While writing this article, the author has the very fortunate experience of being in a peaceful place, surrounded by natural beauty and openness.
This is thanks to friends that kindly invited the author and offered him a place to stay. This fortunate experience is the inspiration behind this short article.
There are many examples of how saints and 'holy people' went into isolation or into nature for their inner realizations.
The Bible tells us how Jesus went into isolation for 40 days. We read of Siddhartha Gautama (known as the Buddha) going into the forest and eventually finding himself under the Bodhi tree. It is said that the prophet Muhammad's first revelation happened in a cave.
Today, we have retreat and meditation centers around the world. People go to a temple to experience silence and a peaceful atmosphere. Or, people spend time in nature, surrounded by beauty and stillness.
These quiet, peaceful spaces are very helpful, but not obligatory, to become aware of our own Inner Peace and Space.
The 'external' peace and silence can make us aware of our 'internal' Peace and Silence.
Not necessarily a better environment, but different.
Yet, the idea is not to generate attachment to one place, and to avoid other places. The idea is not to generate attachment to our temple, our mediation center, or our natural landscapes.
See, once we become aware of our Inner Silence, or our own Emptiness, we take this Knowledge with us wherever we are. We can connect to this Silent Space within us, even if we are in the city center of New Delhi.
In fact, we realize that this inner Silent Space is not something we 'connect to'. We realize that we are the Silent, Peaceful Space in which all appear. This includes the appearance of the open, natural landscapes, and the busy city center in New Delhi.
And, if we are lucky, the tastiest aloo paratha in Delhi can also appear in our Silent, Peaceful Space ;)
This is thanks to friends that kindly invited the author and offered him a place to stay. This fortunate experience is the inspiration behind this short article.
A supportive environment
As we embark on our inner journey, looking for inner peace and happiness, it is of course helpful to have a supportive environment.There are many examples of how saints and 'holy people' went into isolation or into nature for their inner realizations.
The Bible tells us how Jesus went into isolation for 40 days. We read of Siddhartha Gautama (known as the Buddha) going into the forest and eventually finding himself under the Bodhi tree. It is said that the prophet Muhammad's first revelation happened in a cave.
Today, we have retreat and meditation centers around the world. People go to a temple to experience silence and a peaceful atmosphere. Or, people spend time in nature, surrounded by beauty and stillness.
These quiet, peaceful spaces are very helpful, but not obligatory, to become aware of our own Inner Peace and Space.
The 'external' peace and silence can make us aware of our 'internal' Peace and Silence.
The Inner Sanctuary
Of course, a peaceful, open landscape (as in the photo below) offers a different environment than, let's say, the busy city center of New Delhi.Not necessarily a better environment, but different.
Yet, the idea is not to generate attachment to one place, and to avoid other places. The idea is not to generate attachment to our temple, our mediation center, or our natural landscapes.
See, once we become aware of our Inner Silence, or our own Emptiness, we take this Knowledge with us wherever we are. We can connect to this Silent Space within us, even if we are in the city center of New Delhi.
In fact, we realize that this inner Silent Space is not something we 'connect to'. We realize that we are the Silent, Peaceful Space in which all appear. This includes the appearance of the open, natural landscapes, and the busy city center in New Delhi.
And, if we are lucky, the tastiest aloo paratha in Delhi can also appear in our Silent, Peaceful Space ;)
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| The beautiful landscape in the author's current location, Vachères. |
Related articles on this blog:
Suffering and liberation - May 26, 2022
Resting in Awareness - April 10, 2022
Our own emptiness - March 8, 2022
Suffering and liberation - May 26, 2022
Resting in Awareness - April 10, 2022
Our own emptiness - March 8, 2022
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