Ego and “Zen Moments”

In silence, your soul will speak words of peace. There is no need to do anything, but slow down. When we rush from one thing to another, trapped in our heads, obsessing, we lose sight of who we really are. We are love and peace, and we are valuable. There is nothing else to be said about this, just don’t look for those things outside of you.

See, the ego self is nothing more than the student. The soul self is the teacher, Karma is the master. No matter how many lifetimes we have we’re still just students as long as we identify with our body and our mind. Start to identify with that deeper peace, that silence, that soul self. It’s not necessary to call the soul self “God” when you find it. There may very well be a mighty God somewhere in the highest heaven, but obsessing about healing that you’re not willing to work on yourself is flawed thinking. Stay on the path and don’t forget your silent meditation daily.

Let go of ego, but when you let go of the ego, you immediately fall into spiritual ego. Remember, whenever you let go of a piece of the self, you’re likely to pick up another one in its place. In that case, not much has been gained. We can’t take any identity to ourselves; that is where the mess begins. As soon as we make a “self,” we find that we attach to it like a child to its mother. We have to grow out of this. It’s an early stage. But of course, this will be very hard at first.

If you want to be a master, all you have to actually master is you. Sure, there are great teachers around the world that have many followers, but first you must master yourself. Again, don’t make this your ego’s life work. Just take it one day at a time. practice silence, practice peace, practice letting go instead of engaging with spurious thought. These thoughts are like clouds moving through a blue sky. When a cloud obscures the sky or the sun, we know the sky is still there. We wait for the sun to return, but when we have these ego thoughts, these fears or anxieties, we feel like all is lost. We just have to wait for the sky to clear again.

Don’t engage these thoughts like they are you. Haven’t you ever thought of something you don’t agree with? So, how can that be you? We are so brainwashed by our own thoughts that we think they are us. They just happen to us. Also, don't watch your thoughts too closely; if the thought forms fully it will be harder to let go, especially with chaotic thoughts. When thoughts arise, breathe and let the sky clear again. When you breathe, have a gentle focus on your breath. Gentle like you’re caring for a child or someone sick. Breathe…re-enter your body…Breathe again…stay in your body…Breathe again… When you’re meditating, you’re just sitting and breathing and watching yourself. Again, don’t engage your thoughts. They are like clouds in the sky, or boats on a river. They will move on by themselves soon enough. They are not you. However, i will admit that our SPMI friends have a difficult time letting thoughts pass. The nature of mental illness is that it demands our attention far too often. Perhaps we need both meditation and medication management. Don't fret; most counties in the US have mental health offices for just this problem. Get help if it has become unmanageable.

It is helpful to have a small shrine somewhere in your home. It should be dedicated to the relationship between your heart and the Divine Heart. This is where you should meditate, pray, or practice silence. It can become a very peaceful reminder of your progress. I have a bell, a candle, and some incense to remind me of my intentions. Perhaps this will help you too.

If you're open to taking “Zen moments” throughout your day, they are important as well. You don’t have to spend 20 or 30 minutes meditating every time you are stressed. Take several seconds to center yourself as often as you lose yourself. Find your peace. Breathe. Slow down and find silence again. What’s all the rush about?

More to come. Peace to you and yours.