The intellect cannot penetrate consciousness. When you drop thoughts, consciousness is present. When you drop the pseudo self, the True Self is present. July 12, 1981

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains that when we are born we emerge from a mysterious life source, and when we die we return to that source. And now, in mediation, we have the opportunity to know that source.  When you are asleep and breathing, there is still consciousness. When you are self-conscious, you are in a sense unconscious, and when you are not self-conscious, you are conscious. The intellect cannot penetrate consciousness. When you drop thoughts,  consciousness is present. When you drop the pseudo self, the True Self is present. We blame our misery on everything from past lives to Satan, etc. but our self-consciousness is responsible for our misery. July 12, 198