Hi Friends,
Over the last six months I have been using the tools of mantra and surrender, as they are taught in The Teachings of the Inner Ramana, to quiet the active thinking mind. In Course Note #132 I wrote about moving into a year of letting go of that which no longer serves me. A deep inner shift is occurring, one that is leading to greater ease in practicing the tools that usher in silence.
A couple weeks ago I received a gift from a friend, a biography on Ramana Maharshi entitled, Timeless in Time. That evening I sat down and read the introduction, and as I came upon this sentence, “I can feel strongly his boundless grace at work…” suddenly, I was embraced by the sweetest silence I had ever known. I rested there for what seemed to be about ten minutes or so and then I felt it lift. I later realized that in those moments, I had rested in Ramana’s Presence – the silence of the Self.
Regina Dawn Akers visited India in December, and on her flight home she received guidance to lead a year of silence in 2012. As soon as I heard her talk about this, I too, heard the inner call. Many of our friends have as well. And as you read this, you may hear the call too.
Many have wondered what “a year of silence” is to look like. Can I talk? How can I remain silent for a year?! Well surely, it will be different for each one of us. As you begin to rest in the silence, you will be guided. Regina spoke of being “actively silent”, and as I heard her say that, a teaching from A Course in Miracles on “I need do nothing" came to mind.
“This quiet center, in which you do nothing, will remain with you, giving you rest in the midst of every busy doing on which you are sent.”
I immediately felt the guidance that in this year of silence, I am to rest in the silence more frequently and to let my “busy doing” extend from there. I find that the mantra practice is a doorway into stillness and silence that I have not heretofore experienced; and that it can be used for this purpose while teaching, listening, talking, driving – basically, anytime and anywhere.
I can readily experience the difference between the “doing” that extends from silence, versus that of being so busy doing things in the world that I have no time to rest in silence.
I am sure that it is not a coincidence that on 12/2/11 I entered into a year of letting go and relinquishment, and have also heard the call to rest more deeply in the silence of the true Self as I journey through the year.
As I enter this year of relinquishment and increased silence, I am prompted to a "Single Quiet Thought" that combines the two. How Cool Is That?
~97~
Slow down between the thoughts.
Let go of definitions.
Let go of conclusions.
Let go of reliance on words.
Do not feel that silence is empty.
Silence is not empty.
Silence is the birthplace of all ideas.
Let go of the old.
Make room for the new.
Let go of your way of seeing and expecting.
Make room for Mine.
~From our Holy Spirit
Here is a link to a 30-minute recording of Regina talking about her guidance regarding the year of silence. http://www.drivehq.com/file/df.aspx/publish/RAkers/RDAPublicFolder/IR122811.mp3
A couple months ago I felt strong guidance to buy a book for Regina entitled, The Seven Steps to Awakening, and it turned out to be right-on guidance because Regina feels that it will be a great guide for us all in this year of silence. She began teaching on this book January 2. Here's a link to the first 60-minute teaching: http://www.drivehq.com/file/df.aspx/publish/RAkers/RDAPublicFolder/1-2-12SevenSteps.mp3
The Picture on this blog is of a recent painting done by Mooji, entitled: Yogini. It is another perfect symbol as we move into a year of silence in 2012.
Mooji tells the following story of a great Yogini (a female Yogi).
"A great Yogini was deep in meditation. Suddenly, beautiful and melodious sounds could be heard, appearing as if from nowhere and everywhere simultaneously. It was like nothing she has ever heard. She felt: this music is truly wonderful but it cannot be what I am for I am here to hear it. The music faded away. Next appeared the most exquisite colours, like no painter could paint; nor could any flower display it for it was not of this earthly realm.
"She thought, 'this is, indeed, astonishingly beautiful. However, it cannot be who I am nor can it be real for it cannot appear if I were not here to perceive it.' This phenomenon, too, she ignored. Shortly afterwards, it also vanished in the presence of her deep and unmoving silence. Shortly after this, there appeared several beings shaped as if from pure light, floating through space and smiling lovingly at her in a welcoming manner.
"She felt profoundly touched and filled with loving emotions but inwardly, she somehow, kept her composure. "How profound," she felt, "but this also cannot be what Is the unchanging reality, for, were I not here, who would see them?" As soon as this insight occurred, the figures vanished. Her mind entered her heart and could no more produce any effects. A deep silence prevailed as her mind merged inside her indivisible, unconquerable and essential being."
The print can be ordered here:
http://www.mooji.org/shop/products.php?product=THE-YOGINI-%252d-POSTER-%28Size-245mm-X-360mm%29
"A great Yogini was deep in meditation. Suddenly, beautiful and melodious sounds could be heard, appearing as if from nowhere and everywhere simultaneously. It was like nothing she has ever heard. She felt: this music is truly wonderful but it cannot be what I am for I am here to hear it. The music faded away. Next appeared the most exquisite colours, like no painter could paint; nor could any flower display it for it was not of this earthly realm.
"She thought, 'this is, indeed, astonishingly beautiful. However, it cannot be who I am nor can it be real for it cannot appear if I were not here to perceive it.' This phenomenon, too, she ignored. Shortly afterwards, it also vanished in the presence of her deep and unmoving silence. Shortly after this, there appeared several beings shaped as if from pure light, floating through space and smiling lovingly at her in a welcoming manner.
"She felt profoundly touched and filled with loving emotions but inwardly, she somehow, kept her composure. "How profound," she felt, "but this also cannot be what Is the unchanging reality, for, were I not here, who would see them?" As soon as this insight occurred, the figures vanished. Her mind entered her heart and could no more produce any effects. A deep silence prevailed as her mind merged inside her indivisible, unconquerable and essential being."
The print can be ordered here:
http://www.mooji.org/shop/products.php?product=THE-YOGINI-%252d-POSTER-%28Size-245mm-X-360mm%29
"Single Quiet Thoughts: are found at: http://www.reginadawnakers.comhttp://www.reginadawnakers.com
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