Ram Dass talks about how being on the spiritual path isn’t about chasing the great highs; it’s about embracing the lows and using them as your vehicle for awakening.
They say that emotions are like surface waves. But realizing that there is an ocean beneath doesn’t make the waves go away. For me, meditation acquaints me with the ocean depths, so that even when the waves toss me about a little, I can still feel my plumb line deep and stable. When you can feel that deep-down quietude, the waves become less frightening and you find you can surf your troubles away.
I heard once that eventually, even the breath is almost like a distraction from no mind. Focusing on breathing will help with narrowing the mind and lessening the influx of preoccupation with thought, but even that is still focusing on something, whereas real meditation is the “act” of non-doing.
Thank you. I'm in the middle of a very long Winter at the moment. I've been obsessed with Spring all my life, so this Winter has really caught up with me. So much being to balance all the doing of the first three decades. Ram Dass reminding me that it's all part of the process is very helpful. He has always been my guide ever since I found him. Thank you all for what you do!
Looking forward to digging into this one!
Rollercoaster I tell you.
They say that emotions are like surface waves. But realizing that there is an ocean beneath doesn’t make the waves go away. For me, meditation acquaints me with the ocean depths, so that even when the waves toss me about a little, I can still feel my plumb line deep and stable. When you can feel that deep-down quietude, the waves become less frightening and you find you can surf your troubles away.
I’m laughing because it’s so true about focusing on breath!
I heard once that eventually, even the breath is almost like a distraction from no mind. Focusing on breathing will help with narrowing the mind and lessening the influx of preoccupation with thought, but even that is still focusing on something, whereas real meditation is the “act” of non-doing.
What did old mate Marcus say? Amor fati.
I take that to mean: instrumentalise all the things - the path to enlightenment is a course in reality hacking. Suffering can be an affordance.
When our kids were young we got a copy of”be here now” and wore it out!
Thank you. I'm in the middle of a very long Winter at the moment. I've been obsessed with Spring all my life, so this Winter has really caught up with me. So much being to balance all the doing of the first three decades. Ram Dass reminding me that it's all part of the process is very helpful. He has always been my guide ever since I found him. Thank you all for what you do!
🙏🏽❤️