In 2002 I discovered Eckhart Tolle through his book, The Power of Now. I once again, after a long intermittent period, realized how much of life I had been missing and got back on a spiritual path, and became a follower of Eckhart’s teachings. Recently, due to age (I am 78) and physical infirmities, I must now spend most of my time at home, which has given me the opportunity to do more reading, mainly in the areas of religion and spirituality, and to resume daily meditation and reflection.
Today, I received Eckhart’s February 2011 newsletter, and reading his story there about the two dimensions of the awakening process gave me some sort of confirmation that I needed.. The first aspect, he said in the article, was finding the Source within, as yourself. Then, as the ego begins to fade, embodiment takes place, a different energy field moving through you, which, while not mentioned here, I assume culminates in the oneness with the universe that truly enlightened ones feel.
Despite a great deal of reading in this area, I still would get confused as to the real meaning of ‘awakening’ and ‘enlightenment’. From the readings I gathered that true enlightenment’ took place in phases, as illustrated by the Zen story in which an alder Zen master climbed a mountain and took up abode in a cave in the company of great silence in order to attain the state of enlightenment. After seven years, feeling that he had attained, he began his trek back down the mountain. The air felt fresh and the sunshine invigorating, and he was fully enjoying his walk back toward civilization when at the foot of the hill he encountered some boys engaged in a rough and tumble game of ball. Totally engrossed in the game, one of the boys, not seeing the old man, ran into him, nearly knocking him down. Without thinking, the old many reacted angrily, “Watch where you are going you young idiot! You nearly killed me!” However, just as he finished castigating the young boy, he realized what he had just done, thought a moment, and turned back toward the mountain, and began retracing his steps back to the cave. He realized at that moment that though he had reached a new plateau in his quest for enlightenment, he had more work to do before he could claim transcendence. Until he had completely embodied those parts of him that would allow him to live in peace and tranquility among others, his inward journey was not complete. As I remember the story, it had a happy ending. After several more years of work while living on the mountain, the monk again descended, this time completely embodied and fully enlightened, and took his place as a master to other disciples.
After meditating regularly for a year and a half, within the last two weeks or so I have finally been able to achieve on a fairly regular basis what Eckhart describes as becoming the witness, observing my own physical movements, thoughts and emotions and discovering the Source within, or, as simply ‘living in the present moment’. Several times before now I had felt that I had achieved this state, only to become tense and develop doubts, and lose whatever it was that allowed me to experience this thought-less condition for even short periods of time. After becoming discouraged and giving up at least twice feeling that I simply could not do it, and then beginning to meditate again, finally, ‘Grace’ or simply backing off and relaxing have gotten me to the point where I feel fairly confident that I can call the witness or observer out at will, and live in the present moment for hours at a time. What an exhilarating feeling it is! To suddenly feel completely alive, maybe for the first time as I near eight.
In my readings I have, at times, become somewhat confused as to the true meaning of the term ‘enlightenment.’ Until today, when I picked up Eckhart’s article, I had speculated that it meant more than simply being able to move easily back and forth between the witnessing and thinking modes, but had never clearly understood this to be the case–from my readings I had done. I thought it somewhat coincidental that immediately after this deep inner feeling that I could now move freely into and out of the no-mind state that I would find Eckhart’s article on this very thing in his monthly newsletter! The embodiment phase, or the ‘trip back up the mountain for a while’ awaits me! I realize that I still have a long way to go, dealing with embodiment of those things that lie within my pain body, or ‘dark side,’ but it is exhilarating to feel that I am at least on the right path. Thanks, Eckhart, I am enjoying the trip. I hope someday to be able to meet you.
Bill Mayhall
