Two Births - One Life.

[Guest guest]

Dear Harsha,

 

This is a cross

posting from another

discussion group - something

which you have graciously

approved. This mentions

Awakening and so wanted

to post it here...

 

Two births

 

By way of physical birth,

we enter a world as a distinct

'separate' being. It takes a

while to recognize our " I am "

as opposed to 'others " .

 

Prior to that recognition,

we seem to live in what we

perceive as a benevolent world.

We're rocked, fed, keep warm

and dry...all out needs are met.

Life is good.

 

Then one day it hits us (sometimes

in the form of a slap or harsh

words) that this world is not

entirely benevolent. We are taught

to watch out, think, plan ahead,

not to trust strangers...and

a host of other social shapings.

 

Many of these taught behaviors

are considered necessary and

civil. But when we give up

the lightness of spirit and

feeling of benevolence of a

child, we are in danger of

never recovering that joy

again in our lifetime.

 

As Thoreau wrote, " Most men

(people) live lives of quiet

desperation. "

 

Very often that takes the

shape of a consciousness

that puts on a persona that

smiles and says quietly, and

not without a tinge of sadness,

to itself, " It's not that bad. "

 

Well, it's not that bad is

a long way from a vibrant

fullness of joy and peace

of mind that we once knew

as a child.

 

The good news (the gospel) is

that vibrant fullness of joy

and peace of mind IS possible

as an adult. We CAN recover

the lightness of spirit, and

we can enjoy it from the

knowledgeable perspective of

an adult - a fabulous combination;

a fantastic, delightful, blissful

way to live.

 

Inner peace, equanimity and

joy can run like living water

as an undercurrent of our lives.

Of course, life brings some

ups and downs, but once tasted,

the living water is always

there to quench our thirst

(for inner peace) and run as

an undercurrent - and the

emotional loop of the ups and

downs is drastically reduced

in scope and duration.

 

We experience...and then we

let go and move on with the flow,

not wrestling with reality,

fully and unconditionally

accepting what IS.

 

To know this requires another

birth. Jesus called it the

Birth of the Spirit. In Buddhism

it's Awakening, Satori in Zen,

Samadhi in Hindu traditions,

Peak Experience and Self-Actualization

or Self-Realization in non-theistic

language.

 

This is The Mystic Path. It

culminates in a direct experiential

'knowledge' (gnosis) of our pure

being, our place within divinity

(Source, Higher Self).

 

To experience this " birth " is

profound grace, and it comes

as a most exquisite gift.

 

From many reports, and personal

experience, preparation for

receipt of this grace/gift takes

many forms.

 

Some come in utter despair

and give up any hope of relief,

only to be gifted with this

enlightening rush of new wisdom

and an entirely new perspective

on life.

 

Some come through devotion and

profound faith, having their

hope and expectation stirred

by authentic teachers who are

empowered to witness of this

'event' from their own event.

 

Some hear the still small voice

in the midst of quiet meditation.

 

Some come to it in a combination

of these ways, and most probably

in other ways that I am not

familiar with. Some have reported

this awakening (by any other

name - like: nondual realization)

spontaneously - waiting for a

bus, watching a sunset, picking

up a newspaper. (Most of these

later tell, sometimes reluctantly,

of an interest in the Mystic Path

and of having spent some time

with a guru or their teachings.)

 

If the thirst is there, the path

will open up. If the experience

is familiar - all of us who have

received this incredible grace

always find reference to it

affirming and refreshing.

 

Enjoying an early morning

Vanilla Biscotti coffee,

sending you Love, wishing

your Happy Birthday(s).

 

Jeff