Thinking about It

We (ego/personality layer) feel we've studied/worked so hard, or given so much in a relationship and thus we deserve. But we actually do so little, and if the doing doesn't belong to us, how can the result? Going deeper, the mistake lies in us not understanding that the knowledgeable and enlivening divinity, love, joy, or peace we seek is also within us, untouched by all our controlling and managing. Let go of the sense of doing and the entitlement to a specific result to experience the beauty that exists.

God, Atman or truth is formless, the oneness of all life, and free from the ownership of doing or acquiring. Enlivened by this essence, we can do what needs to be done. But we're never in complete control of it all for divinity is the driving force. We can only control our present actions. Moreover, we all walk our own path of discovery and unfoldment, alone. Others can support us, but nobody, not even God, can go through our painful trials or facilitate our success for us. That's what our journey is about!

When the Sun comes out, we wake up to do what we need to before we go back asleep. The Sun itself isn't doing anything. Similarly, because the all-pervading truth or Atman is there, especially shining in our mind and heart, things happen as they are built to. Our senses function, mind feels, intellect reasons etc. So divinity allows us to see everything, but do we see divinity itself? What is that sentient, illuminous and enlivening light? Can I abide in it? Do I abide in it? Give it a try and see.

When travelling on the road, it looks like the moon or clouds are moving with us when they're actually fairly still! Movement is perceived when not there. The truth, Self, or Atman within us is like the moon. They're not the one controlling, doing, moving, functioning or accomplishing. It's our body, mind and thoughts that are running! Divinity is still, silent, peaceful and full, simply empowering and enlivening us as we do. So, pause and think: can it be responsible for the doings for it doesn't even do?

We so often feel and say "I know" passionately because it's where divinity is reflected in us. Similar to how a mirror just reflects, this thinking faculty (mind and intellect) is a mere reflective surface and not who I am (divinity). But since it shines, it absorbs my attention, which I then identify with and want to be (our personality), not able to distinguish the two. The most beautiful thing, however, is that since the reflection is in our thinking, we know exactly where to look to find divinity.

When understanding who we are, we mix up our divinity with the other layers of our personality. It's why we can think we are powerful and capable beings, but also that we always fall short or make mistakes and the wrong choices. In these moments, our spiritual journey is about putting in a little extra effort. When life hands us a difficult situation and we rise to the occasion, we can separate our thoughts that are reflecting divinity from those that are reflecting our attachment to our personality.

Divinity is devoid of a form, but just as a crystal vase takes on the colour of whatever we put around it, we take on the qualities or characteristics of that around us. For example, we believe to be the body and its shape. Or, as emotions or desires surface in the mind, and opinions or logic in our intellect, we take them and each nuance on so strongly. But every single one of these descriptions belongs to the body, mind, or intellect, not us; not divinity.