What We Seek, We Already Are — We Cannot Find What We Already Are
The connection with the source of all life, which is always and exclusively experienced in the here and now
It is not about finding something that exists either outside or inside of us. Nor something that we are not yet and could be at some point in time. The idea of finding something new, sublime, or better is proverbial for the ignorance of the personal-based consciousness.
What we yearn for in the depths of our being is always there.
The point is not that we can find it, but to get rid of what prevents us from recognizing what has always been or who we really are, which is one and the same. What we talk about is the Essence. The Essence of Life.
You can’t really say anything at all about the Essence of Life because language can’t find words for it. Erich Fromm [¹] calls it the logic of paradox. At best, we can say what it is not, but even that limps; ultimately, a negation is only possible thanks to an affirmation.
The Essence of Life has no opposite; it is nondual. There is no such thing as non-essence. The mind breaks down at this realization. Simply because it can only understand what is dual and linear. Moreover, the mind is abstract and the Essence can only be experienced. All words merely become references to it.
In all language of the world
Yet it can be invaluable to speak or write about it, and we have been doing so for a few thousand years. In all the languages of the world, there have been a few who have taken the trouble to share the impossible with those who have felt the inner thirst to explore the mystery of life.
We are talking about the most extraordinary experience humans are capable of. The experiences beyond go individual intelligence. Unknown dimensions for the logically and rationally conditioned mind. Sometimes also called supraindividual, transpersonal, nondual, supernatural, or cosmic.
But whatever we call it, the experience is always the same. The connection with the source of all life, which is always and exclusively experienced in the here and now.
It is this experience that makes Thomas Aquinas[²] lay down his pen at the end of his life, for all written is nothing in the face of this experience. It is said that these were his words, but who knows for sure? But those who share this experience with Thomas also share his words.
An experience that lies beyond space and time.
Even if the word mysticism has become misunderstood, especially nowadays, it is the most apt description. The mystical experience. The word mysticism has its origin in the Greek “mystikos” as well as the word mystery. It should be obvious that mysticism and mystery have a certain kinship, which is why mysticism is also called the “science of mystery” or the “discipline of stillness”.
Where words reach their limits, silence is often the most appropriate way to talk about the Essence.
Here again, the logic of paradox is at work, and it is necessary because, on the one hand, there is the experience, which can never be mediated but only experienced, but on the other hand, there is the technology, the knowledge, the tools and the methods that help us become conscious about it.
It is not our decision how and when we end our search. When we understand that it is useless to search for something we have always been, the moment will come — not when we want it, but when the time is right.
Those who talk or write about the mystical experience do so for a reason: the essence of life desires to become known.
While we can do what is necessary for the conscious experience of the essence to reveal itself, there are neither guarantees nor time frames.
It is also perfectly fine to retreat to the mountains or live a normal life where we feel no need to share the experience and knowledge.
But the thought of compassion is of such indescribable beauty and elegance that it is very difficult to resist, and perhaps that is why we never tire of making the impossible possible.
The search is necessary at the beginning of the conscious spiritual path, but it soon becomes the greatest obstacle. It is and has never been about searching or finding, but always about being. And we already are.
Footnotes:
[¹]: Erich Fromm was a German-born American psychoanalyst and social philosopher. 1900 to 1980 https://www.simplypsychology.org/erich-fromm.html
[²]: Italian Christian theologian and philosopher. 1224/25 to 1274. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aquinas/