01
Integrity requires that we live to be who we are. That we live aligned with that which is deepest, truest, best about us-- serving and sharing the virtues, genius, daemon, spirit, shtick, gifts, etc. that came with us from the womb. That we are right about what is important and live in ways that express it, exhibit it, honor it, revere it with devotion and loyalty in all of our coming and going. In order to do this, and live in this way, we have to reduce the noise, complexity and drama in our life, and increase the emptiness, stillness and silence. Developing and maintaining our relationship with what matters most and with who we are, and getting the two together within the context and circumstances of our life in each situation as it arises, day by day. It is never any more difficult than this, and this requires intention, attention, awareness and focus. Comprising the work of being an original human being.
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02
Our original nature is packed with just what we need to meet the moment as it arises, and do what needs to be done when, where and how it needs to be done for no reason other than it needs to be done. How long has it been since you did that? Using only the virtues that came with you from the womb? Just you. Just as you are. As one thus come. Without motive. Without agenda. Without plan. Without design. With nothing to gain. How long has it been? What are you waiting for?
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03
Pay attention to the things you do for no reason, without thinking about it, or being able to explain, defend, justify, excuse it on rational, understandable, grounds. Where did the motive for that come from? What was the origin of the action? Spontaneous, automatic, natural, instinctive, intuitive responses to our environment come straight from our psyche/soul. From the source of who we are and who we are asked to be. From the heart of life and being. At the very bottom of it all, we know what we are doing. We know what needs to be done. We know when and where and how to do it. But something gets in the way. Call it "The Profit Motive." We live in the service of the gain, the benefit, the profit, the advantage... What's in it for us? Ask somebody what they want, and it is always the same thing for everybody: "MY WAY NOW!" What does wanting know? Billionaires have no reason for not having "MY WAY NOW!" How many of them are happy, well-grounded, content and at peace with themselves and their life? MacKenzie Scott is the only one I can think of. The rest are all are striving to not pay taxes and to gain more of the advantages, and to be wealthier than anyone else in the Group of the Rich and Lost. The Wasteland is home to them all. So, don't have to know what you are doing. Don't have to be smart. Don't have to be contriving some outcome. Live to see what you do next. What you do now. Without having to have anything come from it. "Just because." "For no reason." "Just as we are." "As one thus come." Fresh from the womb. Innocent as a lamb. Doing just what needs to be done. Without knowing why. Or caring about it. Why not?
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04
We have to devote ourselves to a practice that brings us forth if we want to see. I no sooner say that than you begin to think, "What would that be?" Stop it. You will never think of it. If we want to see, we have to move beyond the boundaries of thinking. Look around. Everything you see is the result of thinking. THIS is what thinking can do. THIS is all thinking can do. The best thinking realizes thinking isn't the way, and stops thinking. When we stop thinking, we open ourselves to that which is beyond thinking. The world beyond thinking is the world we call "The Unconscious," because we are not conscious of it. It is the world the ancient peoples called "The Invisible World," because they could not see it using their eyes. But, they could see it using the eyes of their heart. The Invisible World is the foundation, the ground, the source of the Visible World. We are to live in this world of visible, concrete, normal, apparent reality, as extensions, expressions, evidence of that world of invisible, intangible, immaterial, unapparent reality. The good ideas come from nowhere. The bad ideas come from the rejection of the good ideas. From having a better idea. Our story is the story of the Garden of Eden. The Story of the Better Idea. It has never worked out so well, but that doesn't stop us, or even slow us down. We know what it takes. We know where True Value is found. It is always More Of What Has Never Been Enough! And no one can talk us out of it! So, here we are. Having to devote ourselves to a practice that will bring us forth in order that we might see. And we can't think it up. We have to empty ourselves of all fear/desire (even the desire to be empty)/ anger/hatred/jealously/duty-dharma/etc., and wait in the stillness and the silence to see what arises/emerges/appears out of nowhere to call us, inspire us, compel us to take up the practice that brings us forth. "Darkness within darkness-- the gateway to mystery" (Lao Tzu). That's the Gateless Gate he's talking about.
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Jim Dollar's Photography and Philosophy 