How Adyashanti Makes Big Decisions
Earlier this week, the venerated teacher, Adyashanti announced that he will be retiring from active teaching, both in-person and online.
The announcement letter he shared, is a beautiful and heartfelt explanation, full of wisdom and humility, but what really stood out for me was how he decided to step away from the role of a teacher.
He writes:
The reasons for me stepping down from active teaching are many and varied. And yet I waited to make any decision about my future teaching role until I got a very clear and unambiguous intuitive knowing of what to do. And when it came it was absolutely clear. Body, mind, and spirit aligned into a united knowing that this is the time to step down from active teaching. The words when they came were as simple as could be, “it is done.” When this happens, I call it “united knowing,” when the body feels a deep and embodied “yes,” and the mind knows and understands, and the spirit brightens and dances. This intuitive knowing has always served me well, and I rely on it day to day.
Alignment of Body, Mind, and Spirit: Adyashanti says that "body, mind, and spirit aligned into a united knowing." This suggests that every aspect of his being—physical, mental, and spiritual—came together in agreement.
Deep Embodied Sensation: The "body feels a deep and embodied 'yes,'" indicating that this isn't just an intellectual or abstract realisation. It's something felt deeply and viscerally.
Clarity of Mind: He mentions that the "mind knows and understands." This emphasises that the mind is in full trust of the felt intuition, and understands the implications.
Spiritual Resonance: The "spirit brightens and dances" indicates that this knowing is not just grounded and understood but also resonates on a deeper, spiritual level.
Reliability: Adyashanti also notes that this kind of "intuitive knowing has always served [him] well," implying that it's a form of guidance he's come to trust over time.
In summary, "united knowing," as Adyashanti describes it, is a holistic form of understanding wherein the physical, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of one's being converge into a clear, cohesive, and trustworthy union. It's an intuitive clarity that is felt on every level of one's existence.
How different this approach is from the thought-oriented, top-down, analytical and linear approach to decision making I prioritised for most of my life.
Sure, for practical decision making, linear reasoning has its place. But for the big, hairy, complex decisions, an intuition-first approach is necessary. And perhaps, in a rapidly changing world, increasingly so.
If you’ve enjoyed reading this, please consider subscribing or following me on Substack.
Take care,
David
ncG1vNJzZmickau2pbzEq6morKRjwLau0q2YnKNemLyue89on6ivXZaxuq3SoZinrJliuqK3xKxkm6GXYrGmr8isoKimow%3D%3D