Re: [NDS] Question for Self-realizers

On 8/20/01 at 12:21 PM Ed wrote:
Self-realization is thought to be possible only by surrendering all
effort to achieve it. Some think that a practice is required to
prepare the body-mind before this effortless surrendering might take
place. Both views seem valid, depending on the conditioning of the
individual body-mind.
As there isn't effort "after", there can't have been effort "before" -
hence, what has been addressed can be
summarized as "resistance". Some are able to give that up immediately,
others won't "get there" in a lifetime.
My approach has been to assess the conditioning of my body-mind
through self-inquiry as to what is blocking the ability to surrender
all effort. Of course that would seem to put me in the bind of making
an effort to be effortless. But is that really true?
Addressing "resistance", finding its root can cause the collapse of all resistance.
A "glimpse beyond doubt" can have the same effect and so could a visit to Ramana...
Suppose I was to discover that what was blocking and motivating my
effort to be effortless was a great deal of stress that was
heretofore unnoticed.
In that case, the root of resistance hasn't been found - it is called "i want it my way!"
Would the conscious relaxation of that stress be considered an effort?
That is an irrelevant question