Letter from the Field: Gratitude Is the Hallmark of Clarity
Fred,
This unit would like to thank you. Who knows why we make certain thoughts more real but conditioning continues as you know :). So this ‘me’ feels called to say thank you for your work, the book and videos.
I did awaken about two years ago, but as you know that does not mean David-ness goes away. I know you say sobriety from addiction must come first before awakening, but this addict awoke. A long story behind that but I won’t bore you. I will say that because this unit had an active addiction, oscillation was more of a bitch. 🙂 Days of being in the sun, seeing clearly followed by days of following compulsions and being in the presence of shame and self-hatred. But over time, the addiction became more and more…well, just boring to the more awake ‘me.’ And then I started falling in love with the One-ness that is.
Anyway, while I have one teacher, ‘he/she’ shows up in many forms and I am grateful for yours. I sat with your book ‘Awaken Now’ this weekend and did a mini retreat with it. And because of that this one has far greater clarity, and all I have heard from other teachers became so much clearer. But beyond understanding, so much fell away by experiencing the exercises. Again, I am grateful.
I also love your videos. I giggle, gain clarity and see the clouds for what they are. It really is so simple. We are so fortunate today to be in this apparent ‘time.’ It’s a blast to be here and see so many waking up. The dream that I once saw as a huge problem is just what is and quite entertaining. 🙂 The habit of identifying is still present but it appears to be thinning away. Again, the directness and clarity of your sharing have been huge. All I can say is thank you again.
I would love to speak to you one day and offer something back. We will see how that unfolds.
Much Love and Blessings,
David
April 14, 2017 @ 2:37 am
Hi David, thank you for your words. I’ve been of the substance-seeking story as well. And now the story of recovery. So I’m really interested in how non-duality might apply to all. It was what finally made sense to me, while I couldn’t get that sense even while participating in the 12 step community (and even finally “recovered” for a couple of years, and 5 years currently). I even started experimenting with a couple of friends, with a group addressing “that the problem is the problem”. It makes sense to me now that AA worked early on because it did offer that new place to put attention. But now its not new. And although for those that it does still do that (just like any religion can still speak to some), I was not one. The addict identity I believe mushroomed into a new problem. And I’m really curious about how the Teaching can help “those that still suffer”, now because of attention being captured by “I am an addict”.
I find your reference to still having been “active” very significant. In fact, one framing I use is that I am no more sober than I was at 1 day. Every user is sober for some time (even if it’s just passed out!) and has “a” desire to stop. That just turns out to stretch into “having” more time, because THAT becomes recognized as not what’s important (no different than money, relationships, etc). Of course, that doesn’t have to be specified always, just like for starvation its not pertinent to say “you gotta get spirtiuality first”. But when the “time” comes, to ignore the Message IS to be starving again.
I love the sense of relief, gratitude and joy in your letter. It reminds me so much of my reaction to finding Fred. And the one I continue to have with him, his site, our community, Sunday satsangs, and letters like yours … every day, every interaction, for more than 3 years now. Now that’s finally some good evidence for something Good working!
You and yours, Mike
April 18, 2017 @ 9:58 pm
This is wonderfully expressed. Thank you David.