Sensing the Source of Peace

We all realize that peace of mind does not come about easily.  This is because we look for solutions without understanding the source of disturbance.  That is like an auto-mechanic trying to set right a problem in a misbehaving car without locating the fault.  Added to it is the fact of the religious people so readily offering a solution, so much so one would not apply oneself to discovering the source of the trouble. However, there are many of us (though forming only a minority as of now) who are serious and would go about probing into the matter of finding that source.  Such people will find abiding peace provided they persist in their application with sustained patience.

What is important in that journey of discovery is to understand the difference between (1) applying the merely rational mind and (2) turning to quiet self-awareness to bring about inner clarity.  Relying on the authority of others for such clarity can only thwart the movement towards the truth.  This does not mean we should not listen to others but that clinging to a particular source as a matter of exclusive guidance will lead us astray. We may say that relying on the mind is a matter of using the head while the non-verbal self-awareness is associated with the inner being where the native intelligence resides.

In this respect, it is good to reflect on the in-depth presentations, whether it comes from an enlightened Master or (unsuspectingly as it were) from a so called layman.   J. Krishnamurti says, "You cannot buy peace; it is not the invention of an intellect; it is not to be purchased through prayer, through bargaining.  It is not in any holy building, in any book, in any person.  No one can lead you to it, no guru, no priest, no symbol." 

Reflecting on such presentations as the one above, we can let the inner dive take place.  That can put us on a state of meditation in which there is no "meditator".  That is the movement which can take us to the source and prevent the disturbance from getting a foothold in us.     

The robot and the human being

Due to the repetitive thought process, the mind becomes hardened into a robot and our responses become mechanical.  This is part of the reason for mediocrity in life.  Even though one may have pots of money, fame and other satisfying situations, the robotic response in one causes unhappiness.  Involvement of the ego destroys human touch to one's responses, the robotic response being the very content of that ego.  So, the question is: Can one dissolve the robot in one?  A million dollar question!

Trying to control the robot cannot help because the controller himself is part of the robot.  What can help is a quiet awareness and understanding of the robot.  That means we have our attention turned on ourselves as the robot gets into action.  This is not easy.  However, with sustained interest in that direction the robot comes under spotlight and so begins to dissolve.  It becomes fun as we move deeper in that direction.  The inward journey based on self-awareness can clear up many unwanted mental states.  One becomes relaxed and meets life with a laid-back attitude.  Vibrancy in life has to have such a stable base of unruffled mind.