Yesterday we compared the impermanence of problems with the eternal nature of the Self. Today, we will continue to focus on the Self. Today, we will let our desires remind us to turn our attention to life-presence.
Today’s lesson encourages us to be faithful in our practice. It says, “Faithfulness in practicing today will bring rewards so great and so completely different from all things you sought before, that you will know that here your treasure is, and here your rest. Now is the balance righted, … The valuable and the valueless are both perceived and recognized for what they are. … Open the curtain in your practicing by merely letting go all things you think you want. … Is not Christ’s vision worthy to be sought above the world’s unsatisfying goals? Let not today slip by without the gifts it holds for you …; you can exchange all suffering for joy this very day. Practice in earnest, and the gift is yours.”
Here is how we shall practice in earnest today:
Whenever you notice that attention has gone to a desire, whether it seems to be a small, insignificant desire or a bigger, seemingly more important one, pause. Turn attention inward to life-presence. Be aware of awareness. Look at it. Does it have a desire now or is it simply presently being? Rest with attention on awareness-life-presence, noticing it for a few moments.
After spending a few moments noticing life-presence, notice that desire comes from attention on thought, not from awareness-life-presence. Notice that awareness-life-presence simply is. Notice that thought wants something different or something more.
Earlier this year, we read NTI Romans, Chapters 2 & 3. These chapters described the beginning of the ego as the wish for something different than what is.
As you look, notice that wish for something different than what is, is in thought. And then look again at awareness-life-presence. Notice that awareness-life-presence is what is. Notice it is always present, simply being what it is.
Notice thought is an object that you can be interested in or not interested in, but either way, thought is not you. You are the one interested or not interested in thought. Notice you are awareness-life-presence. Say to yourself slowly, “Now I am one with my Source.”
