"...there is somebody here, some pulsing alive loving being, that has nothing to do with your life experience or your opinions or your value system."
Jan Frazier
It is possible to inhabit this emptiness of sheer being, even in the tumult of the busiest day.
In any case, this alive being, this true nature, is fully here at all times, whether it is noticed or not.
~
Gratitude to Jan Frazier, quote is from essay, "The New Adventure". http://www.janfrazierteachings.com/blog/index.php?s=The+New+Adventure&searchsubmit=Go
Gratitude for photo, from this link: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://beautiful-garden-waterfalls-screensaver.smartcode.com/images/sshots/beautiful_garden_waterfalls_screensaver_27842.jpeg&imgrefurl=http://beautiful-garden-waterfalls-screensaver.smartcode.com/screenshot.html&usg=__SBGRcCGDUF1uyZ7NKvYgiH5X8K4=&h=768&w=1024&sz=161&hl=en&start=24&sig2=crCsRQLSM2ymUT0JxenKTw&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=kJfTXyAMNv5UOM:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbeautiful%2Bimages%26start%3D18%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26ndsp%3D18%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=4qI7TNDcCIv8nAfzuLSbAw
Posts
12 comments:
Hi Colleen,
This post and photo are truly worthy of a great vacation...a vacation from 'me':) There was a deeper feeling at the end of the day today of just what you and Jan wrote about. This evening as I was watching some 'junk' TV and some cooking shows it was apparent what never changes despite all the minds shennanigans about good/bad...right/wrong...'spiritual'/mundane...etc. The feeling was supported (if that can be) by some posts by Annette N., and John W. John writes "The ideas of realization, sticking, not sticking, etc., are false concepts. See them as such, and appreciate that what you are seeking is already present. There are a lot of wonderful qualities of what you are to be seen and appreciated here and now. But these are overlooked when you invest the energy of belief in notions of realization and wanting "it" to stay, etc. Why do you need something to stay if it never leaves?" What an amazing web of inner and outer Support. If THAT doesn't blow the mind I don't know what will. Or would. Or does... And the deeper feel of "No Need for Concern"...if that doesn't sound like someOne I know then nothing does...
Thank you for this and warmest wishes for the sweetest of rest...rest...and more rest :)
XOXO
-Leslie
Hi Leslie,
I loved reading your comments. The quote by John points to something that is just dawning on me lately- that the whole story of awakening is another pipe-dream produced by the mind that generates suffering. It's a fiction, similar to the fiction "if I had a million dollars everything would be all right." Ironically, seeing that the story of awakening is a fiction IS the awakening...
Thank you so much Leslie- it's a joy to communicate with you.
Love,
Colleen
Hi Colleen,
Thanks for the reminders for our busy lives! :)
It has occurred to me as well on several occasions that the whole story of awakening is just that - a story; something else we "buy into."
For me lately it's just about showing up for what life has presented here - doing what needs to be done on a daily basis - which doesn't *feel* very "enlightened." But it has actually helped to shatter my illusions of what that is *supposed* to be/look like :)
Christine
Hi Christine,
You write that "just showing up for what life has presented here- doing what needs to be done on a daily basis...has helped to shatter illusions of what that (enlightenment, awakening) is "supposed" to be like." Yes, it's fascinating to meet life with less of the mental filter of judment and thoughts, being more awake and present to what actually is without such a dense overlay of thought. The little narrating voice can carry on as usual commenting on everything, but it is recognized not to enshroud my identity any more than a pile of leaves swept by in the wind.
Thank you for visiting and joining the conversation Christine. As I had mentioned elsewhere to Leslie, I am on a "road trip" to visit with family and may not have much computer access for the next week or so. Will remain with you and all in spirit. Love, Colleen
PS The oddest thing happens sometimes- this presence that is here, the presence with no name that is who I am, seems more real than any material thing...
Hi Colleen and Christine,
"...it's just about showing up for what life has presented here..." I'm beginning to feel how there is really no other choice. But just when you feel it's all too awful someone flips a switch. Some different perspective happens. Jeannie Zandi describes it..."When I'm present these days it's not because I'm groovy or
have a practice or think it's a good idea, but because anywhere else is painful."
Wishing you a lovely 'road trip'...those are the best. Completely present with mahem-in-the-car :)
XOXO
-Leslie
Great quote from Jeannie Zandi Leslie- I have heard the name but never read her writing. The now does seem to have a deepening appeal- after being slighted and ignored for so long. As attention and heart gather in the field of the bare moment, the spaciousness and depth of the Now become more apparent. Driving to work this morning I heard some words from Tolle that have been my touchstone all day: "When you make friends with the present moment, you feel at home no matter where you are." The inescapability of the now turns out to be freedom in the end...ironies abound. Thanks so much for your comments and well-wishing, this road-trip will be quite an adventure...Love, Colleen
"As attention and heart gather in the field of the bare moment, the spaciousness and depth of the Now become more apparent."...That is beautiful Colleen. I had heard that quote you refer to from Tolle. How true. Tolle is wonderful beyond wonderful. And FUNNY. How funny is he?!?! Funny and wise. What a great combination.
"The inescapability of the now turns out to be freedom in the end...ironies abound." -- Isn't that the case?!
XOXO
-Leslie
Beautiful, yet simple truth:) Great, mom!
Wow Mary! What an excellent pleasure to see you here! Thanks for visiting :) Love, Mom
Hi Colleen,
This beautifuk statemtnt..."As attention and heart gather in the field of the bare moment, the spaciousness and depth of the Now become more apparent" describes what happened the day of your last post. In fact...the whole nine-yards of what you (and Jan) wrote mirrored the insight. The insight came with the flavor -- as Jan describes it ",,that there is somebody here, some pulsing alive loving being, that has nothing to do with your life experience or your opinions or your value system." At other times it has shown through in the other ways she describes it. This time 'showing up' having nothing to do with 'my opinions or value system'. Interesting and it makes sense! She goes on to say "what you see is that you were not in charge of bringing about the shift in perspective. It seems to have . . . just happened." That too...seems to be the case although it probably didn't 'hurt' to have 'gathered attention and heart in the field of the bare moment' as you say. Although (if this is nonduality) there was no 'I' doing that either :O
She then says...and this is where it does not seems so for 'me'..."Once the thing has been clearly seen, you cannot un-see it." Ummmm...for the millionth time I seem to have 'unseen it.' I have read that the whole unfolding-thing has a time frame all of it's own. That there is nothing you can do to speed things up out of the time zone. Any help here or has my mind just gone into overdrive :)
I hope you are having a wonderful vacation. How wonderful to have your daughter visiting this glorious blog.
XOXO
-Leslie
Hi Leslie,
I am just reading your comment now, right after I had put up a new brief post called 'anatta'. And I'm replying to you in a bit of a time crunch as we are dashing out the door in moments here on our whirlwind family visit. If I'm not able to reply much now, I will on Monday once we're back home.
Who is it who keeps losing it? Or is that just a thought appearing and disappearing?
And what is that thought appearing and disappearing in?
And is even the thought "I've lost the insight again", part of IT?
Is there someone who needs to wake up?
Who is the one who suffers?
We're running out the door. Thanks for your comments Leslie. With love, Colleen
Doh! Thanks for that beautiful answer...That and what I had just written regarding John's pointer. This will sink in to what (already) is...one of these days...right now :O
XOXO
-Leslie
Post a Comment