#264

While the mind-body-world illusion persists, there will be temptations. Every temptation comes from belief that mind-body-world are reality. To believe illusion as if it is reality is the cause of suffering.

Do not deny the pull of temptation when it is present, but do regain some sense of sanity. Check with your heart; practice Self-inquiry; move to awareness of core present-being.

True spiritual practice removes every temptation and sets you free from the mind-made illusion of suffering.

#263

The world we live in is an illusion and these body-mind-personalities that we think of as us are not who we are. Yet, intellectual agreement with these ideas has little value when the unreal seems to be reality in our experience. This is not the time to fake it. This is the time to practice being aware of the core of life, present-being.

#262

It is a gross error to misidentify with the body and then make the body behave as if there is no world. This attempt to force behavior without any shift in identification will only result in additional suffering.

Practice shifting attention from the belief in the world as real to awareness of present-being. Let the body be natural, in harmony with attention.

#261

To say “I the person am aware of I the Self” is like saying “I the Halloween costume am aware of I the person.” Such a statement is evidence of insanity.

#260

Self is the core of life, not that which comes after. Identifying with that which comes after, that which is temporary, is the cause of all suffering. From the position of true “I”, there is nothing to suffer; there is only ongoing, ever-being, pure grace-love.

Watch the tendency to identify with elements other than the core. When this tendency is noticed, shift attention to awareness of present core being.

#259

The core of life before mind, senses and world are added is true life, eternal life, reality and ever-present Self.

#258

While the world appearance continues and there is still some attachment to the body, one does well to practice Self-inquiry, Self-watching and Self-awareness. That which one watches when practicing Self-watching is reality. Reality is enduring. The unreal will fade from sight, but with eyes keenly focused on reality, one will not notice the fading of illusions unreal.

#257

Which is wisdom? To listen to the mind, which pays attention to the world as if it is reality, or to rest peace-centered in the heart without a thought for the world?

If one is not clear on the answer to this question, try asking again this way:

Is it wisdom to sit peacefully amid calm waters and still beauty or is it wisdom to run frantically chasing shadows desired while hiding from shadows feared?

#256

What does attachment to body have to do with attachment to mind, and therefore illusion? It is a simple triad.

Attachment to body implies “I am vulnerable and need protection.” Mind responds by answering, “I am your protection,” as it spins its threat and protection stories. From those stories the entire illusory world is formed, and the perception “I need protection” continues.

To be free of this cycle, do not accept the idea “I am the body.”
Practice Self-inquiry and Self-watching in order to firmly awaken awareness of Self.

#255

This is a request for happy, surrendered commitment:

Surrender to the heart by being established in the practice of Self-inquiry and Self-watching until the illusion that anything else could exist or be has died completely and only knowledge of reality remains.