Step 1: We need to get experientially clear that when I refer to "I", that I am referring to the experience of Consciousness or Awareness. The experience of "I" and the experience of Awareness is the exact same experience. In other words, I = Consciousness.
Step 2: Is Consciousness located and dependent on the body? Yes or no? We need to investigate until we are absolutely certain. In the meantime, we do our best to stay in the not-knowing what I am.
Our deepest intuition is that I am not limited and that our teachers are pointing to the truth. This often leads to frustration because there is a disconnect between the conceptual understanding, and how I am feeling now. For example, I understand intellectually that I am Universal Awareness but I feel like a person. True understanding is always experiential. What we are is pure experiencing.
I think that many truth seekers are waiting for a big realization or awakening to happen. Why wait? Go to the experience of our true self now. The store is always open 24/7.
Imagine a man walking into a psychiatrist's office complaining that he thinks and feels that he is a dog. The man complains that he eats and drinks out of a dog bowl, sniffs stranger's butts, and sleeps on the floor. The psychiatrist says that he can help with some medication and weekly sessions. The man is relieved and excited about the possibility of no longer believing to be a dog. The doctor adds, "in the meantime, do your best to pretend that you are a man, because this process is going to take a while"
In other words, fake it until you make it. It is easy and incredibly fun! But of course, we are never really faking it, because we already are it!!!
We are very familiar with the experience of thinking and feeling to be a person. We know what it is like to experience the world from this perspective. It is a well worn groove. Why not experience the other possibility? How does the world look and feel from this other perspective that I am currently investigating?
For example, if Consciousness is borderless (which is consistent with my direct experience) then how could it move when I walk in the woods? Our true self never goes anywhere. Our true self has never left home...can't leave home. From the perspective of Consciousness, it is the woods and the path that is moving. Movement is always relative to our point of view.
I've been walking in the woods from this other perspective for years. The trick is keeping it fresh and fun, and curious and innocent. It should never feel like a repetitive, and boring exercise. This is very important. If it becomes dull, contemplate something else, or play your favorite song, or day dream about singing karaoke at the local pub. The art of playing the game of life is enjoying every single moment.
There are many, many other fun ways of experiencing our true nature that EVERYONE can easily access! For example:
-Our deeply programmed way of thinking and feeling is exactly the same as the character in the dream. What if I am not the character in the dream but rather the dreamer of the dream? Go there now.
-Our deeply programmed way of viewing the world, is that the world is more real than that which is viewing the world. What if the opposite is true? How does the world look? Go there now.
-How might my conversation with a stranger change if we share the same Being? Once we have mastered strangers, try it with a family member (more difficult). If we do this consistently over a period of time we will find more peace on the inside and more serendipity on the outside. Try it and see if there is a response from the universe. The world then becomes an interactive game board. Such fun :) Eventually, our true nature is not just a place that we visit. Eventually it becomes our home.
Understanding key concepts intellectually is not enough. We need to feel it. We need to experience it. We need to actively reprogram and re-align the way we perceive, think, feel and act. But there is no rush. It can't be rushed. It takes time.
Just remember to always keep it fresh and fun. There is a reason I haven't played hockey, tennis, golf, skied, or read a book in years...this is way too much fun and interesting.
Women are not the only ones that can fake it. I know because I've been doing it for years :)
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