observing ourselves

“We can learn to transcend our ego, gradually, by placing ourselves more and more in the position of the transcendental Self, which knows no likes and dislikes but simply witnesses all experiences and states of existence. As our capacity for witnessing – mindfulness – increases, we automatically slip more and more into our true nature.”

Georg Feuerstein

When we have a mindfulness practice our ego begins to lose its power over us. We start to see ourselves as connected beings rather than separate.

What does this look like? We notice our self reflected in others. We have more compassion for our self as well as others. We become part of  humanity and beingness. We learn to let go of expectations of how things should be and trust in each moment as it unfolds.

The more we practice and connect to our higher Self, the more we let go of the past and our worries about the future.

There is no need to escape, because we are already home.

We learn to trust and live in place of love rather than fear.

This is our true nature.

Some sages say it takes years of practice with discipline and willpower, while other modern sages  say that we are able to open to it in the moment when we live from our true nature. Georg Feuerstein’s words capture both elements of the traditional long path and the modern short path on the spiritual journey.

31 responses to “* Inspiration – Our True Nature”

    1. Thank you Eddie! 💛

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  1. “There is no need to escape, because we are already home.” – and to accept this, is the answer…

    Remind me of:

    Every Ego consists of thousand tiny egos which seek liberation…When will they let me go? (http://inexistique.tumblr.com/post/133732378944/every-ego-consists-of-thousand-tiny-egos-which)

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    1. Interesting perspective David. I guess it depends if one perceives home as being a place of peace and connectedness or melancholy and hopelessness….

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      1. Cared less about the full quotes and its meaning and more about the 1000 little egos and letting go.

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  2. I too love this line — There is no need to escape, because we are already home.

    I am already home — where ever I am, how ever I am.

    How beautiful.

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    1. Thank you Louise! I’m glad you enjoyed today’s perspective 💛

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  3. Walking My Path: Mindful Wanderings in Nature Avatar
    Walking My Path: Mindful Wanderings in Nature

    Great post, Val. Thanks. It’s nice to be home.

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    1. Ye it it. Thank you Mary. xo

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  4. Beautiful description Val and you are so right 🙂

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  5. Thanks for sharing this, Val. This is a very useful practice.

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  6. That idea of being home is great.

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  7. More good stuff, thanks, Val! ❤

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  8. We learn to let go of expectations of how things should be and trust in each moment as it unfolds. ~> YES!

    Authentic being
    is revealed, floating in a
    sea of contentment

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    1. You are so right there .. Right now Nancy 💛

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  9. I appreciate your concision and clarity in the matter Val, whilst remaining a little sceptical as regards certain contemporary Short Path propositions, most notably Neo-Advaita as against the tested and authentic Classical Advaita. I gather that George Feuerstein was not a proponent of the former movement, being rather a learned scholar and interpreter of classical teachings – an altogether safer bet it seems. H ❤

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    1. Thank you Hariod for picking up this point. It is one that fascinates me. I think I would refer to Georg as a non judgmental traditionalist.
      I do enjoy Ekhart Tolle, Paul Brunton, Adyashanti and John Prendergast too!

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      1. Absolutely, and it was certainly none of the above I was thinking of Val, three of whom I have read myself. Of course there are contemporary teachers who are authentic and qualified, and as a general principle, it is better to have a living teacher than a dead one. 😉

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        1. Although dead ones live on in our minds and beliefs 😉

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  10. I am intrigued by the concept of mindfulness being ‘witness’ to oneself.

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    1. I like the intrigue Elizabeth. This post may bring some insight into this:

      The Witness


      xo

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  11. I love this post, Val. Every single little thing about it!! ❤

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    1. Thank you Lorrie for your uplifting words! So glad you enjoyed it 💛

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  12. “There is no need to escape, because we are already home.” Lovely and wise words, Val. Thank you1

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    1. Thank you Carol. So glad you enjoyed them. 💛

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  13. I like this, as I love who I am, but also love the journey that I’m always on to be my true self!

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    1. Thank you for sharing Kate! Glad it resonated with you 💛

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  14. I definitely think it’s a continuous practice to connect and live from our true nature. I love the opening quote. So true.

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    1. Thank you Karen! I love it too!

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