MONOIMUS AND THE ART OF LIVING MINDFULLY

I have been reading some of the writings of the Arabian gnostic Monoimus who lived somewhere between 150-210 CE.

Monoimus is known for coining the usage of the word “Monad” (from which the world is supposedly created) in a Gnostic context. He was also a monist, as I am, asserting that all life is one ... "made" of the same one "substance". In other words, all things are part of life's self-expression or "livingness", and all things exist in the one order or level of reality.

Get this. Monoimus shows that he knew what mindfulness was all about when he wrote the following:

“Cease to seek after God (as outside yourself), and creation, and things similar to these, seek for Him from (out of) thyself, and learn who it is that absolutely appropriates (unto Himself) all things in thee, and says, ‘My God my mind, my understanding, my soul, my body.’ And learn the causes of sorrow, and joy, and love, and hatred, and involuntary wakefulness, and involuntary drowsiness, and involuntary anger, and involuntary affection; and if you accurately investigate these (points), you will discover (God) Himself, unity and plurality, in thyself, according to that tittle, and that He finds the outlet (for Deity) to be from thyself.”

Do you want “meaning” in your life? Are you seeking “ultimate reality”? Then find it in yourself ... in the presence of each moment ... from moment to moment. Live mindfully ... that is, with choiceless awareness ... deliberately ... attentively.

What is “choiceless awareness”? It means you no longer choose what you will be aware of. Whatever happens ... whatever “comes” into, or is, your consciousness ... sorrow, joy, love, hatred, wakefulness, drowsiness, anger, affection, and so forth ... of that you are aware.

Always remain curious, letting your awareness take note of what is going on ... in and outside of your mind. Get up close to whatever is passing through your mind, and investigate whatever arises ... with detachment and acceptance ... without judgment, condemnation or evaluation ... and without resistance or trying to control what is happening.

Then you will know the truth about yourself.