“Simply remain as the light of awareness. Don’t be too scared by the scary stuff. Don’t be enticed by the good stuff. Just stay as the light of awareness.” ~ Adyashanti
While there are various images of the Buddha, one of the most prevalent is one that depicts the most important moment in the life of Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha. He is seated with his left hand in his lap, palm up, and with his right hand positioned with the palm facing inward and his fingertips down, touching the earth in the “earth-touching mudra.” This is believed to capture the moment of his enlightenment.
According to the story, the demon Mara appeared to Shakyamuni as he sat under the Bodhi Tree and attempted to disrupt his meditation with threats, temptations, and insinuations. The last of these disruptions was the suggestion that Shakyamuni had no right to occupy the “seat” of enlightenment. The Buddha-to-be replied, “Let the earth be my witness,” and extended his hand to touch the earth. At that moment, the earth goddess rose up and confirmed his enlightenment.
Adyashanti tells this story of the Buddha and how he encountered these dark, nightmarish visions that were visited upon him. He points out that when the Buddha reached down and touched the ground, he was using it as a reference point for reality.
Adya teaches that by allowing whatever is present within your experience to arise, you let go of restrictions on how the moment should be and simply open to what is. He points out the healthy balance of both not grasping at the good moments nor indulging in the fear that can so fiercely captivate our attention. By remaining as the simple light of awareness, you, like the Buddha, are able to rest into: “I am here for this to unfold.”
Listen to an excerpt from Adya’s talk You Can Choose Peace wherein he tells the story of Buddha touching the ground while dark, nightmarish visions were visiting him, and how that story can serve our own lives.
