Essence of Being

This post is part of my on-going series on Awareness & Being In The Now.

Years ago when I was going to a Zendo to learn meditation, which is called ZaZen or more literally sitting meditation, the Zen master and I were discussing, as we often did the differences between the teachings of our Western culture and what is advocated in Zen meditations.

Pressure To Do vs. Be

We considered, in particular, the differences between the messages of many Western society parents, certainly mine, who would say, “Don’t just sit there, do something.” I don’t remember how many times I heard that when I was growing up, but it was certainly a lot. The Zen Master pointed out that in learning meditation that now I had to learn to “don’t just do something”, “sit there.”

The pressure that we feel to be constantly doing and accomplishing is for many of us hard wired into us from our early childhood messages. The idea that we can just relax, just be still, just sit and ponder, or just be, can be very difficult for many of us. We may feel that since being is not doing that it has no value.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Now, with the vast body of scientific research showing the health benefits of mindfulness meditation that cultural message is gradually changing. However, our societal Type A achievement orientation all too often approaches meditation as just another thing to “do”, missing the important step of opening to the fullness of your being or essence.

The dictionary shows the meaning of essence as, “the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, especially something abstract, that determines its character.” Which comes from the Latin essentia, from esse to ‘be’.

It is in the pause, in the silence, in the being, that you receive the essential benefits and the blessings of meditation. It is when you let your awareness expand that the impressions and direction of your essence, your Soul, can be heard in the silence, the silence that is within all sound. Ponder on this.

Reminder you’re a human being not a human doing.”
– Mastin Kipp

Find The Experience Of Being

It is to help you find that experience of being that all of the meditation techniques taught across the various teachings strive. This includes the chanting of the ancient Vedic tradition, the mantra focus of Transcendental Meditation taught by the Maharishi, or guided meditations, even the activity based mindfulness awareness meditations that I teach, the essential element is about helping you to just be, in the now famous words of the teacher Ram Das to “Be Here Now”.

All of us who teach meditation, from the Masters of The Ancient Wisdom over the eons to the teachers of more modern times whether Hindi, Buddhist, Sufi or Christian Mystic, create ways to bring you into the consciousness of Being because it is in “Being” that revelation happens. That revelation comes from within your core, from your essence, from your Soul, from your connection to your Soul.

It is ironic that all of the paths of consciousness bring you to this same essential awareness, the essential state of being. It is why I have never been concerned about what path someone walks, only that they walk a path to enlightened awareness. The ultimate teacher is within you and that is your own Soul which always knows exactly what you need to help you move forward in your evolution of consciousness.

The various twists and turns you take along the path can be influenced by a vast array of beliefs, teachings, techniques and trials or errors, but the ultimate teacher, your own Soul, your own embedded spark of Divinity that is with you for all of your life, will reveal the truth to you. That truth will set you free from all of the glamors or illusions no matter how dearly or tightly held.

In the essence of being, truth is revealed. In the essence of being you are not limited to seeing through a mirror dimly. And what path you took to get to that essential experience of being pales in comparison to the bliss, the love, the peace, and the joy that “being” provides.

The Paths To Being

There are many steps upon the path. There are many things you need to learn or conquer along the way. But no step is in vain because each technique you try, each meditation you explore, are all the ways that your Soul is demonstrating to you what you need to experience with the essence of your being.

So, I teach, be gentle with yourself. Love yourself. Honor and respect yourself. Trust yourself to know the truth, for it seems to me when you open yourself to the awareness that resonates with the inner wisdom that this is true you have an inbreed compass you can use to guide your life. I encourage you to listen to that inner wisdom and ignore whatever voices of “you should” or “you ought” that is going on around you.

You and your Soul are the final arbiter of what is right for you, no matter who is teaching you or advising you.

It is to unveil the essence of your being that all of the techniques, all of the meditations, and all of the teachings exist, but it is not out there, it is Now and has always been an integral part of your Self, the touch of your own Soul.
– Genevieve Gerard

The Light, the very essence of your being is your birthright and is available to you whether you are consciously aware of it in this moment of time or not.

Light A Candle Awareness Technique

There is a very simple very ancient technique that can be used to help you become more aware.

Light a candle and watch the flicker of the flame. Don’t do anything, just sit and watch it.

As much as you are able, calm your mind, open your heart and invite the Light while you just sit and observe the burning flame.

You can observe the candle for as long or as short a period as you desire. There is nothing to do, just be. There is no right way or wrong way to watch the flame, just watch.

I hope you enjoy this simple “being” awareness interlude.

Namaste,

Genevieve

The Blessing of Love on all that you do.

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Last updated 7-6-2019

About the author:
Genevieve Gerard teaches Transformational Consciousness – from first awakening to enlightened Soul awareness. She helps you experience the joy that results from the spontaneous “touch of your soul.”

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Genevieve has a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and Theology and a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling and for over thirty years has worked one-on-one with people who were recovering from devastating disabilities and chronic pain. Teaching the mastery of the mind-body relationship she was one of the early professionals trained in biofeedback, visualization, imagery, and meditation as essential techniques to help people heal their bodies, heal their emotions, heal their minds, and heal their lives.

Genevieve’s work demonstrates what she knows so well, “It is spiritual connectedness that triggers physical healing and emotional and mental well-being.” Helping people, like you, tap into your higher-self is the power she wields to guide you to heal and transform your life.

Now, with this understanding, she combines the effective techniques she developed over decades teaching mind-body mastery along with her extensive experience in meditation and spiritual development to create a synthesis of mind-body-spirit that delivers complete healing and opens the door to unlimited personal growth and an encounter with your Soul.

In addition to her current life guidance coaching sessions, and workshops performed around the world, Genevieve has produced more than 20+ guided meditations in the last eight years that are available on iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby, and her website.

It is her vision that through your experience with the techniques of awareness, visualization, and meditation, the love of your Soul will touch and transform your life through her writings and products. It is her sincere desire that the potential of a life of joy and celebration that seems to elude so many people can become a reality for you, now and forever.

Browse her life story and read the Touch of the Soul that changed her world. To contact Genevieve, visit her keep in touch page.