Winter returned this Morning. The temperature when I got up was 27 degrees F. It is forecast to snow Wednesday and Thursday. We may get 2 to 3 inches. Although, atypical it is not uncommon to have a Spring in Minnesota that is reluctant to come. We had one in 1975, the year we moved into this house, the frost wasn't completely out of the ground until the end of April; by May 1st when we moved in, it hadn't dried up yet and we got the moving truck stuck going across the yard.
I have learned to accept what is, when it comes to weather {well most the time-I can imagine certain family members clearing their throats-Yes, I have complained in the past} Accepting what is, is an ongoing process. That brings me to the topic for today.
Many of us try to achieve enlightenment. We can't. Enlightenment will happen when we are ready. We can't try to open our eyes. But we can remove some of the thoughts, judgements and beliefs that keep them closed. We need to understand how much our beliefs, many hidden from us, affect how we see.
Throughout the ages there have been different paths towards learning to see. I don't know much about 'seeing'. I just know quite a bit about what keeps us from 'seeing'. I am no further along the path than the rest of you. I think we are all going to emerge together.
As I see it we can divide the paths, roughly, into two categories. The meditation path, which helps one quiet their mind and examine how they think and 'be'. One learns to see reality by dispensing of the usual static our egos' create.
Then there is the method taught by Krishnamurti, Carlos Castaneda's Don Juan, et al. Instead of concentrating on a mantra, breathing etc. one pays acute attention to everything they see. Everything one perceives is focused on intently. For instance if one looks at a leaf, they look at it so intently they empty their mind of all thought that would distort what they see.
No matter what path one takes, being aware of our thoughts and not attaching feelings to the ones we don't want is important.
It is one thing, understanding how important thoughts are and how we are limiting our consciousness. It is another thing being so serious about it that we limit our consciousness. Can we see how important it is without taking it so seriously? Can we take it seriously without being serious? Perhaps the word has two meanings.
I have learned for myself, that struggle is useless. We learn what thoughts lead to pain and which ones lead to happiness. When we are anything short of joyous, we can ask ourselves, what thoughts and feelings have we been indulging in. We don't have to struggle to learn. It is all laid out before us. We do need to pay attention, however.
It is all unlearning. We can't struggle to unlearn. We can pay attention to what 'is'. We are learning to surrender to what 'is'. What is all that space between our thoughts? It is Love. Love is the energy of the universe. It exists between the elements of the atom as it exist between planets. Love is the only energy there is.
When we surrender to what 'is', we will see nothing but Love.
I must add that lightheartedness is key. Laughing, dancing, music and celebrating every occasion. Loving with laughter brings us closer to the day our eyes fully open.
Love and Peace, Gregg
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