Thank you for your very profound insights in your two comments. These are much appreciated. Let us know how the 10 day Vipasana meditation retreat goes for you.

It is through good merit that one comes across the teachings of Ahimsa and understands it at the deepest levels.

It is also through good merit one gets the opportunity to reflect on the mystery of existence and the preciousness of life.

To be able to be quiet in body and mind is a gift one gives oneself and others. It is only through the fullness of Ahimsa that we can surrender to God’s will.

It is in the deepest silence we find that the presence of God has always been with us in the Heart. All good wishes on your spiritual path.

May all beings be free from sorrow.

Love to all

I am preparing for a 10 day Vipasanna meditation retreat, and am a little nervous about the prospects of spending 10 days with me. Apparently 50 years of living as me in a world of distractions has not adequately prepared me for a short 10 days of being with just me absent the distractions.

I returned to your article above to see if it could give me some insight before my retreat and I found the gem that I need. Ahimsa. It reminded me that when I am in my most mindful state, a state which seems to ebb and flow with my ability to rid my mind of life’s distractions, I am existing in that state of what you call ahimsa. I love Jainism. It might be closest to my personal belief system of all the religions.

I reached what i will now be able to call ahimsa through the understanding of my insignificance. Mankind is taught of our superiority to all species, and that belief stands in the way of self-realization. I believe that all life is fed by the same spirit-energy that exists beyond the physical world. We are not just one in spirit with humans, we are one in spirit with all living creatures. Only when I realized this could I break through to a new level of understanding and spiritual awareness.

So as I go off to my retreat, I will think of ahimsa. Re-reading your article has made me a little less nervous in anticipation of my coming adventure. If I can find and maintain ahimsa, I will be ok.

Thank you.

You make a comment on “expectation”, I have spent many years meditating on the concept of expectation, and have come to the conclusion that expectation is the root of all suffering. I debate this often with my friends, what is at the foundation of suffering, is it desire? Or is it expectation? I believe the latter, for expectation is rooted in the belief that you deserve something better than what you have, that leads to the desire to have something else. If you do not expect anything, you will not desire it.

The problem with expectation when focused on others, such as a spouse, is that it causes obligation in the other. Expectation and obligation are two sides of the same coin, yin and yang. This creditor/debtor dynamic is an extremely unhealthy dynamic in the relationship of two people since it sets a condition that is different than the reality that we are all equals. This deviation of normalcy creates tension, and is not resolved until the expectation is removed.

And it is this dynamic of expectation and disappointment that is the root of all suffering. Remove all expectation from your thinking, you will remove all suffering. When you are pained about something, simply ask yourself the question: what were you expecting? When you answer that question, you will discover the root cause of your suffering and see that you set yourself up for your own suffering.

Upset over the death of a loved one? What were you expecting? For them to live forever? Did you set yourself up for sorrow with the expectation to see them tomorrow? Enjoy everyone around you, right now. Live every moment as if it will be the last time you see someone and when that day happens, because it will, you will be joyous at your good fortune to have spent time with them at all.

Maharshi was happy even at the prospect of his own death because he had rid himself of any expectation of different outcomes. Living in the moment. Happy with everything just the way it was. Happy with everyone around him just the way they were. Compassionate toward others that are troubled, not expecting them to change, not hoping they will change, but instead being a beacon of truth that they can emulate to rid themselves of expectation so they can be happy and be that beacon for others.

I just find so intriguing, truly bizarre the fact that I have on my own, years ago, found out about the art of “doing nothing”…and even used to teach my sons the same… People might have thought something was wrong with me, but I did it so because both boys were great achievers at school…and I supervised them anyway (by the way, I was NOT too strict as a mother!)… They were great as students, did well in both music and sports…and so, I thought they should also be taught about doing… NOTHING !
And this is why when I found your article I just had to read it… and tell everyone I know about it !
I had no idea I was indeed on the right path…but it just felt great, it felt right to take that precious time out. I have since learnt TM, and continue to explore further into all to do within myself…Transcending in TM is something I cannot find words to describe…
So, thank you for sharing your knowledge…

Thank you for your kind note. Best wishes.

Your article on meditation was deeply satisfying. As a long-time meditator, I resonate with the idea that even highly-evolved and purified beings will suffer to a degree while here on this relative plane. Awareness enables us to suffer less, however.

My greatest peace comes from being. This being surfaces and spills over throughout my day and life. Less mind enables more being, it seems.

Thanks so much for your lovely blog and your contribution to humanity’s happiness and evolution. I look forward to reading more, and for perhaps more with respect to your ruminations on ‘what love is.’

Many Blessings – Ken LaDeroute