The “Real” McCoy

Many humans will only purchase brand name items. They wouldn’t be caught dead buying anything less. They want the genuine article, the best of the best; and yet how easily they are fooled into buying into a false “i”-dentity. The latter was certainly true of me. With regard to the subject of “Know Thyself,” we most often–through lack of awareness–settle for a knockoff. The origin of the expression that serves as the title of this article is debatable; but several sources state that it relates to Elijah McCoy. Born in Canada in 1844, he was the inventor of a lubricating device for steam locomotives that worked exceptionally well. Other inventors came up with imitation devices; but theirs were considered far less effective. Therefore, when persons desired the best, they asked for the “Real” McCoy. Do you?

***

Without knowing it, the majority of persons are letting the imitation McCoy run their lives without permission. This occurs for one simple reason: they’re unaware that it’s happening. The false self to which they’re accustomed seems to get the job done with varying degrees of success; although most individuals admit that it swings between happiness and despair–often dramatically, within a short period of time. However, because the imitation McCoy is all that they consciously know, they put up with its imperfections and often patch it (the ego) up with a drink (or three), an affair, or a new car. Thus, happiness is regained, albeit temporarily. Without knowledge of the Real McCoy, we dwell in poverty. In the spiritual classic, I Am That, Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj summarized the situation through the following words:

“Your begging bowl may be of pure gold, but as long as you do not know it, you are a pauper.”

We can logically understand that individuals never seek what they don’t know is missing. That’s why suffering, which no one would consciously invite, often provides the fertile ground for the growth of self-inquiry. When the imitation McCoy isn’t functioning well (perhaps due to divorce, financial struggles, or health issues), we may finally open our consciousness to a spiritual solution. We might find ourselves listening to a spiritual teacher, purchasing a book about our essential nature, or praying to God for the first time. The key that unlocks awareness of our deeper dimension is often handed to us very subtly.

There’s a simple test that can help you know if this is occurring in your life. Question: Do you believe that all you are is a person? If so, the false self (which is merely a collection of habitual thoughts and beliefs) has misdirected you with conceptual sleight of hand and convinced you that it’s your sole identity. It’s not. As for the body, it’s a representational form within consciousness, whose apparent credibility is supported by sensations. The real “You” is removed from the polar swings that occur within the false self. It has no fear of death whatsoever because It knows that it is Life, Itself; therefore, beyond time, space, and all objects that apparently come and go.

We needn’t let the egoic self, which is rendered by the finite mind, rob us of our birthright of a joyful life. Our Real McCoy is Awareness, aka Consciousness. For some persons, it may feel more appropriate to refer to It by a reverent term such as God. Please realize, however, that the term can never be It. In daily life, all of us informally refer to it as “I.” To know our Real McCoy is to live an abundant life–to live from the still point of our Being. Investigation into our essential nature (called self-inquiry) will help us discern the difference between the little “me” and true Self. The Real McCoy is immortal and irreducible. It is prior to the mind. Anything less is a poor imitation.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With deep love,

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” 🙏🏻🧡

There Walk “I”

Existing on the superficial strata of life, we appear as though we walk and interact with apparent others. There is John; there is Mary; there is Bob, and there is Alice. They have a form, and they have a name; as do we. When we know ourselves only as the superficial little “i,” we, therefore, can only relate to the little “i” of everyone else. It’s just the way the system works; it is the balancing of perception. As we rise in consciousness, we gain clarity and understand more; we leave the level of egoic identity behind. Thus, “Dear God, please give me more understanding” is such a valuable prayer; outdone only by a heart full of gratitude for what is as it is.

The Truth is that each and every one of us is being walked. Under the illusion cast by Maya, we assume with absolute–but erroneous–certainty that we are the doers of our actions. Such is not the case; nor was it ever. How could characters in a dream life (the Waking State) actually walk themselves? There’s no room in this matrix for flesh and bones–only the appearance thereof. According to the nature of our hidden beliefs and conditioning, we are being walked by One Power; and the experience–both within and without–is known by One Knower. There is nothing but God, appearing as a multiplicity and diversity of forms. We–Divine Spirit–wear the disguise of apparent human of name and form. However, we are wise to remember that following expression is true, indeed: appearances can be deceiving.

This knowledge can lead to a deeper understanding that transcends the appearance of things. “There is John, Mary, Bob, and Alice,” thus, becomes “there walk I.” All sense of separation falls away, as easily as the sun slipping beneath the horizon. Everything and everyone is actually the Self, Consciousness. In Truth, such was always the case; only ignorance made it appear otherwise. The apparent personal “i” of name and form is but an illusion rendered by the mind–a total fabrication. When such is clearly understood, all conflict dissolves. A boxing ring with only One is lacking an opponent with whom to box.

What does this mean in terms of real and lasting effect when realized on a worldwide basis? When we are no longer a stranger to our real Self there dawns the realization that no one else is a stranger, either. They, too, are I; and I, too, am them. We, quite literally, become “One for All; and All for One.” Upon recognition, must we all don musketeer outfits? Of course not, we may keep our apparent individuality; but in our heart–where it matters most–we realize that We Are One. With this knowledge , the lyrics “mine eyes have seen the Glory” becomes so much more than words. They come to symbolize the path of transcendent peace and love.

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”

“Unforgettable”

We derive the title of today’s article from the song of the same name. It was first published in 1951 and made famous by the late great Nat King Cole, who lent his dulcet voice to it and many other wonderful songs. Here, I offer you the lyrics to the first verse:

Unforgettable
That’s what you are
Unforgettable
Though near or far

Although the lyrics were undoubtedly intended to express the love that lover might feel for a partner, they also perfectly describe our true Self. Our essential nature is That which is truly unforgettable–unlike the descriptions of the mind, which refer to a conceptual self only. At any point in time, we might forget what we are, or where we are; but it’s literally impossible to forget that we are. There, in that placeless place, are we, Consciousness. Our true Self is irreducible and unforgettable, the very foundation of our Being.

True Self is prior to the finite mind, not after. Most often overlooked, the real “You” is the silent witness of everything that’s happening in your so-called “life.” Such can be known directly by becoming still and entering the silence. The key is not to try to “be” anything; for in that attempt, we lose track of what we already are–now and forever.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

“Thank You” & “Note to Publishers”

Behind The Veil

I’m sure that most of you have heard of the mystical veil referred to in spiritual teachings. Although I’ve had a keen interest in psychology and human development for many years, I’ll admit that I didn’t give the subject of the veil any attention until relatively recently. The veil seemed to refer to an ephemeral barrier hiding something from plain view. Little did I realize, but “That” which is imperceivable via our senses is the Truth of our Being. The veil apparently hides this fact.

The veil is that placeless juncture that separates the True You, which is Spirit, from the apparent “you” of name and form. All that has ever been known, is known, and could be known is known by the One behind the veil of our human drama. Although words cannot define It, we often describe It as being omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. Paradoxically, It is nowhere to be found yet everywhere. We often refer to It by many reverent names; but It’s also referred to as Consciousness, the Unified Field, and informally as “I.” We apparently exist because It exists. It is the Alpha and the Omega of our Being.

If you’re interested in recognizing That which is behind the veil, such means that you’re curious about recognizing true Self. In Truth, the nature of your seemingly personal self is the same in kind and quality as That which gives birth to distant galaxies and grains of sand with equal ease. Nowhere may we turn and find a place that doesn’t bear Its powerful footprint. It is my very breath and That which is beating my heart now. It is raw unadulterated Glory, and to Know It is to be Love. It is the True You and I, in which each of our false little “i’s” have their apparent existence.

If you’re earnestly interested in discovering more about this subject, it may help to conceptualize the veil as a curtain that figuratively separates both actors and audience from the Truth that peacefully resides backstage, behind the scenes. Everything in front of the curtain is in time and space; and everything behind the curtain is timeless, eternal, and immortal. Do you dare to leave behind your unquestioned assumptions and discover the nature of true Self?

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

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

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

The Hammer Named “Choice”

Once upon a time in a land very close there lived an evil hammer named Choice. Everyone knew that The Hammer was big, monstrous, and bad to the bone. How it loved to prey upon unsuspecting thumbs! All day long, it would hide in the bushes and await the opportunity to pounce. “Heh, heh, heh, ” the thumbs imagined Choice muttering as they walked by, “now, there’s a delicious-looking thumb to whack!”

The thumbs never knew when Choice would strike. On some days, a lot of thumbs were whacked hard; on other days, only a few thumbs were struck; and on rare days, most of the thumbs went merrily about their business. However, almost all of the thumbs lived with the pervading fear that at any moment The Hammer could fall. In secret, the thumbs held Town Hall Meetings with the window blinds drawn and the lights turned low. They spoke in whispers and discussed what could be done to improve the condition of their lives. During such meetings, a variation of the following was almost always heard: “Did you hear about Burt?” asked one thumb to another. A terror-stricken hush would fall upon the room, then: “Yup, got whacked today–real hard.”

One day, however, a startling revelation occurred to a bright little thumb. “Wait a second,” it thought, “I can’t, in fact, know if I will be whacked by the big bad hammer today; but I can definitely choose how I live. I get to choose how I think and feel about every circumstance that arises. Choice doesn’t have me—I have Choice!” Empowered by the epiphany, the bright little thumb felt joy rise from within. It inhaled a deep breath and squared back its shoulders; and from that day forward, it focused on the beauty to be enjoyed here and now.

Within a few days, other thumbs noticed the dramatic change in the brave little thumb. It seemed to be shining with hope, positivity, and fearless spirit. Often the brave little thumb would be seen marching around town wearing a T-Shirt emblazoned with “I Am Lion Thumb, Hear Me Roar.” In time, word of the change spread to other thumbs, who told two thumbs, and so on. The startling transformation spread far and wide. The thumbs all rejoiced, and there was dancing and singing as never before. They even held a Thumb Fest; with everyone chanting “We have power, here; we have choice, now!”

***

So, what’s the point of this little parable? Did all of the thumbs march off into the sunset and live happily ever after? Well, yes and no. Like us, the thumbs continued to be whacked by life; but the good news is that they evolved and grew stronger. Much of life is beyond our control, but we can definitely control our attitude toward it. We can cower, or we can express our courageous nature. The choice is ours.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Children Play

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

“Adults play games; children play.”

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

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

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

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

This is enlightenment.”

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Think2wice

CONSCIOUSNESS, SPIRITUALITY, & LAW OF ATTRACTION

The “Real” McCoy

There Walk “I”

“Unforgettable”

Behind The Veil

Making Room for Emptiness

Heart Bound

All “My” Ducks in a Row

Takes One to Know One

The Hammer Named “Choice”

Children Play

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