Nonduality: Don’t forget… You ARE The Light!✨✨✨- Jeff Foster
Summary
TLDRIn this reflective discourse, Jeff Foster delves into the concept of presence, challenging the common spiritual pursuit of a 'perfect' meditative state. He illustrates the misunderstanding that presence should eradicate the 'mess' of human emotions and thoughts, using the ocean and its waves as a metaphor for the unity of consciousness and human experience. Foster encourages embracing the paradox of non-duality and duality, suggesting that true meditation is about being fully present without the need to chase or change the natural flow of life's experiences.
Takeaways
- 🕒 The present moment is the only time we truly experience, as the past is a memory and the future is a dream or hope.
- 🌊 The metaphor of the ocean and its waves is used to illustrate that all aspects of our humanity, including thoughts, feelings, and sensations, are expressions of our presence.
- 🧘♂️ The realization that presence does not mean the absence of thoughts or discomfort, but rather the acceptance of all experiences as part of the whole.
- 🔍 A deep misunderstanding of meditation is the belief that it should lead to a silent mind or the cessation of all human experiences, which is not the case.
- 🌟 The insight that the goal of meditation is not to achieve a state of perfection or enlightenment, but to recognize the inherent perfection in the present moment.
- 🌱 The importance of embracing the existential paradox of being both the ocean (presence) and its waves (human experiences) without trying to change or escape them.
- 🌈 The understanding that all emotions, from joy to sorrow, are welcome and are part of the rich tapestry of life, not signs of failure or lack of spiritual progress.
- 💡 The concept that true meditation begins when we let go of seeking and simply be present, without the filters of thought or the desire for a particular outcome.
- 🌌 The invitation to view each moment with fresh eyes, like a child, and to experience life without preconceived notions or expectations.
- 🔄 The reassurance that we can always begin again, no matter our past experiences or current state, and that each moment offers a new opportunity for presence and awareness.
Q & A
What is the main message Jeff Foster is conveying about the present moment?
-Jeff Foster emphasizes that the present moment is the only moment we truly experience and that it's where we can truly touch and be touched by life. He suggests that we are not separate from life itself and encourages us to be fully present and aware.
What is the misconception about meditation that Jeff Foster's friend realized?
-Jeff Foster's friend realized that he had been meditating with the misconception that if he meditated perfectly, his mind would become silent, his body would feel more relaxed, and his thoughts and feelings would be more positive. He believed that the goal of meditation was to achieve a state of peace and stillness, which is not the true essence of presence.
How does Jeff Foster describe the relationship between the ocean and its waves as a metaphor for presence and human experiences?
-Jeff Foster uses the metaphor of the ocean and its waves to illustrate that all human experiences, including thoughts, sensations, feelings, and emotions, are expressions of presence, just as waves are expressions of the ocean. He explains that there is no wave that opposes the ocean, and similarly, there is no human experience that is separate from our true nature.
What does Jeff Foster mean when he says that presence allows all of its waves?
-When Jeff Foster says that presence allows all of its waves, he means that all aspects of human experience, including negative emotions and thoughts, are part of our existence and are embraced within the state of presence, just as waves are part of the ocean.
Why did Jeff Foster's friend feel a sense of relief after his realization about meditation?
-Jeff Foster's friend felt a sense of relief because he realized that he didn't have to strive for a state of perfection or silence in meditation. Instead, he understood that the goal is to be present with whatever arises, including the 'mess' of human experiences, which are all part of the ocean of presence.
What is the existential paradox that Jeff Foster talks about?
-The existential paradox Jeff Foster refers to is the understanding that non-duality and duality, emptiness and form, are not separate but are expressions of each other. He suggests that this paradox is not something to be fixed or understood intellectually but is something to be embraced as a description of reality.
How does Jeff Foster define the 'ocean of you'?
-Jeff Foster defines the 'ocean of you' as the essence of your being, which is presence or consciousness. It is the unchanging principle that allows for all experiences, both positive and negative, to arise and be part of your existence.
What does Jeff Foster suggest about the nature of thoughts and feelings during meditation?
-Jeff Foster suggests that during meditation, thoughts and feelings are not something to be eliminated or avoided. Instead, they are to be acknowledged as part of the present moment and embraced as expressions of the ocean of presence.
What is the role of the 'I know' mind in meditation according to Jeff Foster?
-Jeff Foster implies that the 'I know' mind, or the mind that is seeking and trying to achieve something, cannot meditate. True meditation begins when one lets go of seeking and knowing, and instead, approaches the present moment with the openness and curiosity of a child.
How does Jeff Foster encourage us to approach the practice of meditation?
-Jeff Foster encourages us to approach meditation by letting go of preconceived notions, seeking, and trying to achieve a certain state. Instead, he suggests that we should be open to the present moment as it is, without judgment or expectation, and embrace the full spectrum of our human experiences.
Outlines
🔍 The Illusion of Presence and the Search for Truth
Jeff Foster introduces the concept of presence, contrasting it with the illusory nature of past and future. He emphasizes the importance of being fully present in the current moment, which is the only time we can truly experience life with our senses. Foster shares a personal anecdote about a friend's realization that his approach to meditation was flawed due to an underlying belief that perfect meditation would lead to a silent mind and a relaxed body. This misconception led to a sense of failure and disappointment, highlighting a common misunderstanding of what it means to be present.
🌊 The Ocean Metaphor: Embracing the Full Spectrum of Experience
Foster uses the metaphor of the ocean and its waves to illustrate the nature of presence. He explains that presence, like the ocean, allows for all waves—thoughts, sensations, emotions—to exist without judgment. Each wave, regardless of its nature, is an expression of the ocean, and thus, an expression of our true selves. The speaker clarifies that the pursuit of a 'perfect' meditative state that eradicates all human experiences is a fundamental misunderstanding of our nature. Instead, he suggests embracing the full spectrum of experiences as part of our existence.
🧘♂️ The Paradox of Spiritual Seeking and the Oceanic Nature
Continuing with the ocean metaphor, Foster discusses the spiritual seeker's journey, often characterized by a desire to chase after a state of being or enlightenment. He points out that this chase is rooted in a misunderstanding of our inherent nature as the ocean, which is already whole and complete. The speaker encourages embracing the paradox of being both the ocean and its waves, the presence and the experiences. He suggests that true spiritual practice is not about chasing experiences but about recognizing and resting in our inherent nature.
🌅 The Portal of Meditation and the Fresh Perspective of a Child
In the final paragraph, Foster talks about the nature of meditation as a portal to the present moment. He argues that true meditation is not for the expert or the seeker but for those who can let go of all knowledge and expectations. The speaker invites us to approach life with the innocence and curiosity of a child, free from the need to understand or fix the existential paradox. He concludes by reminding us that we can always begin again, no matter our past experiences, and that the present moment is always an opportunity for a fresh start.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Presence
💡Meditation
💡Ocean of Presence
💡Thoughts
💡Humanity
💡Non-duality
💡Paradox
💡Mindfulness
💡Enlightenment
💡Awareness
Highlights
The present moment is the only moment we can truly experience with our senses.
The past is a memory and the future is a dream or fantasy.
Meditation is not about silencing the mind but about being present with all thoughts and sensations.
Every wave of emotion and thought is an expression of the ocean of presence.
The belief that presence should be peaceful is a misunderstanding of what presence truly is.
The ocean of presence allows all waves, including those of doubt, fear, and sorrow.
The pursuit of spiritual enlightenment often stems from a misunderstanding of our true nature.
Embracing the paradox of non-duality and duality is essential for true understanding.
The heart Sutra's teaching of 'emptiness is form, form is emptiness' illustrates the non-dual nature of existence.
The true nature of meditation is to be present with the 'mess' of humanity without judgment.
The realization that we are the ocean, not just the waves, brings a deep sense of relief.
The spiritual journey is not about chasing a state of being but about remembering our true nature.
The concept of 'more light required' metaphorically suggests the need for deeper understanding and awareness.
The existential paradox is not something to be fixed but something to be embraced.
Meditation begins when we let go of seeking and become like a child, experiencing the present moment.
The invitation to drop everything we think we know and to experience the present moment anew.
The reminder that we can always begin again, no matter our past experiences or future aspirations.
Transcripts
hi everybody
my name is Jeff why am I telling you my
name
it's like I'm automatic pilot my name is
Jeff Foster anyway my name I don't think
it matters really what matters is the
truth your truth
uh the truth of
this moment which is really the only
moment we ever experienced the past is a
memory the future is
in a sense it's a Memory it's a it's a
Dream It's a fantasy it's a it's a hope
a beautiful hope sometimes of course
but when we really just
slow down as as the sun sets
uh and we bring our attention back to
where we are back to the place where
we're sitting
place where we can hear sounds the place
where we can sense Sensations in our
bodies
place where we can feel the place where
we can notice our breath rising and
falling where we can hear that sound
over there
this is the present moment
the only moment we can ever truly know
with our senses
uh uh the moment where we touch life
this is the moment where we touch life
and we are touched in return by life and
and where we discover that ultimately we
aren't separate from that touch we
aren't separate from life
itself you probably hear the people
celebrating there in the pub
in the background
um I was having a conversation the other
day with a friend and I just wanted to
share this with you just came to me my
friend has been meditating for I think
20 30 maybe 40
yes uh not quite sure how old my friend
is I should probably find out but
um
and he said just a few days ago that he
had this incredible insight
um and
the Insight was that
he's been meditating wrong his whole
life
um in the sense that this is what he
realized his whole life in meditation
he's been like doing all the right
things you know paying attention being
with his breath
feeling his feet on the ground blah blah
blah all the things were meant to do in
meditation
but his whole life in the background
there there's been this belief
this hope maybe
that if he did it correctly get this if
he meditated correctly if he meditated
perfectly
then
the mind
would go silent or his mind would stop
or his body would feel more relaxed or
his feelings would be more positive or
his thoughts would be more positive
basically he had this belief this hope
uh this concept whatever you want to
call it thought it's basically all
thought
was telling him that if he was fully
present
if he was fully present and fully
conscious and
meditating 100 perfectly then the result
of that would be
a quieter mind or more comfortable
relaxed body or a feeling of bliss
or uh you know basically a positive
experience
positive thoughts positive Sensations
positive feelings or or
you know or just a feeling of complete
ecstasy basically he had this concept of
meditation this concept of
presence so they're basically his whole
life he said there's always this been
this sense of
disappointment even failure that he's
not there yet
you know it's like okay
I'm watching my breath I'm in the
present moment I'm I'm you know I'm I am
I am pure awareness I am you know all
the things he's supposed to be
so why
why are thoughts still coming or what
why is my mind still noisy
or why is this ache still here in my
body
why is this doubt still here why is this
um contraction still here why is why is
this why is this thought this sensation
this feeling why is this discomfort
uh
uh this
human mess still here
this is what it came down with it too
for him this is belief
I'm not doing it right or I'm not there
yet because if I was fully present
or if I was meditating 100 perfectly
then
the mess would go away the mess
of my Humanity would stop thoughts
Sensations feelings would all calm down
peace peace peace peace peace peace
peace
so he Associated presence with peace
as a lot of people do
and it's a beautiful dream like why
wouldn't you dream that you know
the thing is and this is what my friend
realizes this stemmed from a deep actual
misunderstanding of what presence is
it's almost like you know the the ocean
I love this metaphor of the ocean and
the waves
the ocean
of who you are the ocean of presence
allows all of its waves
wave thoughts Sensations feelings waves
of
sorrow waves of Joy waves of boredom
waves of confusion waves of clarity
waves of Doubt all of the waves of your
Humanity
are not only allowed and welcome in
presence but they actually are an
expression of presence
every wave is actually an expression of
the ocean even our deepest doubt or fear
or sorrow is is actually not
a mistake in the sense that it it is an
expression of the ocean there is no wave
that is not an expression of the ocean
there is no wave that is against the
ocean or opposes the ocean or is a
mistake in the ocean the ocean would
never say that
only our minds
I think that was the mind only our minds
would uh it's very light it's very alive
around here
um only our minds would say that this
wave isn't allowed this thought this
sensation this feeling this urge this
impulse
is not okay is not allowed it's not
spiritual it's not part of the ocean
but you see how that stems from a deep
misunderstanding of who we are once you
realize that who you truly are is the
ocean itself
call it presence call it Consciousness
call it awareness call it being call it
nothing it doesn't matter what you call
it
whatever you call it is just a word it's
just another wave it's just another
thought so no no word
even the most beautiful spiritual words
can't begin to capture
the ocean of you presence itself
so what I'm really saying is and this is
what my friend realizes that
in the ocean of you in the ocean of
presence
there is so much room for for doubt for
fear for grief for anger for a noisy
mind for your sensitivity and
vulnerability for your shakiness and
your awkwardness for your beautiful
imperfect
beautifully imperfect Humanity
and this is what my friend realizes that
he was like oh
he said oh
um
my whole life I thought if I was fully
present all of that would disappear all
of the mess
of my Humanity would somehow disappear
and this seems to be what some spiritual
teachers have been teaching
you know but you see now how it stems
from again a misunderstanding a
disconnection actually
from who we truly are
once you realize that you are the ocean
then in the same moment you realize that
all of the waves are not meant to
disappear they are expressions of you
they are actually celebrations
of you
doubt fear sorrow are not mistakes they
are celebrations they are life itself
there's so much life
in all these things you know so
my friend expressed a deep sense of
relief actually in in this understanding
that oh like the thoughts don't
have to stop all these messy
uncomfortable thoughts don't have to go
away
these feelings in my body the the the
the the the the the tension the
contraction the sorrow over all of it
the mess what we might call the mess of
course it's not really a mess
um
that can all coexist
with presence I can be present with
the mess
the ocean
is its waves the ocean doesn't have to
get rid of its waves or if I was really
the ocean the waves would disappear or
if I was really the ocean there would
only be nice waves that's a deep
misunderstanding of non-duality
in the heart Sutra in Buddhism it says
Emptiness is none other than form form
is none other than emptiness this is the
deep deep profound Primal existential
Paradox at the very heart of things the
ocean is its weights
non-duality
is Duality non-duality infuses Duality
Duality is an expression of non-duality
so anyway that's just a lot of words to
point to something that is prior to
words
to point to something extremely
extremely extremely simple so simple
even a child could understand it and I
think they do
um
but there's nothing wrong with you
in meditation the point isn't to get rid
of that's that's the always the mind
talking
the ocean if when you realize on when
you really realize and understand very
deeply
that you are the ocean you lose all
interest in getting rid of your waves
why would you
they are
expressions of you they're your children
they're your blood
They're Your Love
so
my friend talked about embracing the
paradox
embracing the Paradox of non-duality as
Duality embracing the Paradox that two
things can be true at the same time two
things come on my phone says more light
required
of course
more light required
um
two things can be true at the same time
you are presence itself
that's true and you are also this
wonderfully fleshy earthy messy awkward
imperfect
human sensitive and vulnerable and open
and and and
um
beautiful exactly as you are so both are
true I've met a lot of spiritual Seekers
over the years and I was one of them who
we know we were desperate to become the
light or to become Oneness or to become
the ocean or to become
pure awareness or to get into some other
state
you know or to become enlightened and
bless our little hearts but all again
all of that stems from a
misunderstanding a simple innocent
a very innocent misunderstanding
chasing waves
chasing waves
when in fact we are the ocean
chasing waves because we think that's
the route to happiness
and maybe that has to happen maybe we
have to
spend years and years and years chasing
these waves
you know bless our little hearts we're
addicts addicted to the next experience
the next Insight the next high the next
moment addicted to Future
addicted to becoming something special
maybe all of that has to play out and
then one day we remember we realize we
recognize we we rest
in
our Oceanic nature and we realized it
was never about chasing the waves
it was never about the spiritual highs
you know it was it was always about
remembering
remembering
that we are the ocean
the the unchanging principle
the unchanging principle of this moment
thoughts come and go Sensations come and
go feelings come and go from the most
profound Bliss to the deepest grief
all of that has a home in our hearts all
of it is welcome none of it is a sign
that we are unenlightened or unspiritual
or far from healing or far from the
place we think we should be
that beautiful mess of our Humanity
is not a mistake it's it's welcome
it's welcome
the the
noisy mind
the aching tired body
the contraction the boredom
the joy
the sorrow
as roomy
said welcome them all
they're all guests
in the guest house of you
all waves in your ocean
anyway so
yeah I I just started recording this
video I didn't quite know what I was
going to say but all of that just came
out
um
I guess this is a video in the end about
the paradox
the existential paradox
that is not something to fix
or even understand it's something to
Embrace let it be let the Paradox be the
Paradox the Paradox of non-duality as
duality of Duality as non-duality of of
emptiness as form the ultimate paradox
it's not a state
it's just a description of the way
things are if if we're willing to look
if we're willing to slow down
and look with fresh eyes
slow down and touch this
unique
never before experienced
instant of Our Lives
it all begins with a breath
it all begins with
dropping everything you know
including everything you know about
presence everything you know about
non-duality everything you know about
spirituality and Enlightenment and blah
blah blah
being willing to drop everything you
know and drop in drop everything you
know and drop in
to this moment
and look at it with the eyes of a child
what's it like
what's it like to be alive right now
this is the portal of meditation
the expert
cannot meditate the I know mind cannot
meditate
the Seeker
the one seeking enlightenment
cannot meditate
the one seeking awareness or seeking
this or seeking that
seeking perfection
seeking to become something special
cannot meditate it's not possible
meditation Begins the moment
you don't know
the moment
you stop trying
the moment you
as Jesus said become like a little child
become like a little child that's when
you
can take that first step
into the kingdom of heaven
which is
which is now
now
seen without the filter of um of seeking
of thought
and we can always begin
we can always begin
it's the beauty of this path we can
we can always begin again
no matter what's happened in our lives
the ups and the Downs the struggles the
successes the failures the incredible
insights that the breakdowns the
breakthroughs the all of it
all of it we can always begin again
so is this day
um
comes to a close
as we move into
night time
and who knows maybe tomorrow there will
be a new day
I bid you farewell thank you so much for
listening watching um it still says more
light required so I'm gonna go off and
find some more light not really there's
enough light here
hey there you go there has been enough
lights
all along
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