The Deeper Absorption :

As we go through this incarnation and have a wide range of experiences, both wondrous and difficult moments have their impact and subsequent influence. These experiences inform our beliefs and tend to start the development of coping mechanisms to deal with the things that felt unpleasant but they also can offer us opportunities to develop kindness, understanding and compassion.

It is the identification and understanding of these difficulties that gives us the ability to commiserate and be supportive of other beings going through similar struggles.

The challenge is often to navigate between the preservation of one’s own emotional “safety and comfort” in the middle of difficulty, and the ability to have compassion, understanding and patience with someone else going through the same thing at the same time with us.

The Key is the deeper absorption into Loving-kindness.

The lens of mutual tenderness, vulnerability and consideration is the filter in which this experience should be viewed through.

Sometimes we have to let go of the small “self” and step back to observe the greater whole and acknowledge our common need.

We all want to feel safe, valued and loved.

So... when things get difficult can we have the same understanding and compassion for others that we want for ourselves?

That is the moment when we have to go deeper into our own direct experience and understanding of those feelings and experiences and allow it to inform our response.

That is when wisdom and kindness arise out of suffering.

That is the most potent medicine.

That is the path of deeper absorption.

The Uncut Stone...

Chan Buddhism / Direct Experience:

Neither ceremony, education nor social background has any bearing on the experience of enlightenment.

As a matter of fact, often beings with highly engaged intelligence have a hard time returning to simple perception without thinking and analyzing the experience.

There is NO analyzing pure awareness.

The teachings are characterized by their simple striking immediacy and by their concern with direct insight into the essential nature of awareness.

The term "sudden enlightenment" refers to the moment when all falls away in an instant and there is no more confusion.

Often it is the pure, profound and simple letting go of attachment and judgment and residing in the present and the unadorned clarity of Mind.

                                The Uncut Stone.

        This the natural radiance of our true nature.

 

 

The Choice of Attachment:

Any moment can provide us with a positive or negative experience. Yet so often we cling to the negative experience and then attach to a story that supports it.    In actuality, what we really desire is a positive experience and to feel appreciated and loved but when we don't have that experience we fall into negative self-judgment and it only reinforces the story and the cycle of suffering.

So Unfortunate..

It breaks my heart when I see beings focus on their suffering and get stuck in the cycle of disbelief and lose hope. On my own journey and in my own years of practice, I have found that it is the intensity of experience that has deep impact that often wants to be felt and honored......

But what I have also learned is...

You don't have to hold yourself in suffering to honor the experience...

That just reinforces the story around the wound, is not kind, and does not support the transformation into strength and wisdom.

What has crystallized for me is...I can attach to whatever I want to.

The story, the so-called lacking, the discontent, the impatience....or....The LOVE , the mystery, the wonder, or the gratitude for the experience itself.

It's only when we attach to a negative experience that translates into a negative judgment of self that we continue to perpetuate that cycle of suffering.

Our amazing and tender selves are impeccable and eternal.

Even harsh judgment can not change that.

Self-criticism, anger, and self abuse require energy to sustain them.

Love is naturally self-generated and is self-perpetuating.

It's the constant judging of self that is the most painful, unproductive and ultimately, spiritually exhausting.

As we view both negative and positive in any given moment, we have a choice on what we attach to.           Hold on to the dissatisfaction or nurture the potential sweetness.

In truth, It's all an illusion and all-wondrous at the same time.                                                                                                     We choose the movie.

The Opening :

Right Now, the present is offering us an opportunity.

A new view is emerging.

We will not be returning to the same so-called "normal"..

That was a past that wasn't working anyway.

You are not the same person you were even a minute ago...

Every now and then the universe sends us messages but are we in a fixed mindset or a growth mindset ?

Are we able to receive the download ?

Are we willing to entertain change and the mystery of new-ness?

THAT is what makes the difference.

The courage to release control is the doorway to transformation.

Freedom does not arise out of control.

Freedom is the child of courage.

 

The Potency of Clarity and Conviction:

When in the right state of mind and frequency and applied for the benefit of all, NO opposition can sabotage your efforts because they alone are the example of personal power, right effort, and healthy conviction.   

At that point, it is no longer about you.

Do not lose faith in Integrity. One can be focused, potent and unwavering and still be kind and considerate.

Virtue and proper action can never be negated...

 

 Elemental Awareness and Development:

One's outer world is a creation of their own inner work and the lens that has been developed.

The achievement of potency, balance and harmony is also an internal process..

So is stabilization and grounding.

If we look at our body and mind as the vehicle and the lens we experience everything through then we can see that we can use and practice different methods to develop skills and strengths to make ourselves flexible, adaptable and graceful while living in the world.

And so, the Mind must be attentive and aware but relaxed

The Heart, open yet calm and the Spirit, vital yet light.

This is the way of the Tao .

Living with intention and yet staying easeful, natural and without  constant agenda.

This is the Transformative Way.

Return to the Elements and nature for wisdom.

 

Understanding Medicine:

With all the things going on in the world, both political and biological, uncertainty and impermanence are no longer conceptual.

The more vulnerable we are, the more scared we get and the more we realize how precious our relationships and connections are to the people and the planet around us.

Why wouldn't we go out of our way to be extra loving, as this is the medicine we all want.

If you have resentments, let them go.

If you have anger about your past, just release it. It doesn't serve you anymore.

Clinging to the wounds of the past just holds you in bondage in the present

If you're holding grudges, drop 'em.

If you want to tell somebody you love them, do it.

Attention, appreciation and love has always been the most potent medicine and especially during times of stress and uncertainty.

Tomorrow is a potent illusion.

Today is where the medicine is created