"...a quiet light that shines in every heart."

"There is a quiet light that shines in every heart. It draws no attention to itself though it is always secretly there. It is what illuminates our minds to see beauty, our desire to seek possibility and our hearts to love life. Without this subtle quickening our days would be empty and wearisome, and no horizon would ever awaken our longing. Our passion for life is quietly sustained from somewhere in us that is wedded to the energy and excitement of life. This shy inner light is what enables us to recognize and receive our very presence here as blessing. We enter the world as strangers who all at once become heirs to a harvest of memory, spirit, and dream that has long preceded us and will now enfold, nourish, and sustain us."

~John O'Donohue 

photo source: pixabay

This post brought to you by the human being 

(designer, maker, sewist) 

behind ZafuChi, an etsy store that offers buckwheat hull filled zafus, 

unfilled zafu covers, and filled and unfilled bolster pillows.

Enjoy the day!

 

be alert to what is in the mind...

~ Acharya Shri Prashant:

made in the usa, zafu cushions

🔥Here and now does not really pertain to an objective reality because there is no objective reality. Here and now pertains to the state of mind that the mind is in. All that here and now means is that when the mind is in a particular state, then that state is all that there is. Mind is in temptation; then temptation is all that there is. Mind is anger; anger is all that there is.
🔥Here and now is meaningless. Even though we all are sitting in this physical location right now yet here and now means different things to all of us.
🔥Here and now simply means that, 'be alert to what is in the mind'. That's it.
🔥And whatever is in the mind, that is in the mind. Now do not try to suppress it and do not try to find justifications for it. Just know that this is what is there in the mind and that we said in the beginning is the appropriate mental activity.
🔥The mind is the machine, well tuned, nicely designed for both analysis and observation. Use it for observation. You use it only for analysis and comparisons. And if the observation is honest then the object of observation will drop.

The power of now cannot be a spiritual utterance...

   The Present is not the now. The now is a point in the stream of time. The now is that which is preceded and followed by the past and the future. The Present is that in which the past, the now and the future, simultaneously co-exist. The now is a point in the stream; the Present is the vast infinite land, in which that stream is flowing.

   There are as many streams of time as there are minds. The past is not one object, the future too, is not one object; even with the so-called person, the past and future keep changing. So, infinite rivers of time keep flowing in this vast land called the Present. The Present is that which is Present; it is the Truth.

   The word power is meaningful only in the presence of something else against which the power may be used and applied. Present has no power. The Present is so absolutely powerful, that the word power does not apply to it. Against whom will the Present apply its power? How to say that it is powerful? It is meaningless.

   But the ego is searching for power all the time. Have you noticed that? Who wants power? – The ego. So, it becomes a very catchy thing to say, ‘The power of now’. This cannot be a spiritual utterance. No spiritual mind looks for power. It’s only the ego that is insecure, and hence looking for power.

~ Acharya Shri Prashant

Acharya Shri Prashant

 posted by owner of zafuChi - online sales of zafu meditation cushions

How can I keep from singing?

"My life goes on in endless song
Above earth's lamentations...
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
That hails a new creation.

Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear it's music ringing...
It sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?"
~~Author Unknown~~

posted by ZafuChi - a source for U.S.A. handmade zafu meditation cushions

who or what is the wheel of life for?

ANNAMALAI SWAMI - FINAL TALKS

sit. be still, and know. I AM is prior to thought.

"Question: The wheel of life - manifestation, samsara - seems to continue whether one is established in that peace or not. Is there nothing in this manifestation that provides a key to peace?
 
Annamalai Swami: If you understand the true nature of this wheel of life, this wheel that is giving everyone so much alternating happiness and misery, this understanding will lead you to where there is no wheel, no change, no movement. This wheel is spinning in the substratum of the changeless Self. If you take your position in the still, peaceful centre of the Self you will know, simultaneously, that the Self is motionless peace, and the spinning wheel is also the Self.
 
Q: Why is there a need to have this spinning wheel in the Self? Why a need for manifestation at all?
 
Annamalai Swami: This question is only happening in your mind. If you remain in the Self, the question will not arise. Whether you move your hand or keep it still, it is still a hand. Its nature is not changed in either case.Maya is the Self. All is the Self. If you give up all distinctions, you will know this for yourself. That's all you need to do."

Sarah: We've been duped - by the collective consciousness prior to any manifestation. Sometimes I experience this realization as humorous, and sometimes I feel rage, and sometimes I feel absolutely nothing. Humor definitely feels better than rage, in my experience. And nothing just feels like nothing. I am nothing. I AM is everything. Word of caution - I AM doesn't pay the bills. There's that.

Posted by Sarah Nolt, maker of handmade zafu meditation cushions...available at zafuChi on etsy

nothing can deprive you of your heritage...

"I can see with the utmost clarity that you have never been, nor are, nor will be estranged from reality; that you are the fullness of perfection here and now and that nothing can deprive you of your heritage, of what you are.
You do not know what you are and therefore you imagine your self to be what you are not. Hence desires and fear and overwhelming despair. And, meaningless activity in order to escape.
You are the Supreme Reality beyond the world and its creator, beyond consciousness and its witness, beyond all assertions and denials.
Remember it, think of it, act on it. Abandon all sense of separation, see yourself in all and act accordingly. With action bliss will come, and with bliss conviction."

Nisargadatta, I Am That, Chapter 83

morning - Siesta Key Beach, Sarasota, Fla.

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