Maria Erving

Stillness Is Highly Underrated

Maria Erving — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 11:30:50 +0000

For the ego stillness is threatening, it frightens the mind because to turn off the distraction means we actually have to sit with ourselves – our true selves, which is stillness itself, and that’s not very inviting for the mind especially if that is who we think we are.

From the space of stillness all life springs, all creativity, insights, wisdom, and activity comes from the quiet place within where everything is allowed to be and are not held on to.

It’s not something we create.

Stillness already is, so to hear someone say “I have to create some time to stillness” makes no sense to me, to crave stillness and believing that you actually have to create time for it is only the mind talking itself out of not being still for even one small speck in time, and therefor it creates excuses and distractions.

It’s like thinking it’s a luxury that you have to plan into your schedule, but we always take time to what we value the most, just look at what you do, that reveals what you truly value.

It’s not what we say we value, but what we actually do and how we spend our time that reveals where our actions and behaviors come from.

The ego has lots of excuses to not sit still for even 5 minutes:

Five minutes is not enough, there’s no use in only sitting for a few minutes in stillness, what good would that do. It’s a waste of time.

I don’t have time to be still, or meditate. I have so much to do; have to solve this problem first, I have to figure this thing out first, then I can relax.

Tonight I’ll relax with a glass of wine and my favorite TV show, that’s how I unwind.

I can call my best friend and dump all my stuff on her – that makes me relieved from whatever goes on in my frantic mind, that makes me relaxed.

I don’t like being still, .. hmm, I’m hungry, I’ll eat something first.

I need to have something to soothe (entertain) me (my mind) while I sit here, I’ll put on some new age music.

It’s not productive to just sit (I’m bored), I have to DO something.

When you first start to meditate or sit in silence, simply being with yourself (that’s all it is basically, it’s not complicated), you’ll notice thoughts coming and going, memories coming up, thoughts about something you need to do later on and you oftentime begin to sense some uncomfortable sensations where the body wants to move and so on, just let those things happen. (Observe what’s happening, don’t resist or judge).

This happens because the mind is conditioned to focus on objects, so it tries to be aware of and control even the stillness, but obviously it can’t so it can get a bit frantic in the beginning.

The mind has not learned how to not do something, it’s trained to get going right away when we wake up in the morning and for most people it’s conditioned to go, go, go! all day long, so give it some slack.

That is also why it starts to go back in memory because when there’s nothing to hold on to in this moment (of stillness) it tries to go to the past to have something to hold on to (and to have something to interpret because it can’t interpret or understand stillness), so it’s totally normal in the beginning.

It’s important to know that this is to be expected and don’t think that it’s going to be like that all the time (this is one of the minds most used excuse by the way; “it’s too difficult, I just can’t relax my mind, it’s impossible”) because eventually the mind will let go into the stillness, not by force and not by any effort, but by letting go of all effort.

Whatever issues you think there are to be ‘worked out’ in your life, whatever solutions you want to have, whatever problems that needs to be solved or questions to be answered, they will not come from the mind, but from the stillness within.

All solutions and answers come from stillness itself, not from the active, frantic mind.

It is from there all productivity and activity comes from that is actually constructive and helpful.

The mind may solve a problem (temporarily), but it always produces a new problem or issue to be resolved to replace the previous one, it’s what minds are programmed to do.

It’s nothing wrong, it’s just when we believe our minds to hold some kind of truth that it will drag us through life like a dog on a leash, from one issue to another, always frantically doing something and never taking time to just sit and actually feel life all around us, to smell the roses so to speak. (It thinks that’s something we can allow ourselves to do on holidays or weekends only).

The relaxations and peace we crave in life comes from being able to sit still and not hide from ourselves, which is the stillness itself. We are that.

That’s why it can’t be created or manufactured. It already is, it’s here for us to lean into and let ourselves be swallowed up by it.

Nothing actually needs to happen or change in order for us to be at peace, all that is needed is for us to allow it to be present in our awareness and being and to not push it to the background of life where we just pay attention to it now and then when it’s convenient for the mind.

Stillness is harmonising, it releases us from attachments, it opens up the inner eye vision and get us unhooked from the narrowness of the egoic mind that is mostly focused on figuring things out and solving problems.

Most people either don’t appreciate or truly don’t understand the value in having a mind that is still and open and thus receptive.

To even let go of the effort to be still (remember, the mind will want to control even the stillness in the beginning) and to simply be, and become aware of the mind and how it wants to manipulate and “become still” is a huge revelation in itself.

We don’t “become still”, we simply are stillness itself. Feel the difference?

There’s a relief in that difference.

One tries to either control and ‘be’ stillness, the other lets stillness be and doesn’t suppress anything that may come up, all is allowed and only seen from a witness point of view, as an observer of what’s going on.

When this happens, that’s when stillness is revealed to be our true natural state and not simply a state of mind that we visit now and then when we crave peace and quiet.

It’s then revealed that this is who we are.

And that’s why stillness is frightening, that’s why it’s avoided and resisted by the ego.

That’s why it’s underrated and not appreciated enough – because most still value the minds opinions and guidance more.

In reality, there’s only one consciousness (which is Truth/God), and (billions) of different states of mind (programs/conditioning), and the unity all humans essentially crave can only come from not having the mind as our boss anymore, but that we instead turn our attention to the stillness within where all Life springs from.

That’s what unity with the One is.

Peace is already present – the time to dwell and move

from stillness is always in the present moment

Here’s a few other articles you might like:

It’s so important to value the present moment and show up for life – right now!

Where to begin you ask, when the fast paced life has taken over and I have lost touch with myself?

This article may inspire you to live in the moment: Stop and smell the roses

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When we become aware of how the mind operates, we come to realize that it’s in the knowing of the false that we come to see the Truth.

And that’s where all our suffering comes from essentially, from the unwillingness to look silently without the need to analyze or figure anything out.

To not go to our minds for so called solutions because the problems we think we have are also created in the mind, by the mind!

It will always keep itself busy, always keep itself occupied so it can keep its importance alive, while in reality there’s nothing new, nothing of real value, to be found in the mind: The Mind Always Demands To Be Preoccupied

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There are many ways the mind tries to distract you when you sit down to meditate and one of the most common phenomenons that happen usually in the beginning when someone is just starting out with meditation is the sudden urge to sleep.

There you are, making yourself comfortable where you sit and you close your eyes, … and then suddenly you start to feel very, very sleepy, and you just want to lie down to sleep right where you are. It’s sooo inviting and you just want to give into it because it feels so relaxing and wonderful.

This kind of sleep is a false sleep, and it’s not the same as “meditating” but the mind will convince you that it’s just the same.. It’s very clever: The Sudden Urge To Sleep When Meditating

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What to do to about any kind of dullness and stuckness in life where one of the ways to hinder our own spiritual development is to let ourselves be fooled into believing the minds idea of recreation and relaxation: 7 Ways Of How We Dull Ourselves Down Spiritually And What To Do About It

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Keep Your Attention On Things That Matters Most

Maria Erving — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 10:18:34 +0000

If something is meant to be, it will happen, whatever it may be for you individually. With that said, it doesn't mean that you can sit on the couch waiting for some God to hand over the perfect life to you while you spend your time on mindless things as being on Facebook for hours every day doing nothing basically. To live from a perspective of Spirit is not about laziness or being passive, and it's certainly not about letting fear interfere with your calling in any way. You can trust that whatever is meant for you, exactly that will happen (all we can do to 'hinder' it from being a living reality is to postpone it, sometimes for many lifetimes), but on the journey we have to be willing to take chances, we have to be willing to make 'mistakes' also, and know that there isn't a purpose to our lives that is static and set in stone. Purpose changes all the time, and we are not in charge of deciding why things happen the way they do, or even why we do the things we do. All we can decide is how we chose to spend This Moment when it comes to attention and perspective. I have felt rejected by the world many times in the past, even by God, but I have never doubted myself. We have to continue following our hearts calling, it cannot - and shouldn't - be rejected or neglected. You have to do what feels right in your heart, even if failure may be one of the outcomes. And that's not even the reason we do what we do when we follow the heart; failure or success has nothing whatsoever to do with it. We also have to be open and changeable, moldable, by Life that is, not by outer influences in attempts to try to give the world something we think it needs (which comes from the ego and it's noble wishes to 'save the world' as if it knew what the world needs) or something we think it's asking or demanding from us (the expectations of others), but by that which drives us from the inside. That's what we need to stay true to. We have to be willing to change, and luckily for me personally that is inherent in my nature and temperament; I have always been experimental, curious and loved to explore more deeply about life and who I am at a core, while playing around with the costumes and roles life have had (and has) in store for me. And I can tell you that if there would be any so called failures, they would be victories for your soul. Trust me on that one. Only the ego get crushed in the process, not the core of your being, it remains intact and confident, always. Nothing is ever in vain when serving that which is true in your heart and every 'failure' is a new opportunity to tweak your ways (not to accommodate/conform, but to learn from what didn't work, or what wasn't really in alignment with who you are after all) and become more and more clear about the path and vision God has planted in your heart. The ideas and the visions are not created by you; you receive them and you act on them, that's what it means to live from the heart. Your personal will has nothing to do with it. You are in every moment informed by your intuitive wisdom what to do and where to go, all you have to do is to trust it. When you are connected to that, there's no way you can be stopped, you cannot not do what you are inspired to do, there's a bigger pull that drives you and you know it, and you honor it. You receive the vision and ideas and then you just go with it, wherever they may take you, and you do it purely because it feels like the right thing to do, because you enjoy it, and not to get money or recognition or whatever – it's a matter of loving what you do. Some will like what you share, others won't. That should not make any difference to you, you're not here to live other peoples lives. Nevermind what other people project regarding you and the journey you have embarked on, don't give a hoot about that, don't let it bother you one bit. Just throw yourself into it, wholeheartedly! I have complete trust in my own path, complete. I know without a doubt that this moment right now, what I do in this precise moment, this is the purpose of my life. What tomorrow brings I don't know, and I don't care; there's no need in me to know what the next moment brings or how Life decides to move and express itself through and as me tomorrow or next year. Dharma is about doing the right thing no matter what, in this moment, and your sphere of influence in the world is the way you live your life, simple as that. In my opinion we're either committed to profound honesty and sincerity with ourselves and our path, or we're not, there's no halfway available in this. Either you are committed to Truth or you're not, either we practice and live our Dharma or we don't. To move this way through life requires that you let go of the need to figure anything out, trusting that you will be informed in the moment you need to know something, because we are always informed and directed already as Life lives us! It's only when we interfere with our personal will (and we don't pay attention to our intuitive knowing) and are trying to force our way to go in a specific direction, stubbornly and determined to go where we want to go (the ego wants), against the current of Life, that's when we suffer and struggle our way through life. ("I will get what I want, at all cost"-mentality). Remove the ego's little wishes and wants and get a fresh perspective, free of desires of achievements and outcomes and we're immediately aligned with the natural flow of life that moves with absolute ease and obviousness. To be true to yourself:

Get clear on your priorities and values. To know what you value and to actually live up to them are vastly different. It's not enough to value Truth. Are you actually living your Truth, right now? Or are you wasting your time on things that don't really matter? Get clear on that.

Set boundaries for what kind of energy you accept into your life and what not. Do you accept drama in your life? Are your friends supportive and inspiring? What's okay with you, and what's not?

State within you who you are willing to be. What roles have you accepted to play in life, and do you limit yourself within the boundaries they carry with them? Are you willing to change and embrace the fullness of who you are, and look beyond the person you take yourself to be - are you willing to take the 'garment' off and see what remains when all definitions of who you are are dropped?

Set your standards, respect yourself and stay true to yourself. Period.

We're in the midst of Life, we are it, but until we know it, life will feel as a struggle with occasional rewards and happy moments, while when we are clear and we stay true to who we are, that's when we come to realize that life supports us in our commitment to be ourselves, which is Life itself. When we let go and surrender to Life and Its ways, the freshness of this moment opens up the path and the space of perception widens and we're able to see a whole new world in front of us that is so much more enjoyable and interesting than the small world of the mind-made self/ego. The choice lies in what you pay attention to and what you value the most - are you living your Truth? Other articles that you might like: Nothing Can Hinder What’s Meant To Happen From Happening Money and Spiritual Work What is Inspirational Writing? God Will Give You The Right Goals and Plans Visit my Social Stream Website

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I wonder why there aren’t more “Spiritual Bitches” around.. (How to be free)

Maria Erving — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:34:15 +0000

My advice to anyone who wants to become free (or realize that you already are) is to stop running around kissing gurus feet, throw all your programs and seminars out, stop following spiritual teachers and don't be so neurotic and obsessed with yourself. Just BE for Gods sake! Be who you are, don't let anyone define you and don't put on masks that others want you to wear so that they will feel comfortable around you. You don't have to become "somebody", actually, we're free when we're nobody - what a liberation! To simply be - that's true freedom. Some may like you while others won't - big deal. Not even God is loved by everyone. The deeper the awakening goes for me, the clearer I see how deluded the spiritual arena is, and it's all becoming more and more like a circus and I'm not interested in putting up a show for no one. No one can give you what you already have, or are, and the faster you realize that, the faster you find out that you already are that which you are looking for. But most people want to keep seeking and searching, for decades sometimes, they follow this guy and that teacher, to then follow that guru and then back to that other spiritual teacher that a friend told them about that is supposedly to be “enlightened”. Knock yourself out, if you enjoy it, keep looking, but I'm telling you, the moment you let all that go, you're free, because the honest truth is that you'll keep looking because you're miserable and wish to become free and you carry the belief that someone has what you don't have so you keep looking and seeking outside of yourself. Here's the thing: No one can free you, but they can make you believe, or hope that they can, so you will believe them, and keep the hope up that maybe 'tomorrow I will realize myself'. You're already here! You're wasting your life looking for something outside of yourself to liberate you. I'm not interested in playing games and I must say that what I see and experience is that most people don't really want the Truth, they only want to feel a little better (which only lasts until the next seminar, program or counseling session), and frankly, that's not what I'm interested in at all. I don't understand the yearning for having spiritual experiences, I don't know how many times I have got the question “how do I keep the bliss, how can I always be in that spiritual, altered state?”. That to me is like asking how you can have and keep an orgasm that never ends; the question is so immature and silly to me. Both are EXPERIENCES, and all experiences come and go. To me it's so obvious but that's actually what most people want and think spiritual awakening is about; about experiences or “states”, and I have no patience with answering those kinds of questions. What I have noticed is that when I tell those who ask that that a spiritual experience is not the same as spiritual awakening, they usually become offended and their egos get bruised and they don't want to listen, so they go to someone else and ask the same effin question, year after year, decade after decade, completely deluded in thinking that spiritual awakening is about them being in a blissful, altered state, forever and ever. (It's not like that at all). I don't stroke spiritualised egos that are over-sensitive and merely want to hold hands and be cuddled with. I'm an assertive and strong woman that can be outspoken and not the stereotypical “spiritual” person that everybody likes and finds all lovey dovey, and it makes me cringe inside when I see all the phoniness that goes around in the spiritual scene and all the gullible people that are drawn to that. You'll never see me smiling and gazing lovingly towards you while whispering Namaste with a soft angelic voice if you know what I mean! But that's what most people are drawn to; their egos are drawn to the images and expectations they have about how a "spiritual person" should be, which is usually about acting saintly and holy in front of other people. (Which make egos 'feel good'). There's nothing in me that is the slightest interested in being liked by everyone (I could not care less about what others think of me), it's just not in my nature to be like that and I don't want to be a part of that (the spiritual circus) or associated with that kind of energy. To me it's more important to be true than to be nice and all holy and "spiritual". Surrender, throw everything out, walk away, and you're free. End of story. You don't have to buy anymore programs or go to anymore Satsangs for the actual living of that Truth. It's when you turn within, to your own inner Guru, that's when you're set free. Get the spark back in your eye and joy in your heart by surrendering yourself to yourself – to Life itself! What you seek is already here. YOU are already who and what you are meant to be, just as you are, and the faster you can embrace that, the faster you free yourself from the chains that someone else has put upon you and that you have accepted.

There's no one that can do a better job being you than you yourself, and it doesn't require any effort at all. None. It's only when we want to be "somebody" (good or "bad", doesn't matter) that there's effort involved.

All it takes is to simply drop all the labels and definitions you have of yourself and the person you think you are and all that you wish to be or become, for whatever reason that may be, and there you are. You are already right here. Here's some other articles you might like: http://mariaerving.com/im-so-holy-and-pure/ http://mariaerving.com/spiritual-stereotypes/ http://mariaerving.com/enlightenment-pitch-for-the-ego-get-what-you-want/ http://mariaerving.com/spiritual-teacher-concept/ http://mariaerving.com/spiritual-awakening-has-nothing-to-do-with-pleasing-the-mind/ http://mariaerving.com/break-free-from-programming/ ***By the way, "bitch" is not a negative word to me.

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Clarification [Read this]

Maria Erving — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 12:45:31 +0000

After my previous article (mariaerving.com/embracing-change) some people wrote and said things like "I am sure you will tell us when you are ready again", and I wanted to comment on that and also clarify some of the points I made in the last article.

I want you to know that I think it's very kind of you, and I do appreciate it very much, but it's not like that at all.

It's not that I'm "not ready". It has nothing to do with not being ready or being ready. I don't even think about it, I have simply moved on. I feel drawn in a different direction, and I always follow my heart. I mean, it may come back later (me writing about spiritual awakening and transformation) or it may not (that's for Life to decide), but that makes no difference to me at all, it's perfectly fine either way, I am very happy either way. Who knows, maybe God wants me to write again tomorrow, but also maybe not, but I'm not 'waiting' for anything, there is nothing in me that needs to look for anything, so becoming "ready again" is completely irrelevant to me, it has no meaning whatsoever. I'm simply living in the Now where the purpose of life really is, right now, this is what I'm suppose to do; what I'm doing right now. This is crystal clear to me. Life is living me and I simply follow the current of it from an intuitive place within. What the next moment asks of me, I have no clue, and there's nothing in me that needs to know either, and I have no concerns about anything. I do have an intuitive feeling about in what direction Life is taking me though, but for now I keep it to myself. I have always been writing (ever since I was a child), and will probably always enjoy it, but exactly what I'll be writing about here on my website I don't know, it may be about rock-climbing or whatever for all I know! (I doubt it though, but you know what I mean, I'm just making a point). There are a million and one different expressions one can make through writing and to write about, and who knows, maybe I'll never write again. And if that would be the case, it would be absolutely and completely fine with me. Whatever Life desires through me, that is my desire as well (we are one), whatever it may be. In this moment it is this, next moment; who knows. Life is beautifully magical I will still answer questions ("Ask Maria") if someone wants me to write articles in reply (because I enjoy it very much), so if there are any topics or questions you'd like me to write about, let me know. (Become a member: mariaerving.com/membership) Hope that clarifies things a bit:)

Stay true, always.

Maria

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Embracing Change

Maria Erving — Fri, 31 May 2013 11:22:24 +0000

Yet again I have gone through some huge changes and I don't really feel the need to tell more about it other than: Surrender yourself and life to Life itself and voilà, there it all is. (Because it's already here). My life belongs to God and a completely different expression is being born within me and I'm filled with gratitude and awe, that's about all I wish to share right now. Everything has changed for me (there has been a huge shift in consciousness for me) – and I could not be happier, life is beyond beautiful. All it takes for anyone is a sincere and honest prayer and giving everything (that means everything, literally) to God. Surrender, throw everything out (all the seeking must come to a stop), walk away from 'your life', and you're free. I don't know when I'll write again or exactly about what (although I do have an intuitive feeling of where all this is going but I'm not ready to share it yet), just thought I'd post an update for you as it is a while since I published anything. And I don't know when I'll write my mailing-list the next time either, I will let all this transformation simmer for as long as it wants to, and when I get inspired that's when I write (or, publish) again, that's the place I always come from, so it may take a while, or it may not, I have no clue. I have never been shy or afraid of change and the awakening will continue deepening for me, and I'm all in, wherever it may lead, I'll show up for it 100%, no matter what - it's a beautiful process, yet not for wimps You have to be willing to let go of everything known, and that really means everything, that's something I have really come to learn/realize throughout the years. Every little bit has to go, and exactly what that really means is for each and everyone to discover for themselves. You can still ask me questions, or submit topic requests because I still love writing, but things are definitely changing for me and as always, I can't promise anything about the content on my site and how it will change or in what direction. Song/poem of Solomon My heart was split, and a flower appeared: and grace sprang up; and it bore fruit for my God. You split me, tore my heart open, filled me with love. You poured your spirit into me; I knew you as I know myself. Speaking waters touched me from your fountain, the source of life. I swallowed them and was drunk with the water that never dies. And my drunkenness was insight, intimacy with your spirit. And you have made all things new; you have showed me all things shining. You have granted me perfect ease; I have become like Paradise, a garden whose fruit is joy; and you are the sun upon me. My eyes are radiant with your spirit; my nostrils fill with your fragrance. My ears delight in your music, and my face is covered with your dew. Blessed are the men and women who are planted on your earth, in your garden, who grow as your trees and flowers grow, who transform their darkness to light. Their roots plunge into darkness; their faces turn toward the light. All those who love you are beautiful; they overflow with your presence so that they can do nothing but good. There is infinite space in your garden; all men, all women are welcome here; all they need do is enter.

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What’s The Cause Of Fear?

Maria Erving — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:38:36 +0000

See if you can find the two commonalities when it comes to the fears we have. Where do they come from, what's their cause? Fear of tomorrow, fear of the future, fear of loosing, fear of not getting, fear of our neighbors, fear of being betrayed, fear of terror, fear of war. Fear of darkness, fear of Light, fear of enlightenment, fear of losing who we are. Afraid that to find the Truth means to lose our existence, but in truth we are only going to lose our ignorance, and this is the most wonderful discovery! Fear of religious Gods, of going to hell or not being good enough or worthy for heaven, fear of being punished, of not having control, or of being controlled. Fear of being alone, of being vulnerable, fear of being judged and criticized, fear of not being approved of. Fear of illness, of death, of being limited and restricted, fear of being dependent. Fear of not being loved, of not being free, of never finding love, fear of giving love. Fear of being afraid. Fear of stillness. Fear of change. What is the cause of these fears? The answer; All fears are rooted in time and thinking. Time and thought. (Which includes all kinds of assumptions, ideas, dogma, conclusions and beliefs). Take away the concept of time and take your thoughts less seriously (don't believe them), and you are free. Can it be that simple? I invite you to look closely at this and see what you come to realize for yourself. Close your eyes and sit quietly, or sit somewhere and write down your biggest fears and see if they are not rooted in time (past and future, which is pure imagination/memory and not true), and thinking; the mind-made drama that goes on in your head and has nothing to do with what's happening in actuality, right now – when Life is in actuality. When you feel fear well up inside; ask yourself what thoughts you are believing in that causes the fear, and ask yourself if the thoughts really are true. “How am I scaring myself? What thoughts am I believing to be true, and are they really true..?” And if you say 'yes', ask "how can I know for sure that they are true?". Keep questioning your assumptions and conclusions until you come to the core Truth. One of the biggest fears has to do with not knowing. To not know the outcomes of our choices, to be afraid of surrendering to God because we don't know what that really means, to be afraid that we lose control and become homeless and lose everything if we let go and let God. It is only the idea of not knowing that brings fear. (We don't know anything in reality about even the next moment, we just think we know).

In surrender there's actually safety, and that is a profound discovery that comes from an authentic moment of surrender.

We tend to hold on to a lot of concepts and conclusions, we carry a lot of mental convictions and we want to be free but we want to be free with our mind made attachments; we refuse to let them go or even look at them closely to see them for what they are, we just assume they are true. We (the ego) want to keep our beliefs because that's what illusion is built upon. We want to preserve our (false) identity at all cost because we believe identity to be who we are, but when we understand our true nature then this entire illusion is being demolished and let go of. When we understand the nature of fear, where it comes from and how the ego uses it to keep us in bondage, then that awareness itself is what liberates us. But we must be willing to actually look! The mental fear is completely useless, it has no meaning whatsoever, it has no base in reality and it's the number one tool the ego uses to keep itself alive. Fear. The only fear we need that is actually useful, is the natural instincts that we feel whenever we are physically threatened, it's a warning system and completely natural. An instinctual reaction to physical danger is all the 'fear' we need. The mind-made stuff on the other hand; that's pure psychological nonsense. We are destroying ourselves and the planet we live on with fear; just see where most of humanities actions come from; it comes from a place of fear. Made by the mind to push us away from the present moment and to not lose face, that's how the ego keeps itself going. It's fear of Life itself. Fear of Life. Read that again to really let the realization sink in; it's all about fear of life and living. Life is now, it's not tomorrow and it's not about what's going on in our minds. Without time and without believing every thoughts that passes consciousness, what else can there be but peace? The moment you believe your thoughts you're hooked in time (past and future), and the moment you let go of them (the attachment to thoughts), you're free because you're here and now, in the present moment (and you have gone beyond mind). Look for yourself, look at the fearful thoughts and see their cause clearly – what a revelation it can be if you truly look! It has to be a realization, you have to actually look, not just read this thinking it's a nice idea and that it sounds great.

Awareness is the key to transformation and if we don't look, then we're letting the mind lead our lives and we remain ignorant.

To shift into a different state of awareness we have to actually become aware of how we respond and react to this moment - then from, and in this moment, there can be a transformation, not by imagining a different future, but to come from the heart in every moment, to right now have our attention on serving God. If we neglect to have a close look at how the mind operates on fear, then we allow ourselves to become slaves to it, and it will drag us through life, as it pleases, using fear as the biggest motivator for basically all our actions. Keep exposing the mind to the Light of Truth and become free, or close your inner eye and remain in bondage. Awareness is a choice and its point of attention is always here and now - we can always only look through the eyes of spirit or ego in the present moment. Here are some other articles that you may like: (All links open in new windows). Before Thought Enters The Present Moment With Spiritual Development Fear and Worry Disappears Fear Of Regressing Back To The “Old Life” After a Spiritual Experience [What am I supposed to do now?] Meeting Fear and Pain When Overwhelmed With Fear Do you have questions about spirituality and would like me to write an article for you? Become a member of mariaerving.com and get access to all articles and ask me anything regarding your own spiritual processes or submit a topic or subject you would like me to write about by using my members-only service Ask Maria.

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The Most Profound Way To Surrender

Maria Erving — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:45:38 +0000

When it feels like you been slapped by life, the most powerful prayer of surrender is to say "YES" (and really mean it), a honest and sincere YES, yes to this moment, yes to life, yes to Truth, however it may look. A YES is an acknowledgement and acceptance of the Truth that we can't possibly know why a situation looks the way it does, and that all things passes, both the joyful moments and the sad ones.

"YES, I surrender to this moment – as it is" – and from that acceptance clear intuitive guidance can come forth.

It's when we resist or resent the present moment that we cloud clear vision and wisdom from shining light on our path.

The mind feels uncomfortable when challenged, it wants to have opinions and judgments about what is (that's what minds do), it doesn’t like the idea that this moment might be alright or okay, or that there might be a higher perspective that it has no access to, or that it can even begin to comprehend. (Truth is beyond mind). It likes to think it knows the reasons for everything or that there at least are reasons that it can understand. It wants to project a problem that needs to be solved, and then we, if we are unconscious, we act upon what the mind thinks about something without ever even questioning it, or reflecting before acting. Most of humanity just go like sheeps through life, interpreting this moment through the filters of ideas and mind-made conclusions, and this is not to be judged within ourselves as being wrong or bad, just see clearly that this is how we have been trained to react to life, and when we see this clearly there's no need to blame anybody, including ourselves. The clear seeing and awareness is enough to set ourselves free. So it's actually a good thing to be challenged, to get the structures of mind questioned and doubted. I don't mean this in a way that is confrontational or to be obsessed with fighting the mind or anything, but by being open to fresh viewpoints and not to rigidly hold on to belief structures, stuck with convictions and conclusions based on the limited minds views and projections. Sometimes we do need to make an effort to not make an effort too and simply let go of it all. To simply drop it all like a hot potato. And the most clear cut way to become free from the minds opinions about a situation is to surrender to not knowing by saying yes to it (to Life as it is, and not how we think it is), yes to the moment, yes to an opening to Truth – that is how we make ourselves available to Grace.

By a simple YES to this moment, like there is no other moment but this.

No tomorrow, no past, only this. Where can mind then go? Nowhere.

See how it feels trapped when it can't project or judge.

Some things don’t need to get surrendered, some things will just naturally fall away, but usually there's some thought-structures attached to the situation, or even a person, that we are better off without. "YES, I let this go too". Other things and interests will just suddenly seem to have lost their importance and have disappeared without us having done anything, we just realize one day that it is no longer there. That includes goals and ambitions, which can be very scary for the ego to realize. "YES, I let those go too".

The autopilot that the mind runs on seem to have stopped up and there is space again and it was the YES that made the space, and your willingness to it that made it possible.

The YES can't be faked and it has to be sincere. There can be no intent to let go for the sake of 'maybe then I'll get what I want..' It's not an intellectual understanding, and the belief of you thinking you know what the universe 'needs' has to go too. "YES, I don't know anything. YES, I'm completely clueless. YES, I'm open to Grace". It's unpleasant for the mind to be empty of concepts, it wants to calculate the next move, but to break free from the influence it has with the need to control, we need to let go of our assumptions, ideas and opinions, and all our projections. Then the false begin to fall away naturally, when we have surrendered Life to itself. When you can't go any further on your own, or by your own personal will, that’s the moment of surrender, that's when a sincere and honest YES can be uttered in your heart. When all your own attempts to make life happen the way you want it to go, when all your strategies has come to an end and there's nothing more you can do; that's when true transformation can happen. It's by failure we find our success. Not the success of the ego, but the victory of Spirit.

Say YES to that victory.

If there is any path to Truth, then that would be a sincere and heartfelt YES to this moment, as this moment is Life itself.

•♥•♥•♥•

You may like these articles as well:

What happens when all the conceptual constructions of the ego collapses and how to deal with it?:

http://mariaerving.com/when-the-ego-collapses/

When The Ego Realizes It Has No Future:

http://mariaerving.com/when-the-ego-realizes-it-has-no-future/

There’s two scenarios that can happen after a powerful insight or a wonderful spiritual experience of bliss and realization of our true self/nature:

http://mariaerving.com/leave-yourself-alone/

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The ego panics before a spiritual breakthrough (2/2)

Maria Erving — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:00:58 +0000

This is part two (part one can be read here: mariaerving.com/ego-panics-1) in this very long article about common concerns that most people experience in the process of spiritual awakening when it comes to the sense of losing control, when goals, dreams and plans vanishes, and our once so empowering ambitions start to change big time. Grace can be fierce, and [...]

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Is Spiritual Surrender a Gradual Process or a One-Time Event?

Maria Erving — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:10:49 +0000

Q: I have been living in two worlds for 2,5 years now. It means half of the time I have felt great peace, happiness and joy and other half been mostly anxious or depressed. During that time I did only small changes in my everyday life (because I really didn't know [...]

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Stop And Smell The Flowers..

Maria Erving — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:07:15 +0000

It's just as important to honor the high-energy days as it is to honor the low-energy days. There's nothing wrong with wanting to take a day off and do nothing, speak with no one and just use that day to simply be and enjoy the stillness. For as long as I can remember I have had my "Maria-days" as I call them, and the people who know me also know that when I sometimes say that I don't want to meet today because I feel like having my Maria-day, they don't wonder if something is wrong with me, they know that I respect myself and that there are days when I feel like being alone and not socialize with others.

Read: mariaerving.com/lazy-days

Life seem so fast-paced and stressed today for many and I think it's important to take some time off and smell the roses, and do that fully. (Without guilt!). I just saw a documentary the other day about teenagers today, how they spend more than 90% of their time in front of a screen, whether it's a computer or texting each other all the time, or playing video games and watching TV. I don't think this development is healthy at all, I think it's vitally important to be out in nature, and also to interact with real people and not only with people on the Internet and on the phone. When was the last time you hugged someone, a friend, your pet, your child? Or sat under a tree and just, well, sat there, doing absolutely nothing but enjoyed it? Seriously. When was it? How people “relax” today is crazy; instead of taking a meditative walk in the woods they overeat, have a drink, or they watch TV or something. That's not relaxing, that's dumbing down! To stop being so stressed out, the best way to put your troubles in perspective is to take a step back from everything and enjoy the simplicity of life. We don't need anything to relax, we only need to allow ourselves to relax. To take a day off – even if it's in the middle of the week – if you feel inclined to, and your body lets you know that a relaxed evening is called for, then do indulge in that, guilt free.

Read: mariaerving.com/step-away-from-the-computer

Try to enjoy the moment as it is all we have. Do something fun, enjoy yourself. To only do things as a means to an end is the same as being a slave. An example; You work at a company that doesn’t share your values so there's an inner conflict within you, so you either work your ass off to be able to retire early (and get the hell out of there), or you go to work only to live for the weekends. This takes a toll on your emotional, mental and spiritual health as well as your body. You may overwork and stress about money all the time because you want those things that you think will make you happy. You neglect your family because you are working with the noble intent to create a better future for your family, but you loose the connection to your own children and life partner in the process. Then one day you suddenly find out that you have cancer and that you only have a few more months left to live.. Ooops. Yes. You forgot to actually live your life. You never stopped and smelled the roses. You though that you could do that when you're retired, or later this year when you're going away on a holiday. We can never know! It can happen to anyone at any time, we can't know what tomorrow brings, or even the next moment. It's so important to value the present moment and show up for life – right now! Where to begin you ask, when the fast paced life has taken over and I have lost touch with myself? Begin with this: Take a walk outside and if you can, leave your phone at home. (Even just once to see how it feels). If this feels uncomfortable to not bring your phone with you, then it's even more important to look into that because if you can't be without your cell for a an hour or two, then there's a clear addiction that needs to be dealt with. Just to see it can be very enlightening and revealing to yourself. When you're outside, preferably in nature, take time to breath deeply. Many people breath in a very shallow way, and that in itself creates stress. Most of us are not breathing slowly or deep enough. While you walk (in silence; no music!) really connect with the trees and flowers etc. Look at them, appreciate them, take it all in with your heart wide open. Ask nature to cleans you, to bring balance back to your life again. Pray and talk with God as if you were talking with your very best friend, talk about everything, don't hold anything back. Ask for guidance and direction. Also contemplate on your values and if you are actually living in alignment with them. Look at what is important to you. Is your best friend important to you, your spouse, or your daughter or son, then look at how much quality time you're spending with them, in actuality. Get your priorities straight.

Read: mariaerving.com/five-things-you-value-most

When you come back home again; make something healthy and yummy to eat and drink lots of water. Make your body happy!:) If you can, plant a garden this year and start growing your own organic vegetables.

Here's mine: mariaerving.com/are-you-ready-to-get-your-hands-dirty-vegetable-garden-week-3

To take time and just relax and enjoy life without stimulating the senses in artificial ways we naturally fall back in alignment with that which is real and true. This can be implemented in our work too, and other daily ordinary tasks and activities. When we rush through our projects and tasks only to get them done, not only will we most likely make mistakes and the quality will be poor and with no heart, but we also forget to live here and now and the things we do is always about getting something out of it instead of us being used as an instrument of God. When we work for God, when God is our boss; then we do things because we enjoy them in the moment we do them, and thus others will benefit from them too. We do them only because they feel like the right thing to do, not to get something out of it. It's when we work only to get things and money that we get lost and become slaves.

Read: mariaerving.com/what-it-means-to-serve-truth

Even if we are in a job that we don't like but that we feel we need at the moment to be able to pay rent and so on, we can use the time off of work to move in a direction of the heart and the heart will show the way for that which is in harmony with your purpose, personality and temperament. And while doing the job you may not particularly like, be there too fully as much as you can (be present) and resist the urge to complain about it as it will only increase the stress and get you hooked in a loop of emotional turmoil and self pity. Look at it freshly and see that this is what it is now (acceptance of the present moment), and that it's only temporary and promise yourself that you will use your free time in constructive ways and never settle to just work for the sake of surviving and 'making a living'. God has a plan for you. Know this. If your normal routine is to sit in front of the computer after work then start doing something else. I can tell you that walking in nature is amazingly refreshing and invigorating, it slows us down and we get to look at things from a deeper, wider and larger perspective and it also keeps us grounded. Begin with a walk, right now actually you can do that (don't wait), and let nature guide you back to yourself. Schedule a spiritual guidance session with me here.

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