I have written in here before of the importance of NOT using this teaching, or any other teaching to judge ourselves with. When we notice our ego in action, much the same way that we notice the mind has strayed off in meditation, we can either rejoice in that moment of awakening or judge ourselves for not being spiritual enough, present enough or whatever your ego's version of self criticism sounds like...

Today I am writing to share a useful way of noticing the mind and/or ego in action. I find it very useful to notice just how FASCINATED the mind is in the past or future or whatever it's latest "thing" is. The mind can become fascinated in planning, or judging others or whatever, just about anything BUT the present moment. It is useful to see this because beneath it you may discover that the fascination is really coming from fear. This is very good, if you can see this fear. The mind and ego are terrified of the NOW because they sense their extinction in the NOW. The ego, the everyday mind dies in the NOW so see how fascinated it becomes as you try to be more present, fascinated in the most mundane useless things. This is very good to see, rejoice if you can see this and most of all have compassion for this small, oh so small and frightened part of you.

Much like the wizard in the end of the Wizard of Oz, behind the curtains, pulling levers and strings, it knows that it is not in charge, it tries so desperately to act in charge, like the official on reality but it knows, deep down, it is not. It is scared, and that's ok. The process of awakening is usually a slow one, and that's a good thing. It takes time to let go of all the endless fascinations that simply will NEVER EVER make us happy. When we are ready, we will cross that river...in the meantime, love yourself fully, and love the moment fully, because it will never BE again...

Love to all,
Ralph