[Drifter]

The Presence is silent and conveys a state of peace. It's infinitely gentle and yet like a rock. With it, all fear disappears, and spiritual joy occurs on a quiet level of inexplicable ecstasy. Because the experience of time stops, there's no apprehension, regret , pain, or anticipation; the source of joy is unending and ever-present. With no beginning or ending, there can be no loss, grief, or desire---and nothing needs be done, for everything is already perfect and complete.

We simply teach ourselves to perfect this state of consciousness as an instrument. Exceptional, subjective experiences of truth---the providence of the mystic, who affects all of mankind by sending forth energy of his level into the collective consciousness---simply are not understandable to the majority of human beings and therefore are of limited meaning except to other spiritual seekers. Just being ordinary in and of itself is an expression of divinity; the truth of one's real self can be discovered through the pathway of everyday life. The commonplace and God aren't distinct. To live with care and kindness is all that is necessary; the test reveals itself in due time.

When time stops, all problems disappear, for they are merely artifacts of a point of perception. As the Presence prevails, there is no further identification with the body or mind. When the mind grows silent, the thought I am also disappears, and pure Awareness shines forth to illuminate what one is, was, and always will be, beyond all worlds and all universes---infinite and beyond time.

People wonder, How does one reach this state of awareness? Few follow the steps because they're so simple.

First, the desire to reach the state is intense.
Then comes the discipline to act with constant and universal forgiveness and gentleness, without exception.
One has to be compassionate toward everything, including one's own self and thoughts.
Next a willingness to hold desires in abeyance and surrender personal will at every moment.
As each thought, feeling, longing, or deed was surrendered to God, the mind became increasingly silent. At first, turning over entire stories and paragraphs in the mind, then ideas and concepts.
As one lets go of the desire to own these thoughts, they no longer reach such elaboration, and begin to fragment while only half-formed.
Finally, it is possible to turn over the energy behind thought itself, before it even becomes thought.

The task of constant and unrelenting fixity of focus---not allowing even a moment of distraction from meditation [even in a walking meditation] continues while doing ordinary activities. At first it may seem difficult but as time goes on it will become habitual, automatic, and effortless. The process is like a rocket leaving Earth:
At first, it requires enormous power, then less as it leaves earth's gravitation field; and finally, it moves through space under its own momentum.

Suddenly, without warning, a shift in awareness occurs, and the Presence is there, unmistakable, all encompassing. They may be a few moments of apprehension as the self [ egoic urges and desires] dies, and then the absoluteness of the Presence inspires a flash of awe. The breakthrough is spectacular, more intense than anything previously known---it has no counterpart in ordinary experience. The profound shock entailed is cushioned by the Love of the Presence. Without the support and protection of that Love, one would be annihilated.

A moment of terror follows as the ego clings to its existence, fearing it will become nothingness. Instead, as it dies, it is replaced by the Self as Everything-ness, the All in which everything is known and obvious in its perfect expression of its own essence. With non-locality comes the awareness that one is all that ever was or can be. One is total and complete, beyond all identities, gender, or even humanness itself.

One need never again fear suffering and death.

What happens to the body, from this point, is immaterial.