Lesson 16 - Meditation Q&A -- Bliss

From: Yogani
Date: Sun Nov 23, 2003 2:42pm

New Members: It is recommended you read from the beginning of the
archive, as previous lessons are prerequisite to this one. The first
lesson is, "Why This Discussion?"

Q: I have been filled with bliss since beginning meditation. I sit
and think I AM a few times and I am gone into a tingly silence
inside. I disappeared for ten minutes yesterday before I realized it.
I thought I AM, and was gone in bliss again. I have such feelings of
gratitude. My background is devout Catholic and it has been difficult
for me to relate to the eastern traditions, though I have sensed
there is much value there. This seems a wonderful approach -- a
bridge. I feel closer to Christ. Is it for real?

A: As our experience grows, stabilizes on a higher plane, and then
keeps growing with practice, never ceasing to expand, then we have
the answer to the question: Is it for real? The answer is in you.
This is the truth of spiritual life – as we practice and open from
within, the experience becomes self-validating. There is nowhere else
you have to go to find it, to prove it to yourself. Once we know, our
life becomes a joyous never-ending journey of self-discovery. Under
these conditions, human life gradually morphs into a kaleidoscope of
bliss.

Jesus said, "Seek first the kingdom of heaven within, and all will be
added to you."

Bliss is our birthright, our true nature. It is time for us to step
forward and claim it by awakening the natural abilities we were born
with.

It is a long journey for most of us. It took a long time for us to
become blocked so completely from our true nature. It stands to
reason that it will take a while for us to open back up, even with
the best of tools. At times we will experience a clear view of the
bliss bubbling up in us. Other times we will feel blocked, or like we
are getting reamed from the inside as we continue our daily
meditations. The process will unfold in many ways. In time, bliss
will predominate, and we will see the world as we have not before.
Bliss will be seen bubbling up everywhere, constantly. A dirty pipe
can't stay dirty forever if we are flushing it through with the pure
water of consciousness every day.

So, while the bliss you feel is a treasure, and certainly for real,
keep in mind that there will be cycles of experience as your
meditation proceeds. Sometimes you will feel like you did when you
wrote of your bliss. Other times you may not feel so blissful as deep
cleansing is going on. There may even be periods where you feel like
you are stuck on a plateau of experience. Just keep meditating every
day, no matter what. In the long run, what matters is your daily
practice. Whatever the experience may be, if our practice is correct
and consistent, we will have the results in the end.

You will experience many emotions in connection with your journey:
wonderment, awe, gratitude, impatience, boredom, anger, frustration,
pain… whatever the feelings are, use these to redouble your
commitment to practice. If you can transmute your feelings, whatever
they may be, into an unceasing desire to do your daily practice, then
you cannot fail. For then you are devoted. Those who are unshakenly
devoted always succeed, sooner or later. Your desire will always be
the essential ingredient. Cultivate it well.

The guru is in you.

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