Moving Closer to Spirit.


“The real question is not whether life exists after death. The real question is whether you are alive before death.” Osho

I believe it was Osho who once said; that the moment we judge is the moment we lose ‘pure witness.’

That is to say, we lose the capacity to be fully present in our quest to attach the sanctity of labels.

We confuse certainty with ‘solid ground’, finding refuge in those few short moments when mind can detach from the spinning, racing thoughts. We find comfort in the absolute, but – my darlings, we couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Because, the truth is – though labeling may seem a means to escape, in reality, it only serves to narrow our spiritual aperture. For, the moment we begin to affix judgment – to say ‘this is good’ or ‘this is bad’ – is the moment we become hopelessly limited.

When I was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s, I remember immediately trying to qualify my condition. I wanted so desperately to understand my future, that I was unable to appreciate the depth of this present moment. I had foolishly assumed that I might know my path, before it had ever been revealed.

And, in doing so I nearly missed the blessing in the details.

This is what it means to become a ‘true witness’—to watch with wondrous eyes, to affect a boundless appreciation for life…

Without question

Without judgment

Without the burden of thinking mind.

“And this process of watching is the very alchemy of real religion,” Osho shares. “Because as you become more and more deeply rooted in witnessing, thoughts start disappearing. You are, but the mind is utterly empty.”

It’s within this emptiness that we find what could be our greatest refuge.

But, how do we get there from here? And, more importantly–what actions might bring us closer to spirit?

  1. Cherish Your Solitude: Don’t be so afraid of being alone. Recognize that even our loneliest moments have their purpose; and within each purpose, there is an opportunity for the heart to grow. Because, when we are alone we are forced to listen—at first to the gentle swaying of breath, and then onward to our inner ‘condition’.

We pay attention, finding our place between each breath.

In this space, there are no regrets; no timetables, nor any ‘must do’ lists—just Solitude’s gentle respite, and the chance to begin again.

So, stop being so afraid of journeying outward and never coming back again. “Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love.” (Rumi)

  1. Embrace Simplicity: Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore once wrote, “It is very simple to be happy, but it is very difficult to be simple.”

Indeed, isn’t that always the case? That we might set out with only the most mindful of intentions, only to be dissuaded by the noise of our day.

Sadly, distraction requires no training. Our minds are easily pulled from one thought to the next, in quick pursuit without hope of resolve. Whether the blaring of a car horn, or a child in distress – we can’t seem to help our eventual ‘capture.’

The Buddha encouraged simplicity of heart—yet, the complexity of thinking mind tend to steer us elsewhere.

But, can you just imagine a life without this chatter?

Perhaps, the most fundamental practice is that of learning to let go—to relinquish our attachments, and disentangle from the snares of our physical space.

Sometimes referred to as ‘fearless simplicity’—it is the means by which we disengage from the never ending flood of social media postings, ‘breaking news’ items, and even that dreadful office gossip (as tempting as it might seem).

In doing so, we realize the spaciousness our own inner peace. It is within this space, that there is no ‘need’ for labels.

  1. Let Kindness Be Your Practice: Sometimes we might wonder, why should we act with kindness in a space where others dare not tread? When instances in our everyday are fraught with violence, misunderstanding, and hatred?

You might say to inspire our own Buddha-heart. Though, ultimately – isn’t it the other way around? For how might anyone know the energy of grace were it not shared in these moments in between?

Would we ever truly know the depth of compassion were it not for the manner in which it was tested?

The truth is we share the energy of kindness, so that others might eventually learn.

We practice heart, by leading with heart. And, the heart has no criticisms to share.

  1. Find Your Way Home: It can be a terrifying prospect to face our own weakness. Our pulse may quicken, and stomachs wrench under the pressures of finally peeking behind life’s door…to find out more of who we really are.

We may recoil, we may regret—but, we must always remember, “Perfection is found in our coming home.”

And, we must always find our way home, again. Though the road may be fraught with challenge and upset– trust, there is purpose to each endeavor.

Through our instability, we find strength and focus. And, through imperfection, an unwavering resolve.

But, you’ll never, ever find it, my loves—if you’re too afraid of ‘coming home.’

Because, ‘coming home’ offers perspective—a moment to pause, to reflect, to begin again.

“As wave is driven by wave
And each, pursued, pursues the wave ahead,
So time flies on and follows, flies, and follows,
Always, for ever and new. What was before
Is left behind; what never was is now;
And every passing moment is renewed.” ― Ovid, Metamorphoses

Just like the wave, we are constantly changing—and, with each new change our world is transformed.

And, oh my goodness—who could ever dare to limit it? In fact, perhaps it’s just what makes this life so very much worth living?

About

Tara Lemieux is a mindful wanderer, and faithful stargazer. Although she often appears to be listening with great care, rest assured she is most certainly‘forever lost in thought. She is an ardent explorer and lover of finding things previously undiscovered or at the very least mostly not-uncovered.

You may also like