Blissipline

Intensity in Joy is a brilliant shortcut to the spiritual. ~Lonny Brown

My first encounter with Bliss was in my teens during the practice of Za-Zen; seeking the Void. I thought this joy was a result of my practice and began exploring even more intense and exotic disciplines to progress further, faster. (This I believe is trying to take the Kingdom by force as Jesu said.) It took me a decade more to realize I had rejected what I sought - this Joy without reason was the path and its fulfilment.

Then in a vision I saw Jesus, and he taught me the constant remembrance of Divine qualities and surrender of “my” power to what some Buddhists call “other power.” (Jesu also said we can not add one hair on our head by taking thought.)In short order the Bliss became overwhelming.

A spiritual “Blissipline” of enjoyment in some form is essentially all I teach now, along with assisting others to let go (let G-d)with the help of "energy psychology" models when needed. Everything else comes in its own season I've found. The spiritual paths of the sages are mostly vanity it seems and therefore most difficult to attain any liberation through.

This is a most difficult idea to grasp as we are taught nothing comes without our struggle and effort. Surely then the difficult practices reap the ultimate reward. Not so, I am convinced. The desire of the heart is to love and be happy. Follow this innate desire to its source and be carried along by its power in an act of profound surrender.

Whether to Jesus Christ, Amida Buddha, Krishna, the letting go into the other power of the life stream is the important point, not its names or messengers, though most form an initial attachment there. Perhaps these names and divisions may even become an obstacle at some point. Persist and all confusions will be resolved.

Some find this simple resting in happiness boring, and run after more "interesting" complexities of practice. This comes from an inability to gratefully appreciate the moment and become informed its hidden gifts.

There are 3 kinds of Joy to be considered here; the outward created joy, as when receiving a desired gift; the inward create joy, as when contemplating pleasing ideas or simply getting the idea of smiling inside; and the unconditioned Joy which is found in deep stillness when we let the mental forms fade. This last, the unconditioned Joy, is ever new, yet timeless and fully absorbing. There is no boredom here. This is the happiness we seek and its source. May all who wish peace, love and happiness continue in this practice.

© Arjay 2011