One: My teacher often has quoted a certain physics professor in speaking about the Vedic world view and its alignment with the ideas of modern science, and I have followed his lead. So to be clear, this is not a quote I myself have heard from the source or seen written down in any vetted fashion; however, I have been told that Professor __________, physics professor at _______, has said to his introductory class that, "The universe is one, whole, complete and conscious thing," the idea being that, though it cannot yet be proven, the hypotheses of a unified field is a way of understanding the universe that answers more questions than any other hypotheses. The unified field theory states that everything in the relative world is a wave expression from this field of pure potentiality. Like waves on the ocean, everything is at one with everything else, different only in appearance. There is no point at which wave ceases to be ocean. It is absolutely at one with ocean, always. Like this, there is only one thing.

Consciousness exists.

If there is only one thing, and consciousness exists, then consciousness by definition must be an aspect of that one thing. There is no other conclusion that can be drawn.

Yesterday, one of my students said, 'Do you know ___?'

'___...?

'___ _______. Why did you quote him at your intro talk?'

'Oh. No. I don't know him. I just like the quote,' I said. 'Why? Do you know him?'

'His wife is my shrink.'

'Really?'

'Yes. I saw her yesterday and said, what's your husband's name. ___, she said. And he teaches math? I asked, because that's what I always thought. But, no, she said. He teaches physics.'

Two: Another student came to meditate with our group last night at the follow-up class, and said, 'You know that building you took the picture of the women dancing on? In San Francisco? I lived in that building.'

Three: Two weeks ago I was introduced to the sister of one of my students here in L.A. Last weekend, my friend and I spent the night at Esalen. We took some hot baths in the clothing-optional hot pools. There I was. No clothes. Out of the pool, getting a drink of water. I heard, 'Jeff?'

'Huh?' I huh-ed. Surprised. And naked. Did I mention I was naked?

'It's me, _______. __________'s sister.'

We had a lovely talk. I kept my eyes on her eyes. It was fun. Imagine. Running into each other like this. What are the odds, sort of thing. No mention at all of that fact that we were both without clothing, a social experience one could go forever without having with oh so many people one knows. And yet here we were. At the end of the conversation, though, she did say, 'Nice to... see you,' with just the slightest pause there. Which made it funny and absurd, surreal and magical.

I hesitate to say it because I know how it would sound to me if I was being the cynical self I've spent so much of my life being, but to a very great extent, I think we're here in this life to learn how to enjoy ourselves. Today alone I've heard stories of child soldiers of nine, ten and eleven, killing and raping scores of women. Of countless more people standing up and speaking out about having been abused by members of the clergy. Of a famine in Somalia. More Californians unable to afford to go to college. Drinking problems are more wide-spread than ever in the U.S. Unemployment continues to balloon. And Pat Robertson condones divorce when one's spouse has Alzheimer's. And on some level, in some way, no matter how much grief is going on in this world, we still must find the way to enjoy ourselves. To celebrate the fact that we are alive. To get on board with the idea that life is a rare and precious gift, not to be squandered rueing one's fate; rather that we always are to be asking ourselves something like 'And what about this? How am I to enjoy life even with this?'

I find that the question we're living in determines the answers we receive. We don't need to find 'the answer.' We just live in the question. Some question. And then it's through that question we experience our day. How am I to enjoy life is a good question to start with.

Krishna/Vishnu, San Rafael, CA