It occurred to me that some folks might find my last blog discouraging. I detailed my attempts at learning and then said they didn't help. Let me clarify. Trying doesn't accomplish what you want it to; because it is focused on doing and always invites the ego's participation. Almost all of us need to go through that phase, however. Trying, sharpens and focuses intent. Intent is crucial to progress. We need intent without the attachment the ego creates.
We are trying to achieve UNLEARNING. From the time we are born, we are being programmed. Our perception is shaped by our caregivers. We "see" according to our programming. For thousands of generations we have learned to see what our forebears have seen. Our seeing is greatly influenced by the tribe that holds our allegiance. Occasionally, a person escapes total programming and if he/she is intelligent they are labeled a genius; if not their gift of seeing is lost to all except a few. Most people participate in the illusion, we create, until the day we die.
Spiritual awareness {awareness of who we are} comes as we unlearn. Unlearning is not doing. It is giving up all you think you know. In the great spiritual traditions, the student was constantly put into paradoxical situations that forced his mind, i.e. ego, to give up. He was forced to just "be". Zen offers the clearest example of this.
Most of us can't travel to Japan or India to spend time in an ashram or temple and learn to see. We need to unlearn as we participate in the lives we have. This is where intent is important. You need to have some idea, perhaps not clear yet, of what you want to happen.
We can begin with any concept. Let us assume oneness. If we are one, then only oneness can define us. If you postulate that love is the only thing there is, then oneness is love. Unlearning then is letting go of everything but love. That is what you discover in meditation when you are able to empty your mind and find that deep peace which is love.
Once you have intent; you begin to unlearn. Every moment is yours to choose love over everything else. In every moment is peace. In every moment is joy. When you are in the now; you defeat the programming. The now has no past; hence, no programming. You can go to an ashram to learn to be in the "now" or you can be here now and choose love.
As you practice being in the moment and choosing love, you will gradually increase your ability to "see" as the programming loses its grip.
In a future blog I will discuss how our programming has made us vulnerable to the forces that will to control us.
Practice "seeing".
Love and Peace, Gregg
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