The Inquiry of the Common Cold



{Lately I find that rather than giving the egoic mind freedom to rant, it serves for deeper enquiry to just LISTEN to the inner guru and then sit in silence.}

Gnani: When the body shifts — from a common cold or chronic illness — the tendency is for the mind to plot, plan and prepare.  But in Truth there are no preparations needed, no plan that the egoic mind can create and no plot that needs solving.

The body has shifted.  If you consider them as new ‘symptoms’ you have already created the victim who will suffer.  What is a head cold without a label?  How is a chest cough experienced devoid of meaning?  Enjoy each.

It is possible to savor even an acute viral infection.  Watch closely.  Sense the newness of the sensations that were not present yesterday.  See if you can experience what you believe to be this separate sense of self as it exists apart from the virus.  Can you find the virus?  Can you feel a border around this ‘you’ and were the virus is present?

Or is it that all of this is appearing as facets of the same precious jewel?  Not two entities in opposition, but One Being that contains all movement of form … and formless.  Are ‘you’ apart from this Beingness or a  part of it?

Today is a most auspicious day to consider the conditions of a human birth.  Who was born?  Where is it hiding among the burgeoning virus?  Relax and do not look for an answer on the level of mind.  There is no need to resolve the riddle of the sphynx and no prize to claim if you do.  Just watch and see where the inquiry of the common cold leads.


Gnani: Do not use the enquiry as elixer.  It will not heal your body or your mind.  If you confuse the fleeting-feel-good-moments as a result of looking deeply, you will miss the jewel inside the lotus flower.  The egoic mind will pull away once the least bit of discomfort passes.  As deep settling happens it will stand for ovation and walk out of the theater.

But the Truth is not in the respite from the body pain or agitated mind.  Truth is not a place or experience of wellness.  Seek your true nature not temporary relief.  Go deeper when the egoic mind signals the curtain call.  Go deeper still when the agitation rises and the pain amps up unexpectedly.

The end of your suffering is not the cessation of your symptoms it is the end of YOU.

Keep going … Until YOU are gone.


Egoic mind: I still feel better in dialog than in silence.  In the stillness, there is a great fear that arises and an intensity of the symptoms.

Gnani: Decide what it is that is most important.  To feel better for a minute or two or to see the Truth of your True Nature beyond any transient feeling?

Egoic mind: I wish that I could honestly say the latter.  But I think that would be a lie.

Gnani: Good to see that.  Know that your mind is not your alley in the enquiry.  Continue to turn away from its ranting and turn towards the Truth.

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