No matter what we want things to be, they are what they are.
In my experience, if we try to gloss over, ignore, or repress our awareness of Reality — things as they are — we cannot help but be confused. It’s like looking at the world through lenses that distort what we see into what we think we want to see, when what we really want to see is things as they are.
For example, you may not want to see an oncoming train, so you put on glasses that distort the image into one that removes the train from your vision.
As comforting as your distorted vision may be to your expectations, you can still hear, feel, sense the train coming—a rumbling under your feet—so you are nervous. In this case, there is an obvious conflict between your surface vision (imagined expectation) and what is actually happening (the train is bearing down on you).
Answer: Take off the glasses. See things as they are.
Then you can do something about what’s bearing down on you.
James- Thank you for reminding me about this particular blog yesterday. Exactly what I need to stay mindful of with what I am dealing with right now. Always, but it applies directly right now.
I look forward to the Talk tonight.
December 3rd, 2008 permalinkLove,
Rebecca
[...] “As the heart pumps blood, the mind pumps thoughts. They’re going to arise, the question is, what is your relationship to those thoughts?” James Wood [...]
September 18th, 2010 permalinkWhen we are in the moment and that moment is seen as ordinary while at the same time knowing there have been times where there was awareness of spaciousness and peacefulness that can be confusing.
It is talked about as if when someone finds out their true nature that there are certain qualities present there.
And then it seems that if we are not aware of those qualities we are suffering, even more so when knowing that they exist.
Is there any choice in being aware of those qualities?
March 12th, 2011 permalinkThe best way to become aware of the qualities of one’s true nature, as you put it, is to notice what is bothering you and realize that it is basically an unpleasant feeling caused by attachment to a thought. For example, if you are bored, the thought might be “I’d rather be doing something else,” and attachment to it causes boredom. If you notice the thought-feeling-sensation of boredom and observe it quietly, without judgment, it transforms into presence. This makes it interesting and alive. You can only do it now.
March 14th, 2011 permalinkThere’s sometimes (often?) a part of me that strongly prefers to NOT see. Wants to make sure that I don’t see. I have fear around that part being dominant, and me being willingly oblivious. Not fully trusting when I do see. Not trusting that the other part isn’t occluding my vision.
That mistrust seems to be as much of the challenge as blinding myself to what’s actually going on. How does one dismantle/dissolve/ be with that?
April 11th, 2011 permalink