Several years ago, I received guidance to practice the middle path to awakening. I was told that some people focus heavily on purification or letting go as the spiritual path. Others focus heavily on immersing themselves in the divine. The middle path that I was guided to focuses on both letting go of the false and embracing the true.
Awareness-watching-awareness is a practice that focuses on (concentrates on) letting go of the false (world, body and thought) and embracing the true (life-awareness).
Notice these specific instructions from The Most Direct Means to Eternal Bliss:
Shut your eyes. Notice your awareness. Observe that awareness. Turn your attention away from the world, body and thought and towards awareness watching awareness. If you notice you are thinking, turn your attention away from thought and back towards awareness watching awareness.
Concentrate in a relaxed manner without effort. If thoughts are noticed, turn your attention away from the thoughts and back towards concentrating on awareness.
There are the things you are aware of. There is the awareness that is aware of the things. Instead of observing the things, observe the awareness.
There are thoughts and feelings. There is the awareness that is aware of thoughts and feelings. Instead of observing thoughts and feelings, observe the awareness.
If you see light, turn your attention away from the light and towards awareness of awareness. If you see darkness, turn your attention away from the darkness and towards awareness aware only of awareness.
If you notice your breathing, turn your attention away from the breathing and towards awareness aware only of awareness. Whatever you become aware of, turn your attention away from it and towards awareness of awareness.
Focused time to let go of the false and embrace the true without distraction is a very important part of our daily practice.
Please read sentences 1-81 from Chapter 8 of The Most Direct Means to Eternal Bliss.
Thoughts of Awakening # 332
Let me not today
become entangled in the world I see,
in its problems
or in its pleasures.
Let me remain instead
inwardly focused
with my eye and my ear
on my Teacher,
my Guide.
Let me be led
without a thought for the world,
but only a thought
for listening and following.
This is true surrender
and this is my desire,
my goal and my purpose
now.
Take my hand and lead me.
Amen.
~A prayer of awakening
Homework for this week
- Practice daily meditation for 30-60 minutes each day.
- Practice the “Loving All” Method.
- Thoughts of Awakening, 330-336
*If you don’t already have it, order The Seven Steps to Awakening. That will be our text for Year 3.
