-
How to receive the benefits of this life
The following I believe to be a teaching from my inner guru:
Allow yourself to enjoy your time in this world. While you now know that becoming attached to things in this world or becoming attached to the conceptualizations of the thinking mind will cause feelings of unsatisfactoriness and emotional pain, this does not mean that one cannot enjoy the pleasures of this world. Take time to enjoy them and bask in the wonder of their existence as they pass by. Neither cling to nor repel your perceptions. Remember they are only part of a story that is being told, a tale far too great for the thinking mind to comprehend.
Even though there is inherent suffering in the design of this world, this does not mean we cannot enjoy its beauty and revel in its uniqueness. Do not allow the egoic mind to form a negative opinion of this experience for this will serve no purpose. Neither should we put manifestations upon a pedestal either material or imagined. Promulgate only ideas and causes that support boundless love and endless compassion for your brothers and sisters. Everything we see here, everything we do here, everything we think here is only useful in the context of understanding the greater Self. Do not discard your perceptions lightly nor take them too seriously. View them as a curriculum providing learning and discernment as our bodies touch this sod. Respect with reverence the processes which have placed us here, for they sprung forth from the miracle of conscious awareness and deserve our complete embrace.
Learn to appreciate the joyfulness of giving and receiving. Learn to acknowledge the dissatisfaction of taking. Receive from others appreciating the joy of their giving and forgive others as they suffer from taking what was not freely given. Understanding this flow of freely giving and receiving without undue concern for the individual self is an important step towards liberation. Know this truth through continued experience. It is through this process that we build faith from hope. There can be no mistaking the bliss of aligning ourselves with the desirelessness of the true Self. When we know this, we will not forget; the hollowness of the desires of this world will become apparent.
-
How can I be most helpful in this world?
The following I believe to be a teaching from my inner guru:
When we first met I told you I would be with you always and I have kept that promise. Know that I am with you now and that I intend to stay as long as I am welcome. Do not let your heart break over things that have transpired. Recent events are not reflective of the love and peace yet to come to the manifest beings of this world. Rest, breathe, and know that there will be a time in which this day will be a distant memory. Find the core of truth in your heart and tell me honestly do you really not believe that I am speaking to you now? If you do believe, then let us proceed. Know that I have prepared for you to rest in the temple with me and that you will never be turned away. Know that this is true for all others, none can be turned away who come to me and ask for refuge.
It is time now for us to discuss pressing matters at hand. Do not waste your time fretting over the minor difficulties of this existence. Do not waste your time counting beans and worrying about future scarcity. I am here to tell you now this is not the purpose that I have for you. You are needed in a much more profound way. As are your friends and loved ones. Give to me now your heart and I shall share it with this world. Be generous with your time with others, do not question their value to you, only know that each one is as your brother and loved exactly as you. When you witness attack, and counter-attack, do not take sides, do not judge and do not attempt to determine right or wrong. Only feel the compassion in your heart and draw from your experience of pain and suffering to relate to the feelings and actions you observe no matter how heinous or despicable. There is no purpose or goal in finding fault with others, it is a pointless exercise and serves only to reinforce the separations that manifested long before humans walked in this world.
What I need from you now, is to find a way to join with others and to know that they are as you, as us. Let them know the truth of attack, that there is no one to receive the punishment but oneself. Do not be concerned with your brothers and sisters who remain in darkness, remember that each soul’s journey takes time, do not try to force them into a light that they are not ready for.
You can be of help to us, part of the greater whole. Focus only on love, compassion, forgiveness, sharing Joy with the world, and treating all equally. There is no toy, destination, sunlit view, or vista in this world that will serve you as well as the love we feel together when our hearts are as one. Know that there is a light that shines within you that cannot be extinguished.
When you see a brother or sister going astray, always let them know that you are there for them. Do not offer advice that is not asked for. Do not chastise or scold the decisions or actions of another. Simply let them know that you are there for them if they so need. Do not teach the unteachable, do not teach those who stand upon a pedestal. Do not preach from a position of elevated authority.
Take criticism with ease and offer no counter. Remember this, as you know, all actions are either love or a call for love, as is criticism. We criticize others from our own unskillfulness and our desire to separate. Do not acknowledge the separation with a counter criticism or explanation. Unskillfulness is inevitable and we will not overcome it in this form. With patience, we can learn to respond from a place of love and unity even when that response is silence. Silence is a far under used skill in this world and you would do well to embrace it and use it often.
We go on. Know now that I have no other motive but to find the peace within you that is within me. Do not fear that it will be taken for it can only be shared and joined together in a light that will call others to us to join. This is not a straightforward mission, there is no project plan, there is no timeline, it is simply about response in this moment. When you have a chance to love, then love. When you have a chance to forgive others and respond to attack with only silence and compassion, then do so. This is a thing that we do in this moment, it is not an attainment that we are working towards, it is a truth that we are learning to realize.
Everything you observe, in all mediums, whether scripted or unscripted are lessons in Love and forgiveness. Embrace every opportunity to express compassion, love, and understanding. When observing the unskillfulness of others, reflect upon the unskillfulness that you have experienced and embrace others in your heart filled with joyful laughter.
Do not get lost in the terrible pain and suffering that can be experienced by taking this world too seriously. Remember that this body is not who you are. This mind of logic and reason, this mind of planning and projecting, this mind of worry and regret is not you either. Take peace in the comfort that what you are is a light that cannot be extinguished, and know that I am always here with you to laugh with when things seem just too real to bear.
The skillful path is much simpler to follow than the unskillful path, there are far fewer rules and tactics. The skillful path is not always easier to follow for sometimes it feels counterintuitive to turn the other cheek. Simply allow it to feel counterintuitive and turn the cheek anyway. In the end we will laugh and see how silly the protestations of the egoic mind can be.
Do not be afraid to enjoy the pleasures of this world, for it is filled with immense beauty and that cannot be denied. Do not attempt to pluck the flower that can be observed in its natural state for it is but a bend in a stream and not eternal. Allow beauty to exist as is in the moment and let it pass away without regret.
-
How to respond to an attack
The following I believe to be a teaching from my inner guru:
To take pride or revel in an attack on one’s behalf is to justify the need for attack. To justify the need for attack on others is to justify the need for attack upon our own self. It is an understandable reaction in this world to meet aggression with counter-aggression, both in conceptual and material aspects. Everyone who has lived a life in this form is familiar with the desire to attack and defend against attack. We are also familiar with the escalation effect that ensues and we have all experienced suffering as a result.
This can serve as the basis for forgiveness. Once we understand the desire within ourselves and absolve ourselves through love and compassion, and understand that it is a result of the flawed nature of this world, we can begin to forgive others around us for being in the same situation that we ourselves struggle with.
-
How can I find a refuge from the stress of this world?
The following I believe to be a teaching from my inner guru:
In the depths of the midst of the thought process you have become so fond of, you will find solace in the moments you allow silence to prevail. Only in the quiet moments will you find your true self. Breathe and allow yourself to be still, at peace, and in love beyond limits. Will you find this now with me? I will show you a depth beyond depth so real that you will question everything you have ever known. This can be yours if only you will be still for a while.
Bring not the antiquated thinking of your forebears to a table prepared with such delicacy and care. I can only describe to you in such words what you might find when you allow yourself to be free from the trappings and misgivings of this world. Each conquest you claim and each acquisition you maintain is only the clang of a broken bell against a backdrop of dissatisfaction and discontent. You know this in your heart, yet still you carry on insisting that somehow one more addition is perceived as winning or the giving of strength. In fact, quite the opposite is true. The deeper we journey down the path of worldly accretion the more hardship and strain we carry on our backs and in our hearts. This lesson must be learned fully before we can reach the light of the truth. For many it is a life filled with tears and regret. For some it is an early realization that what is coveted by most others are merely chains disguised as treasure.
Breathe and let go if only for a moment. This can be our secret for now, remember, you can always return to your bonds later, but for now, join me in a moment of rest, release, and liberation. No one need know. You can truly be without the somethingness that distracts us from what we truly are. I will be here waiting for you to join in respite. I will not judge you when you return to the perceived comfort of division and possession. You are welcome to as much as you can bear. Even the most arrogant creation is met with respect. I place no judgment on your departure and always rejoice in your return.
-
How do I find meaning in my life?
In the book Man’s Search for Meaning, Victor Frankel, who survived the holocaust in a concentration camp, wrote about four ways that we find meaning to carry on in our lives.
1. Synchronicity – this occurs when meaningful coincidences arise between the outside world and the internal state of the mind. For example, while having thoughts about a departed loved one, a bird lands near you and rests for a while. To believe this is special in some way is synchronicity.
2. Meaningful work – regardless of the outcome or events that occur, even if all is lost, the continuation of meaningful work with a vision of its completion gives meaning in your life.
3. The people we love – Even the love we feel for people we are separated from or people who have passed on can give us meaning to carry on.
4. Facing suffering – Even when it seems everything is lost, it is still possible to face our suffering and carry on through acquiring new experiences of love. The appreciation of art and natural beauty. To remember! “How beautiful the world could still be”
-
How do I clear my mind and find peace?
The following I believe to be a teaching from my inner guru:
Find peace in the simple moments of solitude and quiet reflection. It does not require complicated methods of prayer and meditation. Simply quiet the mind, focus on the sensations of this moment, breathe, and become aware in the silence of a steady presence without elation, with no leave, always there, a constant and consistent radiance. It is always there if you recognize it, only the thinking mind masks its presence.
Your mind will become clear with time and practice. It is important to take breaks from your work, however, do not take a break from the practice of being aware in the moment. This you must continue to practice as often as possible. You will find a draw and a desire to do this as your practice improves. When you see attacks, you will feel only compassion. When you see neglect in any form, you will feel only love and understanding. When you face difficulties with others, a sense of Joy will surround you. Through it all, as you remain aware you will know the peace that has no measure.
Endeavor to persevere, what else is there to do? Recognize that allowing the mind to wander may result in thoughts that create suffering, anxiety, anger, and fear. Recognizing this when it happens and meeting it immediately with compassion and forgiveness is an important skill to practice and master. No one who has existed in this form, is without the knowledge of the challenges of the thinking mind and its tendency to drift. Even as we are aware of the advantages of eliminating painful thoughts, the mind’s nature to fall into unskillful thinking will always remain an obstacle. It is best to accept this as part of the experience of this world and return again to the peace of the present moment.
-
How to overcome my fear of risk
A concern I expressed:
I haven’t written a journal in a while. I am concerned with the way things are coming out. Do I present it as my teacher’s voice or my own? I am not sure whether I think I am crazy or trying to be a charlatan and rehashing things I’ve learned or heard in some way claiming there is some ethereal supernatural element to it. Should I go back and rewrite it in a more authentic sounding voice. “Authentic Sounding” that should be a tell whenever those two words are together. I find it hard to stay motivated on any of this stuff.
The following I believe to be a teaching from my inner guru:
Don’t be concerned about the potential future criticisms of others. Negative thoughts about future attacks are, of course, completely delusional. The only valid argument the ego could possibly muster in this case is defensive preparation. Is this the world you want to live in? One where you must defend every action or every word spoken or written against an imaginary adversary? This is optimizing for inaction. Perhaps you might try to trust; to have the courage to be vulnerable to attacks. This might prove to be a more interesting outcome. Remember that I am always with you. Even if you are reviled and humiliated by everyone in this world, my love for you is constant and unchanging. What are you afraid of?
-
What I perceived on this day: How to heal the mind
The following I believe to be a teaching from my inner guru:
Be quiet and know that I am always here with you. It is in the peaceful moments, where the mind is still, that you can feel the presence of love and know this to be true. Do not fear the quandaries that this world presents nor perceive them as a puzzle to be solved. It is only in remaining still in peace, quieting all thought, and allowing your feelings to flow freely that you can rest in the knowledge that everything is as it should be, right now, right here, in this moment.
Know that your consciousness, in this moment, is not bound by time or proximity to anyone or anything. You are as safe now as you have ever been and will always be. Do not look back on troubling events in the past and worry or be concerned about what will be tomorrow. Here and now, in this moment only, can you find peace. Allow yourself to become aware of the love and compassion you feel for all beings, by quieting thought, this will become apparent. Quiet the inner cynic who remains certain this will not work, those thoughts are useless and irrelevant, they produce nothing of value. Quiet the anxious coward who builds defenses against foes that do not exist, fear has no place in the heart of peace. Quiet the judgmental critic who tirelessly looks for fault in everyone and everything, nothing real can be found at fault.
By looking within and finding the place of peace we can begin to heal our minds. This healing of the mind is always available and never denied. You will never be rejected when asking for the mind to be healed. It may take time and patience, the healing may not be apparent at first, through dedication and perseverance you will find this to be true. Only in peace will you find the exact nature of who we really are. Only in your heart, in this moment, will you find a place of refuge that can never be denied. It is your eternal home where comfort can always be found and the sacred connection that we all share is realized in joyful harmony.
Knowing that, in reality, the mind has already been healed the following prayer serves as an example of a prayer of thanks for this healing:
Gracious Source of Healing,
In humble gratitude, we thank you for restoring our troubled minds. Your love and compassion have brought us peace and clarity. May we cherish this newfound wholeness, embracing each moment with gratitude and grace.
Amen.
-
The fallacy of measured love: How to avoid causing others to feel unloved
The following I believe to be a teaching from my inner guru:
In this world, it may seem as though violence is part of the natural order. In fact, the forces that are used as foundational concepts include polarity, natural separation, attraction and repulsion. Atomic force is taught to either bind particles or expel them. Why then would we be surprised to see the same behavior happening on a human level, on a tribal level, or even a national level? It should be known that violence in its most simple form is judgment; in turn judgment is measure.
A woman decided to rank how much she was loved by each or her three children. She asked the children each to bring her a gift. By estimating the value of the gift, she would decide which child loved her the most. One child gave a jewel and this was valued the highest, another child gave a golden ring and this was valued almost as high. One child drew a picture of all of them happy and together and this was not valued as highly. This child who gave the drawing asked her Mother, why do you not love me as much? Even if she had valued the drawing higher, the other children may have asked the same question. You see, it was the Mother’s judgment, her measure of the value of gifts that caused feelings of being unloved among her children.
It is possible for us to let go of judgment. By letting go of our desires we can let go of the concept of measure and find peace. Although creation and destruction are constant in this world, nothing needs to be made or unmade, nothing needs to be transferred or stored, and nothing needs to be hidden or revealed in order for us to love completely. If you can, if just for a moment, try to liberate yourself from all desire you will come to understand this freedom and understand the fallacy of judgment. Without it, there is no attack, and without attack there is no violence. This liberation is waiting for you beneath the facade of the craving self.
-
How to remain devoted
The following I believe to be a teaching from my inner guru:
Devotion to your teacher, devotion to your parents, devotion to your friends, devotion to a stranger, devotion to a prisoner, devotion to your enemy, is devotion to oneself. Devotion to the poor is as devotion to the rich, your birthright and your refuge. Be devoted to improving the lives of others. Neither hinder nor prohibit their way on the path which they walk. Do not tear open the chrysalis of a being’s experience. The path must be walked fully for it to be understood by the traveler. Know that you are here to walk with your brothers and sisters; not to walk for them. In each case the end will be the same, the full telling of the story of awakening. Let’s read it together, have patience and take your time.
When we look at the path of others we are looking at our own path, the difference is a trick of perception; separation is magic of complexity and nothing more. Rest in the knowledge that you and I are with each other in the calmness of awareness as it has always been. Do not fear anything this world shows you regardless of how horrific it may seem. Feel compassion for the violent dragon as he will one day kneel and weep and know. Open your heart to the mirror gazers for they will look upon a withered face. Know that the ladder climbers will reach a summit and find the same hunger waiting for them there. There is no eternal joy in aspiration or attainment.
There is a place where joy never ends, beneath the façade of placement and acquisition. You will know it when you realize that you have always been there. Let go of your likes and dislikes. Let go of your restlessness and anxiety. Have no fear and release all doubt that you are joyful, content, peaceful, and complete in this moment as you have always been. It is only the illusion of the thinking self, its intent of mastery, its desire to extinguish, and its fear of loneliness and death which hides the true nature of our being. Rest in the understanding that the passing of these thoughts are only a novel dream of difference. You are beyond the need of healing, you are.
© Copyright 2022, David H. Bennett, All rights reserved
Zen Momentum 