in all hearts

when fear is at the center
what takes place are stories
of fiction built on hurt and pain
from the past
that continues to run
and feed on itself
like a wheel gathering momentum
these stories come from a seed
of knowledge that has been
taken in by intellect
and grows to create
a huge mountain
out of nothing truly
this is so very sad to see
yet it is exactly what ego loves
and thrives on
in it there is no light or anything
that can be given to humanity
that speaks of goodness and
living in honesty and integrity
what comes instead is self aggrandizement
that is of the nature of mistaken understanding
where can this lead but to more of the same?
when the mind finds pleasure in this type of thing
this one is driven and cannot see clear
and anything that is said
is completely skewed towards
the end of darkness
when mind frees itself of this nonsense
experience is simply clear and not
tainted by drama driven ways
it is like night and day then
it is not emotionally charged as ego
wants to make it out to be
though one will indeed respond to what is
in front of the eyes to see and will
shine light when there is a need for this
the mind is not encased in the drama
and it is not churning on the soul
directly after there can be an incident
of free laughter that flows from the experience
of the moment that is not connected at all
with what just took place
one must know that within stillness
stories do not arise to occlude clarity
there is no *me against you*
mentality any longer
though the one within clarity may be
speaking very boldly about the situation
there is no mind that is spinning on it
this is the reality
i cannot speak to it in any way but to say
experience it directly
and know of it yourself the difference
it is not to be taught or given
but is to be known by
directly *living* it
then it will be known
that mental drama is what drives suffering
and confusion
with this gone and out of the picture
what remains is the blank, clean screen
of non-dual clarity

it is in all hearts to be settled within stillness
rinsed clean of fantasies of how this should be
and how this should not be
rinsed clean of all that seeks to confirm
the separative stories of *me and mine*
these types of perceptual colorizations
make one in ignorance of the truth
this does not mean
one is in the least stupid --
but does not have
understanding of the true nature
which has no birth or death
this is ignorance
and is not anything to be felt as higher or lower
but simply a transient state that will pass to
those that make efforts sincerely and stick with it
this cloud of confusion will pass and go for good
then that which remains is the same within all
it is equal and perfect in every soul that is to be free
so my friends do not go off balance
by any happenings in the ashram or larger world
be in yourself easily and settled
without internal judgement that come forward as thoughts
and divisive mind play
when this arises question who is feeling these things
who is reacting this way
what is this I?
and keep going to break thru this false spell of mara
be still my friends
as this is the way to see clear
and not add to confusion in your own soul
for you alone endure the pain of what mind is saying
and you alone can set yourself free of it
if you stay removed and keep on with efforts
that are pure, righteous and sincere
this is the writing flowing this late evening
be of heart journeyers
and free of that which calls of the impure
and that which brings more confusion to humanity
we are here to be peaceful and bring clarity
and light and love
this is the way
dear ones, great night and om

pure love

what love is truly

has nothing to do with a body or a mind 

it has to do with spirit

it has to do with life in purity

it lives in shanti

it breathes the heart 

it nests in reality 

it winds itself through all 

experience

it winds itself through all that is
it winds itself thru the seeing and 

the unseen

it flourishes as stillness

it is stillness

it is stillness in form

it is stillness in manifestation

it is stillness in movement

it is stillness in birth, death
and everything in between

it is stillness in sorrow

it is stillness in laughter 

it is stillness in walking, 

sitting and standing 

it is stillness in coming and going 

it is stillness in night and day

it is stillness in youth, adulthood and old age

it is stillness in shelter and in the open

it is stillness in fullness and constraint 

it is stillness in you and me 

it is stillness in the mountain, the valley
and the oceans deep

it is stillness in the storm and the calm

it is stillness in the water,
the earth and all elements

it is stillness in the heaven and the hell

it is stillness in the sage and the mundane 

it is stillness in the near and far

it is stillness in the gross, the subtle,
the ugly and beautiful

it is stillness in the cold and the hot

it is stillness in all emotions and all energies 

it is stillness always within all phases and 

forms 

it is what it is 

life 

still and of all 

zero

dispassion

when a man takes his leave of the world

he has in him the courage and self restraint 

needed to go onward into himself 

as a one looking to be free of the false

he stays aware and alert 

to the rising ways of mind 

that come and go and distract 

and persuade 

he keeps watch on this night and day

he makes his heart shine bright 

within the mental waves 

and he makes his life one of eloquence

beauty and quiet being

he does not need a temple or 

a special sitting posture 

he does not need a friend to be near

or a lot of pomp and circumstance 

he does not need the right outer 

conditions 

for what will make him strong are the 

life experiences and the grit 

and the courage to rise above that which is 

temporal in nature

he dives into himself always --

no matter what experience

he looks, he watches 

he questions and remains quiet

he knows not the truth when mind is rambling 

he knows not the way, if mind is in action

he knows not the heart, if mind is in the center 

he knows not his calling, if thoughts are tempting 

he knows not clarity, when clouded by desire 

he knows not freedom, when in the throes of passion

by seeing this

he sees the false ways that occlude 

and takes them not again to heart
but witnesses as a one not involved
he then is as a seeker that is always immersed in sadhana

that is the seeking of fulfillment 

amongst the confusion, he is in sadhana

amongst the ways of men that are not seeking truth,

he is in sadhana

he is in sadhana at all times and under all circumstances 

not carried away by anything no matter how hard or biting 

no matter how glorious or persuasive 

he remains detached within the light of Guru's words and grace 

a man that walks this way is one that is called dispassionate in his practice 

as he is not in the world as a man within doership 

he falls somewhere in between working, effort and effortless flow

he falls in between the lines of black, white and even grey 

for he cannot be captured by definitions any longer 

he cannot be sheltered in desires and pulling temptations of the world 

for he understands this type of desirous mentality

though it may bring some temporary pleasure

ultimately brings pain -- a sting that he is not to desire any longer

he prays to his own heart (if he prays) to awaken to love and light 

he prays to his own SELF to be free of shackles and hinderances 

and habitual mind spins 

he prays to his soul that is to be made like a fire that burns all created appearances 

to ash 

he prays to the life source that is the one power of all

to be free forever and eternally..

he never lets the truth be ignored or forgotten in him

even if he is in the depths of thinking 

he feels this stir to be in love and light always 

haunting him in it's way that is not to be ignored

he lays his burden down by the waters of shiva 

he lays down the sting and the actions that brought unrest 

he lays his mind down on the earth of the universe to be absorbed in love and light
he is a man of character in himself in which he is as an example to others 

by his actions of honesty, and integrity and transparency
how has he come to this path of light?

by his desire to know himself and be free

this has carried him on

and he is to be living in the heart now 

as he can walk home and find God in it's pure state 

he can walk home and be living in joy and beauty

he can walk home and stay as a being in fullness that cannot be shaken
this my friend, is the deep seeking of truth that goes

forward to fulfillment...

striking the heart

a beautiful woman is one that is pure inside

she is the sun in the darkest night 

and the undying love 

in the merciless world of change

she shows the door to truth

and lets the non-dual vision
come forward to be known

as she moves, 

she creates a path of perfection

for all that are in the way of seeing clearly

she spends no time in mind 

and does not dwell on 

what just took place 

or what may happen 

how can this matter

when the heart is all that shines 

still and quiet?

when she takes the seeker in 

she is not different than him

she is not separate from his heart 

and this pure heart 

is what will be revealed 

as the seeker
lets go of his false ways 

when she loves, 

she loves not to possess or own 

but simply *is* love in it's raw way

which is unconditioned 

not as two 

not as two

as she speaks

her words are empty and filled with light 

as the first awakening 

of the dawn

lit with awe and striking the heart 

as om 

as kali strikes 

so does she in life's perfection 

this perfection is not to take away anything 

of value 

it comes back to itself 

as full completion 

in which nothing is lost 

but struggle

she comes like fresh rains 

and sprouting green growth

and the warm sun of spring 

that takes away the sting of winter

she stays well inside always
free and whole

she stays mindless of thought 

yet strong in intelligence 

how young she is in spirit 

how very pure 

in this light,

she is your true nature 

she lives in you 

as timeless reality 

she lives in you as the bright dawn of om

and the treasure of the uncreated 

she lives within you, my dear heart

as one
she lives within you
as the SELF

here, now....there is freedom...

when a man finds himself in company of the good

then this is where he is to dwell

as there is no better way of living 

than living amongst those seeking the SELF

when he lives there, he is to remain in heart 

with the light penetrating  

open to the vibration of that which comes by grace 

to break down the mind 

a seeker in the world, he does the same 

and does not let himself get caught up by 

worldly ways of men that are outward bound 

he instead stays in himself 

like a man that is detached 

yet not removed or lacking love and spirit

he is in the flow and yet not of it 

a man that is absorbed in the world 

he is not interested in truth 

he is not open to *that which
breaks down illusion*

it is his right to be as he chooses 

and so the spiritual seeker goes forward 

amongst this kind of mentality

seeking his pure soul

and does not let anything take him away

from his search

as the seeker is in the right way where he is 

to seek

he does not need anything special truly

this is the best blessing 

here where one stands now 

there is grace always 

and there is potential to be free

fresh breeze..

priceless is the moment given to be free
and here we take our mind to the pure waters
to dwell there
wherein all is quietened as the still night
and fresh breeze that blows
when love then blooms
so joyous and unsheltered
this is what is called *here*
and has it not called you onward
to be true?
has it not given you all to go forward?
yes dear souls
be still
and find the one
that which is of
peace eternal

heavy with wisdom

a man takes his burden in the morning

and carries it to his path of work and doership

he carries it and yet 

he does not need to 

for it is not his responsibility to carry anything 

it is only his responsibility to come to know himself 

then this burden is dissolved into grace 

and there is no more confusion

or picking up of that which is heavy

and not real

so what the man of the world is 

is a man of God 

in reality 

he does not have anything holding him 

he is unshackled as the sky and open meadows 

and glorious vast oceans of rich life 

he is like this in truth 

and if he understands this  

he will put down the baggage and rejoice 

that his heart is here 

so bright and present 

so full and in light 

so auspicious

so like the sage 

free 

unbound 

pure 

a man weighs heavy in terms of objects 

he possesses
he weighs heavy in terms of worldly knowledge

he weighs heavy in terms of book knowledge
he weighs heavy in terms of family dynamics and 

relationships 

he weighs heavy in terms of desires and body focus

he does not know that his spirit 

is truly not weighted down by the world like this 

it is formless, without any luggage to bear

it is present in stilled beauty 

it is stainless without any collected experience 

it is like a bright star in the dark sky

everpresent and undeniable

the heart of all

the righting of all wrongs 

and it is *light* 

and *heavy* with wisdom

not worldly objects 

a man is not free if he sees 

his body as himself 

he is not pure then 

because he is owning something impure 

and soiled 

this is not correct 

because the atman is unsoiled and free of form

it is untarnished, unblemished

and not to die away ever 

so how does this equate with being a body 

that is to come and go

and one day perish?

how does this equate with what is real
and everlasting?

silent heart

right and wrong

good and bad 

me and you

why hold onto these things 

as if they have some importance 

for in the heart 

there are no such superimpositions

and that which seems so very 

real in mind 

vanishes as if it never was 

these boundaries that are held 

let them fall away now 

let them pass away 

and live what is here freely

that is not of 

me, you or i

but of silence 

and sweet purity

let this ring in you 

let this stillness

become you

no more struggling to 

understand

for this is not the way

here it is, my friend

empty 

full

life...

black goddess..

kali,
black goddess
rich with earth of life
as she moves in her way
the mind is freed from shackles
of *me and mine*
the mind is stripped of that which
speaks of other worlds and other times and
haunting memories of the past
and fantasies of the future
her way,
is the way of life
with it's potent sting of *wake up!*
*be still!*
this is the way of the black goddess
feared by many and misunderstood
she is the seer and the seen
and the one that keeps blinders in place
when the mind is externalized into
this and that,
here and there...
me and other...
for her my dear, there is no night
there is no day ---
there is no death
only the timeless now
untouched by change and shadows
which goes unseen by those
entranced with the ephemeral
world
kali
frightening to ego
yet nothing is
different than her...
no matter mind in play or not..
how very deceptive she can be
mother ..
how very clear and beautiful too..
oh mother
how very wealthy within wisdom and spirit
so sturdy, unshaken
mother
still...

life is practice

when the tantric master 

speaks 

he is to say that *all* is to be used 

as practice 

wherever the feet are 

wherever the form is 

awareness is there 

and it can be used to see deeply

into what is real

as the mind will attach to anything 

so can the mind detach 

and begin to see clearly 

the one reality 

that runs like a thread 

thru all existence 

what can be used for practice?

everything that is seen, heard, felt

and tasted

can be a call to go deeper 

and question

or use the practices 

there is nothing excluded in this 

this is the beauty of it 

for a tantric

the heart is the reality

and what is to be abided in

it is not the form 

as many think

it is the heart, the  pure soul

that is rich in stillness 

and full with life 

once the heart is entered 

the world takes on a very different 

feeling 

more expanded, more full and vibrant 

more deep and rich...

this is heart seeing opening 

and is what is to be 

abided in 

until the coverings fall

and only the absolute 

remain 

Buddha spoke of detachment..

when Buddha sat under the bodhi tree

he was filled with overwhelming emotions 

and movement of mind 

he saw many visions including mara the goddess

of deception dancing before him

he was not to be swayed by this 

but continued steadfast in his meditation

he sat and sat and sat some more 

all came forward from his consciousness 

of other worlds and other lifetimes 

images of fire burning and hell realms 

and desires that took on forms of lust 

and envy and pride 

and all the things that haunt the soul so 

much when in mind 

he did not move, but continued to look deeply

at his mind that put out these images 

and questioned what is true 

are these images true that come and go 

and play about?

or are they made up as fiction and have 

no substance in themselves except for 

what the mind attaches to?

he looked at this and saw that this movement 

was not real in it's essence 

for it did not remain and died away when looked at 

he continued to question his mind 

and penetrated it's layers with awareness 

and eventually the mind stilled 

as what was seen as false was not given 

any more attention

and it withered and died away

leaving the beauty of the absolute alone

Buddha spoke always to the middle way
and detachment being primary
for without detachment the mind
was not to find freedom
this is why those on the path are to
*witness* what is here which creates a buffer
to the experience
and then one is not so lost in the mix of it all..
with this, the mind
begins to get some distance and clarity
on what is taking place
then from here
one can continue to go forward
into deeper waters..

tonite

meet me here tonite

under the spreading tree 

within fullness and glory

where the fruit is heavy and ripe

ready to be eaten in joy

where the heart is not away 

and the mind is still and lost 

in the ocean of now 

meet me here tonite

in the cave where the sadhu dwells 

his torch lit to extinguish the dust of separation

his heart burning to know 

his mind dissolved in one truth 

his body left to the elements 

not as a thing to be seen as the self any longer 

dwelling in pure stillness 

here in the cave 

meet me here tonite 

in the open air

where the birds fly and caw 

and make their nests in the sky

and make their wings strong 

and make their soul to sing and sing

of God's love 

so glorious 

rising 

so fine in it's beautiful emptiness 

for all to hear 

this very same chant 

om namah shivaya

tonite is the time to be a wanderer 

of the earth 

within yourself

and take in the beautiful scent 

of non-dual reality

and let loose anything that sings of other

and let the moon live in you

and the stars and the earth 

the sky 

all that is here 

is in you 

tonite 

meet me 

here 

Bring on night

Bring in night
and the dark that lies in it
the shadows will sit and wait like a taunting
yet do not keep yourself away
come into it with eyes and heart open

Step in with hands that do not grasp
and want to race back to your safe world
that you have created
and believe it holds a treasure
as this is what is not the way
it is not the journey to find yourself

You must step into the dark recesses
of your world and find it holds nothing
of power to harm
it holds nothing that can ring of truth
or lasts in the crossfire of Kali's sharp tongue
and weapons that will blast the whole thing
that haunts away

When you walk through and live it all as if
it is just a dream and not of substance
and clasp your hands to your heart
and keep your eyes on the light
then you will be walking away
from the world that holds nothing but dust
that blow with the winds of time

ripe fruit

mistaken knowledge 

is believing the body to be the Self

it is the sour fruit that comes from attachment 

as the man eats of this and suffers 

but when the man comes to know himself 

as the atman 

which is beyond body and mind 

then there is a sweet fruit that comes 

and is eaten and brings refreshment and joy

this is the right knowledge then 

that is of non-dual perfection 

it is what the scriptures speak of as 

the blessed way of being 

it is the original mind 

it is the original heart 

that lives in all 

the fires...

the king on his throne

he is not happy 

for he is to be like a man 

that is watchful of his kingdom

that could be captured and fall 

in the wrong hands 

he is not a man that is in peace 

when he sleeps 

he worries about his men and his 

world that he guards 

and when he is awake he is also worried 

that his world will change for the worst 

if he is not watchful

the man of God is not like this 

he has no world to protect or worry about 

as he has cast this to the fires of truth 

to be burned there 

leaving great stillness only 

then what has he to worry about?

all is in the hands of God 

and not his anymore to bear

for then there is only peace and the flow 

of life as it unfolds 

in it's wondrous way that has no mind 

or self-interest remaining..

the king he does not know about himself

in truth 

he is a certain kind of man

high up he feels and in power over something 

but this is not to bring quiet to his soul ever  

but only drives him into the fires
that are to churn up more separation

he lives unaware of his ways that are false 

like a man not seeing

and is taken to his death this way too 

and reborn to find another experience that is to 

bring him again to death or to great life 

his choice always 

but who knows as this is in his hands to see 

the man of God he has power over nothing 

and no one for there is nothing left to try to control

as this person that feels in control has died to the fires 

of purification and is gone forever 

what remains is great love, peace and rest 

whether he is walking, sitting, standing 

or whatever action is done by the body

he is not in it  -- only non-dual

consciousness remains

so what has he to do with the king?

he is not related to the king at all 

he is completely free of all that is up high or down low 

he is abiding in the pure essence 

as one heart and mind without thought 

he is the man of great seeing

the soul fire of truth 

and this is what is the best of all

there is no doubt 

heart first

we put the heart first always

it is the guiding force that glows 

as a bright joy

it is the most auspicious way of living 

and is not to be forgotten 

for to forget the heart 

is the mistake that brings with it 

unrest and false seeing 

it is like a ray of light that one runs after 

never to be caught 

so the mind is not the thing to be 

in front 

but placed in back 

and allowed to die away

if given no attention 

it will begin to loosen 

and be less intrusive 

and this difference will be 

noticed easily 

and then one continues 

until the thoughts rise no more 

to intrude 

on this note one is to be still

and still 

and still

nothing more than this 

will cut the knots 

this life, what is it?

what has thou to say about love?
is it that which brings comfort
and shelter from the world of woes?
or is it that which comes to tear down
the walls
and awaken one to that which
is unborn, pure
and untouched by *me and mine*?
is it wrapped up in
a man, a woman or child ?
is it a an experience of pleasure ?
or is it that which gives space
for your world, your life
and all that enters there to be?
does it come happy at times
with high waves
and sink down low again?
or is it steady in beingness
not to falter and die away?
like a mountain
this love
what is it?
can you say?

what has thou to say about life?
is it something that is personal?
or is it a flow of pure grace
that has not a name attached?
does it revolve around people and places
things that come and go?
or is it simply here
as a mystery to be lived
and this is all
is it a memory or thought or
experience to look forward to?
is it marked by days and years
and expectations?
or timeless
unchanging in it's essence
a great adventure in which
one knows not what is around
the next corner?
this life
what is it?
can you say?

nameless o ne

what to call this nameless o ne?

it is not a thing to be seen or touched 

or felt 

it is not a thing to understand or 

put up high or down low 

it is not a like or a dislike 

or word or gesture or smile 

or sound 

what to call this nameless one?

can you say?

this is like a puzzle to the mind 

as it cannot find it's way into the heart 

it cannot go there 

and figure out 

that which cannot be confined

or put in a box
and locked up 

isn't this such a great wonder?

forget yourself 

my dear

for you cannot be true without 

letting go 

as this is what will be 

your greatest wealth 

when that which has been attached to

falls empty on the earth of now 

and is dissolved there 

to grow flowers of joy

that are not personal

can you take this in?

and free up this knot 

it is like a knot of the world 

release it  

to float away on the river

and be drowned there

ah, then the dream is gone 

and reality glows everlasting

like a swan that is floating 

on the water 

untouched by that which
is moving

like the swan

sturdy in truth

when a woman is sturdy within truth
there is nothing that can shake it
for when the mind is centered fully
it cannot be pulled out of this state
any longer
as there is no more motion
to move the pendulum
it is steadily resting in zero point balance
like a perfectly poised essence
that has lost it's catches and hooks

when a woman is sturdy within truth
she has nothing else to know
for what is there to know
when all that is true has been revealed
there is only ONE
and this ONE lives equally in all hearts
and is not to die
nothing more is to be known

the gem of greatest worth

many take the insight as a gem of great value

but it is not, it is the gem of less value 

it is not that which shines as eternal

for if you look at the waters that are running fast 

you see much debris that comes upward 

that has sat on the bottom

some beautiful and most not so 

this is like the mind that is being purified 

it is being churned and washed clean of 

the holdings that have been there a long time 

but the holdings no matter how shiny

and seemingly of depth are still simply 

passing through the waters that are rushing 

to cleanse 

and are not anything that will last

best to remain within equanimity 

at whatever comes forward in consciousness 

to be simply *seen* and not taken in 

as something of value 

for then the cleansing process can be 

continued without interruption

this is like viewing the content 

as a disinterested passerby...

here it is, now gone 

not personalizing it into a story that 

is to make one going in circles 

happiness

why is mind like and elephant?

because it is so heavy and sits in the center 

with a bigness about it that is all consuming 

it is not hard to see it 

yet it mostly goes unseen
because it takes completely 

over the being when in play

when in play it moves and moves 

as a bumblebee flitting about here and there 

and not settling still on the present 

it moves to find something that is to make it 

content 

but there is never anything that makes it 

feel happy truly 

as it continues to look for something else 

the mind then is like a bumblebee

what is the seeking man to do 

if he is sincere? 

he does not let this mind play it's games 

of moving and flitting 

and calls it back to the source by enquiry,
engaging the practices and relaxing in the moment
when the mind comes back to it's source 

then it has fulfilled itself 

and it is happiness without content

because there is no more roaming and looking 

to find happiness 

as mind and heart become one 

and this *is* happiness 

though not hard to understand

very hard to experience 

yet friends experience it you must 

to be free 

and know that you are the light always 

you are this 

and not this movement 

as one heart always...

the mind that is free

is together with the heart as one 

not as a divided thing any longer 

as the mind is not the master 

when dissolved in the heart 

they become the same 

in silence and beauty and truth 

the mind that is free 

is together with the heart as one 

they live as the air and breathe of all

in union 

as the wave and the sea are not different

in truth

they are both the living 

breathing one 

the mind that is free 

is together with the heart as one 

creator and creation 

wthin the same living glow

as there is no dividing that which 

has never been two 

and this is finally known 

when the heart and the 

mind are together as one

rushing waters

there was once a man that was in his mind shell

he was to make life like something 

that was hard or pushed against him always

he did not attempt to break out of this way of being 

in judgement of the world 

he stayed in himself like this for a long time 

when he was working and when at home 

when he was with others and when he was alone 

when he was standing and when he was sitting

he was in his mind this way 

one day he was walking across a bridge

with water racing underneath 

he looked down and saw a spot of life 

that was clinging to a rock 

it held there with such tenaciousness it seemed to 

him even with the water 

rushing so strongly and obviously to overpower 

and sweep it away

he thought my how his mind is this way 

and then let it go and went about his business 

and then another day there was another 

experience that happened 

when walking over the bridge 

when he looked at the water he felt for a moment 

that the water was like himself 

rushing all the time 

and not really going anywhere 

this is what appeared to him
like an insight 

and he stopped at the bridge a minute 

for the first time and looked over the water 

and into the sky of great wide expanse

and took in the bright bits of color of nature 

that played about here and there in the 

shafts of sunlight 

and watched the birds fly freely and listened 

to their call

and he felt different for just a moment 

as he had never stopped like this and really looked 

at life 

with eyes that were not in judgement or making up a story 

about it 

and he breathed deeply and sighed and felt lighter 

for just a moment 

and then he walked over the bridge and disappeared 

on his way into the world...

Shankara - within light always..

Shankara was a boy that did not dream
but remained clear in mind continually
he felt always that he was not a sage
nor was he a body
nor was he a mind
nor was he a thought
nor was he a this or a that
he was pure in truth
and could not be pointed to
or made into some-thing
he knew he was light
that was not to end
not with death of the form
never
never is there death
to a mind that is still

Shankara wrote with great
clarity on the body
and how it is made of impurities
and disease and is to
die sooner or later
and to detach readily from it
and not pick it up again
as if spitting something
distasteful out
this is the strength in his writing
and it cannot be ignored
by one that is sincere

Shankara wrote with such vivid
description of the beauty of shakti
with it's bright appearance
that is not separate
and how when the mind
loses it's borders that define
then life is savored
for it's richness
without attachments

Shankara (bestower of happiness)

shankara was born in kerala 

to a couple that were not able to 

bear children easily 

one night Shiva appeared to the couple 

in a dream and gave them a choice

they could have a child that was 

of regular development and mind 

that would live a long life 

or an extraordinary child that 

would live a short life

the couple chose the latter and to them

a bright child was born in which they 

named shankara (bestower of happiness)

this child was bursting with knowledge of 

the scriptures from an early age 

as well as possessed a quick intellect  

the boys father did not live long and soon after 

he died, Shankara went to the river Poorna to bathe 

prior to this he had been asking his mother to take 

the vows of sannyas and she had said no 

worried that her son would be taken up into this life 

too early and she would lose him there ..

when he went to bathe in the river 

a crocodile appeared and took hold of his leg

his mother happened to come by at this time 

and was very distressed at this scene

she told her son immediately that he could be 

a renunciate in order for the crocodile to let go 

of his leg ..

(it is said that a crocodile has not been seen in the 

river again...)

so shankara after taking the vows of a renunciate 

began to roam the plains of india

he carried with him a mat to sleep on and a 

gourd for drinking and eating and this was all..

he slept in the forests and on the hard earth

in which he did not dream or suffer...

he woke refreshed and within great peace 

always

one day he was wandering and a man that 

was an untouchable  came towards him

with a pack of four dogs with him

shankara gestured to him to move aside as this 

was the custom in those days 

and the man said, "do you mean for my body that is 

made of skin and bones to give way or my pure soul that is atman?"

shankara was so very taken aback by this 

he realized right away that this man was shiva embodied and the four 

dogs were the four vedas and he prostrated 

deeply at this mans feet and said, sir i am in great gratitude 

for your presence today and thank you so much 

for your words that are like gems 

and he went on to write about this encounter speaking to the idea 

that once a man has realized the truth there is no caste that can 

bind him nor are these rules suiting any more for such a man 

that is free

shankara went on to strip advaita vedanta clean of it's false coverings 

and bring back the original teachings to shine 

he did so with grace and a stunningly quick mind that was settled 

in the beauty of the non-dual reality..

he set up monasteries along the way that were to be havens that hold 

the pure teachings and went on to 

challenge the norms of the day that were very 

much layered over with false ways and ideas...

though it is unknown where his final resting place is 

one can be sure he was not attached to the body and left 

in the same pure state that he lived in while in body ..

he was a mighty presence on this earth and accomplished 

great feats in such a short period of time 

another great soul that walked the earth 

*in the world, but not of it*

and by doing so lit the way for those sincere ones 

seeking to enter the knowing beyond all knowledge..

breathe

where are you 

my friend? 

in the dark or in the light? 

because i cannot find you in either 

as you are not real as a dream

you are as the truth 

can you see this?

where are you 

my friend? 

as i cannot find you 

here or there 

i cannot find you high or low 

i cannot find you near or far 

i cannot find you as a man that is 

a such and such

i cannot find you as a woman that is 

a such and such 

i cannot find you as a child that is a 

such and such

i cannot find you as a projection 

i cannot find you as a wave that goes on 

i cannot find you as a name and face 

where are you my friend?

if you want to know yourself
as you are truly

then you can breathe here and now 

and be free of this identity that is not really 

*you* but a false coat you wear around 

as it is familiar and comfortable in some ways 

but it also stings greatly in others 

i say to shed it 

and be not looking any more for something 

that is not real 

shed that coat 

and see the way of now 

it is so much more precious and of grace 

and you are of this in the heart 

a master that is in true seeing 

he is the man that comes to strip the false 

away without seeking personal gain

he does not let his mind be the doer 

of anything 

for he is not that mind or body

he is the burdenless here 

that cannot be something else 

he simply rests in stillness 

and breathes in reality 

by this beingness there is transformation 

for all that are in the way of hearing 

and imbibing this force of light 

if there are ones near not in the way of 

seeing, they will not see 

this is the way it is 

because they have no space in which 

to allow the light to shine thru 

and this is fine as it simply is the 

natural way of things 

those that are in the way of seeing 

and have shed coverings 

with efforts and surrender 

have some open space to see clearly

if a man is in the way of seeing 

he takes what is heard and lets it settle 

as a vibrational force to destroy 

the wayward energies of mind 

he lets it settle and does not 

try to *understand* it by struggling 

with the words 

this will not work, not ever 

for this will make the words

impure and not as powerful

the seeker sits still and listens 

and opens up to what is here as grace 

like the heart that unfolds 

and does the work itself 

this is the way it is in all of life 

in the timing of grace and the power 

of shakti and pure consciousness 

the union of both energy and light 

stay with this vibration and be present 

not into the thinking 

stay present 

breathe

a man that lives in stillness

for him there is nothing other 

he is the night that is not dark

he is the light that is not to end 

he is the mystery in all

he is the leaving out of suffering 

he is the shedding of personal power

he is the shedding of all that has been 

gained by effort

he is the shedding of the doer

he is the shedding of the sins 

he is the shedding of the world 

with it's illusive element

he is the shedding of the many 

he is the shedding of the false way

he is the shedding of the coming and going 

he is the treasure of the heart

he is the treasure of the constant

he is the treasure of the sighted 

he is the treasure of the formless

he is the treasure of the atman

he is the treasure of the allah

he is the treasure of the soundless

he is the poor made wealthy

he is the blind made in full seeing 

he is the knower beyond knowledge 

he is the knowing made unknown

he is the gathered made empty 

he is the sleep made awake 

he is the awake made asleep

he is the sun made eternal

he is the seasons made changeless 

he is the many made one 

he is the name made nameless

he is the suffering made powerless

he is the forgotten made known

he is the understanding made clear

he is the struggle made silent 

he is the high and low made the same 

he is the day and evening made the same  

he is the grief and joy made the same 

he is the loss and gain made the same 

he is the dream made forgotten

he is the image made alive 

he is the understanding made embodied 

he is shiva made embodied 

he is lakshmi made embodied 

he is the hope of freedom made real

he cannot be what is not real

he is the light always 

he is

nothing better

trade in the worldly games and show

for the gem of truth 

this is not something that will leave you 

in poverty like a man that has nothing 

it is like a trading in of that which 

does not have true worth

for then you can be wealthy in spirit 

and this is much more enduring 

because it does not 

leave ever 

and is to bring great joy 

which the things of the world do not

trade in the worldly games and show
for the knowing beyond all knowledge 

but this is not a bartering thing 

as i will give you this 

and you give me that 

it is like a total handing over 

without knowing what is left 

and then what remains is nothing 

which is very good 

because this nothing is full 

of peace, light and love 

much better than that which is 

exchanged for something else 

trade in the worldly games and show 

for the light of all 

though this is not like a man that is 

to make something from it 

it is like a man that is to 

make less from it 

and by this makes more 

now let the mind ponder that 

as it will not get it ever 

as mind wants something in return 

always 

but this is not really beneficial

as it is a heaping on of more 

baggage to carry 

trade in the worldly games and show 

for the lasting joy of the heart 

this is like a trading in of 

the external drama for 

great rest and silence 

what better is there than this?

nothing better at all