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Chit Happens

Balboa Press

Contents

1. Truth is Universal..............................................12. The Nature of the Self..........................................253. Transcending Limitation.........................................394. The Evolution of Consciousness..................................615. Spiritual Practice – Walking the Talk.....................876. The Path of the Sages...........................................1237. Experiences Along the Way.......................................1498. The Ones That Got Away..........................................167Epilogue...........................................................209Conclusion.........................................................215

Chapter One

It is a fascinating thing that over the millennia, the search for our true nature has become embroiled in mysticism and complexity. For something to be called Truth it must be universal, equally present for all everywhere, forever. Unfortunately for most of us, the search for Truth has become something that is seen as difficult and reserved for only a select few.

This cannot be the case. Truth cannot be only for some. It cannot be in some places and not in others. It must be omnipresent, and it must be now. Not only that, but it must be simple, the most simple of things. How can it be difficult to realize that which you already are? The discovery of Absolute Truth must only be a matter of learning to discriminate that which you are from that which you are not. This discrimination is a valid spiritual path, the spiritual path if what you want is to awaken from the dream of separation and limitation. Luckily it is also the simplest, fastest, and most enjoyable path as well. Who would even want to undertake such a journey if it were joyless? The fact is, it is the ultimate Joy.

The path of awareness and self-realization, otherwise known as enlightenment, is as equally available to a housewife in Minnesota as a yogi in the Himalayas. In fact, the journey may be easier for the former simply because of the lack of spiritual concepts in the average Minnesotan housewife. The only requirement is the desire to be free, and the willingness to go for it whole-heartedly.

The greatest Teachers of history have clearly shown the universal nature of Truth. All described the same reality; all taught the simplicity of return. Any complexity in the teaching came from those who followed, the ones who knew only the letter, rather than the spirit, of the Teaching. Spiritual concepts and beliefs serve only to mask the omnipresent splendor of our own divine light.

It is our concepts and beliefs that are the root cause of all separation, all pain and all suffering. While these beliefs are unconsciously mistaken for Truth, we will only live in the world as we believe it to be, rather than the world as it is. Once these beliefs are clearly seen, and with a valid way to surrender them to something greater, there is no boundary that cannot be transcended; none. The True Nature of reality cannot be understood, nor conceptualized; it can only be directly experienced. It is an open invitation to all to return to their birthright of eternal peace, limitless joy, and boundless creative potential.

1. What is God?

The word God is simply a word. It is used here to refer to the absolute source of all experience. Beyond all form and appearance there is a field of limitless, silent awareness devoid of all movement and change. The discovery of this field as a direct experience is the purpose of spiritual practice.

All cultures have a word for the experience of this awareness. In India it is sometimes referred to Turiya, the fourth state of consciousness beyond waking, sleeping and dreaming. In Japan it has been known as Satori. Early Christians called it "the peace that passeth all understanding," as the mind cannot grasp it, yet it can absolutely be experienced. It has been called the Tao, Silence, Stillness, Presence, the Absolute, pure consciousness, infinite love and endless peace.

While the words are many, the experience is one. While the paths to the discovery of it may be many, the experience is subjective, and comes only from letting go of the attachment to, and identification with, the mind. Meditation is invaluable for correcting one's relationship to the mind, and allowing the discovery of the presence that lies beyond.

As the experience of the silent presence grows, it reveals itself to be so all encompassing, so utterly all-consuming, that the word God simply points to the magnitude of it.

Many of the world's religious teachings have portrayed the Divine as something outside of you, something to be feared and obeyed. This is not God's fault. God has been given a bad rap by humanity's ignorance of spiritual truth.

Whatever word is used to describe limitless awareness is inadequate. This is about the direct inner realization of the Divine, the remembering of your true nature. It is not about picking up beliefs, ideas or concepts. This is absolutely spiritual, but not religious or based on belief. Your freedom from limitation and suffering is all down to your own experience, your own relationship with your mind. Just beyond the chatter of the mind is the indescribable beauty of your own consciousness. Identification with that is freedom, call it what you will.

2. How can you say there is a universal truth? What is true for me may not necessarily be true for someone else.

On one level you are right, but that level is not the level of absolute truth, it is the level of relative truth. This is the level where truth or falsehood is determined by the mind. It is based on what feels true, which is how we formulate our beliefs. It is a level of truth that is determined by our mental filters. As much as it may not appear this way, these truths are not based entirely on experience, and so need to be defended and reinforced.

A truth at this level may appear to be true for you, but will not be true for everyone, always.

From as early as I can remember, I was always interested in spirituality. Because of where I grew up, the earliest experiences of this for me were through Christianity. I have always loved Jesus. There was something so infinitely compassionate about his example to me.

As a child, when I heard that heaven was exclusively reserved for His followers alone, it just didn't make any sense.

I asked people, "What about all the people who died before he came? What about all the people who never got to know about him? What about all the people who have their own religions?"

No one could give me a satisfactory answer, not one that seemed in alignment with what I read Jesus was actually supposed to have said.

All of the answers I was given were based on something they may have believed to be true, but Jesus never said it. They were told it, and just accepted it as fact. None of them seemed to have given it one moment's contemplation; none of it was based on their experience. I wasn't prepared to accept it.

Only a few short years ago I was talking with a priest, a really nice guy. He found out what I do, and with only a small personal charge said to me, "We believe that meditation is a tool of the antichrist."

I said, "For you to use the word antichrist, you must be pretty clear on what Christ is."

"Oh yes I am." He replied.

I...