There is a startling idea which once rightly comprehended, shatters all illusions. This one single idea is so Earth shattering, so extraordinary, so revolutionary, that everything that comes after it represents a remarkably different phase of life to that which came before. This is so because in one sense it involves the disappearance of the universe. Just imagine, if gold from a safe were to disappear, well . . . that would be a mystery, but if the entire universe disappeared that would represent the greatest mystery of all. Of course this is the level of mystery we are talking about here.
It must be of such great interest at this time that the polar opposites of religion and science have now found an accord in this Earth shattering idea. A clue. This indicates that the human story is about to reach, to break through to a very new and interesting place. For the human story will by definition require the creative tension of opposites to continue. And so does the mystery deepen. The new perspective; the new position that we are about to discover; into which our consciousness is about to emerge – will inevitably amaze us all. So what is this most startling idea?
The startling idea is that the universe is not of material origin at all, but a material construction whose origin is consciousness. And there it goes, it vanishes in a puff of smoke. This is the conclusion of both spiritual revelation and quantum theory. The revolutionary realization is that we are . . . simply our-SELF. Nothing more, nothing less. In the deeper sense we are simply pure consciousness, unburdened by all of the cultural and constructed meanings, beliefs, references and ideas. All of the constructions which purport to bring us closer to ourselves such as religion, politics, education and many subtle forms of social and psychic conditioning may bring us to look at aspects of self, however just at the point where we are ready to realize that we are simply ourselves, all these things just get in the way. Knowing this you may have concluded that you are close to experiencing directly that you are . . . simply yourself. Then experience away! FREE from the burden of the cosmic or psychic bureaucracy.
The sobering fact, is that there is always the final journey. We must ever and always walk the last mile home on our own. That is not to suggest that God-Goddess or the angels or the saints are not with us. It is rather to suggest that to enter the deeper truth of who we are – simply ourselves – we must ultimately abandon the hierarchical, bureaucratic and institutional frameworks which purport to represent the truth and become that truth. This is why the master Jesus was able to truthfully declare I am the way and the truth and the light. He had somehow managed to experience himself as simply (him) self. It is the point at which the bud of individuality upon the human tree of consciousness bursts forth as the flower.
There is a paradox here because in order to get to that place generally we require some schooling, processes, the guidance that religions provide, lots of techniques . . . and so forth. But one day finally and at last we, each of us, must find our metaphorical Bodhi tree under which we shall sit, if not in open defiance of all institutionalized forms of learning, certainly in distinction to them and quite often in contradiction to them. The great paradox of liberated blasphemy. It is the intensely personal and revelatory journey represented so beautifully in the life story of St Francis of Assisi. He goes to Rome – the very symbol of institutional religion, as a bare footed beggar to present his revolutionarty and revelatory understanding to the Pope. If you have ever seen the beautiful film by Franco Zeferelli – Brother Sun Sister Moon, you will know well the outcome. Below are a few St Francis quotes that demonstrate his clear, present and radical consciousness. These are combined with statements attributed to some of our other great teachers. They stand in distinction to much of the old consciousness and constructions of the Kali Yuga, the Iron Age of ignorance. These words of wisdom point to new levels of consciousness and understanding which more people than ever are now demonstrating. The whole point is to get to that place where you can finally and at last speak this wisdom fresh with each breath of life within the living breathing cosmos. Here then is a sample from St Francis and others, remembering that one day you will make up your own in each moment of life.
Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. – St Francis
All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him. – Buddha
I am formless and everywhere – Shirdi Sai Baba
With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible – Jesus
You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection – Buddha
Get on with your worldly activities cheerfully, but do not forget God – Shirdi Sai Baba
Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words. St Francis
All that you see taken together is Myself – Shirdi Sai Baba
The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart – Buddha
Lord, grant that I might not so much seek to be loved as to love. St Francis
If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men – St Francis
God has agents everywhere and their powers are vast – Shirdi Sai Baba
You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free – Jesus
God is not so far away. He is not in the heavens above, nor in hell below. He is always near you – Shirdi Sai Baba
You have no cause for anything but gratitude and joy – Buddha
Hatred does not cease by hatred but only by love. This is the eternal rule – Buddha
We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world – Buddha
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth
According to your faith be it unto you – Jesus