Meaning of Spiritual Experiences: Lester Levenson

My Aikido friend shared with me his encounter with Lester Levenson.  I had no knowledge of Mr. Levenson, but after 30min of hearing this man's journey in life, I was quite amazed.  Later, I viewed youtube video (3 part series) and confirmed important discovery about he called as "Liberated State" or "ultimate happiness."  I am hopeful that this post may trigger some insight for our heroes on the journey.


Here is his brief background:  The late Lester Levenson after a serious heart attack nearly ended his life. Lester regained his health and attributed his renewed positive outlook to a process of self-inquiry. The process is taught as a practical technique called the Sedona Method, or also called Release Technique.  This is a self-help technique developed by him.

I like his simple message. For example;  "Thou aren't that... you are already that...so just take unnecessary stuff off - till you will find the full realization where there is no more thoughts.  All thoughts are motivated by the ego! Separation makes us do that.. which is desire /ego.  Let go of it."   (Note: My view on this is:  Thoughts has to come from within - as if flowing from the heart, not from ego)  Please also note it is told that Mr. Levenson took full time for four months to get to the core and to realize the above.  Right before that four month, he was given a death sentence by his doctor due to his seriously deteriorated mind and body condition. 

As if to summarize all, in part 4 of the video, he points five characteristics of "The Free State" namely,  Imperturbability, Desirelessness, Effortlessness, Actionlessness, and Witnessing!  He even says, "You won't be disturbed even if you are killed."  (Please note that these expression may be felt as counter intuitive. Yet also note, Tao Te Ching says, "The truth often sounds paradoxical" (78).)

My explanation for each of five are:

-  Imperturbability:  Pointing the core of our existence being absolute, nothing can affect that.  When we sense that (I am that), there we find the eternal peace.  (If we know that everything is impermanent, then "we" are at the point that "something" i.e., "I am" is realizing that!  That, I see, is what Imperturbability is about.)
-  Desirelessness:  Pointing to no self.  If we seek for anything, we cannot be one with what we are seeking for. In Tao te Ching: "Ever desireless, one can see the mystery." (1)
-  Effortlessness:  When nothing is sought (no seeking mind), you are liberated without any effort.  In Tao te Ching: "The Tao of the sage is work without effort." (81)
-  Actionlessness:  So, there is no need for action.  Let it be as it is. In Tao te Ching: "The sage goes about doing nothing." (2)
-  Witnessing:  Simply witness everything happening as it should.  No need to interfere.  Witness however has to be so only with calm and quiet mind.  Or, you can call it as "choiceless observation" (Krishnamurti).  This leads to "I am" or "Imperturbability" as mentioned above.

To characterize "Imperturbability and Witnessing," I coined the term "Mirror Mind" or in Vipassana, this is "Equanimity and Awareness."  I found Desirelessness, Effortlessness, and Actionlessness, support that but bring subtler nuances.  As noted above, only point I would like to add is, we can think but "thoughts has to come from within - as if flowing from the heart, not from our ego."  Yes, thoughts are limiting by its nature but we can use it.  Or, "Listen to the heart, but use the brain."  He is close to Advaida School whereas I seem to take Middle Way as suggested in Mahayana Buddhism although I view that the boundary is vague - as if where you put the emphasis.  Of course, we should be pragmatic and not academic and that the question is for each to answer - in conducting his life.

FYI, Here are some more of his quotes:

"All unhappiness is caused by our trying to be limited, to be an ego. The more we are our Self, the happier we are. We will never be completely happy until we are completely being our Self."

"Every problem is an ego problem. In order to have a problem there has to be an ego-frustration."

"Every time you feel miserable, there is present an excellent opportunity to make a big step forward."

"When one really loves, one can never be hurt"

"Peace is non resistance, complete acceptance, identification with the all, everyone, everything"

"whatever happens to us originates in the mind"

"Truth can be found by a process of eliminating wrong thoughts, which are thoughts of limitation. When all thoughts of limitation are eliminated, what remains is our natural, unlimited, Self."

"There's nothing bad; there's just making errors on the way back Home."

"Don't probe darkness to understand light. Don't dwell on sickness to be healthy. Don't indulge in thoughts of lack to have supply."