Is it True? Does it matter?
We are often asked how to approach spiritual questions.
Adyashanti suggests we look at our assumption with an open mind and ask, “Is it True?”
This one pointer can be as powerful as the question, “Who or what am I?”
We may not think we are making a lot of assumptions, but if we look closely at the questions we bring forward, we will find each question contains within it an assumption. Examination of that assumption often dissolves the apparent dilemma proposed in the question.
Ramana advised we find out, “What am I?” Then, as the direct experience as the ‘answer’ to that question, see if our previous questions or assumptions are still relevant.
Both these approaches encourage us to look at the question from the position of the answer as Awareness. If you look at the question from and as the position of Isness, the question and apparent problem lose relevance.
These approaches may sound simplistic, but if implemented are very effective.
For example, we often find during meditation and at the group meetings (Satsang) the experience as vast, silent Awareness, only to seemingly lose this in daily life. The question posed is: How do we hold on to that experience?
We suggest noticing the doer in the question. Who or what desires to hold on to something? Is there even a ‘someone’ who needs to hold onto ‘something’? What is the direct experience the questions elicit before mind engages? In this immediate, expansive sensation as Awareness, everything is dropped and life flows spontaneously. So instead of trying to hold onto an experience, let go of the belief in the thought that there is a someone hanging onto something, and experience Truth of Being that is now, always has been, and will be forever and ever.
Ramana’s approach would be to look at the question from the position of Isness. Looking as the vast, silent Awareness, the question is both answered and irrelevant.
Adya’s approach is a bit longer but comes to the same point. The question assumes we could lose our eternal essence, or that holding on to an experience is the path to living as what we always are. If we look at those assumptions, it is obvious we can not lose our eternal essence and that holding on to an experience can neither make us more or less of what we always are.
We often turn to the mind for the answer. The mind can never know This, as This is the creator of mind.
Love, Steve and Bec