Clarifying My Aspiration ~ Peace!

So, here I am, reading this wonderful book by Adyashanti “The Way of Liberation -  A Practical Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment” and  benefiting greatly from his no-nonsense, unemotional approach to Enlightenment. "Dreaming big" has always been a big problem for me because frankly speaking I do not know how to dream big and what that really means. And then I thought maybe I'm just plain lazy.  Turns out it was none of that but something else quite different altogether. I did'nt want to dream big because unconsciously I did'nt want to dream at all.  I want to awaken and remember who the great ancient Indian Rishis and Sages say I Am.  Well, I have'nt come quite near that, but I believe I am half way there or better still I don't know where, but I am somewhere - of that I am certain!! I find great comfort from the wisdom of our modern day Non-Duality teachers because they are quite ruthless about The Truth - not the truth, but THE TRUTH.  Like other great Vedanta masters, Adyashanti says : 

"It is impossible to know what words like liberation or enlightenment mean until you realize them for yourself. This being so, it is of no use to speculate about what enlightenment is; in fact, doing so is a major hindrance to its unfolding. As a guiding principle, to progressively realize what is not absolutely True is of infinitely more value than speculating about what is."

Bingo!! I am always open to receiving new and fresh ideas to help me remember deeper and become more awake.  I cannot boast of "Awakening", "Enlightenment" and "Self-Realization" because listening to others say they have has made me cringe a bit because they still seem so attached to the attractions of the world.  I don't want to go down the judgment road, but I do want to say of myself always "I don't know" because I truly don't know if I have awakened or become enlightened or self-realized.  Sometimes I feel like the most enlightened Being and the very next day, I feel as shallow as you can find them!

So, naturally Adyashanti's "Five Foundations" interests me alot.

The first of "The Five Foundations" is "CLARIFY YOUR ASPIRATION".

To clarify your aspirations "means knowing exactly what it is that your spiritual life aspires to, not as a future goal but in each moment. In other words, what do you value most in your life—not in the sense of moral values, but in the sense of what is most important to you. Contemplate this question. Do not assume that you know what your highest aspiration is, or even what is most important to you. Dig deep within, contemplate, and meditate on what the spiritual quest is about for you; don’t let anyone else define your aspiration for you. Look within until you find, with complete clarity, what you aspire to."

I KNOW what my Aspiration is. It is manifesting PEACE within and without. Its another matter that I have been unsuccessful to a great degree, but that is precisely the point.  I aspire to DEEP PEACE.  A Peace that is beyond me, beyond this planet, beyond it all.  Well, naturally my success is not going to come by a given date because the more deeply rooted I am getting into Peace, the more muck is getting cleaned out of my world.  And once again, more comfort in the amazing guidance from Adyashanti - 

"As your realization and spiritual maturity deepen, you will find that some aspects of your aspiration remain steadfast while others evolve to reflect what is relevant to your current level of insight. By reflecting on and clarifying the issues relevant to your current level of understanding, you stay focused on the cutting edge of your own unfolding." 

And so It Is.  Peace Be with You. Peace Be with Me.

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