the true nature

he came and sat on a simple bed where his devotees 

brought him sustenance that was from the earth 

where all things grow well when tended to with care 

he took the bountiful offerings and regarded them as his own Self

for where were the distinctions of this and that to a one in pristine silence?

he would sit on his bed and give darshan, a look to his eyes that bore thru

the ego with one glance 

oh yes, my dear souls .. one glance is all it takes from a master that is true 

so when he gazed at you, the heavens awakened within and what was false 

as the shadow that rises, would sink low and vanish

that quickly, nothing said, nothing done -- only a look

when a soul came to kneel by him and he sat with an open heart, his heart would 

fill up

like an empty vessel that has waited in the sun for fresh rains 

and when the rains came to this parched vessel, it would be revived and glow of life 

that was sleeping it seemed and waiting 

the seeker then, knew himself to be pure and of one heart and mind 

the first time this happens, it is so stunning and the knowing or understanding that comes

so completely different than mind … like the sky, boundless, yet grounded in 

the life force … no one is there .. no one is home, and yet all moves so gracefully,

spontaneous … 

no death exists here my friends, not even a drop, not even for a moment

and so the seeker basks in this …

one day when he was sitting still and calm, a man came to him and said,

"what is this world? and how can i be rid of this suffering?" 

and the sage said, " this world is like a dream, it is insubstantial as all that is seen for it 

comes and goes… it is here upon awakening and dies in deep slumber … where is it then?"

the seeker knew not what to say, but he could not deny that this world disappeared every night 

and came back to him upon opening his eyes …

"to be rid of suffering, spoke the sage, is not anything you need to worry about.. just simply remain as 

you are. this is all and be quiet, not letting thoughts intrude… self inquiry yes, but not by rote 

mechanical asking… nothing will change this way… an open heart is the best thing, an open settled 

presence and not worrying about when and all of that…. what weight you put on yourself.. why keep

heaping more and more?"

the seeker just sat and sat and eventually bowed deeply thanking the sage and moved on his way…

the sage, when he got up, walked out of the ashram into the open air that smelled of earth and animals 

that roamed about and smoke from the fire pit that was dying away…

the world to him was like all else.. not distinct and separate from the Self … 

when he walked about the grounds, his devotees would walk with him and offer comfort for his 

form and offer water or set down a cloth for him to sit on when he rested…  

he would walk up and around the mountain that he loved so dearly 

he would sit down a long while and be happy there, lit up with radiance and peace …

stillness was his nature

like love that was living, like joy that was living 

stillness was his nature 

and what he spoke of was that stillness is the true nature of ALL

not just in one special soul

this is not true ever 

stillness is 

and is in ALL equally without end 

this is is what is the TRUE nature 

may it become the center for all that are wanting to be free