See what is, as it is – and move on
Buddha, the enlightened master, used the word tathata – seeing what is as it IS. It is seeing what is there as it is – without any judgment.
But most of the time we see things only through our worry. There is a common saying, 'We don't see things as they are. We see things as we are.' If you feel there is something wrong with what you are seeing, then you should look back in at yourself because what you see outside is only a reflection of what is inside you. If you feel pure love inside, then you see only pure love outside. It always has to do with you, not with what you are seeing.
How can you keep thoughts away from what truly IS? How can you enjoy each moment all the time?
Try this small technique. When you see something – say a person, or a situation, or a book, or anything – normally old thoughts and familiar reactions immediately rise in you. Bring awareness that these conditioned thoughts and memories cloud your judgment and visualize shattering those thoughts. Next, see the situation, or person, or object now with a fresh eye, as though you are seeing it for the first time! Suddenly you see how much you missed, because of your own worry and thoughts.
Even when you see your husband, wife, brother, or anyone, look at them as though you are seeing them for the first time. Suddenly, you realize that not only does worry not arise, but also that you will start seeing everyone alike – whether they are strangers or familiar to you. That is the right way. No one is familiar or unchanging. Even your wife is not known to you. Everyone is constantly changing every moment along with Existence. Only your mind is trying to make them appear to be permanent.
Once you start seeing what is as it is, all your energy will integrate within you. There is no more worry, no more conflict.
Some one asked J. Krishnamurti, the famous Hindu philosopher, how to fall in tune with what IS. He beautifully says, 'Just don't name it, you will find you are in tune with it!'
Usually, when we see something, we either try to identify with it or we try to condemn it. For example, if you are told you are arrogant, you either accept it or you try not to be arrogant! You never understand or go beyond arrogance. You can only understand within your frame of reference, what you are familiar with. Because of this, you are caught in a limited view of possibilities. To really understand, you need to go beyond this limited point-of-view. To do that, you have to stop naming it arrogance, that's all! There will be no more arrogance. Only by naming it, you start the conflict. That is how you see what IS – by not naming it.
When you see what is as it is, you are in heaven. When you want to see what you want to see, you are in hell. If you understand that everything is auspiciousness, you will drop expectation and see things as they are, because everything is auspiciousness.
A small story:
One disciple kept asking the master, 'Master, where is paradise?'
Finally one day, the master asked him, 'Do you really want to know?'
The disciple sat up and said, 'Yes!'
The master said, 'Alright, my first disciple Hemachandra is in paradise.' After saying these words the master closed his eyes and went into meditation.
The disciple knew it would be a long time before the master opened his eyes. So, he went and asked some of the disciples if they knew where Hemachandra lived. No one seemed to know.
Finally one disciple said, 'I know how to guide you there, but I have never been there myself. It is in a deep valley beyond a range of ice covered mountains.'
The disciple wrote down the directions carefully and went back to the master. He told him, 'Master, I wish to pay a visit to Hemachandra!'
The master was absorbed deeply in some work. Without even looking up he said, 'Go ahead.'
The disciple started on his journey. He walked for many days, passing through sun, rain, snow, and what not. He became exhausted, on the verge of death. It took him one hundred days to reach the valley. When he finally reached it he looked at the valley and thought, 'This valley doesn't look all that great. I have seen many more beautiful valleys. Why did the master call this paradise?'
He looked around and walked further and finally found Hemachandra 's hut. Hemachandra was very pleased to see him. He served him food and asked how the master and other disciples were doing.
All along, the disciple was thinking to himself, 'Master called this place paradise? I can't believe it.'
After a week-long stay he left and returned to his master.
He went straight to the master and stated, 'You said that the place is paradise. But what I saw was the most ordinary place ever!'
The master said, 'Oh god! At the time of your enquiry, had you been more explicit about your intention, I would have told you the truth.'
The disciple asked, 'What is the truth?'
The master replied, 'Hemachandra is not in paradise. Paradise is in him!'
When you live close to Existence, without any expectation, seeing what is as it is and finding the blessings in it, you will carry heaven in you! Heaven is not geographical, it is psychological. It is not physical, it is mental. If you decide, you can be in heaven right now.