Pointers

“Teachings are like fingers pointing to the moon, so don’t mistake the finger for the moon itself.” This statement and similar versions are common in meditation and Self-realization books.

This pointer is very useful to remind us of the value of pointers. We often take pointers, which have been effective for us, and consciously or subconsciously raise them to the level of Truth. As we have pointed out in previous posts, the value of a pointer is to produce a pause, a gap in the constant flow of thoughts, so the underlying Consciousness may become apparent. It is like watching a movie and suddenly the scenes stop, resulting in recognition of the unchanging screen that is always there but went unnoticed while the scenes were shown.

Even the word pointer is somewhat of a misnomer. Pointing implies a duality. One thing pointing at another thing. Consciousness is singular, prior to concepts, including even the concept of Consciousness. Ultimately, as we have heard both Adyashanti and Mooji point out, the finger, moon, and concepts are seen by Consciousness as Consciousness. There is only Consciousness. Do not mistake the finger, the moon, or any concept as Truth. As Rumi described, “…knocking on a door. It opens. I’ve been knocking
from the inside.”

Turn the concept of pointers around and notice the Awareness, the Consciousness from which pointers arise. The source of pointers is Consciousness. Pointers are pointing from within. What is being pointed to is Consciousness appearing as an object. It is as equally illuminating to look to the source of a pointer, as it is to contemplate to what is being pointed. The gateless gate has no inside or outside, beginning, or end.

Sit, drop all concepts, all pointers, all searching. When we drop everything we are not, we are left with what we cannot drop. Notice we are existentially what has always been and be free.

Namaste, Bec and Steve