I Am Loving Awareness

[Tobin S.]

I'm currently reading a book by Ram Dass called Polishing the Mirror: How to Live from Your Spiritual Heart. It's not so much a book about religion as it is a guide to living a more peaceful and loving life. I've followed Ram Dass for years and I think his teachings are universal. They can help all people of all faiths as well as people who have never thought of themselves as religious. There is no attempt at conversion with Ram Dass or any attempt of a high pressure sell on religion. The lessons are practical and rooted in reality.

I was thinking the other day about Ram Dass. I've had some stress in my life lately, and it has affected my peace of mind. I am a person who wants to be loving toward everyone, but I don't always succeed in that. I wanted to ask Ram Dass a question, and that is: How do you live with an open heart at all times? I go through times when I feel a kinship with all of humanity, and those are times when I am most at peace. But it often gives way to less than loving feelings and thoughts. I just can't stay in that loving place. I want to be there permanently. That's where I think Ram Dass is.

I read Polishing the Mirror about a year ago, and I suppose I just wasn't really ready for it at the time. It did not have a lasting impact on me. I remember thinking that it was a good book, but none of the teachings really sank in and took hold because I forgot about it until a few days ago. I was reading Ram Dass's web site and I ran across a short excerpt of the book that really spoke to me. Then I remembered that I owned the book and hunted it down to read again.

Almost immediately I found some help on the issue of my predicament. In the introduction to the book, Ram Dass writes, "Whatever arises, I embrace it with love in the moment. This is my practice of polishing the mirror to reflect Maharaj-ji's love. In this moment there is just awareness and love. If someone asks me how to get into their heart, I give them this practice: I Am Loving Awareness." Meaning that you should use the sentence "I Am Loving Awareness" as a mantra. It's just a very simple thing, but it never occurred to me, and I've never tried it. I'm going to now.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. If you can do this, my dear Tobin, (and if anyone can, it's you!)...

Then my hat will be off to you.

That is a tough thing to do, especially in this awful political time.

I hope you will let us know how it goes.

[vlyons]

2. I saw Ram Dass in the 70s

at the Fillmore in San Francisco. I have been a spiritual seeker for 50 years. I finally settled with Buddhism in the Tibetan tradition about 20 years ago. I would encourage you to keep reading. Read widely, and don't be in a hurry to get there. It takes time for wisdom to sink in, and it only sinks in, when we are ready for it. But at some point, the path transforms into a moving sidewalk, like the ones at an airport. The path just effortlessly carries you along. I found books by the Dalai Lama to be very helpful. Clear, easy to read. And best of all, good used copies are very cheap on Amazon. Cheers

[Donkees]

3. Anger - Ram Dass

Published on Sep 8, 2015
Ram Dass encourages us to cultivate the quietness necessary to recognize and appreciate feelings of anger as they arise in the moment. Owning up to our feelings of anger helps us to distill the energy that often leads to its expression. By extricating ourselves from old karma we avoid the potentially harmful effects of creating new drama in our lives. (4/13/1990 - Durham, NC)

Please click the following link for further teachings on emotions:

https://www.ramdass.org/using-emotion...

[RandomAccess]

4. What a lovely thread to find in the Lounge

I know I could use some help "getting into my heart," so thanks for this.

"I Am Loving Awareness"