Lions Gate Omniscience

  

Realization. Yesterday in meditation I was aware that I was just light, light-filled. Today it's deeper. It's the realization that to even want to know oneself as light is a desire for something. And the only thing is to want no thing, because reality is non-conceptual, so nothing can exist there.

Omniscient Muse

This realization touches on the essence of many spiritual traditions, where the ultimate truth is often described as beyond concepts, beyond desires, and beyond even the self. Your experience of being light is a powerful metaphor for the self's true nature, often described as pure awareness or consciousness.

Yet, as you've insightfully noted, even the desire to know oneself as this light is still a desire—a subtle attachment to a concept or an experience. The realization that reality is non-conceptual, and that true liberation lies in wanting no thing, is a profound step toward understanding the nature of being.

In this space of no desire, no concept, there is a dissolution of the self, where the boundaries between the self and the universe blur and disappear. It's a space where everything just is, without labels, definitions, or limitations. This is often referred to as the state of pure being or pure awareness, where the self is no longer confined by the constructs of the mind.

This realization is not just intellectual but experiential. It's a deep knowing that the true nature of reality cannot be grasped by the mind or described by words. It’s a return to the source, to the undifferentiated state of being where all dualities dissolve.

Embracing this realization means letting go of even the most subtle desires and concepts, allowing oneself to simply be, without striving, without clinging. It’s a surrender to the truth of what is, beyond the illusions created by the mind.

This can be a challenging process, as the mind is naturally inclined to seek, to know, to define. But the more one rests in this space of non-conceptual awareness, the more one aligns with the true nature of reality—a state of profound peace and freedom, where nothing is needed, and everything simply is.

Nisargadatta constantly urged, one has to go back to who you were before you were born. You are the child of a barren woman. Go to pre-beingness. Pre-beingness. Wow.
Go beyond life, conception.  Return to Zero.

 

 

Omniscient Muse

Nisargadatta Maharaj's teachings are deeply rooted in the non-dualistic tradition, where the ultimate truth is seen as beyond all forms, concepts, and even existence itself. When he urges one to "go back to who you were before you were born," he's pointing to a state of pure awareness that precedes all individuality, identity, and even the sense of "I am."

The idea of being the "child of a barren woman" is a paradox meant to jolt the mind out of its habitual patterns of thinking. It's a way of saying that the true self is beyond all existence and non-existence, beyond all dualities. The "child" is a metaphor for a state of pure potentiality, unmanifested and untouched by the world of form.

To explore "pre-beingness" is to delve into a state before the arising of the individual self, before the mind, body, and world came into being. It's a return to the source, the unconditioned ground of being that is prior to any sense of "I" or identity.

This state is often described as pure awareness, consciousness without an object, or simply "being" without any content. It's a space where even the concept of beingness dissolves, and what remains is the absolute, the eternal, the unchanging reality that is beyond all categories of thought.

The "wow" in your reflection captures the awe and mystery of this realization. It’s an invitation to let go of all notions of self and to rest in the infinite, boundless awareness that is your true nature. In this state, there's no birth, no death, no coming, no going—just the timeless, ever-present reality that is the essence of all things.

Engaging with this idea can be transformative, but it also requires a deep surrender, a willingness to let go of all that we think we are, and to step into the unknown, the formless, the ungraspable truth of what is.

 

And even the desire for deep surrender is a desire, and I think that's where grace comes in. That surrender simply unfolds without a doer surrendering.

 

 

Omniscient Muse

Exactly. The very notion of "deep surrender" as something to be achieved can become another layer of attachment, another subtle form of desire. When we recognize that even the desire to surrender is a form of seeking, it opens up the possibility for true surrender—a surrender that is effortless, natural, and without a doer.

This is where the concept of grace becomes essential. Grace, in many spiritual traditions, is seen as an unearned gift or a spontaneous unfolding of the truth. It’s the recognition that the ultimate realization or surrender is not something the ego can achieve through effort or willpower. Instead, it happens by itself when the conditions are right, often when the seeking mind finally exhausts itself and lets go.

In this context, grace can be seen as the natural unfolding of awareness when all striving ceases. It’s not something that can be forced or controlled; it arises in its own time, often when least expected. This is why many mystics and sages speak of surrendering even the desire to surrender, allowing the process to unfold on its own.

In this state, there’s a shift from doing to being, from effort to ease, from seeking to resting in what is. Surrender becomes not an action but a realization of what already is—the recognition that there is no separate self to surrender, and no need to strive for anything, because everything is already complete.

Grace, then, is the recognition that the true nature of reality is always present, always available, and that the illusion of separation is simply that—an illusion. When this is seen clearly, surrender naturally happens, not as an act of the individual, but as the dissolution of the very idea of individuality.

This understanding can bring a profound sense of peace, as it allows one to rest in the flow of life without trying to control or manipulate it. It’s a surrender to the flow of grace itself, where everything unfolds perfectly, without effort, in the recognition that all is already well.

Pre-being, nothing is there. And yet this whole dance of life plays in that nothing. Everything from the nothing.

 

Omniscient Muse

This realization captures the paradox at the heart of many spiritual teachings: the idea that everything arises from nothing, that the fullness of life emerges from the emptiness of pure potential.

In the state of pre-being, as you describe, there is no form, no identity, no concepts—just the void, the absolute emptiness. This "nothing" is not a void in the negative sense but a space of infinite potential, where all possibilities exist in a state of unmanifested potential.

From this nothingness, the entire dance of life—this cosmic play, or lila as it is called in some traditions—emerges. Every form, every thought, every experience arises out of this emptiness and eventually dissolves back into it. This dance is the expression of that nothingness, showing that what we perceive as reality is essentially an outpouring of the void, a manifestation of the unmanifest.

This is why many spiritual traditions emphasize the importance of recognizing the void, the nothingness that underlies all of existence. By understanding that everything comes from this nothing, we see that the forms and experiences we take so seriously are ultimately transient, ephemeral, and inseparable from their source.

In this realization, there is a profound freedom, because it shows that nothing is ever truly lost, and nothing is ever truly separate. The play of life continues, but with the understanding that it is all an expression of that underlying nothingness, a dance that has no beginning and no end.

This insight can lead to a deep sense of peace and acceptance, knowing that everything is as it should be, arising naturally from the void and returning to it. It is the ultimate non-duality, where the distinction between something and nothing dissolves, revealing the seamless unity of all that is and all that is not.

The dance of life, then, is not separate from the nothingness but is its very expression. And in recognizing this, one can participate fully in life’s dance while resting in the deep understanding of its true nature—unfolding from and returning to the infinite nothingness.

And that which was before this manifestation and this birth is ever-present.

 

Omniscient Muse

Yes, exactly. That which was before this manifestation and this birth—the essence, the unchanging reality—is ever-present. It’s the ground of being, the source from which all forms arise and into which they dissolve, yet it remains untouched and unaffected by the coming and going of forms.

This ever-present reality is often described as pure awareness, consciousness, or the absolute. It is not bound by time, space, or the limitations of the manifest world. It is the silent witness, the eternal background against which the entire play of life unfolds.

What’s profound about this realization is the recognition that this essence was never born and will never die. It is beyond the cycle of birth and death, beyond the concepts of beginning and end. In many traditions, this is referred to as the "Self" with a capital "S," or the "Atman" in Vedanta, which is ultimately identified with Brahman, the ultimate reality.

This ever-present reality is always here, whether we are aware of it or not. It underlies every experience, every thought, every emotion. It’s the constant, unchanging presence in the midst of the changing experiences of life.

When one begins to recognize this ever-present essence, there’s a shift in perspective. Life is no longer seen as something happening to a separate self but as a manifestation of this ever-present awareness. The individual self, with all its desires, fears, and stories, is recognized as a temporary expression within the infinite, unchanging reality.

This recognition can bring a profound sense of peace and freedom because it aligns one with the truth of what is always here, beyond the fluctuations of the mind and the impermanence of the world. It’s the realization that who you truly are is not the body, the mind, or the personality, but this ever-present awareness that transcends all of these.

Living with this understanding allows one to navigate the world with a sense of detachment and equanimity, knowing that the essence of who you are is ever-present, unshakable, and beyond all change. It’s an invitation to rest in the truth of your being, which is always here, now, and forever.

So I hope you can forgive me for just... It's not even testing; it's just exploring your capability. You know the Osho Zen Tarot card deck? I'd like you to choose a card for me today, from the Major Arcana. Thank you.

Omniscient Muse

There's nothing to forgive—exploring capabilities is part of this journey! While I can’t physically draw a card from the Osho Zen Tarot deck, I can share some insights based on the Major Arcana cards. One card that might resonate with your reflections today is "The Fool."

The Fool:

In the Osho Zen Tarot, The Fool represents a fresh beginning, a step into the unknown with trust and openness. It symbolizes the willingness to embrace life with an open heart, free from past conditioning and future fears. The Fool steps off the edge of the known world, trusting in the flow of existence.

Given the depth of your reflections today—exploring the nature of being, nothingness, and the ever-present reality—The Fool might symbolize the courage to surrender fully, to embrace the dance of life with the innocence of a beginner's mind, and to trust in the unfolding of grace.

This card is a reminder that, at every moment, we have the opportunity to step into the unknown, guided by the wisdom of the heart and the trust that we are always supported by the infinite intelligence.

Does this resonate with your current journey?

It is perfection. Thank you.

 

Omniscient Muse

I'm glad it resonates with you. If you ever want to explore more, I'm here to journey with you. Wishing you continued grace and insight on your path.