Yogananda’s Diving Board

Paramahansa Yoganda was a famous yogi who brought knowledge about meditation and Kriya Yoga to the west. He also wrote many fine books about our essential nature; including Autobiography of a Yogi and Man’s Eternal Quest. Please stand with me, if you will, on the following quote from the latter. We’re going to springboard from it into deeper spiritual water:

Sssplaasshh! Please just catch your breath and tread water alongside me as we contemplate the meaning of his quote. If what Paramahansa Yogananda expressed is true (and it “is“), that would mean:

About the contents of “my” life:

Yes, it’s all occurring within a dream.

***

About the belief that I’m the body-mind:

Yes, it means that I can’t possibly “be” the person.

***

About the nature of the world:

Yes, that it’s only relatively real; an appearance within Consciousness.

***

About being the apparent doer of actions:

Yes, such is impossible. We’re also certain that we’re the doer during nighttime dreams.

***

About all of our worries and cares:

Yes, they relate to an illusory “self” that’s known by “our” name and form.

***

About the nature of space-time:

Yes, it’s not fundamental. It’s rendered via the mind; as is everything else.

***

About my belief that death of the body-mind means the death of “me.”

Yes, it’s totally bogus. We never “were” the body-mind. It’s an appearance within a dream.

***

About God (Consciousness/Awareness) being illusory:

Yes, that God is All there actually is.

***

Now that we’re at the edge of the pool: “Would you like to dive from another quote from Paramahansa Yoganda, or should we grab our towels and call it a day?

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), 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” 🙏🏻🧡

One Serving One

In 1998, Joseph decided to follow his passion; he took a leap of faith and opened his small diner. By the menu standards of other restaurants, the food that he offers is basic–burgers and fries, hotdogs, chili, stew, pulled pork sandwiches, and homemade soups and biscuits. Joseph runs his business simply but efficiently. When customers arrive, they’re directed to approach the front counter, place their order from the large menu board, and then take a number when they pay. When their number is called, they return to the counter to pick up their tray of food.

In the first two years of business, Joseph began to wonder if opening his diner had been a mistake. On many days, the flow of customers was pitifully slow. Initially he blamed the situation on the fact that his diner wasn’t on a major thoroughfare; but then he also noticed that first-time customers who trickled in rarely returned. He worked long hours just to make enough to pay the bills. In his desire to “get” success, Joseph seemed to be failing miserably.

The situation changed soon after Joseph experienced a startling revelation about his essential nature. His focus turned toward “giving” each and every one of his customers a successful dining experience; which meant serving them the best meals possible in a kind and courteous manner. He wanted them to feel his love for them. In the following months, his business quadrupled; and many of the first-time customers became regulars. Family and friends assumed that his business had only been saved by luck; but Joseph knew the real reason:

For more than twenty years, Joseph has secretly whispered to himself when customers come to pick up their food at the counter. Although he outwardly calls their number tag (e.g. “Serving #17”), in his heart he knows the truth that he’s actually “One Serving One.” He realizes that his customers are within him; and he’s within them. Together they’re a success. God in apparent form is serving God in the forms of guests. And therein lies the secret of his success. As a result, the people who visit his restaurant often think of it as a loving sanctuary, more than a restaurant.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Jean and Jebediah’s B & B

Jean and Jebediah, who had been married for more than half a century, had operated their B & B in the Smokey Hills outside a town named Nowhereyou’dknow for the previous ten years. On this particular night, their only guest (a city slicker by the look of him, named Arthur) had arrived late that afternoon. It was now ten p.m.

Suddenly, Jean whisked into their bedroom and closed the door. “You are never–ever–going to believe what I just accidentally heard our new overnighter say on his cell phone when I was dusting outside his door for a minute or two!”

“Let me get this straight,” said Jebediah, who was propped up in bed, “you were dusting outside his room at this time of night?”

Jean’s face flushed. “My mother always taught me not to put off until tomorrow what you could do today.”

“I see,” said Jeb, with a nod and slow roll of his eyes. “So…spill the beans.”

“Well,” said Jean, as she climbed into bed, “Mr. Russell said that all the world really needs is love and more love. I mean–really! As though that’s going to fix everything!”

A moment passed before Jeb replied. “You know,” he said, “he might have a point.”

“You men–you’re always sticking up for one another!” exclaimed Jean. Exasperated, she pulled up the bedspread and looked idly at the ceiling.

“Speaking of love, “said Jedediah, glancing sideways at Jean, “you know, I’ve always found you very fetching in that plaid flannel nightgown.”

“With a lift of her eyebrows, Jean turned toward him and said, “I think you might be confusing lust with love, right about now.”

“Could be,” said Jebediah, “yes ma’am, could be.” And with that, they turned off the light.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Wisdom of The Ages

Oh, how our ego loves to prattle about its supposed IMPORTANCE. It might be considered a mental faucet without an off position. When it isn’t squawking out loud, it’s most likely still chattering within. Given just a moment of our attention, it will unabashedly steal countless years. The majority of Beings may, in fact, sleepwalk through the mist of Maya for lifetimes before awakening to Truth. Such was certainly the case for “me.”

If “Art” were permitted to tell the story of his life, it’s a sure bet that he would inform us of his apparent birth in 1958 and that he was raised with two lovely sisters by loving parents. There’s a high probability, that he would then sprinkle his history with several “i-did-this” accounts of special events; followed by a pinch here about his status, achievements, travels, and education (which would, of course, be quite impressive) and a dash there about his failures (which most egos prefer to downplay). The remaining hours of Art’s dissertation about himself would be filled with a whole lot of yada yada about nothing. We can be grateful that free packets of anti-nausea tablets, bowls of sedatives, and (for those experiencing more severe reactions) hang nooses would be available upon a nearby table.

To help us gain clarity about our essential nature (which is Spirit, aka Consciousness), I offer the following passage from a book entitled The Lankavatara Sutra. It reveals wisdom that was shared by the historical Buddha about the very nature of so-called “reality:”

“All that is seen in the world is devoid of effort and action because all things in the world are like a dream, or like an image miraculously projected. This is not comprehended by the philosophers and the ignorant, but those who thus see things see them truthfully.”

To understand the full meaning of this passage requires that our ego be transcended by the knowing recognition of the Truth of our essential nature. No apparent “thing” (including our body-mind, aka the person) has existence independent of the mind that perceives it. What this means is that our body-mind and the apparent “world” arise together. From the spiritual classic entitled I Am That, I also offer the following wisdom as expressed by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj:

“Realisation is but the opposite of ignorance. To take the world as real and one’s Self as unreal is ignorance, the cause of sorrow. To know the Self as the only reality and all else as temporal and transient is freedom, peace and joy. “

We are given another valuable pointer through the verse from John 10:30, attributed to Jesus:

“I and my Father are one.”

How can this be the case? Because the Consciousness that knows the finite experience of the “person” is actually Universal Consciousness (God)–not a limited consciousness, which is assumed to arise from neuronal processes of the body-mind.

Ramesh S. Balsekar also possessed a profound understanding of our essential nature and the apparent world. In The Final Truth, he stated the following:

“The universe is a mere appearance and the ego-sense is a mere concept.”

Here’s the bottom line of this article: Our body-mind and the apparent world arise together, in much the same manner as the contents of dreams arise in the dream state. Most Beings have been conditioned to believe that they are the ego, which is actually non-existent. It is, in fact, only a repetitive “i”-thought. I prefer to be as I Am, eternally here and now. One way liberates; the other way leads straight to a whole lot of yada, yada, yada.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Trading Beans

The Grade One lunch break was extra special for Harry and Harriet because they liked to inspect each other’s lunch pail and trade food items–or not. A glance was usually enough to tell. To be considered a fair deal, the swap had to be mutually beneficial. Harriet’s parents often packed her a bun with turkey and cheese, which was Harry’s favourite; and Harry’s parents often packed him a clementine, which was Harriet’s favourite. Most of their trades involved base metal commodities such as cheese wedges, fruit and nut bars, and carrot or celery sticks; but a small bag of chips or a piece of chocolate was as good as gold on the lunch market. On this particular day, they were dining at a small plastic picnic table in the corner of the cafeteria.

“Do you want to try a different type of trade today?” asked Harriet.

“May…be,” said Harry, with a tentative roll of his eyes. “What kind of trade?”

“Instead of trading fruit or sandwiches, today let’s trade our Being.”

“But my parent’s didn’t pack me any beans!” exclaimed Harry.

“Uh, uh,” said Harriet, with a smile. “I said Being.”

“What’s our Being?” asked Harry.

“It’s what we really are,” said Harriet, expressing intuitive wisdom. It’s beyond who we think we are, and beyond how we appear.”

“Okay,” said Harry, with a shrug of his shoulders, “but how do we do it?”

“Here’s my plan,” said Harriet. “We sit facing each other; then we hold out a hand, almost touching the other’s. We close our eyes and go deep inside; and when we feel ready, I send my Being to you, and you send your Being to me.” We touch hands to signal when we’re done, and then we open our eyes.”

A few minutes later, the magical trade was done. When their palms touched, Harry and Harriet opened their eyes and looked at each other with wide-eyed curiosity. “Do you feel any different?” asked Harriet.

“Nope,” said Harry, exploratively patting his chest, “I feel the same.”

A bright smile lighted Harriet’s face. “It’s just like I thought!” she exclaimed. “At our Being we’re One!”

“Does this mean that now I’m going to be as great at soccer as you are, and you’re going to be as good a speller as I am?” asked Harry.

“Uh, uh,” said Harriet, with a toss of her hair, “that’s only surface stuff anyway.”

***

Dear Readers: What the innocent children in this account didn’t realize at the time of the trade is that Harriet’s body-mind is white, and that Harry’s body-mind is dark. They had to be taught the difference. Perhaps we can learn from their example; and more importantly, express their unconditional love.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Song of The Soul

The conditioning that’s prevalent in the majority of western-type societies has created a mythological version of happiness which is very conditional. It’s based upon ignorance of our essential nature and offers an empty promise that’s dependent on the concept related to one simple word–“when.”

Led by the relentless desires of our ego, we conclude that life will be dandy: when I find the love of my life; when we move into our new home; when all of our bills are paid; when the dishes are done; when I complete my first marathon; when we have financed our children’s education; when I receive a pay raise; when I summit another mountain; when my book is published; when I buy another fifty pair of shoes; when I buy another motorcycle/boat/thing; when the economy improves; when so-and-so is elected; when our neighbours behave; when I receive an apology for what he/she did twenty-two years, three months, and two days ago; when it’s Friday; when the weather is just right; when the waiter arrives; when I lose/gain twenty pounds; when I’ve had another three (ten?) beers; when I’m living on the west coast (east coast); when he/she/ loves me; when my bank account has a certain amount of numbers; when my talent is appreciated; when I can bench press a Buick; and last, but not least, when I’m p-e-r-f-e-c-t.

The voice of the ego temptingly proclaims that we will be happy when our desires are fulfilled; but here’s the catch: it’s LYING! The overlooked fact is that Now is all there ever IS. When we attempt to be happy by fulfilling the desires of the time-bound phantom “self,” we ignore the very non-thing whose nature is happiness Itself. Our BEing isn’t dependent on anything to be happy. It rejoices in Life, as Life. It revels in Is-ness. Can you become still here and now and hear the delightful song of your soul?

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Home in The Heart

Home in The Heart

How lovely

To look upon

You, and you, and you

And recognize true Self shining

Resplendent through all.

Suddenly, the question—“Where do I end

And you begin?—is realized as being absurd;

For the illusion of separateness is shattered

When we see everyone and every thing

As Holiness expressed.

Here, now,

There exist no fences or boundaries between us.

In the stillness of the heart,

Everyone is back home,

Cradled in Love.

– R. Arthur Russell

***

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. My YouTube videos may be found through this link. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. 🙏🧡

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Banking on Love

When the subject of wealth arises, how we think and feel about it are quite different. The mind attempts, through ever-changing criteria, to define wealth based upon circumstances and comparison; our heart eloquently knows the truth about real wealth without uttering a word. In this article, I share two accounts of wealth: the first, as told by the mind; the second, as known by the heart.

***

My life story includes the common theme of divorce. In my opinion, the real wealth that was lost is the closeness of a loving family; however, at some point during the pick-myself-up phase of the first few years, my mind kicked hard into gear during a night shift. I was returning from Toronto. Despite the fact that I was still earning a good income, my mind suddenly informed me that I would never be able to afford a home again unless I found a partner with whom to share the expenses. “Not enough time,” my mind stated flatly, without so much as “sorry.” Its definition of wealth and, worse, my very self worth, was based solely on the numbers in my bank account. A merciless judge, my mind snapped down the gavel and decreed that I was poor. There was never a chance to appeal the verdict. The case was closed.

In stark contrast to the account above, I offer wealth of the heart: I recently received an unexpected phone call from a very dear friend. Words are so pitifully inadequate; the word “dear” cannot possibly describe the innate goodness of the man and how much I value our friendship. For the past two years, he’s been going through treatment for a serious illness. Although we initially met through his business, we quickly formed a friendship that’s lasted for many years. It was so wonderful to hear his voice again. In spite of his health concerns, my friend–true to form–asked, “How are you?” Toward the end of the call, my friend said, “I want you to know that I love you.” I replied, “I love you, too, _ _ _ _ _.” The wealth that we exchanged cannot be measured by the mind; its realness can only be felt by the heart.

I hope that your definition of your true wealth is broader and deeper than the one that I experienced on that night as I returned from Toronto. We are repeatedly sold a story that if we have one of “these” and perhaps two of “those,” plus a certain amount of numbers in our bank account, that we may qualify for the rich club; and I, for a brief period, bought into it. Money is actually very useful, and I’m grateful for it; but a warped sense of its placement in the hierarchy of our lives can lead us astray.

In Proverbs 23:7, it’s stated: “As he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Based on what my friend said to me two days ago, I’m the richest man in the world. My mind doesn’t have a say this time. Thank God.

Dare to Dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Recognizing YOU

Life has no shortage of circumstances that challenge our strength. On any given day, someone, perhaps you, is dealing with the impending death of a loved one; the heartbreak of a divorce; or the humbling conditions related to poverty. Our body-mind, which we once trusted to be full of vigor, may at some point seem a weakened traitor, both physically and mentally. In response to loss, strife, or fear, we may shudder as we hear a sorrowful cry of “this can’t be happening to me,” and later, vaguely realize, that the voice was our own. Doors that we open with so much enthusiasm may, instead, lead us to despair. Upon the seeming luck or fate of our little “i,” we attempt to base our happiness. At best, this is folly; at worst, a formula for varying degrees of suffering.

***

Dear Readers: Please join me, if you will, and sit still for a few minutes. You may also find it helpful to take three relaxing breaths. To find our way to the peace that we inherently are, it’s important that we distance our perspective from the mental noise related to our person and the stimuli of the apparent world. It’s also important that we investigate the nature of the little “i” who seems to be going through such trying circumstances.

Ever since our appearance on earth, we’ve been habitually conditioned to believe that we are a person (of name and form) in a world made of so-called “matter.” This is so strongly impressed upon us, that to even question it seems ludicrous. However, to recognize YOU (the deeper dimension of Self) and, thereby, live with greater peace, we must investigate that assumption for validity. The following questions may be of help:

Are you absolutely certain that you are a separate body-mind in a big world? (or, are the body-mind and the world actually within YOU, Consciousness?)
Do you know, for a fact, that matter exists beyond your awareness of it? If so, how?
Is it possible, that objects and persons within the waking state (defined as “reality” by the masses) could also be rendered via the mind that produces similar effects within the dream state?
Is the Awareness of your body-mind’s experience growing older, or is It ageless, changeless, and eternal?
Can you find a limit to the YOU that is aware of your body-mind?

The majority of persons are most likely unaware that science has been unable to identify matter that’s independent of the mind that perceives it. This is a pointer that can deepen our understanding; because it means that Consciousness and matter are intimately related. Let’s further our inquiry by taking a look at the meaning of the following verse from John 10:30:

“I and the Father are one.”

When we understand the meaning of the verse (which the Bible attributes to Jesus) the degree of suffering related to identification with the person may lessen. Many seekers conceptualize the Father as a distant God sitting atop a cloud in the heavens, but such a view doesn’t suggest the Oneness referred to in the verse. It implies a relationship that is based in duality: subject to object. Through enlightenment, we recognize–directly–that the Father (Consciousness) is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus’ body-mind would, therefore, be an appearance within Consciousness, as would ours. The old expression, The All in All, relates the same principle: The All (the Father) must, logically, be within us (the children); and we, therefore, are within the Father (the All). In I Am That, Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj offers his sage advice through the following quote:

“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.“

This indicates that Consciousness (Awareness) is prior to the mind; that Awareness is self aware and eternal. That we have erroneously identified with being a person, in an ever-shifting environment, is the cause of great suffering. Within each of us, there is a dimension of YOU (true Self) that’s untouched by anything that your apparent body-mind may seem to be experiencing. We need not wait for suffering to recognize our essential nature. When better than NOW to do so?

Dare to Dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Expressions of Divinity

I begin this article with a bold assertion that will probably be questioned at least or, perhaps, even strongly denied:

Everyone, and everything, is an expression of Divinity.

After reading my claim, some readers may be tempted to call 911 for my apparent rescue and/or straight jacket. Given the apparent state of our world, their common-sense perspective might also give rise to the following question:“Where, dear laddy, do you sense evidence of divinity here on earth?”

A glance at world media news–with its reports of murder, war, greed, corruption, and abuse of mother earth–would certainly seem to justify such an imaginal question. Based on superficial review, it might appear that we do, in fact, live upon a Godless planet in a Godless universe; but for readers who may be seeking a deeper revelation, I’ll offer more:

Due to our deeply conditioned beliefs, the expression of “That” within us which is divine is greatly hampered by the degree to which we remain ignorant of the Truth of our origin. In other words, it’s impossible to express our highest nature if we are unaware of It. The majority of Beings quite logically believe themselves to be a body-mind limited to time and space, and express themselves accordingly. Such belief leaves little room for appreciation that all Life flows from a Divine Source, and that our essential nature is unlimited.

Beings who are unaware of their innate Divinity may, quite naturally, assume that their circumstances arise because they have been blessed or cursed by a distant God. This may lead to an “if-I-had-only-lived-more-wisely” attitude and the feeling of tremendous guilt. The underlying spiritual principle is as follows:

We are not punished for “our” sins; but, rather, “by” them.

Wayward thoughts and beliefs, which lead to actions that create negative circumstances, eventually lead to suffering that causes us to change within and realign with higher ideals. God’s system, which is founded upon goodness, was never intended to work against Itself. It functions as a metaphysical mirror that reflects the nature of our thoughts and beliefs. Negative circumstances indicate that we have gone astray. We’re, thereby, guided to turn our attention toward God and raise the quality of our thoughts. It’s absolutely true that when we turn our attention to God every aspect of our life improves.

Without knowledge of true Self, it’s impossible for us to knowingly express Its inherent nature. Such would be akin to requesting that we use a tool that we didn’t know we possessed. The atrocities that we witness, and also our lesser sins, are not caused by an apparently Godless Universe. Such conditions arise due to humankind’s ignorance of its origin. Fortunately, every divine spark that recognizes its true nature can ignite a blaze within the masses.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Think2wice

CONSCIOUSNESS, SPIRITUALITY, & LAW OF ATTRACTION

Category: Love

Yogananda’s Diving Board

One Serving One

Jean and Jebediah’s B & B

Wisdom of The Ages

Trading Beans

Song of The Soul

Home in The Heart

Banking on Love

Recognizing YOU

Expressions of Divinity

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