Connectedness

2023, January, Issue 28

With the practice of Guru Yoga, we discover that we are one and the same as our Guru.  When I died, this proved to be absolutely true.  This thing we do as humans, constantly dividing, creating this notion of self and other, refining it into subtle beliefs, dividing people as us and them, it’s absolutely ludicrous.  It was one of the things that I observed before I came back into my body.  It almost made me want to remain in the light, beyond ordinary perception.  This also became an obstacle for me, when considering if I should write and give talks.  It seems like such extraordinary futility on the surface.

Then, one person here, two people there, a few, then more, start asking me to say what I need to say to help them, write about it, create so that they can understand.  I was very hesitant at first, even though I was determined to return from death to do just that, help whomever wanted me to help them.  What I discovered is considered very secret in some sects; and, I wasn’t sure that I could ever help anyone with that knowledge.

Then it occurred to me that we all have free access to what is, as it is.  This is not a secret.  Discovering that we have free access to the ineffable is kept as a secret for various reasons, by various sectarian views; however, nothing whatsoever can actually prevent us from discovering this for ourselves.  It’s who we are.  It’s where we are.  We are completely free to awaken any time we choose.  It’s up to us, it’s not up to someone else.

Awakening means removing all obstacles.  Sometimes this means letting go of those who prevent us from opening our heart and mind.  It means snipping those strings that bind us, or setting ourselves free from a tangled mess.

I had the most fortunate luck on my Spiritual Path, and some would also say that my luck was worse than anyone that they had encountered.  I gave myself fully to serving others before my death by leading a group in meditation for a few years; and, out of nowhere, for no apparent reason, I was suddenly attacked by many people for doing this, including my Buddhist teacher who had asked me to serve others in this way.  It wasn’t that he or they could actually point to anything that I was doing wrong, it was that I seemed to be doing quite well, with most people in my group happy with my efforts—and that seemed to create a lot of animosity.  This was perfect timing for me, because I was ready to receive Dzogchen teachings, and my teacher prevented me from that.  Because he released me from my sacred promises, I was instantly free to move on to more than he had to offer.  I accepted that the strings were snipped.  It was perfect.

Because of what seemed like misfortune, as well as being ready for anything through meditation, I was ready for great misfortune, I was ready for death.  This made it all possible.  This is why I had a full experience, because I had been ready, able and willing to let go instantly.

It’s important to know that I didn’t spend much time responding to the pain that was inflicted.  I transformed that immediately.  If you can learn to transform every misfortune you encounter into tremendously good luck, you will be able to deal with everything, even if the earth itself falls away beneath your feet, which is exactly how that felt to me.  You will be able to find liberation.  Awakening will become possible for you.

Now, to understand this sort of thing fully, one must realize how we are connected, and what sort of responsibility we have for our own spiritual wellbeing.  I go back repeatedly to the notion that we must respect our own Spiritual Path.  I think this sometimes causes confusion, because I am not specific about it, and I do not advocate for this belief or that belief.  It is important to start where you are, which means showing your own path the utmost respect and reverence.  I also say quite frequently that you should be ready to cut all ties to all beliefs.  Your Spiritual Path is about awakening, it’s not about remaining in one place, with unchanging ideas or beliefs.  Awakening means going beyond all restraints, which means letting go, letting go, letting go, letting go.

When you awaken, you may not know it.  You will simply be open and aware.  You will see everything as it is.  You will find that enjoyment in all circumstances becomes a very real possibility.

When you awaken, you will see clearly that self and other are an illusion.  You will see that all this social turmoil we deal with everyday is pure nonsense.  People pick on each other when they are immersed in delusion.  When you realize this, then you are able to snip a few strings, stepping aside in order to take care of yourself, respecting who you are.

If you haven’t heard it from me yet, I’ll say it again.  You are amazing.  You have unlimited potentiality.  You will awaken.

Blessings of Light,

Bob