Category: Freedom

The “Discernment Show”

Backstage, in the Green Room,

ten minutes before the interview is about to begin:

Two guests, Mr. Ego-Head and Ms. IAmThatIAm, are sitting in chairs as the secretary to the host of the show preps them before going onstage. “So,” Ms. Hathaway, began, “because this is a live show, we’ve decided to set a timer for your replies–just to be fair about the interview. You’ll both be given three minutes in which to make your statement, and then the other guest will be given an opportunity to make a statement and/or a rebuttal. That sound, okay?”

Mr. Ego-Head said, “Certainly, Ms. Hathaway. Thanks so much for having me. By the way, that’s a lovely dress you’re wearing.”

“Certainly,” said Ms. IAmThatIAm with a smile.

“Great,” said Ms. Hathaway. “Let’s get you into your chairs onstage and we’ll roll in about five minutes.”

***

And…rolling:

“Welcome, folks, I’m your host Donald Discerning; and this is the “The Discernment Show;” a show in which we get to the bottom of topics that range from ants in your pants to quantum physics to the use of the media to control the masses. Our guests today–who have widely differing approaches to life–are Mr. Ego-Head and Ms. IAmThatIAm (cue applause). Donald nodded to both of the guests and then said, “Welcome to both of you.”

“Thanks for having me,” said Mr. Ego-Head.

Ms. IAmThatIAm nodded, smiling.

“So,” continued Mr. Discerning, “we tossed a coin backstage (honestly, this has nothing to do with a guy named Art Russell guy who pretends to write these articles) and the toss went to Mr. Ego-Head. We’ll begin with you.”

A smile the size of Saskatchewan (hint: Canada) spread across Mr. Ego-Head’s face.

“If you will, please tell our viewing audience a little about your approach to life.”

“Well, Donald, thank you for asking. “Why, it was just the other day that a good friend of mine–a well-known professor at Yale–was asking me for advice about that very topic. I said to him, Barney, I’ll tell you the same points that I shared with the president. I said blah, blah, blah, blah, yada yada yada, blah, blah, blah, blah–and then I said yada blah blah, yada blah blah, yada blah, yada blah, yada yada, blah blah. Well of course, I laughed; and my friend just howled–he has such an infectious laugh! I tell you, I slapped my knee more than once! But it was important that he realized this:

***

3 Minutes

(Donald waves, in a polite attempt to get Mr. Ego-Head’s attention)

***

…yada blah haha, yada blah haha. Do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti do, MEEEEE-so-so, MEEEEE-so-so. La, la, la, la, laa laa laa. La, la, la, la, laa laa laa. This-life-is-all-about-ME and ME and ME and Me and MEEEEE. This-life-is-all-about-ME and ME and ME and Me and MEEEEE. Yada yada, bling, so-ho. Yada yada, bling, so-ho. He saw my point–he truly did. He said to me, you are so wise–perhaps the wisest man I’ve ever met. How fortunate I am to have a friend like you…

***

13 Minutes

(Donald is standing, waving, stomping his feet; signaling for help from crew members back stage)

***

….and so I said to Sylvester, Stallone, that is, I said, ‘Sly, why don’t you do a film about boxing; you could call it Rocky.’ He wasn’t too sure, but thank goodness he listened to me. Rata tat, haha, rata tat, haha. I was a gifted child. Chug-a-chug, chug-a-chug, me me meeee. Chug-a-chug, me me meeee. Got straight A’s–in everything! Yada bling, yada bling, so so so. Steve–you know–Jobs, was once asking me for advice; and I said, ‘Why don’t you go with something fruity–maybe an apple, with a different look to it.’

***

47 minutes…and counting

(Backstage

(Crew Member One: “Can you get a bead on him?” Crew Member Two: “No, he keeps moving too much.”)

***

Finally

Donald Discerning fanned his hands at Ms. IAmThatIAm to signal there was nothing more he could do. Through it all, Ms. IAmThatIAm had remained peaceful and calmly detached. She appeared as though a serene bird that was perched high in a tree. Below her, a different bird was busily building its nest and tasting of fruit that was either bitter or sweet. Ms. IAmThatIAm was not bothered by such nonsense; for she realized that so much of what people worry about really doesn’t matter. Mr. Ego-Head was still talking when Donald Discerning signaled to Ms. IAmThatIAm that they might as well leave. They stood and quietly walked off stage. Stage hands soon appeared and began to sweep the floor. When they were finished, the stage manager turned off the overhead lights. As far as we know, Mr. Ego-Head is still there.

***.

Special Note: What’s the point of this little drama above? My intention is to illustrate that we have a choice–one largely unrecognized by the masses–about what type of Being/guest we invite to be dominant in our life. We can let Ego-Head dominate, especially if we desire to listen to negative and meaningless chatter all day; or we can discover that deeper dimension within ourselves and live with the peace of I Am That I Am. (P.S. The statement “get a bead on him” at the forty-seven minute mark referred to a water gun…just in case you were wondering.)

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2021 – R. Arthur Russell

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”

Interviewing “Art”

The radio host’s name was Donny Jay, which was convenient–they called him “DJ” for short. Art Russell, who was his next guest for the radio show at WK-WHY-IN-THE-WORLD, sat quietly in his chair. Across the desk from him, DJ was wrapping up his previous segment. “As always, folks, thanks for listening. We love to serve you here at WK-WHY; the radio station that brings you the latest and the greatest music, sports, interviews, and news updates from around the corner and around the globe. Our next guest is Art Russell, a man who hails from a small town in Ontario, Canada. He’s passionate about sharing his love of Oneness.” DJ disconnected his microphone, played a 15-second taped commercial, and then signaled to Art; counting 10, 9, 8, 7, 6….” And we’re live:

***

“So, Art–do you mind if I call you, Art?

“No, that’s fine–it’s just a name, right?”

“We’re so glad that you could join us for the show today.”

“Thanks for having me.”

“If you don’t mind, I’d like you to tell our listening audience a little bit about yourself.”

“Sure, DJ, I’d be glad to. My name is Art Russell, from a little town in Ontario, Canada. I’m here to spread the word about Oneness.”

“By Oneness, Art, what do you mean?”

“That’s a good question, DJ–one that stumps a lot of persons. It literally means not two–only One.”

“But how can that be?” said DJ, as he leaned toward his microphone. “I mean, it’s quite obvious that there’s a lot of separate persons and objects.”

“I hear what you’re saying, DJ. The key is that all of them take place in Consciousness; Universal Consciousness, to be exact.”

“I hope this won’t sound rude, but why do you want to spread the word about this Oneness stuff?”

“Because suffering arises when Beings erroneously believe they’re a body-mind. They’re filled with fear and anxiety about a future that’s just a concept in the mind. When more of us realize this, it will also help to end conflicts between people and facilitate peace among nations. Logically, if we knew that we are One, how could we ever go to war against one another?”

“What do you mean by body-mind?”

“That’s another term for a person, DJ.”

“I see. So let me get this straight, you don’t think we should consider ourselves as persons?”

“That’s right.”

DJ’s eyes rolled upward, his head tilted. “So what do you think we are?”

“Souls, Spirit, aspects of Consciousness.”

“And…you can prove this?”

“No, DJ, I can’t. But our essential nature can be experienced–directly–if persons will turn within and be still. When we meditate, it becomes quite obvious that we can witness sensations, images, feelings, and thoughts. We are That, the witness. Our modern world has had it backward for centuries. We’ve been led to believe that a fictional substance called matter, which is actually rendered by the mind, somehow magically gives rise to consciousness within the body-mind. It doesn’t. Consciousness gives rise to the mind and the body. They both appear in Consciousness.”

“That’s quite the statement you’re making. Just for the record, you didn’t eat one or two of those magic station brownies while you were waiting for this interview to begin, did you?”

Art smiled understandingly. “Nope.”

“So you’re also saying that matter doesn’t exist?”

“Yes, that’s what I’m saying. It’s actually rendered via the mind. Maybe a quote from the Tibetan Book of the Dead will help: Phenomena only exist in the mind that perceives them.”

“Wowsers, Art. Now, you’re scaring me! Maybe I should have one of those brownies.”

“You might want to have two, DJ,” Art said, smiling.

“This is pretty radical stuff you’re sharing with us.”

“Definitely is,” said Art. “Let me see if I can help. Have you ever considered how eyesight works?”

“Can’t say that I have.”

“Neither did I, until about ten years ago. You see, DJ, most persons believe that there’s a little “i” running around somewhere behind their forehead who’s looking out at a world.”

“And there’s not?”

“No, there’s not. That’s the fictional self; sometimes called the ghost in the mechanism. As far as the body-mind is concerned, it’s more accurate to think of it as a camera, than a photographer. Just bear with me for a moment and truly consider how you see anything. When the eyelids open, light enters the eyes. Through neural and chemical processes, light is then translated into a variety of forms and shapes at lightning speed. What we believe that we experience as an outside world is actually rendered within the mind.”

DJ fanned his hands at the equipment and the walls of the booth. “So, let me get this straight. You’re saying that all of this is occurring within the mind.”

“Yup,” said Art, “that’s what I’m saying. Every form we experience is merely a representation. Perception is our world. That’s at the heart of the teachings of the Law of Attraction. It’s why we can change our lives by changing the quality of our minds. We have absolutely no way of proving anything beyond it exists.”

“Have you considered visiting a doctor, Art? Maybe having a check-up?”

Once again Art smiled. “I know what this sounds like, DJ–it sounds crazy; but it isn’t. The world that you see around you isn’t solid. It’s made of light, interpretted as form. The famous Double-Slit Experiment proves it.”

“What’s that?”

“It was first performed by Thomas Young…in 1801, I believe. He was a physicist who set up an experiment to determine if light was a wave or a particle.”

“Fascinating,” said DJ.

“More research into the experiment in the early 1900’s gave birth to the field of science called quantum physics. Subsequent experiments found that light contains packets of energy called quanta–it’s actually the basis of everything in our world. They’re called waves of probability. Atoms, which people once believed to be the foundation of matter, are actually 99.999% empty space. They’re more appropriately called clouds of energy.

“You mean like this?” said DJ, as he tapped the top of his desk.

“Exactly,” said Art. “Everything in this world is made of energy, including our body-minds.”

“How can this be?”

“Because this–Earth–is a dream world. The ancient sages had a term for it–‘Maya, in Sanskrit, which is loosely translated as illusion. You might feel more comfortable calling it a simulation. Nick Bostrum, Elon Musk, Donald Hoffman, and Dr. Bruce Litpon are only a few of the many persons who realize this is true. There’s only Consciousness, DJ. It’s the only reality. Basically you can’t be who you think you are. The good news, however, is that you can recognize the Truth that you’re an eternal Spirit. You couldn’t die if you wanted to–only the idea of a person dies. We suffer in degree to our ignorance of the true nature of our Being.”

DJ’s eyes were as big as saucers. “Okay, folks, it looks as though we’re just about outta time. Our guest today has been Art Russell. We’ve been talking about non-duality. I’m your host, Donny Jay. Next up…”

***

Note: If you’re curious about learning more about non-duality and our essential nature, there are many great books on the subject. Here’s a short list: The Nature of Consciousness, by Rupert Spira, The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle; I Am That, talks with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj; The Ultimate Understanding, by Ramesh S. Balsekar; The Tao of Physics, by Fritjof Capra; Open Secret, by Wei Wu Wei; Who Am I?, by Sri Ramana Maharshi; The Mystical I, by Joel Goldsmith. To that list, I humbly offer my own book listed below.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2021 – R. Arthur Russell

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), press here. My YouTube videos can be found at Think2wice@I-Am-Aware. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. “Thank You” & “Note to Publishers” 🙏🏻🧡

In The Spirit of Oneness

As Tom sat on the bench at the edge of the park, the beauty of the warm spring day caught his ego off guard. It stole his attention and dissolved his personhood in the transcendent unity of the present moment. He was limitless, beyond time. It was impossible to say where he began or ended; for there was only here and now. The birds, squirrels, and flowers, and even the ants at his feets, seemed to shimmer with innocent aliveness. Everything looked so beautiful. There was no impulse to judge this as right, or that as wrong. He was afloat in the world of Is-ness; his heart overflowing with gratitude. Any thought of work or need or duty or fear had vanished. The faint echo of Spirit called to him; and he found himself mouthing, “Hello.”

“Hello,” said Spirit. “I’ve been missing you.”

Without thought or pause, Tom said, “And I, You.”

“Please come and visit,” said Spirit.

Tom smiled, and a shiver of delight swept through his Being. It had been a long time since he had visited that placeless place. “What do I need to bring?” he asked softly.

“Nothing,” whispered Spirit. “Just come as you are.”

“But don’t I need to bring my trophies, or at least my résumé? ” asked Tom.

“No, Little One,” said Spirit. “You need bring none of those things.”

“What does it cost?”

“Nothing, it’s free to everyone.”

“Do I need to schedule an appointment?” asked Tom.

“No,” said Spirit with a smile that Tom could feel, “it’s always Now when we visit.”

“What should I wear?” asked Tom. “Is this a formal or informal affair?”

“This is a LOVE affair,” said Spirit, “and everyone is welcome. Just come as you are. In fact, it’s impossible to bring anything else.”

“That’s so different from the human way,” said Tom, incredulous. “Here, it’s the custom to pride ourselves on being above one another. Almost all of our societies implicitly and explicitly command our members to feel superior or inferior based on criteria that ultimately mean nothing.”

“Yes,” said Spirit, “I know. That’s the human way; but such is not My Way. With Me, everyone is welcome. My love doesn’t discriminate. It embraces all in all.”

“A current of relief swept through Tom’s body. “You mean I’m good enough just as I Am?” he asked.

“Oh, yes,” replied Spirit, “most definitely.”

A fluttering butterfly brought Tom’s attention back to the bench. Tom looked at his lunch bag, which was untouched. Had he dreamed the enlightening conversation with Spirit? No, he had not–it was real. In fact, his experience felt more real than the world around him. A glance at his watch told him it was time to return to work. He ate his sandwich as he walked back to the office. Later, at home, he would make time to meditate; to commune once again in the Spirit of Oneness.

***

Dear Friends: I’m sure that you reaize this isn’t just a sweet account of a man daydreaming on a park bench. It’s far more than that. Through the use of the story, my intention was to illustrate an inner dimension–of true Self–that’s beyond the conceptual little “i” of name and form. This dimension goes unnoticed by the majority of persons, who’ve become lost in the apparent world of form. The price of admission to knowingly enter this dimension is to become still and quiet the mind for a few minutes each day. In doing so, we escape the clutches of the mind and ascend to a vantage point where we may recognize our true nature. From The Mystical I, by Joel Goldsmith, I offer the following quote: “The reason we meditate is that the Kingdom of God may be established on earth as it is on heaven.” It’s possible–here and now–to wake up from the dream of personhood. We are neither the body, nor the mind. We are Spirit, eternal.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2021 – R. Arthur Russell

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), press here. My YouTube videos can be found at Think2wice@I-Am-Aware. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. “Thank You” & “Note to Publishers” 🙏🏻🧡

Consciousness HumAuto

Dial: 1-111-111-1111. Ringggg, ringggg, ringggg.

“Consciousness HumAuto. Wrench speaking. How may I help you?”

“Oh, hi. I’d like to schedule my holographic human for a tune up.”

“Haha–holographic human. Is there any other kind?”

“Good one. No, guess not.”

“Anyhoo, what can I-Am-That-I-Am do you for?”

“My human’s been acting up.”

“How so?”

“Well, it’s always been a little problematic–but even more so, lately. It runs hot or cold. Sometimes it brakes hard and pulls to the left–as though driven by fear; and sometimes it suddenly accelerates and veers right–as though chasing pleasure. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear that it had a mind of its own.”

“If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard that,” said Wrench. “Sounds like a governor issue, to me.”

“Oh, and another thing, for the last forty years or so, I’ve been hearing a loud tick, tick, ticking–kind of like an internal voice. It’s begins when the alarm goes off in the morning and it doesn’t quit until deep sleep.”

“Is your human judgmental?”

“It wrote the book! It’s also got a really bad shimmy–seems to worry about everything.”

“Humph, it sounds as though it’s picked up an ego-stone in your hubcap. Anyhooo, bring your human in to the shop; and I’ll lift it up on the hoist and give it a good going over. How’s Thursday at 1:00 work for you?”

“Perfect. See you then.”

***

Thursday at 4:00. Ringgg, ringgg, ringgg

“Yelloooow.”

“Hi, there, it’s Wrench calling from Consciousness Humauto. You can come over and pick up your human.”

“Oh, great, how’d you make out?”

“Let’s just say that’s it’s a miracle you were still keeping that human of yours on the road.”

“You don’t say. What did you find?”

“Well, I put it on the dynohumanometer–ran a battery of tests. The harder I pushed that human of yours, the more it resisted. Timing was wayyy off. It was back firing regrets about the past, and belching fears about the future that made my mechanics blush. I did the best that I could to center it in the here and now.”

“I apologize. Thanks for doing all that you could.”

“It’s all good. The main problem was that your Spirit Reserve was dangerously low–your I Am That I Am barely registed on the dip stick. I strongly suggest that you knowingly fill that up again–but that’s up to you. We can’t do it for you.”

“Really? How do I do that?”

“You gotta get out of your mind. I recommend daily meditation, even for just a few minutes. Second choice would be to go for a walk in nature. Just be. That should help put an end to that shimmy.”

“What about that ticking sound.”

“I guessed that one right–your human had picked up an ego stone. That’s what was causing the loud ticking. Yeowee, it was a big one! I don’t know if I’ve ever seen an ego that big. It thought it was running the show. No wonder your human was veering all over the place.”

“How much do I owe you?”

“No charge. This One’s on the House. Trust me, you’re doing the Universe a favour by getting your human in order.

“Thanks, I’ll do my best.”

***

Special Note: Contrary to public opinion, that loud and often annoying tick, tick, ticking commentary that your human makes, isn’t the real YOU. That’s an ego-stone attempting to make your life miserable. The sooner you regain control of your human, the better. Just know that it’s going to rebel. It’s going to tell you that it’s the driver; that it’s normal to brake hard or suddenly accelerate right or left. It isn’t. There’s a balanced way to live in harmony; but to experience that you have to find your Divine Center. A word of advice: Don’t waste time searching for the Center outside of yourself. Turn within–it’s the only place you’ll find It; because you are It. Your essential nature has just been overshadowed by the false driver that goes by your name and description. If all else fails, you can phone us at Consciousness Humauto and ask for Wrench.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2021 – R. Arthur Russell

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), press here. My YouTube videos can be found at Think2wice@I-Am-Aware. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. “Thank You” & “Note to Publishers” 🙏🏻🧡

“Role” Call

Many of us may be familiar with an old but well-known hymn entitled “When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder.” It’s been performed by numerous musical artists, including Johnny Cash, Reba McEntire, and Willie Nelson. From what I know of the hymn, its lyrics relate hearing the trumpet call and being called back to be with the Lord, in the non-physical realm, For many, the song may offer comfort in times of grief; and to those I offer my sincere apology in advance as I share this article, which relates an account of a very different “role” being called. I’ll set the scene by sharing that it occurs up yonder and involves an interaction between God and a spirit child with a playful nature. Off we go:

***

God (thinking, clipboard in “hand”): “Okay, please listen up, folks. I’ve just received a somewhat urgent request for a baby on Earth. A couple who lost a baby boy at birth a couple of years ago has their hearts set on conceiving again.”

Spirit Child (eagerly peering over the shoulders of other spirit children, thinking): “Ahh, lovely, a baby, for a couple who dearly desire another child. That’s so nice. “

God (intending clearly and informatively). “The mission is set to depart at 07:00 tomorrow (their time); so whoever goes would be wise to pack their spiritual bags tonight.”

Crowd: (muffled whispery-type thinking): “Ruh-bah, ruh-bah, ruh-ba-hah. Wonder who it will be!“

Spirit Child (shifting, feeling an intuitive twinge at The Master’s call, thinking): “But I don’t really want to leave so soon. I just got back, realitvely speaking; and that last trip was a doosey, as you well know. Mexico–lovely country, but had a dreadful time. Intestinal bug, abundant diarrhea. Ring a bell?”

God (shifting “eyebrows,” with stern but loving look, thinking): “Do you want to evolve…or not?”

Spirit Child (hopeful of being excused): “Oh yes–love to learn. Nothing like it. Let me tell you, I learned a lot during that Mexican vacation. Eat at the resort–ONLY!“

God (making a symbolic “check mark” on the list on the clipboard, followed by a wink): “Love you!”

Spirit Child (rolling eyes): “Love you, too. Don’t worry, I’ll make you proud. I better go pack–07:00 comes early.”

***

Now, to the actual point of this article: You are not now–nor ever were–the role you play here on Earth. That’s it. You are not your body; not your mind; not your gender; not your career; not your degree of success or failure; not your bank account; not your nationality; not your colour, not your race; neither a writer (say, what!) nor non-writer. All of us are far grander than any of our descriptions. In I Am That, Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj stated the following: “You can only be what you are in reality; you can only appear to be what you are not.” We are Spirit (Consciousness), eternal. Our suffering occurs when we erroneously identify with being the role we play. There’s a deeper dimension of Self that’s waiting to be recognized. Are you curious? If so, look within.

Dare to Dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2021 – R. Arthur Russell

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), press here. My YouTube videos can be found at Think2wice@I-Am-Aware. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. “Thank You” & “Note to Publishers” 🙏🏻🧡

“True-Self” Centeredness

Regarding the title of this article: Please know that I am not advocating living a lowercase “self”-centered life; we already have more than enough of that present in the world. I speak from experience; for I kept “Art,” the persona that I once believed myself to be, fed, watered, and distracted for many years. In the end, “he” (although well-intentioned) proved not only tiring but also frustrating. Such is the way of the false self; it is never satisfied.

Now, I realize that “my” happiest days–paradoxically–are when there is little sense of a personal “i.” My suffering, which could not be alleviated through the usual ways of this world (think: possessions, careers, relationships, and vacations), finally led to a crack in the shell of the guy that professed to be me. I saw that beneath the facade of Art there is a profound Reality that does not need to try to be anything. It just is. It is true Self, Universal Spirit. By this I do not mean to suggest that I found a new way of being, or acquired some sort of spiritual badge to be pinned to Art’s lapel. I recognized (to know again) the domain of true Self, the silent witness of our human drama.

To be established in true Self is, indeed, to live from the center of our Being. It is a Unitive Power; for it recognizes Itself in everything and everyone. There are no strangers from this perspective of living; for we are all recognized as spiritual family. It is That–uppercase “Self”–to which the title of this article refers. To state that such is pure bliss may be an overstatement; but to knowingly live from the perspective of Truth is definitely more peaceful than existing as the false self. Why? Because the false self, which is divisive and competitive by nature, is actually the root of all of our so-called problems. Now, from the perspective of Awareness, the thoughts of “what’s in this for me?” rarely, if ever, occur. If they do, they are recognized as the shenanigans of the little self attempting to diminish the unconditioned quality of life.

How do we realize true Self and establish ourselves in the center of our Being? The good news is that there is nothing to be done; for no amount of doing can transform us into what we already “are.” There is nothing to be acquired. Only ego would dare to proclaim that climbing yet another mountain is required to be enough. We need only recognize that we are–already–That which we seek. I know of no better way to recognize this Truth than to let go of all of our doing. The transcendent dimension of true Self can be found in silent stillness; for that is the trademark of Its nature.

There, dear friends, is what I meant by being “Self Centered.” This is true Self, the Source in which we live and move and have our being. It is unchanging, immortal, eternal, and irreducible. This is the discovery beyond all discoveries; the inner treasure for which we seek. It needs nothing; for out of It arises everything. It is the center of our Being, and It can be known–directly–now.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2021 – R. Arthur Russell

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”

Bye, Bye, Ego–Hello “Videhi”

For many long years, I believed (as you may still believe of yourself) that I was the body-mind, aka “person.” It would have seemed insane to deny the apparent but erroneous conclusion. Thus, if Art’s body was physically satisfied and his mind mentally stable, “i” was content and happy. If such was not the case, Art used distraction, deliberate focus, and self-help books to rectify the situation. But here’s the rub, of which you’re probably well aware: At some point after circumstances slide to the polar opposite of pain and suffering (pain free happiness), the forces of this earthly realm, which are always in play, invariably slide the person back into challenging situations. Such is the human predicament.

Although none of us would choose suffering as a first (or last) choice as a method to “wise up,” it does serve a useful purpose. As I’ve mentioned previously, suffering reminds us that we have strayed too far from the Truth of our Being and need to change our ways. The degree of our suffering will be different for each of us; for although we are one in Essence, we are unique in character and form. Problems are relative to the person having them. We might view suffering as a tireless loving parent. “Be careful,” suffering shouts, “you’ll get burned if you touch the hot stove!” And time and again, we reach for the hot stove. Is there a way to avoid such needless suffering?

Yes! The solution (which is seemingly insane, yet paradoxically beautiful) occurs when we transcend the perspective of the person and recognize our essential nature. We discover the Truth: That we are in the world, but not of it. Problems are inherent to the body-mind perspective because the person is a creation of mind and, therefore, unstable. One minute, the person is happy; the next minute sad. To overcome suffering, we must realize that the body-mind is not who we are; it’s a constume that’s worn during this incarnation.

Let’s now investigate the Marathi term videhi from the title of this article, in the hope of gleaning more understanding. I was unfamiliar with the word until I noticed it in a book entitled Amrut Laya, The Stateless State by Shri Sadguru Siddharameshwar. In the book, he shared the account of a king who sought a guru to help him recognize his essential nature beyond name and form. The king eventually did; and thereafter the king was referred to as a videhi, meaning “he without a body.” From an online Marathi-English dictionary, we find the following definition: 1. Disembodied, released from the body. 2. Weaned from bodily and earthly enjoyments and pursuits. Please don’t be alarmed by the term disembodied; it’s not as ghoulish as it may seem. Such only means that you realize–here and now–that you’re not the body-mind. You know that you can’t possibly be who you think yourself to be.

Truth: You are Consciousness, Itself–an immortal Being, beyond this place called Earth. Your true Self is of the same quality and nature as that of God, only varying in degree. Your entire life story is but a divine play of God. To realize this directly, I earnestly suggest that you enter the stillness of meditation on a daily basis; for it’s in the placeless place beyond the mind that you will discover that, indeed, you are now–and always have been–a videhi. Awareness is commonly assumed to arise due to body-mind functions; but such has never been proven by science, and it never will be. The Truth is that the body-mind arises due to Consciousness; not the other way around. Bye, bye, ego. Please take your suffering with you.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2021 – R. Arthur Russell

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), press here. My YouTube videos can be found at Think2wice@I-Am-Aware. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. “Thank You” & “Note to Publishers” 🙏🏻🧡

Beyond “Mice and Men”

John Steinbeck, who is one of my favourite authors, won the Nobel Prize in literature in 1962. His novella entitled Of Mice and Men would undoubtedly be considered one of John Steinbeck’s literary gems. Although shorter than some of his other masterpieces, which include Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden, it is on par with their greatness. This morning, I was struck by an epiphany, which I believe may be at least part of what dear Mr. Steinbeck desired to share with the reader. The revelation relates to the subject matter of my blog and my passion for sharing knowledge related to our higher nature. For those who may not be familiar with his novella, the plot is summarized as follows:

***

The protagonists of the novella, which is set in Soledad, California during The Great Depression, are George Milton and Lennie Small. George is an intelligent man and plays the role of a brotherly figure to Lennie, who is big, strong, and mentally challenged. They both work as migrant farm labourers whenever opportunity presents. We first meet them in a secluded setting down by a river. Lennie has convinced George to retell the details of their dream to one day own a little place which they can call home.

The following day, they begin work on a nearby ranch. As usual, George guides Lennie forward, and all goes well for a while. Key characters are introduced, including the bosses’ son, Curley, and his wife. As the plot unfolds, we’re given a glimpse the characters’ underlying hopes, fears, and dreams. It’s also revealed that Lennie enjoys petting mice, which he often likes to keep in his pocket. At one point, George discovers that Lennie has accidentally killed another mouse; an issue about which he has previously warned him. Within a few days, Lennie accidentally kills a puppy he’s been given, which foreshadows more drama to come.

The suspense builds towards climax when Lennie accidentally kills Curley’s flirtatious wife by breaking her neck. He’s clearly incapable of controlling his inherent nature. When her body is discovered, several of the farm workers form a lynch mob and search for George and Lennie, who have fled the ranch and sought refuge back at the secluded location by the river. The book ends with George mercifully shooting his friend before the approaching lynch mob have a chance to hang him.

***

Although the specific details relating to characters and goals differ from ours, are the general ones really that dissimilar? Don’t all of us desire to find our place in the sun and feel content and at peace? However, all of our hopes and dreams–even if one day achieved–will eventually pass away. To the masses, this may seem tragic; but such will appear particularly so if we’re deeply attached to the person, which is our false identity. Buddha referred to the human condition as dukkha, which basically means suffering or frustration. Jesus endured persecution by the ignorant masses in an effort to reveal to us our true nature. Must we die, as did the helpless mouse and puppy? Human incarnation is a precious gift; for it provides a unique opportunity to recognize our essential nature. Unfortunately, such is often squandered by the masses. Is there an escape from such a seemingly tragic predicament? Yes.

The solution is to discover (re-cognize, know again) the true Self that transcends the “person,” which is actually illusory. We are so much more than body-minds. Discovering Truth requires that we become earnestly curious about our essential nature. In a strange paradox, we discover What–not who–we are by shedding the layers of the false self. Our true Self is eternal, immortal, and irreducible. And that, my dear friends, is a glorious non-end worth realizing before your character’s life draws to a conclusion. Here and now is a great place to begin.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2021 – R. Arthur Russell

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), press here. My YouTube videos can be found at Think2wice@I-Am-Aware. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. “Thank You” & “Note to Publishers” 🙏🏻🧡

A Calling To Be True

There was a time when Suzanne, now forty-nine, had conned herself so well that she forgot she was faking her life. She delivered her various roles–of daughter, lover, wife, mother, and business woman–with believability and ease, without so much as a nervous twitch or a blink of an eye. No one would have guessed that she was acting upon stages which left her feeling empty inside. Still, she persisted; he was not a quitter. Had theater critics been called to review her performances, they would have proclaimed her an “actress extraordinaire.” But now on this, her birthday, the ache of her acting days felt too heavy to bear. She fell asleep after dutifully eating a piece of cake for which she had no appetite. She’d even offered a lifeless smile before blowing out the candles–an act that seemed to symbolize the better part of her life now extinguished. In a dream that night, she heard the following words as clearly as those spoken in daylight. They seemed of God but were delivered tenderly in a voice that she intuitively recognized as her own:

"Stop Suzanne; please stop fooling yourself and those who love you. By playing roles that aren't true to your heart, you're not only sacrificing years and yourself but also depriving your family and the world of your gifts. How will anyone ever know the real you if you keep acting? You're a talented artist; you know it and so do I. Form, shape, colour, tone, texture, composition, and canvass make your heart sing. When was the last time you picked up a brush and painted for the joy of it? How long will you wait until you say, "This time is for me?" Are years standing still for you? What time would be better than now to express your talent?"

"What should I do? How to I begin?" asked Suzanne.

"You know as well as I. All that's lacking is action. Begin now. Take that first step." And with those words, the voice faded to the void out of which it had arisen. Suzanne's dream was over.

When Suzanne wakened in the morning, she felt pleasantly renewed. A weight had been lifted from her Being. After she washed and prepared for the coming day, she realized that she had reached a fork in the road. The choice was hers–as it always had been. She could keep to the left and continue to live more of her old tired ways; or she could turn right, and take a step in the direction of her dreams.

***

Dear Readers: This life is your opportunity to be true to your heart. You’re not here by accident; for nothing in this universe occurs by chance. Your talents are calling to be expressed. What gifts do you desire to share with the world? Although you may have sacrificed the truth in your past, you needn’t continue to lie to your future. There’s still time to blaze a trail to your dreams fulfillment.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2021 – R. Arthur Russell

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), press here. My YouTube videos can be found at Think2wice@I-Am-Aware. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. “Thank You” & “Note to Publishers” 🙏🏻🧡

Fabrics Of Reality

The sign above the small shop midway down the cobblestone alley read “Fabrics of Reality.” When Franco opened the door, an old-fashioned brass bell above the door tinkled his arrival. May I help you?” asked a pleasant-looking woman standing behind the counter.

“Yes,” said Franco with a smile, “I have an appointment for a reality consultation with Jason Esoteric.”

She scanned the schedule atop the counter. “Certainly, walk this way.” She led Franco to a small glass-walled office in the back corner of the shop. A middle-aged slim man stood upon their arrival and prompted Franco to sit in a chair in front of his desk. “What can I do for you today?” asked Jason.

“Well,” said Franco, “I’m redecorating my life, and I wanted your advice about reality fabrics.”

“I see,” said Jason. “Well, it really boils down to two choices.”

“What are they?”

“The first fabric is based on the outdated paradigm of matter, which is the way that the majority of people interpret reality. They believe that it’s hard, fixed, and objective. They assume it’s independent of the observer. Science disproved this interpretation more than a hundred years ago, partly due to the stunning revelations of the double-slit experiment; but most persons still believe in it. If we were comparing this reality fabric to linen, you might say that its thread count is 200 or below, which is much coarser vibration. People who choose this fabric, which is relative, mistakenly believe that it’s absolute. They also believe their body-mind is an object in space-time. Such grossly limits their opportunities and the ways in which they can decorate their life.”

“Price?”

“It’s more common, therefore cheaper; but it requires a lot more effort to maintain. In the long run, it can cost you all of your dreams! I’ll be straight up–it’s an inferior product. We don’t even keep swatches of it in stock anymore.”

“Yes, it certainly doesn’t seem appealing,” said Franco. “What can you tell me about my second choice?”

“The second choice is our premium fabric,” said Jason, leaning forward with enthusiasm. “It’s based on Consciousness only; and it’s got a reality thread count of well over 1000, which is a much higher vibration. It’s preferred by Beings who aren’t satisfied with the status quo and desire to fulfill their dreams. Because they’ve investigated their essential nature and know that Consciousness is all that there is, they realize that reality is pliable, based upon belief, and subjective. They also know that their essential nature is Spirit and that the body-mind is actually an experience, not an object. They live by one of the affirmations of Napoleon Hill, who was the author of Think and Grow Rich: “What the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve.”

“Any downside to it?”

“Just one,” said Jason. “You’re going to be laughed at by the masses that prefer the common thread count; but at the end of the day, it’s your reality you’re building–not theirs.”

“Price?”

“Just the cost of investing in you and your dreams.”

“Sold!” exclaimed Franco. When can we start?”

“Today,” said Jason, “don’t waste another minute! When you get home, find a quiet location and envision what you really desire. Dream big–without limits. This fabric works great in every aspect of your life–health, wealth, and relationships! You’ll know that you’ve hit pay dirt when it feels as though your dream has already come true. It’s important that you believe that such is possible. Feel the truth of your dream reality. Write your goal in the present tense on an affirmation card and refer to it several times each day.”

A few minutes later, the door bell tinkled as Franco departed. He was on his way to living his dreams!

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2021 – R. Arthur Russell

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), press here. My YouTube videos can be found at Think2wice@I-Am-Aware. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. “Thank You” & “Note to Publishers” 🙏🏻🧡