Aligning with Grace

Every once in a while, I find myself pondering the meaning of one of the greatest teachings in most spiritual traditions. That is, how to be in this world, but not of it... The more we delve deeply into spiritual practices, the more we notice emerging differences in ourselves, perhaps very subtle at first, that become more established in our behavior and practices over the course of time. Things that once mattered, seem to do so, even less, and less, as time goes on... I considered this, as I visited the river this morning, on a day that was sunny and warmer, even though there was still some crispness in the air. The sky was blue, and the river itself more reminiscent of a plate of glass on which birds seems to skate artfully and effortlessly, oblivious to everything and everyone. I soaked in the stillness and the quiet, remembering how Adyashanti, a well known and beloved spiritual teacher, often suggests that we should try to find some time for stillness and quiet in our quotid...

This morning, as I sat down with my first cup of coffee, I pondered these questions, and then, I sent them to a select few, telling them, that I didn't expect answers from them, but I got some incredible insights and responses back from pretty incredible people anyway. Perhaps my first "mistake" was deciding to have a cup of coffee before sitting down to meditate: "So many great teachers - Byron Katie, Adyashanti, Buddhist practitioners, and Hindu sages - instruct that the key to happiness, well-being, and so forth - is accepting what is - and letting go... But, while I believe this on some level, it also does not resonate on other levels... If we accepted what is, all of the time - we would not change philosophically, ideologically, scientifically, or spiritually... If someone didn't think outside of the box - great discoveries or advances would not have been made. If we accept what is - do we fully awaken? Or - maybe it is possible that we awaken when we accept...

I continue to savor parts of Adyashanti's Emptiness Dancing , in addition to several other books I am reading simultaneously. Within this book, there is an exquisite chapter on the nature of real love, and I have taken time to reflect on certain passages and sentences, and have posted them as Facebook and Twitter updates as well. Adya notes that without love there is no truth, and without truth, there is no love. There are many different kinds of love, and the love that we are at our essence is real, and transcends all experiences and emotions. He also points out, that if we stay connected at the heart, it is very difficult to lie or even tell a half-truth. This love is indiscriminate, and doesn't know how to turn itself on and off. Furthermore, love isn't something we fall in and out of. Love simply is. Period. Here are a couple of passages, slighted edited, that I resonated with: "[Real love] is pre-existing... Possibly the only fear greater than death is love, rea...

Sometimes messages hit you over the head. Hard. Sometimes messages come from unexpected places - like "cyberspace" or the "cloud" - wherever that is! Yesterday, I wrote about Adyashanti's book, Emptiness Dancing . And I included this quote toward the end of the entry: "What is born in awakening - is a love of what is." I must have repeated this to myself dozens of times yesterday. Such a simple statement. And so hard to embody. It reminded me of Byron Katie's book, Loving What Is. This is truly a practice that demands everything - and one that cannot be simply "intellectualized," try as one might. Today, I came across a couple of reminders of the role that grace plays in our life: "You cannot be bitter and unforgiving and be a conduit for grace." ~ Carolyn Myss And then, in the new SoundsTrue catalogue I received last night, I read this excerpt from Adyanshanti's newest book, Falling into Grace: " Grace is something...

The last few days, I've been marinating various ideas and insights that have emerged from my reading of Emptiness Dancing , by Adyashanti , who is a very amazing, and contemporary spiritual teacher. As often happens, a particular book falls in my lap at precisely the right moment - not one too soon or too late... I had previously stumbled across interviews in several publications over the years with Adyashanti, who is known as "Adya" to his devoted followers. But, I had never felt particularly drawn to him in any way. However, because of the illuminating experiences of a dear friend who has attended many retreats and "satsangs" with him, I was finally led to explore his writings and recordings on my own. The book I am reading, addresses the process of awakening, which is essential to the spiritual life, in a manner that is very accessible. I will share some brief excerpts from Adya's wisdom, in hopes that it might "awaken" some small insight within...