Nonduality: Don’t forget… You ARE The Light!✨✨✨- Jeff Foster

Summary

In 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.