(It has been quite a while since I posted a blog entry and I apologize for that. I know those of you who follow me somewhat closely are aware that I have been quite ill for the last couple of years and have not been all that consistent. I am now feeling a bit better and hope to resume my messages to you somewhat more regularly. I hope you check back and see if we can share a bit more of our human inheritance, the sentient-silence within. Thank you very much to those of you who have conveyed your heartfelt support. It has been most appreciated.)
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There is nothing that can be done to fix what is not even broken.
It is most helpful to have a place of refuge wherein you may experience tranquility and peace of mind. There is far too much emphasis on so-called "world events" that many are being overwhelmed and depressed by their conveyance through the news, social media, journalism, etc. One difficulty that may result from the ingestion of these conveyances is something that must be examined very carefully.
It is the notion that when "world events" are spoken of, we have a responsibility to determine precisely just what "world" events are. It may silly at first but once one realizes the nature of world events and the obstacles that conceal the actual nature of these events the door to peace opens just enough to demonstrate its presence.
Believe it or not, such a refuge may be found within our direct experience without the necessity of a religion, philosophy, or New Age spirituality, etc. The implementation of a structurally consistent, sustained, and regular meditation practice may reveal such a refuge. There are also many adjuvant practices that will help bring quiet to the mind, especially compassion- and wisdom-centered virtue practices espoused by Buddhism, Yoga, Samkhya, and several others. A mature & dedicated investigation of and commitment to one or more of these practices may open the door to this refuge. "The world," as some put it, can wait while you gain the strength of our sentient-silence.
For some, a suggestion that meditation play a role in their lives may be viewed as foreign or irrelevant. With all that is going on we need the tranquility and composure that meditation may elicit. It does not have to be tied to any form of religion or spirituality. However, some of those perspectives may serve to provide a structure that enhances the practice. You may begin by simply assuming a comfortable seat, sitting up straight but not stiff and placing your attention on your breathing. It's that simple. If thoughts arise and distract you, simply take note and resume the attention to breathing. No need to bother with the thoughts while meditating. Every couple of days add a minute or two to the practice.
Many think it rather strange that at the heart of all experience lies an unfathomable well of tranquility. It may sound utterly fantastic, well out of the ordinary, and otherworldly. However, many can testify to its benevolent and even efficacious presence. At once it yields the subtle forms of strength and solace. Most of us have been taught to rely on the strength of egocentricity instead of the power of the sentient silence which infuses the entirety of our global experience with peace. The real world is the ephemeral movement of the totality of experience in its simplicity of the simultaneous appearing-disappearing within the purview of an anonymous, embodied, pure awareness. The sentient silence, the heart-source of all phenomena, is generous & self-effacing.
