The effect of life in society is to complicate and confuse our existence, making us forget who we really are by causing us to become obsessed with what we are not.  ~~Chuang Tzu, Taoist sage

In today’s world, where distractions bombard us relentlessly, it feels like we’re all participants in an unending game of “Who’s Got Your Attention Now?” There’s a constant tug-of-war between social media, news outlets, entertainment platforms, and advertisements, not to mention the plethora of videos promising everything from DIY hacks to the latest dance crazes. It’s no wonder we struggle to focus inward and find our true selves.

Picture this: the ego, dressed in a flashy suit, is hosting a reality show called “Keep ‘Em Distracted!” The contestants? Us. The prize? Our unwavering attention, which, of course, the ego wants to keep firmly in its grasp. The moment we start to turn inward and glimpse our true nature, the ego panics, knowing its days are numbered. It’s as if the ego is running around with a sign that says, “Stay Distracted or Else!”

The missing key that unlocks the door to awakening is your focus and attention. Our true nature does not need our attention because it is our reality, but if we are not aware that it even exists, how can we wake-up from the belief in a false, separate self?

I’d like to share a personal example. In June 2022, five months after experiencing an energetic awakening and feeling pure bliss, I was riding my bike and listening to Swami Atmananda. The bliss faze was beginning to fade and I was confused at what was happening with the awakening process. While biking, I heard “Swami A” in Rishikesh, India, who I deeply respected, encourage his devotees to engage in self-inquiry. He said, “Ask yourself, Am I aware?” So, I did. I was aware of my body being supported by the bike, the sun shining, and the wind gently blowing on my skin. Then he said, “Now ask yourself, Am I aware of being aware?” My mind became silent and a subtle yet unforgettable “opening” occurred. I was aware that I was pedaling my bike and moving past the houses and trees, yet something within me remained completely still and silent. I repeated the inquiry again, this time, very slowly: Am I aware? Am I aware of being aware? Once again, something inside me was completely quiet, feeling both familiar and strange at the same time.

In that moment, I wondered: Is this what I Am? Who is this I that had been searching so diligently for so many years? I was stunned by the realization. It felt so uneventful yet all-changing simultaneously. It was so obvious, yet I had been missing it because I had been placing my attention on everything but It.  

This quiet presence, which had been with me as far back as I could remember, is the essence of our being. As the world around me rushed by, I found solace in this immense stillness within. The journey of awakening, I realized, was not about seeking something new, but about uncovering what had always been there.

After decades of trying to evolve the body and mind, I discovered that this immovable, silent awareness was what I had been seeking. I felt both relieved and perplexed yet disbelieving of the simplicity of this profound truth. Every pedal stroke, every breath, and every sensation seemed to merge into this vast, silent awareness.

Awakening to our true nature requires one essential thing: unwavering attention. In a world filled with endless distractions and incessant noise, the ability to turn our focus inward and remain present is paramount. When we cultivate this attention, we create a space where our true Self can emerge, free from the clutter of the mind and the chaos of the external world.

This journey of awakening is not about seeking something outside of ourselves; rather, it is about recognizing what has always been within us. It is about seeing beyond the veils of thoughts and emotions and connecting with the essence of our being.

Amidst the turbulence of modern life, finding moments of stillness and directing our attention inward allows us to glimpse the silent, changeless, timeless presence that resides at our core. You do not have to go or do anything, just focus your attention on what never changes and has always been present. Turn your gaze inward, for it is in the stillness of the heart that the true Self is revealed.

Much love to you, now and always.