My meditation practice over the last 30 years is ever evolving. The stages through which I have emerged are due to the consistency of the practice. However, it is possible to meditate in ways that do not promote our evolution and in fact can hinder it. It is a slippery slope between effort and non-effort, between aiming for something and accepting what is, between discipline and abandon. This edge could be considered vigilance, but this vigilance evolves…changes character. There is a tightrope one walks where a toehold on attention balanced with letting go is a tiny back and forth motion … [read more]
Energies
Energy is a huge subject. J.G. Bennett has written extensively about them, so this is an introduction and my take on his schematic. We interpret the word energy in many ways and experience what energy is in our bodies, our thoughts and our emotions. With loss of “energy” we feel listless. We also may experience energy blocks in the form of illness, disease, or emotional anguish. However, there are energies of a higher order that feed something more than our day to day functioning. Energy by its very nature is never destroyed but only transformed. When we are interested in … [read more]
Shades of Gradation
Energy works within us. In fact, we are nothing but energy, so it stands to reason that as we refine our ability to be present, the gradation of energy working within us changes. I can be completely in my thoughts and this is a very low gradation of energy. I can be “thinking” of my body and this is still only thought energy. I can be in full blown reaction and this is thought energy depriving any build up of cohesion within me. I can notice things happening in my body with thought energy. My work with being present, in … [read more]
Learning to Choose
The wise G.I. Gurdjieff said, “man cannot choose.” The reality of this statement could not be more true, but it is up to all of us to understand why it is true. This absolutely drove me crazy when I first encountered these words. I felt like I did have choices and often attributed adverse consequences to making the wrong choice. Only until I recognized that I had no ability to choose did things begin to change for me. I saw how my actions were habitually tainted with completing a picture of myself and when that did not happen, my reactions … [read more]
Divine Fusion
Divine fusion is an inner alchemical process that allows a spiritual seeker to infuse with the refined light energy of higher consciousness. It is the ultimate reconciling force. Divine Fusion requires a vehicle. A certain readiness within the body, the mind and the soul must be ripe for this to occur. One never knows when it might happen, and it is ill advised to seek it out as a goal. It occurs gently like a blossoming flower and it can erupt through our Being like a flash of lightning. The refinement of awareness is the vehicle for that divine energy … [read more]
Life in the Balance
I am just back from 10 days of downtime. No internet, no work, and no writing. I had lots of family time, paddleboarding, talks around the campfire, cooking and wonderful communication with the trees. To truly let go takes effort for many of us, even if it is for a few days. The stillness is jarring, boring and we look for things to fill that void. I must say that there was a lot of activity this time with visitors, and I look forward to downtime downtime where I will do virtually nothing but sit under the trees, meditate, and … [read more]