Welcome to day 20 of our Cookbook for a Sacred Life virtual course!
Today we look at next steps beyond the courseā¦
At the end of each of Ram Dassās seminars or retreats, he would give advice for re-entering the world and bringing the voice of your inner-guide and intuition forward as you return to friends, family, and work. As we reach the end of this course together, we offer his words once again to help us integrate back into our daily livesā¦
This may lead you to seek more gatherings, retreats, lectures, tapes, books, etc. But remember, what youāre seeking is within yourself. And that you have made this connection, prepares you to recognize that your entire life is the process, wherever you are. You may never get to another one of these, and you may go just as high to enlightenment as somebody who spent all their life going to these things.*
Listen to your inner voice, impure though it may be, trust it. When you would ask, āWhat would Ram Dass say about this?ā Ask yourself, āWhat do you say about this, Ram Dass?ā And then stop and listen. And if you ask in purity and listen in your heart, you will receive an answer, and you will learn to trust that answer. And that answerā¦if five minutes later you ask the question, there may be a different answer, because thatās five minutes later.
PROMPT: Day 20 is about taking the practice home. Ram Dass writes āthe true revolution is the evolution of consciousness. Itās not us against them. Itās us filling them until all of them is us. No proselytizing. You donāt lay a trip on anybody. You just become a light. You go back to your community and you become a light. You donāt have to point to your light. You just have to be in light. And every time you meditate, you brighten your light. And every time you remember God, you brighten your light. And thatās what youāre doing for your fellow human beings. Everything you touch is lightened, is enlightened by you. Itās such a nice game, itās a nice gameā¦ā
How would it change your life to be the light without having to proselytize or point to it?
Be the light. Shine from within. My life experience has taught me that proselytizing comes from the part of me that is unsure, insecure and uncertain. Thatās okay, as from those moments in my life, I learn that it the ego trying to hard to convince me another way is right. Meaning, I tried to hard because of lack. I now understand that I am able to allow it all to flow and let the light land where it chooses. In organized āplacesā proselytizing is encouraged. Now I see I do that with so many aspects of my life. It is now that I release this and if perhaps it returns, and it will, I can pause, breathe, get silent and be the light.
My life would turn into a life free of guilt, shame, judgments and expectations. These attachments and aversions turn into pointers back to the here and now where I can consciously act with intent and authenticity. The way of love and working on myself so I can be an opportunity for other peopleās light to come out is enough. It makes me think about how Eckhart Tolle talks about the present moment being contagious, and when people watch a sports game itās like transmitting the present moment from the athletes into the collective. I can be that same transmitter as long as I can stay here and now.
Itās been a real honor sharing this opportunity with everyone here!
Many people have said that a wise person does not need to speak to expound their wisdom, their actions will speak for them. I think this is how it is to be a light, to live by example and to surrender to the process, having faith that we are all exactly where we āshouldā be. Being in the true spirit of āallowingā removes judgement as well as comparison, and opens the heart to compassion and acceptance, in self and in others.
Such a beautiful lesson today, a beautiful way to tie everything up together and to set us aloft to try our new-found wings. All is Love.
Just reading todayās prompt and question, I feel like my practice would be unburdened if I did not have to reference or point (others) to my light. Only consciousness that is attached in identification with ego clings to itās own delusional reference and validation. There really is no need to point to the light if one is already consciously aware of being (one with) the light. May I resonate with this Dharma teaching and integrate this Truth.
Being the light is pure joy. Being the light is resourcefulness for transforming/transmuting egocentric-karmic-conditioned suffering, including past traumatic experience memories. Being the light illuminates that which I am, as well as that which I am not, so that I may practice diligently. Being light is energetic. Being light is intrinsic goodness. Being light is naturally enlightening.
The teaching of the insight itself is pointing, but softly. Learning how to integrate this into my practice, and daily life (which are not separate), is a worthy aspiration. A journey. A process. Not necessarily a destination.
Righteous anger often trips over itself. Seeking an audience that lives in oneās mind but often ānot out thereā in the world. Some are inclined to adopt the dharma because they think it supports their righteous indignation towards the world. A justification for actions that follow. The light, and dharma practice, are softer than that.
I do not represent anyone else but myself. When I speak for another I am taking their power away and telling them their voice doesnāt matter. Capacity building and illuminating the light of goodness and compassion is much more powerful.
Language is weaponized, often inspiring othering and division instead of bringing together. These interactions may start with wisdom but end with further division. Speaking into an echo chamber is unlikely to generate any insights or sustainable systems change.
A subtler approach is needed; not one that is limited to sitting on the cushion but can actively model a compassion, wisdom, and respect for all experiences. Without immediate expectations. With humility. An understanding that change is not deterministic. That we are not the center of change that instead needs to originate in the individual, in others. That it is organic, and requires everyoneās participation.
Managing the paradox of stillness and change requires a community.
I feel like there is a tangible magnetism between people that are āturned-onā that breaks through all other external polarities.
For example, a few months ago I went to a social gathering with my partner where we met another couple that we immediately felt connected to even though they couldnāt be more opposite from us externally. I bonded with one of them over being introverted and usually super uncomfortable in situations like that, but, for some reason we couldnāt verbalize, we both felt super comfortable with each other. Like finding a ālong lost best friend from 3rd gradeā feeling, as this person put it. As our conversation deepened, talking about art and philosophy, we learned that we both had a Ram Dass connection and suddenly everything made sense and we all started laughing. It really felt like a āAre you in there? Iām in here. Far out!ā moment.
I think if any of us were trying to proselytize that night, our connection would have felt too forced and not as magical as it ended up being.
I love the quote from Spring Washam today, āI feel like my heart has a GPS system, it knows where to go if I listen to it. Itās wiser than my mind; it has much deeper roots, because itās tapped into those ancient roots. We can learn to trust our intuitive wisdom, we donāt have to be cut off from that.ā
I feel like my work right now is tapping deeper into those ancient roots, listening deeper and growing in trust with my intuitive wisdom. If someone wants to know what Iām doing or asks my opinion on a spiritual or life matter Iāll tell them, but it isnāt my place to tell anyone who doesnāt ask outright.
It can be quite an exploration to find out what it means to ābe the lightā in all sorts of different situations.
For instance, I think sometimes ābeing the lightā includes speaking up. There certainly are times when we need to speak up and stand up for whatās true and right. For instance, if I were in a room where someone was saying racist things to a person of color, I would definitely say something.
Or hosting a fundraiser to bring clean water to people who donāt have access to clean water yet.
Sometimes I think people use this kind of thinking in a way to avoid action. As if ābeing the lightā is always purely passive.
But I think having the intention and the desire to ābe the lightā in whatever way that manifests moment by moment and day by day is a beautiful thing!
One might consider my āsharingā proselytizing but I hope not! I have been very focused on creating peace within myself and allowing others space to do the same, regardless of how that looks. It is very difficult for me when listening to someone complain, explain, get on the train of āoh, poor me!ā And Divine knows I have done a lot of that in my life and perhaps some of you have seen some of that here as well. And that is okay, without the opportunity to do that, it is not possible for most of us to remain in a peaceful place, shining the light and supporting, listening, being there for one another in a non-judgmental atmosphere of unconditional love, light, and life.
So much appreciation for all that has been shared and this program focused on the āteachingsā of Ram Dass. My life revolves around zoom connections - since I feel the responsibility of being available for my daughterās transportation needs, have my own health issues, and am in a new state without friends, other than my neighbor and those on Zoom or 90+ miles away, this course is especially precious.
So, if there are any like me who are not wanting this course to end, who enjoy the experience of being in a community listening to Ram Dass or other Teachers with the ability/direction to reflect and respond in a written manner with others in real time (with no cost, as that is still an area of my life that creates the most blocking of my light) I hope that there will be an opportunity for us to continue. I did hear that we have access to this course for at least another year, so maybe a weekly get back together, listen to a podcast, write our reflections, questions to one another??
Wow, what a great lesson for the coming to the end of this course. Iāve been downloading the audio transcripts and making notations and I damn near highlighted the whole thing today!
The lesson reminds me of one of my favorite Aldous Huxley quotes, "It is a bit embarrassing to have been concerned with the human problem all oneās life and find at the end that one has no more to offer by way of advice than 'try to be a little kinder.ā "
How simple that seems in retrospect as we begin to cultivate the spacious awareness to find the kindness in moments when it isnāt so easy to find. āYou just have to be in light. And every time you meditate you brighten your light.ā Be in light. Being in the light and being in the world lightly. Hang on tightly, let go lightly. Be in the world but not of the world.
So many simple yet profound teachings that what we continue to find are already within us.
Namaste!
I believe by just being the vessel for the divine to work through can I really, glow. Not allowing ego to take precedence but really being present in reality.
As we walk away from eachother this week, Iād like to say, thank you to all for such an amazing 20 days. Itās been a real treat to learn and to listen from all regions. namaste
Great quote. We often want to translate the dharma into actionable behaviors and statements before the spiritual foundation has been built. The foundation is the social action. It is innovative. It is disruptive. It is progressive. Itās much more radical than assumed on first inspection. Itās so ambitious it can feel impossible, but it isnāt. Because everyone wants to be happy. Itās that simple.
I think Ram Dass embodied this teaching quite well. I never met him in the body, but its clear he radiated love and that attracted alot of folks to his teachings. He seemed to just enjoy being around people, everyone, and loving them as they are. The teachings seem to be less about trying to change others behavior and more focused on trying to grow, learn, and let the light in you shine. That light has always been there, but it may be dimmed a little, or covered in some dust. Once we wipe the dust off we can see the beauty thats always existed in us and its such a blindingly beautiful light. As he said āthe only thing I can do for you is to work on myself, the only thing you can do for me is to work on yourselfā. Krishna Das said, āUsually its not a huge earthshaking change, its under the radar stuff, are you a little kinder and being nicer in interactions as a result of the teachings?ā. I know I have in the past pointed the finger at the outside world, and said āYou all out there need to changeā. The teachings are great because heās also saying āI still have some stuff to learn and I can alter my behavior a little, and become a kinder human being to allā. That in itself changes things. If I am clearer, I can see clearer. Its a great lesson. Hearing the audio today, he talked about something I have thought of at times. Ram Dass left the body in Dec 2019, and weāve had some very tumultuous and scary few years since. I felt sad he left, since I would have loved to hear his take on what has been going on and to hear his wisdom. But heās right, getting quiet, dropping from the head and instead going into my heart, I know. I know what heād say. āI am loving awarenessā, āLove everyoneā āSee people as treesā āFeed Everyoneā āServe everyoneā
What a great lesson as we come to the end of this course.
Being the light Can look so many ways, thatās what Iām learning. For me itās important to remember that if I āmess upā, shaming myself for my humanness is the furthest thing from being the light, sometimes I forget that and get disappointed in myself. Being the light in these moments, to me means to laugh it off, be authentic about my faults (not letting the ego latch onto a perfect image of myself and then shame me for not being that) and moving on. This is something Iām working with every day. I loved reading everyoneās shares, I relate so much to you all and this connection has been so meaningful to me.
How would life be if being the Light is how I contribute towards the healing of the world .
Ram Das said ālet go of impediments so that you May SHINE your lightā¦ā I love the simplicity of this teaching. The weight of the world just got lighter.
Be ok with falling, dust yourself off . Remember itās just an Experience.
We donāt have to attempt to be anything other than who we areā¦.
Trusting the intuition that helps us Flow. Remembering that God loves us (me), As I meditate , pray , and think of God the light within becomes brighter. and this is how I can do my part in helping heal the world .
It gives me great Insight about how to approach the outer world . All are just having their own levels of evolution ā¦ Including myself .
Being mindful of self , honest and consistent with my spiritual practice is the way to be Allow my light to SHINE .
Iām witnessing that in a casual conversation, authentic act of kindness or /and in a playful interaction is where my spiritual practice is at play.
I think itās a ālike attracts likeā principle, that by being the light it attracts more light and those drawn to light.
For me, that comes through maintaining a regular practice, so that Iām better able to maintain a state of loving awareness. When Iām in that space, life seems to flow, Iām present and less likely to be distracted by drama. Iām able to make better choices about what I do with my energy and what I connect with. Living in awareness is beautiful.
I think thereās an attractive magnetism between those who have experienced awareness and even those who are seeking but donāt yet know what they are without.
Itās been challenging to keep up with the daily schedule of this course and especially to participate on these boards at the level I would have liked to, altho I have tried to read every post and contribute to most section prompts, please know I have so much gratitude to everyone who has shared this experience of the forums. Thereās a lot of light here!
I love the idea of being the life preserver for people to rest their weary hearts and heads on when they are in a position to come up for air. To exist is to suffer. To be human is to be deeply entrenched in the impermanence of it all. We are all on this giant rock moving through space around a giant star doing the very best that we can with what we know. And so, I like to operate with the presumption of good. Now, I donāt always get it right. But I do truly believe that people are inherently good and are doing what they think is the best at any given moment. I choose to exist in that reality. I have easier access to compassion and empathy in that space.
All of that to say, in order to truly realize and step into the radiant light you are - work on yourself. Fill your own cup so you can overflow unto others. When you are filled with love light joy it literally pours out of your face and being! Then āyour life becomes your messageā. I hope nothing but self love and compassion for you all
I am stunned by the beauty of those words by Ram Dass. And all of the wonderful comments made here by others on this course. Darkness cannot be lifted by more darkness. Only light can do that.
namaste
of the world 
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, pray , and think of God the light within becomes brighter.
. All are just having their own levels of evolution ā¦ Including myself 
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