"When understood, the Buddha’s universe..is anything but alien and inhibiting. It is a world full of hope, where everything we need to do can be done and everything that matters is within human reach. It is a world where kindness, unselfishness, non-violence, and compassion achieve what self-interest and arrogance cannot. It is a world where any human can be happy in goodness and the fullness of giving." ❦ Eknath Easwara

November 6, 2011

Spiritual Practice—It Comes Down to Being Real

"Many people get caught up in spiritual experiences and perceptions and all kinds of interesting, subtle impressions, some of which can be exciting and uplifting.

But there is nothing like the simplicity of being oneself—settling into yourself, just being there, recognizing what you are, and feeling the sense of intimacy and realness of that.

All the inner journey, all of the spiritual practice, ultimately comes down to this: that we are able to be genuinely what we are.  If you want to do inner practice in order to develop certain powers or go to other dimensions, or have special experiences, you still don't know what spiritual work is.  And this is because you have not yet recognized what reality is or what being real means."

A. H. Almaas "Loving the Real"
from The Unfolding Now—Realizing Your True Nature through the Practice of Presence

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2 comments:

  1. So true. The real unfolding in our beings is the truth we run from when we turn to practice to define a fleeting image of self. Who we are is the unchanging, and you are right, being THAT is the power and satisfying end to all journeying. Only in complete resonance with who and what you are can any relative phenomenon derive it's meaning and potency. You are there before every experience. Who are you? I am still drawn to contemplate this. Peace!

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  2. NHS, thanks for your helpful and insightful remarks. To begin to see what you are describing is so revolutionary, and very exciting as the limitless implications begin to unfold. Thanks for stopping by!

    With warm metta,
    Steve Goodheart

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