Following the path of meditation can feel like a gradual unraveling of the known—a shedding of what we once held onto, leading us into the mystery of contemplation. As I continue reflecting on the works of St. John of the Cross, this sacred shift from meditation into contemplation becomes clearer. It is not a step we take with effort but a grace that gently unfolds when the time is right.
St. John speaks of this transition as a call to surrender, but it is not the kind of surrender we can will into existence. Instead, it is a letting go that happens when we stop striving, when we allow ourselves to simply rest in the presence of the Divine. This is where the familiar practices of meditation—focused attention, mental inquiry, or breath awareness—fall away, giving space for something more profound to emerge.
Today, I felt this shift more deeply, not as an intellectual understanding, but as a living experience. The pratyayas—the thoughts, sensations, and memories that rise and fall—became like whispers, their pull softening in the presence of curiosity. This curiosity is not the kind that seeks answers, but one that witnesses, without needing anything to happen. In that gentle witnessing, something new emerged: a spaciousness, a quiet stillness that felt like home.
This experience is not unique to Christian mysticism. In Advaita Vedanta, the practice of self-inquiry often begins with a repetitive questioning—”Who am I?”—an active search for truth. But, as with St. John’s teachings, there comes a time when even the inquiry must dissolve into silence. The seeker steps back, not into a place of knowing, but into a place of being. In that being, all effort falls away, and we are left with the pristine awareness that has always been there.
In silence, love calls,
No longer through words or thought,
But in quiet grace.
This is the threshold between seeking and being, a place where the Divine does its quiet work in us. It is no longer about striving or yearning for a deeper experience; it is about trusting in the unfolding of love, which asks only that we rest in its presence.
For those of us on this journey, may we continue to trust this sacred shift—moving from meditation into contemplation, from seeking into being. In this silent surrender, we come closer to the essence of who we truly are.
As I re-read the works of St. John of the Cross, I have become more attuned to the threshold of transition—the dryness and emptiness that so often precede the invitation to move from meditation into contemplation. This is not unique to St. John; it is something pointed to by many of the great teachers. Whether it’s Namkhai Norbu, Ramana Maharshi, Thich Nhat Hanh, the Dalai Lama, or Orgyen Chowang in Pristine Mind, they all plant the seeds of meditative absorption, which only take root when the time is right. Now, it seems, those seeds are beginning to bloom, not as intellectual concepts, but as a living, unfolding experience.
Today, I found myself drawn into this quiet transformation. As I lay in stillness, the pratyayas—those passing thoughts, sensations, and memories—began to rise and fall, like waves on a distant shore. Curiosity, that soft and patient witness, guided me deeper, not into understanding but into presence.
The breath came of its own accord, a deep release from somewhere beyond my conscious will, as if the body itself knew what needed to unfold. And then, an awareness—a spaciousness—arose. It was not something I had summoned, nor could I hold it in place. It was simply there, naked and pure, like a clear blue sky.
St. John of the Cross speaks of this as a kind of surrender, but not the kind we can choose. It is a grace bestowed, not earned. In the stillness, I realized that my role was not to force this shift but to allow it to happen. To remain as the observer, the witness, as the Divine unfolded in its own time.
What struck me most deeply was the paradox of this surrender. The very act of trying to let go becomes an obstacle. Instead, it is curiosity that opens the door to pure awareness—curiosity that has no desire, no need for something to happen, but simply observes what is.
Today, in this unfolding, I realized that even the longing for deeper experience can become a barrier. The path is not one of striving but of witnessing. And in that witness, the Divine does its quiet work, purifying what needs to be released, and bringing us ever closer to the essence of who we truly are.
As I reflect on my own journey today, it is my hope, and the shared intention (Sankalpa) behind all of this work, that by sharing these reflections, insights, and experiences, they may serve as a guide, a comfort, or a spark of inspiration to those who come across them.
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Book Recommendation: St. John of the Cross, Dark Night of the Soul
Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross is a spiritual masterpiece that explores the transformative power of suffering and the journey toward union with the Divine. This work describes the profound spiritual experience of being stripped of all attachments, both inner and outer, as a necessary process for purification and deeper connection with God. For those experiencing a time of spiritual dryness or emptiness, St. John’s words offer hope and guidance through the darkness, illuminating the path to deeper faith and surrender. The Dark Night is not a time of despair, but of ultimate transformation, where we are invited to let go of our limited understanding and trust in the unfolding of the Divine. This book serves as a timeless companion for anyone navigating the challenges of the contemplative path, especially those who feel drawn to the shift from meditation to deeper contemplation.
Book Recommendation: Orgyen Chowang, Our Pristine Mind
In The Pristine Mind, Orgyen Chowang offers profound teachings on accessing our natural state of mind—a state of clarity, openness, and peace. He draws from the Dzogchen tradition, emphasizing that our true nature is already pure and perfect, and that through practice, we can return to this unconditioned state. For those on a contemplative journey, Chowang’s words provide a practical path for moving beyond mental noise and distractions, guiding us back to the inherent stillness of the mind. This book is especially helpful for those who wish to deepen their meditation practice or shift from intellectual understanding to living experience. The Pristine Mind invites readers to discover the profound joy and serenity that arises when we rest in the awareness of our true nature.
Ramana Maharshi, one of the most revered spiritual teachers of modern times, has left an indelible mark on the landscape of non-dual philosophy. Among his profound contributions is a text known as the “Forty Verses on Reality”, or “Ulladu Narpadu”, originally composed in Tamil. These verses are a deep exploration of the nature of existence and the true Self, offering guidance on the direct path to self-realization.
The “Forty Verses on Reality” are not just poetic expressions but are a concise roadmap to understanding the essence of the Self, as taught by Ramana Maharshi. They delve into the illusion of the ego, the ultimate reality of non-dual existence, and the importance of self-inquiry as the path to realizing one’s true nature.
In these verses, Ramana Maharshi addresses the central theme of his teachings: the illusion of the ego. He emphasizes that the sense of ‘I’—which we often associate with our thoughts, emotions, and bodily identity—is not the true Self. This ego, or false sense of individuality, creates a veil that obscures the unchanging, eternal reality that is the Self.
Ramana encourages seekers to engage in self-inquiry, particularly through the practice of asking “Who am I?” This simple yet profound question is designed to lead one back to the source of the ‘I’ thought, tracing it to its origin in pure consciousness. It is in this inquiry that the mind begins to dissolve into the deeper awareness, where the illusory nature of the ego is revealed, and the true Self is recognized.
The essence of these verses is the understanding that the Self is the only reality, and everything else is transient, merely an appearance in the vast expanse of consciousness. Ramana’s teaching points to the realization that the Self is beyond all dualities, beyond subject and object, beyond mind and matter. The Self is the underlying reality, the substratum upon which all experiences arise and subside.
For those who are new to Ramana Maharshi’s teachings, the “Forty Verses on Reality” serve as a gateway to understanding his approach to non-duality and the path of self-inquiry. Each verse offers a unique insight into the nature of existence, gently guiding the reader toward a direct experience of the Self.
Consider, for example, the first verse, where Ramana states: “If Reality did not exist, could there be any knowledge of existence? Free from all thoughts, Reality abides in the Heart, the Source of all thoughts. It is, therefore, called the Heart. How then is one to contemplate It? To be as It is in the Heart, is Its contemplation.” Here, he points to the central truth that Reality—our true nature—is beyond thought and can only be known by abiding as the Self in the Heart, the source of all thoughts.
Or take verse twenty, where he asks: “By what light do you see? If you say ‘by the light of the sun,’ the moon, etc., then by what light do you see these lights? The light of the eye makes all these lights visible. But the mind makes the eyes shine. The ultimate source of all lights is the Self.” This verse illustrates the idea that all forms of perception ultimately point back to the Self, the pure awareness that illuminates all experiences.
Perhaps one of the most poignant verses is verse twenty-six: “The body does not say ‘I’. The Self does not say ‘I’. Between the two, something arises, saying ‘I’. This phantom is the ego. Find out where from this arises. Then everything will subside into the Self.” Ramana succinctly captures the essence of self-inquiry here, pointing to the ego as a phantom that dissolves when one traces it back to its origin.
The “Forty Verses on Reality” provide a rich tapestry of wisdom that can lead seekers to a direct realization of their true nature. These verses are a testament to Ramana Maharshi’s profound understanding of the non-dual reality and offer a timeless guide for those on the spiritual path.
If you are inspired to delve deeper into these teachings, I encourage you to seek out a complete edition of these verses, where you can explore them in their entirety. Their depth and simplicity offer a powerful tool for self-inquiry and spiritual awakening.
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Richard Clarke’s version of the “Forty Verses on Reality” is a concise and accessible entry point into Ramana Maharshi’s teachings. Spanning just 78 pages, this edition focuses on presenting the verses in a clear and straightforward manner, making it an excellent choice for those who are new to self-inquiry and non-duality. Clarke’s approach is to let the power of Ramana’s words speak for themselves, offering readers a direct and undiluted experience of the teachings.
The version introduced by Michael James and authored by Sandra Derksen provides an in-depth exploration of the “Forty Verses on Reality”, expanding the text to 422 pages with extensive commentary and analysis. This edition delves deeply into each verse, unpacking the layers of meaning and offering a comprehensive understanding of Ramana Maharshi’s philosophy. Ideal for serious students and those with a deep interest in Advaita Vedanta, this book offers a richly detailed interpretation that guides the reader through the nuances of self-inquiry and non-dual realization.
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