Tom on Unthinking

An Open Letter from God

What is the Universal Light? What is the True Religion?

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Truth Love Balance Oneness

To know truth in the moment.

Not to see truth, not to understand truth, not to contemplate truth, not to agree with (or disagree with) someone else's interpretation or vision of truth, but to know it. We think we see truth, we think we understand truth, we think we comprehend truth through contemplation, we think conclusions from intellectual analysis by ourselves and others dissects the formulas for insight into truth. Certainly, all of these contain elements of truth and are activities and tools which may help us to recognize truth. The fallacy and paradox is that if we have to think it, we don't know it. Therefore, unthinking is at the core of knowing.

Truth doesn't require debate. There is no need for deconstruction. There is no equivocation. Truth just is. Truth in this manner is universal truth, as it is found in nature. When it is zero degrees, we feel cold. We can debate its relativism. We can research its origin. We can deny or convince ourselves it is not really "that cold." We can even make adjustments in order to better tolerate the cold. No matter. In the absolute, at zero degrees, we feel cold.

When weather conditions are ripe for rain, it will rain. Nature doesn't ask us whether or not we have an outdoor event planned that would be ruined with rain, it just rains. Our usual response to this type of situation is to adapt. We understand that we can not force our will on rain. We downplay our ego. This simple reaction is how we teach ourselves, through practice, to recognize and know truth. Though the actual path to truth is neither simple nor immediate. We begin by learning how it feels to be still, to unthink. Then in the stillness we experience the feelings and sensations of observing without reacting. To be non-reactive. This usually requires a teacher and the discipline of meditation. Acquiring this skill alone is sufficient to begin the transformation from a follower of convention to a seeker of truth.

Another principal of truth is that it is non-judgmental and indiscrimate, again, as in nature. It is man that adds dimension, scope, manner and interpretation to what we think is truth. The problem is that we are all socialized (brainwashed) with society's imperfections, prejudices, and most especially, fear. Our fears cause us to suffer, and our suffering breeds more fear. With fear as a backdrop, there is no way to discover knowing. Fear does not inhibit us in stillness because in stillness, we are able to process our fears. In stillness, we are open to truth.

A complete journey to enlightenment must include the four yogas. According to Lakshmi Kumar, these involve work, worship, psychic control, and philosophy. In work, we must seek, practice, and apply truth in our every day activities and contacts. In worship, we must share our passion, experience and spiritual journey with fellow seekers. Psychic control is gained through meditation and the instruction of teachers. Our philosophy is built and enhanced by the intellectual writings and teachings of those who are more advanced in their spiritual journey. The lack of any one of these makes the journey incomplete and unfulfilled. The reward for adopting the four yogas is wholeness.

Knowing truth in the moment doesn't mean enlightenment in every moment. The path of each of us is uniquely individual. As we expand our enlightenment through the four yogas, we are indeed enlightened in more and more moments. This is a lifelong journey!

The full impact of enlightenment occurs when you know truth in the moment in the presence of your higher consciousness, the fusion of self and Self.

-Tom McLaurian, January 2003

Universal Light Institute