A Reflection on Meditative Inquiry

The work of simple, moment-to-moment listening to what is.

Meditative Inquiry or the Work of this Moment, are names that

have been given to a work that cannot be completely captured in

words. A visitor once asked Toni Packer, who was then in the last

few years of her life, what her understanding of this work was and

what she could share after so many years of engaging in

meditative work. Without hesitation, she replied, “Being here.”

Being here is whole and inclusive, embraces life itself and is the

essence of meditation. There is also a simple listening that comes

out of just being here; a listening that is whole, connected and

empty handed. The mind is not fixed on anything, but rather is

open, innocent and flexible. Listening is not obstructed by any

frame of reference.

Also, during the years that Toni was bed bound, a group of people

interested in the work of the Center would come to her house to

gather around her bed for a dialogue. On one of these occasions,

an attendee asked Toni how actions that are ethical, mindful and

compassionate can emerge, especially at a Center where there

are no specific practices given to encourage compassion and

virtue. Toni, in this instance, said that “awareness is ethical.” For

this person, the truth of that statement stilled all the chattering

and a silent space opened up. No words could express the warm

connection and love that made its way here.

This love is light, a clarity that reveals the truth of what is in front

of us. No division, no “me” and “you”—all are included. A holistic,

a more whole perspective of life is revealed. As human beings we

live with our predicaments, our need to belong to this group or

another, to identify with various traditions and with their specific

conditions. And we also share a collective, universal sorrow that

stems from ignorance—ignorance of our share in the essential

truth of what we are: LOVE, PEACE, AND UNDERSTANDING.

When that is discovered and as we deepen in our understanding

of that fact, the arbitrary divisions between you and me, inner

and outer and “me and the world,” disappear. There is no need

then to make an effort to “be socially conscious,” or to be

persuaded of the moral crisis in the human condition. This is the

significance of being here: being attentive to and aware of our

inner life, which includes the outer as well.

When awareness, that is in itself whole, all inclusive, dawns upon

the human heart then there is a seeing of the relationship

between each other, the interconnectedness. Amazingly there is

no longer the possibility, or at least not the probability, that we

will latch onto a fragment and get stuck there.

The possibility arises that all our actions may be whole, total,

natural and without effort; these actions can address the situation

at hand, what is in front of us, from this depth of understanding.

Every action or non-action will have the perfume of wholeness,

compassion and a more creative living will pour out

spontaneously and effortlessly.

This is the Alternative way of Living that Springwater Center

offers and invites us to explore. Facing conflict right on. In the

Dalai Lama’s words, “Happiness is our birthright.” Divisions born

out of this ingrained human predicament obscure the fact that we

are one undivided whole, and cause us to ignore our connection

to everybody and everything. We are able, through being here

and simple listening, to discover a natural way of living within

ourselves and each other, a more holistic way, which embraces

all.

Diversity seen from awareness does not know colors, race or

gender. Awareness comes from the darkness of not knowing,

which is wholeness, openness, aliveness—life itself. There is

humility and wisdom available that will permeate what we do or

don’t do, wherever we are. Love cannot harm nor divide—Behold

it All!

Could we let action flow from this love and intelligence?