Infinite Smile

Authentic spiritual practice takes enormous courage since ultimately we are forced to face the temporary nature of all things... including all of our relationships. In this talk, Michael discusses how the radical acceptance of things as they are leads us into a spaciousness beyond the contraction of fear. This allows us to make friends with change and dance with reckless abandon. Questions relate to grief, the inherent dislike of change, and, of course, being afraid to dance with reckless abandon.

The minute we drop our defenses, our awareness begins to fill a deeper context, thus allowing us to see through the veil of our delusion. In this talk, Michael suggests that we take Sri Ramana Maharshi's advice to heart and follow our "I-sense" to its core. Doing this allows us to begin sharing a fearless humility that ultimately helps us cut through delusion. Questions relate to creativity, non-attachment to outcome, bowing to our thoughts, and the discomfort that arises as our practice deepens.

What is the Source of all things? In this talk, Michael pushes the limits of language by discussing the nature of Emptiness as it relates to the human experience. How is it that the experience of Emptiness is paradoxically so full, thus inspiring mystical teachings for millenia. And how does the experience of Emptiness relate to our physical senses as well as our sense of time and mind? What is beyond our sense of time and mind anyway? The great sage Nagarjuna offers some guidance along this path leading toward what Michael calls the Ninth Sense.

What does it mean to embody a continually appropriate response to all that arises in our awareness? In this talk, Michael discusses how everything supports Awakening to the Absolute for ourselves and others as long as we meet our circumstances with deep openness. Anything less is a contraction that limits our ability to respond to life appropriately. When we can face our own and others' deeply singular nature, we can recognize the freedom inherent in all circumstances. So what is an appropriate response? Listen and uncover what you've always known about the answer.