Instant Karma?

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“It stares you in the face. No role is so well suited to philosophy as the one you happen to be in right now.”

Aurelius, Marcus. Meditations (Modern Library) (p. 149). Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

There are two modes of thought on the path to enlightenment.

The first and most common is that it takes years of work and practice to get there. Meditation retreats, voyages, daily meditations, learning, etc. all to get incremental progress to being better. I usually believe this is so.

The second is that once you see it, its there. Alternately, once you determine to see it, that’s all it takes. Marcus alludes to it in the quote above. J. Krishnamurti speaks of it often. Nisargadatta Maharaj, points us to it. Just be present, it is there, that’s all there is. When I really sit down and think about it, I think this is probably closer to the truth. 

Back to Basics

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So I managed to get myself fished in to the fray of COVID 19 by lurking on the news, sharing my opinion on social media, and just a little arguing with those I don’t agree with on this whole COVID virus matter. To be honest, the whole thing has me worked up more than a little. I’m irritated that the virus exists in the first place, I’m frustrated with the measures that have been taken, and I am amazed at how many people think they are experts and they have no idea what they are talking about.

Then, it hit me yet again. The only thing I have control over in that whole first paragraph are the words “irritated,” “frustrated,” and “amazed.” Yes, these are the things I can control. All of the rest are externals: viruses, governments, mass fear, busy-bodies, self-proclaimed experts. I have no control over these.

In fact, I’m currently reflecting whether I have a duty to share my opinion at all. The world is as the world is, and I’m not so sure my “answers” are all as good as I think. Heaven forbid, I become one of those self-proclaimed experts.

Things I can control, things I can’t, and the wisdom to know the difference. Serenity Now.

Practicing for Crisis

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I got to wondering. How has my practice helped during periods of stress. With a pandemic disease running its course, possible pay cuts or a furlough looming in my future just in time to be in the middle of a move from one house to another (still with two payments), I should be more stressed. I’m not. Why? It’s difficult to describe mindfulness, suchness, non-self, etc. to an outsider. You just have to be there, I guess. Two reflections have recently come into use by this practitioner that have been very helpful in seeing some truth. The truth that I think I speak of is non-self. There is a me, but it really is more like a “we.” There are a conglomeration of neurons forming consciousness (includes emotions, judgments, decisions…the whole thing). There are many other cells supporting the function of the body that feed into the brain, as well. However, when you look at it there really is no “I.” This being “I” am is really a community of cells, mirobiome, and matter that cooperate so the neurons can make a story out of perception. Anyway, the two practices:



  1. On Having No Head – Originated by Douglas Harding. This is a meditation and observation that your experience from moment to moment is of empty space seeing out into your visual field. You actually observe from this oval-like space and you can never really see a head. In reality, you don’t have one from your point of view. Please don’t jump to arguments about how you can prove otherwise, this is simply a tool for observing consciousness. Where are you? Point back at where you think your head is? Where is it? The implications of working with this meditation are profound.
  2. Who is __________? This one is mine, although I’ve compiled it from volumes of techniques. No matter what you are thinking, feeling, or doing just replace the “I” with “Who.” For example, “I am angry that the water heater is not working.” becomes “Who is angry that the water heater is not working?” The object of the sentence is not that important actually. So “I am angry” becomes “Who is angry?” Now the work begins and you REALLY look for that “who.” The more you look, the more you become that outside observer. The more you look, the more you realize there is no who. Just consciousness…that mysterious thing that comes from that mysterious place. For some, we may stop with God…but look further, what is its nature? Where does it come from? Certainly something big, at least bigger than a water heater. Keep looking, nothing there, yet something is there. Suchness? Energy? The Consciousness? God? Keep looking. You can do this with anything at the present moment: Who is raking leaves? Who is sitting here? The important part is looking for the “who.”

Two “Me’s”

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At a minimum, there are two “me’s.” First there is the one that just wants stay on my plot of land, no matter how small. Then there is the other one that wants to adventure to parts unknown.  There’s the me that lives in the now wrestling with the me that dreams of future adventures.  There’s the me that wants to rest on my laurels, and then there is the me that wants to achieve the next conquest (a new business, a new skill, a championship).

There is an internal tension here. Each of these “me’s” is trying to win out. Adventure me says, “I’m the real you!” Domestic me says, “Oh no, this is who you are.”