Awakening sense

it's impossible

It's said that changeless Self contains all that constantly changes,
Abiding beyond both form and formlessness.

If so, what's the role the inner Beloved,
But as our merciful link with this Ocean Self?

A doorway between limited and unlimited,
An entrance to the limitless for hearts yearning to awaken.

Awakening to what but themselves as the one Self,
The impossible becoming possible as drop becomes Ocean.

location, location

Aren't the terms 'going within,' 'contacting one's inner self' and the like much too general?

Depends on where they lead one. As they say in the real estate world, it's all about location. Many favor comfort areas within their ego-mind as the places where going within takes them. What eventually follows are more contradictions and confusion.

You're saying they're kidding themselves about their spiritual aspirations?

No, sincerity may be there, but it's easy to forget that it isn't the ego-mind that ever awakens.

Then going within means going outside of ego-mind.

It means going beyond the confines of ego-mind's mazes, connecting with a spacious presence that is everywhere. You could say that within our total makeup, not just the ego-mind, are doorways to that spacious presence that contains all that is, within which this world is but a dot.

what's given up?

Surrendering our false self takes real will,
A relinquishing of control that's a truly conscious act.

Such self-abandonment to the Beloved's whim is no small task,
Though taking place in an arena invisible to ego-mind's eyes.

What's to be abandoned but our self-absorption,
Our desperate refuge from love's fire that incinerates whatever isn't real?

And what's to be hoped for but a longing beyond all hopes,
The spark igniting the force that burns away mind's veils?

fully exposed

When thoughts settle like fallen snow,
Clearing the air allows awakening's glimpsing.

But once more mind's swirling dust cloud holds sway,
Riding piggyback on spirit's insights and laying claim.

This game goes on till ego-mind's ploys are laid bare,
Until its nakedness gets fully exposed.

As the power and charm of our world seeps away,
We're drawn to hidden treasure within our inner garden.