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Nondual Highlights Issue #2371, Saturday, January 21, 2006, Editor: Mark
He who has gained the fourth state and sees all as one, only he
knows God truly as Being-Consciousness-Bliss. Words cannot
express nor the ears hear how such a one is united with God; it
is a matter of realization. But there are ways and means for such
realization. They can be spoken of, learned and acted upon.
- unknown author from Ellam Ondre (All Is One), recommended by
Ramana Maharshi
The most straightforward advice on how to discover your true
nature is this: practice not causing harm to anyone neither
yourself nor others and every day, do what you can to help.
- Pema Chodron, posted to DailyDharma
Once I was asking for a clue as the best practice in my spiritual
search while being in a Sat Sang with my teacher. What at the end
of his talk sounded as an answer for this, was his very clear
recommendation:
"Pay attention to attention"
>>>>
In my view attention to attention *is* quite important. Whether
it is attention to attention, or perhaps more accurately
awareness of attention, what is significant actually is to
really, fully, and deeply investigate the entire matter of
attention.
When so investigating it is relevant to consider the relationship
of "focus" to attention. Can there be attention without
focus? Is focus necessarily *sharp*? Or can focus be soft and
diffuse?
And in the same vein, can attention be soft and diffuse? And if
so, just how diffuse can it possible be?
Also important is to investigate what is the relation between
attention and awareness. And I mean investigate in actuality.
*Thinking* about it is worthless, worse even as it deludes one
into thinking one has investigated when in fact one has not.
There are amazing discoveries awaiting one who truly investigates
these areas.
Bill Rishel, posted to AdvaitaToZen
When we concentrate
our attention on the origin of thought, the thought process
itself comes to an end; there is a hiatus, which is pleasant, and
again the process starts. Turning from the external world and
enjoying the objectless bliss, the mind feels that the world of
objects is not for it. Prior to this experience the un-satiating
sense enjoyments constantly challenged the mind to satisfy them,
but from the inward turn onwards its interest in them begins to
fade. Once the internal bliss is enjoyed, the external happiness
loses its charm. One who has tasted the inward bliss is naturally
loving and free from envy, contented and happy with others’
prosperity, friendly and innocent and free from deceit. He is
full of the mystery and wonder of the bliss. One who has realized
the Self can never inflict pain on other.
- Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj from Self Knowledge and Self
Realization
Only to the extent
that a person
exposes his or her self
over and over again
to annihilation
can that which is
'indestructible'
arise
within themselves...
- Karlfried Graf Von Durkheim, posted to PoeticMysticism