Old Age & Ecstasy

So there I was today at the doctor's office, lying in the MRI magnetic tube thing. It is true that one can have spiritual realizations and deep experiences anywhere -- even in a magnetic tube with all that banging and weird noise.

The challenge for me in the tube was to be still. I am rarely still. So I started an internal chant and focused on my breathing and tried not to think about how difficult it was to swallow and how long 30 minutes is. Short story: I made it through the MRI scan without a scene and I don't have a brain tumor. :-)

But I did have a realization that I'm going to share with you. I realized beyond a shadow of a doubt that I don't want to spend the next 30+ years of my life being tormented by the illusion. I may not have a brain tumor, but I'm not getting out of this life without my share of suffering. It's downhill from here and the last 30+ years will be a challenge. Gourasana has this to say about it:

Who does not suffer as they grow older? Look at the old people as their bodies begin to weaken and age. While young and in a relatively healthy state, people can sit back and pretend that they will not grow old and suffer. But as the organs begin to fail, as the brain begins to disintegrate, as real suffering and disease set in, those not on a spiritual path become devastated. The only way they can deal with old age and suffering is if they become mindless, unconscious perhaps senile. The suffering has become too great for them to bear. You see the trick of the illusion? Of course most fall for the trick. Most fall for the illusion. But for those on the spiritual path, the reality is that as they become older they are becoming more aware and have attained more real happiness. Ecstasy is there. You can see with these aware people that even in the midst of so-called suffering they are in states of ecstasy.

Gourasana also said:

The suffering is just an illusion, and you will become free from the suffering when you become free from the illusion.

So as far as I'm concerned, getting free from illusion now is the only way to go. Call me crazy, but I'd rather do the work of letting go now, then to postpone it until I'm too old, frail and cranky to do it.

Check out Kalindi. She's guiding people to freedom. Don't think she can't do it, because people are making it. She says the proof is in the pudding. So what the heck, check it out.

I am grateful to find out I don't have a brain tumor and even more grateful to have found Kalindi so I can become free from suffering. I want to be one of those aware, old folks in a state of ecstasy. Picture me at the senior home -- and come visit. Okay?

Thank you for listening and good night.