Discovering the Formless Essence Beyond the Illusions of Form
In the ever-evolving journey of spiritual awakening, there are times we encounter profound truths. Through Bentinho’s words, we are reminded of a fundamental realization: the intrinsic nature of God. God, as described by Ben, isn’t just the visible design or the perceivable. It’s the fabric, the essence, the very core. It’s not the shape of the shirt but the fabric from which it’s made. It’s not the design of the ring but the gold it embodies.
Life offers us the gift of experience, decorated with forms, labels, and interpretations. These, while enriching, can often distract us from the core essence. To become truly aligned with this divine essence, Ben suggests the idea of being less distracted by form. When we peer beyond the illusory veil of form, when we aren’t fooled by the transient nature of what appears before us, we start to radiate the intrinsic light of God. This light breaks through the shackles of programmed interpretations and habitual thinking.
One begins to understand God in its formlessness. It’s not the idol, the guru, the statue, or the picture. It’s the ever-present space, the constant, the inseparable force that is omnipresent regardless of our feelings or perceptions. Bentinho’s term, “Quantum Acceptance,” refers to the realization that everything is already accepted, even our non-acceptance. This speaks to the omnipresent nature of God.
Essentially, all of existence is an experience within consciousness. We don’t experience the world outside but rather, as Bentinho elucidates, we experience the state of our being, the frequency we resonate with, and the consciousness we are aligned to. The outside world is but a reflection of our internal state.
Drawing parallels to dreams, Ben dives deep into the illusion of the waking dream. Just as a night’s dream occurs within our mind and is experienced as reality until we wake up, our waking reality too is an intricate weave of consciousness. Recognizing this is akin to waking up to the realization of God, the essence of all that is.
Our identity then starts shifting from the transient, the appearing and disappearing, to the timeless. It’s a transformation from being attached to personal biases and preferences to resonating with the universal essence. Though we might have personal likes and dislikes, our core identity starts aligning with the timeless, non-dual essence of the universe.
Language, Bentinho asserts, can shape our perception and experience of God. By using varied descriptors, he encourages an understanding of God that transcends a particular path or doctrine.
Concluding with a profound insight, Ben invites us to shift from states of resistance and self-judgment to self-acceptance. Recognizing and releasing the judgments we hold against ourselves shifts our consciousness from form and separation to the formless essence. By acknowledging and embracing this formless essence, we align with the soothing, whole, and authentic experience of our divine nature.