“all these lose their meaning the moment you realize that you are not a mere body”
In Paradigm-B we are mesmerized by the spectacular performance of our body and mind (intellect). We work hard to be the best. We want to be loved on social media, have the smartest dog, the latest computer and software, the coolest car. But in Simple Reality we know that our body and mind are not the end-all be-all we’ve been led to believe.
“The choice to cease identifying with the body, mind and emotions commits us to the meditation practice wherein we must find the courage to look at our suffering without flinching, without denial, without self-medicating. The goal is to become the observer who will watch the old identity fade away as we refuse to feed it with the energy of our reactions.”[i]
“Mindfulness” is often used in the West to help relieve anxiety and depression, etc. In the East, however, it has a different function: “They use the words like ‘clinging’ and/or ‘attachment.’ That’s what we’re talking about, getting caught up in our experience—that’s where suffering comes from.”[ii]
“Getting caught up in our experience” is another way of saying identifying with our body, mind and emotions. Simple Reality offers the Point of Power Practice to empower us to let go of attachment to our body, mind and emotions. It is the perfect mindfulness practice for making every moment of your life a meditation.
Insight # 104 comes from Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj (1897-1981). He was a Hindu teacher of non-dualism (Oneness).
“Don’t you see that all your problems are your body’s problems—food, clothing, shelter, family, friends, name, fame, security—all these lose their meaning the moment you realize that you are not a mere body.”[iii]
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Additional Reading:
- Meditation Again, The ABC’s of Simple Reality, Vol 1
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[i] Henry, Roy Charles. “The Hero’s Journey.” Who Am I? October 2013, p. 101.
[ii] Tingley, Kim. “Can mindfulness go from wellness pursuit to medical intervention? Maybe—but only if researchers can figure out how to measure it.” The New York Times Magazine. January 26, 2020, p. 22.
[iii] Maharaj, Sri Nisargadatta. I Am That. Durham, NC: The Acorn Press, 1973, pp. 1-2.
