The Leap Into Freedom

Reflections from The Thrill of the Infinite: You Must Take the Leap

Following The Thrill of the Infinite: You Must Take the Leap, we invited members of our Sangha to share whatever arose in the days that followed—insights, reflections, poems, or creative expressions of what had shifted within them. Below are three such offerings. Each offering reflects a sincere encounter with the invitation to let go of the ego's certainties and take the leap into the freedom of the Self.

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Priya — Ashram Sangha

It is astonishing how much Shunyamurti covered in this short retreat! And the humorous way in which he presented the wisdom was incredibly helpful and inspiring—to open up now and not take the ego mind so seriously, and to question what I think is real!

The ego mind does not see reality, and Shunyamurti very clearly described how and why this is the case, and the shift that needs to happen: to wake up now and realize it was all a dream, just as I do every morning with the dreams appearing at night.

And then, in the stillness, everlasting peace, love, and joy will once again be the natural state. How amazing! What else could I ask for?

Finally, I much appreciated the truth test, which provided clear information on what is still seemingly in the way—an incredibly helpful gift.

Shanti, shanti, shanti.

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Karuna — Ashram Sangha

This retreat has been simply wonderful. I have felt, and still feel, an intense vibratory invitation to live life in a state of freedom.

To the best of my memory, Shunya spoke of the "rules of the game" that we impose upon ourselves, and asked, "What emotional blackmail does the superego hold against you?" I have been reflecting a great deal on these rules and this imposition, and together with reading part of Forget Foucault by Baudrillard, there has been a synthesis in my understanding of obedience and freedom.

I recognize more clearly how the ego will easily submit to, and project, the rules superimposed on reality by the superego onto the perceived world, and in that way create a paranoid world in which there is always fear of, and dependence on, the Other—whether a person or the whole. In that split mind, the sense of actual wholeness and goodness is lost, and alienation prospers and festers.

But the ego will just as readily project itself as God, self-righteously justifying its worldview and believing it is able to accurately analyze the flow of events on the phenomenal plane.

A new sense of freedom has opened up after this retreat—one that is humble in the recognition of not being God, while knowing that, as a part of God, I am free, and there is no reason whatsoever not to take the leap of Faith continuously.

It is alright not to know, to not be right, to admit mistakes, and to humbly change course when necessary. These need not entail a self/superego attack, or feelings of weakness, belittlement, or unworthiness. That inherent freedom need never be lost, and thus there is no need to defend an egoic sense of freedom that is never really free to begin with.

In that sense, the retreat has given me, as I remember Shunyamurti teaching, a deepened sense of trust in the Self that is free of karma regardless of whatever karma the fictional character finds itself in. There is a recognition of the constant possibility of growth on the individual level, and a deeper faith in the perfection of the Self that always abides.

Therefore, I feel there is no solid ground to stand on—but there also needn't be. I do not know who I am, and I do not need to know. Perhaps the constant practice of remaining in that uncertain state of freedom will bring the knowledge of who I truly am, leaving no certainty or uncertainty, and no falling back into egoic paranoia and delusion.

Namaste,
Karuna

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Janice — Online Sangha

Sophianic Momentum

I work like a man
But I am a woman
I work like a man
I have no children
I work like a man
I am no mother
It does not matter
Now
I am a gardener
Stop working like a man
I am
a woman
No seeker
Just a Gardener of Peace

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