Tagged: cosmos
Discovering the covered self
The world as Nature or the Universe showcases only “what is.”
This statement may seem too obvious or senseless, but to understand “what is” without beliefs and preconceptions could be a challenging task which comes when we start to “unlearn.”
Some may label “what is” with colorful names: Beautiful, ugly, good, bad, correct, incorrect, etc.
The paradox to keep in mind is that this “giant mirror” only reflects the viewer.
Question: What do you mean?
It reflects what the viewer “IS.”
It doesn’t reflect what the viewer will become or what he has been. It only reflects “now.”
The “problem” arises when “I” become someone rather than “being”… The Universe itself.
A flying bird does not even have the label of being a bird in its awareness. A bird “is.”
Human beings on the other hand, are pretty good about coming up with sophisticated labels to segregate and separate. Some labels are enticing while others denigrate. Duality.
And here is one of the greatest paradoxes of all time:
“The more “I” go away from “me” to search for answers, the longer it will take for those answers to come to “me.”
Do we see the extreme depth of that paradox?
It is “Me” in front of the mirror of life. What do we want to “see”?
Reality? 🙂
Really?
Are we ready for it? If we are, the “world at the office” may lose its grip on us.
We will be different from “others” perspective, although paradoxically; we will be more in tune with the birds and other “non-office” dwellers. 🙂
If we truly understood even intellectually, that we perceive things as we “ARE,” then let me ask a couple of innocent questions:
1. Who is God? Is our understanding based on what we “see” which is based on what we “ARE” or it is another hand-me-down concept to repeat which by necessity is “static” and will not reflect the nature of life, which is changing, dynamic?
As we reach another consciousness, could “our concept” change? Or it is supposed to be a “dogmatic” non-changing truth in a changing Universe?
My last innocent question is:
2. Could a belief distract us from knowing the only thing in life that we could truly know that is, ourselves?
Answer: You bet.
The paradox is that a “distraction” is also another path to the same “know thyself” therefore, that experience of being distracted, cannot be labeled as “bad” for it was “good” after all… 🙂 Got to love paradoxes, by now! 🙂
The above is truly begging for the following question: 😉
How can we know “ourselves” if we are influenced by so many perspectives and beliefs?
1. Unlearn those beliefs
2. Let Nature itself teach you, for there is no difference between Nature and “you.”
Ask any bird if in doubt …. 🙂
Spirituality: A discriminatory word
“ Andrew is not spiritual enough for my taste.”
What is the meaning of the above?
Perhaps that Andrew does not practice a ritual or that Andrew does not have a belief system in God, Paradise, morality, etc.?
Or maybe that Andrew does not behave in a certain way because he hasn’t joined a religion?
Spirituality is none of the above and a person cannot be “less spiritual than another.”
Spirituality is about living life harmoniously to the fullest, that is flowing in life.
For that reason the name of this blog will be changed, just to reflect that new realization:
“Exploring the depth of living.” 🙂 will be its new name.
That means, that we don’t need to be “spiritual” to read this blog. 😉
Avyakt7 is free to explore and free to share what he finds. If Avyakt7 was tied up with a belief system or with a dogma, Avyakt7 wouldn’t be able to experience the freedom to fully explore and with that, the freedom to express and share.
To express in that freedom is my “art.”
To live life in harmony is the greatest art of all in my view.
The possibilities for creating newness in life are unlimited while flowing with “what is.”
If someone likes to call himself “spiritual,” then someone else may not be or may be “less than” under that view.
That is discrimination.
As this belief in the word “spirituality” gets dissolved in my psyche, then a word that unites everything appears:
Life.
Living life.
We live life. They live life. There are different ways of living life… but joy in life will bring that harmony.
Some may call that joy as contentment, some others as happiness. This is an issue about finding the most adequate label to explain an experience, which paradoxically; cannot be put into words.
Living Life may be called “God” for some. Universe, Nature and Cosmos by others.
Let us not be confused by concepts and words.
If God was to be “boxed up” with a particular personality brought about by a belief, then that God will be limited by our own beliefs.
We cannot put limits to that which is unlimited.
The heart beats. Life happens. That is the same life force giving consciousness to a snake and to a flower.
The “spirit” of life is in them. That is, life is spiritual.
Innocence is a trait of childhood. As humans develop their conceptual thinking, confusion will appear and that innocence will be lost.
Religious “Spirituality” is not the “savior” which will bring light to darkness… but just a tool like a hammer or a screwdriver to show a human being that this innocence is still there.
That tool acquires different forms according to different religions, philosophies and views.
The tool is not the method to get there, but merely the “mosquito bite” which makes someone react… and look inside.
Looking inside may be the method.
Life is a teacher. Life is “spiritual” at all times and for all.
All experiences in life are meant so we could take a look “inside”… where joy resides.
The Common good is yourself
When we discover the paradoxical aspect of life, the Universe, the Cosmos, Nature, etc. We could understand that to use logic and analysis to make sense of life may not be desirable.
On the other hand, beliefs are more suitable for logical “entertainment” of the mind.
Here is one statement that I have discovered to be true to myself, but that could be a belief for “others.”
If your aim or purpose is the common good, “you” will be included in that as well.”You” are the common good. If your “purpose” is “you” then that separation with all will be your own decline.”
Let us change the utilization of the word “purpose.”
It is not about “myself.” It is about the “common good.”
It is not about my group. It is about the “common good.”
It is not about God. It is about the “common good.”
Consciousness is the world. Without enjoying consciousness, perception is not possible.
That consciousness manifests through different beings. The Totality of consciousness fragments itself to be expressed through the diversity of beings.
When we see this, it is impossible to separate “myself” from everything else… unless “I” create a personality.
What are the consequences of perceiving the separation of “me” and everything else?
Rather than seeing that “I” am the whole, I will see that “I” am part of it or separated from it.
In that consciousness, my belief will be that I am a “ spirit, a soul an individual” completely separated from everything else, when consciousness is rather ONE but manifested in different ways.
It is in that separation when “I” cannot grasp the immortality of consciousness. At that point, “I” will be looking for “salvation.”
It is “I” who wishes to be saved. It is “I” who wishes to be “someone” and to remain “alive,” in the “afterlife.” 🙂
Please see the absurdity of that. Consciousness is already eternal.
Thus, my search for meaning could end up in a search for a “creator,” for the “big boss” who can do the miracle of granting me “eternal life.”
Please see that this search is merely a consequence of my own state of consciousness.
Therefore, that journey is very important. It is very “healthy.”
That “true” search will be compensated, (cause and effect) as searching for meaning in life is not something that everyone is conscious of.
God will appear in one way or another. In one experience or another, just as when we were kids and “searched” for Santa. There was always someone who could take that role for us, someone who could dress like him, someone who I can take pictures with.
We are not alone.
That “God” could take the name of Buddha, of Jesus or be a guru or defined as something else. Every religion has its own beliefs.
When the student is ready, the teacher appears. That is the bottom line of that search for meaning.
Please see that this step is necessary for many in their development to experience a different consciousness.
Obviously, some may want to be like “Peter Pan” (he wanted to be a kid forever) and stay in that consciousness, when sooner or later things will change for that is the nature of life itself.
We separate from ourselves just to be ourselves again, just like the phases of the Moon.
This may be the journey and there are many paths for that.
Every path will express that “they are the true path,” but now we could recognize that a “true path” is in intimate relationship with our state of consciousness.
We may just need to learn to trust, for everything has benefit. Every experience has a beneficial unseen motive behind. That is not just for “some” selected ones but for everyone.
We are Consciousness expressed in different levels. None better than another for everything is necessary as it is.
Everything starts when we search for meaning.
Again, the search is not for God, but for meaning. God may be there to fulfill a meaning but everything comes back to us, the “creator” of that search for meaning.
That search starts with a child mentality.
“I don’t think I want to speak with him, because he is too shallow and bad karma could get me.”
A childish view, but everyone starts someplace.
We could grow out of that childhood only when we ourselves, realize that we are no longer little children; otherwise, life will provide for “protectors” that could keep Peter Pan safe from its own mischief.
Beliefs are important in that child like consciousness. Thus, beliefs are not “bad,” they are necessary for the growth of some.
To understand and to embrace the existence of different levels of consciousness is to be mindful of the common good.
When that little child realizes that it is the same consciousness which is keeping us together despite the illusion that we are separated, that is when things start to change because it is no longer about “ME” and my desires, but the common good. The starting point of that common good is not “me” but everything, which includes “me” and paradoxically… is totally “Me.” 🙂
The above does not mean that “I” have to deny myself for the benefit of others first, as religions may teach.
Change does not start when we exhibit a different behavior. That is artificial.
Change starts when our feelings, our attitude have a natural change based on our own realization.
That will come. It will happen. How soon?
That totally depends on us.
There is a level of sensibility to beauty, which could be experienced by being in touch with Nature, life, the Universe. The problem of separation started when we separated. The problem could be solved as we are willing to integrate again.
Place “yourself” last to be in the front.
That is only possible, when there is no “I” and that is how “my goals” are achieved.
Paradoxically, that is why; there is nothing to achieve.
No purpose in mind.
So, enjoy life… 🙂
Words used to take us away from a new consciousness
A little depth today…. 🙂
In life, the Universe, the Cosmos, etc (pick the label) everything is movement. Our cells move. The Earth moves. The Sun moves, thus “our” consciousness moves as well.
The paradoxical aspect of that movement is that to “move” implies to go away from what something “is” however, that movement is meant only to go back to the same position. In other words, “something” moves away from itself just to meet itself again.
Isn’t that paradoxical?
Does it make any sense? 🙂
Karma is like that. An action moves from the “doer” just to come back to him.
Any movement from “being” into becoming will necessarily go back to that “being” again.
This is the premise behind “eternal return.”
When we deeply realize this by just observing Nature, we could allow our insight to take us away from the mundane.
That is why there is no beginning of time. That is just an intellectual logical premise which does not work with the paradoxical nature of the Universe, life, the Cosmos, etc.
It is a circle. Life is a circle with no beginning or end.
Nevertheless our minds are caught up in conceptual thinking.
We want a “beginning,” therefore we ask:
“Who created the Universe?”
It always existed. It just changes, moves to be like it was “before.” 🙂
The word “creator” may need to be redefined if we would like for the “Big Guy” to keep his job.
🙂
The Moon has phases from our perspective but paradoxically, those phases do not exist.
The phases of the Moon are:
New, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full, waning gibbous, third quarter, waning crescent, new Moon again.
Do we see the cycle?
It moves away from itself to become itself again.
The above phrase, has more importance than what it looks like.
The moon does not have to do anything for this movement to occur. It just happens. If the Moon had human consciousness, then the Moon could make “effort” to become a full moon again… The Moon could believe that a “full moon” is better than a third quarter.
If we deeply understand that, we could see the futility of believing in a “place” called Paradise which will last forever, when everything is change and… when there is no “creator.”
Paradise is a state of consciousness not a place. It is a state of fullness which then will move away from itself to become itself again, later on.
Every human being is like a Moon. Every human has a state of fullness, which occurs at different “time,” that is why there is variety of consciousness in life.
Our experiences are different and that makes our consciousness. Every one of us has different experiences, which are automatically meant to change us, to change our consciousness.
Paradoxically the “choice” to change at a certain time, is in us. That is when our awareness awakens.
To enjoy a different consciousness is a matter of openness to life. It is a matter of having the honesty to search within.
That change of consciousness does not happen through rituals, beliefs or physical practices.
There is not “doing” that could change consciousness.
The beauty is that our consciousness will change whether we want it or not, because everything moves, everything changes; everything evolves… just to become itself again. Just like the Moon.
Nevertheless, a not welcomed change in the horizon of life, will bring suffering.
It is almost as if the Moon wants to stay in “full moon” all the time.
Thanks God… 🙂 the Moon does not have ego; that is why it does not suffer… but human beings have ego, therefore…there is suffering in that “natural” movement away from itself.
“Things exist for a purpose” is an empty phrase in Nature.
Perhaps in the human world of business, but not in Nature, the Universe, the Cosmos, life.
Ego thrives in purpose.
Ananda was sitting by a tree in a hot morning in the Summer.
Is it the purpose of that tree to give shade to Ananda?
If the tree had ego, the tree could say:” Ananda. Thank me for giving you shade in this hot summer.” 🙂
If the tree had a business mentality, the tree could say: “ Ananda, I charge a dollar a minute for my “cooling” services… but today everything is 20% off. What a bargain!” 🙂
The purpose of a tree is not to give shade. Shade just happens because the tree is there.
Day and night just happens because there is a Sun and there is the Earth rotating in its axis.
The “purpose” of the Earth rotating is not to give day and night to humans. It just happens to be like that.
The Universe is consciousness (paraphrasing a reader) and consciousness allows us to have a certain experience. That is why reality is according to our consciousness.
Some will see the Universe and consciousness as being separated, that is when the “I” is present. This is the actual “collective consciousness” of the present time.
Oneness. We are all interrelated. There is no purpose out of anything. It is the way it is.
The minute we could see this, that is the minute that we will stop asking “why?”
If our minds are trapped in finding a creator, a purpose, a better place such as Paradise; we will miss the beautiful experience of just being…. Our intellectual minds will not allow us to enjoy.
Everything will move, will change… but we will be stuck in our beliefs, our ideas, our ego… until we become aware of them. That is the time when the “waning crescent” appears in the sky to give birth to a “new Moon,” a new consciousness.
Open the armor
For those who are reading these sharings, the question may arrive: Are these things being shared by Avyakt7 true ? 🙂
If someone is tinkering in that question, that means that this person does not recognize something through his own experience. In other words, that person is a great material for following beliefs and hand-me-down ideas from whomever.
That person is still looking for someone to tell him what he has to do and believe in life.
We could have a Divine experience, but that does not mean that we have an insight as to who we are.
We could have a divine experience, but that does not mean that we have what it takes to discover our own mental obstacles, which are impeding a fulfilled life.
We could join or follow a belief system, but that does not mean that our consciousness has opened to a different level.
We could believe that spirituality is another subject to learn, just like mathematics, and if “I” read a lot of self-help books and listen to world-class gurus, if “I” study a lot.. then “wisdom” will be pouring through our skin pores… effectively changing “normal” sweat into “holy water”… 🙂
Unless our awareness, our consciousness opens up to integrate our being with everything else, we cannot live a fulfilled life.
Take the above as Avyakt7’s belief if you would, but those who somehow recognize that statement in their own lives, will know.
That is what wisdom is: Just recognition.
That recognition opens up as our awareness opens. Our awareness could open as we do not reject experiences in life, but as we learn to accept, to integrate without thinking about it.
Many times some individuals are basically waiting for the “key word” to be spouted so they believe in something. Without that “key word” nothing makes sense to them.
For example, when Avyakt7 refers to the Totality; some may call it as “Drama,” others may call that as “Universe,” or “Cosmos,” or “Nature” or “Tao” or even God… see that in Spirituality labels are not definitions or concepts, but words are merely referential for someone to RECOGNIZE that in his own experience.
A belief system is a closed armor, which does not allow for our consciousness to open up and discover so we know through our own recognition, but rather a belief system puts everything in “easy” concepts for the follower, so he does not get “confused.”
A concept is not the thing or the being. A concept is just mental “clothing” which will not allow us to perceive things naked, but that clothing around the thing, will develop our belief in a particular way.
“It is only this, but it cannot be that.”
Part of growing in life is to open up that armor, and being able to feel things without beliefs, concepts or ideas for the first time.
Oh… what a joy! 🙂
Questions by Brahma Kumaris readers
1. Can you please explain the today’s avyakt vani (15-09-2013)…and I also request you from the bottom of my heart to please explain the every sundays avyakt vani. This is my email xxxxxxxxx.Thank you so much in advance 🙂
Dear reader,
Thank you for submitting your request. Please bear in mind that this blog is no longer about the Brahma Kumaris knowledge. It is about Spirituality in general and for the common good.
The “common good” in your case, could be for you to share the points that you would like additional explanation along with your own realizations, then avyakt7 will share his insight. Avyakt7 does not want to play the role of “authority of Brahma Kumaris Gyan,” for that, there are other people which every religion has a source of elucidation. Avyakt7 is a spiritual walker, but avyakt7 is not the “traditional” spiritual walker. Avyakt7 will not fish for you, but avyakt7 can share his experiences about fishing, so you could make your own. Thus, as long as you send me your points and your own realizations, Avyakt7 will give his personal insights.
That is the deal.. 🙂
Best wishes!
2.dear avyakt7, I am willing to know abt what is cosmic intelligence ? how it works ?
Dear reader,
Thank you for your question.
I have heard that term from Osho, when speaking about consciousness: Individual, collective and cosmic intelligence, I believe. This is just out of what I recall.
Cosmic intelligence is what in Brahma Kumaris is known as the “Drama,” what in Taoism is known as the “Tao,” what in Christianity and monotheistic religions is known as “God’s creation and God’s will.”
Different terms, similar meaning.
How it works?
It is what it is. Because it is “natural” there is no explanation for it, but there are words to describe it. It is the interplay of nothingness and beingness. The interplay of duality which is neither “this nor that,” but both. It is the creation and destruction of itself in time. When you are in that consciousness for you are part of it: individual, but yet interdependent; then you are poetry with all; you are a verse of unity on that poem, you are a “uni-verse.” (cosmos.)
If the above does not make much sense, that is because it is meant to be like that. Only the experience of that unity can be known and then understood. It cannot be understood if it has never been known.
Best wishes!
3. Three fundamental questions. 1.God says ” Remember me and your sins will be absolved- How? 2. You sit down in front of me and tell me your story of this birth I will take 50% of your sins 3. You take power from the father? – Process please- because just by sitting in meditation and taking power from the father and feeling that you are taking power ain’t helping. I have got answers from people but do not seem convincing. Would be nice to hear from you Avyakt7.
Dear reader,
Thank you for your question!
The above is your belief and at the same time you mention that it is not working for you. Then, my questions are: What do you want to accomplish? Why? If it is not working for you, are you willing to change?
Do you want your “sins” to be absolved? Is that what it is? Do you know what specific “sins” you want to be absolved? If not, how would you know when those “sins” have been absolved? 🙂 How do you know if there is something else left?
Please consider those questions seriously and please reply back with your answers.
Best wishes!
4. The below email is from a female BK who had the chance to know a BK male in close proximity. Before she used to deal with him at a distance only. They have been in very good relations ever since.
With her permission, her email is being cut off to protect her privacy and shared for the “common good.”
…But, now I can see that there is a shift happening in our relationship. It is becoming lokik from alokik (worldly from spiritual) in many sense, and that purity is no more in a relationship (I am talking in a thought level). The more I try to resist him in actions, the stronger it persists in thoughts. But, I feel that we both need some space from each other because it is affecting our pursharth..(Spiritual efforts). But how to go about it. If I resist him in any way, the mind persist him in everyway….And if I don’t, then those feelings become stronger. Which way to go? I have many more personal issues in my life and I am not able to concentrate on them because it takes all my attention….its like my mind remains all the time busy with this new feeling…. I feel I am getting away from my self…first, I used to be his friend and now he is my best friend and I feel the need to share everything with him. Being aware of all this, how to control this. Just watching and observing is not of much help!!
Thanks and looking forward for your reply!
Dear reader,
Thank you for allowing me to share your email. As mentioned and for future reference to all, Avyakt7 does not wish to be engaged in giving personal advice to anyone; but if someone is willing to share a situation for the common benefit of all, then; by all means that email will be answered.
You mentioned that “Just watching and observing is not of much help.”
I need to reply that “watching and observing” is all that is needed. for then you will know what to do. If you truly watch and observe yourself, you could perceive that change in feelings. You could perceive your change on thoughts, you could see how your mind is pursuing that person. You could see how those new sensations are taking up your time and energy. Is him the culprit?
NO. It is you on your side of things.
If you have observed yourself, you can see that you have a belief. You call yourself a BK. You try to maintain that “purity” but you are finding out that “purity” by avoidance is not “purity” at all. Once the male energy is in contact with female energy and there is a “click,” then “nature” starts and beliefs fade away.
You can repress and close the door, but I assure that your issues have been postponed only. There will not be “purity” there but just a belief that there is.
That is why Baba comes as the “husband” for all the females. In this way, that feeling of love could overcome that desire. The issue is that many times that love is not true from many, it is not honest. If you haven’t felt a relationship with Baba, then what are you going to love?
An idea. That is the issue.
That is why, “closing doors” has been the best policy, but honesty is a better one.
If you stop pretending, then you will find out what you actually feel. If what you feel is about extinguishing the hormonal passion through an experience with him; then you know that at the end of that experience you will not feel good about it. Once the passionate experience is felt, then “reality” comes. The “dream” vanishes.
Here is avyakt7’s rule of thumb:
If you have been in BK knowledge for at least 10 years and you are in your 40’s and you have not conquered sex lust, then you need to wonder, What have you been doing in all that time? When you reach your 40’s you know better. You are no longer a little kid. The hormones should be realized by then and you should have figure out how they work in you.
This is what observation brings. If you are not 40 yet, then perhaps you should wait if your belief is important for you.
Perhaps something should be expressed to the other person in a mature talk without trying to hide feelings. Just let him know what you feel and what you want in your life. Don’t play tricks with yourself. Be honest in what you want.
If you want to maintain celibacy and you have not conquered sex-lust and the BK male hasn’t done that either (you will find out by just observing him, feeling the vibes or just by asking – Now you see how important observation is?) then you are kidding yourself. Celibacy will not happen.
Your honesty is of paramount importance. Decide what you want in your spiritual life and see where you are.
On the other hand, if sex lust has been conquered, there is no reason to suppress in your life to know someone if you wish to. Experience. However, just know that if the other person expects to indulge in a sexual relationship with you, then you will have to deal with his disappointment, anger and even insults if you decline.
If you are not ready to play with fire. Don’t risk yourself in getting burned.
If your feelings are of outmost care and you are not obsessed through hormonal games and mind trips about that person, then perhaps; you could discover something different, but it takes inner work, it takes OBSERVATION to know when we are ready.
One last item, please be aware that the above is coming from someone who is not experiencing the childhood stage of spirituality anymore, thus; in this stage inner observation is all there is, to be aware of the self is of paramount importance.
Best wishes!
Exploring the Depth of Living 