The spiritual healing journey, to some people, is a path with a long “to do” list with the goal of enlightenment in mind: Workshops and retreats to attend, books to read, mantras to repeat, prayers to recite, and so on. This journey can be made into another busy- making agenda to distract ourselves from the uneasy mind, just as we do with our mundane activities. The wise ones tell us that there is nothing to do, that there is nothing to attain, but to let go of everything that is an obstacle to the experience of the enlightened mind which is always there.
The most
Difficult task in hunting you, God,
Is using those arrows and bow
You gave my heart.
They are made of plain water I aim
A great distance
At the Sun.
Hafiz, who can understand
The profound absurdity of all effort
On this
Path.
Why not state this ancient dilemma
From another view.
Listen:
Not once in our history
Has an ant gone out and captured
An elephant single-handed.
Does that tell you anything new?
Maybe not.
This teaching business
Isn’t
Easy.
from The Gift: Poems by Hafiz translated by Daniel Ladinsky
In truth, all the spiritual practices that we do is to help us to align with that inner strength, or fearlessness that we really are. We may think that by doing the practices we will attain something that we are lacking, but this understanding is another obstruction to uncovering our enlightened mind. The very feeling of inadequacy, of looking for something outside of us is the paradoxical nature of spiritual practice. There is nothing that is found outside of ourselves. Inner strength can only be attained by the development of a balanced state of mind that uncovers our fearlessness, for anything that is attained from the outside can be lost. Only that which is already what we truly are, will always remain.
Our true nature is that of openness and loving-kindness when we experience unity with all creation. The root of our problems is the feeling of separation or duality in the presence of others. We feel afraid of what we perceive to be different and this fear causes a feeling of inferiority or superiority. We set up a dichotomy with another, the nature of which, the Buddhists tell us is of three basic causes: greed (desire), aversion(hatred), and delusion(ignorance). We then act in accordance to our nature based on one of these or a combination of them. This is the cause of our unbalanced state of mind and affects the way we communicate with each other. In the presence of a master who has let go of all obstructions to the enlightened mind, we feel no need to defend our ego, as our true nature is reflected back to us.
One of my teachers loved to tell this story of a man who had suffered backache most of his life. One day he went to a conference featuring the Dalai Lama in whose presence, the man’s backache went away. Later as the guests approached the Dalai Lama for his blessing, the man thanked him for taking away his backache. The Dalai Lama replied, ” I did nothing!” Chang Master, Sheng Yen said in one of his lectures, “…The sun does not consciously shine on anything; it is we who are aware of its light and warmth… Sentient beings who come across greatly enlightened practitioners perceive that they are being helped, but for the Bodhisattva there is no purity nor is there an illuminated mind. It is just a spontaneous and natural way of being, and sentient beings deliver themselves in response.”
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Sister,
I love, love, l0ve the concept of fearlessness…. You inspired my blog post for today… Thank you.
Warmest love and gratitude to you for sharing your wisdom with the world,
M
Hello Maithri,
Love is fearless. I like that.
Your work in Swaziland is fearlessness and love in action.
Love the world into change!
It is those reminders that we receive from outside of ourselves that are valuable. I love what you said here “In the presence of a master who has let go of all obstructions to the enlightened mind, we feel no need to defend our ego, as our true nature is reflected back to us.” If we can keep this idea in our minds, and find a teacher such as this ~ whether animal, mineral, human or spirit ~ it is a wonderful gift.
When we attain ~ even briefly~ the state of oneness, it is a feeling of bliss, that everything is right and good and perfect. It is just the staying in that state that is a challenge … so many foes ;o) But Miruh, as always, your blog is a beautiful space for me, and always a reminder of the truth.
Thank you ~ Nicole
Hello Nicole,
I am glad that you brought up that a teacher can be animal, mineral, human or spirit. The one Consciousness expresses itself through all these forms and when we connect with it in whatever form, we experience our oneness and become aligned to our true nature. As you point out, we are ever jumping on and off that alignment until we learn to become established there no matter what.
Thanks for your input, as always I am moved by the depth of your thoughts about the post. I appreciate your presence here.
Deep peace to you my friend!
Beauty Miruh!
All the practices are only to remove the dust collected over the years…as it gets cleared , it is no longer a practice…an effortless being in the moment. As much as the practices are initially required, so is it with the dropping of them too…infact, it drops on its own!
Being in the presence of The Master — it is so true, Miruh. Only when you personally experience, you realize what it is…silent unspoken miracles in multitude….as a sign of gratefulness, the silent smile overwhelms…amazing to be in His presence…
Hello Merging Point,
Your description of being in the presence of The Master is beautiful, “silent unspoken miracles in multitude…”It is a great gift of Grace to have that experience. You are very fortunate.
Namaste!
This is one of the best writings I have read in a long time! You have crafted your thoughts so very well and in a way which is easy for the reader to discern and understand that all is intrinsic and that the external at its best is merely a catalyst for us to re-discover that which we already have within us.
I love the story of the man with the back ache and the Dali Lama. This is a brilliant illustration of how are energy illuminates and impacts that which we are not even aware of.
Hello Mark,
Thanks for your very generous comment!
It always amazes me how simple the wisdom teachings are, that are taught by those who embody the clarity of the state they describe. The truth is simple, and the more we open to the genuine beauty within, it is reflected without, and transforms everything it touches to match its vibration which is love.
Deep peace to you Mark!
Hi Miruh,
Your words flow gently from the golden chalice of knowledge. The are like an elixir of the soul. No matter what challenges we have in life, love dissipates fear.
Thanks for sharing your beauty.
Hello Alexys,
Bowing graciously, your beautiful words flow from your generous heart to mine. These words only take wings if there are kindred souls like yours to receive them.
Thanks for your loving support!
Deep peace to you my friend!
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