HJ: Inner freedom, which is intimately related to inner peace, arises when we awaken to our true selves. Now, this may sound rather abstract and esoteric, but I assure you that there is a very well known and mapped process which leads to these states of mind and being like clockwork. Jim Dreaver, who is a master non-dual teacher, understands this process intimately as he himself has been through it and continues to guide those who are ready to do so as well.
There are only two things you need to realize in order to access the inner freedom and peace of mind that await you and are your birthright. The first is understanding the relationship between your projected self, or ‘ego’, and your true self and how they interact to form your life experience. Jim clearly illustrates and describes this below. The second thing you must do is to integrate this knowledge/awareness into your being so that you are operating fully from this perspective. This is the harder part because it involves changing how you see yourself and the world, but it is not difficult if you are ready and willing to raise your consciousness. Depending on your tenacity and experience, it can happen quite quickly or be a slightly more drawn out process.
If you need help and would like master guidance, I suggest reaching out to Jim through his website or reading one of his books. He is an extremely wise and warm individual who would be happy to help guide you down the path of awakening.
– Truth
Awaken to Freedom: The Solution to Every Problem in Relationships, Work, and Life
By Jim Dreaver | Jim Dreaver
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How can awakening to freedom solve every problem in your relationships, work, and life?
It is simple. The more awake and free you are, the more you live in the present—this very moment, here and now. You may not know what is going to happen two minutes or an hour from now—let alone tomorrow—but you always, always know what, if anything, is needed in this moment now.
From this place of being right here, now, you deal with whatever situation, problem, or challenge may be confronting you, meeting it calmly and confidently, with wisdom and love. Whether it is a relationship conflict, a work issue, a financial struggle, a health crisis, a natural disaster unfolding, or a terrorist act in the making, you draw upon all the creative powers at your disposal to address it.
What is needed to awaken to the inner freedom that is the birthright of every single human being? This is also simple, though not necessarily easy to put into practice. After all, the mental and emotional programming that has led you to believe you are “somebody,” this ego or “self” identity living inside you with its numerous “stories,” beliefs, hopes, and fears about what may or may not happen, is very deep-rooted. So it takes time—real world, clock-time—to become free
The “work” of awakening is this: to see that the psychological and emotional “person” that you think and believe you are does not actually exist, other than as an idea, a fabrication, a “story” between your ears. And it is all about the “seeing;” there is nothing you have to actually “do” to wake up and become free.
You just have to see, again and again, that you are not your thoughts or stories—not even the “I,” “me,” and “my” thoughts you most personally identify with—because everything between your ears comes and goes. Yet you are the unchanging awareness which sees. You are always that which is ever-present, which is behind the coming and going of thoughts, feelings and sensations, experiences, and events and circumstances.
Your emotional triggers are the clues that will help you become free. After all, every emotional reaction—be it self-doubt, anxiety, worry, fear, guilt, resentment, anger, shame, blame, depression, or loneliness—arises from a “story” you tell yourself, and that you believe, whether conscious or unconscious. Examples are: “I can’t do this,” “It’s hopeless,” or “I just don’t think I am worthy.” More unconscious stories usually arise from some long ago childhood experience of trauma, abandonment, betrayal, or mistrust.
A contraction in your physical energy—a catch in your breath, a tightness in your chest, a discontent, an anxious feeling in the pit of your stomach—is the giveaway, the tell-tale sign that you are caught up in, identifying with a thought or story. You must dive deep within yourself to find out what is really going on. Guidance from someone already awake and free—a person, a book, an audio or video teaching—helps enormously with the “seeing.”
In the very act of believing the thought arising within you, you are reinforcing this idea of being a “person,” this “I,” this “me” who is identified with its many “stories” of lack and fear, of expectation and disappointment, of gain and loss, of pleasure and suffering and who takes things personally. This “person” who gets upset, offended, feels insulted, whose buttons are easily pushed, or is in some other way emotionally reactive.
You have to really look within at yourself, and ask: “How real is this ‘me’ I take myself to be?” And then breathe deeply, slowly, consciously, and be silent, fully present in this moment now—without thinking, without building on the lie by telling yourself some new “story”—and await the answer.
Do this, which my teacher called “waiting without waiting,” and you will find your answer. You will find it in silence. The “me” is not real at all! And yet you, as this aware, beautiful person behind the ever-changing contents of your mind are always here.
With this newly awakened awareness, your mind is much, much quieter because you are now free of “self” obsession, of the endless preoccupation with “me, myself, and my story.” You can then consciously use the power of thought, story, and intention to bring what you really need and want into your life—loving relationships, work that you enjoy, financial stability, optimal health, creative expression, and a whole lot more fun. Plus, you have a great, new “story”—one that is inspiring, healing, uplifting—to share about what is happening in your life!
However, because you still have an ego, a mind, thoughts, and stories occasional “residues” of old ego patterns can arise from time-to-time—a flash of anger, a moment of anxiety, fear, or guilt—but these reactions are seen for what they are, and they quickly fall away.
The more awake and free you are, the more your basic emotional state is always one of ease, harmony, and flow. You literally are one with life—indeed, you feel yourself to be the universe itself, looking through your particular set of eyes, sensing and experiencing with your body, and feeling and responding with your heart.
You are truly open to life, unafraid to be your authentic self. You meet everyone’s gaze in a warm, welcoming, and friendly way. And you rest in the certainty of knowing that you have the power to handle any situation, problem, or challenge before you—including any lessons you might have to learn—in this very moment, right here and now.
Jim Dreaver is the author of End Your Story, Begin Your Life, his acclaimed book which is all about awakening to freedom. He began his search for freedom in the mid-Seventies with the teachings of yoga, Zen, and J. Krishnamurti, and then met European nondual master Jean Klein in 1984, who led him to seeing the truth in 1995. His mission now is to guide others to the same realization– that awakening is ever and only here, now!. He has taught his work at Esalen Institute near Big Sur, CA for many years, online, in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and in New Zealand and Australia. He lives in Santa Barbara, CA and is available for private sessions via skype, phone, or in person for those who want to accelerate their journey to freedom. If this is you, email him at jdreaver@aol.com Visit www.jimdreaver.com ©Jim Dreaver, 2014
