Three Methods on the Path

April 2, 2002

Excerpt from " Silence of the Heart: Dialogues with

Robert Adams "

There are three methods we use to help us on the path,

so we can realize the true Self. Number one is

self-surrender, where we surrender completely to God,

or to your Self. But that's hard to do for most

people. It sounds easy, but it's not. It means that

you have no life of your own. You surrender completely

and totally, everything to God. Totally. Every part of

your life goes to God. " Not my will, but Thine. "

That's devotion, bhakti. Again, it sounds easy to some

people, but it's not when you get into it, because it

means every decision that you make is left up to God.

You give your mind to God, totally, completely,

absolutely. And that leads you to Self-realization.

Number two is mindfulness. Becoming the witness.

Watching yourself continuously. Watching your

thoughts, watching your actions. Sitting in meditation

and watching what goes on in your mind. Not trying to

change anything or correct anything. Just observing.

Becoming the witness to your thoughts in meditation,

and to your actions in the waking state.

And number three is the one I advocate, Self-inquiry.

Asking yourself, " To whom do these troubles come? To

whom does this karma come? To whom does this suffering

come? It comes to me. Well, what is 'me'? I am me. Who

am I? From where did the I come from? And following

the " I " to its source.

You can use any of these three methods, the one that

suits you best. By all means, do something. Don't

waste your time with frivolities. Work on yourself, if

you want to become free. It doesn't mean you give up

going to the movies, or going to work, or anything.

You give up nothing. You just become aware of what

you're doing. You become a conscious being.

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