Retreat Topic Overview

Opening to Love beyond perception

On the journey of life one discovers many forms of Love. The single most important moment in any life is the first time Love has been experienced. This imprint in consciousness now sets in motion a movement in consciousness to return to this state in its entirety.  While there may be several areas where Love can be freely experienced initially, there comes a point where Love can be found everywhere. The first opening prayer and meditation focus on opening towards that Love and the practices that follow throughout the day, to deepen that experience of Love.

Taking responsibility for one’s perception

Taking responsibility for one’s perception means that perception is not an Absolute “out there” but instead created solely within. This step does not require you to change the perception but brings you to the place of owning it. This step has been taken when you can say towards any perception that “I have created that” instead of “This is so”. There is great freedom in the realization that one has chosen how anything appears to be.

In this section we will be taking the first step in transcending perception by realizing it as something that comes from the “I”. This step alone will provide freedom towards any situation, problem or person that one may be challenged with. It is the first step into the freedom of Love.

Working with a perceived gain of the I

All perceptions continue because the “I” derives a perceived gain out of it. In this set of practices we will discover various gains, especially subconscious ones so that they no longer have a hold.

Working with concepts, beliefs, and positions 

Perception is created by the “I”. It comes from a position that the “I” has taken. The “I” then holds on to that position (“willfulness”) due to some perceived gain. In this set of exercises the concepts, beliefs and positions that have created perception are surrendered and dissolved. At the end stands the ultimate position which is the “I” itself.

Dissolving the “I”

Perception only exists because of the “I” from which it has arisen. In the spiritual practice of dissolving the “I” within perception, this “I” is dissolved so that perception fades away leaving Love’s reality.

Surrendering perception – removing the will to have a perception

“Perception is perpetuated because of the will. As the will is dissolved out of perception, that very perception is now used by the Divine for transformation, transfiguration, illumination, and enlightenment. Surrendered perception eventually becomes an impersonal, autonomous mechanism of Consciousness. (…) What is perceived and experienced is being held in place because the will holds it there. Once there is no will in perception the grace of Divinity automatically and effortlessly transforms perception into the reality of Infinite Love.” From Surrender to Love online course Lesson 24

Re-writing one’s story – Freedom from the past, present, and future. Creating an identity of Love

This topic is already covered above.

Transcending thought via Surrendering to the Light of Love

Instead of addressing thoughts and thinkingness directly, the focus of this practice will be the perception of one’s thoughts and thinkingness. No matter what the thoughts are they are experienced from the position of the “I”. Going beyond it allows for all thought to disappear as they are no longer self-referential.

Perception and the Absolute – into illumination

From right and wrong to lovable

Right and wrong exist within form only. Beyond form, and thereby beyond perception,  the only reality is the eternal reality of Love. While a body functions in the world, how one relates to the world is a choice within. This shift away from evaluating the world to loving the world is a major shift in consciousness. While everyone has to play their role within creation, those who are called to this exercise are called to be Love and nothing else.

Transcending perception via Surrender to Love

Whatever Perception is, however is everything experienced one can give oneself to the ever-present reality laying beyond it. With the “I” dissolving into Love, its perception dissolves with it, revealing the direct experience of Love. Surrender to Love integrates humility, giving up one’s will, dissolving the “I” as well as affirming the illusionary nature of what is experienced into one spiritual practice. This will be the integration of what has been learned throughout the day.

Surrender to Love course: Chapter on transcending perception

Corresponding lessons of the Surrender to Love course with this retreat:
Humility and Grace
Transcending positions
Dissolving the will in perception
Making perception a sacrificial offering to the Divine
The Purusha beyond perception
De-identification with one’s perception and Unkowningness
Transcending Perception and Surrender to Love

From Surrender to Love

Freedom ensues with the realization that perception can only experience illusions. With the affirmation of the negation of all that is perceived one is no longer trapped by whatever appears to be. In its place then Divine Vision – experiencing Love beyond duality can take its place.

One of the fastest ways to transcend current perception is the removal of will about one’s perception.

Whatever is experienced, originates from the “I” and its manifestation as mind.

All perception comes from the position of an “I”

From the Buddha (Dhammapada)

All experience is preceded by mind, Led by mind, Made by mind.

Jesus Christ 

” I am the Light of the world” (John 8:12)

“Let your light shine before others” (Matthew 5:16)

“God is Light” (John 5:9)

A Course in Miracles

Miracles are seen in light, and light and strength are one. (Lesson 92)

The Light has come (Lesson 62)

Upanishads

Take a young man, healthy and strong, good and cultured who has all the wealth that the earth can offer. Let us take this as one measure of joy. 100 times that joy is one measure of the Ghandarvas joy, but no less joy has one illumined, free from self will. 100 times that joy is one measure of that joy of pitries joy, but no less joy has one illumined, free from self will.100 times that joy is one measure of the joy of Devas joy, but no less joy has one illumined, free from self will. 100 times that joy is one measure of the joy of the Karma Devas joy, but no less joy has one illumined, free from self will. 100 times that joy is one measure of the joy of  Indra, but no less joy has one illumined, free from self-will. 100 times that joy is one measure of the joy of Brihasbrities joy, but no less joy has one illumined, free from self-will. 100 times that joy is one measure of the joy of Birat, but no less joy has one illumined, free from self-will. 100 times that joy is one measure of Bajapati’s joy, but no less joy has one illumined, free from self-will.
Chadogya Upanishad

Lead me from Darkness to Light
Brhadaranyaka Upanishad

From Arunachula

There is no alternative for you but to accept the world as unreal if you are seeking the Truth and the Truth alone (Gospel of Sri Ramana Maharshi)