The realm of meditation is vast and depending on the technique that you use, it can take you to a huge number of different places. If you are curious about how meditation on the self differs from many of the techniques out there, you will be interested in Fran’s question below.
I enjoy your blogs very much. Thank you!
I was on a teleconference Sunday with Ramana (Ramana Maharishi's predecessor?) called "Interludes with Ramana" from AHAM (Association for the Happiness of All Mankind). They opened it up for questions and my question lately that I asked is this:
Why is it that some people experience spontaneous awakenings (Byron Katie, Ekhart Tolle) with no prior interest in spirituality or awakening and it seems that others (I fall in this category) seem to have to effort, do inquiry, meditate etc?
Ramana said that it was my thoughts that kept me from awakening. He asked, “What would be my experience if I didn’t have the thought that it took effort?” I understand this, but it didn’t exactly answer my question. My experience does not seem to be the effortless permanent experience of these people. The quality of their awakening is totally life altering in every way where my experience is a constant series of inquiry and reminders to practice the presence etc.
Bhagavan from the Oneness movement says that this state can not be achieved on ones own. He says that it must be imparted or given or bestowed in some way and that it is totally out of the hands of the awakener. His means is to give deeksha which alters the brain structure to cause this to happen. I have also read of this awakening happening in the presence of an awakened master through proximity or shakti.
If there is some energy that is required to make the shift occur permanently what is that? I tell myself continually that I am one with everything and that I am that and that I am awareness or feel the silence beneath the illusion but I still don’t embody that experience or quality of effortless being-ness that these people embody. Do I need to fake it till I make it? How does it happen? Why is that one person who is not the least bit interested or thinking about awakening can look at a bug and instantaneously become awakened? Why does it take years and practices for others who desire it yet it doesn’t happen? What is the magic switch or formula if there is one?
Thank you for your insight,
Fran
Hi Fran,
Thank you for your interest in waking up to reality and in your persistence. I do not know about a lot of teachers. But I love Ramana Maharshi and I can tell you what he said. If you want the experience of awakening find out who you are.
If you want a hint: even now you are limitless Consciousness and Bliss. That is the subject. If it’s an object that you see like a body or a state of mind you can be sure of one thing: that's not you.
Don’t fake enlightenment
You do not have to fake enlightenment. If you're just honest, and start where you think you are, you will be in a perfect position to discover the truth or reality behind the whole universe. An ordinary person is a lot closer to enlightenment than an ostentatious teacher who has not seen what he or she is trying to teach. First these teachers will have to give up their pretension so that they will be in a position to look at their lives honestly. Then they will be able to find what is true. (I do not know all the teachers that you mentioned so this commentary is not necessary directed at them)
You can cut out this step if you are just honest from the beginning. You will know why honesty is so important if you know the secret to self inquiry: Whatever you see you are not. This means that when you become aware of a limitation you are free of it. So why not just look honestly without judgment and become aware of as much as you can.
Now notice what I didn't say. Struggle with your thoughts in order to get the correct ones, shoot your energy through your spine, get somebody to reshape your brain, or repeat over and over again that you are peace and one with everything.
The reason I have not mention these things is because they are just an attempt to change that which is limited. That's right, your thoughts your energy and your brain are all limited. Not matter what you do or don't do to limitation it will not get you any closer to your limitless being. Moreover, when you try to change your thoughts you are assuming that you are centered in the mind and from that limited perspective trying to find your being.
Find the self by standing as the Self
The only way to find the self is by standing as your self and looking from there. Room space will never discover its true nature if it assumes that space is limited to a room. Similarly you will never see your true nature of you assume that you are limited to the body or mind or even the “I thought” or ego. So give up assumptions of limitation and look at life afresh like a new born baby.
You will be surprised by how close you are to the highest truth ever discovered by a human being, and that truth is just who you are. See if you can use this as a doorway to a practice that will get results for you. It will surely raise more questions, which you are free to ask here.
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