renunciate vows...

poverty, chastity and obedience

these are the basic vows observed within monastic life

that are to be fully honored if one is a renunciate

poverty truly points to emptiness of attachment to the world

which means to lay down the feeling of ownership within 

as well as the feeling of pride and vanity...

it does not necessarily mean having no physical possessions

although this is an outward flow at times of this vow

as within the traditional sadhu life 

this one owned not a thing and roamed the earth

bare, naked, completely free of possessions...

what is being spoken of here however is an inward letting go...

chastity, symbolic of purity (which includes celibacy)...   

is maintaining a clean inner reality and outward action that is in alignment

with the vows...   

as well as honoring the basic precepts of honesty, transparency and integrity..

celibacy is an essential of monastic living as to be without it 

solidifies bodily attachment and desire 

which is directly opposed to the purpose of renunciation 

as this signifies going beyond body and the worldly ways..

obedience indicates surrender or giving over to truth..

it does not mean to follow along blindly ..

but to yield to the light (of Gurus wisdom) without resistance and 

arguments (nothing more, nothing less)

these fundamental vows it seems have been very misinterpreted

and under appreciated for what they are...

though they may seem stringent to some...

they are truly the foundation to moving forward free of the body/mind complex

and an absolute essential of the renunciate life...  

om shanti

entering deep waters...

mental waves
rise and fall
on the surface of this glorious ocean
that sits deeply real..
when the vision is externalized these waves
appear as all that exists
totally consuming the being and the world manifests
like an eclipse over the moon......
this is how it is when mind overshadows the light...
what is it that will make one sink deeper
dear seeker of heart..
what?
not grasping at the empty risings that point
always to your false self
this way is never to be rested and settled
not a drop of the illusion will set the heart free
as even a single drop of poison makes
the clearest waters impure and unhealthy to consume
it is said rightly in the bible
"He that findeth his life shall lose it:
and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it"
so is the one blessed that surrenders
the inner private world...
and allows grace to wash this most
false show
of *me and mine* away ...
the paradox the sages sing of
mind will never grasp
this simultaneous death and bursting of pure life ..
in one moment...
love this is how it is ...
when grace is allowed to enter
let go friend and
see...

eternity..

my friend,

in the heart

your true self resides

to come in 

your carcass of body and mind

are to be left

at the entrance..

there is not one that can come

in and continue to hold

on to anything...

this clinging is what 

is your undoing... 

really

freedom does not compromise

itself

in any way...

it cannot

it is an unalterable truism

this core is perfect

and without a single drop of 

the world or identifications

it rests in you eternally

and is what gives life --

there is no way to enter into it

except to lay all down

and though this sounds

so very much not acceptable to ego

it will fight, kick and scream to save itself..

yet dear 

do not give in

ego must die to for the light to shine in full

and for peace to reign

and for the kingdom of heaven to 

be regained...

oh love

if you could be within this o ne for

even a moment

you would know that you are so much

more and 

so much less at the same time

not one drop of ego is valid--

forever as o ne..

it is mind that identifies
with the passing phases
and shifting tides of thought
in which there arises delusion
as the man who sees his reflection
in the clear pool and states,
lo, that is me..
and disregards the light in which
all reflects..
dear one,
this is your only imprisonment
that you have misidentified yourself
with a body and mind
this error has created a world
within that you cling
all of it is 100% false
unreal as the mirage
in the desert
not one drop of it
rings as truth
so cast it off as if it were
an old soiled robe
leave it to turn to dust
and blow with the wind
think not of this body/mind
identity again ...
as it is to hold you in a trance
that does not show
what is real
not even for a second
love,
if it were another way
i would speak it clear and well
right here now
but it is so not in the least
correct
and if i could bring my heart
to you
and seal it to yours
so that you could walk straight
and be in beauty and truth
like the light you are
i would without delay
but i cannot do this
only you can right what has
been wronged inside
by your clear discrimination
in seeing that which is false
and transient
and that which is true and lasting
oh friend,
so what is it that keeps you in this
way of opposite seeing?
not God
not the world
or any other creature
only yourself
and what will take away your veil
that hides this most plentiful
glory filled light
it is grace alone
and this is to be found *here*
within the pure moment..
come dear
see what is real
and speak only what is right
you will then know your
true nature
and live forever
as o ne...