Welcome life and be the creative Force

 Creation is neither good or bad; it is as it is. It is the human mind which puts all sorts of constructions on it, as it sees things from its own angle and as it suits its own interests. (Ramana Maharshi)

A colleague once said to me in a discussion, “The market can stay irrational for a lot longer than you can stay solvent.” Life is as it is. There are the “good” times from our vantage point as well as the “bad” times. The opportunity is to recognize, and to participate in, the force of Creation, as well as seeing the “me” as it is, just like observing a tree or another human being.

When we realize that this creative Force arranges our feelings, thoughts and the world we are embedded in to help us dismantling the image we have of ourself and allow us to move the self out of the Way, the spiritual quest is over. Leonard Cohen summed this insight up perfectly, “If you don’t become the ocean you will be seasick every day.” Welcome life and be the creative Force.

#ramanamaharshi #leonardcohen #awakening #spirituality 

Spotting the root cause

 When I was teaching the Letting Go Method, one student felt very confused. She said, “I just shared my problem, but instead of telling me what to do, you started talking about the issue beneath the real issue. I don’t understand what you’re trying to tell me.” I replied, “When you have a question, you must first notice why you are asking that question. It is natural to want a quick solution when a problem arises. But quick solutions can only fix surface problems—they cannot resolve the root cause. We must learn to see the real issue beneath the issue.”

Why was my response hard for her to understand? Because it was not what she wanted. To put it simply, it is like watching yourself being beaten on a screen. You feel uncomfortable, so you keep asking, “What should I do?” Instead of answering directly, I ask you, “Why do you feel uncomfortable?” This is not what you want to hear. You want instructions on what to do, but I am pointing you back to the source of the reaction.

I won’t simply tell you, “Turn off the projector,” because next you will ask, “Where is the projector?” If I tell you it is behind the wall, you will then ask, “Where is the switch?” Eventually, you may even want me to turn it off for you. What you truly want is to get rid of the pain immediately and rely on others to solve it for you. Of course, I could turn it off for you—but if I do, you will gradually become more miserable, because you are not learning how to see through the issue yourself.

Another example: someone once asked me, “I feel sorry toward another person and want to apologize. Should I apologize directly, or should I just repent in my heart?” Instead of giving a direct answer, I asked him, “What is your motivation for asking this question?” He said, “I feel sorry toward the other person, but I don’t dare to apologize directly.”

 

I asked, “How do you feel when you imagine apologizing to him?”

He replied, “I feel as if there is no place for me.”

“Then look at this feeling of ‘no place for me.’ What else do you notice?”

He said, “I’m afraid that if I admit my mistake, he won’t talk to me anymore, and our relationship will be over.”

“So what do you really see here?”

He answered, “I’m afraid that the other person won’t love me.”

 

We can see that fear is hiding underneath and forming the question itself. If we cannot see this fear clearly, we will hesitate to apologize. In fact, the struggle has nothing to do with the apology—it comes from the fear within us. When this fear remains unseen, it will appear repeatedly in our lives, creating hesitation, struggle, and subtle anxiety.

 

The key, then, is to let go of the fear beneath the surface. When we practice the Letting Go Method in this way, many obstacles in life naturally loosen. Each time we encounter a problem, we can let go of the surface thought and move deeper—step by step—until we reach the real issue beneath it all.

 

By Suzhen Liu

If you enjoy Suzhen Liu’s writings, please check out her new book, “Discover Love Within—Release Your Suffering” available on Amazon.

 https://www.amazon.com/Discover-Love-Within-Release-Suffering/dp/0999251732

Three Layers of Observation in Spirituality

We can use the water in a pond to describe our emotional reactions. When it is sunny and windless, the pond becomes like a mirror. When there is a breeze, small ripples appear. When raindrops fall, the ripples grow larger. During a storm, the pond is filled with waves. Right or wrong, good or bad, love me or not, see me or not, good job or not, recognize me or not, cool or not—these are all surface reactions.

The second layer of emotion includes consciousness and memory. For example, if someone scolded you in the past or said something hurtful or embarrassing, these experiences form belief patterns within us.

The third layer of emotional observation can be compared to the reflection of the moon in a deep pond. In deep water, the reflection is still. From this place of stillness, suffering can naturally dissolve.

If we remain at the first layer, even a single drop of rain creates ripples. We are easily triggered by others’ comments. We feel happy or upset based on how others see us, endlessly cycling at the surface. What appears at this level is an illusion—it does not truly exist. Like raindrops falling into the pond, the illusion arises and disappears.

In truth, you do not lose anything at all. What is real is found in the third layer. Why are we unable to look from this place? Why do we stay at the first layer? Because of ignorance—we do not know that such depth exists within us. All struggle happens at the first layer. When we go deeper, the nature of struggle changes.

What is the meaning of events that occur at the first layer? They exist to guide us back to our Self. When we notice that we are caught at the surface, we can consciously move downward, layer by layer. When you see clearly that what you are experiencing is an illusion—for example, your child receiving a grade of C—and your mind no longer attaches to it, wisdom can arise. Only when wisdom surfaces can an issue truly be resolved.

So no matter where you are in your learning, you must return to the third layer—to the original mind, to original peace and stillness.

For example, there was an excellent female employee whose abilities far exceeded those of most of her male coworkers. She was promoted repeatedly to high-level positions. However, each time she was close to reaching the highest position, circumstances forced her to give up the opportunity. Although she truly wanted the promotion, the opportunity kept appearing and disappearing. She became frustrated and began to complain, asking, “Why am I so unlucky? I work so hard—why do I keep failing?” This is remaining at the first layer—reviewing, improving, and complaining.

 

After listening to her story, I guided her to practice the Letting Go Method and meditation. During this process, she discovered that she would unconsciously sabotage herself at critical moments. She realized that deep within, she did not believe she deserved a good life. As she practiced letting go, stillness arose. She reached the third layer and saw deep guilt within herself that prevented her from fully receiving life. This kind of insight is only possible at the third layer.

The moment we speak the letting-go phrases and pause, our suffering pauses as well. In that pause, we gain the energy needed to see the truth. When the truth is seen, obstacles no longer remain obstacles. This clarity naturally gives rise to peace and happiness.

By Suzhen Liu

If you enjoy Suzhen Liu’s writings, please check out her new book, “Discover Love Within—Release Your Suffering” available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Discover-Love-Within-Release-Suffering/dp/0999251732

Advancing spiritually

 Break-through events like a Ramana Maharshi who pretty much advanced to nearly superhuman as a teenager are rare. For most of us the breakthrough comes in stages. That’s why we have a tough time understanding each other and relating to each other’s experience. The friends closest to their heart are often tormented by their mind, and the non-duality thinkers are often not completely in touch with their feelings. Eventually it all comes together for everyone and then we no longer have to quarrel because everything is One and we manifest the sacred.

Nisargadatta Maharaj once stated the obvious, “the fruit falls when it is ripe!” Practice S (ilence) in meditation, explore kundalini E (nergy), embrace L (ove) wherever you go and observe the F (low) of life. In Oneness we are S-E-L-F and it becomes part of our subconscious. We give birth to the here and now with our very presence. Body, mind and world appear in Consciousness and we are “That.” If “you” still feel caught in-between two worlds just keep going. No one gets initiated only to be left hanging. Pick the practice that works best and be open to all paths.

Transcend Your Thinking Patterns

 Let me share a short story. There was a housewife who worked very hard every day to keep her household in order. She continually improved her cooking skills so she could provide healthy and delicious meals for her family. Household chores were her main focus, and her family often expressed their gratitude and appreciation.

One day, she prepared a delicious dinner, but her husband only took a few bites before moving to the living room to watch TV. If you were her, how would you feel?” Did he think my cooking wasn’t good?” “I worked so hard, yet I’m not appreciated.” “What did I do wrong?”

Now, pay attention to the thoughts as they arise. At first, you may notice the feeling of being under-appreciated. Ask yourself, “Why do I feel under-appreciated?” Perhaps the answer is, “I feel unworthy. He didn’t see my effort at all.” Then, how do you usually respond? “Maybe I should think positively.” “He might just be tired.” “Forget it.”

Often, our attention stops at this stage—searching for explanations—because we cannot see clearly. Why is that? Because we easily fall into habitual thinking patterns, like a computer running on autopilot after receiving a single command. This pattern doesn’t only occur between partners; it also appears in our relationships with friends and family. It is not just your partner—you may also feel under-appreciated by friends or others close to you.

Even if we find a hundred reasons to excuse the other person, the feeling of being under-appreciated remains. That is because the same pattern repeats itself in all our relationships. We could call this autopilot karma. This karma operates between partners, friends, and parents, and it feels unbreakable.

Why does it seem so difficult to change? Because our attention stops at the level of seeking solutions—what we may call surface consciousness. The answers we find at this level cannot truly resolve the issue. When our awareness stays here, we cannot see the root cause, and the pattern continues to repeat.

To transcend it, we need to go deeper, into the second level of consciousness—the level of interaction patterns and underlying beliefs. There, old wounds may surface. Perhaps at some point in the past, we were hurt, and that experience led us to believe that we can only relax or feel worthy when everything is perfect. Behind the pursuit of perfection, there is often an unseen obstacle.

When we see this clearly, we can finally transcend the pattern. We realize that we don’t need to be a perfect chef, partner, or caregiver. We simply need to be natural.

To reach this point, we must pay attention to every thought. Each thought, when observed with awareness, can lead us from surface consciousness into deeper understanding.

Suzhen Liu

If you enjoy Suzhen Liu’s writings, please check out her new book, “Discover Love Within—Release Your Suffering” available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Discover-Love-Within-Release-Suffering/dp/0999251732

The power of self inquiry

 There is an infinite energy source at our disposal. We sometimes can’t see and feel it due to the conditioning that generates our illusionary—and limited—personal existence. But then, whenever we become aware of the fact that we have cut ourselves off the nourishing well we can reconnect. That’s the boon of Awakening that many of us have received. It’s a big accomplishment to have steady access to “That,” but even if we are temporarily cut off, becoming aware that we are unaware is something we can do as long as we are honest and upright.  

Yesterday I was sitting with a personal obstacle for a while. It wasn’t the most pleasurable experience, but it wasn’t so bad either; just seeing previously suppressed and stagnant energy moving. The discomfort lasted until the nourishing Source started shining through and the interference was gone. That’s the power of self inquiry. It’s human to encounter personal problems but the capacity to be aware of our unawareness is a resource we all possess. Sit with this uncomfortable state without escaping and see what happens.

Know Yourself

 The source of our beliefs may come from education, social culture, or deeply rooted patterns in our consciousness. This is why some people appear to be walking on the right path, yet at a critical moment, they go astray. It is because certain seeds remain hidden in their deep consciousness.

 

For example, we may take the thought “I have to work hard, or I won’t be accepted” as a given. We believe this is the correct way to live, so we act without questioning it. This is why we are always pushing ourselves to work hard. Now, we can begin to question this belief. Is this thought really set in stone? Can we look at it and understand where it comes from—not to analyze it intellectually, but to truly see it?

 

When you are not feeling well, when problems arise, or when you are facing an important decision in your life, the first step is to pay attention to your thoughts, layer by layer. Then you will begin to understand why you are experiencing these situations. It is these unnoticed thoughts that have slowly guided you in this direction.

 

Although observation may sound cliché, without it, all practice is in vain. Without observation, you will not know why you are doing what you are doing, even if you have been meditating for years. Without observation, there can be no wisdom. Begin by observing your thoughts, then go deeper into karma. Allow this observation to go all the way to the root, seeing yourself from every angle. When this happens, the pain at the root can finally come to an end.

 

True spiritual practice is grounded in this. It is not about complex terminology, but about paying attention to yourself from all angles while living your life. True spiritual practice focuses on the ordinary, on what is closest to daily life. Pay attention to your thoughts; pay attention to these subtle places. This is both the beginning and the end. This is true Dharma.

By Suzhen Liu

If you enjoy Suzhen Liu’s writings, please check out her new book, “Discover Love Within—Release Your Suffering” available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Discover-Love-Within-Release-Suffering/dp/0999251732