Meditation Is Doing Nothing

Jan 21, 2022

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When I meditate, I’m not trying to “do” anything. I’m not pushing for something to happen, and I don’t expect anything to happen either. Meditation is just about aligning myself with what already is. It’s about being aware of the present moment—the truth of “nowness.”

When I sit to meditate, I’m letting the fog of unawareness fade away so I can see things as they really are. This “is-ness” is reality—it’s always there, whether I notice it or not. There’s no need to change, add, or force anything because, honestly, I wouldn’t know how to do that even if I tried.

All I can do is align my awareness with what’s already happening. That’s it. That’s what true meditation is all about.

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Original Sin?

Jan 19, 2022

The story of Adam and Eve in Genesis describes how the woman saw that the tree’s fruit was good to eat, pleasing to look at, and capable of making one wise. She took the fruit, ate it, and gave some to her husband, who was with her. After eating, they suddenly realized things they hadn’t known before—like the fact that they were naked. Embarrassed, they sewed fig leaves together to make clothes. (Genesis 3:6-7)

The traditional interpretation of this passage, often called “Original Sin,” goes like this: humans disobeyed God, God discovered their disobedience, and as punishment, God cast them out of paradise into a harsh world filled with pain, toil, and suffering. This interpretation has been taught for centuries in churches and temples and remains widely accepted today.

But I’d like to suggest a different perspective—one that aligns more closely with the teachings of Jesus as described in the four Gospels. This interpretation doesn’t see disobedience as the root of sin. Instead, it suggests that humanity’s first “sin” occurred when people believed they were separate from God—their source—in the first place. The real Original Sin was the moment Adam and Eve believed they could exist as independent beings, apart from God’s presence, will, and life.

This belief, not the act of disobedience, marked the turning point. After all, God describes Himself as capable of forgiving “seventy times seven” times. If Adam and Eve’s only transgression had been disobedience, God would have forgiven them, and the matter would have ended there. However, belief in separation from God is different—it creates an illusion of separation that even God does not override.

It wasn’t God who cast humanity out of paradise; it was humanity’s own belief in separation that caused them to perceive themselves as exiled. This belief in a life apart from God is what brought darkness and suffering into the world. But where could this “separate life” come from? According to Genesis, God breathed life into man, and that breath became man’s very existence. If your life is God’s breath, then separation is impossible—just as you can’t exist without your own breath.

This interpretation isn’t just theoretical; it reflects the core message of the Gospel as taught by Jesus. It’s the truth Jesus spoke of—the truth that sets people free. Two thousand years ago, this idea was revolutionary, and it still challenges conventional beliefs today.

Understanding this truth goes beyond religion, philosophy, or denominational boundaries. It doesn’t matter what name you use for God or whether you use the word “God” at all. The source of your being—the ground of life itself—is beyond words, thoughts, or labels. You cannot be separate from Life, because everything that exists is a part of it.

As Jesus illustrated in the parable of the Prodigal Son, the belief in separation can be dispelled by simply returning to your source. No rituals, sacrifices, or permissions are required. Your connection to your source is your birthright, always waiting for you to return.

This is the heart of the Gospel—the simple, freeing truth that you are never truly apart from your source.

Shaking The Dust

Jul 27, 2021

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“And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.” – Matthew 10:14, The (Christian) Bible

“In Biblical times, when leaving Gentile cities, pious Jews often shook the dust from their feet to show their separation from Gentile practices. According to the New Testament, when Jesus called his twelve disciples, he sent them into Jewish lands and told them, in a reversal, to perform the same act against the non-believing Jews.” (Wikipedia)

This instruction holds deep meaning for me, not just as a symbol but as practical advice: walk away from those who choose ignorance, intolerance, or hatred. There’s no need to argue or fight; simply remove yourself. Whether it’s family, friends, neighbors, or strangers, if someone embraces negativity or refuses truth, it’s not my role to change them unless they seek it. My best option is to leave, carrying nothing of their resistance with me—not hatred, resentment, or even memory. Walk away clean, as Jesus advised: don’t even take their dust with you.

This principle stands in stark contrast to modern behavior. Today, disagreements often spiral into name-calling, character assassination, and hostility, both online and in person. We meet ignorance with ignorance, resistance with resistance, escalating conflict instead of creating peace. In doing so, we lower ourselves to the same level.

There’s no reason to stay in environments of abuse, hatred, or disrespect. Nor should we add to the negativity with our own words or actions. Sometimes, the most powerful, compassionate response is to simply walk away. Shake the dust from your feet, and leave with peace.

ASMR as Meditation Practice

Oct 16, 2020

ASMR as Meditation Practice by Rick Baldwin

A few years ago, I stepped away from all spiritual practices, including meditation, despite having just learned its “how-to.” This spiritual “fast” lasted 10 years. Yet, without realizing it, I continued meditating—through ASMR videos on YouTube.

For those unfamiliar, ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) is described as a tingling sensation, often starting on the scalp and moving down the neck and spine, triggered by auditory or visual stimuli. It’s a euphoric, calming experience akin to synesthesia. By 2018, over 13 million ASMR videos were available on YouTube, designed to evoke this response.

As a child, I experienced ASMR but didn’t know it had a name or that others shared it. I vividly recall feeling tingles when my sister pretended to do my makeup, or when my 8th-grade algebra teacher’s voice triggered ASMR during one-on-one lessons. Decades later, I discovered ASMR was widely recognized and even celebrated, thanks to a This American Life podcast episode. It introduced me to a community of creators making videos specifically to trigger ASMR, and I was hooked.

ASMR videos often feature triggers like whispering, tapping, or role-plays that simulate calming environments, such as salons or classrooms. Over time, these videos have become more sophisticated, resembling small films designed to help viewers relax. While the original focus was on evoking ASMR, the genre has shifted toward general relaxation. For some, including me, these videos are profoundly calming; for others (like my wife), they can be irritating.

The soothing effects of ASMR can alleviate insomnia, anxiety, and even depression. I’ve also found these videos to be a gateway into meditation, particularly for those who’ve never practiced it before. Watching ASMR kept me spiritually open during my decade-long hiatus from intentional meditation. ASMR videos cultivate present awareness—the same state of mindfulness that traditional meditation aims to achieve. By focusing deeply on a sound or voice, the mind quiets, leaving only pure awareness.

It’s remarkable to think that millions of people watching ASMR videos are unknowingly meditating. While ASMR isn’t a substitute for deeper spiritual practices, it can prepare the mind for more focused meditation later. This cultural phenomenon is planting the seeds of mindfulness in a generation that might never have explored it otherwise.

I’m planning to create my own guided relaxation ASMR videos soon. In the meantime, I encourage you to explore the genre for yourself. Here are three videos I’ve found particularly helpful in my meditation practice.

On Not Being A Remote Cabin

Oct 7, 2020

On Not Being A Remote Cabin by Rick Baldwin

This week, I’m staying in a secluded cabin in north Georgia while working on an art project for a client. The isolation is nice because I don’t have to interact with people much, except when I need supplies or work on the project itself. Yet, I’ve always felt a bit uneasy about engaging with locals in places I’m visiting. It often feels like I’m intruding—like stepping into someone’s home where neither of us knows anything about the other, but we’re suddenly expected to connect. It’s a mental habit I’ve carried for years, though I’m not entirely sure where it comes from. It lingers whenever I’m in unfamiliar territory.

Yesterday, while at the grocery store, I gained some insight into this discomfort. As I saw people around me, I felt an underlying resistance. I realized it stemmed from the imagined need to justify my presence. What if someone asked who I am, where I’m from, or why I’m here? Not in a hostile way—just out of curiosity. The thought of crafting answers, of being interesting or charming, triggered anxiety. I worried about saying the wrong thing or being judged.

At the same time, I noticed resistance to initiating any conversation myself. “This is their town,” I thought. “What right do I have to strike up a conversation?” I observed other shoppers, and they seemed just as disconnected—focused on their lists, avoiding eye contact. It was as if we were all living in our own metaphorical cabins, even in a shared space.

I’ve always enjoyed solitude, and social interaction isn’t my strong suit. But I began to realize how powerful something as simple as eye contact, a smile, or a kind word can be for those feeling disconnected. You don’t have to take on the persona of an overly cheerful, overly familiar stranger (no offense to those who do), but genuine interaction creates a subtle opening. That openness allows fear, resistance, or judgment to dissolve and invites a shared silence—a sacred connection.

Our society often encourages us to cut ties with those who differ from us, but this insight reminded me of the value of engaging with others, no matter how different they may seem. Approaching interactions with openness and non-judgment is a form of healing, not just for others but for ourselves. For someone like me, who finds social situations challenging, this practice can be deeply transformative. It’s a way to connect to something greater than ourselves.

Listening, I realized, is the physical manifestation of openness. When we listen without judgment, we connect beyond appearances to the essence of another person. We create a space for silence and understanding, recognizing our shared humanity. It doesn’t matter whether we agree with what someone says or approve of their behavior; the act of listening itself is a powerful spiritual practice.

This isn’t groundbreaking for everyone—many people do this naturally—but for those of us who struggle socially, it offers a fresh perspective. After that moment of clarity, I noticed my resistance fading. I found myself wanting to engage with others just to listen, even seeking out spaces where I might encounter people with vastly different perspectives.

I’ve decided to incorporate this awareness into my interactions moving forward. What about you? Does this practice resonate with you? Could it change how you relate to others? How might it transform the world if more people embraced it?

You Are Not Less Than!

Oct 2, 2020

You Are Not Less Than by Rick Baldwin

We’ve been led to believe, by those who don’t truly understand, that we are less than we are. People who repeat what they’ve been told—without questioning it—have convinced us that we are flawed, limited, imperfect, and broken.

You have the power to decide what to believe, but I urge you to question those beliefs and examine the truth for yourself. Don’t let someone else’s limited view of themselves define how you see yourself. Look within and discover the reality of who you truly are.

Who are you?

You are not your body. Your body is limited, ever-changing, and destined to return to the earth from which it came. If you believe you are your body, you’ll feel limited, temporary, and mortal.

You are not your mind. Your mind, too, is limited and ever-changing. Like the thoughts it produces, it will eventually fade into nothing. If you believe you are your mind, you’ll feel impermanent and insubstantial.

If you are neither your body nor your mind, then who are you?

Look deeper. Notice the Presence within you—the unchanging essence that has always been there. This Presence is timeless and ageless. It’s the silent witness that perceives through your eyes and speaks loudly in your stillness. That Presence is YOU.

This Presence is your true essence—your Spirit. But it’s not just “yours”; it is pure Spirit, the Spirit of God. How could you ever have been convinced to think you’re less than perfect when your very being is divine?

When you truly recognize who you are—when you see, feel, and know your true self—no one will ever be able to take that understanding away from you. In truth, they couldn’t take it before, but now that you’re aware of it, you’ll never let it go. It has always been there, always perfect, and always YOU. It cannot leave or be extinguished.

Take time to turn inward and dwell in this awareness. Observe what happens as this sense of Presence grows and becomes more permanent in your life. You’ll soon realize that you are far more than you ever believed—and far more than anyone ever told you you were.

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