Nothing and Everything

[cherydactyl]

The great Indian teacher Nisargadatta Maharaj once said, "Wisdom tells me I am nothing. Love tells me I am everything. Between the two my life flows." "I am nothing" does not mean that there is a bleak wasteland within. It does mean that with awareness we open to a clear, unimpeded space, without center or periphery--nothing separate. If we are nothing, there is nothing at all to serve as a barrier to our boundless expression of love. Being nothing in this way, we are also, inevitably, everything. "Everything" does not mean self-aggrandizement, but a decisive recognition of interconnection; we are not separate. Both the clear, open space of "nothing" and the interconnectedness of "everything" awaken us to our true nature. This is the truth we contact when we meditate, a sense of unity beyond suffering. It is always present; we merely need to be able to access it.

--Sharon Salzberg, Lovingkindness

My comments:
Two of my LJ friends just broke up. I read about it today in their journals. I don't know them face to face, but they both seem to be lovely, grounded people that I would like to know better if the opportunity arises. This sentence from the above passage "Everything" does not mean self-aggrandizement, but a decisive recognition of interconnection; we are not separate. caused me to think about how sometimes we attach to a certain idea of our place in the world. Perhaps in a relationship, perhaps with a job, perhaps in our self-identifications. But it's all transitory and may not be what we think it is in the first place. Recognizing and dealing with what actually is is hard. Acting skillfully when you figure out things weren't what you thought they were is harder. Allowing what is to flourish without trashing it when you found out you were cultivating a carnation instead of a rose....well. I wish the both of you peace and contentment, and the ability to find the ways these events can help you grow and discern what is.

Comments

[nobody-.livejournal.com]

There are a lot of good points in this post.

Thanks.

[cherydactyl.livejournal.com]

:) I hadn't expected you to out yourselves on my little commentary. It's just as much a lesson to me about not attaching to my little self-identies...including my new job. Y'all remind me about how insidius that kind of thing can be when I think I know what is actually going on. And it reminds me to let go of image and just do a good job to the best of my ability...which goes for my relationship issues too.

[gillan.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[cherydactyl.livejournal.com]

I commented above to nobody_, but it's really a comnent directed to both of you.