When I see the world, my immediate surroundings, there is a great feeling of wonder. Inexplicably, nothing and all things are there simultaneously. Thought doesn’t arise, projecting itself on whatever is being seen. Whatever I look at is seen immediately, without time or any interference on my part. Even the fake wood-grain of this Formica table has a vibrancy all its own.
I often wonder if this kind of living can be taught, or otherwise, transmitted in some way to other people. At the same time, one has to ask, would another person want this immediacy? This direct connection that is constantly destroyed and renewed at every moment?
Perhaps people have some romantic notion of what it is to be in the moment? Some idea of a way of living that can bring them peace and comfort. A new system of thought. But that is a meaningless trade-off. It is just changing the curtains in the same smelly outhouse. And no matter how pretty the pattern on the fabric, it the same as what came before. It doesn’t help the smell any, either.
If others knew what it meant to be in the moment, would they want it? I have to say, there is no comfort here (that doesn’t mean there is discomfort, because there isn’t). There is nothing to hold on to; no tradition to prop oneself up with. There is immense joy here, because the violence of thought is gone. Energy, formerly wasted in torturing oneself with the meaningless struggles of thought, is free from that self-inflicted suffering. It is immense, like being constantly on the verge of an explosion. I can’t love it or hate it; it’s just a fact.
I suppose, if someone did have this, it would be too late to do anything about it. They wouldn’t have time to live in a new system, because by the time they are in the moment, everything that came before would be destroyed.
If you meet the moment, I am afraid there is no turning back. No system will stick to you. Religious, political, or psychological systems will not be of any use other than knowledge. All of your excuses will be gone. Who you are is destroyed; what you are is all that remains.
It is fairly clear that most people do not want this. They are happy to live in a system providing false security. And they will stay happy as long as nothing comes along to challenge the zone they have built for themselves. If you want to live in that way, and be comfortable in those beliefs (whatever they might be), then don’t question your thoughts. Don’t inquire within to see what is really there. Stay where you are and your beliefs will remain intact. Because if you do inquire within, and you look at the entirety of your mind, seeing the whole of the problem within you, everything that you believe will be destroyed beyond repair.
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It sounds as if you’re talking about ego death. Would that be a signpost pointing in the same direction, at least?
I suspect that kind of living can be taught. It is a way in which many people have said they live, or professed to teach how to live. And you yourself are there. Perhaps your path to that place could be adapted by others to allow their path to lead to the same place?
It is might be possible, but it is an extremely dangerous business. If the way becomes most important, then nothing has been seen. I am hesitant to do anything other than express myself here. But that is the purpose of this site; to figure out what is here, now that everything has gone.
It is death, but I am not sure that “ego death” is the explanaition. Our egos are composed of our thoughts anyway; a solidified segment of thought that we have adopted as us, for whatever reason. I cannot see the ego as being different from any other thought (or grouping of thoughts). But we give it importance and set it up as the center of activity.
That is a dangerous trap; the center thinks itself to somehow be seperate from the rest of thought. It wants to control and escape from the other thoughts, never realizing that it is composed of the same stuff. That would be like physically trying to escape from yourself.
It is crazy, isn’t it?
Sai Baba of India is one of my teachers. He has many people asking him for Liberation. I read a book about him in which one person asked him for liberation and his reply was that true liberation is leaving the human body behind to become completely our spiritual essence of one with the Universe and the Source of all that is. I would think that away living in the moment would be a step below that of complete liberation. To be in the moment, you are still in the body but aware that you are part of the Source.
I have heard only nice things about Sai Baba and intend to read some of that body of work at some point. Not to learn, but because those writings interest me.
A step below liberation is thinking you need to become something in order to be liberated. Why should we leave our body behind in order to become complete spiritual essence when we are already there? We already possess the highest wisdom and are all we will ever be.
“Becoming” something implies a process; time is involved. Liberation, or being in the moment, requires no time at all.
Wanting to become something keeps me from what I already am.
Thanks for your comment, Patricia. I enjoy your site, by the way.
Takuin
Takuin, Thanks, I also like what I have seen of your site so far. I haven’t had as much time online this week as I usually do. My daughter, son-in-law and 4 grandchildren are here visiting from Idaho. I will read more when they go home. You have a calmness about you that shines through your words. Have a glorious day.
Nice…you have a full-house and it sounds wonderful. Have a great time.
See you around here sometime.
Takuin
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