We need a sense of the unity of life and of humans for the sake of human welfare and for the survival of the planet. We need a sense of unity with the cosmos so that we can connect with Reality. But we also need a sense of individuality, for the sake of our own dignity and independence and of the loving care for others. We need it to appreciate each natural form, each animal and plant, each human person in their uniqueness.
Morning Meditation I used to rise early in meditation, As the ancient saints and mystics, Looking for peace, bliss, and ecstasy. Now I awake as the sun rises. I lie beside her, Her head and the tops of her shoulders Revealed from the top of the covers Where we lay. Her face shines, As the sun rolls through the bedroom Curtains and leave her with a mandorla As if she were the subject of iconography. I lay in silence as I meditate on the artistry Of freckles that are perfectly dotted On her face and shoulders. I venerate the delicate curvature Of her lips and nose. Her eyes closed, Veiled by a composition of lashes That shroud the green mystery underneath. As her hair lays dark and graceful Across the pillows in front of me, I lay in adoration, and know there are none like her. Moses was not even shown God's face, Yet she has done me one better.
You were right. I finally found you. Though I would see your face in visions from time to time, this agreement is hard on me still. I don’t know why we do it this way. Why we choose to suffer over the freedom of the astral plain, over an expanded consciousness and boundless awareness. Why can’t I forget you? I’m doomed to long for you with every birth. To chase you until I catch you. And when I do… bliss.
In this dream I was a songwriter and an artist. I fell madly in love with you. Do you remember how hard it was? What we went through to find one another? I am always so reluctant to do this over and over again. There is always that fear that I won't find you. Though I always trust the process, still there are powerful illusions in this world. But none could keep me from you. At times I feel like I dug through stone with my bare hands to find you. Other times I laugh at how perfect it all is, and at the worry that I may never lay eyes on you again. How foolish. You can’t separate water from rain.
Achieving the advanced state of no-thought is not about stopping the thinking process, but rather, it’s about cultivating an expansive sensitivity to a level above the thinking mind.
Be aware that the concept of meditation is to shift your focus to the awareness of the thinking process, rather than the content of the thoughts.
As the grounding effect of breath awareness disengages you from the often-overwhelming chatter of the mind, the level at which you think will seem to transcend the noise.