Tag: mindfulness

Embracing Life’s Paradox

The Path to Tranquility Through Suffering

In the tapestry of human existence, suffering is often perceived as an unwelcome intruder, an aberration in the otherwise serene flow of life. Yet, this perspective overlooks a profound truth: suffering is not just an integral part of life, but it can also be a conduit for deep, transformative growth. The statement, “All life is suffering until we watch our sufferings without bias or judgment,” encapsulates a significant philosophical stance, inviting us to reevaluate our relationship with pain and hardship.

At the core of this idea lies the Buddhist philosophy of Dukkha, which suggests that suffering is inherent in the very fabric of life. This suffering stems from various sources: the pain of change, the anxiety of impermanence, and the dissatisfaction arising from unfulfilled desires. However, the key to alleviating this suffering is not found in the external world but within our perceptions and reactions.


Watching our sufferings without bias or judgment means observing our pains and challenges with a sense of detachment and mindfulness. It’s about recognizing that suffering is a natural part of life and not something to be feared or avoided. This mindful observation allows us to understand the impermanent nature of our experiences, leading to a sense of liberation and peace.

Moreover, this approach transforms suffering from a state of passive endurance to an active process of introspection and learning. It becomes an opportunity to cultivate resilience, empathy, and wisdom. Through this lens, we see that our most challenging moments are often our greatest teachers, guiding us toward a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.


In essence, the path to tranquillity and inner peace is paradoxically paved by accepting and understanding suffering. It is about shifting our perspective from seeing suffering as a curse to embracing it as a catalyst for personal growth and enlightenment.

Morgan O. Smith

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

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

Bend the Mind, Twist the Mind, Stretch the Mind, Crunch the Mind

In the labyrinth of our thoughts, we often find ourselves entangled in a web of complexities and perplexities. The mind, a powerful tool, yet an enigma, needs to be bent, twisted, stretched, and sometimes crunched to unlock its true potential. But what happens when we let it remain still?

The Power of Stillness

In stillness, there is a profound awakening. When the relentless chatter of the mind ceases, we step into a realm of pure awareness. It’s akin to the calm after a storm, where clarity emerges from the chaos. In this tranquil state, the mind becomes a mirror, reflecting the movements of the universe in its truest form.


Universal Movements and the Mind

The universe is in constant motion – stars burn, galaxies spin, and life evolves. In our usual state of mental noise, we are detached from this cosmic dance. However, as our mind quiets, we begin to synchronize with these universal rhythms. This synchronization is not just observation; it is a profound connection, an understanding that we are part of this grand symphony.

The Mind’s Journey

Bending, twisting, stretching, and crunching the mind are not just metaphorical. These are processes of challenging our thoughts, questioning our beliefs, and stretching our understanding. It’s a journey from the known to the unknown, from certainty to curiosity, from noise to silence.


Conclusion

The still mind is not a void; it is full of awareness. It’s a state where we realize that we are not separate from the universe but integral to it. It’s a realization that every thought, every action is a ripple in the cosmic ocean. This understanding doesn’t come from the constant churning of thoughts but from the serene stillness where we hear the universe speak.

Morgan O. Smith

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

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

Absolute Causality and the Epiphany of Absolute Monism

In the profound journey of spiritual exploration, a moment stands out as particularly transformative: the moment of spiritual enlightenment. This isn’t just a fleeting insight; it’s an experiential understanding of “Absolute Monism”. This is a state where one perceives the unity and interconnectedness of all things, leading to an astonishing realization: every action, behaviour, situation, or event, regardless of its scale or significance, is intrinsically linked to the very cause of the universe’s existence – the Big Bang.

This concept, which I term “Absolute Causality”, posits that the Big Bang isn’t just a distant historical event; it’s an ongoing process that manifests in every aspect of our lives. This perspective radically alters our understanding of time, causality, and our place in the universe. We begin to see that our every action isn’t merely a drop in the ocean but is, in fact, part of the ocean itself.


Absolute Monism, in this context, becomes more than a philosophical idea; it’s a lived experience. It dissolves the illusion of separation between the self and the universe, leading to a profound sense of unity and interconnectedness with all existence. This realization fosters a deeper sense of responsibility and mindfulness in our actions, as we understand that what we do has a ripple effect throughout the fabric of the cosmos.

Furthermore, Absolute Causality redefines our understanding of time. Rather than viewing the Big Bang as a one-time event in the distant past, we perceive it as an eternal process that continuously unfolds in every moment. This view aligns with certain interpretations of quantum physics, suggesting that time is not linear but a more complex, interconnected web of events and possibilities.


In conclusion, the experience of Absolute Monism and the realization of Absolute Causality offer a transformative lens through which we can view our existence. It’s a perspective that encourages us to live more consciously, understanding that our actions are not just our own but part of a grand, cosmic dance that began with the universe itself.

 Morgan O. Smith

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

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

Embracing the Now

The Path to Ego Death and True Awareness

In our relentless pursuit of self-improvement and understanding, we often overlook a fundamental truth: the power of simply being in the present moment. This idea, though simple, holds profound implications for our journey towards inner peace and self-realization.

**Letting Go of Judgment and Bias**

To truly embrace the present, we must first release ourselves from the shackles of judgment and bias. This means observing our experiences, thoughts, and feelings without labelling them as good or bad, right or wrong. It’s about being an impartial witness to our own life.


**The Surrender to ‘What Is’**

Surrendering to ‘what is’ requires a deep acceptance of the present moment, regardless of its nature. It’s not about resignation or defeat; rather, it’s an active engagement with the now. In doing so, we allow life to flow naturally, without the resistance that often leads to suffering.

**Death of the Ego**

The ego, often seen as our conscious self or identity, thrives on differentiation, judgment, and past-future thinking. By embracing the present and letting go of these traits, we facilitate the ‘death’ of the ego. Now this does mean losing our sense of self, transcending the limited, subjective view of the ego.


**A New Perspective**

As we learn to live in the present, our perspective on life shifts. We begin to see the interconnectedness of all things and the beauty in simplicity. The burdens of past regrets and future anxieties lighten, offering a sense of liberation.

**Final Thoughts**

The journey towards ego death and true awareness is not about gaining something new but about losing the misconceptions and biases that cloud our true nature. It’s a path of unlearning, of returning to the essence of who we are.

Morgan O. Smith

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

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

Embracing Fear in the Journey to God-Realization

Finding Harmony in Human and Divine Experiences

Fear, often perceived as a negative emotion, does not simply vanish upon reaching a state of God-realization or profound spiritual awakening. This insight sheds light on a profound truth about our human experience: we are here to embrace the full spectrum of life, including emotions and experiences that seem to contradict our divine nature.

The essence of being human lies in experiencing contrast. We understand light because of darkness, joy due to sorrow, and similarly, the divine by experiencing the non-divine. In this journey of life, fear is just as essential as love or joy. It’s not an obstacle to spiritual growth but a facet of it.


When fear arises, the approach shouldn’t be to suppress or eliminate it but to observe it with neutrality. Watching fear without judgment or bias is a practice of mindfulness. It allows us to understand fear, not as an enemy, but as a part of our human experience. This observation leads to acceptance – accepting fear as it is, not as we wish it to be.

The ultimate goal of spiritual or God-realized living is not about eradicating emotions like fear. It’s about embracing and accepting them. It’s about realizing that our spiritual nature coexists with our human emotions. Acceptance doesn’t mean passive resignation; it means understanding the nature of reality and our reactions to it. It’s about finding peace amid all experiences – both divine and human.


As we embark on this journey, let’s remind ourselves: whatever happens, let it be okay. This acceptance is not a defeat but a victory of understanding over resistance, of peace over turmoil. Embrace your humanity, embrace your divinity, and in the dance of these opposites, find the harmony of existence.

Morgan O. Smith

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

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

Beyond Happiness

Embracing Non-Attachment and Eternal Bliss through Meditation

Creating a state of non-attachment and achieving contentment in life is a journey that many strive for. The key to this profound state of being lies in the practice of meditation, a tool that has been revered for centuries across various cultures for its transformative powers.

### The Illusion of Happiness

Happiness, as we often perceive it, is a fleeting emotion, a temporary state influenced by external circumstances. It’s like chasing the wind – always shifting and changing. This chase can often lead to a cycle of highs and lows, leaving us feeling more drained than fulfilled.

### Embracing Non-Attachment

Non-attachment, on the other hand, is a more stable state. It’s about finding peace and contentment regardless of the situation. This doesn’t mean becoming indifferent or emotionless. Rather, it’s about observing life’s ebbs and flows without being mentally and emotionally consumed.


### The Role of Meditation

Meditation is the bridge that leads us to non-attachment. Through consistent practice, meditation allows us to observe our thoughts and feelings without getting entangled in them. It’s like watching clouds pass by in the sky – they come and go, but the sky remains unchanged. This detachment from our transient thoughts and emotions reveals a deeper truth about our existence.

### Realization of the Self

As one delves deeper into meditation, a realization dawns – that we are the ground of all being. This profound understanding shows us that our true nature is not bound by the transient nature of worldly experiences. We are something more substantial, more permanent.

### Eternal Bliss

This realization paves the way for bliss, which is different from happiness. Bliss is a state of eternal contentment, unshaken by the changing tides of life. It’s a deep, internal fulfillment that does not depend on external factors.


### Conclusion

Non-attachment and bliss are states that can be realized through the practice of meditation. By observing our thoughts and emotions without attachment, we can discover the unchanging truth of our existence, leading to a life of deep contentment and eternal bliss.

 Morgan O. Smith

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

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

Embracing the Veil of Night

A Journey Through Darkness to Dawn

As the inky shroud of night stretches across the sky, it offers not just a canvas for the stars, but a metaphorical landscape for the soul’s dark night. In these periods of profound introspection and uncertainty, the world seems to pause, holding its breath along with us as we confront the spectres of our fears, doubts, and the vast unknown that the darkness symbolizes.

The dark night is not just an absence of light but a presence of mystery, a deep silence calling for our attention. It’s during these times that the familiar contours of our lives fade into shadows, and we’re invited to sit with the disquiet of our thoughts. Here, devoid of distraction, we encounter the rawest versions of ourselves. But what are we to do in this space between the known and the unknowable?

First, we must accept the dark night when it arrives. The darkness is not a curse but a sacred space. It’s in this seeming void that we’re afforded the chance to shed the superfluous, to strip away the veneer of day-to-day pretenses and stand bare, if we dare, before the truths we’ve cloaked in daylight.

Next, we must learn to navigate by a different set of stars—those that reside within us. This navigation doesn’t involve moving at all, but rather being still. Being still enough to listen to the whispers of intuition, the guidance of a heart untarnished by the glare of artificial lights.

To get through the dark night, we should not rush to fill it with artificial light, lest we miss its lessons. Rather, let’s kindle the inner flame of self-compassion and understanding, allowing it to illuminate our path. This flame is fed by the recognition of our shared humanity, the understanding that no one is immune to the dark night and that it’s a fundamental part of the growth process.

Emerging from the dark night is akin to witnessing the dawn. Just as the first light of daybreak does not erase the night but rather builds upon it, the insights gained in the dark become part of the foundation upon which we build a new day. We carry forward a newfound clarity and strength, a resilience born from having faced the abyss and having the courage to embrace it.

In conclusion, the dark night is an invitation to a profound personal revolution. As we traverse its landscape, let us be gentle with ourselves and others, knowing that each of us battles a silent storm beneath the stars. And remember, it’s always the darkest before the dawn. The new light that awaits us promises not just a new day but a new way of being, forged in the quiet depths of the night.

Morgan O.  Smith

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

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

The Liberation in Letting Go

Emptiness, Ignorance, and Identity

In a world incessantly clamouring with the din of possession, certainty, and self-promotion, the mantra “Embracing emptiness, cherishing ignorance, surrendering identity” arrives like a whisper from another realm. It calls on us to consider the counterintuitive notion that there is profound freedom and wisdom to be found in the very things we are conditioned to avoid.

**Embracing Emptiness**

Emptiness often conjures a sense of lack, yet in many Eastern philosophies, it is a profound concept, pregnant with possibilities. To embrace emptiness is not to fall into the void, but rather to make space for the new, the unforeseen, the life-affirming. It is the fertile ground of being from which all things spring and to which they return. In the spaciousness of emptiness, we find the flexibility and resilience to move with life’s undulating rhythms.

**Cherishing Ignorance**

Cherishing ignorance may seem antithetical in our knowledge-driven society. However, this is not an advocacy for willful naivete, but a reverence for the acknowledgment of our limitations. Socrates’ declaration of wisdom beginning with the admission of one’s ignorance holds here. Cherishing our not-knowing is an invitation to perennial learning, to the humility that keeps the mind supple, and the heart open to the mystery that is existence.

**Surrendering Identity**

Our identities, the personas we cultivate and present to the world, are often elaborate constructs grounded in who we think we should be or who we want others to believe we are. To surrender this identity is to strip away the superfluous and encounter the authentic self, the self not defined by accolades or attributes, but existing in simple beingness. This surrender is not a loss but a homecoming, a release from the exhausting endeavour of upholding our masks.

In combining these three tenets—emptiness, ignorance, and identity—we approach a way of living that is at once liberating and grounding. It invites a life lived with open hands, where attachment is a choice rather than a compulsion, and authenticity guides our interactions.

As we contemplate this mantra, we might find ourselves stepping into a flow of existence that is less about accumulation and more about experience, less about certainty and more about exploration, less about being someone and more about being part of something greater.

The journey toward embracing this wisdom is counter-cultural. It moves against the grain of our societal norms, urging us to let go of what we cling to most tightly. Yet, the promise it holds is nothing short of transformational—freedom from the self-imposed prisons of material excess, intellectual rigidity, and egoic constraint.

In this space, we find that emptiness is fullness, ignorance is wisdom, and surrender is power. And so, we continue to explore, with hearts wide open to the vastness of the unknown.

Morgan O.  Smith

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

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

The Unity of Being

When Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes Merge into Oneness

The ancient wisdom embedded in children’s songs and games can sometimes surface in the most unexpected of philosophical realms. Take, for instance, the playful melody “Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes.” When investigated through the lens of Nondual philosophy, it becomes a metaphor for a journey toward universal oneness and interconnectedness.

In Nondualism, the self and the universe are not two separate entities, but rather manifestations of a single, unifying reality. The concept of separateness – the idea that heads, shoulders, knees, and toes are distinct parts – is seen as a mere illusion, a construct of our perceptive capabilities. When we immerse ourselves in the quintessential essence that underlies all beings and things, we begin to perceive that beneath the superficial distinctiveness and multiplicity, there is a fundamental oneness.

Just as the child, in the innocence of play, connects each body part in a joyful, seamless movement without pondering the philosophical depth intertwined, perhaps we too, in our adult complexity, can rediscover that inherent interconnectedness. Our heads, representing our thoughts and intellect; our shoulders, symbolizing our burdens and responsibilities; our knees, embodying our flexibility and humility; and our toes, reflecting our foundation and stability, though seemingly separate, all derive from and exist within the same unified source.

In this unity, the dissimilarities and boundaries that appear to separate us from others, from the world, and the divine, dissolve into a boundless ocean of oneness. Our heads, shoulders, knees, and toes, then, become not isolated components, but rather expressions of the singular reality, dancing together in a harmonious rhythm of existence.

The reconciliation of our physical and non-physical aspects, the visible and the invisible, and the manifold and the one, invites us to explore the possibility that we are not merely beings traversing through the world, but the world itself. As we navigate through the multifaceted reality of life, can we embrace the Nondual perspective, perceiving not separateness, but unity in the myriad forms and experiences?

So, we may joyously sing, not just with nostalgia but with profound insight into our existence: “Heads, shoulders, knees, and toes.” In the simplicity of these words, let’s find a reminder that beneath the diversity and complexity of our being, we are all interconnected, interwoven parts of the same undivided reality.

The depth of such unity nudges us to perceive ourselves and the world around us with eyes that see beyond the physical and the apparent, inviting us into a holistic existence where every head, shoulder, knee, and toe sings in unison with our oneness.

Morgan O.  Smith

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

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

The Pursuit of Absolute Nothingness

A Journey Towards Enlightened Emptiness

Introduction: In the dynamic, incessant stream of thoughts, preferences, and subjective biases that characterize the human experience, the concept of attaining a state of Absolute Nothingness captivates imaginations. Is it possible to achieve a mental and emotional vacuum where thoughts, biases, judgments, and self cease to exist?

Understanding Absolute Nothingness:

  • Absolute Nothingness isn’t simply the absence of thought, but a profound emptiness that transcends understanding and defies our typical notions of existence and selfhood.
    • Exploring philosophical and theological contexts (Buddhism’s Sunyata or Zen’s Mu) can unveil varied interpretations and methods to approach nothingness.
  • The Paradox of Pursuing Nothingness:
  • Engaging in a quest towards absolute emptiness ironically imposes a desire and a goal, an antithesis to the state of desirelessness intrinsic to nothingness.
    • Considering the Daoist perspective, acting without intention (Wu Wei) might provide insights on pursuing without pursuing, and attaining without seeking.
  • Dismantling the Self:
  • Dissolving the self involves peeling away layers of personal identity, biases, and preconceptions, effectively blurring the lines between self and non-self.
    • This dismantlement raises questions about existence, consciousness, and whether one can truly function without the scaffold of selfhood in a society constructed upon individual identity.
  • Navigating Through Socio-Cultural Paradigms:
  • The endeavour to transcend preferences, judgments, and selfhood might be perceived as antithetical to societal norms that emphasize individuality, accomplishment, and progress.
    • Achieving absolute nothingness within the structural and cultural boundaries of our world presents a paradox between isolation and immersion in societal dynamics.
  • Ethical and Moral Dimensions:
  • The state of having no judgments, preferences, or perspectives raises questions regarding moral and ethical obligations. Does transcending biases and perspectives dissolve moral compasses?
    • Exploring the ethical implications of an unbiased existence may unravel whether absolute neutrality coexists with moral responsibility.
  • Psychological and Neuroscientific Perspectives:
  • The psychological viability of achieving a state devoid of thought and self-perception opens an intriguing discourse. Can one’s mental health be preserved, or even enhanced, in a state of nothingness?
    • Neuroscientific inquiries might delve into the processes and consequences of perpetually inhibiting cognitive and emotional functionalities to sustain a blank slate of consciousness.
  • Relinquishing Time and Anticipation:
  • With no anticipation, worries, or references to the past or future, time dissolves into an irrelevant concept, creating a perpetual ‘now’ with neither history nor destiny.
    • Contemplating a timeless existence fosters a reflection on how human experiences, relationships, and endeavours are intimately entwined with temporal perception.

Conclusion: Absolute Nothingness, both as a philosophical concept and a spiritual aspiration, navigates through paradoxes, ethical conundrums, and existential inquiries, offering a mesmerizing void that invites and perplexes. The possibility and implications of achieving a state devoid of self-thought, and time present not only a spiritual journey but also a philosophical and scientific exploration into the profound depths of consciousness and existence.

Morgan O.  Smith

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

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith