The Meaning Of Life?

.

Please enjoy this short video by Artist Daniel Wurtzel:

.

.

.

more from Daniel

.

Up,Up,Up – Down…

.

Spirituality is more often or not suffocating.  Now, especially in the West, there is this unspoken expectation that we live in an UP world: a world filled with UP thinking, UP emotions, UP attitudes, UP actions, UP ideas, UP behaviors that supposedly lead to more and more, UP results.  Where may I ask is there room for the appearance of contraction, and the so-called DOWN of life?  You know, things like negative thoughts, negative feelings, negative emotions, perceptions, associations, and so-called negative memories?

As awareness, it can be seen there is no UP or DOWN – there is only “what is”; then the mind shows up with its additional contribution of editorial insight and judgment based on “what’s happening”.  Any “path” that is not radically inclusive of ALL thoughts, feelings, emotions, perceptions, associations, or memories, is not a path that engages the fullness of what is; it’s a path stuck in dualistic rut called reality.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy being surrounded by people who are innocently “positive”, and have an open-minded outlook to life.  It’s especially magical to be in the presence of those who have intimately embraced the humanity of both the UP  and the DOWN of life.  Just don’t try to push your positive thinking crap down my throat, especially if it is hidden under the cloak of so-called spirituality.  It’s a denial of “what is” and is a confused dismissal of the truth that “everything is Consciousness – nothing exists outside of Consciousness” – including the so-called DOWN of life.

The divinity of life appears AS the co-existence of all opposites; the UP would not be UP – if it weren’t for the DOWN.  If we’re really interested in reducing the so-called suffering we experience, we cannot bi-pass the “down” by pretending it does not exist.  It’s only in the seeing of the DOWN for what it is, that we can truly recognize and appreciate the UP;  ultimately, it can be seen there is no UP and there is no DOWN.

The UP and the DOWN are post experience, editorial judgments applied by mind.  To break the hypnosis of dualistic perception, it may require sitting with “what is” until [you] can clearly see “what is”.  To be clear, this is not an exercise in acceptance or allowing, although those words might be useful; it’s an invitation to stay as the silent, unconditional, space of awareness, while the context of the so-called UP and DOWN unfolds.

Come back home to the direct experience of here/now.  Instead of pretending to be something by forcing yourself to think or say something that is not true; instead of reaching for particular thoughts and thinking that might be socially acceptable – reach for awareness.  Instead of grasping for notions, understanding and concepts that are based on the colour of UP and DOWN – settle in awareness; let attention rest AS awareness and be [free] of the neurosis of thinking that creates the UP and DOWN of life…

~

“S o m e t h i n g   I s   T h e r e . . .” * N E W  V I D E O !

“S o m e t h i n g . . . ”   * N E W   B O O K !

~

www.Twitter.com/zenshredding

The Doctrine of One [Book]

ZEN Shredding ~ The Prequel [Book]

ZEN ~ Shredding [Book]

Soulananda [Book]

Soulananda [Web site]

Bliss Blog [Michael Sean Symonds]

.

If you have enjoyed these posts and you would like to make a donation to support my work, your contribution would be gratefully appreciated…

(c) Copyright – Michael Sean Symonds. All Rights Reserved Worldwide

.

Seven Degrees Of Silence…

.

.

If we ‘re to have a worthwhile conversation on Spirituality it must by default not include anything about God/Goddess, Good/Evil or Heaven/Hell; better instead to begin/end with Silence only.

Silence sought – is sacred found; because something is given up for no-thing, and in that apparent process [you] magically find Everything.  For the price of nothing - [you] can have Everything.

Silence is sacred because it has never been touched by thought, idea, notion, perception, association, memory, intention or desire; and yet, the impulse of something can already/always find its home in nothing.

Silence is sacred because it’s where the bound becomes unbound; where the unknown becomes known; and where the apparent personal can spontaneously merge with the so-called impersonal.

Silence is sacred because it’s where the sinner can happily become the Saint, and the Saint surprisingly recognizes – she was always the sinner.

Silence is sacred because it includes both perfect and imperfect – it’s without condition.

Silence is sacred because even in the midst of the noise – we can finally notice the unnoticed.

~

“S o m e t h i n g   I s   T h e r e . . .” * N E W  V I D E O !

“S o m e t h i n g . . . ”   * N E W   B O O K !

~

www.Twitter.com/zenshredding

The Doctrine of One [Book]

ZEN Shredding ~ The Prequel [Book]

ZEN ~ Shredding [Book]

Soulananda [Book]

Soulananda [Web site]

Bliss Blog [Michael Sean Symonds]

.

If you have enjoyed these posts and you would like to make a donation to support my work, your contribution would be gratefully appreciated…

(c) Copyright – Michael Sean Symonds. All Rights Reserved Worldwide

.

In The Blink of An Eye…

.

When a seeker desires freedom from suffering, what they are actually asking for, is to be unchained from the baggage of their conceptual understanding.  Too be clear; suffering is psychological – as pain is physical.  There is no doubt the reduction of so-called suffering in life, would do much in alleviating the terrible pain that exists in our world today.

Suffering and pain exist, because we continue to invest and reinforce in the belief we are separate, individual, persons, with our own reasons for being.  Deep down we know this to be inherently un-true, and tension is amplified by self engendered confusion, judgment, assessment and evaluation, which is placed on the here/now.  We revert to living life from the default of old brain response.  We are simply aware of our ability/inability to fight, flight, freeze and pray, our way through the immediacy of our circumstance.

If we were too instead rely on the capacity of our new brains ability; to become aware of the fact – we are aware, we would instead have the option to engage the power of infinite intelligence to reveal what is already, always true: the bound would appear to be unbound, and [our] world would change in the blink of an eye…

~

“S o m e t h i n g   I s   T h e r e . . .” * N E W  V I D E O !

“S o m e t h i n g . . . ”   * N E W   B O O K !

~

www.twitter.com/zenshredding

The Doctrine of One [Book]

ZEN Shredding ~ The Prequel [Book]

ZEN ~ Shredding [Book]

Soulananda [Book]

Soulananda [Web site]

Bliss Blog [Michael Sean Symonds]

.

If you have enjoyed these posts and you would like to make a donation to support my work, your contribution would be gratefully appreciated…

(c) Copyright – Michael Sean Symonds. All Rights Reserved Worldwide

.

Thought, Thinking, Thinker…

.

.

There is no rest in thinking, and peace can never be found in the mind; but there can be rest and there can be peace – outside of thought and thinking, and in spite of the mind.  Outside thought, thinking, and thinker, outside the idea of peace and the idea of freedom, peace and freedom can be found. 

In the West we wrongly ascribe power and authority to thought, thinking, and the so-called thinker – where there is none.  Teachings like the Secret, and the Law of Attraction, only further perpetuate a degree of delusion and suffering by suggesting that thought itself can affect reality – as if what we conventionally label “my experience” – could ever be called reality. 

A thought of peace is not peace, just as a thought of freedom is also – not freedom. 

For an apparent person who is suffering – looking for apparent peace and freedom, “creation” teachings – teachings of becoming, can provide some comfort and hope, but they can also be very superficial and very, very, seductive.  Affirmations, Angle cards, and teddy bears provide a certain amount of psychological comfort, hope and apparent safety in a moment of suffering, but they ultimately do not provide the peace and freedom we so desperately seek from the so-called mind.

We might have some understanding of the mechanics of thinking; we might feel like we have a degree of so-called mastery over thought, thinking, and thinker – however, peace and freedom do not lie within boundaries of thought, thinking, or the thinker.  Authentic peace and freedom can only be found in Self, which lies beyond the boundaries of thought, thinking, and the mind of the so-called thinker.  To find present – Self, in the here/now, is to find the peace and freedom we desire, whereas thought, thinking, and thinker, have nothing to do with spirituality or finding out Who We Are.

If we’re interested in finding out Who We Are, we need to be very clear we don’t create reality.  The “me”  - we imagine our self to be, is a dreamer that is caught up in the delusion of their dream.  First we imagine a dreamer – then we project a dreamer into a dream world – then the drama begins. 

However scripted, however entertaining, however unfolding; however inspiring, courageous or noble; be it a dream of success or a dream of failure, a dream is a dream and as much as the dream may feel like so-called reality, the dream is a delusion, just as the dreamer herself, is also part of the dream.

The thought of freedom is not freedom, and the thought of peace is not peace.  Thought is not going to transform and thinking is not going to transform; for the thought, thinking, and the thinker, have no inherent power to transform. 

We cannot think our way to peace and we cannot think our way to freedom. 

It was never about thought, thinking, or the thinker.  It was never about changing, fixing, correcting, adjusting, or replacing thought or thinking, and it was certainly not about transforming an apparent thinker. 

Thought and thinking will take care of itself.

There is no need to reinforce, fix, change, or transform the fiction of a thinker – if you’re at all interested in finding out Who You Are.  You can practice spirituality, or you can find out Who You Are.  You can spend your time focusing on the practice, or [you] can wake-up to the One who practices.

In passionate detachment to thought, thinking and thinker, there is the space for peace and the space for freedom.  It’s only in detachment to thought, thinking, and thinker that [we] spontaneously find peace, freedom, and Self – in the here/now.  Realization of peace, freedom, and Self, occurs beyond the realm of thought, thinking, and thinker – not inside the maze of its self engendered delusion.

The idea that there is a so-called thinker who can change what is, by applying some formulae or engaging in some process is ludicrous – it’s the height of narcissism.  The belief in a pseudo, separate self, that has volitional control in a world that can never be controlled.  It’s the belief in a self that has the ability to do something, think something, be something, and have something – with a “me in here”, and a world “out there”.

The invitation is not to change what is, but rather Be with what is. 

Peace and freedom are essential elements inherent within Being – not within the capacity of thought, thinking, or thinker.  In the dissolution of thought, thinking, and thinker, [we] find that peace and freedom was already, always present – in the here and now.   We find Self – Being, already always present, apparently veiled by the so-called confusion of thought, thinking, and thinker.

Though – be it any thought, is conditioned; it thrives in the past; there is no “I” in the present – Self. 

It might be a so-called conditioning of the past or a projection of conditioning for the future, which is being applied in the present – but it is still only a thought, and it is still only conditioned.  You cannot condition yourself to Be, because you already, always, are.  You can only Be yourself.  Said differently; the idea that you could somehow lose yourself, or that you need to fix, find, or free yourself, is part of the hypnosis contained within thought, thinking, and thinker. 

Radical transformation lies outside the boundaries of thought, thinking, and thinker – not within it.  Radical transformation lies within the field of awareness that is already, always, open and empty, quiet and still.  In the here/now of awareness, peace and freedom can be found in the midst of what is – already.  When thought, thinking, and thinker, are absent from the foreground of experience, the background of awareness spontaneously provides the peace and freedom in the midst of what is, regardless of the content of what is.

When attention settles in the space of awareness that exists within the here/now, it can be seen that thought, thinking, and thinker, are a phenomenal expression of form.  Trying to change, fix, heal, or transform form – does not reveal the formless – it inherently denies the formless that already, always, exists in form – here and now,  equally without measure. 

If there were such a thing as spirituality, it would exist for the purpose of living in the world; it would be a vehicle to support us in navigating the here/now with dexterity and elegance.  Spirituality that posits an idea based on having more, doing more, and being more, is inherently corrupt, and distracts us from recognizing what is – by instead focusing on what can be.  When [you] can see clearly the fullness of what is, there is no need, want or concern for what can be.

Awareness is the divine equalizer. 

As awareness, there is no attachment to whether a thought is positive or a thought that appears to be so-called negative; all thoughts are equally sacred and utterly powerless – in awareness.  As awareness, it can be seen that thought, thinking, and thinker, cannot add too or subtract from the completeness of Being; thought, thinking, and thinker, dissolve at once, in the space of Being.  It is Being itself that reveals thought, thinking and the so-called thinker, not the other way round.

Why create differences where there are none?

Why distract and diminish yourself, by dualistic disturbances of the mind?

Why amplify the unreal, with unnecessary seeking, when you already have, what you’ve always been seeking?

 

***

 

Notice a thought…

Notice another thought…

Notice the One who is aware of thought.

 

Notice another thought…

Notice thoughts come and go – on awareness…

Notice thought cannot add too, or subtract from Being – aware…

Notice the experience of Being – is inherently complete with or without, thought, thinking, or thinker…

Notice the experience of Being is inherently complete without the need of any experience.

 

Notice a thought…

Notice another thought…

Notice the background of awareness in which the thought comes and the thought goes…

Notice most thoughts come and go effortlessly on the canvas of awareness…

Notice some thoughts audition for attention; notice some thoughts appear to capture attention.

 

Notice thoughts/thinking…

Notice what occurs when your attention is captured by thought and thinking…

Notice that in spite thought and thinking, there is already, always awareness; awareness that is open and empty, quiet and still…

Notice that in spite of thought, thinking, and the so-called thinker, the awareness that is there, is already, always available and accessible – even in the midst of thought, thinking, and thinker…

Notice you appear to lose yourself as attention is captured by thought, thinking, and thinker…

And,

take the time to notice the completeness of present Self – Being, that is always, already present, in the here and now – where the idea of thought, thinking, and the thinker dissolve.

 

***

[You] can spend [your] life trying to manage thoughts or abbreviate thinking, or try to transform the so-called thinker; or, [you] can STOP, and let attention rest in the totality of awareness that exists in the here/now. 

You can spend your life caught up in the agenda of thought, thinking, and thinker, or [you] can wake-up to the timeless, causeless Being – the present Self, where the idea of becoming loses its appeal to the natural impulse of awareness that thrives here/now.

 

 .

.

.

“S o m e t h i n g   I s   T h e r e . . .” * N E W  V I D E O !

“S o m e t h i n g . . . ”   * N E W   B O O K !

.

If you have enjoyed these posts and you would like to make a donation to support my work, your contribution would be gratefully appreciated…

.

www.twitter.com/zenshredding

The Doctrine of One [Book]

ZEN Shredding ~ The Prequel [Book]

ZEN ~ Shredding [Book]

Soulananda [Book]

Soulananda [Web site]

Bliss Blog [Michael Sean Symonds]

.

(c) Copyright – Michael Sean Symonds. All Rights Reserved Worldwide

.

After Thought #60

.

At the deepest level, you can’t teach someone to Be who they are, and it certainly has nothing to do with finding out what their preferences, philosophy, passions or pursuits are in life.  Those “things” are entertaining and very, very seductive, but they have nothing to do with finding out Who You Are.

Clear seeing can only be recognized in the present – Self, that is – Being aware; here and now.  To be clear and direct, there is no person in the here/now that’s aware, there is only Being here/now, that’s aware. 

Asking someone to be present is nonsense.  Instead, ask them to be aware.  Ask them to notice what’s happening – what’s going on – then they will automatically Be present.  To have to explain this is only the booby prize; you need to Be IT.

The gift you have been seeking is the gift you have already been given – One is aware.  You don’t need to Be present – to be aware, but you certainly need awareness to be present.  The fullness of awareness was given to you at birth – unconditionally.  Since you were born with all you need, where is the question or need of purification, puja or practice?

Until you recognize the gift of what you have been given, you will not be able to enjoy its benefit.  Your seeking for bigger, better and more, distracts you from its existence, and there is no substitute although you could spend your life looking for a replacement – for One. 

Here’s the thing, a gift that’s not been accepted (recognized), is not a gift.  You can’t teach what you already, always are.  Just Be aware, know it directly by Being IT directly.  It’s who you are, it’s what you are. 

Stay there – as awareness. 

Stay in the non-verbal you, and see what happens.  In the non-verbal state, you don’t need time, practice, or process to be aware.

What to do?

How about starting with nothing – - that’s right, No – thing; do nothing and you might find everything.

.

.

.

“S o m e t h i n g   I s   T h e r e . . .” * N E W  V I D E O !

“S o m e t h i n g . . . ”   * N E W   B O O K !

.

If you have enjoyed these posts and you would like to make a donation to support my work, your contribution would be gratefully appreciated…

.

The Doctrine of One [Book]

ZEN Shredding ~ The Prequel [Book]

ZEN ~ Shredding [Book]

Soulananda [Book]

Soulananda [Web site]

Bliss Blog [Michael Sean Symonds]

.

(c) Copyright – Michael Sean Symonds. All Rights Reserved Worldwide

.

After Thought #59

We place too great an importance on thought and thinking in the West.  We wrongly substitute thought/thinking as intelligence when in fact it is only a symptom of intelligence.  From the earliest age we begin to fill our so-called minds with ideas, thoughts, notions and beliefs – conceptual philosophies add infinitum.   Schools, universities – the highest, most accredited educational institutes provide a frame of reference – for references to be framed, based on the binge consumption of information about this and that.

Very little attention – if any, is placed on the value of emptiness – nothingness; the space of consciousness from which it all arises.  We overlook nothing – the source of everything, for something. We instead place higher value on things and the collection of things; even subtle things like thoughts and thinking which is knowledge –not intelligence.

First we focus on ideas – then on the things those ideas appear to create, and in doing so we ignore essence, we ignore the field of awareness which organizes it all.  With attention fixated on something, we ignore the value and benefit of what appears to be invisible.  We ignore Being and instead favor thinking; we ignore Being and instead favor doing and having.  We ignore Being and wrongly imagine that it is thinking itself that motivates the doing, the having and the being of life.

It’s no wonder our lives are driven by the neurosis of our conditioning.  We are taught and conditioned to believe from the earliest age that it is in the gathering and management of things like thoughts, ideas, notions and beliefs, which will provide the necessary keys to navigating life.  Factually, and for the most part, we crumble in the aftermath of destruction, having invested in erroneous ways of being that only temporarily provide satisfaction for a restless mind that can only ever grasp for more.

If only we would take the time to notice the unnoticed, to notice the space in which the thought, the thinking, the being, the having and the doing arise.  If only we would take the time to see with clarity, the value and benefit of becoming familiar with presence – Self; an awareness that is open and empty, alive and awake.  An awareness that cradles the here/now without reservation and without condition; an awareness that lives and thrives in the space of Being, here/now.

Can you imagine taking an accredited course based on Being – on doing nothing? 

What a preposterous Idea you say.  I say – spend a little time each day in the space of emptiness that is awareness – Being.  I say – start to become familiar with the space of Being only, and watch how life changes. 

I say – spend time each day noticing the fact that you are already, always aware; then Be aware of the fact that you are already aware.  Take time to watch the non verbal, no-state-state, upon which all experience rests.  Notice the value that comes from direct experience of your essential nature that lies beyond the basket of your own conditioned thoughts, feelings, emotions, perceptions, associations, memories, intentions and desires…

 

***

Notice a thought…

Notice another thought…

Notice a thought comes, and a thought goes; notice some are new, and most are old.

 

Notice a thought…

Notice another thought…

Notice awareness is simultaneous there – with those thoughts; notice awareness is there before, during, and after each and every thought.

Notice the space of awareness before, during, and after each thought is open and empty, quiet and still.

Notice that in the midst of a single thought or a landslide of numerous thoughts – awareness is already, always there – whether you are aware of it or not.

 

As you notice awareness; as you become familiar with awareness by letting your attention rest AS awareness, notice you and awareness are one – [you], are awareness.

Notice you are awareness and not the thought or the thinking that appear to rise and subside within/on awareness.

Notice there can be an identification with/too thoughts, and there can also be an awareness of awareness itself; awareness that is alive, awake and unconditioned.

Do you identify with thought/thinking, or can you see clearly and directly you are awareness itself?

Notice thought appears to separate and divide, but the awareness in which the thought/thinking arise and subside is always undivided.

Notice awareness is radically inclusive, radically awake and wildly aware.   

Thought/thinking is inherently divisive, while awareness itself is naturally whole and inherently complete.

 

Notice you are always awareness – even though you might not be aware of it; even though you may appear to be temporarily identified with/too a thought, feeling, emotion, perception, association, memory, intention or desire.

Notice when your attention is captivated by thought, feeling, emotion, perception, association, memory, intention or desire – you feel very different than when your attention is simply resting as awareness, in which those thoughts, feelings, emotions, perceptions, associations, memories, intentions and desires arise and subside.

Notice [you] can rest in thought or you can rest as awareness.

When you rest in thought there is the tendency to imagine/identify yourself as thought.

Notice when you rest as awareness there is the tendency to naturally and spontaneously recognize awareness as your intrinsic nature/Self.

Notice how easy it is to rest as natural awareness and notice how easy it is to be distracted and disturbed by the basket of your own thoughts/thinking.

As awareness becomes more and more familiar, notice any change in the degree of distraction and disturbance that thought/thinking may have.  

Notice over and over, again and again that you are not thought/thinking, nor are you any feeling they may generate, however distracting, however disturbing.

Notice over and over, again and again that you are always, already awareness.

Notice awareness until the idea that you are anything other than awareness – is removed.

Notice awareness until the idea that you are separate from awareness as your essential nature – dissolves.

 

Notice there is freedom in awareness, while there appears to be a degree of suffering with identification too thought/thinking.

Notice we can rest in thought/thinking, or we can rest as awareness.

Better instead to rest as awareness.

Better instead to rest in the open, empty, unconditional – essential space of awareness; always here, already now.

.

.

.

“S o m e t h i n g   I s   T h e r e . . .” * N E W  V I D E O !

“S o m e t h i n g . . . ”   * N E W   B O O K !

.

If you have enjoyed these posts and you would like to make a donation to support my work, your contribution would be gratefully appreciated…

.

The Doctrine of One [Book]

ZEN Shredding ~ The Prequel [Book]

ZEN ~ Shredding [Book]

Soulananda [Book]

Soulananda [Web site]

Bliss Blog [Michael Sean Symonds]

.

(c) Copyright – Michael Sean Symonds. All Rights Reserved Worldwide

.