Richard C. Cook has been practicing meditation his entire adult life and has studied many of the world’s spiritual traditions under several different teachers. He has been inspired by such masters as G.I. Gurdjieff, P.D. Ouspensky, Hugh Ripman, Abdullah Dougan, Omraam Mikhäel Aïvanhov, Hazrat Inayat Kahn, Sri Ramdas, Karunamayi, Sri Sri Sri Shivabalayogi Maharaj, Joel Goldsmith, and others.
Current Activities
People who have been reading my books and articles can probably tell that I try to approach the writing I do on world affairs from a spiritual perspective. Not that I am any more “spiritual” than anyone else, because I believe that in our core we are all One with God. Rather I have always felt that action in the world is a duty for at least some of those who strive for enlightenment. I guess one term for this is “Karma Yoga.”
In the field of economics, for instance, I believe that the purpose of business is not to “get rich quick” but to perform an honest and useful service for our fellow human beings while earning a fair recompense to support ourselves and our loved ones. This is why Dividend Economics and a Basic Income Guarantee are such appealing concepts for me, because they show the way to provide everyone in the world with a decent living.
But to maintain this vision has required for me periods of withdrawal. So for many years I have meditated every day, have met many spiritual teachers, and have attended various spiritual groups. I also got a great deal from my retreat last winter and plan to continue periodic retreats. And I respect those who sincerely practice any organized religion that embraces the inner search and values the fellowship of all people.
In the last couple of years I have come into contact with several teachings that have meant a lot to me and that I would recommend to others to investigate. One is the Infinite Way as practiced and taught by the late American spiritual teacher Joel Goldsmith. Recently I have been reading the writings of Eckhart Tolle, including his book The Power of Now. I am also working closely with Australian mystic Omna Last, who has a page now on my website. Omna has sent me a shipment of his book The LITE in the Heart which is due to arrive any day now and will be available through my website and on Amazon.
Finally, I have always wanted to be part of a community of people who combine their inner search with service in the world, including political and social action. I have never felt comfortable among those who feel that spirituality places them “above” such endeavors. I feel it is noble to want to help the Earth become a better place to live for human beings and others of Mother Nature’s equally deserving creation.
Retirement from my career job gives me a lot more freedom than I used to have, so I have been engaged with my fiance in seeking a place in the Appalachian Mountains where such an endeavor might be possible. In following this inner impulse, we are trying to “turn it over” to the Spirit to show the way. But we feel we are getting some hints about when and where to make the move. If this happens, there may be interest in taking part among the many people I have gotten to know through my writings, so we’ll keep you informed in case anyone else wants to be involved in such a mission. So stay tuned!
Meditation and Spiritual Practice
by Richard C. Cook
When I went to a spiritual group for the first time almost 40 years ago, our teacher taught us to meditate. The technique was simple – awareness of our bodies as we sat quite still. That seems like a long time ago, and I have been on many journeys in life since then, but I still meditate every day. It’s the core of my spiritual practice. So what has changed? As T.S. Eliot wrote in Little Gidding, “The end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” It is this knowing, being, experiencing that for me is the key.
Consider this: In this journey of life are we really going anywhere? We know our physical existence will end one day, so what I now know as “Richard” will cease to exist. What will be left? Surely no question is more important. And can the answer be anything other than the degree of my realization?
So when someone comes to me with a serious life problem, or self-doubt, or frustration, or in the throes of crushing defeat, all I can tell them is “meditate… establish a spiritual practice.” I tell them it is like getting into a boat that will carry you over troubled waters. It will take you to your real home.
A spiritual practice is something that helps you realize that you have all the answers already inside your own consciousness. Socrates said that he taught nothing. He only helped his pupils find the truth they already knew. So he called himself a midwife. Jesus said the same thing in different words: “The Kingdom of Heaven is within you.”
Of course, on this journey one or more teachers may help as an example and an inspiration. But when it is time, you will find yourself alone because your practice will never be like anyone else’s. It has to be authentic, based on genuine inner guidance. Otherwise, we will not experience what Rumi speaks of when he writes, “There is some kiss we want with our whole lives, the touch of Spirit on the body.”
When we have that experience, “Presence” becomes our practice. You know then that God is real. Finally, you and the Presence are one. Someday, perhaps soon, you will know this. But you have to awaken first and let go of all you still call “I.”
A Vision of the Self
Something I chased to the ends of the Earth,
For 50 years I sought,
Through thorns, through gloom,
To a secret house, secluded in deep woods,
To here the Holy room!
While the world howled in the distance,
Like flesh turning on a spit,
Guided by the invisible Hand,
Somehow I eluded it.
Oh, such a dream,
How the heart now does ache,
After the locked doors to the Sanctuary
swung open,
And my whole being quaked.
Here, here at existence’s core,
When, when was I here before?
Yes, it gazed at me, fierce Hunter,
It blessed me with Eternity’s transforming light,
Such a vision,
Such a vision of the Self I have had tonight!
Copyright ©2009 by Richard C. Cook
The Principles of Meditation as taught by Joel S. Goldsmith
Taken from the book “Living The Infinite Way”, page 35, and personal instructions given to Geri McDonald by Joel.
These are principles all teachers and practitioners follow and teach to their students. Question any Infinite Way teacher that does not meditate or teach meditation.1. Make yourself comfortable. Sit erect, with your spine straight, your feet firmly planted on the floor, your hands relaxed in your lap, and breath normally. There is no mystical or occult reason for this, it is very simple, when your body is perfectly comfortable one is not conscious of it. Take a breath and count to four. Breathe in and out four or five times counting to quiet your mind. Breathe normally.2. Next repeat silently or audibly, “I turn within to the Christ of my own being”. If thoughts enter, repeat this phrase. Always go into meditation by yourself. Never let another lead you into meditation.3. We will never be able to stop the mind completely. If human thoughts or concerns enter, do not fight them. Relax, let the thoughts come and then let them go. As you practice, this interference will subside. Be patient.4. Now, move to the subject. “What is God?” You are not interested in another’s concept of God; you are interested only in asking “What is God?” and receiving the answer from God. The kingdom of God is within you, so the answer must come from within your own being. Sit quietly and ask, “Speak Lord, thy servant heareth, or “Father, I am here, speak.”5. Assume a listening attitude as if you were waiting to hear the answer. Thoughts may come. Think about God as the source of our being and all this is, Omnipresent, Omnipotent, and Omniscient.6. Someday, while meditating and pondering this idea, “What is God?” realizing now the nature of prayer, you will suddenly find that you cannot think anymore; you have come to the end of thought about God and prayer. Then you will sit there, quietly, at peace, no more thoughts, no more questions, no more answers, just peace. Thoughts will be quieted, the inner ear will open and a long deep breath like a sigh of relief or a sense of release will probably come to you. It is as if you were escaping from something, as if a burden were dropping off your shoulders. It will appear in many different ways, and when that release or relief comes you will be so full of the Spirit that you will get right up and do the work that lies ahead for the day, or perhaps some work that has been neglected. With that release will come divine wisdom, divine guidance, and divine strength, for this reason, that deep breath, the click or release, was a God experience, the actual presence or activity of God in your consciousness.7. We never stay in meditation for more than 10 minutes at a time. It takes a long time to be able to stay in meditation 10 minutes or longer.There is an excellent tape you can refer to – Tape Master #475 – The Princess Kaiulani Open Class Tape #2 |
