness and peace is revealed. Motivations and inspirations then arise from a place of clarity, wisdom, and peace, rather than from a distracted, confused, and discontented mind. The clear recognition of wholeness and fulfillment arises when there is no clinging to, or pushing away of, ideas or forms of any sort... One remains clear and open like the boundless sky. This is the essence of surrender.
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Acceptance
"Acceptance is to stay centered in the stillness of one's Being, observing things as they come and go, allowing for their natural flow."
Acceptance is to live fearlessly, receiving life's experiences with openness and compassion. Acceptance could also be called the natural flow or the dance of life. If the practice of surrender is already well established, then acceptance will be quite natural. Though if there is still a strong preoccupation with thought and desire, then acceptance will come with more difficultly. Acceptance is to stay centered in the stillness of one's Being, observing things as they come and go, allowing for their natural flow. The art of acceptance is allowing thought and action to arise from a place of stillness, love, and wholeness, rather than from a feeling of lack and separation. When movement arises from a place of stillness and not-knowingness, a new freedom, creativity, and spontaneity will begin to flower in one's life. Instead of the old ego-mindedness of "I know best", there is an opening to grace and a deeper gratitude for the present moment at hand. When the mind becomes more quiet, space is made for a deeper intuitive guidance to arise. With a quiet mind there is also a fuller acceptance of all that arises and all that passes away, appreciating life as it unfolds in each moment.
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Meditation
"Meditation is not something we can practice, for it is not a matter of doing, it is a matter of Being."
Spending at least 15 minutes each day for seated meditation offers a valuable foundation for being more mindful and present throughout the day. Gradually as sitting becomes more comfortable, sitting time can be increased to 30 minutes or longer, as well as potentially increasing the number of sits from once to 2 or 3 times per day. Ideally the meditative mind should be preserved and cultivated as much as possible throughout the whole of the day, bringing mindfulness into all activities. It is always here and now. Here is a simple routine for seated meditation: In the beginning, if possible, try to allow for the sitting to be in the same place, and at the same time, everyday. Eventually all aspects of sitting and meditation will become very natural and intuitive. To set up the posture, sit the hips on a firm blanket or cushion to help elevate them to knee level. If it feels right, one can also light a candle and some incense. While sitting in a comfortable cross-legged position, close the eyes, or allow the gaze to rest steadily on the candle flame. If sitting cross-legged is not comfortable, one can also sit in a chair with the feet flat on the floor. Hands can be folded in the lap, or they can rest on the knees, with the forefinger and thumb of each hand touching together. With the body sitting erect, feel all of the points of the body touching the ground sink and root into it. Feel the back of the head extend toward the sky. Keeping the chin tucked in slightly, let the shoulders and face relax, soften the eyes and relax the jaw and the root of the tongue. Now allow the awareness to rest on the breath, with the breath coming in and out through the nose, allow the breath to be smooth and deep. Let go of any remaining tension in the body, allowing the breath to move through any tension and creating space, and then letting the tension release with the exhale. Allowing the breath to continue naturally without strain for around 10 breaths. Notice the stillness in the pauses at the top and bottom of each breath, also noticing that same stillness pervading the entire breath. Gradually when it feels natural, allow the breath to settle, until it becomes barely perceptible. Observe any thoughts that arise in the mind and let them pass on their own, without attaching to them or trying to push them away. Remain detached and simply allow the thoughts and the breath to happen naturally, without any sense of doership. Gradually the number of thoughts and their intensity will lessen. Notice the boundless space, silence, and awareness that the breath and thoughts arise within and rest peacefully in That. The foundation of meditation is concentration, which is the practice of keeping the attention focused steadily on one point (breath, mantra, sound, visualization, and so on), this is also sometimes called 'meditation with form'. Eventually, when the practice of concentration (one-pointedness of mind) is sustained, we may find ourselves effortlessly abiding in a state of expansive wholeness, formlessness, and clarity, which is sometimes called 'meditation without form'. In truth, meditation is our natural state. It is not something we can practice, for it is not a matter of doing, it is a matter of Being.
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Big Mind
"To truly open up to Big Mind is to see your Self in all, and all in your Self."
It is the attachment to waves of various kinds which prevents the full recognition of 'Big Mind'. Whether the wave be sound, thought, emotion, energy, or form, they all arise within the expansiveness of our Being. All waves are subject to birth and death, having their rise, and their eventual fall. Big Mind is like a boundless Ocean... All waves arise within this Ocean and are a part of it, though even as the waves arise, the Ocean remains the Ocean, always One, always Whole. When all waves are seen clearly, appreciated for what they are, and simply allowed to take their natural course, they will blossom to fruition and then eventually dissipate and dissolve on their own. All the while, the Eternal Light of Consciousness and Love shines ever-present and pure. There is nothing to gain or attain. All that is needed is to simply see things clearly as they are, beyond the distorted filter of the mind.
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Divine Eye Publishing
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