Tutorial for December 2023

Kindness in a World of War and Conflict

Acts of kindness in the conventional sense, such as helping others, showing empathy, and practicing generosity, are profoundly valuable at all times. They are expressions of the underlying wisdom and compassion that arises from the direct realization of the nature of mind. Expressions of kindness can open hearts and minds, even in the midst of war and conflict.

​Looking for kindness in your world, as well as in your Self, while experiencing war and conflict can be challenging. When you see conflicts and disputes escalating easily, with little willingness to compromise, understand different perspectives, or find peaceful resolutions, you may feel that kindness is lost. Society may seem to be callous and indifferent. With difficulty finding kindness, you may feel more isolated and alienated, leading to a sense of loneliness. Kindness is a force that facilitates cooperation and collaboration. In its absence, you may experience individuals and groups challenged to work together for common goals, hindering progress and collective well-being.

Kindness is essential for building trust. In a world of limited kindness, trust between individuals, communities, and nations is compromised, leading to a more distrustful and suspicious global environment. What you experience in your world as a lack of trust, may also be experienced in your Self as a disconnect from the inner reliable wisdom that guides you on your path. Without the presence of kindness, you may feel unable to address the needs of those who are vulnerable or in distress, leading to increased suffering in your world and your Self.

Right now you see wars and conflict in many forms and in many places. Amidst the complexity of war and conflict, individual and collective efforts toward kindness and compassion can contribute to cultivating a peaceful world as well as a peaceful self.

It's important to note that kindness is a complex and multifaceted concept, and its absence doesn't necessarily mean the complete breakdown of society. However, a lack of kindness contributes to an environment that is challenging for everyone to navigate. War and conflict are manifestations of ignorance, attachment, and aversion—three of the primary causes of suffering.

War usually arises from a lack of understanding, misperception, and delusion, with ignorance considered a fundamental cause of all conflict. From a One Life perspective, individuals and societies caught in the cycle of war are operating under the influence of ignorance, failing to recognize the interconnected and interdependent nature of all beings.
The attachment to resources, power, and ideologies, are common drivers of conflict. Recognize the importance of transcending attachments and aversions, understanding them as illusions that perpetuate suffering. From a One Life perspective, the solution to war lies in part with cultivating non-attachment and equanimity.

War often arises when interconnectedness is ignored, and individuals or groups perceive themselves as separate entities with conflicting interests. Recognizing the interdependence of all beings and cultivating a sense of universal responsibility can be key to addressing the root causes of war. War reflects a lack of compassion and understanding while resolving conflicts requires cultivating genuine compassion for all beings, including those involved in perpetuating violence. Wars are often fueled by a sense of ego, nationalism, and the desire to protect a perceived self-interest. Understanding the emptiness of the ego and realizing the unity of all beings can be transformative in addressing the root causes of conflict. War also arises from impulsive and reactive behavior. Through mindfulness practices, and the cultivation of kindness, you can develop greater self-awareness and make more skillful and compassionate choices, reducing the likelihood of engaging in or supporting war. Promoting kindness in the midst of war and conflict can be challenging, but the simple principles and practices of non-attachment, compassion, and mindfulness can cultivate and spread kindness even in difficult circumstances.

True kindness goes beyond conventional notions of kindness as mere altruism or compassionate actions. It is rooted in the understanding of the true nature of reality and the recognition of the inherent purity and wisdom within all beings. True kindness involves recognizing the fundamental nature of mind, which is considered to be open, spacious, and free from inherent limitations. This recognition naturally leads to a deep sense of compassion and kindness that transcends ordinary concepts of self and others. In this One Life view, the ultimate kindness is to help others recognize their own inherent wisdom and compassion by pointing them to the nature of their own mind.

​What can you do to find kindness in a world of war and conflict? Find your compassion not only for those who may seem to be directly suffering, but also for individuals on all sides of any conflict. Recognize shared humanity. Kindness can be expressed through all efforts to promote communication, negotiation, and peaceful resolution. Encourage empathy and open conversation and foster mutual understanding and cooperation whenever you can. Kindness can be expressed through participation in activities that promote reconciliation, tolerance, and understanding. Any place and anywhere that you can be kind to anyone cultivates peace in the world and peace within your Self. Do what you can to allow kindness to arise in your heart and always be who you really are.

Your sacred work in this lifetime is to develop the awareness to recognize the interconnectedness and oneness of all things. This is called One Life Awareness, which can be understood as a transcendence of dualistic thinking, or a shift from the relative notion of All That Is to an absolute knowing of All That Is.  You develop this awareness when you realize that your everyday perspective is the product of dualistic thinking, separating yourself from your external world. This separation is used as a strategy to protect the ego, and to promote the belief that changing “inside” thinking causes change in the “outside” experience and therefore you are completely in charge of your outside experiences.
Perception does shape your experience, and even while knowing that there truly is no fundamental separation between your self and your world, your perception of your self and your world has impact on your experience of both self and world. Meditation and contemplative practices can alter your perception of your “outside” world as well as your perception of your “inside” self, but this does not arise out of a strategic or deliberate effort. That is, you cannot try to change yourself or change the world in order to achieve some state or result. Changes must unfold naturally if they are to ultimately support you in transcending dualistic thinking. Changes to the inside or the outside are not linear or causal, there is only a simple unfolding of awareness and realization.
You have probably discovered at some point in your life, that having a so-called positive attitude can make the world seem a bit brighter. You have probably also tried to change your world by overlaying this positive attitude upon it. All of this seems appropriate, and we would say is appropriate. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t work. We suggest that it works best when you are relaxed and unattached. You need to be able to hold the notion that your perception can alter the experience while also recognizing your experience simultaneously can alter your perception of the experience. And most importantly it is all a matter of the interdependency of All That Is—One Life--and that which naturally arises.
So your sacred work in this lifetime is to develop One Life Awareness, and there is no recipe to accomplish One Life Awareness because is not a goal that can be achieved. It arises naturally, and what you choose to do in the belief that you can promote One Life Awareness must be free of all conceptualization and strategy.
RELAX
The first step is to relax. Your sacred work does not utilize goals or deadlines or evaluations. Just pay attention to your thoughts and notice if they are negative or self-critical or self-defeating. Acknowledge your perspective. Without judgment, take a step back and ask if these thoughts are truths, are present right here and now, or kind. If they do not have truth, presence, or kindness, ask yourself to let them go. Do this with grace and ease. And Relax.
REFRAME
Reframing a perception of a situation involves changing the way you interpret a particular thought, event, or circumstance. You start with asking yourself if there are alternative ways of seeing what is before you. The more perspectives you consider, the better. You want to encourage a fluid sense of perspective, not a fixed one.
You can often identify whether there are any cognitive distortions that might be contributing to the current perception in a way that does not serve you. This might be all-or-nothing thinking, overgeneralization, jumping to conclusions, and catastrophizing. Learn to recognize these distortions in your thinking, and then let that recognition help you to reduce emotional reactivity.
With mindfulness and a heart full of gratitude, let the seemingly positive flow and the seemingly negative fade. Reframe anything that comes up for you and trust the arising perspective as one that is in service to your expanding awareness.
RECLAIM
Lastly, reclaim who you really are. That means remember you are one with All That Is. Everything is impermanent, nothing stays the same. All is truly well, you are loved. The self and the world are one without separation. Always return to this knowing whenever you get lost in your thoughts, “the inside,” or lost in the activities, “the outside.” One Life is all there is, so when you do your sacred work, relax, reframe and reclaim who you are.

Tutorial for October 2023
LIFE IS A MEDITATION

Meditation is a practice that encompasses various methods and approaches and the choice of which you practice depends on your preferences. The primary focus of meditation is not to escape the reality of living life, but to allow life to be a meditation as it is.
There are two very common forms of meditation. One involves the use of a mantra to concentrate your attention on a specific object, word or phrase, thought, sound, or bodily sensation. Mantras or chants can help to anchor your mind and prevent it from wandering. Another very common form of meditation involves paying attention to your breath. Breath awareness helps cultivate mindfulness, and mindfulness meditation highlights full presence in the moment without judgment.
The form of meditation you choose makes no difference in outcome, what is important is to allow your meditation to permeate your consciousness and influence your daily life. Meditation practice compels you to observe your thoughts, emotions, and sensations as they arise, without getting attached to them. While external distractions may be present, meditation encourages inner silence and a still mind. Let this inner silence and stillness become the core of your being by engaging all aspects of you in every moment of your life.
Viewing life as a meditation is a perspective of life that emphasizes presence, and a deep sense of awareness in everyday experiences. Just as meditation encourages you to be fully present with your breath or a mantra, living life as a meditation involves being fully present in whatever you are doing. Whether you are eating, walking, working, or engaging in any activity, you aspire to do it with complete attention and awareness. You learn to observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment when meditating and apply this skill in life situations. In life as in meditation, you become an observer of your inner experiences as they arise in various life situations. This allows you to respond more skillfully rather than reacting impulsively.

Meditation centers on the "here and now." In life as in meditation, you practice focusing on the present moment and avoid dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. This helps reduce anxiety and enhances the quality of your experiences. Meditation allows you to practice acceptance of what is. Embracing a meditative approach to life’s ups and downs means accepting life's gifts and challenges without excessive attachment to outcomes. You come to be able to flow with the ever-changing circumstances of life.

Meditation encourages simplicity and contentment with the present moment. In life, adopting this perspective allows you to find joy in the simple things, appreciating the beauty of ordinary moments. Meditation fosters compassion, both for yourself and others. Living life as a meditation encourages empathy and understanding in your interactions with people, enhancing your relationships. Introspection and self-discovery are naturally cultivated with a practice of meditation. Living life as a meditation involves periodic self-reflection, examining your actions, motivations, and values to align your life with your inner truths.

A meditative approach to life often leads to a search for purpose and meaning beyond material pursuits. You may contemplate questions about the nature of existence and your place in the world. Gratitude is a common theme in meditation practices. Living life as a meditation includes cultivating a sense of gratitude for the experiences and people in your life.

It's important to note that life as a meditation is not just a beautiful concept, it's also a continuous practice that requires commitment and mindfulness. It doesn't mean avoiding responsibilities or challenges but rather engaging with them from a place of mindfulness and presence. Over time, adopting this perspective while integrating meditation into your life can lead to a more fulfilling, peaceful, and meaningful life. The boundaries which define meditation as something other than life start to dissipate, and life comes to be seen as a meditation.

With a sense of the continuity of meditation and life, mindfulness and presence become a more natural and consistent part of your day. If you are new to meditation, aim for just a few minutes of practice each day. As you become more comfortable, gradually increase the duration until you can sense a cohesive integration of meditation and life has occurred.

​One simple practice we recommend is to choose a word of the day to become the day’s mantra. For example, you choose the word “generosity.” You focus that day on all the ways you can be generous or notice another’s generosity. Repeating the word from time to time during the day can remind you of the practice of generosity during daily activities. Embrace whatever arises for you and simply be who you are in every moment. Let life be a meditation and let meditation be life. Whatever technique you use makes no difference. Your sincerity and open hearted approach to life as a meditation is all you need.
 
 

The feeling of belonging is associated with the inherent human need to form and maintain connections that promote the sense of being accepted, valued and understood. As a human living now, you are naturally nested in a hierarchy of relationships ranging from intimate, romantic and familial to casual relationships in your community, society and culture. Relationships are a part of belonging which define your experience of living in the relative world of duality. However, belonging can also be understood in terms of recognizing your innate connection to the entire fabric of existence, emphasizing the primordial nature of your mind. In this context, belonging is not limited to specific groups or individuals, but encompasses a vast sense of interconnectedness with all beings and all phenomena.

From this perspective, belonging is not based on external factors or the identification with a limited self. It transcends the boundaries of self and other, as well as the constructs of time, space, and individual identity. It is a recognition of the fundamental unity and interdependence of all phenomena, a direct realization that there is no separation between yourself and the world, that is One Life.

This sense of belonging is characterized by a profound sense of openness, spaciousness, and inclusivity. It is an experiential understanding that all beings and phenomena arise within the vast expanse of awareness, and that awareness itself is inseparable from the very fabric of reality. In this recognition, there is a deep sense of connection, compassion, and love that emerges naturally.

Belonging, is not something that needs to be achieved or acquired but is inherent in your true nature. Belonging is realizing that you are already part of the seamless tapestry of existence, and your actions, thoughts, and interactions ripple through the interconnected web of One Life.

There is a natural human desire to be part of something larger. This desire is so primal, you might try to acquire it by “fitting in” and by seeking approval, which are hollow substitutes for true belonging and can actually obscure the truer sense of belonging to One Life. Several factors can contribute to your feeling that you do not belong. These feelings of not belonging can become apparent from a combination of internal and external factors.

Experiences of rejection, exclusion, or being treated as an outsider in social settings or interpersonal relationships can lead to feelings of not belonging. The sense that your values, beliefs, or interests significantly differ from those around you, can also cause you to feel or believe you do not belong. When there is a lack of common ground or shared experiences, it may be challenging to connect with others and feel a sense of belonging within a particular group or community.

Your own self-perception and self-esteem can also influence feelings of not belonging. If you have low self-esteem, struggle with self-acceptance, or feel inadequate, you may perceive yourself as not fitting in or not deserving of belonging. Finally, when you feel you cannot express your true self, whether due to societal expectations, fear of judgment, or the need to conform, the disconnection between your internal identity and the external environment, can foster feelings of isolation and not belonging.

It's important to note that feelings of not belonging are subjective and influenced by your perceptions and experiences. They have to do with your sense of who you are in your world and your feelings in that nested hierarchy of relationships. In a conventional understanding “belonging” you may address feelings of not belonging by building supportive relationships, cultivating self-acceptance, and finding communities or environments where your authentic self is valued and embraced. Cultivating a sense of belonging in the world can be a valuable pursuit, but will most likely have limited results. We would suggest, however, that One Life Awareness as a direct knowing of your true nature can bring you to a state of true belonging that is absolute and unwavering. The absolute nature of belonging is truly your natural state.

​When you know you truly belong to All That Is, or One Life, it becomes easy to cultivate happiness, contentment, and fulfillment. Belonging to everything allows you to nurture self-esteem and self-worth without requiring you to build a self identity. So, permit your self to be All and Everything in relationship to All and Everything and know that you Belong to One Life, and that you are always connected to All That Is, and always profoundly and directly aware that you Belong.
 
 
 

Acceptance
You reach a state of acceptance when you stop arguing with reality. It is easy become preoccupied with thoughts of “this shouldn’t be” even while knowing “it is.” Acceptance is not limited to external circumstances or events but extends to the entire range of inner experiences. It involves accepting the thoughts and emotions that arise within the mind without getting entangled in them or identifying with them. Acceptance does not imply passive resignation or approval of undesirable situations. Instead, it entails a willingness to see things as they are and make peace with your internal experiences. It involves acknowledging and allowing your thoughts and emotions to arise and pass without struggling against them or getting caught in unproductive patterns of resistance. Through acceptance you can develop a spacious and non-reactive awareness that allows for greater clarity and insight.

Resistance or non-acceptance can have significant negative effects on health and wellbeing. While acceptance involves acknowledging and embracing your thoughts, emotions, and life circumstances, resistance or non-acceptance refers to the refusal or avoidance of these experiences. Denial, avoidance, and rejection are often characterized by a struggle against the reality of the present moment, and an attempt to control or change what is happening. Non-acceptance can manifest as a refusal to acknowledge your emotions and thoughts, dismissing them as invalid or unworthy of attention.

The act of resisting or non-acceptance can create a state of inner conflict and tension if you engage in a constant battle against your thoughts, emotions, or life circumstances. This resistance may amplify the intensity of negative emotions or prolong the duration of difficult experiences. By rejecting or avoiding certain experiences, you may miss opportunities for learning, insight, and finding constructive solutions. It can also lead to difficulties in relationships, as non-acceptance can lead to a lack of understanding and empathy towards others.

Remember that reaching a state of acceptance does not mean that you should passively resign yourself to undesirable circumstances. Instead, acceptance is closely related to the recognition of the nature of mind. It involves fully acknowledging and embracing the present moment as it is, without judgment or resistance. This acceptance is an active engagement with the reality of experience. All phenomena, including thoughts, emotions, and sensory perceptions, arise within the space of awareness. They are transient and inherently empty in nature. By accepting the arising and passing of these phenomena without grasping or aversion, you can cultivate a deep sense equanimity and freedom.

Acceptance can have significant positive effects on mental health and well-being. By accepting your experiences, you reduce the struggle and resistance that often leads to increased distress. Acceptance allows you to observe your thoughts and emotions with greater objectivity and respond to them in a more skillful and adaptive manner.

One key aspect of acceptance is acknowledging that aspects of life are beyond your control. This recognition helps you let go of the futile attempts to change or control uncontrollable circumstances. Cultivating the awareness of the uncontrollable nature of things allows you to view your experiences from a perspective that understands a-causality and grants you a clearer sense of the impermanence of all and everything.
 
Acceptance also involves embracing your imperfections and vulnerabilities. Rather than striving for an idealized version of yourself or constantly seeking external validation, acceptance encourages self-compassion and self-acceptance. By accepting your flaws and limitations, you can cultivate a more realistic and compassionate view of yourself and others.The opposite of acceptance can be described as resistance or non-acceptance. While acceptance involves acknowledging and embracing your thoughts, emotions, and life circumstances, resistance or non-acceptance refers to the refusal or avoidance of these experiences. By accepting yourself just as you are, without judgment or discrimination, you cultivate a compassionate attitude that recognizes the interdependence and interconnectedness of all beings. This compassionate acceptance is a transformative force that can bring about profound healing and liberation.

​Acceptance is an essential aspect of awakening. It involves embracing the present moment, acknowledging the transient and empty nature of phenomena, and cultivating a spacious and non-reactive awareness. Through acceptance, you can recognize your true nature and cultivate compassion and wisdom in your life. Stop arguing with “what is” and just remember to love and be loved. Make that your priority and simply be who you are--your true nature—awakened, alive, and loved.

A Quantum Leap
into Quantum Awareness

One Life Tutorial for July 2023

There are many ways to view a quantum leap. From the perspective of physics, a quantum leap refers to a discrete and abrupt change in the energy level of an electron within an atom or a particle within a quantum system.
According to classical physics, electrons move smoothly between energy levels within an atom. However, quantum mechanics introduced the concept of quantized energy levels, where an electron can only exist in certain specific energy states. When an electron undergoes a transition from one energy level to another, it must absorb or emit energy known as a "quantum." This transition is referred to as a quantum leap.

Metaphorically, the term “Quantum Leap” is often used to describe a significant and sometimes drastic change or advancement in various fields or areas of life. It implies a sudden and substantial progress or breakthrough, similar to the abrupt change in energy associated with quantum leaps in the atomic realm. There have been many quantum leaps in human history which have affected the human system in a quantum way. And there have been many quantum leaps in your awareness and spirituality which have personally affected you. Three quantum Leaps that influenced human understanding from the world of science are Quantum Mechanics, Quantum Field Theory, and Quantum Consciousness. The development and acceptance of Quantum Mechanics as a fundamental theory of physics brought about a profound shift in the understanding of the physical world. Quantum Field Theory revolutionized the understanding of fundamental forces. Quantum Consciousness explores the potential connections between Quantum Mechanics and consciousness. Quantum Consciousness has raised profound questions about the nature of the subjective experience, the limits of scientific inquiry, and the possibilities of a deeper understanding of human consciousness. The notion of a bridge between Quantum Physics and One Life Awareness arises from some apparent similarities of view which include the idea of interconnectedness, the observer effect, and non-duality.

A quantum leap from a One Life Awareness perspective refers to a sudden and direct realization of your true nature or the ultimate reality.  Let’s call this Quantum Awareness. On a profound spiritual path, Quantum Awareness could indicate a recognition of primordial awareness, or perhaps a radical shift in perception and understanding, transcending the ordinary conceptual mind. You might understand this quantum leap into Quantum Awareness as an immediate and non-gradual realization that seems “beyond” intellectual knowledge and conceptual frameworks. Quantum Awareness may be a direct and experiential recognition of your innate wisdom, your deep self, and the nature of One Life or All That Is. 

You can experience a quantum leap once in a lifetime or several times a day. You might have a sudden shift of awareness, like an “AHA” moment anywhere and at any time. You don’t have to have an intellectual understanding of this leap, nor do you need scientific familiarity of Quantum Consciousness to achieve a ground upon which a quantum leap might take place. A quantum leap transcends time and effort, and reveals the inherent wisdom that is always present, yet sometimes seems to hide in habitual patterns of thinking and conceptualizing.

While there is nothing to do to promote a spiritual quantum leap, you can cultivate and ready the ground of your being in preparation for the quantum leaps that may naturally occur. Your spirituality is a deeply personal and completely subjective journey. Quantum Awareness is unique to each one of you, yet most likely would include one or many of the following aspects:

Recognition of Primordial Awareness: Through a quantum leap, you directly recognize and experience primordial awareness, the inherent nature of mind. This awareness is described as being naturally pure, open, and free from conceptual elaborations. By directly realizing this primordial awareness, you may gain a deep understanding of the ultimate nature of reality and your own true nature.

One Life (non-dual) Awareness: The quantum leap may lead to the realization of non-duality, the absence of inherent separation between self and other, subject and object. This insight brings about a profound shift in perception, where the boundaries and divisions created by the conceptual mind are transcended. It allows you to perceive the interconnectedness and interdependence of all phenomena, fostering a sense of unity and oneness.

Liberation from Suffering: The quantum leap can liberate you from the root causes of suffering. By directly recognizing the nature of mind, you gain insight into the illusory nature of the ego and the grasping and aversion that perpetuate suffering. This realization can lead to a profound release from attachment, identification, and the afflictive emotions that cause suffering. Every quantum leap in your spiritual evolution requires a next-level relinquishment of your attachment to suffering.

Spontaneous Presence and Authenticity: A quantum leap can cultivate a state of spontaneous presence, where your actions and expressions arise effortlessly and spontaneously from the natural state of awareness. This authenticity arises from a place of non-conceptual wisdom, free from the limitations and distortions of the conceptual mind. It allows you to engage with life's experiences with greater clarity, creativity, and compassionate responsiveness.

Integration of Wisdom in Daily Life: The quantum leap is not an isolated experience but a transformative realization that is meant to permeate all aspects of life. It enables you to integrate the wisdom gained from the direct recognition of their true nature into your daily activities, relationships, and engagements with the world. This integration leads to a more harmonious and compassionate way of being.

Unwavering Confidence: Through a quantum leap, you may develop an unshakeable confidence in the nature of mind and the path of liberation. This confidence is not based on mere belief but arises from direct experiential realization. It provides a stable foundation for the ongoing practice and a source of unwavering support and guidance.
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A quantum leap’s full fruition to Quantum Awareness may require further practice and integration. However, even glimpses or partial experiences of this direct realization can bring about profound shifts and lay the foundation for continued spiritual growth. 

​Many quantum Leaps lie ahead both for you personally, and for humanity. Allow yourself to engage with awareness, presence, and confidence and experience the peace of an ever-evolving expansion in your true self emerging from obscurations which have hidden your light. The guidance always is to be who you are and be as loved as you are and take a quantum leap into All That Is—One Life—Quantum Awareness.
 

If your spiritual practice includes the profound understanding of reality that transcends ordinary dualistic perceptions and limitations, you can understand personal responsibility by emphasizing the primordial nature of mind and come to an experiential recognition of the inherent purity and wisdom of all beings. Then, personal responsibility becomes linked to the understanding of your true nature and the interdependence of all phenomena.
Contemplating the interdependence and interconnectedness of all phenomena reveals the inseparability of your own well-being from the well-being of others and the environment. This understanding naturally gives rise to a heightened sense of responsibility to act in ways that promote harmony, compassion, and beneficial outcomes.

All of you possess a primordial wisdom and your natural state is pure and open to One Life, All That Is. Your natural state, however, can be obscured by ignorance, confusion, and habitual patterns of thought. Your personal responsibility lies in recognizing and actualizing your natural state to liberate yourself from all obscurations and thereby benefit all others. Once you have dismantled the illusion of a fixed, separate self, the empty and interdependent nature of all things is revealed. However, this realization does not imply that there are no consequences to your actions. The ultimate nature of reality is that whatever occurs is exactly as it should be, and so there is great perfection in the natural unfolding of One Life. Although some might attempt to apply this wisdom in a way that exonerates them from any consequence of their actions, there is no excuse for being irresponsible or negligent. While the ultimate nature of reality may be beyond conceptual constructs, the relative nature of the world--the predicament of being human--still calls for compassion and wisdom to be applied to every day existence.

Responsibility is not some kind of duty or obligation imposed by external factors, rules or societal expectations alone. Responsibility is an internal commitment to realize your innate qualities of wisdom and compassion and to act in accordance with these principles. This commitment relies on the recognition that your actions have consequences, not only for yourself but also for the interconnected nature of One Life: that all actions have ripple effects and that your thoughts, words, and deeds can contribute to either harmony or disharmony in the world.

Personal responsibility is inseparable from compassion. It includes an empathetic understanding of the suffering of yourself and others. With this understanding, you may strive to act with kindness, integrity, and a genuine concern for the well-being of all beings. Your spiritual practice must find its way into your daily life, and while you may transcend the ordinary notions of good and bad spiritually, that does not negate the importance of ethical conduct and responsible behavior. Responsibility calls for skillful and compassionate engagement with the world, grounded in wisdom and an awareness of the impact of your actions.

Responsibility in a world of great perfection involves several key aspects:

Self-awareness: It begins with cultivating a deep awareness of your thoughts, emotions, and actions. By developing mindfulness and introspection, you gain insight into your patterns of behavior and your impact on yourself and others.
Recognizing interdependence: Emphasize the interconnectedness of all beings and phenomena. This recognition brings a sense of responsibility for the well-being of others and the environment. Actions are then considered in light of their potential effects on the whole of One Life.

Cultivating wisdom and compassion: Aim to cultivate wisdom, which arises from the direct experience of the nature of mind. This wisdom is inseparable from compassion, as it leads to the understanding of the suffering of oneself and others. Responsibility entails acting with kindness, empathy, and altruism.

Integrating spiritual practice into daily life: Integrate all spiritual practice into all aspects of life. Do not limit your awareness to formal meditation sessions. Extend it to everyday activities. Responsibility involves aligning your actions, speech, and thoughts with the principles of awakening, even in mundane situations.

Non-attachment: While taking responsibility, understand the illusory nature of phenomena and the importance of non-attachment. Recognize that clinging to a rigid sense of self or outcomes can hinder genuine responsibility. Instead, cultivate a flexible and open attitude that allows for spontaneous and skillful responses to each moment.

​Ultimately, responsibility is about embracing the transformative power of self-awareness, wisdom, and compassion. It is a holistic understanding that extends beyond personal concerns to embrace the well-being of all beings and the environment. By awakening to your true nature and acting with wisdom and compassion, you fulfill your responsibility to yourself and contribute positively to the interconnected totality of One Life.
 

The term "illusory self" typically refers to the idea that your sense of self, or your personal identity, is an illusion or a mental construct that does not correspond to a real, separate entity. Your perception of your self as unique and autonomous is an aleatory creation in each moment, unstable and not objective. In other words, the self you believe to be real and enduring is simply a mental construct or illusion. This illusion is a temporary and dependent phenomenon created by your thoughts, emotions, and perceptions. The self you experience is defined by the borders and boundaries you construct to defend aspects of the illusory self that you are attached to, primarily your self-image.

Self-image refers to your mental representation or perception of your self, including your physical appearance, personality traits, values, abilities, and overall identity. It is a subjective and multifaceted concept that is influenced by a range of internal and external factors, such as past experiences, social norms, cultural beliefs, and feedback from others.

Your self-image is composed of different components, including physical self-image, social self-image, and psychological self-image. You may have even generated a spiritual self-image. All these components contribute to your overall self-image and shape how you view yourself and your place in the world. Self-image can be positive or negative, which can have a significant impact on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Defending your self-image is a natural human tendency enacted to protect your sense of identity and self-worth, and depending on the situation and your personality, you may utilize one or many strategies. Here are a few strategies you may recognize:

Denial: You may deny or ignore negative feedback or criticism that threatens your self-image. For example, if someone tells you that you are not good at something, you might dismiss the comment as irrelevant or untrue.
Rationalization: You may explain away negative feedback or criticism by making excuses or justifications. For example, you might say you did poorly on a test because the questions were too hard or because you were feeling sick.
Blaming others: You may attribute negative feedback or criticism to external factors or other people, rather than taking responsibility yourself. For example, you might blame your poor performance on a teacher who didn't explain the material well enough.

Comparing yourself to others: You may compare themselves to others who are worse off or who have similar flaws, in order to feel better about yourself. For example, you might say, "At least I'm not as bad as so-and-so."
Seeking social support: You might seek validation and support from friends, family, or other people who share your beliefs or values. For example, you might talk to someone who you know will be sympathetic and reassuring.

It's important to note that some of these strategies may seem to be adaptive and healthy, while others may seem to be maladaptive and harmful. However, we suggest that by accepting and knowing the illusory nature of self, you can eliminate the strategies altogether and liberate yourself from attachment to self-image. Expanding your sense of what self is will be a more effective means of freeing yourself from maintaining the boundaries required to reify your solo self. Most importantly, realize that you tend to defend your borders and boundaries in the belief that you are defending your self, however, the self is just a construct, an illusory perception and not real, so truly there is nothing to defend.

Boundaries are raised at particular times and lowered at other times. Consciously and unconsciously. As you move daily through various states of awareness and unawareness you constantly erect borders and boundaries to maintain the sense of self. Boundaries can seem to be practical for establishing autonomy and relationship, and yet boundaries surrounding an illusory self promote the notion of self as separate and independent. With this view, the illusion of the self can become a source of suffering, as it leads you to attach to a false sense of identity and to experience craving, attachment, and aversion.

The aspiration is to recognize that your self is totality, all that is, One Life Awareness, that your self is not a lone, singularly functioning entity whose boundaries must be defended.  A self that would be separate is an illusion. A self is a complex system, composed of many things—ideas, perceptions, emotions, actually all and everything that is. One Life is you—your self. The self is all that is, and you pick and choose from all that is to define some portion of that wholeness to be you, but you actually are that wholeness.

The concept that an independent, bordered, boundaried self can have connection to others is erroneous thinking. Having any boundaries at all is contrary to experiencing the ultimate knowing that All That Is is who you are. Let go of this idea that you are a separate self, and see how much energy frees up when you stop defending the borders and boundaries you perceive to be necessary. The notion that you must defend your self-image is rooted in fear of connection. And we would say that everyone experiences fear of connection just as they experience fear of disconnection.

​Your sense of separateness will most likely never leave you. Your strategies to protect your self-image will likely remain. But, you can understand how boundaries and defending them function for you, and realize there is no need to fortify boundaries in order to support a self that is ultimately illusory. Set your self free from attachment to self-image and notions of an independent self and you will thrive in greater and deeper awareness and loving kindness. This is simply loving everyone and everything and just being you. 

One Life Tutorial for April 2023

At times you experience the occurrence of events in your life as coincidence, appearing related without any apparent causal connection. Coincidences arise from a variety of reasons, such as chance and statistical probability, but are ultimately created by the way you process information—how you perceive and interpret the experience. You may see patterns and connections, without any objective capacity to prove they exist. Or you may just sense that something feels different in the interaction. A coincidence feels more significant than just a random occurrence. If meaning is present, you might label an experience as more than “just a coincidence,” because coincidences which are meaningful reflect a deeper connection to your inner psychological state than what a random occurrence might suggest.

Sometimes coincidences occur simply by chance. There are billions of people and events happening every day and the odds of things lining up in ways that could easily be interpreted as meaningful are actually quite high. Coincidence presents aspects of the dynamic and interdependent nature of existence. With the knowledge that you have a tendency to interpret most of your experience in a way that conforms to pre-existing bias, beliefs, and expectations, it becomes prudent to recognize that in a world of dynamic coincidence, auspiciousness is always present.

The term auspicious is often used to refer to anything associated with positive and favorable outcomes. It can be used to describe a variety of situations, such as completion of positive action or the arrival of a new opportunity. In Buddhism, auspiciousness is closely linked to the idea of karma and the belief that one’s actions have consequences that affect future experiences. We use the term auspicious is to describe anything that is fortunate and conducive to spiritual growth and well being.

The notion that auspiciousness is always present suggests that there is a state of consistent opportunity for positive events and outcomes to occur and that these opportunities are interconnected and interdependent. This could be interpreted as the belief in the natural unfolding dynamic play of One Life as evolutionary movement into a more and more profound state of loving kindness. Whether the evolutionary movement is towards anything or nothing at all is irrelevant, however. In the relative sense of reality, it just is more reassuring to assume there is a direction and purposeful quality to evolutionary movement.

You do not have control over all the events and occurrences in your life, but you can appropriately cultivate a sense of the ever present auspicious nature of All That Is. Your choices, actions and beliefs are always met in the dynamic play of One Life unfolding. This meeting is perfect in that there is always an outcome that serves the continued unfolding. Coincidence is the juxtaposition of events unfolding and auspiciousness is the terrain upon which the events unfold. And the deeper truth is that dynamic coincidence is always recognizable in the midst of prevailing auspiciousness. And auspiciousness, ever present, can be cultivated and thereby support the profound knowing of meaningful interdependent coincidence.

Another term for the concept of “emptiness” might be “spaciousness”. When you first pondered the notion of emptiness, you probably thought it meant the void or simply nothingness. Often, emptiness, as nothingness, brings with it a feeling that there is no potency or possibility. Instead consider spaciousness, a term that promotes a deeper understanding of emptiness as a way of looking at experience; as a view or perception of reality. In this sense, emptiness is the means by which you take experience as it is, not adding nor subtracting anything. This way of perceiving the world is without bias or personal history; it reflects an absolute knowing of the unconditional nature of One Life arising.

Spaciousness engenders a sense of optimism, with no starting point and no separate ending point. Spaciousness requires you to start where you are. Be open to your spaciousness and you can see in all directions without limits. Because of the interdependent nature of things, anything can come into being. It just depends on the circumstances and conditions that arise and how you interact with them. There is not a way that you should be or things that must happen in life, which is not to say that life is totally random. Everything, All-That-Is, is dependent on everything and All-That-Is in order to exist. This interdependency means there is nothing and no one with whom you are not connected. This profound state of being, and the wisdom to grok it, emerges out of abiding spaciousness.
Now, to really dive deeper, notice that just because you are interdependent with All-That-Is, and you therefore affect All-That-Is, you cannot create or control a particular outcome. If you act consciously, you do not guarantee that what comes into being will reflect your perceived level of consciousness. All possibilities and all outcomes exist at all times in the spaciousness of all reality.

​You are constantly interacting with the world around you, no matter how hard you might try to isolate yourself from the world. A mutual exchange is constantly occurring, endlessly shifting and constantly adapting. Standing in your spaciousness, you experience the non-static nature of the perfect unfolding and arising of One Life in all moments.
To ground you in your relationship to your perceived reality, see your life from the perspective of spaciousness, and incorporate the wisdom of knowing the interdependent nature of All-That-Is. By that we mean you can cultivate a greater acceptance and unconditional responsiveness to what occurs in your life’s circumstances. This is where loving kindness and compassion comes in. In the midst of true spaciousness lies the wholehearted understanding of the connectedness of all that is. Whether you identify this understanding as emptiness or spaciousness, allow love to lead the way to embracing the interdependency of all aspects of One Life. Nothing is required, nothing is missing from your experience. Let all that you see,  know, and feel be empty and spacious.