Distraction

Jul 27, 2022

Illusions of the world consistently capture more of our attention than the Truth itself. This is an inherent aspect of human nature. Truth is eternal, still, and unchanging, whereas illusion is characterized by movement, drama, and constant change. We are naturally drawn to focus on the mind, which is the source of these illusions. Even when we realize that we are the peaceful stillness that embodies Truth, it remains challenging not to be mesmerized by the ever-shifting content of the mind. It is akin to watching a movie rather than the screen, listening to the notes instead of the rests, or gazing at the stars and planets without considering the vastness of the space in between.

When a wealthy man asked Jesus how he could attain salvation, Jesus instructed him to give away his possessions. Essentially, he was to let go of the objects themselves but this did not mean he would lose the True essence of wealth. The man needed to detach from the illusions of wealth. Material possessions, like money, are transient; coins can melt, wealth can dissipate, and belongings can be lost or stolen. However, True wealth, rooted in the eternal and unchanging, cannot be taken away. Unfortunately, few of us truly recognize the immense value of this kind of wealth.

When we become consumed by the activity of the mind, we lose touch with our true essence, and in doing so, we operate under a form of hypnosis. It is as though we are immersed in a dreamlike state, believing the actors, props, and sets of our mental world are real. We come to identify with them, forgetting that we are not merely a part of this illusion—we are far more than that. Meditation can often assist in redirecting our attention toward Truth, away from the illusions of the mind. Nevertheless, it remains a daily practice to avoid becoming entangled in the captivating, yet ephemeral, contents of the mind.

Beyond Appearances

Jul 20, 2022

“Do not judge by outward appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” – John 7:24 [New American Standard Bible]

In spiritual work, we often need to “translate” appearances into deeper truths. This process can face resistance from the mind, which constantly seeks logic, reason, and tradition. While these are useful in the physical world, the mind isn’t always the best tool for understanding the spiritual realm.

I see spiritual study as the pursuit of understanding the “essence” of reality. Many people may feel uncomfortable with the word “spiritual” because of its religious associations. They may argue that there is no spirit, but most would agree that all life has an essence. At some point, we’ve all sensed that there is more to the world than what meets the eye. For example, we can see and touch a rhinoceros, but we can also imagine one—a rhinoceros that exists only in our mind.

Spiritual translation can be more complex than that, however. Imagine receiving a gift from a four-year-old that looks like a crumpled lump of clay. “It’s you, Daddy!” they say. Though it may seem like nothing more than a lump of clay, you can easily look past its appearance and see the love behind it. This gift represents pure love, and it’s why you keep it for the rest of your life. Seeing the love in something that appears broken or imperfect is kind of what it means to “judge with righteous judgment.” It’s spiritual translation. Appearances, on their own, often fail to capture the true essence of reality.

When you experience something spiritually, don’t be too concerned if your mind starts questioning it. With time, you’ll learn to ignore the mind’s doubts. The mind is focused on appearances, so it isn’t always helpful in spiritual matters. Still, part of translating appearances spiritually is reaching some kind of understanding with the mind. “Yes, I see that it looks this way, mind. I understand your point.” Your mind will insist that a lump of clay is just that—a lump of clay. It will argue that you are only the body you see before you. Yes, it does appear that way, but there’s more to it.

Stay aware that the true nature of any situation is almost always beyond its outward appearance. Just like desert mirages or train tracks that seem to meet at the horizon, appearances can be deceiving. The truth is often hidden behind the surface. The mind will try to convince you that life is made up of separate individuals, objects, thoughts, and events happening at different times and places.

But the simple reality is this: everything is just awareness being aware of itself.

Shaking The Dust

Jul 27, 2021

shoe-4321178_1280

“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.