Yesterday we contemplated this definition of sacrifice:
An act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy.
We are asked to sacrifice our attachment to mind in order to awaken to true perception.
Do you feel that’s a worthy sacrifice?
Is it a sacrifice you want to make?
As we’ve learned before, desire is the most important factor in awakening. If you really want to sacrifice the attachment to mind and awaken to true perception, you will follow through and do that.
How?
By using the practices that we’ve been introduced to:
- Daily reading and contemplation
- Journaling with inner wisdom
- Awareness-watching-awareness meditation
- The loving all method
- Surrender
- Practicing the mantra
- Questioning mental chatter to see if it is “me”
Eventually, you will be able to drop the first two on the list and live with practices 3-7.
One who desires awakening makes spiritual practice the focus of his/her daily life. Today’s message refers to that as devotion. Devotion is living from within. We awaken from the dream through devotion.
Today’s message also says:
Devotion is a slow process.
That means when we are devoted, we aren’t quick to react. Instead, we check within before responding to any outer stimulus. Instead of living from the fast-paced chaos of mind, we are deeply surrendered within.
Thoughts of Awakening # 311
Learn to listen to silence.
It too has a Voice.
You must be still to hear its Voice,
because its Voice is not loud
or controlling.
The Voice of silence is peaceful
and suggesting.
It gives ideas of love
into a world
that seems not to know love.
Therefore, its suggestions
may be different
than you would think.
Let go of what you think
out of a desire
to listen to love.
Be still.
Listen.
And joyously follow.
From our Holy Spirit
Homework for this week
- Practice daily meditation for 30-60 minutes each day.
- Practice the “Loving All” Method.
- Thoughts of Awakening, 309-315
- Read the following messages from The Teaching of Inner Ramana: Clarity on Practice, How to Awaken from the Dream, How to Awaken from the Dream Part Two, s/Self-Inquiry, The Love of Discipline, Truth Made Manifest, Extinguishment of “I” Thought.
