The Test for Meditation in Action
When we first come into this life we form a self in order to cope with the world. The baby has a rather scant self and commensurately little ability to deal with the world. We develop a self to deal with the world, but we also develop the habit of solidifying that self, and that solidifying habit congests the flow of nature, leading to suffering.
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17 Past Reflections
On May 8, 2011 Luke Willson wrote :
I meditate when ever i feel unsettled or down about life, weather its involves loved ones, work or just a shit day......... I mediate that the only thing making the situation bad is how i perceive it. the more i do this the more automatic it kicks in creating calm in all aspects of life.. Breath Beautiful people, life is not as serious as most of us think! ; )
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On May 4, 2011 Travis wrote :
I don't find "no-self" to mean no "I am." Quite the oppsite actually. In my experience it is reduced somewhat to "Am", but material existence does not depart when identification as an existing form goes. Once the walls of the lie of identifying as a separate individual self collapse the existing form is free to actually live this life. There is no loss of this life when it is seen that this life is not the sum total of what we truly are.
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On May 4, 2011 Manisha wrote :
Thank you for sharing these simple, elegant words. I'm still reflecting on it, but what has become apparent to me thus far is the difficult process of going from the solidified self to the no-self. They are opposite forces; the former pulls me into old habits that keep me within my constructed boundaries whereas the no-self opens me up to a natural flow of energy. Straddling between the two is unsteady. Perhaps each being can only house one self: either the solidified self or the no-self. At any given time, I can choose which self to be and my thoughts, feelings, and actions will follow accordingly. But as soon as the walls of the solidified self begin to crumble down and I experience what lies beyond, there is no desire to build it back up again. The whole wall must be brought down so that only the no-self exists.
I like the term "no-self" because without the self, there is no "I am"; only empty space for all possibilities.
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On May 3, 2011 Ellen wrote :
In the 30's a man named Lou Austen discovered an interesting method to change from "solidified self" to Meditating Self, which he called the little me and the Great me. Simply breathe out the little me and breathe in the Great me. He taught it to his children, and then at their behest when adults, wrote a darling book for their children. With it, you can simply teach very young souls "and solidified adults" how to step from lower self to Higher Self. ALso he gives tips on how to tell which one is in charge.
I have taught hundreds of children this method,and who have never forgot that there is more to themselves than the "solidified self"
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On May 3, 2011 Travis wrote :
Great piece. But, I think the term "super-adult" is a bit generous. Most people simply never make it to adult. They remain children with lots of experience and perhaps some hard won wisdom. Actual adults are few and far between. As much in the world of spiritual seekers as elsewhere.
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On May 3, 2011 Ganoba wrote :
Meditating is as simple and natural as breathing.
The experts have a way of making it appear complecated so they can attract a following by promising to make it simple.
I HAVE PROMISED MYSELF THAT I WILL STAY AWAY FROM THE EXPERTS.
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On May 2, 2011 richard wrote :
Yes. It took me a long time to begin to understand something about the extent of the problem here.
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On May 2, 2011 Pancho wrote :
Hermano Viral asked us: "What is your own test for meditation in action?"
Putting meditation in action --outer service-- is when my courage and kindness are aligneed and in great timing with the Universal Love.
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On May 2, 2011 Ricky wrote :
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On May 1, 2011 madhur wrote :
There is so much of learning in this space, especially from the comments of our thoughtful, genious readers. It opens up a new world and different perspective to an old world :)
Living the life of no-self is a marvellous idea but needs regular practice through several ways, listening and observing are extremely important and trust in God and his creation is the ultimate need for becoming peaceful and truly happy. Some of us may have lost time earlier and may need to re-build ourselves. The soul however remains unaffected and through cleansing and recycling from a created self may need some effort it's never too late to begin. As pointed out by readers above I couldnt agree more.
Much gratitude for your honest , heartfelt thoughts and comments which bring so much enlightenment.
thanks.
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On Apr 30, 2011 Edit Lak wrote :
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On Apr 30, 2011 Edit Lak wrote :
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On Apr 30, 2011 Conrad wrote :
Thank you so much. This is excellent. I learned much from it. I notice that I am still too much of a self. I am more inspired now to grow up. I am most a non-self when I am mindful and kind.
As Seng-Ts'an said: "The more you think and talk, the more you lose the way." That fits well with the monk Thomas Keating, who said: "God's first language is silence. All else is a poor translation."Warm and kind regards to all readers. You all have my gratitude.
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On Apr 30, 2011 KT wrote :
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On Apr 29, 2011 Prasad Kaipa wrote :
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On Apr 29, 2011 Ashish wrote :
I've often compared the sobriety test (walk a line) and a subsequent failure, to, observing my breath and the subsequent wandering of my attention. In the former, one gets slapped with a DUI (driving under the influence) and in the latter, I concluded, I am 'Living under the influence'. What I am 'Living under the influence' of, is an interesting question in itself. The 'stop on a dime' reminded me of this. Thanks for sharing this thought.
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