| When I first noticed that I felt more "whole" being alone, | | | | another in a way which we care not to be treated? |
| I wondered why this was. Was it because I feared the | | | | This is the golden rule. "Inasmuch as you have done it |
| outside world or simply appreciated the silence? I soon | | | | for the least of My brothers, you have done it unto |
| realized that this was simply because I was just that: | | | | Me." Matthew 25:40 |
| "whole." I was no longer identifying with what I saw | | | | In the Bible we are well aware that Jesus would set |
| and approved or disapproved of - I was outside of it, | | | | aside time to pray, and to do so in solitude. According |
| outside the world of judgements. I was all of it. I was | | | | to the Mark 1:35 "Very early in the morning, while it |
| the causer of my actions, the speaker of my words | | | | was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went |
| and the thinker of my thoughts. Traditions long past | | | | off to a solitary place, where he prayed." In the Gospel |
| spoke of this "unity consciousness" and our connection | | | | of Luke 5:16 we see "...Jesus often withdrew to lonely |
| with all living things, but how can this be obtained in the | | | | places and prayed." As well, we are all now, even in |
| hearts and minds of "men today" in a practical way? | | | | western culture, well versed in Buddhism and the idea |
| What is the meaning of this consciousness and what | | | | of meditation. In Tibetan "meditation" simply means |
| benefits does it award the achiever? First we must | | | | "getting used to." What are we supposed to be getting |
| look at this idea from a whole different perspective. | | | | used to? This is the idea of oneness, the idea that we |
| The vantage point must be changed from that of a | | | | have a connection with that which we do not see. |
| "human being" to that of someone "being human." | | | | This is why, in the highest teaching of Buddhism, |
| The stem, for many, is that of original sin. We believe | | | | Dzogchen, you are told to "rest in the nature of mind". |
| we can "do wrong" therefore we are limited and | | | | Your only task is to sit quietly and let all thoughts and |
| imperfect - but can you not see that as perfection in | | | | concepts dissolve (judgements). Do not be quick to |
| and of itself? How can perfection be truly experienced | | | | judge and think you have not heard these words |
| in this dimension of relativity if we haven't experienced | | | | before. "I and the father are one" John 10:30. In |
| imperfection in our bodies? "What about all the pain in | | | | Hinduism we see written in the Vedas (Sanskrit word |
| the world?" you might ask. This is a simple matter of | | | | for "sacred books") that spirit is eternity, knowledge |
| perception. Do you choose to feel uncomfortable and | | | | and happiness. This is our true identity whether you |
| therefore influence the people around you in a | | | | decide to give it labels or not. The ego, therefore, is |
| like-way? One person can see the playing of children | | | | merely a projection of our 'free will' which will be |
| as a beautiful act of creation whilst another may view | | | | played out until we realize that which we are. Christ |
| the same event as trite and, dare I say, annoying. | | | | consciousness, Buddha consciousness, Krishna |
| When this connection is felt, how could we affect | | | | consciousness - are there really three different things? |