true love

Guru represents in body
that strong pure energy that holds the
center for the seeker
this is a rare find indeed
and is to be understood to be the treasure of
one's life and reality
not as a casual happening that is to be
taken in when the time feels right to ego

the bread of life is what the Guru offers
which is the direction to the heart
it is like the food of spirit that is to be eaten
and cherished
for there is not one other that will give this type
of sustenance
not one's family, friends or acquaintances
only the Guru that is the embodiment of spirit
and pure consciousness

if a seeker knows that their life is made better
due to the connection with Guru, then there
should not be any other evidence needed to
confirm the power of pure consciousness in their lives
if one is steadier, more equanimous,
less preoccupied with the world
and more likely to turn inward to get sustenance
from the practices as well as staying in the moment
(which is the basics of the path)
then one is indeed blessed with the
grace of Guru in their lives

if a seeker does not truly
put the love of Guru first
then this will be a weaker force acting in their life
it is not like loving a person
but loving the truth which is in their own soul
it is confusion to put the love on a body/mind
to love Guru is to go inwards and love the heart
which means to be in the heart, relaxed and quiet
breathing in the awareness of the moment

a seeker is in love with Guru (or the SELF)
when the mind is quiet
and not looking to fulfill a desire or
hoping that things get better tomorrow
but staying grounded in the moment and
staying steady in the heart

this path

this path is not like the paths

that give a good feeling to the mind 

so that it gets comfortable and propped up

with sweet sounding words and such 

this is not to help the soul find the truth 

that is non-dual

what is needed is the sharp sword of kali

that will cut the conditionings to bits and 

leave the light to break through 

when the seeker comes to this path

he is not really aware of what a hard 

hitting path is like 

he is looking to be out of suffering for sure 

but does not know about the 

true challenges that are in store for the ego

the ego fights always to save it's life 

and will look for every out to keep it's energy

in motion and not be seen through 

as this means death to it 

so when the seeker comes to this path

challenges begin to be set in motion 

for ego immediately

the seeker may not always be aware of the 

challenges that are taking place 

many times these workings are not always clear 

but indeed if he is engaging the practices with sincerity

the ego is being worn away on one level or another 

and the truth will eventually be exposed 

and this is what allows the seeker to taste for even 

a moment the peace that accompanies no-mind 

it is very important to know that sooner or later 

a great challenge will likely come to each 

that is the blooming of the conditionings 

that have been long held within 

and  that have driven the soul for lifetimes

this challenge is not pleasant by any means 

it appears that one's world will be taken away that 

has been so closely guarded 

it is like standing on a rocky cliff looking down

and one knows not where the feet will land 

but one at this point must with all of the heart trust 

in the guidance that has been given by Guru

and go forward 

and see that what was driving them was unreal and made 

up only by the mind and not at all valid or lasting 

this may sound easy to understand 

but again it is not easy in any way to *live*

so many come to this point and run away and 

hide back into the shadows 

this is so very sad for them

the mind has exaggerated something so greatly and 

this type of fear based mentality takes hold 

many times these ones get so very stubborn about 

having *their* way and are not in any way open 

to listening to reason or willing to talk it out

and what progress that was made is lost for them

as they choose to take back their suffering and 

go on their way..

a thing so very hard to see

one has gained greatly from Guru's admonitions 

if at the point of challenge and crises 

there can be a witnessing of what is taking place 

rather than reacting 

as this will keep the soul steadier

and the wave will pass quicker 

ego will say "this will not happen to me"

"i am different" and all of this 

this is not true ..

do not get secure in any of this type of thinking 

and do not get in fear or worry either 

but stay steady in the grace given by Guru

and follow what is honest and right 

without letting the mind dictate your way

and when the hard times come 

know that there is nothing one cannot get through

with Guru's blessing in heart 

and an honest and open mentality

and that what seemed so very difficult

will turn around and it will be seen that 

it was the the best thing that was needed for 

one's journey….

so simple

Guruji and i used to go to the lake
she loved the same area that i did
where the mountain rose up mysterious
and beautiful
like a solid presence to be seen
we would sit there in her car
and look at the play of the world
the man on the corner blowing leaves
the children playing and making
a joyous ruckus
the creatures running and moving
about
we found delight in those little things
and laughed about them
we would drive up and down the lake
that was near where i lived
it was so serene and filled
with the beauty of life
this was my practice for so long
driving up and down the lake
or sitting near the water and watching
the light play
or walking in the wooded areas alone
drinking in the sounds and sights of
nature and it's glory
it is amazing how life entertains
with it's mystery and beauty
one does not need to go anywhere
it is right here
and so very simple

forever true

 

oh friends of the heart 

the beauty is here 

and how it is forever true 

how it is forever yours

when the mind stops playing 

it's tune of me and mine

knowledge

knowledge,

like the empty space 

in the center of the wheel 

is what brings motion to the dance 

where life plays it's song 

of this and that 

knowledge,

is the center of the yantra

and all else waves out and out 

into the energy of creation

moving like a show to be seen

but, 

for those that are awake 

what is seen is not as two

it is like a play

a dance that is not 

ever separate as the worldly eye

sees it 

it is the same pure essence 

living free in itself 

as one perfect being 

manna bread of life

manna bread of life

eat of it and live

as a sage lives in beautitude 

without end

he lives 

manna bread of life 

this food is here as the moment 

the spark 

the one 

it is not found somewhere else 

it is not found in the 

dust of experience 

or the world where man sets 

himself apart 

to be a person that is limited 

not ever is this true

for the body is a vehicle only

it is not to be taken as something other 

it comes for the sake of finding the heart 

that lives beyond it 

the heart that is not soiled by the world
and it's suffering

manna bread of life 

lives as freedom everlasting

savor it my friend 

then all is perfect in heart 

and all is without separation

fulfilled 

manna bread of life

Praise to Shiva (heart of the devotee)

Namaste,

this is an older writing, but a nice
one for today...

Joyous New Year to all ...
may peace abound in your lives..

shanti om


Shiva, lord of all

in my heart you dwell

until the day arrives

when i leave the dance of mind

and wander down to your waters

that taste of pure perfection

and die within your breast

that is the light of lights
i will sing your praise
and when i do come to
live within your essence

i will not wander back

to where the people sing of *other*

and sit where there are shadows

that cover your gracious presence

until that day comes
can i not sing your praise?
Shiva, lord of all

Praise to Shiva

if i have loved the blossom of beautiful color

on the tree

and the start of spring

with robins and bits of life popping up

and the children playing by the shore

the cool breeze on my face

and the taste of hearty food in the belly

oh Shiva, lord of all

how even more so thee

If i have loved the still waters

that reflect the moon

and the calm quiet that comes

when the noise of the world

has died down

or the smile that comes from

giving a gift 

and the bright flowers that dance

outside the fence on a sunny day

oh Shiva, lord of all

how even more so thee

If i have loved a restful sleep

and the delight of seeing the sun

shine thru my window as i open my eyes

and the feel of coolness as my feet hit the floor

a wonderful breakfast sweet and fresh

and the open day to freely flow

and do what makes the soul sing

oh Shiva, lord of all

how even more so thee

If i have loved the creatures

that play

and the open pastures

and hearty mountains

the moon, sun and refreshing rains

and the energy in the soul to live
this life that has been given
in grace

oh Shiva, lord of all

how even more so thee...

Om Namah Shivaya