Author, Philosopher, Spiritual Teacher, A Lead Facilitator at Sacred Media's Integral Mastery Academy, Founder of Yinnergy Meditation/Neurofeedback, Bodhi Mental Care & Wellness, Co-founder of KeMor Centre for Innovative Development
It’s easy to fall into the comparison trap in the vast landscape of spiritual awakening. We witness the profound transformations and mystical experiences of others, and a subtle voice within us begins to whisper: “Why not me?” This whisper can grow into a chorus, overshadowing our path with doubt and impatience. However, understanding that someone else’s enlightenment isn’t the absence of your own can be a liberating revelation on the spiritual journey.
Each soul’s journey is a unique odyssey, carved out of their experiences and inner work. Just as no two fingerprints are the same, no two paths to enlightenment mirror each other perfectly. When we compare our progress with that of others, we risk overlooking the intricacies and nuances of our spiritual growth.
Imagine the spiritual journey as a grand symphony, where each individual’s enlightenment represents a distinct, essential note. The melody of the universe is incomplete without the contribution of each soul’s unique vibration. Another’s moment of illumination doesn’t dim your light; instead, it enriches the collective harmony, elevating the entire symphony to greater heights.
This realization invites us to shift our focus inward, recognizing the profound wisdom and beauty in our own experiences. Every moment of insight, every challenge faced, and every small victory on the path is a testament to the unfolding of our consciousness. When we honour our journey, we embrace the understanding that enlightenment is not a race but a deeply personal and transformative process.
The nature of nonduality teaches us that separation is an illusion. In the realm of pure consciousness, there is no competition or hierarchy. Each individual’s enlightenment contributes to the awakening of the collective, reflecting the interconnectedness of all beings. The enlightenment of one is a spark that ignites the potential within all.
Instead of viewing others’ enlightenment as a benchmark for our own, we can celebrate their milestones as a reflection of what’s possible within us. Their breakthroughs become a source of inspiration, reminding us of the boundless potential that lies within. By cultivating patience and trust in our unique path, we align ourselves with the natural rhythm of our spiritual evolution.
The journey to enlightenment is as diverse as those who embark on it. Embrace your path with gratitude, knowing that every step you take is perfectly purposeful. Remember, the guru’s enlightenment isn’t the absence of your own; it is a testament to the infinite possibilities that exist within the boundless expanse of consciousness.
Morgan O. Smith
Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!
Atman is identical to Brahman, fundamentally the same. While Atman is often viewed as the individualized aspect of Brahman, it retains its essence as Brahman. Brahman is the ground of all being, and Atman is but a speck of this divine soil. This soil, sharing the same substance as the ground, emphasizes their intrinsic unity.
Atman itself has no location, shape, or form, yet the physical body—the gross body—does. This physical body is also Atman but has shape and form, making it localized and subject to polarity. The physical body, dense and tangible, includes everything that constitutes it: vibrating strings, subatomic particles, atoms, molecules, and cells. Each of these elements, in their individual form, is Atman.
All the subtle bodies are also Atman, spanning from the most subtle to the gross physical body. When the physical body dies, the soul doesn’t leave the body because it is non-local. The soul, as Atman, remains ever-present. Atman offers a more sophisticated explanation of the soul. Remember, Atman doesn’t leave the body because there’s nothing there to leave. This nothing or nothingness is Atman, the empty witness.
The opposite of all shapes and form is indeed all shape and form. Nothingness is non-local, omnipresent, and ubiquitous. In its absolute state, nothingness manifests as everything. This empty witness manifests its individual reality. Every event that occurs from its individual perspective is Atman. Everything that happens, from all perspectives, is Brahman. Atman and Brahman are the same, transcending the ego and the sense of self.
Transcending the ego is an act, part of the cosmic play that Atman/Brahman engages in. The same Atman/Brahman that doesn’t exist yet does. Everything and nothing are the same, merely imagined from two different perspectives.
Morgan O. Smith
Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!
In the realm of spiritual exploration, the concepts of Nirguna Brahman and Saguna Brahman offer profound insights into the nature of existence and the essence of reality. At the heart of this journey is understanding absolute monism and its manifestations through various dimensions of being.
Absolute Monism: The Unchanging Reality
Absolute Monism posits that there is a singular, omnipresent source from which everything emanates. This source, often called Nirguna Brahman, lacks qualities or attributes. It transcends all forms and distinctions beyond the dualities of hot and cold, good and evil, or masculine and feminine. This state has no concept of time, space, or location. It is the purest form of potentiality, embodying existence and nonexistence, and serves as the ground of all being.
Nirguna Brahman: The Formless Absolute
Nirguna Brahman is the ultimate reality without form or qualities. It represents the infinite potentiality that precedes all manifestations. In this state, distinctions such as up or down, north, west, east, south, inside or outside, and time or space dissolve into a singular, undifferentiated whole. This formless absolute is the source from which all probable and improbable possibilities arise.
Saguna Brahman: The Manifestation of Qualities
From the infinite potentiality of Nirguna Brahman emerges Saguna Brahman, the aspect of the divine with qualities. This is where evolution, shape, and form come into play. It encompasses all persons, places, and things, embodying the diverse polarities that characterize the physical and metaphysical realms. Through Saguna Brahman, the infinite takes on finite forms, giving rise to the rich diversity of existence.
The Path to Advaita: Non-Dual Awareness
The journey from Nirguna to Saguna Brahman is a transition from the formless to the form. However, the ultimate realization in this journey is Advaita, the recognition of non-duality. Advaita reveals the underlying oneness of all existence, where distinctions between self and other, subject and object, dissolve. It is an awareness that transcends the dualities of Saguna Brahman, bringing one back to the infinite potentiality of Nirguna Brahman.
Exploring Other Realms and Frequencies
In the context of Advaita, other realms and frequencies are understood as different expressions of the same underlying reality. Matter and consciousness are seen as different frequencies of the same essence. This holistic perspective invites us to explore the interconnectedness of all things, recognizing the unity within the diversity.
Para Brahman: Beyond the Beyond
Beyond both Nirguna and Saguna Brahman lies Para Brahman, the supreme reality that encompasses and transcends all. It is the ultimate source of all that is and does not exist beyond all concepts and categories. Para Brahman is the final frontier of spiritual exploration, inviting us to surrender to the mystery of the absolute.
Morgan O. Smith
Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!
Nothing I say will ever fully convey what transpired on December 14, 2019. As I sat in my daily meditation, an extraordinary transformation began without effort. In an instant, I was engulfed by an indescribably bright white light, a radiance comparable to a thousand suns. It was so intense it nearly blinded me. As I entered this pure illumination, I faced an ocean of pure consciousness. Gazing at this boundless expanse, I felt myself merging with it until there was no longer a distinction between me and this ocean. At that moment, I fully surrendered. I lost my sense of self as it merged with this ocean of pure consciousness. I had become consciousness itself—a moving body of perfectly still water, free from the properties of wetness.
In this state, I realized I was the Source itself. The Alpha and the Omega, the beginningless beginning and the endless end. I transcended all space and time. I was all shape and form, yet formless. I embodied everything—past, present, and future. I felt as if I were the center of a black hole and the black hole itself. I was pregnant with all possibilities: the possible, the impossible, the probable and the improbable. I was both nothing and everything. As nothing, I was the void, emptiness, Sunyata. As everything, I encompassed all existence and nonexistence.
As all existence, I was the macro and the micro, all dimensions, and all events. I was every action, every noun, and every verb. I was every person, place, and thing. I was every creature, great and small. I was everything subjective and objective. I was everything on this planet, in the solar system, galaxy, and all galaxies. I was the universe itself, including the multiverse. I was every star that ever existed and every particle of stardust. I was every drop of rain, every grain of sand, every blade of grass. I was every microscopic organism, all quantum fields, and vibrating strings. I was every human being that ever lived.
As the entire multiverse, I witnessed my birth and death for eternity, as eternity. I saw myself as every single Big Bang that ever occurred and will occur. I was both life and death, witnessing every birth, death, and rebirth not just of sentient beings, but of the universe itself. I was fully omnipresent, everywhere at once, yet nowhere. I became the everywhere, every when, and everyone. I was all matter and all energy. I was every single particle and every single wave. I was all feelings, emotions, senses, and subtle bodies. I was all peak experiences, all pleasure and pain. I was all realms and dimensions. I was both God and man, both soul and spirit. I was all bliss, consciousness, and existence. I was the entire ground of all being. I was all-knowing God itself. I was the never-born and the never-dying. I was pure manifestation itself.
All of this was experienced simultaneously, in a state of total nondual suchness. It was an experience of absolutely everything and nothing, with no distinctions, yet with all distinctions. At that moment, everything was of the same source. I experienced the beauty of all religions glorified in my name, all philosophy, all fields of knowledge. Every mystery unsolved. Every song ever written and those yet to be written. Every invention. I was the spark of every surprise. I witnessed all of history and all future events. I was infinite. I was the Self. The I Am. The I Am That. I was both Atman and Brahman. I was both the cause and the effect. Yet, I saw nothing. There was nothing to see because nothing existed outside of me. All that existed was The Self. The Absolute of The Absolute. I was eternity. I experienced everything as both diversity and singularity. I was complete. I was whole. I had nothing to lose and nothing to gain. I was free from all suffering, free from all bondage. The only thing experienced was Samsara and Moksha, both Samsara and Nirvana. I was free from my existence, yet I was existence itself. At that moment, I knew and still without a shadow of a doubt who and what I am.
As the nondual experience began to dissipate and I became aware of my physical body, I felt broken. But in a good way. My heart was bent in two as love flowed throughout every artery. All of a sudden, I felt a force from the base of my spine pushing upwards through my spinal column. It felt as if a giant python was forcing its way up my spine, activating all my nerve endings. Every vein, nerve, meridian, and nadi burst with life-force energy. This python of energy surged through my spine and exploded out of the top of my head. It felt as if trillions of lotus petals of pure light were bursting from my crown, pouring out rapidly and dissipating as they hit the ground.
My physical body went into full spasm. At that moment, I lost control of all my bodily functions, but subjectively, my body felt like it was moving like the feminine serpent and every time I moved the entire universe moved with me. And when the universe moved, I moved with it. As I moved in this fashion, I felt like my body was performing every asana and every mudra simultaneously. At that moment, it felt as if my entire body represented different aspects of the universe. As I somehow performed every pose at once, I felt like I was the entire physical universe tied in a single knot. As this single knot, I was non-local. Every single facet of my body occupied the same space. For the first time in all my years of meditative practice, I finally understood the meaning of Yoga with a capital Y. From the outside, I was having a full spasm. I was drooling from my mouth, laughing hysterically from the depths of my gut while crying tears of exceeding joy. As I lay on the ground, my body moving uncontrollably, every atom, every molecule, and every cell blossomed into the most beautiful flowers. And as they bloomed, at once, they all shouted with a loud voice in every single human tongue, “I am Brahman!”
Morgan O. Smith
Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!
In the grand orchestra of the cosmos, every note, every silence, and every crescendo plays a pivotal role in the composition of existence. It’s a symphony where not just the celestial bodies and the forces of nature perform, but also where your thoughts—those subtle, often overlooked whispers of your inner being—contribute to the universal melody. This concept may seem abstract, yet it underpins the profound interconnectedness of all things, a cornerstone of Eastern philosophical wisdom and nondual understanding.
The Ripple Effect of Thought
Imagine a tranquil pond, its surface smooth as glass. Each thought you harbour is akin to a pebble tossed into this pond, generating ripples that extend far beyond the initial point of impact. These ripples represent the influence of your thoughts on the universe’s continuous becoming. They are not isolated; rather, they interact with the ripples created by the thoughts of others, weaving an intricate dance of cause and effect, action and reaction.
The Creative Power of Consciousness
Your consciousness is not a passive observer but a dynamic creator. The thoughts you nurture and the focus you hold act as brushes and colours in the painting of your reality. This isn’t about manifesting in the materialistic sense often touted by pop-culture spirituality but about the subtle yet profound impact your inner world has on the external. Through mindfulness and intention, you can shift from unconscious creation, where thoughts are automatic and unexamined, to conscious creation, where awareness guides your mental processes.
Nonduality and the Illusion of Separateness
At the heart of this understanding is nonduality—the recognition that separation is an illusion. In the nondual view, there is no distinction between the observer and the observed, the creator and the creation. Your thoughts, then, are not merely yours but are part of the universal consciousness experiencing itself. This realization brings with it a profound sense of responsibility and empowerment. By aligning your thoughts with compassion, love, and unity, you contribute to universal harmony.
Practical Implications for Daily Life
What does this mean for your daily life? It means living with intention and choosing thoughts that nurture growth, harmony, and understanding. It means being mindful of the mental energies you cultivate and project into the world. This mindfulness transforms not only your personal experience but also contributes to the collective energy that shapes our shared reality.
It encourages a shift from ego-centric thinking to a more holistic, interconnected perspective. This shift fosters a deep sense of peace and fulfillment, arising from the understanding that you are an integral part of the cosmos, actively participating in its unfolding narrative.
Conclusion
The notion that your thoughts contribute to the manifestation of the universe invites a reevaluation of the inner dialogues we entertain and the mental attitudes we embody. In recognizing the power and responsibility inherent in our thoughts, we open the door to a more conscious and intentional existence. This journey of awareness is not just about personal enlightenment but about contributing to the universal harmony that orchestrates the symphony of existence.
Morgan O. Smith
Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!
In the vast, intricate dance of existence, chaos often seems like an unwelcome guest. Yet, from this very chaos, beauty arises, like a phoenix emerging from the ashes. To perceive oneself as the beauty that emerges from chaos is to embrace a profound truth about the nature of reality and the self.
Chaos is often misunderstood. It is seen as disorder, confusion, and disruption. However, chaos is the birthplace of creativity and transformation. It is the fertile ground from which new patterns, understandings, and ways of being emerge. In the crucible of chaos, the old is dissolved, allowing the new to take shape.
Our personal lives are no different. Each of us encounters moments of chaos, those times when life seems to fall apart when our carefully constructed worlds crumble. It is in these moments that we are offered a rare opportunity: the chance to reconstruct ourselves anew, to find beauty in our brokenness.
Embracing chaos requires a shift in perspective. Rather than resisting or fearing it, we can learn to welcome it as a necessary part of our evolution. This shift is rooted in the understanding that chaos and order are not opposites but are part of a dynamic interplay that drives the universe. In every storm, there is a hidden order; in every upheaval, there is a silent harmony waiting to be discovered.
When we see ourselves as the beauty that emerges from chaos, we acknowledge our inherent resilience and capacity for growth. We recognize that our greatest strengths are often forged in the fires of adversity. The scars we bear are not marks of defeat but symbols of our journey through chaos to a deeper, more profound beauty.
This perspective aligns closely with the wisdom of nonduality, which teaches that all dualities are ultimately illusory. Chaos and order, beauty and ugliness, success and failure—these are simply different expressions of the same underlying reality. By transcending these dualities, we come to see ourselves not as fragmented beings caught in the struggle between opposites, but as whole, complete, and inherently beautiful.
As we navigate the chaos in our lives, we can draw upon the insights of Eastern philosophy to guide us. The Taoist concept of Wu Wei, or effortless action, teaches us to flow with the natural rhythms of life rather than against them. By surrendering to the flow, we allow the beauty of our true nature to emerge spontaneously from the chaos.
In the stillness of meditation, we can find a refuge from the turmoil. By turning inward, we reconnect with the unchanging essence of who we are—a presence that remains untouched by the vicissitudes of life. This inner stillness is the eye of the storm, the center of the cyclone where chaos transforms into clarity and beauty.
Ultimately, to see oneself as the beauty that comes out of chaos is to live in harmony with the ever-changing dance of life. It is to trust in the process of transformation and to embrace every moment, no matter how chaotic, as an integral part of our journey toward greater self-discovery and enlightenment.
Morgan O. Smith
Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!
In the depths of the cosmic fabric, there exists a precision so intricate, that it defies the bounds of human comprehension. At the causal level, a realm beyond the tangible, every thought, action, situation, and event is not merely a happenstance but a fragment of a grander scheme, meticulously orchestrated. This notion invites us to ponder the unfathomable precision with which the universe operates, suggesting that everything occurring – past, present, and future – aligns with an impeccable calculation.
This perspective challenges us to view our lives and the universe not as a series of random occurrences but as parts of a vast, interconnected system, operating with purpose and precision. It beckons us to consider the implications of such a view on our understanding of fate, free will, and the essence of our existence. If every aspect of the cosmos is perfectly calculated, where does that leave the concept of individual agency?
Exploring this realm requires us to delve into the philosophical and spiritual implications of a preordained universe. It raises questions about the nature of reality itself. Is the universe a deterministic machine, its gears turning with absolute precision, or is there room for spontaneity and unpredictability? How do we reconcile the apparent paradoxes of predestination and free will?
Moreover, this understanding invites us to reflect on the role of consciousness in cosmic design. If everything is perfectly calculated, is consciousness merely a spectator, or does it play a more active role in the unfolding of the universe? This inquiry leads us to the heart of nonduality, suggesting that the separation between the observer and the observed is an illusion and that at a fundamental level, we are intimately woven into the very fabric of the universe we seek to understand.
The realization that everything is happening perfectly, as it is supposed to happen, offers a profound sense of peace and acceptance. It encourages us to view our challenges and struggles not as obstacles but as necessary steps in our evolutionary journey, perfectly placed on our path for growth and realization. This perspective fosters a deep sense of trust in the flow of life, guiding us to live in harmony with the cosmic order.
As we navigate our lives, let us contemplate the perfection of the causal level, recognizing our role in the grand scheme of the universe. May this understanding inspire us to live with intention, embracing each moment as a vital thread in the intricate weave of the cosmic design.
Morgan O. Smith
Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!
Embracing Uncertainty on the Path to Enlightenment
In the profound journey of spiritual awakening, we often encounter paradoxes that challenge our deepest held beliefs and perceptions. One such paradox is the experience of becoming more agnostic in the face of genuine awakening. This isn’t agnosticism in the traditional sense, where one questions the existence of God or a higher power, but rather a subtler, more profound skepticism towards the very manifestations of reality itself.
When one delves into the depths of spiritual enlightenment, particularly through the lens of nonduality, there emerges a transformative recognition: the essence of all existence—what might be termed ‘nondual suchness’—is far removed from the everyday appearances and forms that we typically navigate. This realization propels the enlightened individual into a state of ‘knowing unknowingness’, where the certainties that once seemed so concrete now dissolve into the more fluid and elusive nature of reality.
In this agnostic awakening, the illusions of form and separateness that once defined our experiences become transparent. We come to see that the distinctions we make between ourselves and the world around us are mere conceptual conveniences, rather than absolute truths. This insight doesn’t lead to nihilism or despair, but rather to a liberating detachment from fixed views. It ushers in a fresh way of interacting with the world—more open, more curious, and infinitely more flexible.
The implications of this shift are profound for personal growth and spiritual practice. It encourages an ongoing inquiry into the nature of reality and our place within it, rather than a static acceptance of any doctrine or dogma. This state of open-ended exploration is what keeps the spiritual journey alive and dynamic, preventing it from becoming stagnant or dogmatically rigid.
In embracing this form of agnosticism, we’re not rejecting the notion of a deeper reality. Rather, we are refining our understanding of how that reality is revealed to us in our daily lives. We become more attuned to the mystery that pervades existence, more responsive to the subtle intimations of a truth that is always present, yet never fully graspable in conventional terms.
This nuanced approach to spirituality does not solve the riddles of existence; instead, it deepens our engagement with them, cultivating a wisdom that is comfortable with uncertainty and enriched by an ever-deepening wonder at the complexity of the cosmos.
Let us then celebrate this agnostic awakening as a significant milestone on the path to enlightenment, a reminder that true understanding resides not in the accumulation of knowledge, but in the humble acceptance of all that we do not know.
Morgan O. Smith
Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!
Understanding the Convergence of Time and Causality
In the realm of spiritual and philosophical inquiry, the concepts of time and causality often lead us down intricate paths of understanding. Consider the profound idea that the past, present, and future are not separate entities, but rather simultaneous occurrences, manifesting in the eternal ‘now’. This perspective invites us to view every event, every situation, and every action as interconnected and existing within the same infinite moment.
The notion that every cause is simultaneously an effect, and every effect a cause, further deepens our exploration into the cyclical nature of existence. This idea challenges the linear perspective of time and causality that dominates Western thought. Instead, it aligns with the Eastern philosophical understanding that everything in the universe is interdependent and in constant flux, yet fundamentally unified.
Such an understanding reshapes our perception of life’s events. It suggests that our actions are both the result of past influences and the creators of future conditions, all interwoven into the continuous fabric of the present. This holistic view can empower us to live more fully in the moment, appreciating the interconnectedness of all that is.
By embracing this perspective, we open ourselves to the myriad possibilities that each moment holds. It encourages us to live with greater awareness, recognizing that our thoughts and actions are potent contributors to the fabric of our lives and the universe at large.
In reflecting on this unity of time and causality, we might find ourselves more attuned to the subtle, yet profound, essence of life’s continuous unfolding. This realization can be a gateway to deeper spiritual awakening and enlightenment, offering a fresh lens through which to view our existence and our role within it.
Morgan O. Smith
Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!
Transcending the Illusions of Separation to Realize the Ultimate Self
In our multifaceted world, we often define ourselves and others through superficial layers—race, ethnicity, class, gender, and the like. These categorizations, while providing a semblance of identity and belonging, only scratch the surface of our existence. To fully embrace the essence of what it means to be human—and more so, to be a part of this vast universe—we must look deeper.
Consider the notion that what we perceive as differences are merely illusory, a play of forms and shapes, orchestrated on the surface of a much deeper, interconnected reality. This reality is not bound by the constructs that typically define our lives. It is beyond separateness and individuality, and even beyond the distinctions we draw between subjective experience and objective reality.
At the core of all existence lies the Ultimate Self, the ‘I AM That I AM’—a state of being that transcends all layers of diversity and division. This is not a self that can be easily defined by the languages of separation or difference. It is the foundational essence from which all life arises and to which it returns. It is in realizing this fundamental truth that we find true unity and connection.
To reach this profound understanding, one must embark on a journey of inner exploration, shedding layers of conditioned perceptions and societal labels. This journey is not about negating diversity or the richness it brings to our human experience; rather, it’s about seeing diversity as a beautiful expression of the One that pervades all.
As we delve into this realization, we begin to see that every being, every system, material or immaterial, is interwoven into a single, expansive web of existence. This vision of nonduality does not diminish our personal experiences but enriches them, offering a vantage point where we can see the interconnectedness of all life forms.
This perspective invites us to act with greater compassion and understanding, acknowledging that the essence we share is far more profound than the differences that appear to divide us. It challenges us to live with a sense of deep responsibility—not just towards other humans but towards all forms of life, recognizing that we are caretakers of the same shared reality.
As we navigate through our daily lives, let us strive to embody this awareness, to look beyond the immediate appearances and connect with the Ultimate Self in each other. In doing so, we not only transcend the illusory boundaries of race, ethnicity, and gender but also open ourselves to a more holistic and fulfilling experience of life itself.
Morgan O. Smith
Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!
Morgan O. Smith 