Tagged: Mindfulness
The “new concept” of Embodiment
The realm of “spirituality” is becoming like computer jargon. Every now and then, a “new concept” appears. Something that will set the trend for all new spiritual books in the market and gurus to write about and of course sell….
“I try to live in the “now” while practicing mindful awareness and becoming the embodiment of peace.”
Observe the accurate use of concepts. The latest jargon. Impressive stuff to teach to others…
However, that is worth absolutely nothing at all.
Why?
Because lots of “teachers,” gurus and self-appointed luminaries; talk the talk but they cannot walk the talk. Their consciousness is not there yet.
Throwing concepts out there for others to learn, is of no use. After all Life is not a University. In a College or school, to repeat concepts, definitions are important to pass the course. Life does not work like that. It doesn’t matter how many accurate definitions we could come up for the word Love; if our consciousness, our BEING, is not Love.
That is why a brainy individual came up with yet another concept to sell: “Embodiment.”
There are teachers teaching “embodiment” of something: Sensuality, compassion, love, peace, nonviolent communication, etc.
The concept of “embodiment” is equivalent to the word I use in these writings as “BEING.”
BEING cannot be taught. It cannot be rationalized into a method. BEING changes by itself through Life experiences.
Karen said: “Charlie is so loving.”
It means nothing; other than support of the idea that Karen has about love. What Charlie IS (BEING) has been identified by Karen with the label of Love.
Please observe that everything we say about others is only a reflection of us, for we could recognize that in others.
Karen IS like Charlie.
This explanation could be cleverly made into another “method” to sell “spirituality:”
“Say good things about others, and YOU will be that, or your money back.”
LIFE IS. BE AWARE. That which we call “I” is not separated from Life itself.
What we ARE cannot be put into words or concepts. It is not for others to say what we ARE. Only we could discover by observation, what we ARE, and we cannot put that into a label (I AM a good person) neither into a definition of ourselves (I am the embodiment of intelligence) or a moral judgment ( I am a sinner.)
The minute we believe in the labels we give to ourselves, we have hindered the opportunity to learn through openness of the “I.”
At that point, there is continuous support and growth of our ego-mind.
We ARE continuous change because Life IS change.
Yes, it is a definition. Thus, erase it from your mind. Discover what Life IS.
Teaching through words, are an attempt to put Life into a shoe box. It just will not fit, but yet; we rely in those words as the ultimate “truth.”
One more thing about Being the Embodiment:
Someone who IS walking the journey of self-realization couldn’t charge for “his knowledge.” Because it is not “HIS” knowledge. It has never been “His.”
Those who put a $$ into their “teachings,” are not the embodiment of what they talk about. Typically, most only transmit second hand information. They charge for their time to learn or get that information, for their expenses, etc.
Traditionally, a master will choose his disciple. To learn from him meant to BE with him. A disciple could accept or not.
Nowadays, disciples choose their teachers and teachers charge for their teachings. It is a transaction.
Do we see the change? It is not a question of “good or bad.”
Life is change. 🙂
Everyone needs a different medicine
One of the greatest conditioners, is the idea that “one solution/method fits everyone.”
Methods, books, teachings, religions support the “one size fits all” approach.
Certainly, here is where the belief of “truth” comes in.
The “truth” is your experience, but at the same time, it is only yours. This “concept” of “truth” is difficult to understand, if we take the “Office world” as our reference.
In the “Office world,” things are labeled neatly. Concepts are placed in “good” or “bad” containers. Judgments are based on our perception of where actions, ideas, ideals fit. However, we do not realize that our judgement is conditioned with the ideals that we have been taught to be “true.”
Common agreement with an upgraded label: ”Truth.”
A seeker may need to realize the above to be at peace with the World, and to open up to Life.
How this will work practically? The more definitions we use to identify ourselves with, then our freedom to BE and change, will be obstructed.
The “office world” is great on those labels!
“I am a catholic democrat from Nigeria. My soccer team is the Real Madrid.” Those labels are necessary in the “Office world” where identity is important; but in Life, those labels only separate, which in turn brings self-righteousness and opposition.
We BELIEVE in those labels beyond their place in the “office world.” The identity that those labels provide will give us the comfort that we are SOMEONE.
“Oh, I get… you are saying that we shouldn’t join any religions or be part of particular teams, for that brings separation, right?”
Observe your answer. Your mind is separating again. Ahnanda is not sharing these things so someone could make a commandment through these words, or some other religious BELIEF.
Ahnanda is sharing these realizations so we could perceive how our conditioning from the “Office World” affects our perception of Life. That is all.
“Once you die, you could go to heaven, hell or purgatory.”
Do we see how “One size fits all” is used?
What is the standard for that selection knowing that everyone has a different consciousness, different experiences and somewhat the same conditioning?
Death becomes a problem, even though we have not lived Life to the fullest, for we are stuck with our definitions, our “should be,” our “righteous” beliefs, our doubled-edge morality, etc.
In the path of self-realization, all of that will need to be left behind. It is not an ideal to pursue as: “From now on, I will not believe in a religion or join a political party.”
That is childish. That is rejection to what the “Office world” offers.
Just BE AWARE of the game. There is no need to make selections or to put our Life goals in a paragraph so everyone could read it and say: “This guy is something. How pure are his intentions!”
Some still need the medicine of “commandments and laws” to keep out of trouble in the “office world,” but this does not mean that in other “spiritual” dimensions, things are the same. Nevertheless, religions copy that procedure. After all, the collective consciousness, the masses, are already conditioned to follow that and consider that as “truth.”
For others, the medicine for a different consciousness is to be AWARE of how things operate without verbalizing it, and running the risk of putting their realization into a “black or white” commandment to be followed by others.
Have you seen the definition of “mindfulness”?
1. The quality or state of being conscious or aware of something.
2. A mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.
That makes intellectual sense, right?
Intellectually, we want to practice that. We want to “achieve” that. As a matter of fact, some are making money by “teaching” that.
That dictionary definition can only describe “mindfulness,” as when we describe the Ocean to someone who has never seen it and experienced. Therefore, what are we going to “practice”? What are we going to “achieve”? An ideal.
Mindfulness is no-mind. Thus, it is not a “mental state.” It is not a purposely, willingly focus on something. Can we understand no-mind when our society has used the word “mind” to describe ourselves? Can we go beyond the conditioning?
Do you mind your mind?
Life will teach us. Life will shape us, according to what it needs to be. According to the need of time.
We could change our beliefs 360 degrees by “surrendering” to the immense weight of Life over our shoulders. That is the hard way.
What makes it so hard?
I could say the “I,” but today I will be more specific.
Our minds.
The mind is very limited. The mind will gather information through our senses and make up a reality of its own.
So you lost your $300 sunglasses. Did it come to your mind that they were stolen?
Did you believe in it, just because of the “evidence” of mingling with some people who looked “fishy” to you?
At that point, the mind has created a reality, which will have greater strength if those sunglasses represent something important to you.
It is the downward spiral from there.
One day you may be looking for some change under the driver’s seat of your car… and there you found your sunglasses!
The trivial example above, illustrates other important aspects in our Lives.
We may need to check the facts before feeding our being with nonsense created by our minds.
Once our mind is convinced that “we know” without being actually sure, we may make a great mistake, which is not “bad,” but it could be a costly lesson in Life.
Remember the “benefit of the doubt”?
That is of vital importance.
To acknowledge the fleeting nature of the mind, is to understand that the mind is like another sense organ.
There are “visual” individuals out there. Their eyesight becomes the most important ingredient in their “reality.” Life will teach them that there is more than “visual effects” in Life.
Similarly is with people who are unaware of how their lives are being run by the limited information the mind is able to acquire.
It is not a matter of being the “master of the mind,” but to simply acknowledge the limitations of the mind. Become aware of it.
Have you ever been swimming in deep water and enjoying the experience, until a thought arrived: “Sharks.” At that point, the mind created the movie of a shark opening its mouth looking for you… Just like “Jaws.” How did you feel right after that inner movie show?
Scared. Tense. At that point the fun was over.
Nothing happened, but the mind sent its signal, which the “I” believed.
The unchecked mind could make of the “I” his greater believer.
When the mind is “out of control,” the mind could run the life of a person. What is pleasurable for the mind will be maintained and supported even though that could mean self-destruction.
A mind out control can create any fantasy, any mental situation; all it requires is for a believer to support its existence.
Do we understand now, how some individuals are looking for “peace of mind”?
The nature of the mind is to run from place to place by showing us our emotions, our deepest fears, likes and dislikes.
It is not a question of “peace of mind,” but just to observe that the mind is like a child running and jumping all according to our current emotional baggage.
If we believe in the stories of that child, we will discover that we are living our own reality away from “what is.”
That dissonance may be the starting point to look for inner answers.
Peace is not of the mind.
Mindfulness is beyond mind, into no-mind.
Exploring the Depth of Living 