Making Room for Emptiness

Dear Readers,

I thought I’d inform you of some recent happenings in “my” life. I’ve got some good news, and some good news. Although it may sound bad, or even wacko, I finally had to give “Art” the boot to make room for the emptiness of true Self. For the figurative move to the Truth, I had to clean house, so to speak. The place is feeling a lot more spacious without him. Sure, Art meant well, but his arrogance and ignorance about our essential nature became very wearisome. By ignorance, I’m not implying that he was stupid; I just mean that he didn’t know. He was unaware, but unaware that he was unaware. He and the majority of other persons on the planet are asleep to their true nature.

Have I lost anything by giving Art the boot? No, not at all. What can be lost by letting go of a ghost? I’ve actually gained peace, joy, and freedom simply by dropping what I am not. The fact is that Art was simply a collection of repetitive sensations, images, feelings, thoughts and perceptions that gave the illusion (but not reality) of a separate self. Give it a name, like Jane or John Doe, and you’re off to the races. I’m happy to report that my suffering has decreased immensely since I got rid of Art. It was only he who was the negative voice; he who suffered apparent losses or wins; he who existed as a fictional self in apparent linear time and space. You and I, Spirit, realize that there’s only here and now.

Doubt that space-time can be an illusion? Go ahead, please try to experience the future. Can you actually live an hour from now or next Tuesday? Of course not. When that conceptual future hour or day arrives, it can only be lived “now.” Can you take a step into the past? No, even when you remember it, you do so “now.” Eckhart Tolle, a well-known spiritual teacher, shared this point through the example of a sign that he once saw in a pub in England. The sign read: Free Beer Tomorrow. If you think you can show up and actually drink free beer tomorrow, you will remain thirsty forever. It’s always now, despite the protests of the finite mind.

Maybe you also feel that it’s “time” for the shift to true Self. It’s easier than you might imagine. The key is to drop the thinking self, the fictional “me,” and let Awareness rule the roost. Don’t expect to find your true Self in anything that can be conceived or perceived. That’s why the following is expressed in Luke 17:21: “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” In stillness, true Self will become your established point of view. This was the way that life was meant to be; but the conceptual self can be stubborn. It doesn’t like to be dethroned. Take your position as Truth, and politely kick the little “me” out by regularly withdrawing your focus from it. You’re not losing anything real; only a conceptual thief.

Oh, by the by, just in case you think the “you’ve-gone-nuts” truck has pulled up to my place and picked a permanent parking space, you might be interested in this: Even science is backing up these findings. What was once considered matter is recognized as being nothing other than mind. They’re one and the same. The apparent objects that appear to our senses are perception only. What you call reality is nothing more than the Waking State, which is actually a projected story of “you” and the “world” in high definition 3-D. If you care to search for “atoms” on the Internet, you’ll discover that they’re 99.999% empty space, more aptly described as whirling clouds of energy. Ain’t that a kick in the imaginary gut! Yup, the “you” that you’ve been identified with is nothing more than a projection of the mind. True Self, my dear friend, is Spirit, aka Consciousness.

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” 🙏🏻🧡

Heart Bound

Today, a man on LinkedIn posted a short video of a happening that occurred within his family. I watched his presentation intently; and I’ll be honest, it moved me to tears. I literally wept. Why? Because what he shared resonated with the Truth of my Being. That “Being” is in me–pervading; and It is also in everyone else–pervading. It is the substance of That from which all of us are made. It’s Reality is undiluted Love in all its fullness. Here’s the account:

***

“My daughter did something wonderful this morning,” the man began. He then related that he had watched as his elder daughter placed some newspapers in the mailbox. He was puzzled, so he asked her why. She told him that her younger sister so enjoyed going to the mailbox and finding some mail. That’s why she did it–to be a source of joy for her little sister. The man then wondered to when the last time was that he had performed such a deed, purely for the sake of bringing joy to someone else. He also shared that when his younger daughter checked the mailbox, she was ecstatic!

***

As I’m writing this, the joy of that account is still ripe within me. No happiness of the ego can touch its transcendent authenticity. The account reminds me of what my dear mother, who experienced her fair share of suffering, often wisely told me. She told me that the easiest way to shake off the blues was to do something nice for someone else. There–in the heart of this timeless moment–is the secret to a very rich life; a life devoid of the self-centered “what’s-in-this-for-me?” perspective of the little “i.” If you can catch that thief in operation, you’re on your way to being liberated from it.

The false self, the character of Mister or Misses “me,” is not the real Self. As far as natures go, those two are galaxies apart. True Self is giving. It is the Source of love, comfort, peace, and joy. We feel our way to It; and we recognize and appreciate It just as It is. The false self is the psychological me; the fictional self that outwardly may appear giving; but who inwardly interested in self-preservation, appearance, and taking. It is the author of The Book of Sly.

Today–right now–we can take back our birthright and be heart bound. We’ll recognize the nature of true Self by the way we feel. No thinking is required. When we rediscover the Center of our Being, we are once again home in our sense of belonging. True Self is closer than our breath–not a heartbeat away. One of the best ways to rediscover It is to live from the perspective of that elder daughter. What can we give? A friendly smile or kind word? Some financial support? Time spent sharing a talent? A telephone call to someone who’s lonely? And what of that “beggar” on the street–the one who shares the same true Self? Isn’t it time to truly live from our heart?

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

All “My” Ducks in a Row

Most of us have heard, or perhaps even used, the following expression: “All of my ducks are in a row.” It implies that everything is just fine; circumstances are under control; and that life is oh, so good. Although this may seem fine as an expression, it’s actually a horrendously unsatisfactory way to live. The problem with this life strategy is that it requires tremendous, unending effort. “Here, little Duckie, walk this way, now that,” while I juggle ten tasks that must be done–at the same time.

The inspiration for this article comes, yet again, from the book entitled Awareness, by Anthony De Mello. It was recommended to me by fellow blogger “AP2, Clear Air Turbulence,” right here on WordPress (I hope you’ll check out his fine posts). Here’s the line, which relates to what I’ve expressed in the paragraph above:

“You keep on insisting, ‘I feel good because the world is right.’

Wrong!

The world is right because I’m happy.”

The point at which the expression about ducks and the lines above intersect is called “me.” When we rise in awareness, we can understand that it is only “me” who is having a problem with life as it is here and now. Once the “me” is revealed for what it is (a conceptual self), we can experience more of the present-moment joy that life is freely offering. Nothing and no one can rob us of that joy if we don’t allow the little “i” to steal us blind. Ducks don’t need to be in a row; tasks don’t have to be juggled; and we don’t have to be tempted by a fictional point of perfection in a fictional future. Then, mysteriously, we discover the incredible paradox: By not trying to have our ducks in a row, we realize that life is just fine, regardless of the state of the ducks!

This is not to say that we should drop our goals, or set our heart upon accomplishing tasks. Doing still occurs; work gets done. The main difference is in our approach. With detached awareness, it’s possible to witness when the fictional person is operating. It’s in our best interest to discover the nature of the little ‘i.” When we do, through self-inquiry, we’re well on our way to freedom–from grief, strife, and suffering. In this way, we can still interact with others and perform our work; but actions will occur without the interference of the separate little “me” that’s never satisfied. Ironically, everything will seem “just duckie.”

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Takes One to Know One

The expression that serves as the title of this article is well known; but I wonder if persons realize the truth that lies beneath it. On the surface level, most of us understand that to truly know something–perhaps what it’s like to work as a paramedic, be a mother or a father, or be homeless–we must have direct experience. Anything less than that means that we’re speculating and, quite literally, don’t know what we’re talking about.

With regard to awakening to our essential nature, it “takes one to know one” is absolutely true. How else but to experience Oneness can we possibly know it? Books on the subject make this very clear; as do teachers who have realized true Self. A belief is not the same as knowing; for beliefs are rife with hidden passageways that lead away from Truth, not toward It. With regard to enlightenment, it’s imperative that we don’t mistake the map for the territory that it describes. The territory of our Being cannot be reached through pointers or descriptions; nor through assumptions, which have absolutely nothing to do with Ultimate Reality. All teachings are merely pointers to the way.

How, though, do we begin a journey that takes us nowhere beyond where we are here and now? I know of no greater way than to enter the cave of stillness; for in presence–with the mind and all of its personal stories in abeyance–we have opportunity to become aware of the Light of Awareness. Our search is over when we knowingly discover That.

The journey toward direct experience of “Takes One to know One” is a journey that must be taken alone. To arrive at That (which is the Source of All that ever was, is, or shall be), we’re not allowed to take our opinions or beliefs; nor can we follow someone else’s map. By Grace we will return to that placeless place which, in Truth, we never left. For those beings who are ready, this seeming paradox won’t be confusing in the least.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With warm regards,

Art

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 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 is 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 is truly Real is the transcendent place from whence we came. And when we emerged from the desert, walking together as spiritual children of 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

All Our Petty Differences

How fervently humans hold their petty grudges, the offences we’ve deemed so important. How proudly we recount them through spiteful speech, like badges of woes pinned sharply to our lapel. How tightly we clutch to our “he-did-this” or “she-did-that” stories against us. I, too, have been guilty as charged. With that in mind, we’ll begin this article with a line from a book that a fellow blogger suggested that I might enjoy:

“We differ from others

–from criminals, for example–

only in what we do or don’t do, not in what we are.”
Awareness. by Anthony De Mello

Do those words, and the power within them, not strike us in the breastbone of our Being? Is Mr. or Mrs. Ego staggering from the punch? This short line begs us to ask the following: “How am I seeing?” Am I seeing with understanding born of the heart–from Truth, or am I seeing through the eyes of the petty little ego; the guy or gal who’s often so quick to judge; or reluctant or, perhaps unwilling, to forgive?

It’s been stated that individuals who hurt us personally, or collectively in society, are actually the ones most in need of love. This is perfectly logical. Why? Because such individuals are so far removed from their own knowing of love for themselves. For what other reason would they hate as much? How can we possibly give to another that which we, ourselves, don’t possess? We must also remember to extend the same loving forgiveness to our own “self;” for until we do, the healing is not complete.

All waves are identical in nature as the One Ocean in which they are immersed. How could they ever truly be different? Each wave undoubtedly expresses itself differently in form–peaking here, like a saint; or crashing there, like a sinner; but each and every one is made of Ocean. We are THAT. When we see with the love of One Heart, we will know how to truly look upon this world and, thereby, raise It.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With deep love,

Art

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

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”

Dismantling Fences

There’s 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’s 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 fluctuating mentality of the masses only serves to separate us from the goodness that inherently unites us. Our only hope for lasting peace amongst neighbours and nations lies in dismantling our minds’ fences forever. Below, is an example of an event that occurred because we truly didn’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 whites’-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. During this time, and for years afterward, Rosa and her family receive death threats...for standing up for rights and basic human 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 can deliver the best results. However, there’s a common misconception that enlightenment (which may be defined as waking from the dream of apparent personhood) is something that’s done; a spiritual activity that adds a better dimension to our life and make us better persons. To be interested in matters spiritual might even be branded as being namby pamby; an interest shunned by those who have better ways to use their time. Nothing could be further from the truth.

To embark upon a spiritual quest is the bravest, and most significant, journey we will ever undertake. It’s a figurative journey that involves travelling from conditioned ignorance to the awareness of our true Self. Such is a courageous act because recognition of our essential nature involves surrendering the false self, with whom we’ve identified for the majority of our so-called personal life. Such can feel like a great loss; it requires that we surrender our pride, historical story, and every triumph that we may have held dear. In short, we realize that our personal 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 beyond our own mask, it’s literally impossible for us to see the true nature of “others.” Spiritual teachings may, at best, lead to more civilized and tolerant behaviour; but also create a smug piousness. The solution is to directly experience our shared oneness. When such is realized, our fences fall by 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 that’s masquerading as our identity. this journey holds unparalleled value; for when we discover the Truth within ourselves, we are, thus, enabled to see It shining as the glorious identity in everyone of varying class, colour, and nationality. With clear insight, we realize that persons on the opposite side of the fence are, indeed, ourselves.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Through The Times

Times change; they surely do. In fact, change is paradoxically one of the constants in this changeful realm. On a daily basis, all of us witness the perpetual changing–minute to hour; morning to evening, and year to yesteryear. We know with absolute certainty that’s what fashionable today–in science, medicine, politics, and culture–will surely go out of style. It’s just the way of expression here.

When I was a teenager, I wrote a poem about the subject of time. Curious then, as I still am, I expressed that I didn’t want to know what made the clock tick; I wanted to know what made the tick tick. I suppose I was searching for meaning in this clockwork mechanism in which we’re seemingly enmeshed.

Initially, we may be somewhat unaware of the flow of time’s river; for we, being swept along in it, barely notice its movement. From that perspective, our attention is almost always focused on objects of fancy along the riverbanks. One year, such may be a goal to achieve business success; the next year, a romantic relationship; and the following year, plans to travel the world. Change, change, change.

To the best of my knowledge and understanding, there’s only one thing (not a thing) that holds eternal value. The knowing of it, at least to me, is what makes the tick tick. Through all of the changing times and seasons of our lives, I believe the only tick that gives meaning to our lives is this: to share, express, and exemplify the qualities of our true Self, which is LOVE.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

The Echo of “I Am”

In wisdom teachings about our essential nature, which is identical in quality and nature to God’s, 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; and the water and the pails refer to us, the body-minds or persons. In the analogy, the unaware person assumes that there’s an individual sun in each pail. We, of course, realize that this isn’t the case. The analogy is intended to help us understand 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, Jesus is attributed with stating the same message: “I and my Father are one.” Through innocent ignorance, the majority of humans believe they’re limited to the body-mind that will surely die. This erroneous belief leads to tremendous suffering.

In case this seems like a whole lot of mumbo jumbo, it may help to know that scientists have been unable to identify the biological processes which they assume give rise 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 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.”

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, doesn’t die, we realize that there’s nothing to fear. With this understanding, we can live–fully–here and now. The only self that dies is the fictional “i” of name and form, which is rendered by the mind. The Real “I” is all that is…eternally.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Think2wice

CONSCIOUSNESS, SPIRITUALITY, & LAW OF ATTRACTION

Category: Truth

Making Room for Emptiness

Heart Bound

All “My” Ducks in a Row

Takes One to Know One

Into The Desert

All Our Petty Differences

The Intersection of All That Is

Dismantling Fences

Through The Times

The Echo of “I Am”

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