— If you are the ocean, where are you going to go to see it?...

There is a common belief that what we see in meditation is a silent place where thoughts are not grabbing attention, where there are no negative beliefs about ourselves, there is no questioning of the present moment, there is no worry about the future, there is no idea about “I have to fix”, there is no idea “I have to control”, or “I have to make right decisions”. We come to this silent place inside, in whatever way it expresses itself in your case — all meditations are different…

But then we come out into so-called normal reality, which is actually abnormal. Because when we come out, usually the negative beliefs about ourselves and others and the world are grabbing attention.

So, we split into two parts. The good part you see in the meditation or activation — everything is fine, beautiful. I want to live here forever. And then the other part, which seems to be the opposite — all these problems, this mess... We think they are two different kinds.

But you are — you are the story too! You are also the story.

That is what is meant by this metaphor: "If you are the ocean, where should you go to see it?" There’s nothing else, there’s only the ocean. Always available, because there is only the ocean. There’s nowhere to go. You are already the ocean, and the waves of the ocean too. Waves of the ocean we call the personal story.

But then there is a belief that I am some kind of a person who is separated. Then we don’t see oneness. We don’t see that we are one ocean, the only reality that is, showing itself as what we call the personal story.

The one, the only reality we are, is showing itself as this specific moment. This moment which is here now, with experiences arising — some kind of feelings in the body maybe, maybe some mood, or just being here, or thoughts coming — this is your enlightenment.
That is what is meant by saying that you are the ocean, and the ocean is showing itself as waves, still being the ocean. It’s just that we don’t see it, of course, in this way — it becomes a theory.

And what we do here is not to go into a theory. Don’t listen to this guy so much — you have to see it yourself, discovering it yourself, that you are this ocean showing itself as a story. The stillness showing itself as a story. You are the unmoving stillness and silence, and you are the moving as well.

We’re not going away from the story. We’re not changing the story. We’re just realizing what the story is actually all about. And you are that too. But when it is seen, that is of course a totally different aspect we see, because we see that this story is actually permeated by joy — joy of living, total peace and love. This is what we usually do not see. But it’s good to have the understanding that they are not two parts.

“Oh, I feel bad, I will go to meditate again” — that is a trap. Then we are running away from what is actually here, instead of looking: Why am I not feeling good? Why is this emotion coming, in the first place?

And we have to look there — as we usually do, using the tools we have. And to find out: oh, life is much better. Even if I don’t change the belief system, don’t change the belief that is here. But at least it’s much better to live in the state when I don’t believe these negative thoughts about myself.

And then we will notice that — oh, but actually this, what I see inside the meditation, is here also outside the meditation. There is only one reality. And this reality is total bliss and love, and peace, beauty and freedom — whatever you call it. All these qualities it has: existing, vibrating of life, enjoying.

It can be good to have this understanding that we are not running away from the story. We are just realizing what the story is all about. That there is no one single moment which is not your enlightenment.

You are the ocean, so where should you go now? Where should you go to see it then? It’s only here. Every moment. This single experience now is the ocean showing itself as that. Not “in that” — but “as that”.

So, you are the story too. We’re coming back to the story again, but now we see the story in a different perspective — not as a person who needs to fix life, who has some negative qualities, who is protesting against everything. But as something which is just unfolding, a moment that is moving, a movement, a flow. Waves of the ocean, flowing.

Anybody has any comments or questions, or protests, or whatever?...

It’s good to see that everybody is in samadhi, so I can talk by myself… No one is protesting — fantastic! Finally… Year, I know you are very mature in this, of course. All of you…

So we had this beautiful retreat — retreat course as we called it — in Chirali, in Turkey. It was beautiful, really. And the next course will be in Arambol in Goa, beginning of December. So, if you feel for going to Goa, to India — Oleg, maybe you will be staying there when I come — we will have a course there also. And weekly group meetings. But we will still continue the group meetings online also.

I will have two courses in India, we will announce them when it comes. That is what in the pipeline now — coming to have a course in India.

And the structure of this course — which I didn’t know before I went, to be honest — it just happened by itself. One part — the meditation part —was in total silence for five days. It was beautiful, everyone was so focused. And then the next part — to handle why is this beautiful state which I come to in meditation during courses, why is it fading after a couple of days when I’m at home? We don’t want this to happen anymore, we finish this. So the five consecutive days are to handle the situations of daily life, so that this harmonious state seen in meditation can be there all the time, and you don’t have to go to any more courses…

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(Christer keeps on speaking about courses and sessions relevant for September 2023…)