Mind Like An Ocean

There’s a classic metaphor for the mind that likens it to the ocean. Our emotions and attachments to things are like waves that appear on the surface of the ocean, constantly rising and falling. This activity captures our attention and we take is as reality. But the mind is all one ocean. The greatest amount of water in the ocean is beneath the surface where the mind is a vast sea of tranquility. Waves are only a small part of the ocean. Afflictive emotions toss around on the surface of this deep serenity of consciousness. It’s important to realize that everyone has this reservoir of peace and stillness.

This is a line in the Dhammapada, a collection of the Buddha’s sayings, that was an eye-opener for me the first time I read it:
“Everything you are is a result of what you have thought”

In other words, your mind makes your reality. Regardless of what happens “to” you, your reaction will determine the degree of your happiness or unhappiness. We all have knee-jerk reactions to triggering events. Whether these are big stormy waves or repeated irritations, it usually triggers some afflictive emotion – anger, fear, jealousy, greed, etc.

Qigong practice is a precise and comprehensive system that can calm the uproar of emotional suffering by deliberatly expressing the intrinsic virtues of our HeartMind: benevolence, tenderness, tolerance and love. The HeartMind (HM) is that combination of emotional intelligence and rational analysis that makes us uniquely human. A healthy HM is the foundation of our Spirit.

In the program of Qigong Through The Seasons we begin the process of spiritual awakening by extending the virtues of the HeartMind from ourself to ourself.  At this stage, our HM is cultivated and strengthened with meditation and qigong exercises that focus on the area of the chest. The chest area is a vital reservoir of energy where we establish our connections to other people.

We continue the process of spiritual awakening, by extending benevolence, tenderness, tolerance and love from ourself out to other people. When we shift our consciousness from ourself to other people the HM begins to nourish the Spirit. This Spirit, “Shen” in Chinese, begins to grow like a flower in the chest. As it is developed with mediation and qigong, the Spirit moves upward to the area of the head and eyes. It is here where the Spirit can awaken and know that we are part of an endless energy of interdependence with every thing on Earth. Now we know that we are never alone, that we are part of everything and everything is supported by all things.

The Shen has a yearning to make contact with divine reality; to experience an ineffable state of knowing that our body, mind and spirit exist as the ultimate manifestation of energy. This is spiritual awakening.

Spiritual awakening happens when we understand that our existence
goes beyond the limits of the ego.
We understand that our lives are interdependent with the lives of everyone.
We consciously choose to be kind, generous and compassionate
rather than angry, greedy and apathetic.
If we choose to awaken to our true nature we will be happier
because we can handle the waves of suffering with equanimity.

Spiritual Awakening Comes With Practice

We can awaken our Spirit with those practices that help us connect with the sea of universal consciousness. As a Dharma practitioner I know that meditation is a key element in awakening to our true nature; as a qigong practitioner I know that cultivation of essence and energy can lead to spiritual awakening. There are other ways like prayer, religious service, and the revelations of God. Perhaps the most direct way to awaken our spirit to the reality of interdependence is through service toward the well being of others.

Spiritual awakening is not a one-time event. It may happen like that for some people, but for the majority of us spiritual awakening is like the sun rising on a beautiful day. It slowly gives us warmth, peace and contentment. And then we often become bewildered again in the darkness of dissatisfaction. But we can change over time with conscious practice.

Every day is a new day. Every day is an opportunity to wake up to your true nature of basic nobility. Every day there can be clouds of suffering from afflictive emotions, but with each experience of spiritual awakening you move closer to being awake more often than being asleep. You will deeply appreciate every facet of your life – the uppers and the downers – with gratitude, benevolence and equanimity…for yourself and all others.

Signs Of Spiritual Awakening

You are aware of afflictive emotions and handle them appropriately.
You act with kindness and consideration toward all living beings.
You are happy for the good fortune of others.
You are grateful for the people and things that contribute to your well being.