This is what it feels like:

During sleep, I’m aware of the Emptiness, the Nothingness. I am this big, open space staring off into big, open space.

Then I start dreaming and I’m aware of the dream and I’m aware that I’m watching the dream. Sometimes I can consciously interact with the dream, but mostly I just watch.

Then I slide into that “in between waking and dreaming” state and I’m aware of that, but now I feel a bit more solid, as if I’m gelling–coalescing out of the LIght.

Then I awake, and I alternate between the Light (ethereal) and problem solving (solid ‘ol me). General thinking doesn’t coalesce me too much. Fantasizing doesn’t either–but problem solving seems to rapidly solidify “me.” I guess that’s because there really aren’t any problems. Conditioning is just causing the thought, “I need to solve this,” and some part of me takes it too seriously.

When I catch myself feeling solid, it’s very easy–much easier than it was even last month–to dissolve back into the Light, but I have to catch myself feeling solid first.

My point:

All of us merge with the Light every night. Many aren’t aware of it, but it happens to each of us every evening. The Light is Awareness, the Life Force, the Divine Within, the Beloved. The Light is God living through your body–seeing out your eyes, experiencing Life through your awareness.

And every night you merge with Her, spend some time as Her, and then coalesce back out when the morning comes.

It’s really pretty cool when you think about it.

(On a side note, people I know “solidify” me too. Strangers…not so much. When strangers make eye contact, it’s apparent they sense something odd is going on between us. They feel attracted yet at the same time…disoriented, confused, vulnerable. It’s actually kind of fun to watch.)

DEERFIELD BEACH, FL–I was approached recently about doing some freelance programming. I agreed to the offer and committed thru July. Work from “home,” set my own hours, and write code (which I enjoy in moderation). Will be nice to re-build some savings.

Seems like the right thing to do while my consciousness clears.

DEERFIELD BEACH, FL–I’ve just finished a response to a Wisdom for Alms email. In it, I talked about personas, about putting on an outfit in order to play in the great Game of Life. I mentioned how a persona is not a lie or a false front, but a focusing of a set of qualities that reflect aspects our true nature.

For the last couple of weeks, I have been focusing on gentleness. As I mentioned in a previous post, gentleness seems to underlie the Selfless state.

Invariably, when I am not feeling gentle, I find that I am under the conditioning of the old “Wayne Wirs.” Conditioning which is the result of 48 years of cultural programming.

Conditioning can be re-programmed.

Conditioning is why I am living in gentleness. To reprogram my reactions. To still my old, unconscious ways.

Without a self, we stand stark naked in front of others. But that nakedness makes others uneasy.

Gentleness is like wearing a soft, comfortable bathrobe–and a smile.

DEERFIELD BEACH, FL–A couple weeks ago I went through this entire list of enlightenment teachers (Nonduality/Advaita Vedanta) and not one of the (currently) 77 teachers keeps a personal blog. Not one. Isn’t that strange?

Sure some of them post “article” blogs–a series of articles supporting their teachings–but no teacher blogs about their daily lives. Not a single one.

Enlightenment is not just about waking up–it’s about living life. It’s about a rare, amazing, open, and natural way of seeing and functioning in this world–the perfect fodder for a good blog.

Each of these teachers must have considered how useful a day-to-day, personal blog would be for their students, and yet none of them chose to share their non-egoic lives.

Really–isn’t that strange?

DEERFIELD BEACH, FL–I have found that there are two qualities that underlie all awareness when the personal self drops–qualities that are powerfully felt when I’m not under the influence of decades-long conditioning: Emptiness and Gentleness.

Emptiness (vastness/openness) is the mental quality of awareness. In a strange, wonderful intermixed sort of way, everything seems to arise (comes into existence) inside of me, is a part of me, and yet is (all at the same time) still separate from me. I use the word “emptiness” because of the strong feeling of it happening inside of me (“me” being the feeling of this vast, living, emptiness). The inside/part of/separate paradox isn’t really a paradox though–it’s just like when you think of an easter bunny: the image is inside you, part of you, and yet separate from you.

Gentleness is the energetic quality. It underlies everything. Conditioned “Wayne” has a lot of Yang (“can-do,” assertive, forceful) energy, but under that conditioning, is this simple, gentleness that feels so much like the “true” me. I’ve often heard other’s call it “love,” but that seems too vague, too idealistic. “Gentleness” feels more alive, more flowing, more natural.

Emptiness is mental and very difficult to experience for most. The noisy personal self is the main barrier to experiencing it.

Gentleness on the other hand is very easy. Just practice being gentle.

Then, as a tool, notice that when you are not being gentle, that you are either under the influence of the personal self or prior conditioning. The simple act of seeing them makes it much easier for them to drop away.

This month’s print is from my stay at Letchworth State Park in NY. Beautiful place. Also note (below) that I’ve lowered the prices of all prints. Those who purchased at the higher prices have been sent a refund via PayPal.

25 copies of the above print (sans the black border) will be available for purchase for $100 each. Free shipping and handling.

The photos are unmounted and printed with archival inks on high quality paper. I’ve signed and sequentially numbered each print. The image is 9″ x 6″ on white 8.5″ x 11″ photographic paper. This sizing allows room for the signature and print number (example) to be displayed with a standard-sized matte and frame (not included).

25 prints is considered a very small print run. Once these prints are sold, that’s it, there will be no more printed.

Prints may be purchased here.

New Prices

I’ve decided to lower the prices of all prints:

9″ x 6″ prints were $150, they are now $100 with free shipping and handling.

4″ x 6” prints were $25, they are now $10 plus shipping and handling.

A question from a reader via Wisdom for Alms:

Hi Wayne,

I have been meditating with Holosync (currently on Purification 1 CD #3.) and it looks like the more I do it the more I find myself in a depression. I have no motivation for anything (work, personal goals, etc). I have less awareness instead of having more. I just want to know if I should continue.

At what point was it worth it for you? I keep reading about people who meditate and it just frustrates me since I haven’t obtained any wisdom like these people I read about. The reason I keep on meditating is out of faith and because people like yourself give me a little hope.

God bless your work.

(My reply below the break)…

…(More)

In an effort to help others get through what I’ve gone through, I’d like to offer to anyone who wishes it, free spiritual advice.

When I was a spiritual seeker, I would have loved to find someone qualified to answer my personal and unique questions. It would have made my search so much easier. But none of the teachers that I respected offered such a service.

I want to fix that.

I had thought of this idea months ago–when money gets really tight and I find myself on the streets, I’ll stand at a busy intersection with a sign that reads, Wisdom for Alms. Maybe wear some long robes and a shaved head.

So before it gets to that, here’s a virtual, and much more effective version of it–Wisdom For Alms.

Promotion: Free Limited Prints

(Sorry, this promotion is over – ww)

The only way this is going to work is for others to hear about it. I can’t afford to advertise, so I’ll offer what I have:

For a limited time (if you still see this promo then it’s still active), in exchange for an article about Wisdom for Alms on your blog, a posting to a forum, or the PUBLIC portion of your Facebook page (so non-friends can see it), I’ll send you a free 4 x 6 limited print of your choice. You must be the author of the original post (a post please, not just a link, but a paragraph or two) and you must provide a link to the Wisdom For Alms page ( http://waynewirs.com/wisdom-for-alms/ ).

Ideas on your post: What you like about this blog, my message, my photos, what I’m trying to accomplish, what you’ve learned…

Send me the URL of your post with your mailing address and the print you’d like (4×6 size) and I’ll mail you the print in gratitude.

Hurry, I reserve the right to remove this promotion at any time.

Unfortunately, tweets on Twitter, though I’d be very grateful for them, can’t be tracked effectively, so I can’t offer the print in those cases. But I guarantee HUGE positive karma points for Wisdom for Alms tweets–I mean really, free spiritual advice from a “newly-minted enlightened guy” (thanks Kirtanman) has got to be Tweet-worthy.

DEERFIELD BEACH, FL–You may have noticed I changed the name of this blog again, Down-to-Earth Enlightenment. Recently I came to realize how my “way” differs from almost all the other spiritual teachers out there.

Most enlightenment teachers teach from the top down: “This is what Heaven’s like. Come on up.” They provide an “open space” for the student to find their own way to enlightenment. They sit, they glow, and they beckon.

That’s just not my way. I tend to work from the ground up. I work best in the trenches, taking the hand of whomever I’m helping and guiding them up out of the darkness. I’ve had years and years of experience in corporate America doing just that. I was always the favored “tech guy” to go to because I helped people truly understand what was wrong (without making them feel stupid)–and I’d do it in a down-to-earth, approachable, and easy to get manner.

Part of the “Awakening Pregnancy” thing (bottom of this post) seems to be this insight: I am more of a spiritual guide than a spiritual teacher. I’m more comfortable helping people one-on-one–getting results–than some guy sitting up there in front of a crowd, glowing and smiling. I can glow and smile like the rest of them, but I really don’t like that approach. It just feels to distant for me. Too impractical.

I’m not ruling out talks–hell, I’m not ruling anything out–I just don’t want my style to be sit, smile, glow, and beckon.

I’m a bit overdue on this, but here are my favorite photos from my 2009 travels. Enjoy.

You can access these (and 2008’s) via the “Favorite Photos” tab at the top of any page on the site.

DEERFIELD BEACH, FL–The other night I had a powerful dream:

I was deep inside some large dark cavern, a cavern that the entire population lived in (or so I thought). I was being chased by some large, unseen dinosaur. As I fled, I ran past a wolf that was caught in a hunter’s trap. As I ran by, I felt terrible because I knew the monster was going to eat the wolf. Feeling guilty, I turned around and, even though I thought the wolf would bite me (and the monster might get us), I freed him from the trap (a wire was wrapped around his neck and I cut it away with a pair of wire cutters that were conveniently in my pocket).

More below the break…

…(More)

I’ve added these six postcard-sized prints to the Limited Prints page. I felt I needed to offer a more affordable, yet still collectable, option of some of my work.

Each print is 4″ x 6″, numbered and signed on the back. Print runs are 250 (only 250 copies will ever be printed). To keep the numbering system fair, I’ve decided to randomly select the number of the print each buyer will receive (ie: the first person to order may receive print number 92/250, and the next person to order may receive print number 1/250).

Current prices for any of the above prints are $25 (prices may go up at any time). This price includes shipping and handling within the U.S. (For orders outside the U.S.A, I’ll shoot you an email with the costs prior to shipping so you can decide for yourself).

FYI: I expect to add one medium print (9″ x 6″) and at least one small print (4″ x 6″) each month.

“The less there is of me, the more there is of Her.” Synchronicity is a powerful indicator that the belief that we are all One is indeed true. The less there is of you–blocking the Divine within–the more readily the Universe (Her/your Beloved/the Divine Mother/God) can work through your body and in your life…
…(More)

DEERFIELD BEACH, FL–As many of you know, I have been hanging out in “limbo” lately as I try to adapt to this “identity-less” state of enlightenment. Indeed, I’ve come to think of human consciousness as having three distinct levels: Hell (normal, personal self-centered consciousness), Limbo (after the personal self drops, but before full integration), and Heaven (after integration).

…(More)

DEERFIELD BEACH, FL–My poor brother seems to be suffering the wrath of Gods Past. As I mentioned a few months ago in Jeff’s Lost Journey (plus photos here and here), it seems that he is destined to learn to live in the moment the hard way.

…(More)

The above is an example of Canoe at Oscar Scherer, framed and matted (sorry if it looks a little cock-eyed, I had to shoot it from slightly above to minimize the reflection in the glass which gave it a kind of skewed look).

The matte is a standard 11″ x 14″ with a 8″ x 10.5″ opening. I bought the matte straight off the shelf in an art supply store–no custom cutting or framing was required.

As you can see, this leaves a nice, double-matte look to the print while allowing the signature and print number to remain visible.

Here’s a close up:

Note: Frame and matting is not included with the print.

Hurry, price increases on January 28 from $100 to $150. Click here to purchase.

Yesterdays PayPal link to purchase the print, Canoe at Oscar Scherer, was broken on both the FeedBurner emails and the RSS feeds. The link took the user directly to the PayPal login page, not to where they could purchase the print. The link on the blog itself worked correctly though.

…(More)

For the next seven days, 25 copies of the above print (sans the black border) will be available for purchase for $100 each. Shipping and handling is included.

…(More)

Tell Your Facebook Friends

Wayne Wirs

Create your Fan Badge

I’ve finally added a facebook fan page. If you are on facebook, please add me, tell your friends, create a fan-badge, etc. I add the “etc.” because I’m a real noob over there and have no idea what I’m doing.

Thanks!

P.S: Tomorrow, I hope, I’ll be announcing a very limited print run (25 prints) of one of my photos. The first person to order will receive print 1/25, the next 2/25, … until all 25 are sold. If all goes well, I may do this next month with another photo.

DEERFIELD BEACH, FL–In an effort to resolve my “spiritual identity crisis,” last night I attended my first kirtan with Sula. A few months ago, Chandi had sent me an audio of a kirtan that she had participated in and I loved the way the sound of the chanting made me feel inside. I sensed–and I believe Sula did as well since it was she who suggested it–that all those loving, chanting, vibrating voices would shake something loose and help unlock my blockage. …(More)

DEERFIELD BEACH, FL–I found myself in a large, dark, circular room, illuminated by a single column of light in its center. Others were in this room with me, shadows sitting silently facing the Light. Curious, I stepped into the Light and, to steady myself, grasped hold of a pole standing next to the column. Immediately my entire body was burned away and all that remained of me was my hand firmly gripping the pole and I was afraid and I was at peace and I was one with God and She spoke through me/the Light and said to those seated, “I so love you. I am so grateful to you, for it is through you that I can see Myself.”

This occurred in one of my 5 am “visions”–an awake, lucid, “dream”–while camped out in Louisiana a month or so ago. I was hesitant to speak of it for fear of diluting my message, “you must drop the personal self,” but now I see that dropping the personal self is only the first step toward full Realization. …(More)

DEERFIELD BEACH, FL–I held a “test” satsang (talk) with friends on Saturday, and, as with most feedback from my fellow Floridians, I got mixed reviews. From my perspective, some aspects flowed nicely while others felt forced and clunky.

…(More)

DEERFIELD BEACH, FL--I want to thank everyone who commented on my last post. I know that suicide is a very touchy topic, and I know my outlook on it is almost the polar opposite of society’s. I do want to stress to any readers who are depressed that suicide should NOT be considered an option. Take it from someone who has spent decades contemplating self-control…No one has control of their emotions. We can control how we ACT on them (and even that is debatable), but we definitely cannot control how we FEEL. If you are depressed, recognize that you are helpless to control the feeling (as anyone is with any emotion) and get some help–there are a wide variety of options for the treatment of depression these days.

But here are some things I learned from long and serious contemplations of suicide when it comes to quality-of-life (which was my deciding factor). …(More)

DEERFIELD BEACH, FL--Blogs–personal blogs–are raw. They are not like writing autobiographies with outlines, editors, and well considered chapters. Personal blogs are like a photo album of an individual’s life, taken a day at a time, laid out in sequence for all the world to see. Moreover, the really interesting blogs are like intimate diaries.

Marc Gilson of Mind Chatter Magazine, in reviewing Fading Toward Enlightenment, wrote that “Wayne recounts each step of his journey with unflinching frankness,” and “few match the openness and honesty Wayne shares with the reader.”

In this blog, I’ve tried to maintain the same level of intimacy as I did in FTE: to confess my doubts, confusions, and hesitations right alongside the beauty, joys, and insights. Unlike many, I don’t just show my “spiritual teacher” face, or a side of me that makes me look good. With the only exception being where the privacy of others is involved–I lay it all out there, the Good, the Bad, and the Boring. …(More)