We Need to Choose

This might be the simplest way to express the truth: It is a case of mistaken Identity. We all know the experience of "I." When someone says "I" we are all referring to the same experience. "I" is the name we give to that which is aware of itself. Awareness is another name.

The difference between ignorance and wisdom, however, is that in ignorance "I" is referring to the body, in wisdom "I" is referring to Consciousness. That's it. It is really simple. Consciousness, has attached itself to the body. It is a case of mistaken identity. And, as always, this is never a problem unless we are suffering.

It would only take a few minutes of guided meditation to get any person to the experiential understanding that "I" = Consciousness. In other words, the experience of "I" and the experience of Consciousness is the exact same experience. My direct experience tells me that I am Consciousness. The truth is never hard to find. The problem is that it is in direct conflict with our belief system.

Now that we have established ourselves as Consciousness, we just need to get very clear on the true nature of Consciousness. For example, we want to know if Consciousness is located and dependent on the body. There is only one way this can be achieved. We do this with a careful examination of our direct experience. We need to learn how to discriminate our experience. Do sensations appear in he body or in Consciousness? We need to answer these questions for ourselves. It's not difficult, but if you are new, you might need the help of a teacher to get going.

If we are going to build a model of reality, we should start with our direct experience. We need to at least temporarily suspend all beliefs so that we can conduct an honest investigation. What experiential evidence can we find to support the conceptual belief that Consciousness exists somewhere inside the body?

After years of exploration, I can find no evidence to support the belief that Consciousness is located, limited or separate. Our direct experience of Consciousness is not consistent with our concepts of self and the world. My last sentence could be experientially understood with one guided meditation. A separate Consciousness is not an experience. At what point do we stop believing in something for which there is zero evidence? How long did it take to stop believing in Santa? At some point we need to start letting go of beliefs for which there is no supporting evidence.

This is the process that will lead to self-realization, or liberation, or whatever name you wish to attach to the truth. Somewhere during this process we also need to see clearly that Consciousness is real.

It is important to understand that no one on the planet is in better position to answer these questions. In fact, we all need to discover the answers experientially for ourselves. Nothing is stopping us, but we need to do the work. In Zen, they call it the Gateless Gate. The answers are right in front of us. We just need to look. As the old saying goes, if you want to hide something put it in plain sight. And when we find the answers, we need to be prepared to let go of the lies. This is harder than it sounds. "At the end of the day, this is a let go game" -Adyashanti

The most important factor for a truth seeker is enthusiasm for the truth. We just simply need to want to know. Wanting to know the truth is the only determining factor between wisdom and ignorance.

Some people are definitely interested. To them I say this: There comes a point when we need to stop seeking and choose what we are. We can't have it both ways. You are either a person or Universal Consciousness. You don't need to go on another retreat or read another spiritual book. What more evidence will you need before you are ready to make a choice?

The good news is that we always get to choose. Its never too late. In fact, we need to be continuously making this choice. Whatever I was believing about myself yesterday, or 1 minute ago is not important.

What am I believing right now? Where exactly am "I" in this picture? Where am I looking from right now? You need to choose. Belief or Experience. It's one or the other. We can't pick and choose whichever parts we want. We can't choose to be this body and at the same time say 'everything is One'. Materialism doesn't fit into non-duality.

I usually prefer to keep truth seeking fun and light, because for me it is fun. I love it. But at the same time, you need to conduct an investigation and choose the truth as if you life depended on it...because it does. It is the only choice in our life that really matters. On the other hand, relax and enjoy yourself, because the choice always belongs to Consciousness. This too, turns out to be an illusion :)

"Choice happens, but there is never a chooser" -Francis Lucille