Lama Marut (a.k.a. Brian K. Smith) is extensively trained in the spiritual traditions of India and Tibetan Buddhism. He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Religion and taught for over two decades in the academic world, first at Columbia University and later at the University of California. He lived as a Buddhist monk for eight years and has served for the past fifteen years as a spiritual teacher to students around the world.
SEED QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: What does being nobody mean to you? Can you share a personal story of a time you experienced being nobody? How can we develop the ability to vacate ourselves?
I am an introvert. I need time alone to "de-nerve" (calm nerves), think, organize, re-channel and recharge. This has to be for me to function in the world. Once in the world, I like to do great things in an invisible way. For me to hold "my charge" (and effectiveness) for longer periods, I have to do the work God has for me "unseen".
The second people start laying praise/acknowledging an effort made, I feel "bogged down" and want to tuck myself away again.
Joy comes from the Lord;)! His instruction and praise best perceived when I vacate myself. (Too much attention . . . not good for people.) Overinflating . . . Under inflating an ego is not of Christ. Somewhere in between, I believe God wants us.
Being a NOBOBY is very powerful as it saves the energy to maintain the SOMEBODY we think we are or want to be. We are, who we are and being our authentic self already makes us unique. The knowing that the big jigsaw puzzle is complete only with each one of us makes each one equally special.
Being Nobody means BEING who we really are without putting pressure on ourselves to become something else. I have had moments where in serving others I lost myself in the moment and felt such joy and contentment in knowing that just by being me; the Heart of me, that was enough. That Being allowed the other person to open up and BE who they were too. It has happened often in Listening to and Sharing Stories from the heart. May be all have the moment to feel and BE Nobody and know it is enough. Hugs from my heart to yours!
Entertaining guests recently , I was able to "become nobody" by wanting our time together be all about them(serving them) & not me. It was liberating!
"Place your mind before the mirror of eternity; place your soul in the brightness of God's glory" [St. Clare of Assissi]
Nirvana is not the end of your light, but the invisibility of that small flame in the brightness of the full sun.
And, from a 3rd tradition: "It is only in being lived by the Tau that you are truly yourself" [Tau te Ching]