A
"Reality" Practice
This
is a suggested approach to gain freedom from self-limitation,
suffering and self-delusion.
It
is proposed here, that what is actual and real in the world can
only be experienced in the ongoing moment (by moment).
That
to be fully in the moment can only happen if all ideas and beliefs
about it, and what the world and life is about, are gone from
the psyche - including the sense of "I", of self identity.
The
Practice:
Look
at every idea, belief, or truth about life, no matter how unquestionably
true it may seem, and ask: "Is this thing I believe, or someone
else wants me to believe, actual and demonstrable to me or others?
An
example: "We all have souls": Ask, "Show me."
If it can't be shown or isn't demonstrable in any way that someone
who doesn't already believe it can experience, then just put it
aside.
Do
not believe it or disbelieve it. The idea might actually be a
reflection of what is real, or it may not. Blind disbelieving
can also be a manifestation of some other belief, or an avoidance
in some way of what is actual.
(A
suggested definition of Belief: "An idea of how things are,
that is only demonstrably real to those who hold the same idea
as real.")
If
something is absolutely in-your-face undeniably actual and real,
to you and everyone else, where you can walk around it and touch
it, (like for example, elephants), there is no need to "believe"
in it. "Faith" is the hope that a belief is actually
real.
The
more we put aside all ideas about what is real, the more we will
begin to experience and live what is real, with an increasing
clarity and freedom.
It
would seem touchably real that most conflict comes from people
holding differing ideas and beliefs about what is real and important.
The very fact that people have different beliefs about the same
issue reveals their limited-to-self nature.
It
is not as easy as it may sound, because most of our ideas and
beliefs are so built-in to our natures that it is almost impossible
to see them.
Also,
the mind can take on new ideas such as "I'm now free of all
beliefs" as another belief. Our psyches are very clever at
this, so great diligence and attention is needed to not be taken
in by more and more subtle beliefs.
As
a "spiritual" practice towards becoming real, this has
directness, simplicity and tangible results.
It
needs no acceptance of complex idea structures that we need to
believe in or practice.
It
only needs our real intention for complete self honesty and the
paying of full objective attention to what is in front of us.
Of
course, this article also needs to be put aside and not believed
or disbelieved - just pay attention to what is in front of you
at any moment and discover for yourself what is actual and real.
