Awakening sense

precarious orbits

Initially spiritual aspiration is like a small satellite circling that massive planet called ego-mind. Precariously orbiting, it can easily lose altitude and crash. Then we must relaunch to overcome the gravitational field of our self-limits.

How to maintain this new orbit, with what new form of energy? What of the radiance of the True Self, the Real Friend, that the heart can receive? What better way to sustain this new motion of awakening?

Usually our self-absorption is more massive, more imposing than our fledgling spirit. But as wakening consciousness finds a firm footing the tables can be turned. 

Then it is ego-mind that becomes the satellite, orbiting in the expanse of a new dawning.

mental nutcrackers

philosophy 101

monistic dualism: There's me, there's you, and there's this One Dream we are characters in. There are degrees of self awakening to Self; like on a sliding scale from Unconscious Self to Conscious Self.

monism: More to the point, there's only Oneness, Self, and nothing else really exists. Self is beyond dreaming and waking.

mind or ego-mind: The problem and sometime part of the solution. It helps to clarify but likes getting stuck in the process.

paradox: Points to the way out of self-imposed riddles. The ups and downs of life's logic serves as a mental nutcracker; if that's not effective then bring on the koans.

When the heart feels its deepest yearning, it recognizes this as the pull of awakening.......This turns the mind upside down. This pulls the rug out from under all previous philosophizing.

the bottom line

Here's a bare-bones description of the short path in spirituality:

Not to expect anything: not to expect that something will happen, not to expect getting special experiences. This applies to the world as it seems and especially to one's awakening to the world of spirit. 

But just as important, not to expect that nothing will happen, that no new way of experiencing will happen.

The pendulum swings back and forth between these two kinds of expectations. At the midpoint of the swing the verge of awakening beckons.               

The long path? Just keep expecting anything and everything. This may seem the first class way to travel, but one winds up with countless delayed and cancelled flights on the way.

(another) spiritual currency (pt.3)

Here's a different twist of the word "currency:" as in being current with what's happening, with current events. Truly being current is really being in the present..........where else is anything happening?

Then our life-current circulates freely, without obstructions; it circulates directly, without distractions. It's like an energy stream flowing from our inner reservoirs, our "inner accounts" (see "currency").

This leads us into the "eye of the needle" through which none of our baggage can pass. Following the thread of spirit through it, we approach the threshold of the Beloved Oneness within. (also see pt.1 and pt.2)