A Word to the Wise

“The beginning of wisdom is to desire it.”
- Ibn Gabirol (c.1020 – 1070), Jewish poet & philosopher

What a simple, yet incredibly powerful tool in our toolbox for living. Passed down to us in myriad forms throughout history, this gem is truly one of life’s most priceless instructional artifacts – one that we’re clearly intended to uncover no matter from where we hail or from what religious or spiritual tradition we’re taught. The inherent promise that comes with this is that to truly desire wisdom is to have it, and having it is to know depths of peace and joy beyond description. Sounds pretty good doesn’t it?

Here’s a small sampling of versions from other places and other times:

• “The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.”
• “No one can fail who seeks to reach the truth.”
• “Everyone who asks, receives. He who seeks, finds. To him who knocks, the door will be opened.”

So what exactly is “wisdom”? The answer to that seems to depend on who is asked. There often appears to be conflicting viewpoints about what wisdom is because historically we insist on defining it from two distinct, contrasting thought systems – one intellectual, centered in the mind, and the other intuitive, centered in the human spirit. This conflict of perspectives is at the very root of why genuine wisdom seems so often to elude us and why we are repeatedly reminded of these instructions again and again and again throughout time.

Our intellect tells us that wisdom is an accumulation of knowledge acquired through sacrifice, extensive education and disciplined study. By this definition, wisdom becomes exclusive, available primarily to those with an aptitude for education, high enough IQs and who are willing to strive to achieve it. Our intuition on the other hand tells us that wisdom is a natural state of being, characterized by the demonstration of discernment and balanced judgment, guided by ever-deepening spiritual insight. By this definition wisdom is all-inclusive, available to everyone with a genuine desire to become aware of, and then practice, this natural state of being.

Furthering the perceptual divide, our intellect would have us be convinced that we come into this world as empty vessels, to become something by filling our minds with worldly or divine knowledge before we depart it in order to ensure we are among the winners and not the losers, the saints and not the sinners. By sharp contrast, our intuition gently reminds us that we both enter and depart this world entirely whole, that the experience of wisdom is the letting go of all beliefs we choose to make up and accumulate about ourselves while we appear to be here. It teaches us that wisdom is experienced in the practice of letting go of our “stories”… the letting go of everything that we are not.

What we cannot help but miss under the guidance of our intellectual thought system is that wisdom is always accompanied by humility, and humility is something our intellect is utterly incapable of grasping. Underneath all the vast layers of accumulated knowledge, human intellect would have us believe it makes us what we are, it differentiates us from all other life forms, even from our fellows, and it ultimately provides and decides our value as human beings. Humility, on the other hand, takes no issue whatsoever with simply saying, “I am as I was created, not as I have made myself to be.”

Intellect can certainly be a useful tool for navigating this world. It enables us to conjure up any destination we wish to travel to within our lives, be they physical, intellectual, emotional, philosophical or spiritual destinations. But, that’s just it… our intellect is a tool, and tools are intended to be of service, not to reign. It is our intuition that inspires to make the journey of our lives purposeful, joyful and peaceful – these are the attributes of wisdom. It’s in the conscious choice and regular practice of placing our intellectual mind under the guidance and service of our intuitive, spiritual self that the door to wisdom opens wide.

Even with all his intellectual knowledge, Albert Einstein in his wisdom and humility put it this way: “The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.” This gift is knowing that we lack absolutely nothing in our lives but the awareness of our own intuitive spiritual guidance. Here lies true wisdom.

Love and Light friends,

Patrick

Who Am I?

“Nothing is wrong with you, but the ideas you have of yourself are altogether wrong. It is not you who desires, fears, and suffers, it is the person built on the foundation of your body by circumstances and influences. You are not that person.”
- Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj (1897-1981), Indian spiritual teacher, philosopher and guru 

We sometimes neglect to realize that when we choose to identify ourselves by our stories, our past, we also inherently judge ourselves by them as well, which unconsciously can be a very heavy burden. Many of us, especially adults, have a host of past experiences that we would like to have handled differently where either we, or others, were hurt by our choices. Unresolved guilt and suffering from the past surfaces as prolonged depression, anger, restlessness, discontentedness in the present. This need not be. Why? Because the ideas we have about ourselves are altogether wrong… we are not our stories. We are not today merely the experiences we participated in yesterday, nor are we merely ‘what we do.’ Full realization and acceptance of this is the key to breaking the cycle of unconscious judgment and guilt that we pile upon ourselves. 

We often seem to get hung up in the “stories” of our lives. It’s as if by default we identify ourselves with these stories rather than actually taking the time to pause and contemplate who we are, right now… presently. The mere fact that we attach ourselves to a life “story” implies that we lean toward identifying ‘self’ as a collection of past experiences (past desires, fears, sufferings, mistakes, successes, etc.) rather than even considering the illuminating question, “Who am I?” In fact one could say we often literally have no idea how to answer this question honestly because instead we allow the mind to race off and list a bunch of things we “do” (things we began doing at some time in the past) rather than anything remotely related to really answering the question. All the things we do, all of them – including the role of being a parent, a child, an employee, a teacher, a member of the local church, the President of the United States – all are roles related to the stories we make up about ourselves… they don’t in any way answer the question, “Who am I?”  

So… “Who am I?” Am I the ‘me,’ the hero of my story that I’ve made up over this lifetime in a grand adventure called “my life”? No, I am not that person. I am the one who has quietly observed the story and watched the hero play his part all the way up to this moment now. I am as I was created, not as I have made myself up to be. I am the very same radiant light of life today that I was when I entered this world and I will remain just as bright when I leave it. I am that person, and so are you. Remember your light. 

~~~ 

Read more about Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj.

Wanted: Peace of Mind, No Worries and Freedom from Worldly Woes

“You must unlearn what you have learned.” — Master Yoda

Everywhere we look today, we’re offered ”peace of mind” from an increasing list of misfortunes said to be just waiting to befall us out in the harsh world - sufferings and hardships of all sorts lingering out there in the darkness ready to snatch away our happiness, our sense of security and our contentment in life. Insurance of every type, extended warranties, identity theft protection, more control over this possibility, more over that… the list goes on and on and on. This “peace of mind” can be bought for a price - a price that we must continue paying indefinitely… a price we pay because we fear.  

If there was ever a genuine treasure to be found here in this world then - one freely given us that would actually deliver on the promise of true and enduring peace of mind - would it not be priceless to discover? In my lifetime of seeking such a treasure I’ve found many wonderful gems from a wide variety of traditions. One I’ve come across in particular has been truly illuminating… a single, solitary paragraph that provides crystal clear directions for experiencing an ever deepening peace and sense of freedom that is beyond description.

Here are all fears laid down…

“Simply do this: Be still, and lay aside all thoughts of what you are and what God is; all concepts you have learned about the world; all images you hold about yourself. Empty your mind of everything it thinks is either true or false, or good or bad, of every thought it judges worthy, and all the ideas of which it is ashamed. Hold onto nothing. Do not bring with you one thought the past has taught, nor one belief you ever learned before from anything. Forget this world, forget this course, and come with wholly empty hands unto your God.” — from A Course in Miracles*

~~~

For those of us unsure about what it means to “live in the now” or to “be in the present moment,” here in these few sentences is absolute clarity given. Bringing nothing the past has taught us into our present
experience is to be wholly open-minded to what is and what can be - it is to have the ability to look at everything as fresh and new rather than through a lens of perception and judgment forged from past experience. This idea may seem in total opposition to the world’s thinking, which puts its reliance on accumulating and recalling worldly knowledge, but in fact it’s at the very root of modern innovative thought leadership tools like ‘thinking outside the box.’ When practiced in a spiritual or philosophical sense, the result is genuine peace of mind – a complete freedom from the past coupled with the total absence of anxiety over the future; the ability to be wholly content and present in this instant, now, which is the only ‘time’ we actually have to participate in and experience life.

For those of us baffled about what it means to “turn it over” or “let go and let God,” here also is the answer revealed. Emptying the mind of everything it thinks one way or another about this or about that (including both our beliefs and disbeliefs in God), allowing the mind to be a clean canvas upon which the world can be painted for us is to surrender the brush to the one true Artist. In this way our perception of the world is based not on our limited and often distorted vision, but rather on a vision that far exceeds what the human eye can see or the human mind can comprehend. Such releasing of the world from all we think it is opens us to the grace, dignity and integrity to accept what actually is, exactly as it is in the present moment. When practiced, the result is an enduring state of peace and sense of stability regardless of what seems to occur in the world around us.

For those of us struggling with what it means to have genuine faith, here is unshakable faith demonstrated in its purest form. Laying aside all thoughts from the past - all beliefs and stories imprinted on our mind about the world and all its trinkets, about who we are, who God is, about what our sciences and religions have taught us of such things – this takes great courage. Doing so with full trust in our Creator, however we have understood Him/Her to be up to now, is to open ourselves wholly to fresh, pure inspiration. To “forget this world” is a demonstration of profound trust in our Creator. It is also an act of remembering, acknowledging and exalting the holy relationship we have with our Creator above all else - above all our attachments to this world. When such a faith is practiced and nurtured, the result is the complete absence of fear, an awareness of our eternal, untouchable innocence and a deep sense of unity and connection with each other and all of Creation.

Following and practicing the simple guidance contained in just this one excerpt from A Course in Miracles, eventually and undoubtedly leads to:

• freedom from the past and from anxiety over the future
• enduring peace within amidst seemingly turbulent external events
• a sense of ease with letting go of attachment to specific outcomes
• the complete absence of fear and sense of loss or lack
• the awareness of an eternal, wholly innocent nature within
• a deep sense of connection with each other and all of Creation

Here is treasure indeed - unlimited and lasting wealth beyond imagination - far beyond any of the transient trinkets this world has to offer.

So for those of us seeking to experience a lasting peace that surpasses all understanding – to know a deep sense of lightness and freedom in our daily adventures in this world – simply do this: be still, and lay aside all thoughts of what you are and what God is; all concepts you have learned about the world; all images you hold about yourself. Empty your mind of everything it thinks is either true or false, or good or bad, of every thought it judges worthy, and all the ideas of which it is ashamed. Hold onto nothing. Do not bring with you one thought the past has taught, nor one belief you ever learned before from anything. Forget this world, forget this post, and come with wholly empty hands unto your God.

We may choose to continue to have our insurance policies and other worldy safeguards, but in following these simple directions we connect ourselves much more deeply to our true source of peace and security… from there, the rest is cake. Of course, one might also enjoy studying more than just this one paragraph from A Course in Miracles… in my adventures I’ve found it to be an enlightening and deeply inspiring masterpiece.

May your path be peaceful and well illuminated.

* Excerpt from A Course in Miracles workbook lesson 189

Can We Have a Word?

“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” — Rudyard Kipling

The world would tell us that words are imbued with tremendous power – mightier than the sword – and capable of affecting great change in our lives and in the world. In actuality, words are merely symbols we use to attempt to communicate the thoughts and ideas that swirl around in the mind. It’s those thoughts and ideas swirling around in the mind that have all the power in this world – by them our perceptions of reality are projected, formed and reflected back to us. Still, words can certainly be used to stimulate this magnificent power of thought, so we ought to attempt to use them wisely, with great care and most definitely for the benefit of all.

For this post then, I thought it would be interesting, fun and hopefully helpful to contemplate different words we often hear related to our human belief system(s) and offer up some interesting, thought-provoking diversions from how Webster might define them. I’ll add to this list as inspired (archived here), and these will also appear on my Facebook page.

I hope you enjoy them, and invite you to comment as you’re moved to do so.

1. ac·cep·tance [ak-ˈsep-tən(t)s] n.: being at peace with what is as it is in the present moment without nurturing the thoughts that demand for something different
2. ar·ro·gance [ˈer-ə-gən(t)s] n.: when the mind is deceived into believing it actually has the ability to diminish the light of the spirit (see delusion)
3. de⋅lu⋅sion [di-ˈlü-zhən] n.: when the mind is deceived into believing it actually has the ability to diminish the light of the spirit (see arrogance)
4. e·go [ˈē-gō] n.: a deeply rooted, rogue thought system that hijacks the mind and keeps it distracted from remembering its source in order to deceive us into believing it is us; a relentless wish or dream to be or have something ‘else’ outside of all that presently is
5. e·piph·a·ny [i-ˈpi-fə-nē] n.: the enlightening discovery that you are what you seek (or in modern terms: “You are your search results” ~ Julia Angwin)
6. free·dom [ˈfrē-dəm] n.: when the mind no longer perceives itself as limited, sheltered or imprisoned within a body nor bound by space and time; when the mind is no longer deceived by the ego
7. hu·mil·i·ty [hyü-ˈmi-lə-tē] n.: a clear recognition of what and who we really are, followed by a sincere willingness to follow the guidance of the still, small voice within; the absence of ego
8. light (spirit, pure innocence) [ˈlīt] n.: the luminous core of our being which the ego vainly attempts to keep hidden from our awareness under dark, cloudy layers of guilt, fear and endless distraction – layers which dissolve away by following the intimate guidance of a gentle inner teacher
9. light·work·er [ˈlīt-wər-kər] n.: one whose function and purpose is to help light the way for others to seek and find their inner guide so they too can remember and perceive the light within themselves and in each other
10. mind (neutral) [ˈmīnd] n.: the energy and activating agent of spirit through which all creation occurs; the “law of gravity” that holds everything in this universe, from micro to macro, together
11. mind (deceived) [ˈmīnd] n.: the same energy and activating agent hijacked by ego through which all make believe occurs; the part of mind that has been deceived into forgetting its rightful function in creation
12. mind (healed) [ˈmīnd] n.: the mind that has been returned and restored to its true source; the mind that no longer plans on its own without seeking inner guidance and no longer attaches to specific predesigned outcomes
13. mir·a·cle [ˈmir-i-kəl] n.: the correction and translation of an ego-distorted misperception into another illuminating light along our path (requires translator/inner teacher)
14. open–mind·ed [ˌō-pən-ˈmīn-dəd] adj.: one who looks upon the world as a blank canvas without having to be the one with all the paint brushes; one who is willing to loose the world from all he/she thinks it is (see humility)
15. peace (of mind) [ˈpēs ] n.: complete freedom from the past coupled with the total absence of anxiety over the future (see acceptance); the absence of ego
16. per·spec·tive (right-minded) [pər-ˈspek-tiv] n: seeing that “the world is not done to us, the world is done by us” ~ Gary Renard
17. self–aware·ness [ˈself-ə-ˈwer-nes] : the experience of the fundamental truth that “I remain as God created me, not as I have made myself believe me to be”
18. self–help [ˈself-ˈhelp] n: the process of opening the mind, becoming wholly teachable and then accepting the realization that “I am already healed” regardess of what the body or world would say to the contrary
19. spir·it [ˈspir-ət] n: a thought and reflection of God in the Mind of God; the Love of God; the source and inspiration by which all creation occurs (see light)
20. suf·fer·ing [ˈsə-fər-riŋ] n.: “the fire in which the ego is eventually burned up” ~ Eckhart Tolle
21. sur·ren·der [sə-ˈren-dər] v.: to willingly give up the compulsion to choose or identify with the ego thought system in order to become free of the suffering that inherently results in following its choices and decisions
22. teach·er (within) [ˈtē-chər] n: the soft, inner voice that gently and continuously reminds the mind of its true source and function regardless of how deceived or hidden from itself it appears to be; the ever-illuminated bridge between spiritual truth and ego make believe; the translator of error into correction, darkness and discontent into light and peace
23. uni·ty [ˈyü-nə-tē] n.: one truth, one destination, countless highly individualized paths to it
24. will·ing·ness[ˈwi-liŋ-nes] n.: the desire, without reservation, to be open to and follow guidance beyond the limitation of one’s own thinking and limited perspective

That’s it for now. If there is a tinge of conflict with any of these definitions, perhaps mere variation in symantics is at the root – a seemingly common cause of conflict in our world. Words are just words, to be looked beyond for the underlying message… that’s the whole point. We could break down a whole lot of our ‘separation’ walls if we could learn to let go of our attachment to the meaning of words - like everything else in this world, they have only the meaning we give them based on our individual experiences along the path. Always allow room for inner translation.

In the end there is only one Word that is truly powerful, one that unites us in spite of all our beliefs of separation and judgments of our preceived differences. It continually reminds us from where we came like a beacon of light shining the way home. This Word is beyond definition, beyond the religions of men,  beyond human voice or ear and beyond all symbols. This is a Word that can only be spoken by the still, small voice within… a Word that can only be experienced. Be willing then to learn to find that safe, tranquil place inside where it’s quiet enough to experience it. Make this a priority in life above the distractions and shiney trinkets of the world and all else will fall gently into place. 

Love and Light Friends,

Patrick

Note from Self to self

Where you choose to look to find yourself is entirely up to you, but always remember this: you are not small, weak or damaged goods… you are a Thought in the Mind of God, magnificent, wholly innocent and loved beyond human understanding.

Now That’s Something to Smile About!

 

While in the process of writing up a new blog post related to the recent Projecting Reality at the Speed of Thought post, I was sent this very intriguing video. It’s apparently quite popular with over 3.6 million views on YouTube so far. Watching the video, I had an amazing realization that I thought I’d share. My other planned post will just have to wait a bit longer.

The video is a simple run through of photos of all of the 44 U.S. presidents to date. On the surface, it’s nothing all that special other than the creative genius employed by the producer to make each photo morph into the next. In preparation for viewing it, I’ll ask you to gently pull away from your busy life for 4 minutes, take a few deep breaths to center yourself and quiet your thoughts and, giving it your full attention, watch the video from start to finish. If you look closely, you will see something occur that is truly wonderful – a very profound yet subtle gift to witness and receive in these modern times of ours.

Okay, ready? Watch the video… and pay added attention to the look on the faces in the last minute or so.

How many of us, at least those aged 30 and over, have not at least once nostalgically looked back and thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice if we could go back to the Little House on the Prairie days and live in those simpler times?” How many of us haven’t looked back to what we imagine as a much easier way of life, seemingly now so long ago and far away?  It goes without saying that these last hundred years or so have been utterly riddled with massive global hardships. No need to recount them here – most of us could rattle off a couple dozen global tragedies in the blink of an eye.

Watching this video and these presidents from a different perspective shows something else altogether – something innocent and perfectly wonderful about our modern experience of life – a radiant light just below the surface of the dim and often gloomy perspective we presently seem to have on our world today. Did you see it? Did you look closely? As their faces morph from one to the next, so do their stoic frowns eventually become gentle smiles. Toward the end, spanning the last 70 years or so, during times which we could easily claim as the toughest decades ever faced by humankind on a global scale, the tense, cold faces of these men dissolve away and what emerges are gentle grins which again give way to full, radiant smiles – smiles which reveal an underlying spirit of genuine peace, joy and prosperity. 

What does this video say about our present human condition? It speaks volumes. It calls to us to be willing, despite what our five limited senses would have us believe about our troubled world, to open ourselves up to a higher awareness of the fact that this is a great time to be alive. Just as the faces in the video reflect a transformation from stoic gloom to a state of genuine peace and joy, so is our troubled journey transformed when we realize that we live in an age of Self-rediscovery where ‘free will’ takes on a much deeper meaning for us.

It has been said that “coincidence is when God works a miracle and decides to remain anonymous.” This is no coincidence. The timely convergence of quantum mechanics with ancient and modern spiritual traditions and philosophies, along with our ever-deepening exploration into consciousness and the mind, are leading us to the knowledge in this present age that we can choose to think differently and therefore see our world differently… through a new pair of glasses. In so doing, perhaps we can witness a depressed, beat-up old world become transformed into one of beauty, peace and joy for all.