The Quest for the Sacred Moment: A Journey Within
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Chapter 1: The Search for the Sacred Moment
The tales surrounding the Sacred Moment predate even the legends of the Holy Grail. It is believed that discovering this Moment can lift one's burdens, granting a profound peace that transcends understanding. Even in contemporary times, seekers embark on journeys across the globe, driven by the desire to find this elusive Moment.
One dedicated seeker held his arm above his head for fifty years until it became thin and frail, showcasing his commitment to the quest for the Sacred Moment. Others choose a life of isolation, hoping to find the Moment that will liberate them. For example, an English woman resided in a cave in the Himalayas, only ten feet wide and six feet deep, for twelve years, three of which were spent in complete retreat, in pursuit of the Sacred Moment. Some say she eventually discovered it and now helps others in their journeys. A man from Germany claims to have found the Sacred Moment and travels globally to share it with everyone.
It All Sounds So Peculiar — The Sacred Moment
We are all familiar with the moments we experience. So, where exactly is this Sacred Moment? We’ve heard about it, witnessed people engaging in unusual practices—joining hands, sitting silently for long durations, shaving their heads, and donning distinct robes. They refer to it as religion, yet to many, it appears rather eccentric. While some claim they are in search of the transcendent world and the Sacred Moment, these priests and monks often admit they have yet to uncover it themselves.
Others suggest that the Sacred Moment is a distant, hard-to-reach place, discouraging any engagement with such pursuits. Nevertheless, curiosity persists.
The Great Bowing Pilgrimage
Forty years ago, two monks embarked on a pilgrimage, pledging to bow to the ground in complete prostration every three steps. This was their way of searching for the Sacred Moment. They covered eight hundred miles from Los Angeles to Ukiah, California, over two-and-a-half years. Many deemed them insane; some even hurled beer cans at them.
One Monk's Perspective
“Some see us as holy figures, while others perceive us as devils. Some regard us as blessings, and others view us as threats. Regardless, we perform the same act of bowing before all these different observers — their perceptions reflect their own perspectives.
“There exists no objective reality; objectivity is an illusion. One naval aviator, upon seeing our bows, initially believed we were casting a spell on the base. After conversing with us, he thought we were safeguarding it. Were we truly different? ‘No large, no small, no inside, no outside.’”
The Other Monk's Reflection
“During these long stretches along Route 101, bowing can sometimes feel akin to getting lost in a snowstorm atop a mountain. Eventually, distinctions blur—no self or others, no beings or lifespan… The sun releases the knots, and the wind refreshes the mind like flowing water. Clean and empty, the vastness of the sea and stars resonates with your own peaceful inner space.”
Once Upon A Time
There was once a young man born into royalty, shielded from the hardships of poverty, illness, and even old age. His life in a lavish palace was filled with every comfort. At the age of twenty-nine, he ventured outside the palace grounds thrice and witnessed an elderly person, a sick individual, and a corpse for the first time. He also encountered a wandering holy man whose ascetic lifestyle inspired him to seek liberation from the suffering caused by the cycle of life and death.
For six years, he practiced extreme austerities similar to the man who held his arm aloft, but his methods were even more severe, nearly leading to his demise from starvation. Eventually, he recognized that such physical hardships would not lead to enlightenment. After nourishing himself and recuperating, he meditated all night beneath a sacred fig tree and, at thirty-five, discovered the Sacred Moment.
He later attracted many disciples and spent the next forty-five years wandering through India, sharing his insights. He became known as Buddha, meaning "the enlightened one." Two thousand five hundred years later, I became his disciple.
Anticipating the Sacred Moment
Just yesterday morning, I sat in my meditation chair, as I often do, awaiting the Sacred Moment. In the past, I believed this Moment was something to be found, or perhaps bestowed by a holy person or saint. I've heard of such occurrences, known as shaktipat. Ram Dass’s guru, Neem Karoli Baba, did this for him, yet I never encountered a guru of that nature.
However, whether revealed through a guru or discovered independently, the Sacred Moment lies within you, merely waiting to be awakened. It is often referred to as enlightenment, nirvana, the Present Moment, or simply the now.
While meditating yesterday morning, the term "Sacred Moment" and the inspiration for this article emerged. I felt compelled to write it down.
A Finger Pointing to the Moon
In Buddhist teachings, there exists the saying, “A finger pointing to the moon.” Here, the moon symbolizes enlightenment. A guru directs us toward the moon, representing a state of thoughtless awareness. Yet, it is easy to become enamored with the guru instead of the moon itself.
One might become preoccupied with the finger—your teacher, your thoughts about enlightenment, the practice of meditation, and the pride of being spiritual. It is possible to spend a lifetime fixated on your IDEAS about the Sacred Moment, wondering why it remains elusive.
The truth, however, is that you are already in possession of it. It resides within you—that’s why it feels so difficult to locate. While you may not yet have awakened to the Sacred Moment, at least you know its location.
Calm your mind by releasing your thoughts about how things should be, allowing you to discover WHO you are—simultaneously the finger, the moon, and the Sacred Moment.
As Buddha once said, “I am a finger pointing to the moon. Don’t focus on me; look to the moon.”
Gary
May 2023
This insightful video features Matthew Kelly discussing the concept of "Holy Moments," exploring how small acts can have profound impacts on our lives and those around us.
In this engaging session, "Everyone Needs Help Sometimes," the importance of seeking support and connection in our lives is emphasized, reminding us that we are not alone in our journeys.