Reading the words or falling into a flow of loving intent?

Have you ever thought about how you read? Are you a trained speed reader? Do you prefer to read from the back forward? I first read as I was taught, each sentence for comprehension in the common vernacular.

There is another way I have found to be very rewarding, especially with spiritually oriented work. Try to look beneath the words, around the words and then beyond the words. Walk past the words, float amongst the words, watch the words fly by, until the words are no longer there and you are now only experiencing the true nature and intentions of the author. It is you and the author together sharing the actual ideas, not the translation by the mind anymore. The objective is for the words to come off the page directly into the consciousness without the ego’s reply. In its purest sense it is absorption, not translation.

At first it is somewhat difficult as there are vocabulary issues; some words are more commonly used in spiritual works. Each author may intend different meanings for words like mind, ego, duality, spirit, soul as well as God, devil, angels, demons. One author’s voice is metaphorical other’s may be concrete. But once past these obstacles, a rewarding experience is close at hand.

What is Not Said

The words not said may
Reveal more than what is.
An act of omission, perhaps
Better to say nothing, than
Something unpleasant.
But remember,
Hear the words not spoken
Listen quietly for their
Voiceless silence, as
Theirs is the other warning.
The illusion begins when
The first words are spoken,
And not.

You and Your Words

Precious in their intent
Limited in their delivery
Mistaken in their receipt
Your words may become you.
In the world of illusion
The world of the many
The world of slumber
Your words are you.
The truth is
You are not your words.
You are that without words.
The magic is you
Not the words.
You are that
Which finds the words.
But, the truth is not required
In the world of illusion.
So be careful,
Be true with your words.
For they may misrepresent
The truth of you.

Picture: Words by With Accusing Eyes via deviantart.com

Our Words

The use of language is part of our socialization. While words are a powerful way of communication, they can be terribly flawed in their effect. How we use words, how we choose words and how we interpret other’s words is part of our personality.

Whether we misspeak, are misheard or misinterpreted our words are limited in their ability to communicate our truth. Our words are the equivalent of pointing a stick in the direction we are going.

Then there are the words not spoken. Whether we are trying to be polite, have a limited vocabulary, or have made faulty assumptions, the words not spoken are equally dangerous or informative. We don’t typically factor in these considerations. We say something and fully expect our true intentions to be immediately understood. Of course this is not necessarily the case.

This makes speaking the truth particularly difficult. If our true nature does not think in words, if words arise from the ego, how is it possible to speak the truth? If true nature were to work through ego, then an ego translation of true nature would be possible. Of course, true nature would have to be particularly robust in order to overcome the many years of living in ego.

This is why we see inconsistencies even in some of our most enlightened writers. We must be forgiving when their ego breaks through. For in this case, the ego is interpreting true nature, acting as a translator of sorts.

The Search (mine)

It came out of a feeling of contentment. I had reached all of my professional goals at a fairly young age. And for me, this was enough. I have never understood the old battle axes like Donald Trump, Abe Greenberg (AIG), and Jack Welch (GE) who seemingly go on and on. Is it that ego and desire for more money and attention never ends?


There were many coincidences; the friend who sent books on spirituality, the guy on the plane who recommended further reading, the convenient timing of personal freedom to pursue the search, to name a few. Maybe these coincidences are always there, but our eyes and ears are not open to them.


Unlike some others, I fell into this search from a position of contentment, not of despair. I was open and listening for the call. So maybe, if my experience is relevant, you do not need to come to this out of a fall,.


There were many messages, most of which were helpful. I was lucky early on to realize that in the world of words, I needed to be careful. I realized words travel through personality and ego, limiting their usefulness and interpretation, no matter the level of spirituality. Many of the readings were translations incorporating additional error and potential for misinterpretation. Over time, I developed an ability to expect this, to listen to my inner self, and understand the intended direction of the words. Specifically, here is what I found most helpful, ranked by priority:


In H.W.L. Poonja’s “Wake and Roar”, I heard the truth. This was not in long-winded explanation, but in demonstration of inner being. I was not ready for this until later in my search.


In Dennis Lewis’s “The Tao of Natural Breathing” and Bruce Frantzis’s “Relaxing into your Being”, I heard the integration of body and soul. I learned the role of breathing and energy cultivation in spirituality.


In Don Miguel Ruiz’s “The Voice of Knowledge”, I saw my personality and ego for the first time. This allowed me to surrender to the song of H.W.L. Poonja, to hear its truth.


In Dainin Katagiri’s “Each Moment is the Universe”, I realized the present moment. This realization shifted time from scarcity to abundance. And then there are the other favorites:


Thich Nhat Hahn “Peace is Every Step” Inner grace

Meister Eckhart “From Whom God Hid Nothing” Early spirituality

Charles L. Moore “Synthesis Remembered” Our magical, mystical nature

Brian Hines “Return to the One” Plotinus’ ancient wisdom

Sri Aurobindo “The Life Divine” Masterpiece of spirituality

David Hawkins “Power versus Force” Science merged with spirit

Eckhart Tolle “The Power of Now” The search for present moment

Ken Wilber “Sex Ecology and Spirituality” Modern masterpiece of integration

Marianne Williamson “Everyday Grace” Inner grace and power of prayer

Dzigar Kongtrul “It’s Up to You” A songbird of truth

Arjuna Ardagh “The Translucent Revolution” Spirituality rising today

Thomas Merton :Book of Hours” Power of prayer and inspiration

Foundation for Inner Peace “A Course in Miracles” Distinctively inspiring song

Shechen Rabjam “The Great Medicine” A songbird of truth

Khenchen Thrangu “On Buddha Essence” A songbird of truth

Erving Goffman “Presentation of Self ” Ego’s stage and our part on it