SELF STUDY

Monthly Focus ~ 

Meditation in its greatest Truth is effortless.  ~ Brian Yeakey

That’s what meditation does – it allows us to just “Be It”.  ~ Jim Gordon

A Poem by Rumi ~

Here, someone is hidden 

who has taken hold of me 

and does not let go. 

Here, someone is hidden 

softer than the soul 

who led me to the garden of Spirit 

and made me homeless. 

Here, someone is hidden

a radiant face as delicate and fleeting, 

an ethereal moment before sleep. 

Here, someone is hidden

like sweetness and sugar cane, 

an invisible magician 

who has captured my soul. 

Hidden somewhere inside, 

my Beloved and I 

have dissolved in each other. 

No beauty in the world can ever tempt me 

for I see only the face of my Beloved. 

Tired in the pain, 

I searched the world for help

until I found in love the cure for my pain. 

Here, someone hidden whispered, 

‘Pass beyond your tears, 

and you will see the broken-hearted lovers are the Lords in heaven.’ 

Here, someone hidden appeared 

holding Love’s wine, 

and to Him, I give all my vows.” 

~ Rumi

Full Excerpt ~ Brian Yeakey

I was reading a little bit of the Tao Te Ching from Lao Tzu, who was a teacher of this Pathway. And I liked one of his statements. One of his main teachings really is “to simply be”, “to accept what is” right in front of us without trying to change it. 

It is through trying to change what is in front of us that sets up states of resistance within our consciousness. That’s why you can’t make anything happen, because it sets up states of resistance, which causes the bondage of the soul in matter. We have to let go of these states of resistance so that we unshackle the bonds that have entrapped us or enslaved us in the world – to simply accept, to simply be.

And then as Lao Tzu says, “With no effort. To work with no effort, that’s a true state of Beingness,” which is simply Loving. Just Loving – that’s the neutrality we talk about, that’s the simplicity, that’s the Beingness. There’s no effort involved. 

Meditation in its greatest Truth is effortless. Yeah, I know, feels like, “We’ve got to move the body, set up the meditation time, move into meditation. Oh gosh, it takes so much effort to focus into the seat of the soul.” That effort is only of the mind, the emotions and the body, not the soul. Because in truth, with the soul, it is effortless – but we are simply awakening to that greater effortlessness. 

And that’s the journey. I don’t even want to say, “letting go of the resistance, forgiving the judgments and the fears”. Yeah, that’s part of what we can do, but that takes place as we simply Be. Be Loving, and the rest unfolds.

Full Excerpt ~ Jim Gordon

That’s what meditation does – it allows us to just “Be It”. We don’t have to force it, we don’t have to think it, we don’t have to make it happen. It automatically just unfolds and moves and happens in us and around us. That’s the Living Loving Essence of the Lord. That’s the Living Presence. That is waking up and being who we truly are.

And then when an answer is needed, we can move into that place of wisdom and bring it forward. And I can almost guarantee that the answer is going to always be: Loving, neutrality, caring, being present in the moment, being loving, accepting and forgiving, being responsible for your thoughts and your feelings, being responsible for your actions and your reactions. 

And in all of that, you’re going to find the simple way – the simple way to step up to everything and not be responsible, but to be in action and to let that action that is your Loving bring peace to your environment as it brings peace to the environment within. 

Monthly Focus “going Home work” ~

1. 1. Do 2.5 hours of daily meditation, and listen to the talks by Brian Yeakey and Jim Gordon titled: BE LOVING AND THE REST UNFOLDS 05/10/2009
   2. Listen to the guided meditation by Brian Yeakey titled: BE LOVING AND THE REST UNFOLDS 05/10/2009
   3. Journal these questions and exercises (daily): 

Contemplate the following statements by Brian and Jim. What do these statements mean to you? And how can you use the meaning of them in your daily meditation?

• “With no effort. To work with no effort, that’s a true state of Beingness,” which is simply Loving. Just Loving – that’s the neutrality we talk about, that’s the simplicity, that’s the Beingness. There’s no effort involved.

• That’s what meditation does – it allows us to just “Be It”. We don’t have to force it, we don’t have to think it, we don’t have to make it happen. It automatically just unfolds and moves and happens in us and around us. That’s the Living Loving Essence of the Lord. That’s the Living Presence. That is waking up and being who we truly are.

Setting Your Intention for Daily Meditation

Use these quotes below as a guide in how you can approach your daily meditation, and write your own statement of intention, daily, for your meditation:

• Meditation in its greatest Truth is effortless.

• Effort is only of the mind, the emotions and the body, not the soul. Because in truth, with the soul, it is effortless.

• Simply Be. Be Loving, and the rest unfolds.