Tagged: analysis
Taste the experience not the words
In Life, we experience a range of experiences. 🙂
That range is like a colorful rainbow in a rainy afternoon.
Anyone with eyesight could see a rainbow.
That person could enjoy by appreciating the sight and perhaps adding gratefulness for such an experience!
That is to enjoy life.
It is so simple, so thoughtless, so uncomplicated.
The simplicity of enjoyment could be taken away once thought enters through our analytical mind.
All issues start with a seemingly innocent question.
What is the color of the rainbow?
-Look, the “rainbow has 7 colors.”
That is the beginning of trouble.
-“Really? I only see 6. “
-“Well, there must be something wrong with you….”
-“What colors do you see?”
-“Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet…”
-”Indigo?” What on Earth is that? Don’t you see it is violet or purple… Same thing different label.
Pure enjoyment changes into “who is right” and thus, the label of being “wrong” also appears.
Perception is perception. Someone sees 7 colors someone else may see something else, but …
Who is able to see the rainbow as white color?
Definition: A rainbow is white light seen through a prism (the raindrops.)
Isn’t that arid definition a boring, tasteless and deceiving “reality”?
Therefore, what is the color of the rainbow?
For someone caught up with the mind and thinking, to “know” the facts even though it is just information biased by perceptions, that is all that matters. That information is totally useless when it is looked at from the standpoint of appreciation of Life and the intimate relationship that this experience could have in our lives.
The experience of seeing a rainbow. Wow! Feel that fullness gathered through seeing with an empty mind.
That is meaningful. Life has a meaning in that way.
That “seeing” without mind is pristine, new. It does not have comparison built in nor judgment.
“The rainbow that I saw a year ago in Alaska was way more beautiful than that one.”
That is the sin. Comparison does not know about appreciation. Judgment does not know about gratefulness, therefore… that state of mind does not know about enjoyment.
Can we live life without enjoyment?
Most human beings do.
It does not matter what your religious beliefs are.
It does not matter what your moral values are.
It does not matter what pious actions you may do.
It does not matter what type of Divine experience is following you….
If there is no enjoyment in Life “now” under whatever is happening, what in the heck are we living life for?
Paradise tomorrow? A nice job in the future? The kiss of a princess?
Are we holding our breath until then?
A mind caught up with analysis, comparison and judgment cannot know what love is, for to love means to accept, to acknowledge, to appreciate, to be grateful, to enjoy, that is to be filled by the experience of “being present” rather than “thinking about it.”
Look there, a rainbow!
Wow! 🙂
It was in that thoughtless observation how Life presented a new exquisite flavorful meaning, which escaped all wordy, brainy definitions given by Wikipedia.
The virtue of Oneness
A virtuous life is the one lived with oneness.
Oneness in our personality. Oneness in our emotions. Oneness in our relationship with life.
Any sort of perceived separation and thus, rejection; will take us away from that Oneness.
The above is not a matter of belief. It is not a matter of being a “selected one,” it is not a matter of being an intellectual full of information.
It is a matter of being empty of all those things, which create a personality ready to reject, to separate, to analyze to live in duality, to live in the perception of a wall of insurmountable dichotomy.
Rejection of a religious group. Rejection of moral views. Rejection of people due to some belief. Rejection of any being, which we find “ugly,” “no good,” “despicable,” “abominable,” etc.
Rejection of any circumstance that is surrounding us at any moment in time.
When there is no rejection, then enjoyment is and in that enjoyment, oneness appears.
A collective consciousness which is fragmented, will see a set of virtuous living behaviors: Generosity, detachment, love, toleration, friendliness, compassion, contentment, joy, etc.
All of those dictionary words represent a fragment of Oneness. A particular person may exhibit what we call “generosity,” but that is a ray of Oneness in the vacuum of darkness of the fragmented self.
Love is a misunderstood feeling.
It is not a romantic trip to Disneyland where the lovers could love each other forever… A person exhibiting a fragmented personality cannot know what love is.
It doesn’t matter if the object of that love is the world, another person or God.
A fragmented personality is not able to become one… that means; to be empty of all beliefs, emotional traumas and fears.
How on earth a person could know about oneness, about love in that condition? 🙂
A typical person only knows about the “master and slave” relationship. It is “me” over you. It is “me” under you. That is all. There are no equals, because to be equal means to be empty.
Empty so we could listen. So we could provide emotional comfort to another, so we could harmonize… so we could be intimate.
Otherwise, our fragmented personality will not allow us to experience oneness with someone, with God or with the world, with life.
The above is not a religious belief. But it could be for those who are not looking to understand themselves, with honesty and with their whole hearts.
That is with passion.
When someone does not wish to understand himself, then to be lost in another is desirable. Whether that is God or another person, or a belief, the aim is for someone else to “drive” the car of our destiny.
The interesting thing is that nobody can do that for us. Not even God.
We live in fear.
Fear of tomorrow. Fear of the past. Fear of that person. Fear of God. Fear of not being good enough. Fear of pleasure. Fear of dying…. Fear of living life.
And then we wish to know love… 🙂
Isn’t that contradictory?
Love is Oneness.
The intelligence of Consciousness
Intelligence is related with Consciousness.
But it is not the intelligence that it is known in the world of “business.”
We cannot define intelligence as the dictionary tells us: “The ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills,” for intelligence is not something that could be “acquired” by someone nor “knowledge” is static or dogmatic.
It is evolving with our experiences.
In our society we have the common understanding that someone “intelligent” is someone who has lots of information, able to use language in a sophisticated manner and who can solve “problems” by applying that theoretical “know-how.” 🙂
The above is what a computer can do. That is not intelligence. It is a mechanical use of information.
Intelligence has nothing to do with acquiring information. Someone who is intelligent is someone who is able to see things “out of the box.”
That vision “out of the box” means greater consciousness. “Out of the box” means to go beyond the framework of beliefs, traditions and common understanding. All of those cultural limits are observed but not rejected. Those limits have the potential to move, to open up according to the circumstances.
When there is lack of “openness,” someone who may be able to look at things from a different perspective; may feel affected if he is not understood. His reaction will be to reject other positions. To be “closed” to them.
Timing is a very important variable in intelligence for everything has its “right time.”
When there is no sense of timing, a great idea maybe a “bad” one when the time is not ripe enough. A fruit tastes delicious at a particular time.
Spirituality beyond religious dogmas, opens our intuition and sensibility to “tune in,” to know without keeping “knowledge” in our minds.
That is for sure a non-definable intelligence. Something that could not be taught in our educational system when what is important, is to teach students “how to think.”
🙂
Intelligence is beyond thinking. It is “pure” consciousness. In that consciousness there is acceptance of everything without rejection by always seeing possibilities.
For example, we have been told that light exists. We believe that. We say that we “see light” therefore, it exists. There is no need for “proof.”
Scientists use measurements based on the “speed of light.” – “That galaxy is 200 light years from us…” That sounds pretty “intelligent.” 🙂
Light does not exist.
That is a crazy thought!
Our eyes have the ability to “see” light, that is to interpret “something” as light, but that does not mean that light is a “reality.”
Here a couple of links for the explanation of the above.
“Light absolutely does not exist”
“The fundamental nature of light”
Someone who had an “investment” in the idea that “light exists” may reject the above. His consciousness will be closed to any other idea, opinion or view.
His brain/ computer has the “wrong” knowledge!
Wrong input!!
To accept that his “knowledge” was “wrong” becomes an existential issue. A matter of pride rather than amusement.
Now…going into more “spiritual” themes… 😉
Sometimes “smart people” can ask the wrong questions.
“What is the exact mechanism for the working of the law of karma?” 🙂
These individuals believe that life is analysis. Their consciousness believe that the “law of karma” could be divided into “parts” and every “part” dissected like the parts of a watch.
Their consciousness is engaged in the world of logic and analysis.
Nevertheless, something referred to as the “law of karma” does not exist under a different consciousness.
“Karma” as action, just means experiences.
Those experiences are neither “good” nor “bad” for a different consciousness who is able to perceive his own eternity. When our consciousness is limited by prejudices, beliefs and concepts; then it is easy to apply the words “good,” and “bad” to make differences, to accept and to reject.
Many religions talk about a “doomsday” or “destruction.” Their followers may be scared to death by listening to that. The consciousness of those followers is limited by their beliefs and fears. Someone who has experienced his own eternity cannot be scared by those words.
Eternity is not an idea. It is being….
Being in a different consciousness, a different intelligence.
The world of words and concepts are not the real thing, just like a name or label is not the “thing.”
Nevertheless, when we rely heavily in our minds, thoughts and ideas; the world of concepts, definitions and labels become our only “reality.”
That is the illusion.
Ego-less appreciation
“Subtle awareness of the truth of the universe should not be regarded as an achievement. To think in terms of achieving it is to place it outside your own nature. This is erroneous and misleading. Your nature and the integral nature of the universe are one and the same: indescribable, but eternally present. Simply open yourself to this.”
Hua Hu Ching CH 24
There is spirituality in the consciousness of achievement. That consciousness implies the separation of “I” and the moment, the now.
For example, “I” need to conquer lust. “I” need to become perfect. “I” must destroy evil , etc.
The above are examples expressing 2 things:
1) The awareness that something is lacking, implying that separation between what “I” am now and “my” potential to be or to do something else.
2) A clear support of the “I,” the ego as the main protagonist in “my” life.
We could choose to understand any “classical” spiritual teaching under those 2 points. It is about achievement of something which is perceived as away from my current self.
The third way of looking at things is to recognize that “I” am the “Universe.” This simple view is not related with a “new age” thought or a self-imposed lie; when in reality “I” clearly see that “I” am not the “Universe.” 🙂
The main issue with human beings nowadays is this perception of separation.
Externally, that separation exists due to a perception: Different colors, different gender, different origin, different thoughts, different religions, different ideas, different beliefs….something different.
Internally, everything starts due to our lack of self-appreciation.
Because “I” don’t appreciate myself as a unique entity living in relationship with everything else; the aim of conforming to mental rigidity and mental patterns already established, becomes extremely valuable for my own “identity.”
Because “I” don’t appreciate myself, it is not worth to spend time with myself and rather occupy myself complying with what is there already, so “I” can fit in; so “I” can be part of another group.
Groups are forms of separation.
It is when appreciation exists, that “I” could relate in life without further expectations. The appreciation of my own uniqueness allows myself to appreciate the uniqueness of “others.”
In mutual appreciation, things could be as they are without the need to change them around to fit “my” vision.
The teachings: “You have to be good.” “You have to be this or that..” may wish well, but if those words are taken literally without further examination; the creation of that separation which is away from appreciation will be born.
I can appreciate a butterfly flying. It is a spontaneous appearance, almost magical. That appreciation will bring a smile, instant sunshine… That is the meaning of opening yourself to something, which does not need to be analyzed, controlled or compared.
Ego comes when there is comparison. “The butterfly that I saw yesterday was more/less ——(fill in the blank) than the one today.”
“My kid is more intelligent than …..” By doing this simply and apparently inoffensive “talk” we are creating in our minds that separation.
We are killing the appreciative moment of looking at uniqueness.
That is why, that openness is necessary to let things “in and out.”
The butterfly is there. Appreciate that. Enjoy that moment.
The thought of holding on to it is mental murder, lack of respect for a magical moment that life is allowing us to experience.
Life is meant to be enjoyed. That is, to be appreciated.
Loneliness to awaken the reality of the self
To remain undivided in life means to stop analyzing, dividing things, separating things with our minds.
That oneness is very simple. Nevertheless, that “oneness” as just an idea becomes an intellectual theory without insight. That “ intellectual oneness” has been marketed as another belief, another idea, another philosophy, another religion.
For any “learned individual” all is about gaining information. “Information is power,” they may say. In the spiritual realm, “information” is meaningless to experience a different realm of consciousness.
Without a “different” consciousness; our ability to see and experience becomes trapped in the setting of the “average guy.”
That is the guy surviving on TV; movies; his “own” business, the “news,” books, Cds, the internet, the latest research, the talk by Mr. politician; the class by Dr. Ph.D. ; M.D or the priest … That is the guy who only absorbs and “regurgitates” information he heard/read someplace; that person is there to “take from the outside and repeat it,” that is the person who is truly sleeping even though moving and breathing in the world; that sort of consciousness is easy to manipulate and “brain wash” with the “latest” information.
None of the above is “bad.” However, a person totally immersed in the above characteristics does not have inside him the “guts” to undergo a total change in personality.
Why?
Because that person is “sleeping.” That person does not have the capacity to look at himself and the things he does everyday automatically, without noticing. That person has no developed inner observation.
Please see that this is not a religious belief.
That person could be a great critic or commentator of “outside” reality. That person could write or talk with great ease, by using logic and reasoning…. But that person does not have the capacity to look inside; where there is no fluency in language or “powerful” writing that could help.
If someone asks me what is the single most important experience to start transforming the self; my answer without a doubt is the feeling of being alone.
This is the time when we could face ourselves as we truly are without any of the distractions that we are accustomed to.
Alone. By yourself. No family, No friends. No religious group to support you. Nothing.
That could be a good setting to start, if we can handle it.
If we survive the experience, then we will recognize what ego is all about at different levels. That “self” looking for different ways to survive or to live through others; looking to please others just to be accepted. That ego/sense of self begging for some sort of company to be busy with; something or someone to posses, something to call “ours,” something to fill the void, the empty sensation of existing with nothing permanent, but worries about ceasing to exist.
Here is when the “I” will look for certainty, for security in the afterlife, with God; “His protection” with a religious group; with someone as long as that pain of inner emptiness is mitigated.
A hopeless day yells
for a bright sunny sky,
this loneliness is dry
turning my heaven into hell
After that hell; the light… then the discovery that no one is ever alone appears in the experience of your own company. Then, a bright sunny sky comes in your life despite the ups and downs of the weather of life.
Everything was just a bunch of thoughts, and those moments of feeling loneliness only brought the key to experience the inner self.
Many throw that key away as soon as possible. Few, will use that key to open the door into themselves.
That is where everything starts. 🙂
Caught up in words to explain Spirituality
When explaining Spirituality in words, we may need to be aware of the issues related with language.
In this blog it has been shared 3 different levels of consciousness. The great majority of individuals will “understand” spirituality at the first level; the thought level: The reasonable, analytical, logical level. Most societies in the “modern” world have been trained at this level.
Nevertheless, this first level is the furthest away from the experience of Spiritual “reality.” It relies heavily in language.
A spiritual teachings such as: “There is no-self” cannot be understood rationally when our thoughts are occupied in asking the question of “who am I?”
“Doing nothing doing, you get things done.”
This will baffle a rational, logical mind.
Logic and reason can be “unreasonable” if we are just led by language alone.
Let us say that I don’t know what the word “intelligent” means. I have not experienced “intelligence.” 🙂
Then I hear a “spiritual” belief:
“Man is the intelligent creation of God.”
Without having experienced what “intelligence” is, someone may assume the representation of that word.
Then I hear, “ The Devil is very intelligent. Be careful.”
The word “Intelligence,” still remains a puzzle.
How do we know what “is” intelligence?
Perhaps when we define the word by using more words, such as a looking the word up in the dictionary?
No. Knowing is different than having a concept, a meaning. We “think” we know “intelligence” when there is the experience of comparing ourselves with another based on a belief.
“She is beautiful, but dumb.”
“He is handsome, but stupid.”
The point of reference is “Me” the “Judge” believing things.
There is comparison.
What is the difference between “dumb” and “stupid”?
Depth. 🙂
Still the word “intelligence” is not understood and that is why, its “opposite” is brought to the “rescue.” We think that by denying its opposite, we will know what “intelligence” is.
Nothing could be more delusional than being trapped in words when dealing with Spirituality.
Please see that words are completely empty and just depend on the significance that we may assume based on our own experience and perception.
Now, let us try the same exercise with the word “love.”
“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated It is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
The above belongs to St. Paul. Notice how he pretends to “define” love by saying “what is not.”
If love is patience and kindness then why not call patience and kindness, love? 🙂
See the problem with language?
The concept of love is not related with what actually love is.
Spirituality is not a concept. A religion is conceptual. It is based on beliefs.
As we peel off all the layers of ideas and words from our minds, there is the chance to know something different, which otherwise will be covered with the lame world of concepts and definitions.
Can you practice love? Can you “make effort” to love?
Then, that is not love. It is just an “idea” of it.
The word “love” cannot be defined, for if we do; we are not covering its totality; its fullness. This is the issue with Spirituality. Words cannot fully express it.
Spirituality is not a study, a subject matter. It is a journey. It is a discovery.
Just a different Perception
The night was a gorgeous landscape of unbelievable magic. The “perfect conditions” to enjoy a walk. A full Moon was part of that night’s prize. The light from the Moon was shining over the waters of the Bay, making a tempting path over the water; for those who dare to walk in search of the hidden truth.
The stars in the firmament were present as witnesses of such a breath taking display of beauty.
Raysha was walking with Ananda at that time, enjoying the view.
Raysha said:”What a beautiful night! The wind is cooling ourselves in our walk and the Moon is giving us light in our path… The Moon is such a queen! Its royalty is felt. That light reminds me of what I could be: pristine, shiny and enlightening to others in their life path.”
Ananda heard that remark, smiled and said: “You know that the moon is merely reflecting the light coming from the Sun. The Moon has no light on its own. It is just a big mirror. That light that you like so much and that you want to become, is not coming from the Moon; but the Sun.”
Raysha heard that. She thought it was a blunt reply. Her feelings were hurt. The magic of that romantic moment that she felt was gone. Those words coming from Ananda sounded so dead to her that she decided to ignore them and merely replied:
“I don’t see the Sun. I see the Moon and I feel its light. Your views are of no consequence to what I experience.”
Ananda felt that Raysha was upset, but he wanted to make a point. He went a step further:” Those are not my views. The night is created when the Earth rotates in its own axis every 24 hrs and when this hemisphere is opposite of where the Sun shines its light, then we perceive the night. Since the moon is located there taking directly the rays of the Sun, we could see that reflection as a shiny moon, but if you look really carefully; the light coming from the moon is not as shiny as the one coming from the Sun and… blah, blah, blah..”
Raysha all of the sudden felt feed up with what she perceived as so much lack of sensibility from Ananda. Those cold analytical words meant nothing to her and so, she just walked away from Ananda.
Raysha couldn’t understand Ananda’s views. At the same time, Ananda was incapable of understanding Raysha’s feelings and love for beauty without further explanations. From Ananda’s perspectives, Raysha was not “real enough” to perceive the beauty of “facts” and the “truth” behind analyzing everything.
Many times in life we believe that to be “right,” means only one answer.
Was Ananda right in his appreciations? Yes.
Was Raysha right in her appreciations? Absolutely.
Then… what went wrong?
The inability to appreciate someone else’s view point. Someone else’s perspective.
In a walk around a lake, sometimes the Moon will be perceived to have moved behind our backs. At other times, it will be just in front of us.
The Moon hasn’t moved. It is us. Because of that movement, our perception has changed. The issue is when we call that perception the “truth.” Then, we will not be able to understand someone else’s perception of life. A perception brings a determined consciousness. That consciousness in turn brings our “reality,” our view in life.
When we “fight” to maintain a determined perception; we do not realize that even though the observer of that Moon in the sky refuses to move and get stuck with his conceptual views; the Moon will move, making his previous perceptions out of “reality.”
It is just a matter of time.
Exploring the Depth of Living 