"accept the distortions, not need them to go away, but explore who we are through them".

Yes..that's the goal! I always think about that right before I resort to the noose. lol It takes practice but I do retreat to that space to the best of my ability. It's too painful not to explore because I have no desire to recreate any suffering.

"Yet this singular source of exploration in the moment,
every moment, is actually what drives an authentic journey.
Everything else is just illusion."

...and blessed we are to know so.

Thanks for all the friendly

The way I see it is that people tend to so easily get stuck in the head (at least for me) when they look in the mirror. They may get an initial realization of the significance of the mirror. But when they actually apply it in their daily life they find it challenging because they can't get past their intellect and go deeply into their heart to feel what is truly being reflected. Often in most people's busy and distracted lifestyle, the reflection of the mirror in life can get easily owned by the mind.

Lei

Yes that is how it must be though... its the biggest SEED ever being planted... the conditioning is peeling away, but still it is a slow process built up by layers. Tortoise and the hare. Slow and steady, so as Humanity's collective hare awakening might not win the race, I think that will be the BIGGEST seed planted in the collective consciousness moving forward, for those who share in the earths ascension...
-Bill

Great timing, too. This subject seems to be touched upon at a good time for many people.

This article underscores one of the most helpful parts of the Openhand approach in the way I perceive it, which is the absence of what one must "do" to follow ones path, and the total freedom to "be". Not that "being" is effortless, but that the part of us that always must be "doing" something constructive is less able to distract us from "being" if we are observant, and therefore we may integrate into our highest being more fully, rather than being stuck in circles of mind-led "doing" action.

Many, many thanks to Openhand for this understanding.

Thank You Chris!!
Your perspective on these issues is something I've been struggling with for some time. I've been feeling soooo stuck in life and unhappy with my job, the people in my environments (and lack thereof), and just feeling like there is no purpose for being here in this crazy world. For reasons unknown to me it obvious that most people are uncomfortable with me and I've always stood out ever since I was a child. The degree of criticism that has been projected at me over the years has been extreme to the point that others have noticed. I've attempted to "except disgrace willingly" but admit I'm feeling like I'm at the end if my rope and that I just want to go away from people and be reclusive but I know that won't solve anything and besides, I like people. Anyway, thank you for the powerful perspective. This gives me some hope and encouragement.
Brian

Hi Chris,

I have definitely been a button pusher,whether I'm speaking or silent. Over the years I've become less comfortable with that instead of more at ease. When I was in my 20's & 30's I didn't seem to care so much about peoples reaction to me but something has shifted and in the last decade I seem to have become weaker and more defensive. A good friend of mine has commented to me over the last handful of years and said "what happened to the strong, confident, and wise Brian I used to know"? I'm not even sure if I ever was that although I do admit that doors used to open were there were no doors and now it seems as though they're all closed. I guess all I can do is go within and let the lessons come forth. I am thankful for your response and it is very encouraging to know that there are others out there that understand from a deeper place.

Peace & Love to You!

Brian

I had to read this one twice to get it - the second time slowly and carefully (there is a lesson for me there - slow down!), then... eureka! a bright light illuminating an issue I have been grappling with for decades.... yes, its not about doing, its about being! Our purpose is simply to be ourselves... and we know when we are doing it because magical things start happening around us.

Thank you Chris (and you other contributors with your helpful comments) - this is by no means the first time this site has inspired and helped me - keep up the great work

Great article!!

I have a couple of questions.

Is it natural to go through these stages: to get lost in the 'lie' (blind); then to be aware, but not to be able to make a choice and let it go and then to gain some 'activation energy' to finally open and let it go and find the real thing?

And then what could accelerate the process and help make this choice or is it something that just takes some time and demands patience and perseverance? How can you attune to the higher way of being and share the gift also when you are all sank in the lie (aware or not aware)? (probably silly question, but it is so not easy).

A joke question: how many 'silly' things in average one can do till he gets it? hhh

Somebody told me that when you want to kill a three-headed dragon, you slash all three heads off at once, and not one by one and set yourself free. But I am afraid. :S

hi chris,

"yet this singular source of exploration in the moment,
every moment, is actually what drives an authentic journey.
everything else is just illusion."

I get scared when I "feel" of things this way. It confronts
my deepest conviction about myself, my life, and about reality. and something in me know: thats true...

when I am only aware of whats happening. aware without trying to figure out what I am aware of, then there is an awareness of the flow. and I dont do anything! I think thats what really scares.

fred

Nicely worded Chris.
Science is looking as though it may start confirm your understanding. The discovery atoms are made of nothing but air revealed the mystery of Quantum physics. Exploration of "wave particle duality" has raised the probability it is a second-order consequence of various limitations of the observer. This reveals matter does not act independently however may form when interacting with the observer. EVERYTHING is a perception of the brain based on data recieved through senses and its construction of a reality which is acceptable. Therefore the only thing certain is the fact I am questioning what is certain.
In relation to ones purpose altering our accepted reality ties in with "altering our conditioning." If particle wave duality is the action it would seem probable we would need to enable the change though technique and intent. E.g. openway.
Science is heading down the path of dissproving itself. The only thing that is real to us is consciousness. An overlooked conundrum that conciousness conceived science to begin with.
xo