Enlightenment

Student: “How do I become enlightened?

Master: “Drop the ‘become’ then that’s a good start.”

Realize that enlightenment is not an expanded state of mind, an exotic experience or a mystical event waiting to occur in a future moment. It is the recognition of the true nature of our infinite Self available only in the present moment. Now!

As long as you believe you will become what you already are, then this becoming becomes a never-ending obstacle. To become is to presume it is presently absent with an ensuing desire to seek or strive along some time-bound path to eventually realize its illumination. Good luck!

Drop the ‘become’ and just Be. 

Happiness

“Happiness is the absence of striving for happiness.” - Chaung Tzu

I would suggest that everyone of us directly experiences the same Happiness but may create different definitions for the intimate, indescribable sense of our imperturbable Self. Which is precisely why this Taoist sage uses his spiritual description via “viva negativa” - as in the best understanding arises from what Happiness is not!

I tend to express the Happiness attribute of our true nature as the absence of lack and unease. In other words, no striving, simply resting in/as joyful peace. Or the ever-present, inherent sense of feeling I am or Being Aware. Nothing more. However, the mind desires to add its colorful two cents and generates all forms of external objective experiences - relationships, accolades, acquisitions, substances - that seemingly elicit happiness (read: pleasure). Recognize in Reality that when a desired object is attained, the striving energy instantly dissolved (absent), and our true Happiness sparkled through --- temporarily.

Sangha

“When you allow yourself to be in a Sangha the way a drop of water allows itself to be in a river, the energy of the Sangha can penetrate you, and transformation and healing is possible.” - Thich Nhat Hahn

I am extremely pleased to announce that this Sunday we will be celebrating our 350th anniversary of Meditation Hill Sangha.

Irrespective of the number of Meditation Hill Sanghas you have attended, I extend a heartfelt thank you for being vulnerable and available in allowing the energy of the Sangha to penetrate you for Grace’s loving touch of transformation and healing.

Only you know how the Sangha, the Dharma, and your diligence and vigilance on the spiritual path, is working for you.

The Spiritual Path

“My advice to you is not to undertake the spiritual path. It is too difficult, too long, and is too demanding. I suggest you ask for your money back, and go home. This is not a picnic. It is really going to ask everything of you. So, it is best not to begin. However, if you do begin, it is best to finish.” - Chogyam Trungpa

I love this practical advice from the founder of the Naropa Institute and the teacher of one of my favorite spiritual teachers, Pema Chodron.

Obviously, you are already committed to the spiritual path, otherwise you would not be interested in Enjoy Your Self Now! It’s important to recognize that it doesn’t matter how many times you fall off the wagon - my knees are all bruised up - if the intensity of your joyful intention is courageously present, Grace will eventually lift you up and wake you up! 

Not-Knowing

“In all affairs it’s a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted.” - Bertrand Russell

I love the image of a hanging a question mark on all beliefs, opinions, viewpoints, convictions, dogmas, and any things you have long taken for granted without experiential evidence. Recognize that experience is the true text of Reality.

When you realize that not-knowing is the essence of your imperturbable Self, it makes the game of Life so much more enjoyable to sever attachments to long-held beliefs and simply enjoy the serene, intimate experience of “I don’t know.”

Life is Now

“My life has been full of terrible misfortunes, most of which never happened.” - Michel de Montaigne

I would suggest that if you take a mindful gaze at your past, or a peak at what you believe to be your future, you will recognize that most of what the mind conjures up has nothing to do with the reality of life.

Life is only now. And in the now, where the mind is absent and only the luminous light of Knowing (I am or Self) is shining on your direct experience, terrible misfortunes never happen.

Serendipity

“I think luck is akin to serendipity. It implies that out of nowhere, serendipity dips down and kisses us on the cheek.” - Sidney Poitier

As you may be aware, serendipity is my favorite word in the English language. I simply love the unique, unpredictable, and unintentional nature of the serendipitous experience. And - like inspiration and intuition - it only unfolds in the silence of being aware Now!

I liken serendipity to being kissed, tickled, and shaken by Grace as a confirmation that one is proceeding on the Path in the right direction.

Follow Your Enthusiasm

“What I think is that a good life is one hero journey after another. Over and over again, you are called to the realm of adventure, you are called to new horizons. Each time, there is the same problem: Do I dare?  And then if you dare, the dangers are there and the help also, and the fulfillment or the fiasco. There’s always the possibility of fiasco. But there’s also the possibility of bliss.” - Joseph Campbell

When you follow your bliss, there is only present moment joyful fulfillment, even if it appears to be fiasco in the judging eyes of others. Which is precisely why my favorite mantra is: “Follow your enthusiasm.” And I am presently doing just this!

World Peace Within

“The world around you is only beautiful when you are at peace with the world within you.” — Paulo Coelho

This quotation sounds like a marketing mantra for Meditation Hill Sangha.

Our ultimate intention is to recognize the true nature of our Being (Self, I am) as the joyful peace that passeth all understanding, and then to celebrate this perennial Truth in our unique human expression of Life.

In short, when you see how you change (unveiling your peaceful aware Presence), you change how you see (a beautiful Divine world).

Let It Flow

“The greatest weapon over stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” — William James

If you think this self-harmonizing weapon of choice sounds too easy to be true, then I would tend to agree. Because what is implied is that you have first observed the stressful thought in order to choose a more peaceful alternative.

I repeat my adage that the unobserved mind is the root of all stress (dukkha).

Herein lies the beauty of meditation. In a quiet, controlled environment you master the ability to observe not only the appearance of fear-based thoughts, but also their tendency to fuel uncomfortable bodily feelings and emotions that habitually loop into more disturbing thoughts. Only then can you effectively choose a joyful thought; or better yet, the thought to let it all go. Just let it flow.

The Monk and the Master

Monk: “What happens when the leaves are falling and the trees are bare?

Master: “The golden wind, revealed.” — Hegiken Roku

What happens when the voice-in-the-head is silent and there is no mental noise projecting your thoughts and worries into the imagined future or reflecting your thoughts and regrets from the illusory past?

The Greatest Mystery

“The time has come to set out for sacred ground—the mountain, the temple, the ancestral home—that will stir our heart and restore our sense of wonder. It is down the path to the deeply real where time stops and we are seized by the mysteries.” — Phil Cousineau

Allow the energy of curiosity and wonder to bubble up, and see that the sacred ground is as close as your next mindful step. You need not cross the world or be on top of the world to be seized by the mysteries. Just be open, empty, available, and aware right now—because the greatest mystery is closer than your next breath.

Peace Be You. Love, PC