“A Ramble Through The Bramble…”

It has been a long time since I have written in this blog. Even as I begin tonight I have no clear direction…as of yet.

Perhaps I am floating in some sort of “stasis.”

People who are very important to me have written to me asking for input, or to speak with me, and I have failed – without any defensible reason – to get back with them. I was just about to write, “that isn’t like me,” but that is an absurd comment upon reflection; if it “wasn’t like me,” I wouldn’t have exhibited the behavior.

Of course, the “me” that I am referring to here is a set of behaviors, built around an ego, and shaped by its environment – not the I AM that is the true reality of my existence. The real pain-in-the-ass of it all is that I know them both.

Now, many of the people who inhabit the world of my social networks, (like Facebook), follow the premise of Advaita Vedanta, and would be quick to point out that the idea of there being a “me” that is somehow separate from the ALL is an illusion. These premises are easy to memorize, and to learn, and to expound upon at great length – and many of these people DO – despite the fact that it is their own ego that has convinced them that they have “achieved.” Truth be told, most who have fully realized this truth have little to say. They will be standing beside you and you will never know it…the “Buddhas” among us. Advaita Vedanta can be quite complicated to one who has never been exposed to its truths. I will simplify it as much as I can.

There is no denying your physical experience – it is not “unreal.” What is “unreal” is the illusion that your physical existence is separate from the Infinite – GOD.  You are part of the eternal fabric of the universe – despite how temporal your existence “appears” to be…that’s the illusion part. You think that you are going to die, but you can’t. Your body, as you know it, will most assuredly cease to function at some point – but you are not that. YOU, as a piece of the fabric of the eternal ALL, will continue on without a hitch. When you KNOW this, really know it, you are what many have termed to be “enlightened,” and you experience great joy, and freedom, and bliss when you attain this knowledge. What is there to fear at that point? nothing.

What have I done tonight? Muddied the waters mostly. I haven’t written in a while, so I will call this a “Ramble Though The Bramble.”

I have “touched the face of God,” in that I have fully realized the truth of my eternity…at times. I have tasted the “Divine Nectar” of the eternal self…on occasion. This almost always occurs when I am sitting with someone, teaching. Truth, by grace, comes forth from my mouth and brings power most often when I am speaking to a seeking soul; many times a truth that I cannot claim to live consistently in my own, everyday life. Essentially, I am given to know deep and powerful wisdom when it is needed to benefit another soul, and through this, I, too, am blessed to grow.

Wow, this truly has been a “ramble.”

Beware of those who claim to be “enlightened,” but do not fear an honest teacher. If you listen to your intuition, you will easily discern between true help, and empty parroting of platitudes.

Many Blessings To All…

“Don’t Try To ‘Figure This Out’…”

You will likely never know if you have encountered one who has fully realized the truth of existence. What need is there of demonstration? What need is there to impress those who have not yet realized?

Such a one has dissolved the illusion of separation from “All That Is.” Such a one knows fully that he/she need merely speak a desired end result and it will manifest instantaneously…but, in what is a great irony, desire and seeking cease when truth is perceived. No need for manifesting – just to flow.

Leave off trying to “figure this out.” To know that one is the clay that has been manifested, as well as that which manifests the clay, is too big for the intellect. Just be – this is peace.

I just deleted a bunch of words that followed the last paragraph. I found that I did not have words to convey the truth that was pushing for release – regarding Who, or What, is “God.” Perhaps if you consider what was written up until now, you will arrive at that truth. Or, perhaps, by grace, I will address it at another time.

Many Blessings To All…

“Trust…”

Trust…

Trust yourself. I cannot stress this enough. All that you require…all that you need…you already have. These words are born from my last blog, “Ancient Is Wiser?” [
http://risinghawk.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/ancient-is-wiser/
].  In the few days that have elapsed between that post and this one, a door has opened within my life that has been more powerful than anything that I have experienced so far.

The “ancient knowledge,” of which I wrote about in the aforementioned post, is very important. It is important that it be studied…in order to understand the PRINCIPLES involved. But it is NOT the beginning and the end of wisdom.

YOU have the same spirit that produced these powerful words of wisdom and truth. Yes…YOU. The words and wisdom of the ancients are merely a starting point.

I wrote in the previous post that, “you are a scripture unto yourself.” I really didn’t know exactly what that meant when it came through me…but I know now.

TRUST your intuition. Do not be afraid to step outside of the doctrines that were promulgated thousands of years ago; they are but a foundation…the house remains for YOU to build. During the past three days, I have been empowered in ways that I could not have imagined by doing this very thing – standing on the foundation of the ancients, and then trusting my intuition to take a new step. The power is incredible…and beautiful.

“God” teaches in the present tense. But if you are inextricably tied to some ancient text as the ONLY truth…from which you can never deviate, you are trapped. God is dynamic, within you, and is far from being done with leading and teaching those that seek. Your intuition is the voice of “God;” do not fear it.

Tell me, is not your physical world changed from that which the ancients experienced? Do you believe that the Infinite is static…that is does not change and morph to fit new environments and situations?

Yes, build upon the truth of those who touched the face of God many centuries ago – but do not become trapped there. As with the “Big Bang” theory of the universe, the Spirit also continues to expand, grow, and extend.

Trust yourself…for there is no “other.”

Many Blessings To All…

“Ancient Is Wiser?…”

Do you believe that?

I’m not asking about “old people” being wiser. Here on earth, I suspect that those who have managed to live 40, 50, 60 years and up, in many cases, DO have greater wisdom regarding physical matters…common sense if you prefer. If you have been around that long, you have probably screwed up everything at least once, (I certainly have), and know a little bit about avoiding those mistakes again. That is a powerful form of earthly wisdom…much needed and helpful to hear.

But what I am asking about here is a spiritual question. We, as a culture of spiritual aspirants, seem to place great importance to the most ancient manuscripts that speak of God, and call into question those of more recent vintages. This is inexplicable to me. No, that’s a lie – it is quite explainable. It’s called EGO.

No one you know could possibly be more “advanced” than you on a spiritual level. And scripture? Well, that’s got to be at least a couple thousand years old to be valid. Well, please excuse my expression, but that’s a whole cartload of bullshit.

I find this to be particularly egregious when it is applied to mantra yoga, or just the use of mantras in general.

Oh, there’s a whole world of robe-wearing spiritual adepts out there, protecting their “secret” knowledge, and you can’t play with the rest of the gang unless you follow their rules. According to some, there are certain mantras that you cannot practice unless you have received a “transmission” from a special someone, who has a direct lineage to some ancient master. Only then can you use it effectively. If you have received this initiation, you feel quite special, and your ego exalts you; we like that – being “special.” Without this transmission, many say, the mantra will not work, or could hurt you in some way. Again, I call bullshit.

Answer this question – where did the very FIRST person who received a particular mantra get it from? In the absence of a human teacher to transmit the mantra, we are left with ONE source – the power of the universe that we call God.

Were the “ancients” wiser? No.

Were the ancient ones more qualified? No.

Did God suddenly decide to cease revealing truth to seekers, and to stop revealing anything to anyone after a certain time frame? No. Let’s be honest here, the whole idea of “time” is a mental construct that humans created. What does God care about time? Infinity has no need of such devices.

If you are a Buddhist, or Hindu practitioner, who wears the robes, and you take offense to this idea…well, give your ego a big kiss for me; I do not mean to belittle your sacrifices or your position. I have recently read posts from monks who have had more “transmissions” than an old Dodge van, and they are quite keen to tell you that it is the only way. What else could they say? If it isn’t required, then they have spent their time in vain, and look the fool. No one wants that.

I will speak simply. If you know a mantra that could harm someone  if they use it, it should never leave your mouth – under ANY circumstances.

Mantras are designed to protect, to serve, and to uplift and bring one closer to spiritual perfection. Who are you who would decide who has access to what the Infinite has given freely, to set rules and conditions for the hearing and receiving of help? Such “religion” is a maze, which twists and turns like the body of a serpent as it navigates the branches of the banyan tree. You inflict blindness upon the people who are in great need, only to protect your imagined stature. The Pharisees are alive and well it seems, and have branched out from Christianity to infect the Truth anywhere that it can be found.

Whoa…slow down…breathe…   You who are reading this are likely not the “you” that I just wrote of. The previous paragraph was not “me.” The anger that coursed through me as I wrote those words felt like something beyond me. I am no one.

Spiritual teachers are wonderful guides, and enlightening. But know this: Spiritual “secrets” only benefit the keeper of the secret, by feeding a very hungry and very petty ego. God is open to ALL; earnest seeking is the only criteria.

The ancient ones were not wiser…they simply devoted more time to know. There was little to distract them; no TV, no movies, no football games, etc.

You are a scripture unto yourself.

Wisdom and truth are not a dead tree that died thousands of years ago, leaving us to try to fathom some gem from rotted wood. The tree lives still…flourishing…all you have to do is come near to it, and receive.

Many Blessings To All.

“It Is A Decison…Nothing More…”

COMFORT.

It is the one thing that EVERYONE is seeking. I do not care if you have just “realized” your Divinity, or if you have just gotten your favorite meal from your local fast-food establishment, there is only one result that you are after…comfort.

Does it matter in the slightest where you find this comfort? Not really. Sure, there are some comforts that are physically and/or mentally destructive – poor food choices, alcohol, drugs, abusive relationships – but in the end, you get the same payoff…comfort.

Do you suppose that someone who is, (or claims to be), deeply spiritual, is after something different from the drug addict, or the person who turns to over-eating when faced with stress, or the person that wants all the $$$ that comes with being the CEO of…whatever? No, they are not

Perhaps we could call comfort “peace” instead.

Why would one seek to realize that one is, in fact, the very essence of Divinity Itself? Is it not the same reason that one desires a large pepperoni pizza, or a steak,  or to be loved, or to have a new car? Yes, the reason is the same; there is something within that is agitated, and is causing discomfort, and we wish to silence it – in order to feel that feeling of peace, however fleeting. To have a moments “comfort” in our lives.

It is funny that we have categorized this ONE pursuit into “good” and “bad.” It is funny, and also immensely sad, that a Tibetan monk, or a devoted preacher of the Christian doctrine, or a zealous Swami, or a deeply committed Imam, or a Shaman, is somehow seen as different, or “higher” than one who is addicted to drugs. This is absurdity. Each and every one of them seeks after the exact same thing…comfort, peace, and an end to the troubling noise of the incessant chatter of their minds. It is pain that they are attempting to escape. There is no difference – only that each has gravitated to that which his/her environment has taught are options to reach this freedom.

As a society, we have deemed the addicts, and the “fat” people, and the people who are driven by the need to have all of the best “stuff,” to be twisted souls who have no grasp of truth. We decry their ego and what we deem as their “ignorance.” You may hold your head high, and speak of your lofty ideals…but you are riding in  the same boat as these “wrong” people; your desired destination is the same…COMFORT, and PEACE.

I, that is, the body and mind who writes these words this night, (or early morning), am a “spiritual teacher.” And, I am an author of a book, [Spirit of the Rising Hawk], that outlines a way to reach the peace and comfort that underlies every, single goal, of every single person; but do not be deceived. All of what I do has as its foundation my own, personal quest for peace and comfort – just like the drug addict. I receive that “fix” by seeing others gaining a new and more empowering perspective about their own lives.

So what is all of this about? It’s simple, really. EVERYONE seeks the same thing, and that is comfort and peace. You may deny this truth, which will only further solidify its truth. If admitting it to be so causes you to become uncomfortable, you have validated the premise; because comfort is what you seek.

This message is not as coherent as I would have liked.

For several days, this subject of comfort, and peace, has been on my mind. The hour is late, and I suppose that there is little more to do than to “close.”

We all are seeking the same thing. Some ways of getting there will kill your body and mind, while other means will give that same body and mind an elasticity…a resilience…that will be beneficial to your life. Meditation, and a focus upon the spiritual truth of who you are, will bring more fullness to your life. It is all about methodology. Comfort and peace are not difficult to attain…but they can be difficult to hold. If your method of achieving comfort is external – outside of yourself – it will come quickly, but be fleeting at best. But, if you seek to gather it from within, you will not be at the mercy of your environment, and it will carry you even when the environment is not conducive to comfort. This is the ideal way.

I will say it again – we all seek the same thing. Therefore, live as the wise, and choose a path that uplifts, not a path that destroys. It is a decision, and nothing more. Freedom awaits, and cares not where you have been, or what your previous choices have been. You can choose differently right now. You can take comfort, in a positive way, beginning TODAY.

Many Blessings To All…

 

 

 

 

“I Cannot Explain This…”

What do you know? About anything? Very little to nothing.

You speak much – opinions – words and ideas placed into your mind by your environment, books, and voices of others. What part of all that you consider to be “you” have you experienced? What is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, TRUE, beyond questioning or revision? Very little to nothing.

Why am I writing this? Am I not a pre-packaged and processed, ready-to-eat meal, just as you? Am I not full of preservatives and ideas injected by others? Of course I am – but not at this moment. I do not know where this is going; the words are not my own. Yet I am responsible for them, for they are coming through my hand and mind.

You and I know nothing. But know this as a certainty…IT…IT… is bigger and more powerful than you have imagined. IT waits upon you, but IT is left unsought.

How many days in your life have you spent crying out to an unseen God to help you? Many, many times you have done so – yet IT remains “unsought.” How can this be?

Nothing is required – there is no “outside.” You seek what cannot be sought, therefore it remains “unsought.” These words are circles…I am writing as I “hear,” and cannot explain them at this moment in time; they come as they come. I am neither drunk nor crazy. You seek to know what cannot be known. Throw away the books…step aside from the indoctrination…if only for a moment.

Is this for you? I do not know…it is for someone…maybe more than one.

The hatred, the killing…it must end. You say, “of course, this is obvious,” but yet it continues. As I write this, I, too, am guilty. I feel the sting. These words are not my doing. I will be called to account by loved ones and friends for what is written here. Explanations will be sought. I have none – I am presenting what is given…for someone.

There is nothing to learn, yet we must be taught. There is nothing to attain, yet “attainment” is the road to freedom. Seek to BE…there is nothing else. Be free. I think that’s all…

I do not wish to publish this, because I cannot explain it, or make a “lesson” of it. But, I shall respect what has come forth, and publish it…because I know little to nothing. I cannot judge it. This belongs to someone…I hope that they find it. This experience and this flow of words is beyond my intellect. So be it.

Many Blessings To All…

 

 

“I Have A Limit…Because YOU Matter…”

I am approaching 400 friends on Facebook, the dominant social media platform at present. This is wonderful in so many ways, but also poses many challenges.

In my entire lifetime, I cannot honestly say that I have ever been blessed with 400 “friends,” (and I am about to enter the 48th year of my current physical life, in just a few days). In fact, being a sufferer of chronic post-traumatic stress disorder, I am practically a social recluse. Most of the people with whom I share my life with on that platform share similar spiritual beliefs as me, which is why we have connected.

In this great and varied amalgam of “friends,” I have been blessed to read wonderful and powerful words of wisdom, see amazing photos, re-connect with long-lost family members, and share some laughs…even though I have never met many of these people in person. And, on the flip-side, I have also seen many angry, rigid, and dogmatic people who believe that there is only one, correct way to view the world – theirs.

All of this is good. Some brilliant person once said that “it takes all kinds,” and nothing could be more true – we each have a role to play, and play it we must. I learn from everyone, and I am immensely gratified to have “met” the people who I have come to know through Facebook. But, I am reaching a point of saturation. I have encountered people with upwards of 4,000 “friends” on Facebook, and I am amazed.

I am not amazed because they have achieved such a number, but I am amazed to think that they can give these “friends” any attention. If you are a personal Facebook friend to me, then I intend to read what you have to say. You are not a number to me, but a human being, whose worth cannot be measured. If I create 5,000 Facebook friends, then I have done nothing more than build a podium behind which my constantly invasive ego would stand, going on-and-on about “what I know.” All that will happen at that point is that I will “talk,” and you might read it. Such a scenario would totally devalue everything that you, a precious being, has to offer; because I would be totally unable to keep up with all that was written by you or others on my page. Someone would post something profound and important, but I would not be able to respond to it – or perhaps even see it at all.

So, it is time to back off a bit. I have a platform, (a podium), from which to speak to the masses if I desire. That is The Rising Hawk Foundation, (on Facebook and at www.risinghawkfoundation.com), and this blog as well. I encourage you to subscribe to the blog RSS news feed if you are interested, or “like” the Rising Hawk Foundation Facebook page, (which has links to all of my blogs), if you want to follow what I teach. On a personal level, though, I will likely not go beyond 500 “friends.”

I want you to know that, if you have “friended” me on a personal level, then I will make every effort to read what you wish to share, and to value it. I could not do this with thousands of friends.

The Rising Hawk Foundation, and this blog, are a sort of “class.” I put my revelations, experiences, and information out there, and many people read it, but there is usually little comment. If you DO comment, or have a question, I will make every effort to respond to you as promptly as I can.

I have written all of this in an effort to simply say that…you MATTER to me. And, I will not go beyond a number of personal friends that would prevent me from giving what you have to say my fullest attention. So, there are only about a hundred spots or so left before I will cease to accept personal friend requests, or send any requests out myself.

Let’s be clear – I am no one in the greater scheme of things. I am only stating that I will not take your friendship as a trifling matter. You will have my attention, and I will not allow the numbers to reach a point where that is not the case.

Many Blessings To All…