Tag: Self-realization

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

Embracing the Paradox of Nonduality

Beyond Cherry-Picking Reality

In pursuing spiritual understanding, the concept of nonduality presents a profound paradox. This philosophy, deeply rooted in various traditions, asserts that reality is an undivided whole, transcending the usual distinctions we make between self and other, here and there, or this and that. Nonduality suggests that these separations are illusions, conceptual divisions in the seamless fabric of existence.

However, a common pitfall in approaching nonduality is what could be termed “cherry-picking.” This is where one selectively embraces aspects of nonduality that appeal to them, while conveniently discarding others. It’s akin to admiring the beauty of a rose while ignoring its thorns. Yet, true nonduality, as a concept, includes and transcends all there is. It encompasses every aspect of existence, leaving nothing out, yet paradoxically, it also transcends everything we can conceive or perceive.


The crux of understanding nonduality lies in its experiential realization. Unlike concepts that can be learned from books or teachings, nonduality must be directly experienced to be truly known. This direct experience often defies language and intellectual comprehension. It’s a state of being where the boundaries that separate the self from the universe dissolve, revealing a fundamental unity.

This direct experience of nonduality often comes in fleeting moments of profound insight or deep meditation. In these moments, the constructs of the mind fall away, and what remains is a sense of oneness with all that is. This experience can be both exhilarating and disorienting, as it challenges the most fundamental beliefs about ourselves and the world.


The journey to nondual realization is, therefore, not about acquiring new knowledge but about unlearning – letting go of the deeply ingrained patterns of thought that keep us locked in the illusion of separateness. It’s a process of deconstruction, where one sheds layers of conditioned thinking to reveal the underlying unity of existence.

In embracing nonduality, one must be wary of the temptation to cherry-pick. The whole of existence, with its beauty and brutality, its joy and suffering, is included in the nondual understanding. Nothing is excluded, yet everything is transcended. This paradox is at the heart of nonduality – a reminder that the ultimate truth lies beyond the grasp of our usual ways of thinking and perceiving.

In conclusion, nonduality offers a radical perspective that challenges our conventional understanding of reality. It invites us to look beyond our selective perceptions and embrace the totality of existence. While its true essence can only be known through direct experience, the journey toward this realization can transform our understanding of ourselves and the world.

 Morgan O.  Smith

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

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

Beyond Ego

Discovering the Eternal Nature of Love

At the Ultimate Level, the concept of “falling in love” or “falling out of love” becomes irrelevant, as Love with a capital “L” transcends these temporal states. This Love is not just an emotion or a fleeting feeling, but a fundamental, unchanging truth of existence.

The Ultimate Self, an entity beyond our everyday understanding of self, engages in a unique play where it assumes the role of the ego. This ego, a construct of our limited perception, experiences the highs and lows of love, mistaking these emotional states for the essence of Love itself. However, in reality, it is the Ultimate Self-interacting with its manifestations, believing them to be separate entities.



This concept challenges our typical understanding of love, often tied to specific people, times, or experiences. In contrast, at the Ultimate Level, Love is a constant, unvarying force. It’s not something one “falls into” or “out of.” Rather, it is a permanent aspect of our true nature, often obscured by the illusions of the ego.

Understanding this can transform how we approach love in our lives. It encourages us to look beyond the transient emotions and experiences that we often mistake for love and to recognize the deeper, unchanging Love that is always present. This perspective can lead to a more profound, serene, and unconditional form of love, not just for others but for ourselves as well.



By embracing this view, we can begin to see the play of the Ultimate Self in our lives. We realize that the experiences of falling in and out of love are just scenes in a much larger play, orchestrated by the Ultimate Self. This realization can bring a sense of peace and wholeness, as we understand that at the core of our being, we are always in a state of Love.

In conclusion, at the Ultimate Level, love is not an act or a state, but a fundamental truth. The ego’s experiences of love are merely the Ultimate Self’s way of experiencing itself, a reminder that at our core, we are all embodiments of this eternal Love.

Morgan O.  Smith

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

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

Inner Flame

The Dual Paths to Spiritual Enlightenment

Spiritual enlightenment is often perceived as the pinnacle of human consciousness, a state of profound insight and understanding that transcends ordinary perception. But is this enlightenment an attainment through arduous pursuit, or is it a state into which some are born?

The notion of being born spiritually enlightened is intriguing. It implies an intrinsic connection with the divine, an innate wisdom that does not require the rigours of spiritual discipline to uncover. This concept is not new; various traditions speak of souls incarnating with a certain level of spiritual awareness, suggesting that enlightenment is a continuing journey across lifetimes rather than a single life’s goal.



On the other hand, the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment is a cornerstone of many religious and philosophical systems. It is seen as a process of transformation, involving practices such as meditation, self-inquiry, and ethical living. This path suggests that enlightenment is not a starting point but a destination, reached through the cultivation of consciousness and the shedding of ignorance.

The difference between these perspectives raises profound questions. Is enlightenment a universal potential, available to all who seek it, or is it a rarefied state, the birthright of only a chosen few? The journey towards enlightenment, for many, involves peeling back the layers of personal illusion and societal conditioning to reveal a truth that is said to be ever-present, not granted or achieved but realized.



This duality of enlightenment — as both an inherent state and an achievement — reflects the complexity of the human spirit. Perhaps the truest answer lies in the synthesis of both views: that we are all born with a spark of the divine, yet it is through living, learning, and loving that we fan this spark into a flame bright enough to illuminate the depths of our being.

Morgan O.  Smith

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

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

Illumination of the Soul

Spiritual Enlightenment and Moksha

As seekers on the path of inner wisdom, we often encounter the concepts of spiritual enlightenment and moksha. Both are beacons that promise to guide us out of the darkness of ignorance, yet they are not the same.

Spiritual Enlightenment is a term that has found its roots in the West, heavily influenced by the philosophies and meditative practices of the East. It implies an awakening to a reality that transcends our ordinary experience of self and the universe. The enlightened being sees the interconnectivity of all life, perceives the illusion of the ego, and often experiences profound peace and understanding of the present moment. It’s an expansive realization of consciousness, often accompanied by a deep compassion for all beings.

Moksha, on the other hand, is a Sanskrit word that originates from ancient Indian philosophy and is integral to spiritual traditions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Moksha goes beyond the realization of interconnectedness; it represents the ultimate release from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth — the wheel of samsara. It is not merely an enlightenment of the mind but a liberation of the soul from the karmic ties that bind it to the physical plane.

The distinction lies in their ultimate goals and the pathways to reach them. Spiritual enlightenment is often seen as a milestone, a significant spiritual awakening that may happen time and again, deepening one’s insight and wisdom. Moksha, however, is the final destination — a state of eternal bliss and cessation of all suffering.

To consider enlightenment and moksha is to dance with the profound mysteries of existence. Are they two different peaks or simply different paths up the same mountain? Perhaps the journey is less about the distinctions and more about the profound transformation each individual undergoes in their quest for the ultimate truth.

In our modern age, where the material often overshadows the spiritual, revisiting these ancient concepts might offer a lens to reevaluate our lives purpose. Whether we seek enlightenment or moksha, the essence of our search is a testament to the human spirit’s unyielding quest for the absolute.

And so, we continue to explore, meditate, and live virtuously, with the hope that whether through enlightenment or moksha, we may all find our way to that which we most deeply yearn for — peace, understanding, and liberation.

Morgan O.  Smith

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

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

Satcitananda

The Voyage from Happiness to Bliss

In the pursuit of well-being, human beings have often conflated happiness with bliss, treating them as interchangeable states. However, the ancient concept of Satcitananda, a Sanskrit term embodying the essence of ultimate reality offers a profound distinction between these two.

Happiness is a fleeting emotion, a reaction to external stimuli, tethered to the temporal and the material. It is as changeable as the weather, reliant on circumstances, people, possessions, and places. Happiness is the surface-level response to life’s favourable events and acquisitions, tied to the sensory and the transient.

Bliss, or Ananda, in contrast, represents a state beyond the physical or emotional. It is not contingent on the external but is the intrinsic nature of being, untouched by the vicissitudes of life’s ever-changing landscape. Bliss is the deep, unshakable contentment that comes not from what happens to us but from what we are at our core. It is a realization of one’s true nature, a state of being where one exists in complete harmony with the universe.

Satcitananda breaks down into ‘Sat’, ‘Chit’, and ‘Ananda’. ‘Sat’ refers to truth or existence itself, ‘Chit’ to consciousness or knowledge, and ‘Ananda’ to bliss. These are not mere attributes but the very fabric of the ultimate reality, the Brahman. To realize Satcitananda is to awaken to the truth that our own deepest self is not separate from this reality.

The journey from happiness to bliss is a transformational process of expanding one’s understanding from the finite to the infinite, from a state of doing to a state of being. Where happiness might be thought of as a single note in a symphony, bliss is the symphony itself. It is the silent space between notes, as integral to the music as the sound, offering a depth that is both immanent and transcendent.

To chase happiness is to chase the shadows of what we believe we lack, while to embrace bliss is to step into the light of our divine nature, which lacks nothing. It is a shift from seeking satisfaction from the external world to discovering the inexhaustible joy within.

In Satcitananda, one finds the key to unlocking a truth that spiritual traditions have whispered for millennia: that what we seek outside has always been within. As we navigate the shifting tides of life, the realization that we are not merely chasing fleeting happiness but are embodiments of eternal bliss can transform our entire way of being.

Thus, Satcitananda is not merely a philosophical concept; it is an invitation to a way of life, a reminder that beneath the ephemeral dance of happiness and sorrow lies a profound peace and joy, waiting to be realized.

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

Melding Into The Absolute

A Glimpse Into The Ephemeral Veil of Enlightenment

The pursuit of enlightenment, often perceived as a lofty goal, transcends the entanglement of the mundane and the superficial. It is a venture beyond the confinements of ego, a journey into the vast expanse of what is real and eternal. But what happens when one treads on the path leading toward enlightenment? Is there a profound experience awaiting or is it an indescribable state of being? This contemplation draws insights from two profound philosophies – Vedanta and Buddhism, exploring their stance and convergence at the pinnacle of enlightenment.

During the moment of enlightenment, there is no ‘ego’ to witness this majestic unfolding. If one perceives a void yet remains distinct from it, the essence of enlightenment remains elusive. However, such an experience is a beacon of progress, a sign of being on the righteous path. When enlightenment graces, there’s an inherent knowing, a certainty that obliterates doubts. It’s a paradoxical realm where everything and nothing transpires, leaving behind only the essence of what one truly is—Absolute.

The Vedantic and Buddhist interpretations, though seemingly diverse, converge at the apex of enlightenment. Vedanta extols the oneness of existence, the monistic reality, while Buddhism explores the transient nature of reality, leading to a similar dissolution of ego and a recognition of an underlying unity. It’s akin to the myriad flavours of ice cream. Despite their distinct tastes and colours, the essence remains the same – the foundational element of ice. The epitome of enlightenment, or absolute monism, can be metaphorically depicted as a blend of every conceivable flavour of ice cream and beyond, encapsulating all foods, their variations, their origins, and their surroundings.

The metaphor extends further, proposing a confluence of all experiences, a melding into the Absolute. The journey might commence from disparate standpoints, traversing through diverse experiences, yet it culminates at a singular point— the realization of the Absolute. The magnificence of enlightenment doesn’t lie merely in reaching this pinnacle but in the unravelling of profound simplicity, an unveiling of what has always been there.

Upon such a realization, the dichotomies merge, the veils of ignorance are lifted, and what remains is an unadulterated consciousness, a pristine awareness devoid of fragmentation. It’s a return to the original state of being, a melding into the boundless, an embrace of the Absolute.

Morgan O.  Smith

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

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

Embracing the Abyss

An Exploration into the Ground of All Being

In the silence of our hearts, amidst the ceaseless chatter of our fears and desires, lies a profound mystery waiting to be discovered. This mystery, dear reader, is not something alien or external, but a journey inward to meet our most authentic selves. It is about unearthing the Ground of All Being, the core from which our existence emanates and upon which it rests. In the course of human history, many have named it differently—God, The Absolute, Consciousness, and so forth. However, this Ground of All Being is not a distant reality; it’s what we truly are. As articulated succinctly, our deepest fear is not of the unknown, but the known transcending into the realm of the unknown, a realm where words fall short and only experience speaks.

Your deepest fear is yourself. This statement, piercing in its simplicity, unveils the core of our existential dread. We fear what we might discover when all pretenses are shed, and we are left with the raw, unadulterated reality of our being. The question is, are we willing to face that fear, to delve into the abyss and allow it to unravel the boundless potential within?

Why do we shy away from understanding our true nature? It’s a paradox that the unknown we fear is already known, buried within the labyrinth of our being. It’s like a familiar tune, the lyrics of which we have forgotten, yet the melody stirs something deep within. It beckons us to listen, to be still, and in that stillness, the melody unfolds, freeing us from the shackles of ignorance and liberating the profound truths hidden within. This knowledge is not an accumulation but a realization, a moving from the periphery to the core, a journey from the ephemeral to the eternal.

We often seek solace in the external, hoping that objects, relationships, or achievements will fill the void within. However, true liberation and fulfillment lie in the exploration and understanding of our essential nature, the Ground of All Being. It’s about confronting fears, transcending superficial identities, and dissolving into the boundless, formless reality that we are.

It’s a venture into the heart of existence, an invitation to be fearlessly authentic. To step into this journey is to embrace the unknown, which is already known, and to unearth the beauty and magnificence of our true nature. So, pause and listen to that innermost call, for in the heart of fear lies the key to liberation.

Morgan O.  Smith

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

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

The Unleashing of Shadows

A Deep Dive into the Repressed Unconscious Unveiled Through Meditative and Spiritual Pursuits

In the realm of self-discovery and spiritual evolution, often shrouded in an ambiance of tranquillity and enlightenment, lies a less explored, slightly tumultuous terrain: the unleashing of repressed unconscious material. It’s a landscape rarely highlighted in the glossy brochures of spiritual enterprises, yet it forms an intrinsic, undeniable part of the journey inward.

As aspirants embark on meditative and spiritual practices, they’re typically greeted with promises of serenity, self-realization, and transcendental experiences. However, what goes unmentioned is the inevitable encounter with the shadows lurking in the deep recesses of the unconscious mind. This confrontation with repressed material—unusual outbursts, amplified expressions of everyday actions, and unexpected impulsive behaviours—is a testament to the completeness of the inner exploration, albeit less glamorous.

Spirituality, now a multi-million dollar industry, is ironically at risk of mirroring the very worldly traits it proposes to transcend—namely, avoiding uncomfortable truths for the sake of marketability and profitability. There’s a reticence among many spiritual teachers to delve into the discussions about the darker aspects of spiritual awakening. This selective narration not only veils the full spectrum of the experience but also potentially leaves seekers ill-prepared for the confronting realities awaiting them.

Healing and self-realization are not merely about basking in the light of consciousness but also navigating the murky waters of the unconscious abyss. While one may attain a level of healing and understanding on conscious and subconscious levels, the journey doesn’t culminate there. The deep unconscious beckons, with its layers upon layers of repressed material, each layer a gateway to further integration and wholeness.

Furthermore, this exploration extends from the individual unconscious through to the collective and universal collective unconscious, encompassing a continuum of collective human experiences and existential realities. As we traverse from the personal to the universal, the expedition morphs from a solitary quest to a collective endeavour, revealing the interconnected tapestry of individual and collective healing.

The discourse around spiritual practices needs a fuller, more honest narrative that embraces the shadows, encourages preparedness for the unexpected, and fosters a holistic understanding of the path toward self-realization. We hope to attain a truly integrated, authentic spiritual awakening only by acknowledging and navigating through the repressed unconscious material.

Morgan O.  Smith

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

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith