Capable

Today the skies are again clear and the temperature has gone to 76 degrees fahrenheit at 7:30 a.m. - imagine the rest of the day!  Humidity is high and thankfully, there are many spaces with cool air welcoming visitors.  Today is Friday.

The word "capable" jumped out of a space in which there was a discussion about our existence.  The context of the discussion was about meditation.  It was an interesting topic:  Do we meditate to have "an experience"?

If the mind is asleep, then all experiences are boring, leading one to seek something more.  This includes more delight, more excitement, more mystery - in the search for something more in food, in sex, in drugs  – what does this reveal? Nothing but a state of delusion.  If the mind is awake, there is no desire to "experience" anything.  Everything is already right there - nothing to experience, everything can be seen with clarity.  Who is capable of being in such a state of being?

The proposition was that meditation in the practice of  a system (the "right" way to sit, breathe, etc.) that brings struggle - is absurd.  In the midst of the inevitable struggle and one might eventually ask, "Why struggle?"  What is the point of such struggle?  To reach a state of "enlightenment?"  Absurd.

What is this enlightenment that is being sought by so many?  And why does one not see that every moment is a chance to open to the truth of our existence?  Who is capable of this realization?  The answer:  every one of us is capable.

Every one of us can reach this state of clarity.  It is in the acceptance of self as you are.  It is in the realization that you are part of an infinite interconnectedness to all of what exists in this world.  It is in the capacity to be kind rather than mean; caring rather than neglectful; loving rather than in a state of constant doubt and suspicion – all of this is possible for every human being.  It is sometimes difficult because of the complexity of human relations.  Yet each is capable of managing this.  Meditation in whatever form, is one portal to guidance.  The best is when there is nothing but silence.

What keeps one from choosing that which so readily available?  Fear.  Self-preservation.  Delusion.  (A longer writing could be dedicated to each of these!)

The truth is that each one is capable of living with clarity.  Each one has access to that which every person really desires: truth.  And what is truth?  How does one know when the truth has been revealed?  It certainly cannot come by some other source outside of self.  Who is capable of knowing truth?  Each one is capable of it.