I have attained three supreme mystical powers. I am going to teach them to you, if you are ready. These siddhis overcome all obstacles, stun all enemies, and open all the portals to the Infinite. Normally I would keep them a secret, only for the initiated, but because we are nearing the collapse of the empire, I must share them with you in hopes that you will use them as talismans for your journey.
These three mystical powers have been hidden for thousands of years in the monasteries of the Himalayas, but they must now be revealed. Of course, you received these secret initiations when you were a baby in the crib, goo-gooing, burbing and farting, muttering “Ga!” “Hu!” “Mama!” “Bha!” and other bija mantras of supreme wisdom. But you exchanged your radiance for an education. Now you must be re-initiated by a fool, so that you can become one.
1. FIrst, whenever you are sad or angry or confused, take it as a sign to abandon your mind. Sink down into your body. Feel your heart-beat. Just stop whining, fall down, and enter your heart-beat.
2. Don’t take your next breath, receive it.
3. When you’ve fallen into your heart-beat and realized that every breath is a gift to be received, not taken, then offer the gift back to the Giver, slowly breathe out, and listen. Listen to what? Between breathing out and breathing in, listen to the quietest most distant sound. Just for a moment. This moment is an eternal door. This door is in the center of your chest, between going and coming, between beats, where there is no journey, no thought, no “I.”
Listen to what? Listen to the space beyond the faintest sound. Listen to the vibrating aliveness of listening itself. Listen to the symphony of your flesh, the chorus of electrons, the song of distant stars falling into the neurons of your solar plexus. Drown in the hum of silence.
~
(Now you must pay me. Here is your initiation fee. Because if you don’t pay me, the mystical power of these secret techniques will not be activated. OK? So please send me tidal waves of compassion. Forgive me for ever having imagined there was anything to learn but listening, pulsation, and friendship with your own heart.)
I think you are initiating us into the realm of the holy fool. Thanks for that. Will look for your wisdom again down the road or in the cosmos which you so readily return to in your wonderful writing.
Okay, Bud. Here’s your payment. A wave of compassion just rolled all over you and all you love and all they love. The empire is stretched and we hope the merciful vibrations will find a way to redeem us anyway. Thanks for the gifts. Paid in full?
Paid in full, with a nice gratuity.
This gives me an enormous supply of joy at the very least. In addition to the tidal waves of compassion you requested, I offer upwellings of gratitude and amazement that autocorrect on my device didn’t change my words to something unsavory.
Ha! Small blessings are the best! It’s a blessing to have an autocrat on your device!
This post has been integral to my practices since it appeared on Braided Way. Morning, noon, and night. I can’t thank you enough, and I’ve sent it on to clients as well. Deep bow of appreciation beyond words, Diana Tokaji, Certified Yoga Therapist working with survivors of assault and trauma; award-winning poet/author/performance artist
Thank you so much for appreciating the way of the fool. Yes, as the scripture said, “The foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of men.” Peace.
Hello, kind Fred. Your mystical 3, here, arrived for me when it could relieve me the most. I expect to share this article with my mindfulness practice leader at Dana-Farber in Boston. Sending you belly rolls of laughter, which came out the return of baby radiance.