The I Am Is...

The I Am exists. It is a place within us that is unchangeable and incorruptible. It is also the place where all existence emerged, many eons ago. When we go into meditation, we are giving time out of our day to exist with the I Am, and we eventually realize how important this has always been. When we run from one activity, from one thought to another in rapid succession, without taking time to breath in between, we risk losing our true selves into stress and confusion. The I Am is the yin, the void, the great path that all things emerge from, and eventually withdraw to. It is the great pattern of life and death. It is an unknown within an unknown. The universe will eventually expire too (let's hope there's something beyond). Physicists explain that as space expands, it will eventually expand past its ability to remain intact. Spacetime itself will tear and “die.”  No need to worry though, we will all be long gone by the time this happens, 22 billion years from now to use a common estimate among physicists. 

We know from Buddhist teaching, that the cycle of birth and death is applicable to all things with buddha nature. Of course, buddha nature is inherent to all things. I would say that the universe is no exception to this rule. When we die, the mortal body that we possess for this short time, returns to the void. The great Tao remains until a new birth is available to us with a new (or old) set of “lessons” to learn. Meditation has led me to believe that ultimately, this life and all the previous ones, and perhaps future ones, are much like a school of divine learning. Perhaps some lessons are failed and require another attempt, but maybe some are passed with honors. We can only consult the I Am and proceed along the middle way. How do we know we are on the middle way? If we approach life with a cautious optimism and an openness to possibilities, then we’re getting close.

This void, this Tao, is essential to Zen Buddhism and shows us that the source of life, the universe, and being itself, is so unfathomable that it appears to us like nothing. Of course there is the abyss, this is not the same thing. Jesus spoke about the “outer darkness” but we should not equate the un-understandable to a hell of great suffering, it is simply too unknown to be described in any detail. To me, this void is where the voice of the I Am emerges. Perhaps you can find it within yourself, or closer to you than you are to yourself. The point is cautious optimism. Remember from earlier writings, the “universe” is not offended by missteps, but only by intentional harm, so don’t be afraid. There is an amazing friend to be had in the search, and in the finding.

Zen mindfulness is how I found most of my thoughts about this and these topics. Don’t forget silence and stillness in your day. Practice self awareness, kindness and compassion in all things. We may have another life, but don’t put off wisdom for another time. Practice is now. Love is now. Peace is now. Sure, there is time for recreation, we just can't lose ourselves in it. Don’t forget wise action, self restraint in times of anger, and that the pace of the universe is slow.

I call this my Loving Kindness Meditation, perhaps it will help: light your candle, burn some incense you like, ring a bell…

• Sit…

• Breathe…

• Return to your body…

• Breathe…

• Be still…

• Stay in your body…

• Breathe…

Maintain a gentle focus on your breath, gentle like someone caring for the sick.

Being in your body helps you stay rooted and connected. Remaining still is the practice of sitting meditation, however don’t be cruel to yourself for your stillness, it is the essence of many of the forms of meditation from the world’s traditions, but if you have an itch, scratch. It’ll be too distracting to sit still otherwise.

Peace...