What do I do?

Especially in this part of the world, our identity is very much connected to our doings. While we see our identity beginning with the physical birth of our body, the things we do with our lives begin to define who and what we are from a very early age. The western hemisphere puts particularly strong emphasis on doings; the "American Dream" and the idea of the "Self-made man" loom large over here. So, if non-dualism seems to resonate for you, what are you to DO? How can you live a life when you are beginning to suspect that it's not even real?

The Zen folks and Banarama have the answer. Zen tells you that even after enlightenment you still chop wood and carry water. Every moment of time that your mind projects a body and a human lifetime, you still have to do stuff. Even blinking, breathing, and digesting are doings! It can't be avoided. But, Banarama tells us "It ain't what you do, it's the way that you do it." Wise words from British pop music (who'da thunk it?). All the while we are living our illusory life and doing our daily tasks we can be ASKing for more understanding, and we can be opening our minds to messages as they come.

As I've written before, when you first begin to ASK and then the answers start to come, the experiences can seem mystical and supernatural. As time passes, these experiences are not so startling. They're great little reminders.

What do we do? We live our lives. You've already chosen to get on the ride. Take the ride. It won't last forever. Time is illusion, too. Live your life, but ASK for truth. ASK for further understanding. ASK for help in forming (and reforming) your paradigms. Don't get too attached to any mindset. Stay focused on the present moment as much as possible. Much has been discussed recently about the power of now. This is a great portal for many people. Use it, if it makes sense to you. (By the way, Eckart is a student of non-dualism, too!)

Non-dualism is a gentle path. It seems depressing and bleak when you first gain awareness of it. "Everything I value and believe in is illusion; that's GOOD news??" Actually, as you continue to ASK and LISTEN you will come to understand that yes, it is good news.