Here’s another installment in a series of emails that took place between Michael and one of his senior students beginning the Summer of 2009. May you find the exchange interesting and enriching.
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November 5, 2010
Student: I just read that seeking is passive. This teacher was asserting that action happens all by itself, no matter what we may try to interject from our personal agendas. This didnt square with much of what youve said, so my question is whether or not seeking is a kind of attempt to paddle past what’s actually happening in the river? If so, how is that passive?
Michael: I ‘d propose that seeking is a subtle, and sometimes not-so-subtle, avoidance strategy for the mind. Passive? No. In fact its the most basic kind of directed movement of ego. Seeking is the energy directed at finding something that we mistakenly believe is missing. The truth is that nothing is missing.
Student: And thats whats found when we get exhausted of all the seeking; that nothing is missing.
Michael: Exactly. As William Blake says, The fool who persists in his folly will become wise. Keep up the seeking all you want. Eventually you will become still. In the process of stillness, youll uncover the very Truth youve sought.
Student: Okay, so a question about that whole Truth-thing: What is true of Truth?
Michael: BANG!!!!!
Student: What? Im dead?
Michael: Yes “you” are. Now what’s left?
Student: Nothing.
Michael: and everything. Now enjoy that still place in the middle.