I have been busy with several projects these days, so I have decided to take the rest of the week off from the blog. I’ll still post a video or two (just to keep google happy, not to mention my RSS subscribers), and if something big happens I’ll post on it as soon as possible.

I’ll still answer correspondence (right away), and comments (not quite right away).

In the mean time, if you want to read some quality content, head over to Urbanmonk.net. Albert has been on a hot streak lately. (But whatever you do, don’t call him Thunder From Down Under.)

Otherwise, I’ll see you all next week.

Until then, enjoy this marvelous film from 1950 entitled, Duck and Cover.

Selected for the 2004 National Film Registry of “culturally, historically and aesthetically significant” motion pictures. This is a famous Civil Defense film for children in which Bert the Turtle shows what to do in case of atomic attack.

After my post on the recent illness of Adyashanti, I had a few e-mails from some readers that know nothing about him. That is a bit surprising, knowing how far into the spiritual world he is.

Here is a video of Adyashanti speaking on awareness and the self. Hope you enjoy! (Although, there are a number of negative comments on the YouTube page for some reason. Makes one want to disable comments sometimes.)

I know you say there is nothing to search for, nothing to do, nowhere to go, yada-yada, but I want to do it. I have decided to go for it, and thats what I want to devote my energy to. Without telling me not to do it, or that I don’t need to, can you give advice on something I could do to help stick to this path? I’d really appreciate it.

If you are going to do it, then go all out. Let nothing stand in your way.

It may surprise you to hear me say this, but I think it is great that you have made this decision. And it seems that you understand that this takes attention and great energy, which is good.

It is true that I have said most people will be happier if they never search for it, but that does not mean I think people should not do it. (It is true I question the NEED to do it, but that is a different matter.)

People do search, and that is a fact. Who am I to tell them to stop? It would be unfair for me to tell you to do anything, and it would be outright insane for me to hope you will do something different from what you are doing.

Having said that, there is little advice I can give you on this matter. But there is one thing I see happening all the time amongst seekers.

They separate the search from “every day” life.

If you are serious, then this choice you have made will follow you every second of every day. I will not be, “Now I am going to meditate to reach enlightenment, then I will go to the office.” No, No. This wholeness is everywhere. It doesn’t matter where you are, or what you are doing.

I had a conversation recently with someone that told me, “I had to get a sitter for my kids so I could meditate to become peaceful.” I understand the need to get a sitter if you want to do something alone, but do you need to meditate to find peace? Does that also mean that you can not be peaceful around the kids?

It is a useless activity if you think you will go into meditation to find peace, then afterwards return to the “real world”. The real world IS the kids. (Or whatever you happen to be doing.) Find peace with the kids; see the joy in every single moment. There is great love there, and those little guys/gals will be the best teacher you’ll ever have.

In other words, try to see that wholeness is everywhere already. See that there is no separation between activities you may be up to. Every moment of every day holds the greatest teaching you could ever possibly want.

This wholeness is in everything. I don’t care if you are reading a book, arguing with your brother, having sex, or doing a number 2, it is always there.

Start with that, and see what happens. I hope it is helpful to you.

This message is an excerpt from Adyashanti’s website. To read the entire article, please check out his About Page.

Letter from Adyashanti

I want to share with you some recent developments since I contracted Bell’s Palsy in early November. There are various causes of Bell’s Palsy, but mine seems to have been caused by a particular virus that causes not only facial paralysis but also nerve pain and fatigue. While I am happy to report that much of the paralysis and pain has healed, the underlying virus is still very active and gets activated by the energy that flows through me when I teach.

All of my health care workers have strongly suggested that I take a minimum of three months off from teaching in order to allow my body to recover from the virus as well as from eleven years of a very intense teaching schedule. I also feel that it is both wise and compassionate to give my body the time it needs to heal and regenerate. So I will be taking the first three months of 2008 off from teaching.

To Adyashanti,

Regarding your condition, I am sure that some days are better than others, but as you know, every day is a good day, brother. I’d give you advice on what to do, but that would be like telling a bird how to fly, or telling the sun how to shine.

Get well soon.

Takuin Minamoto

Akiko and I wish you the best, Adyashanti, and we look forward to your healing and return to teaching.

If any of you want to send him a get well e-message, you may do so by visiting this page.

This is a video of Sir David Attenborough, exploring the life of insects in the undergrowth.

This is an amazing video of the methods animals employ for survival. You couldn’t make this stuff up.