Monday, May 10, 2010

Pointers

Why do you need to practice breathing? It's absurd.


*****


Right at this very moment, what is present
in addition to any thoughts, sensations, or seen-objects?


*****


Drop all questions and look at what is directly in front of you. That this natural and timeless state is so easily overlooked is as amazing as the state itself. No chants, silence, or asanas are required for its recognition (though those activities, in themselves, can be beautiful, celebratory, and physically beneficial).


*****


When I'm talking to you, I am talking to Self. That is why you are feeling something hushed and far-reaching as you are perusing these words. There is something in me that is touching something in you. That "something" is the same in each of us. Its loveliness far surpasses any clarity in the words that you are reading right now. For after the words have stopped, you and I will still be there.


*****


Jesus pointed to your very own supremeness when he said, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden."


*****


You can only know something when you already transcend it. You are that presence that knows or registers a thought or emotion. And because you are transcendence itself, there is nothing that you have to "reach" or work-toward. This understanding is not evolutionary at all. The great sages from Shankara and Sri Atmananda Menon to Nisargadatta Maharaj and Sailor Bob Adamson all say that you absolutely are already That. There is nothing you need to do except see or understand what is already before you. The loveliness of this fact points to your very own radiance. Pause a moment and see what is forever shining.


*****


Be wary of anyone who proclaims that you need to concentrate harder, you need to sit longer, or you need to commit to this. In actuality, you need none of those.


*****


You say that you want "peace of mind." But you can never have that. The thoughts, sensations, and feelings of the so-called mind are, by turns, calming, exciting, ludicrous, resentful, sexual, sacred, acrimonious, and loving. This is a natural part of your functioning. This is what the mind is: The arisings of all of those previously-mentioned things. So when you meditate in an attempt to either stop your mind or to watch it long enough to where it appears to be stopped, you will inevitably fail. But you most certainly can have peace. Just take note that you are actually not your thoughts.
You are that eternally spacious and cognizant peace that knows that an idea or a feeling is present. And with the seeing of this, the importance of any arising concept or sentiment is quickly given its proper due.


*****


You are the pause and you are the clarity. You are that spaciousness which is prior to even consciousness! See, as you are reading these words, that there is a subtle and knowing presence in clear evidence.


*****


Though there are no levels to the natural state, there is much to be said for having some experience with this understanding. That is why the talks from sages can be so valuable. I wince a bit at my early prose and replies to seekers' questions. It's not that these writings and responses were necessarily incorrect; it's only that there was a kind of spouting forth, with little regard for directness and clarity. I just wanted to speak and write about this as much as humanly possible, as if--alas--to spread the "the good news." I say "alas" because my correspondence was out of some curious compulsion that simply isn't there any longer. It has been replaced, if that is the right word, by a clear and natural kind of pouring outward. A question is asked, and a response given. I have not a clue what that reply will be. Still, it somehow remains "good news."

2 comments:

Shamash said...

Hi Rodney,

Thanks for the post. I think the first pointer says it all. Why do you need to practise or do breathing. It's all just happening. Wonderful! Keep up the great work. I enjoy reading these short, punchy points. :)

Shamash

Rodney Stevens said...

Many thanks, Shamash. :)