Students of Enlightenment

Who are "we"
How do "we" learn

"As we go through life we move through different states of attention, different states of awareness."

"There are two forces at work -- at play -- in the universe. Unity and diversity. Unity is enlightenment. Diversity is illusion or Maya, ignorance."

Rama

"What is the meaning of 'is'?"
President Clinton, 1999.

Perhaps that wasn't such a bad question after all. I have been pondering simple words today. Words like "we." The term "we" in reference to students of enlightenment can become complex. Where I stand in the moment "we," in reference to students of enlightenment, "means" any being who is drawn to the teachings "like a moth to the flame."

Some will say Rama's teachings are meant for his students only, and then some will debate who are, in fact, the "real" students. From my current ring of awareness, this is my perception. Rama was not only the personal, private teacher to hundreds of students, he was a teacher to the public, who were inexplicably drawn to him. He advertised and published so that his truth and light would be available. Most of his private students will tell you they were once the public.

I have listened to Rama's tapes since I met him in 1982. I have noticed something that I believe is worth mentioning. Rama contradicts his own words! For example he will say: "These are the secret teachings." He will say: "There are no secret teachings."

Whether you read his books, or listen to his tapes, you will discover that there are apparent contradictions.

I have contemplated this. At first I decided that because he was able to teach all pathways,--some methods would work for one student, some methods would work for another student. I remember hearing Rama say that he threw out hundreds of techniques, feathers, and it was up to the students to catch the ones that worked for them. From where I stand this still makes sense, but there is another level.

We live in a world of duality, a world of opposites, the world of yin and yang. If we practice meditation and move into the silent mind, we change. We move into different rings of awareness. One moment, in one state of mind, the correct teaching for me is to withdraw from the densely populated city and spend time alone, in nature. Another moment, I find that being immersed in the city and practicing mindfulness and tantric practices is correct.

So as I ponder the apparent contradiction in the tapes I consider the rings of my own awareness, and appreciate the beauty and perfection in the teachings. Today I listen to a tape, or read a passage from a book, and I select the teaching that is most useful in the moment. It depends on my own ring of awareness, my state of mind.

My New Millennium Resolution is to be mindful of the forces of unity and diversity in my own awareness. I hope to stand more frequently in the ring of awareness that accepts and respects the individual journeys of all beings who are drawn to the light, "like a moth to the flame."

Drawn from Dr Frederick Lenz's Teachings

Rama presented thousands of techniques that were intended to help students along their own pathway to enlightenment. Techniques presented here may be useful for you. The teachings are meant to be used by students who are serious about their practice, and their own enlightenment.

A special thanks to
Lynne (Samadhi) for her writing, and the inspiration to begin this feature.

Let Dr Lenz's Tapes Teach