It's easy to associate meditation with spirituality because when we experience a moment of peacefully abiding, it seems so far-out. Our mind is no longer drifting, thinking about a million things. The sun comes up or a beautiful breeze comes along--and all of a sudden we feel the breeze and we are completely in tune. We think, "That's a very spiritual experience! It's a religious experience! At least worth a poem, or a letter home." Yet all that's happening is that for a moment we are in tune with our mind. Our mind is present and harmonious. Before, we were so busy and bewildered that we didn't even notice the breeze. Our mind couldn't even stay put long enough to watch the sun come up, which takes two-and-a-half minutes. Now we can keep it in one place long enough to acknowledge and appreciate our surroundings. Now we are really here. This is has nothing to do with religion or a spiritual path. It has everything to do with simply being human.
His emphasis on "simply being human" reminds me of his teaching that we need to remember basis goodness (that I mentioned yesterday). Both are about recognizing who and what we actually are - and then coming home to that.
I think that too many people in our modern world are afraid of their consciousness. They never want to slow down enough to watch a sunset or even think for a moment about being.
ReplyDeleteI read your blog when I feel like I'm getting too cynical and need to focus more on 'simply being human.'
Stay groovy.
I think you're right, Aurelius. Sad, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment.
Come back soon!