Good morning.

God morning to you.

Someone messaged me and said it's too noisy to meditate where they are.

We talked about alternative places or noise-canceling headphones,

but in the end we arrived at the noise being a part of the meditation practice.

It's only a problem if you think it shouldn't be there.

For the last two or maybe even three weeks now,

there is painting and construction going on right outside my window where I record.

And it's not my preference.

It is not my preference, but it's a part of the practice.

I speak between noises and bangs because it gives me more time to hear the silence,

between the thoughts, behind them, and beyond the thoughts, a divine one comes.

Robert Adams said everything is a part of the spiritual practice.

If the phone rings or there is noise or something appears to be wrong,

there's never anything wrong.

It's all a part of the practice. That's your practice to see if you will react.

That's the last step in awakening.

It's when you no longer react to life and you begin to feel harmony everywhere,

under all conditions, under all circumstances,

knowing what's under and beyond the appearance of the conditions and the circumstances.

Whenever something appears to be wrong, whenever you appear to need quiet or money,

or a resolution, stop, close your eyes for a second, and listen.

...