Photo by Don Pierce
Whether one looks to a revered figure like Jesus or contemplates the true nature of the mind, the outcome is often a lasting calmness born of focused concentration and compassionate altruism that benefits both self and others.
This altruism unfolds through nine stages:
Directing the mind toward its object of focus and overcoming initial distractions.
Experiencing brief moments of mental stillness.
Re-establishing mental focus.
Encountering mental laxity and excitement.
Overcoming laxity or excitement through awareness—not by engaging thoughts, but by resting in the empty space that awareness provides.
Engaging in powerful introspection.
Cultivating ease of awareness.
Achieving single-pointed concentration.
Experiencing the blissful pliancy of body and mind that arises from this concentration.
Through these stages, one penetrates the concept of emptiness, gaining wisdom. Consistent meditation prepares the mind for deep insight, revealing life’s nature, inspiring the desire to alleviate suffering, and awakening loving-kindness.
This journey fosters responsibility, accumulates merit and wisdom, and nurtures the commitment to enlightenment. Ultimately, it transforms striving born of selfishness into persistent altruism—a continuous flow of knowing and compassion.
Reaching this level involves seven additional steps, which will be explored later. For now, engage in the following activity to prepare yourself.
To Picture Yourself as the Absolute Spirit Serving Others…
HumaNatureConnect Activity
If today is not a day for unstructured time in nature, try this guided activity:
Prepare Your Mind and Body — Read this text attentively, engaging your literary, intellectual, and intuitive senses. Open your mind toward happiness and sustainability.
Find an Attractive Natural Being — With pen and journal in hand, go to a natural setting. Look around until a natural being—a plant, animal, or natural feature—draws your attention.
Express Appreciation — As you observe your chosen being, breathe in appreciation and breathe out gratitude, deepening your connection.
Seek Consent for Connection — If your attraction lasts at least ten seconds, consider this mutual consent to enter a connection experience that supports your optimal functioning.
Engage Your Natural Senses — Use a variety of senses to enrich this connection, including at least one from each category: radiation (sight, sound), feeling (touch, temperature), chemical (smell, taste), and mental (intuition, reflection).
Complete the Activity — With heightened awareness and nature-induced vitality, engage in the activity you have planned or feel inspired to pursue. Follow up with any additional components that resonate with you.
Imagining Yourself as the Absolute Spirit Acting in Service of Others
Meditate on your body as a divine being. Recall the emptiness of all things and the dependent arising of existence. Combine this wisdom with compassionate motivation.
Visualize being initiated as a divine being with positive attributes. Focus on how these qualities might manifest in your life, especially in service to others.
Apply the notion of emptiness to aspects of your life and imagine how this understanding would influence your actions.
Follow-up Protocol: Natural Systems Reflection Process
For best results, journal your impressions using any of the following prompts and consider sharing your reflections:
General Description: Describe how you did the activity and what occurred.
Freeform: Write freely about what attracted you to your natural being.
Three Qualities: Note three qualities you found most attractive.
Three Learnings: List three insights gained.
Self-esteem & Trust: Reflect on any changes in self-esteem or trust in nature.
Changes to Self: Identify any personal changes resulting from the activity.
Honor Yourself: Praise your commitment to progressing on the Heartwood Path.
“I’m a Person Who...”: Complete three statements beginning with this phrase, reflecting your connection experience.
Feelings if Activity Lost: Write how you would feel if you lost this connection ability.
Nature Compared to Self: Create parallel sentences appreciating your natural being and yourself for shared qualities. This prompt is especially useful in group settings.
Ride the Green Wave: Assess your agreement with the Ten Green Wave Validation Statements by marking plus (+) or minus (-) in your journal.
Two-Word Summary: Summarize your response to the activity in two words.
Nocturnal Pilgrimage
Fourth Stabilization Technique for Lucid Dreaming
Upon becoming lucid in a dream, try this to maintain the dream state:
Gently spin your dream body in a slow pirouette. This anchors your awareness and helps prevent premature awakening.
After your dream work, proceed to the next waypoint: “Big Shot.” Guidance is essential because common sense is rare, and a mentor can be invaluable.
Choose a leader who does not claim to know everything; true wisdom comes with humility.
Remember, standing firmly for meaningful principles helps avoid deception. A mentor with a clear conscience may also have a humble memory, signaling openness and growth.
