Inquiry into What Is

Inquiry into "what is" is how we gain insight into and become self-aware of our intrinsic wakefulness, which is neither a thing to be achieved nor awakened to, because our intrinsic wakefulness never rests or goes to sleep. Gaining insight into our intrinsic wakefulness, or the natural intelligence of life, happens through inquiry into our dividedness, which keeps us separate from the life we live.

Our psychological life is a part of us for as long as we live and the same applies to our intrinsic wakefulness or the natural intelligence that guides each of our life's step. Resolving our impressions that keeps us separate from the life we live is different than resolving our psychological complexes and the interpersonal challenges with which we are faced. Becoming self-aware of our intrinsic wakefulness is facilitated through inquiry into "what is." Inquiry is dialogical and, as such, happens in relationship. Inquiry, by ourselves alone, extends as far and goes as deep as our own awareness of being goes. Inquiring, by ourselves alone, into our divided sense of self is similar to wanting to gaze at our reflection in a mirror without looking in it.

Inquiry into "what is" is for those who refrain from reducing life to either matter or spirit; thinking or feeling; being or doing. Inquiry into "what is" is derived from and directed toward our intrinsic wakefulness. Facing the unknown without running away from it, or occupying ourselves with our self-defined agenda and all the stories we create, is counter-intuitive. Our intrinsic wakefulness is so obvious that we tend not to notice it; in turn, we seek something beyond the very life we live. Human life is a process that embraces both embodiment and death, unity and differentiation, matter and energy, time and space, the uncreated and the manifest. Reducing life to a single source creates division and causes suffering.

Inquiry into "what is" is a process that cultivates compassion, from which wisdom is derived-the mother of creation. Inquiry into "what is" is both an act of surrender and self-affirmation. Inquiry into "what is" is how we gain insight into our intrinsic wakefulness or the natural intelligence of life that informs and directs our human nature.