Tag: awakening journey

When Spirit Dreams Itself Into Matter

Spirit does not need a mirror, yet it gazes anyway—projecting forms into the formless, assigning names to the unnamed. What we call the world is not something separate from Spirit, but a spontaneous gesture of its own imagination, experienced as if it were other.

This is the paradox.

There is no true division between creator and creation. What appears as the external world is not a stage for a lost soul to find its way back, but Spirit animated—forgetting itself to taste the illusion of separation. Not as punishment or accident, but as a dance, a play, a sacred hallucination.

To believe the imagination is real is not error. It is the very means by which Spirit hides and finds itself. Each identity clung to, each role performed, each belief defended—these are costumes worn by the formless to remember itself as form.

Awakening doesn’t arrive like a conclusion; it dissolves the argument. You do not awaken from the dream by force or by will, but by remembering that it was always Spirit dreaming. The character fades, but not as death—more like laughter that remains after the joke has dissolved.

What changes when you see this?

Nothing. Everything. The world continues. You walk, eat, speak. But there’s an intimacy now. A recognition that what you once took to be real is neither unreal nor merely imagined—it is Spirit, playing with itself through light and shadow.

The one who seeks is the sought. The one who prays is the prayed to. Spirit folds into its own image, not to be found, but to be felt. That is the point. Not escape. Not transcendence. But the sacred absurdity of being itself.

Morgan O. Smith

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The Mirage of Paradise

Why Many Turn Away From the Path

Paradise often appears as a shimmering promise on the horizon—a space of unbroken peace, eternal joy, and infinite understanding. Yet, when the steps to reach it feel many, slow, or arduous, even the most sincere seekers may find themselves questioning the journey. Why does the promise lose its lustre when effort is required? Why do we often choose comfort over truth or familiarity over freedom?

The answer lies not in paradise but in our relationship with it.

The Illusion of Arrival

The mind, conditioned by a lifetime of instant gratification and linear progress, believes paradise must be attainable within a predictable framework. When the path to enlightenment stretches beyond its comfort zone, the mind rebels. It whispers doubts, offers shortcuts, or fabricates reasons to abandon the pursuit altogether.

Yet, true awakening does not follow a predictable roadmap. It cannot be squeezed into the limited constructs of time or effort. Enlightenment is not about arriving somewhere—it is about dissolving the illusion of the one who seeks. This is the paradox that discourages many: the realization that the paradise sought is not something to be reached but something to be uncovered within.

The Fear of Letting Go

Another reason many step away from the path is the fear of surrender. Enlightenment demands more than perseverance; it requires the complete letting go of the self we believe ourselves to be. For those deeply identified with their roles, beliefs, or desires, this can feel like annihilation. What lies beyond the familiar can seem less appealing than the comfort of staying as we are.

But surrender is not a loss; it is an opening. It is stepping into the unknown with trust and willingness, allowing paradise to reveal itself not as a destination but as the ever-present reality beneath all appearances.

Walking Without Steps

Paradise cannot be reached because it is not elsewhere. It is not at the end of many steps or behind layers of effort. Those who walk away often believe the steps are external—practices, rituals, or milestones to achieve. The truth is, that the steps are inward, subtle, and immediate. They require no distance travelled, only the courage to turn within and meet the present moment fully.

Each step dissolves the illusion that there is somewhere else to go. Each step reveals that paradise was never absent. The question is not whether enlightenment is too far but whether we are willing to abandon the belief that it lies anywhere but here.

Remaining Open to the Journey

For those who feel the pull to turn back, perhaps the greatest teaching is this: paradise is not reserved for those who walk a perfect path. It embraces even the wanderer, the doubter, and the one who stumbles. The journey is not about reaching paradise but about waking up to its presence at every turn.

Instead of asking how far we have to go, ask this: What illusions am I willing to release today? What layers of resistance, fear, or expectation can I dissolve now? Every step, no matter how small, is a step into paradise itself.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

Essence and Existence

The Unseen Unity

In the labyrinth of existence, we often perceive ourselves as isolated entities navigating a myriad of external circumstances. Yet, beneath this surface, lies an essential truth: wherever essence is, you are. And wherever you are, only essence remains. This statement is not merely a poetic abstraction but a profound reflection on the nature of reality and our place within it.

Essence, in this context, refers to the fundamental nature of existence. It is the unchanging, underlying reality that permeates all forms and phenomena. It is the substratum of being, the silent witness to all experiences, and the ultimate source from which everything arises and to which everything returns. We begin to see the world through a different lens when we recognize that essence is our true nature.

Our usual mode of perception is dualistic. We see ourselves as separate from the world, creating a dichotomy between self and other, subject and object. This dualistic perception leads to a sense of isolation and disconnection, fueling a continuous search for meaning and fulfillment in the external world. However, when we shift our awareness to the essence, we realize this separation is illusory.

Wherever essence is, you are. This means that our true identity is not confined to the physical body or the individual mind. It is the essence itself, which is infinite and boundless. This essence is present in every moment, in every experience, and every being. It transcends the limitations of time and space, uniting all existence in a seamless whole.

And wherever you are, only essence remains. This implies that in the ultimate analysis, all distinctions and differences dissolve into the unity of essence. The various forms and phenomena we perceive are simply expressions of this one essence. When we look beyond the surface appearances, we see that everything is interconnected and interdependent, arising from and returning to the same source.

This understanding has profound implications for our daily lives. It invites us to shift our focus from the transient to the eternal, from the superficial to the profound. By recognizing our true nature as essence, we can experience a sense of peace and fulfillment that is not dependent on external circumstances. We become more compassionate and empathetic, seeing ourselves in others and others in ourselves.

Moreover, this recognition of essence can transform our relationship with the world. We begin to see the divine in everything and everyone, honouring the sacredness of all existence. This shift in perception fosters a sense of reverence and gratitude, leading to more harmonious and sustainable ways of living.

In essence, recognizing the unity of essence and existence is a journey of awakening. It is a shift from the fragmented perception of the ego to the holistic vision of the true self. It is an invitation to live in alignment with the deeper reality of our being, experiencing the boundless joy and freedom that comes from knowing that wherever essence is, you are. And wherever you are, only essence remains.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith