The Lazy Yogi

artfl0w asked: Are all concepts false? I am aware. Aware that I am aware. Aware of my thoughts. Aware of what I say. Aware of what I'm feeling. Aware of what people may be feeling at the moment. Aware of being. I feel like I am waiting for someone great to answer my questions, to tell me if I am right or wrong. Meditation subdues the waves in it's act, but when I stop meditating, I feel as if I float back into the ocean. In this very moment, rather than typing this to you what should I be striving for?

Here is the problem with your statements: *I* am aware *of*. The subject (I) and object (of) is a duality that doesn’t truly exist. It comes from the illusion of perceiving things through your body’s senses. 

Concepts aren’t false; they just aren’t real. They exist in the head, not in the world. Being aware OF things is what the head does. But pure awareness without definition or boundary is the heart. I don’t mean the heart as in love or the heart chakra but rather the heart of your existence, the Center. You don’t have to get there, you ARE there. You ARE it.

The less you focus on the things you are aware OF, the more you will begin to feel at your center. 

Meditation brings you to that center. Keep at it. But when you stop meditating, that does not mean you need to stop your spiritual practice.

I suggest choosing a mantra, something you really connect to. Whenever a strong emotion disturbs you, good or bad, start repeating your mantra. When you find yourself with spare time and waiting, return to your mantra. When you find yourself thinking about the past or imagining the future, return to your mantra. 

Strive to bring yourself into the heart of this moment while letting go of your mind’s attempts at describing and defining the moment. Then stop striving. The act of dharmic striving will illuminate your restless common striving for this or that desire. Then the only barrier between yourself and peace is striving itself. 

Striving is the opposite of peace. When you no longer need to strive, then you can be at peace. But most people, when they stop striving, are taken over by their desires. So first strive to be present, dropping the mind and opening the heart. Then you realize that Presence is what you always are when you stop getting distracted with this or that. Then you stop striving. 

This is what I would recommend for now. It worked for me, at least. Let me know how it works for you. Also, Eckhart Tolle’s book The Power of Now is a powerful treatise on how to practice mindfulness in your daily life. That book alone is worth several rereads. 

Meditate every day. Then find something you can practice when you are in the world. Mantra, like I said, is very effective. So is mindfulness. 

Namaste, brother!