Children Play

Recently, I was watching a YouTube presentation in which Osho, a spiritual teacher (1931 – 1990) shared some of his enlightening statements about life. Although Osho’s lifestyle and political beliefs were controversial, I believe that he, nevertheless, shared Truth. The subject of this article relates to the following short statement he made:

“Adults play games; children play.”

I’m sure that many of you, if not all, will have intuited the point that caught my attention. It relates to the habitual and predominant unconscious need of persons (particularly in Western-style, driven societies) to be forever doing. Day after day after day we strive. We do; we go; we plan. The tragic issue, ignored by most, is that will all of our doing, we are never done. We are like spiders spinning webs in which we, ourselves, are caught by our nature. We become the prey of our own lives.

The point that Osho presented was that children, those glorious beacons who still shine with inner knowledge, still remember what it’s like to play for no sake other than to play. For them, the play is not the main point–it is the only point! Conversely, our pseudo-wise adults almost always have some prize in mind as a goal; which paradoxically robs us of the real prize.

It’s not too late: The child that is our true identity–the spiritual child–is waiting to be rediscovered. It is forever young; eternal, immortal. Given an opportunity–when not forced into submission by the enslaving will of the ego–it can still urge us to sing, to dance, to play. We owe our Spirit that chance; for it has sustained us through the best of times and the worst of times. We may allow ourselves to take a break; watch a sunrise; sing for no other reason than to sing. What’s the best–not the worst–that could happen? We might step out of our tedious habits and into the glory of the present moment. We’ll close this article with the following lines from Osho:

“Just be, total, alone in your absolute purity.

This is enlightenment.”

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

P.S. Please share this article if you enjoyed it. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones–released September 8, 2020), press here. May it help you in your spiritual journey. 🙏🙏

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Into The Desert

I raise my hand and gesture to my friend (all of you) with a beckoning wave. “Come with me, my friend; we’re going to journey into the desert. There will be no turning back until we discover profound Truth. We’re going to leave everything behind–including water. On this journey into barrenness, we will have no need for canteens.”

Incredulous, my friend says, “But, surely we shall perish if we dare to travel into the desert heat without water.”

I look at my friend with utter compassion. His concern is understandable, given whom he believes himself to be. “In Truth–true knowing–there is no need for water,” I reply, “because we’re going to leave behind the person who drinks.” And so…we head into the desert:

***

Who would pretend to know what events lead us into the heart of the desert. Suffering? Life circumstances? Beasts in the belly so painful that we are willing–even eager–to leave behind our person who cries in the night? Yes, no doubt. The cause may also just be what it is…when the time is right. In I Am That, Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj makes it clear that “the fruit falls from the tree when it is ripe.” If you, my friends, are ripe with earnest curiosity, we’ll walk into the desert and discover our essential nature.

Personhood–what a rush! Through it we get to run and play, build companies, climb mountains, forge rivers, get married and have children. We may travel the world, be fighter pilots, and take motorcycle trips that span thousands of kilometers! We can choose a career and give our life in service. Conversely, we may get lost in the greedy egoic dream and take this moment-to-moment journey in “time and space” as real–too real. If this be the case, our journey into personhood–the little Jane or John Doe that the majority of individuals still believe themselves to be–can be incredibly challenging. At such a point, we may need to travel within–to the heart of the desert–and rediscover our essential nature.

***

During our journey into the desert, my friend learned–directly–that the realness of this world was but a shimmering desert mirage. Every sandy step was a walking meditation into the stillness of our Being. He recognized (Latin: to know again) that What was truly Real was the transcendent place from whence we came. And when we emerged from the desert, walking together as spiritual children of the one-and-only God, we carried that knowing with us. We truly are in this world but not of it.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

The Intersection of All That Is

Everyone with even a slight interest in the subject of spirituality will have heard our essential nature described as being here and now. Another term for That which is indefinable is Being. Much to our amazement, spiritual teachers inform us that all that truly exists–despite the finite mind’s adamant protest of “I have a past and a future!”–is here…now. To this transcendent intersection, I dedicate this article.

If we believe (as the majority of persons do) that the totality of our identity when we apparently awaken in the morning is our wonderful human body and mind, we have not yet knowingly recognized the hidden glory that is forever present at the Intersection of our Being. This is the dimensionless crossroads that is the alpha and omega of everything that is, was, and will be. I call it God. In truth, any word used to describe “It” will always fall short; for words are only representations for that to which they refer. Due to the limitations of our human mind, we cannot truthfully describe the Holiest of Holy. No matter how many times we utter the word “water,” the definition of it will never quench our thirst. The good news is that we are–already–an aspect of that Sacred Intersection which cannot be pointed to on a map or located physically.

What’s actually occurring at the intersection of here and now? The answer to that question involves the most mysterious paradox. Here and now, the Infinite Source of our Being is expressing Itself in, through, and as the finite forms of everyone and everything. Without The Infinite, our human body-minds could not apparently exist; and without us, Infinite Source would not have agents of consciousness through which to express Its works. This is the intersection–where the finite meets Infinite–to which this article refers. The following is unbeknownst to the majority: Wherever we are, we are treading upon Holy ground. We’ve long been told that our bodies are temples of a Living God; and those who’ve shared this truth weren’t kidding.

How do we locate this placeless intersection? That, in itself, requires deeper inquiry; for the intersection of our essential nature cannot be discovered in or through a physical or mental process. We’re informed of this through Luke 17:21: “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” This is another way of telling us that if we search for the glorious intersection of our Being through the senses…we seek in vain. All is not lost, however; for we are also told the following, in Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.” The message can be informally expressed as this: relax, sit a spell, take a stroll in nature, meditate. The deeper dimension of our being can easily be discovered when we slow down and stop all of our doing–at least temporarily–and just be. There, in the gap between our thoughts, we may realize our true identity–AWARENESS. It shines self luminous like the sun.

What can be gained by discovering this intersection? A lot, not the least of which is the end of suffering. Suffering in all of its forms–either physical or mental–belongs to the false “i” that has been robbing our life of the natural joy that is our birthright. The false self with whom most people “i”-dentity is a conceptual self rendered by mind; our True Self is prior to mind. When we experientially arrive at the intersection of all that is, we realize a dimension of ourselves that is almost always overshadowed by our false self–the little guy or gal with all the problems. Through discovery of the Self which is the true Being of all selves, we realize that all of our fears and concerns do not belong to us. Why? Because we never were that false self; such only appeared to be the case.

When we discover the intersection of all that is, we can clearly see the insanity of attempting to live solely for the sake of pleasing the little “i.” The ego will never be satisfied. Through clear discernment into our essential nature, we can align with our true purpose–which is spirit based–and bring forth the ideals that we were intended to express for the good of all. To do so is to live abundantly and joyfully. And that’s what makes discovering the intersection of all that is so worthwhile.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Just “Be”

You’ve heard, or perhaps even said, the following: “I’m a work in progress.” It is a statement that seems to contain a toss of the hand, a roll of the eyes, or an unspoken hmmph. It suggests dissatisfaction at imperfection; perhaps even quiet resignation that ‘i” am not yet enough. The statement implies that a quality or aspect–one which we desperately need–is lacking; one which, if found, would make me all right, good enough, a work complete and worthy. What utter nonsense.

From moment to moment, life is always moving, pulsing like a multifaceted diamond. Nothing rests. If it stopped, it would not be life; it would be lifeless. As everything is always moving, how could we ever reach (as implied by the sentence referred to in the first paragraph) a place of static perfection? How long could we clutch that fleeting second when we could joyously cry, “Now, I can stop; I have made it to the top of the heap!” How, in a medium that is always moving, could we ever possibly arrive?

Again: Life moves—continuously. Everything is in flux. Heraclitus is said to have stated the following: “You can’t step into the same river twice.” It can also be argued that you cannot even step into the same river once; for the river, itself, is never the same. Answers and solutions considered to be the pinnacle of perfection (think finest transportation = horse and buggy) are all replaced when the next-best solution appears. The situation is the same for us. Education that was considered sufficient one hundred years ago would be considered incredibly inadequate today; and the same will hold true twenty–ten–five–years from now. The point is to enjoy the ride called “the story of my life.“ In short, we can strive to do the best that we can in any given moment and go with the flow. Awareness, an open heart, humility, and a willingness to allow good works to occur through us will take us a long way.

You (yes, “you” in the last row, in the corner) are more than enough as you are! Please don’t let graphs, statistics, and the social averages related to the tests that you’re going through right now define you. They can’t! Success and failure are relative words, which ultimately mean sweet diddly squat. This is not intended to imply that we should not strive; to dream is part of our essential nature. It’s just not wise to make our sense of worthiness dependent on results. You “are” inherently valuable here…and…now. Period.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

My Sky is Blue

Chances are that most of us have heard the following question: What colour is the sky in your world? And chances are that whoever asked it (perhaps with a roll of the eyes) was trying to imply that someone else–a friend, a family member, a colleague, or a stranger–is living in a delusional bubble for being happy and optimistic in the face of a negative reality. Whatever the reason, the expression is usually intended derogatively.

I write about the question above to remind, or perhaps inform, that our experience of life is unique for each and every one of us. It’s also important to understand that we attract experiences according to the habitual way we think and feel. Therefore, feeling good not only benefits us in the present moment but also sets the stage for future moments. The fact is that the reality we experience can be very good even when everyone around us claims that the world is falling apart. This does not make us foolish–quite the contrary. To be ruled by circumstance, or the predominant opinions of others, places us at the whims of the world. The opposite is true when we practice our right to govern our own perspective. We may also remind ourselves that a shift in our perspective–to one of gratitude and optimism–creates the pathway for real and dramatic change to occur in our lives.

With this mindset, we may–despite hearing that we are beaten–think “I Am victorious!” With this mindset, we may–despite hearing that we look tired–think “I Am full of vitality!” With this mindset, we may–despite hearing that the state of the world is hopeless–think “goodness will triumph!” It is such optimism–combined with applied action toward positive goals–that actually creates a Blue Sky Reality. This doesn’t mean that we’re denying a negative situation; we’re just choosing not to focus upon it.

Our evolution is up to us. We may live as a conduit to goodness, kindness, courage, optimism, power and perseverance. In the same way that we challenge our muscles by lifting heavier weights (and thereby grow stronger), we may challenge our attitude and live a more fulfilling life. Source–which is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient–supports us. We get to choose. Such is our power; such is our freedom; such is our birthright–if only we will claim it!

This world can attempt to exert a negative effect; but such cannot occur without our permission. On any given day, we can see the news and watch reports of terrible atrocities. We can listen to neighbours and hear them complain about politics, the weeds in their lawn, or the cost of a loaf of bread. Or, we may exercise our right to view the world through our own perspective. Through the use of deliberate focus and intention, we may turn our back to dark skies and face the light. And the next time someone asks “What colour is the sky in your world?” we may confidently and unapologetically reply “My sky is blue.”

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Dismantling Fences

There is an old saying which states that “fences make good neighbours.” Although this may seem a logical way to deal with conflicts that invariably arise due to the human condition, it is a shortsighted solution. On a larger scale, building fences–even mending fences–leaves us subject to judgmental behaviour that ignores our shared oneness. Relying on the mentality of the masses, which is always fluctuating, only serves to separate us from the good that inherently unites us. Our only hope for lasting peace amongst neighbours and nations lies in dismantling our minds’ fences…forever. Below, is only one example of what can occur when we truly don’t know one another:

December 1, 1955: On a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, the bus driver orders Rosa Parks and three other riders to give up their seats in the coloured section because the white’s only section is filled. Rosa refuses to do so. As a result, she is arrested for civil disobedience and later fined ten dollars for violating segregation laws, plus an additional four dollars for court fees. A court case is launched and a bus boycott ensues for more than a year. The Supreme Court finally rules that segregation laws are unconstitutional. Throughout this time, and for years afterward, Rosa and her family receive death threats…for standing up for rights and basic dignities that should be–MUST BE–afforded to All.

At what level do we do begin to dismantle fences? Nothing short of a spiritual approach will yield the best effect. However, there is a common misconception that spirituality and enlightenment (which may be defined as waking from apparent personhood through recognition of our True Self) is something that is done; an activity that will add a beneficial dimension to our life and make us better persons–in much the same way that someone might pad a resumé. To be interested in matters spiritual might even be conceptualized as something namby pamby; an activity to be shunned by those who have better activities with which to occupy their time. Nothing could be further from the truth.

To embark upon a spiritual quest is the bravest–most important–journey we will ever undertake. It is a figurative journey that involves travelling from conditioned ignorance to an awareness of our True Being. Such is a courageous act because recognition of True Self–by definition–requires that we surrender the false self, with whom we’ve identified for the majority of our so-called personal life. Such can involve a tremendous amount of pain; for it requires that we surrender our pride, historical story, and every triumph which we may have held dear. In short, we realize that our trophies never belonged to us; for there is truly no one here to receive them. True enlightenment is not freedom as the self; it is freedom from the self.

Until we see the Truth beyond our own mask (the name and form identity called “me“) it’s literally impossible for us to see the true nature of those with whom we share this planet. Spiritual teachings may, at best, lead to more civilized and tolerant behaviour; but such is not the solution. It can lead to the smug piousness that turns individuals away from the subject of spirituality. The solution is to directly experience our Oneness; for through this knowledge–lived–our fences fall down of their own accord.

The journey to Self–and a better world–requires that we engage a deep sense of earnest curiosity; a daringness to discover That which is beyond the egoic costume which masquerades as our identity. Such a journey holds unparalleled value; for when we discover the Truth within ourselves, we, thus, are enabled to see It shining as the glorious identity in everyone of varying class, colour, and nationality. With clear insight from our heart, we realize that persons on the opposite side of the fence are, indeed, not others; they are ourself.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Claiming Innocence

Before we dive into this article, some clarification is in order: I am not now proclaiming–nor have I ever claimed–to be innocent. I’m here, apparently, and such makes me just as vulnerable to the human condition as each and every other person. My body-mind is guilty as charged; of ~~making mistakes~~ learning lessons, of occasional self-centeredness, of letting emotions lead to less-than-perfect behaviour. “Art” has made his fair share of mistakes; but in fairness to the “guy,” he did get some things right.

The innocence of which I’m referring to in this article is the innocence of Spirit, which is our True Self. It is untainted by any of the human drama which may have played upon the stage called “our” life. To understand this deeply, we must know–directly–that we are actually spirit, apparently incarnate; not actually flesh and bones awaiting transformation to spirit. The process of knowing cannot be understood conceptually; for our True Self is beyond the mind; therefore, incapable of being approached and comprehended by it. Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj stated this so eloquently in his spiritual classic I Am That:

“Before the mind–I Am. ‘I Am’ is not a thought in the mind.

The mind happens to me, I do not happen to the mind.”

Let’s move a little closer to reclaiming our innocence by looking at his quote more closely. He was basically telling us that Consciousness (Spirit) is the foundation of our Being; not an epiphenomenon of biological processes. In short, our True “I” is not dependent on the body and the mind. They, in fact, are dependent on “I.” The predominant culture of the world has informed us otherwise; yet strangely enough, the best of science cannot tell us how a personal sense of “me” arises. David Chalmers, a noted professor of philosophy and neural science (according to Wikipedia), coined such the hard problem of consciousness.

To claim innocence is to rediscover our deeper dimension–Self–that is separate and distinct from our body-mind and its story. It is to recognize our essential nature–Spirit. A good way to begin the search for recognition of this dimension is to turn our attention from the senses and go within; to the domain of the silent witness to which every sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell; and all thoughts, feelings, sensations, and memories must report. The process is a stripping–bare; a shrugging off of all definitions and concepts related to identity. To stop at naked is still to leave It clothed too much; for not until we are resplendent nothingness have we arrived at Self. Now pray tell…of what could That be guilty?

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Haven’t Been My”Self” Lately

Through the recognition of Truth, I haven’t been my”self” for the last two years. In fact, we can never actually be the little self (the body-mind, person) that lays claim to our life; but it sure appears that way. The error occurs due to a gross assumption, which, by and large, goes unnoticed. In my case, every joy and every sorrow, every failure and success sure seemed to belong to me–Art Russell, the little guy in the photo above. We can never actually be the bundle of sensations, images, feelings, thoughts, memory, and perceptions (the little “i”) that perpetually masquerades as the sum total of our identity. The little self is only the costumed actor who plays our role during the current performance of “My Life.” The Real “I”–Spirit–has always been with us; off stage, behind the scenes. It is safe, secure, and untouched by any of the human drama.

My little “self” (the apparent thief of identity) did an incredible job of fooling me. Deep within, I had a strong lurking sense that there was far more to us than meets the eye or psyche; but, by and large, I was knowingly disconnected from awareness of my True Self. As a result, there was a significant degree of suffering. That’s what occurs when we’ve strayed too far from the Truth of our Being, to turn us in the right direction. Attempting to keep the costumed “actor” happy is a full time job. It is exhausting; for the false self is rarely content for long. It judges every situation and circumstance; and any happiness that it apparently experiences is always of a relatively fleeting nature.

I share this information to attempt to lighten the load that you may be carrying unnecessarily. When we discover our True Self, everything about our life and the world becomes so much lighter. We regain a playfulness and contentment that we may not have felt since childhood. Yes, there will still be work required to be done–and it will be; but it will be performed with a sense of detached lightness. The perspective that “is” our True Self allows us to view the world and our place within it from a position of wisdom. We live with trust in our heart; rather than by mind-dominated fearfulness. We feel expansive and free; rather than isolated and in competition.

What do I hope that readers may take away from this article, beyond a cool lesson in rocking horse technique? The following:

We are all children of One Creator.
We are all deserving of Love and respect.
We are all on an incredible journey—the story of our life.
Each and every one of us has purpose; we are here for a reason.

The journey to recognition of our True Self is one of the most exciting journeys that any of us will ever undertake. It is beyond comparison. It need not be overwhelming. During the process, you’ll most likely realize that you’ve been carrying a lot of negative baggage that, in honesty, belongs only to the false self. You are not the body-mind. On a given day, you may experience startling revelations; or weep tears of joy as you let go of painful emotions. You might begin by nurturing your earnest curiosity and asking: “Who Am I—really?” Hint: It’s not who you think you are.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

The Echo of “I Am”

In wisdom teachings about our higher nature, which is identical in quality and nature to God’s (but differing in degree), an analogy is sometimes used of the sun shining as a reflection in water-filled pails. The sun, which is self-luminous and requires nothing else by which to shine, refers to Consciousness (also known by various Holy names); and the water and the pails refers to us, the body-minds or persons. In the analogy, the unaware person assumes there is an individual sun in each pot; of course, we realize that this isn’t the case. The analogy is intended to help us realize that each of us (water-filled pails) is not a source of consciousness unto our self. We shine (or know) by the light of the One-and-Only True Sun, Consciousness.

Another analogy came to me this morning. Imagine the following, if you will: In the beginning: Consciousness, All That Is. Eternally and silently, It thinks, hums, and knows “I AM.” Through its creative faculties, It creates all that apparently is, including us. In our mind, we hear the echo of “I Am“–The Creator that logically would have to be within each and every one of Its creations. The confusion arises when we assume that the echo is generated by–and belongs to–our little “i” that walks this earth. Consciousness is not personal; It is Universal. In John 10:30, this same message is related by Jesus: “I and my Father are one.” Through innocent ignorance, the majority of humans believe they are limited to name and form that is born and will surely die. This erroneous belief leads to tremendous suffering.

In case this seems like a whole lot of mumbo jumbo, please know that scientists have been unable to identify biological processes that lead to a supposedly personal sense of “i” within the human being. They never will. Why? Because the Consciousness which creates, and with which experience is known, isn’t personal. In other words, it doesn’t belong to the body-mind. The story of the little “i” that most persons believe themselves to be is known through One Consciousness, the only One there Is. A quote from Joel Goldsmith, who was a noted spiritual teacher, beautifully relates this Truth: “Take off your shoes in the presence of the word ‘I’ because you are speaking the holy name of God.” Logically, we can, therefore, conclude the True Identity of every other “i” with whom we interact, whether he or she realizes it or not.

There are tremendous benefits that arise through understanding the nature of our True Self; not the least of which is fearlessness regarding death. When we know that the true “I” within us–that “is” us–does not die; we realize there is nothing to fear. With this understanding, we can live–fully–here and now. The only self that dies is the fictional little “i” of name and form, which is rendered by the mind. The Real “I” is all that is, eternally; and we are aspects of That.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

P.S. Please share this article if you enjoyed it. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones–released September 8, 2020) press here. May it help you in your spiritual journey. 🙏🙏

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Self Recognition

Until we knowingly reconnect with That which is our essential nature, there will seem to be a deep wound within us that refuses to heal. No matter how much salve we apply–in the form of relationships, financial gain, achievements, and objects of desire–the wound will remain. Due to innocent ignorance of What we truly are, we will repeatedly try to alleviate the pain. It may take countless years, even lifetimes, before we learn that there is one cure only: Recognition.

I, too, suffered under the tyranical rule of my false self for many years–or so it seems. My character “Art” took me down various blind roads before the suffering became so intense that I–as is the case of so many others–was forced to look within. There in the dazzling darkness, I glimpsed my own essence; an essence that I recognized as the Essence of everyone and everything. It was That for which I’d unconsciously been seeking. Words such as beautiful and transcendent cannot begin to express the joy I experienced. I was home…where “I” belong.

When we recognize the Truth of our Being, we realize that appearances–especially of the false self and this “world“–are not as they seem. We also learn that we may question the reality of our personal history. With insight and clear understanding, we’re able to know that we are apparently in the world but not of it. As much as the senses might adamantly proclaim that they’re stating the truth–and nothing but the truth–we literally cannot be the face that stares back from the mirror.

There is one reason only why those who’ve realized Truth share the information that I’ve related in this article: Love. The wonderful and expansive feelings that arise from knowing our True Self–which is the same Self flowing through and as everyone else–are too sublime not to share. Love that is not shared is not love. That is the reason and the purpose behind the writing of my recent book–to share. Be brave, be bold, be earnestly curious and dare to reach for your True Self. You’ll be glad that you did.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Think2wice

CONSCIOUSNESS, SPIRITUALITY, & LAW OF ATTRACTION

Category: Freedom

Children Play

Into The Desert

The Intersection of All That Is

Just “Be”

My Sky is Blue

Dismantling Fences

Claiming Innocence

Haven’t Been My”Self” Lately

The Echo of “I Am”

Self Recognition

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