As we end Gentle Healing Year 2 and prepare to begin Gentle Healing Year 3, it’s important that we realize:
Our thinking is not who we are;
therefore, it cannot lead us to know what we are.
When we are attached to mind, we trust thinking regardless of how foolish thinking is. Here are some very foolish ideas that almost all humans believe without ever questioning them:
-
- I am a self
- I am this self (body-mind-personality)
- I am a bad/lacking self
Detaching from these three core ideas is detaching from mind.
Of course, the self that believes these ideas cannot detach from these ideas. That is why we need to learn to trust the guidance that comes from within.
Sometimes the guidance that comes from within seems contrary to what you think you want. However, it’s important to notice that your individual will is merely believing-attention on thought. It’s not reflective of your truth.
You can see this for yourself if you practice s/Self-inquiry on what you think you want.
Typically, what a person perceives as his/her wants is based on the last two ideas in the list of foolish ideas above.
You can see that for yourself by drilling down into your upsets using root cause inquiry. Through root cause inquiry, you can discover that what you want is often a defense against the belief that you are bad or lacking. It also upholds the idea that you are a specific body-mind-personality. That’s why letting go of what you want can sometimes feel difficult. It is like letting go of you (as you perceive yourself.)
On Day 6 of this year, we read the following in NTI Matthew 8:
Do not ask for what you want. Ask Me what it is that you need, and I shall lead you to it. But follow Me in purpose and faith only, for if you seek anything else, you will not see what I am showing you.
When we ask for specific things or circumstances that we want, those specific things are based on the fears and desires of the imposter self. Therefore, believing we need or want those things reinforces the idea that we are that self. By letting go of what we think we want, and by asking in trust for whatever guidance we need, we loosen our grip on who we think we are.
As we near the end of Year 2 and prepare for Year 3, ask for your “daily bread” each day by asking inner wisdom:
What do I need now?
Other ways to ask that question include:
What would you have me see or realize now?
What would you share with me today?
A good time to ask is while contemplating the daily Thought of Awakening. Inner wisdom can always use the daily thought to give you specific guidance that is helpful to awakening.
In year 3, you can ask for guidance while contemplating the daily quotes from The Seven Steps to Awakening.
Thoughts of Awakening # 328
The spiritual path
is a path of knowing
one step at a time
as knowing is revealed.
Therefore the spiritual path
is also a path of not-knowing.
One who knows
with the proud, proud mind
is not open to revealing.
Revealed-knowing
without mind-knowing
is the unfolding of the spiritual path.
From our Holy Spirit
Homework for this week
- Practice daily meditation for 30-60 minutes each day.
- Practice the “Loving All” Method.
- Thoughts of Awakening, 323-329, including the Commentary on Discovering False Identity (Day 325).
- Read the following messages from The Teaching of Inner Ramana: Moving from Resistor to Abiding in Self, The Missing Ramana Message.
*If you don’t already have it, order The Seven Steps to Awakening. That will be our text for Year 3.
All there is, is What Is. Just as it is.
Reflections from the Awakening at Home Retreat had participants discuss and share deeply about how the retreat has helped them to hone their skills in meditation, inquiry, mind-watching, and contemplation. They share insights that occurred as a direct result of having participated in this retreat. This program was facilitated by Anne Blanchard.
