Innocence

Topics covered:  "We shall not cease from exploration, And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started, And to know that place for the first time." -- T. S. Eliot; A paradox is understood when seemingly irreconcilable opposites are seen as complimentary; One question that we never ask ourselves: "If I do something that I regret, why does it seem like that action was the only choice in that moment?"

Remastered Classic Talk: 3/30/16 - It is a big mistake to believe that the operation of imagination requires you to be present in order for it to produce either the illusion of a pleasure or pain to come, along with some temporary corresponding sense of self; in fact, quite the opposite is true. Almost our entire present sense of 'I' is thus created and -- as the offspring of a lower level of being -- is largely responsible for all human sorrow.

Student Talks: 8/2/2024 - Key Lesson: Only in a sustained conscious awareness of our (own) suffering are we awakened to see, and to know, accordingly, the healing presence of a Divine Light: a living, loving intelligence that reveals and conceives -- all at once -- the possibility of perfect compassion.

Topics covered: The only thing that sleeping human beings see are the reasons -- outside of themselves -- for their anxiety, anger, fear and negativity; It seems mandatory to have enemies because that nature feels as though everyone and everything is pressing-in on it; What we presently call love is dependent upon outside conditions giving us what we want; The real golden rule is: Don't do to others what you don't want done to you...

Topics covered: If you want to have the ending you are looking for, you are going to need a new beginning; Today's humanity continues to write a story for itself that it doesn't like, always hoping that the next chapter will finally satisfy; Understanding is simple. The ultimate understanding is that you think you have to hurt yourself, but you don't... you think you have to be afraid, but you don't.

Student Talks: 2/26/2021 - Key Lesson: Attending to, completing what the present moment asks of you... is the business of real Life. In the silence of this relationship is revealed and received, all at once, the wisdom and wealth of your True Self. A few of these timeless riches include: a faith no fear can shake, an innocence no temptation...

Topics Covered: "It is only when we float upon the stream of awareness that we know that everything is just fine. We have no idea where we're going and yet we are unafraid, for we know and feel that we are eternal." -- Vernon Howard; The real business of life is not about hoarding as many possessions as possible. The real business of life is not connected to an achievement of any kind...

Topic: Stop Trying to Escape (Your) Karma and Start Using it to Realize Perfect Freedom (5/17/20 Classroom Talk)

Topic: Stop Trying to Escape (Your) Karma and Start Using it to Realize Perfect Freedom (5/17/20 Classroom Talk)

Classroom Talk: 5/17/2020 - Here's a glimpse of a higher level of self-knowledge that opens the door to the possibility of a karma-free life: Nothing moves that everything doesn't; so that if we learn to move with life itself, Life will take care of itself… and therein is our innocence, and our freedom guaranteed.

Student Talks: 10/20/2019 - Key Lesson: There's a simple reason why small children are seemingly fearless: they are more interested in what the moment is giving them...than they are fearful for having imagined what it may withhold.