- Neal Donald Walsh
Because we tend to live on the surface of things, the world of the mind and the senses, and because we tend to believe the information programmed into us by society, few of us even suspect that we are radiant divine beings in disguise. Instead our scientific culture maintains that we are accidental by-products of an essentially meaningless universe. Our religion, on the other hand, has taught that we are basically shameful sinners. Neither of these views is very uplifting or empowering.
In order to truly evolve both psychologically and spiritually we need a new a vision of ourselves and our place in the universe. And, seriously, how could we be anything other than direct manifestations of a Divine Consciousness evolving in and through this universe of form? As Alan Watts put it, “The ‘real you’ is not someone being kicked around by life. The real deep down you IS the universe.”
The analogy of waves and the sea has been used by mystics throughout the centuries. Our relationship to the cosmos is as waves upon the ocean. The wave is a temporary manifestation of a greater whole, never separate and never really anything other than the ocean itself. We have identified with the wave of our present form and have forgotten our essential nature. “There is a Secret One inside us.” says Kabir, “The planets in all the galaxies pass through his hands like beads./That is a string of beads one should look at with luminous eyes.”
Because of our ignorance (of our true nature) we experience emotions like fear, anger, desire, greed and pride. We lash out at others sometimes without realizing that we are actually attacking ourselves. Once we recognize our true Self, then these emotions dissolve and we can relax. This is true surrender. We surrender the false for the real; ego-clinging for Love.
“Meditation” is a primary means through which we can rediscover our connection with the deeper Self. There are many ways to meditate of course. As Angelina Jolie puts it, "I find meditation in sitting on the floor with the kids coloring for an hour, or going on the trampoline." (I never thought I would quote Angelina Jolie in a meditation blog!) In order to find it though most of us need to learn a method, mantra, vipassana, etc. through which we can learn to disconnect from the surface of things to enter the depths.
Stress is both a symptom of our lack of deeper awareness and it is something which keeps us trapped. Meditation helps us learn to relax and let go. The practice of yoga nidra is a powerful way of learning to relax deeply and to explore deeper levels of consciousness.
Please join us for guided yoga nidra practice on Saturdays at 3:00 PM starting Jan. 7, 2012. We will be meeting at Plexus Pilates, 6940 Indiana Ave Riverside, CA at 3:00 PM. It will last approx. one hour. Cost is $10.00.
