In my soul there is a room that opens doors into my eyes, body and senses. Often I sense a hushing of a wind. I also hear a quiet whisper of a beautiful voice. Yet this is not all.
If I sit in a restful quietness these voices, hushings and whisperings turn into complete silence. Beautiful they are. But now no thing is happening. Everything waits. As I sit. In silence.
My senses, body and eyes grow accustomed to the silence. Soon I rise and walk. Out into this life of every thing.
Suddenly something starts rising within. I almost feel like singing or jumping for joy. Because everywhere I am looking and sensing I see and hear transferring and transforming from deepest within. The beautiful singing of a new morning.
I just started reading again today in Michael Singer’s follow-up book to the amazing The Untethered Soul. This second book is called Living Untethered, and seems to be just as full of wise nuggets of gold as the first book.
Some time ago I had this experience of being a watcher to and observer of the outside world. It was a difficult time in my life or about to come difficult at least. What I saw was that I was kind of outside the physical world, yet still there passing through as I was driving by some familiar places in my car. It was as me being there didn’t have an impact. Everything was happening whether I was there or not. An experience like this can bring forth sadness, still the experience was profound in its nature. Even though it felt like a dying at the time, it can later be seen from another perspective. It is this other perspective Martin Singer explains so well. That’s why I recommend reading his books so much.
The first title of this text that I later changed was “What the Mystic Sees”. I changed it because I want to express that this seeing is not something only a chosen few can see. Indeed, it is available for everyone. The mystical way is not some occult or obscure spiritual tradition. It is actually about seeing who you really are.
To me it has become clear partly by digesting the wisdom of Michael Singer’s books among others, and partly through my own experience. I will stress the last point, experience, it is of great importance. Do not underestimate your own experience! Some of you may have grown up in traditions or churches that didn’t value your own personal experience and reasoning. That is very dangerous.
So what did I find through my own personal experience and when do I experience this truth most clearly? Let me explain in just a few more words.
I have found through my own personal experience that in the deepest sense I am not my thoughts and feelings, I am something other. Singer would call it the Observer. Gary Zukav would call it the Seat of Self. I have found, like them that there is a huge difference between the personal ego and the deepest observing self. The example from my life I mentioned earlier was more of an observer’s experience than an ego personal experience, or maybe it was an experience of both.
Do you see it too? I am sure you have had this experience of time standing still, and just being in the moment, forgetting both thoughts and feelings? That’s what I am talking about. I am so happy I have experienced this truth because it frees me to live more in peace, and even more confidently since you go from a tendency to trust instead of fear.
So how to experience this as a more continual experience? This is where contemplation and silence come in. Some people practice sitting in silence for some minutes every day. Some call it Centering prayer (Thomas Keating), and practice 20 minutes of silence twice daily. Whatever you do, if you want to experience more of this other Self, I do believe we at least need to practice some silence, reading, reflecting, yet also even go for hikes in nature. It is in nature we often experience these beautiful and transcending moments of time standing still.
One last point I would like to make is that once you have crossed the line and live more in this mystical way, it will actually be easier to be you, both in your ego and in soul. When you realize deeply that feelings and thoughts are not all you are, and even maybe not what you truly are, it will get easier to work on and with your ego, so your ego can become the best version of itself and more useful to you. You may notice critical feedback will hurt you less, because there is not really your deepest self that is hurt, but your personal ego. Do you see it? I promise, it makes a world of difference if you do!
Recommended first reading: The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer.
I am contemplating living from the center. By center I mean living from your true self as some like to call it. You may also call it the Seat of Self. It is the center were mystics of all religions and spiritual traditions meet. This center is what helps me “see” that I as a Christian have a lot in common with a Sufis and a Kabbalists. Even though there are many things I don’t know about those other traditions.
I think it is very helpful for people at different stages in their lives to truly see and find their center. This center which can be found within us, is something other than our ego, thoughts and feelings. The more we live from this center and “look out” from it, the more we realise what’s important in our lives and relationships. When we relate to ourselves in this way, it helps us accept and relate to others and the world in a calmer and more genuine and even forgiving way.
I have chosen this image above for many reasons. First of all, and reason enough in itself, was that I found it very beautiful. Secondly, I liked the way the flower was darker on its edges and brighter in the center. It works as a symbol for the spiritual life, yes even as a symbol for the human life. Living through our darkness reveals to us more and more what we need to see to truly live from our hearts, our deepest selves.
Living in the darkness of one of those flower petals can be a terrible experience. The petal is great as well, so can the dark times be. For some these darker times become dark nights of senses and the soul, as John of the Cross wrote so fervently about.
In Buddhism I believe there are expressions like bright darkness or luminous darkness. And even as a Christian I think that is a beautiful description. What seems to be the darkest of night may reveal healing truths so night is transformed into the brightest of day. After the deepest darkness there can be an experience of great light, even joy and bliss.
I believe that if more people started to practice sitting in silence or for example practice centering prayer, they would eventually find and see the beautiful truth of living from center, or living from a different center than we normally do. That is, living from our deepest Self, which is Love, instead of our ego and very often reactive feelings and thoughts.
If you were to lay aside the thoughts and feelings stirring for a few minutes in silence during your day, this may be very difficult, but yet you may also be in for a beautiful surprise. But beware, you may have to pass through long stretches of darkness, sorrow and pain, to find this bright shining Light! For the darkness is always luminous. Blessings to you on your journey!
I have been thinking about aging today. In times of all plastic surgery and the desperate attempt to stay forever young, it is really wise to find the deeper truth. And realize that life is a journey, a process of change both outside and within.
The change within from ego to spirit, transforms some to be at their most beautiful when they’re bodily wrinkled and worn. To truly embrace aging, must be a profound truth.
Very often the ego fears its change of position so much, that some are not set free before they die, I guess. To contemplate and see this on this side of forever is what truly frees us while still alive and able to live our lives to the fullest.
I wonder if this is just up to people themselves to see, if they ever will see it, or whether some should sow seeds and point people in the “right” direction? I guess there are differences between teaching, preaching, guiding, counseling and showing?
I have been thinking that maybe having a voice in this world often means not words or speaking, but rather a “voice” of (spiritual) practices, walking, showing and all this that truly embodies Life from its beautiful, and even “dark” center within ourselves.
I just wished more people would or could see this reality, and be set free from illusion, so we could be ignited and united now, in a quenching of the loneliness that still grabs me/us at times living in these bodily forms and temples. Bless!
A Contemplative Life 