Online Satsang of April 23, 2024

[Dhyan Mikael:] Good evening and welcome to today's Satsang. I am glad that you are here.

As always, I would like to start by saying briefly what we are doing in this Satsang. If you would like, if you have a question, you are welcome to ask me. You can either do this in writing via the chat in the Zoom broadcast, or also via the chat in the YouTube broadcast, and then, Simone will read out your question, and I will try to say something about your question.

But you can also talk to me directly via Zoom if you want. In that case, just give a hand signal in Zoom. Simone will see that and will then organize it so that you can speak with me at the right time. Yes, that's actually all there is to it; it's really easy. Simone, do you already have something to read out?

[Simone:] Yes, I already have two questions, Mikael.

[Dhyan Mikael:] Ah, how nice.

Feeling through feelings

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[Simone:] The first one is from Jeanette-Nicole. She asks: "Hello Mikael, can you say something about feeling through feelings? Is that helpful? Thank you."

[Dhyan Mikael:] Hello, Jeanette-Nicole, nice to have you here, and thank you for your question.

Yes, the feeling... I don't know what you mean by 'feeling through', but feeling the feelings is very helpful.

For me it's like this: it's not about going into the feeling, dissolving into the feeling, so to speak, but for me it feels more like a mom, and her children are scurrying around. In other words, let the feelings be there, just let them come and don't judge them. Don't be picky with the feelings, but let every feeling, no matter how it feels, just come, naturally and unquestioningly. And then you are simply there; you are rooted in yourself and simply let the feelings come.

But you are with yourself. Samarpan Meditation helps a lot. You learn to rest within yourself, to find a center within yourself, a kind of resting point that has nothing at all to do with the body, with your feelings, with what is happening in the world and what you yourself are doing, and yet, this resting point is within us and can be clearly experienced and felt. And I find that very helpful while feeling emotions.

And the most helpful thing when feeling feelings is to not be selective – not to decide every time: do I want to feel this now or not – but on the contrary, without question, to simply let every feeling that is in me be there – it is already there –, as quietly and as lovingly as I can... as if they were your children, and they are. Thank you for your question.

The most helpful thing when feeling feelings is to not be selective – not to decide every time: do I want to feel this now or not – but on the contrary, without question, to simply let every feeling that is in me be there – it is already there –, as quietly and as lovingly as I can...

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Projections and forgiveness

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[Simone:] Then I'll read out the next question. It comes from Alexandra.

[Dhyan Mikael:] Hello Alexandra, nice to have you here.

[Simone:] "Good evening and thank you very much. Can you say something about taking back projection? Is that the same as forgiveness?"

[Dhyan Mikael:] That's a great question. Thank you. Well, whenever we have something inside us that we don't want to have, we have to get rid of it somehow, and we do that by projecting it onto other people. For example, if I feel wrong, but I don't want to feel wrong, then I will feel that it's someone else's fault that I feel wrong now. Someone else is making me feel wrong. Then I will see signs in other people's actions that they think I am wrong.

But if I have no problem with feeling wrong... that goes well with the first question: if feeling wrong is also always welcome in me... then I won't project that; then, my psyche has no work to do. The feeling can just stay here. And even if someone else were to say something really critical about me, it's not really significant for me, because I'm at peace with my feeling of being wrong.

You're asking whether what has to do with forgiveness, whether that equates to forgiveness. No, it's not the same as forgiveness, but forgiveness can be a first step. You have the feeling that someone else is doing something to you, for example: they are making you feel wrong. And if you then forgive the other person for this, you let go of this, so to speak, and then you are left with your feeling. If you have forgiven someone, you can no longer be angry with them. There is no longer any reason for it.

You have forgiven him. It's as if you've let go of them internally. And then you are alone with your feeling, and then it is easier for you to feel this feeling. Before you forgave, you were in the story. You were in a story of projection: it's his fault, he did this to me, or she did this to me. And forgiveness can be helpful in this first step, but at some point, you get the hang of it. At some point, you've practiced letting all the feelings, emotions and sensitivities inside you be here.

You become friends with them. You have practiced and you know that it won't kill me – on the contrary, it will bring me closer and closer to myself. And then the question of forgiveness no longer arises. Firstly, I no longer need it because the feelings are so welcome. And the question doesn't arise because I no longer blame anyone else for anything because I can now say 'yes' to the way things are for me.

Yes, so much about that. Thank you for your question.

Being true to yourself, right from the beginning

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[Simone:] That's all the questions at the moment, Mikael.

[Dhyan Mikael:] Thank you, Simone. I'll now read out a question that reached me by email.

"Dear Mikael, there is a very practical question in my life. I have been meditating regularly myself for a few years now, and I have a fixed structure for the morning. I meditate at four in the morning, then I rest a bit, I listen to Satsang, then I sleep a bit, meditate again, then I do yoga, then I take a shower, and then I'm ready for the world. This whole process, apart from showering of course, takes place in my bedroom, and for me it all fits together very well.

I even feel like I need it exactly this way so that I can interact with the outside world. Now, I've met a man who doesn't meditate and doesn't have much spiritual access up to now. We have met a few times, and there is probably a feeling of infatuation in both of us. He now wants to take the next step in our relationship: spending the night together. And in principle, I'm open to the idea of spending a whole weekend together, but I can't imagine how such an overnight stay together could work practically. I would have a guest room, but he rejects the idea.

He doesn't understand that I want to be alone in my bedroom for the meditation and everything else, and he probably sees me as inflexible or not yet ready for this step. I just feel insecure. On the one hand, I really want to experience physical closeness with this man again, and I used to find cuddling at night very nice. On the other hand, of course, I don't want to hinder my spiritual practice or restrict it. What do you think about this? Can a relationship with someone who doesn't meditate work at all?"

Yes, thank you for this beautiful, really practical question. I love these practical questions when it comes down to how it really works in real life, and nothing is as suitable for that as the topic of relationship.

I think your email is really great, and, you know... You meet someone, like, you met this man, and then it's about getting to know each other. It's about finding out: how does the other person tick? What is he really like? And then, you gradually get to know each other, and with every step you take towards getting to know each other, you get to know each other a little bit more. And normally, we don't look that closely.

Everyone has their own idea of what the other person should be like, and most people don't see anything other than what they really want to see in the beginning, in the first weeks or months, or for some people even in the first few years: the dream. But you've been meditating for many years, and you're already looking more closely at the very beginning, and I think that's wonderful. That makes it sooo much easier.

And now you're just getting to know him. You show yourself as you are, you tell him what's important to you, and he says: "I don't understand that. I would like it to be different." And it's great to realize that. It makes you realize: look, that's how he ticks.

And you don't need to do much with it. If you just know what's important to you and take care of that, the rest will take care of itself. He'll either run away, or he'll learn to appreciate you for who you are. If you compromise now because you don't want to jeopardize this beginning relationship, then you're not doing him any favours; you're pretending to be different than you really are.

And then you'll either be unhappy in the relationship, or you'll have to teach him in six months or a year's time, that you actually want things to be different. And that's not fair. It's better to show yourself as you are right from the start. That makes it easier for everyone involved, not just for you.

And once it's clear that this is so important to you, your morning routine, then you can also find practical ways of doing it. You can arrange it somehow. You could sleep together in the guest room. You could make that your shared room for getting to know each other. You can make it really nice there, and then you can sleep there together, or however it turns out. And if you then need your own retreat and your own space, and when you want to do your morning routine, then you can withdraw to your space, to your room, to your bedroom.

That would be one option, but there are certainly many, many others. If one wants to, one will find a way. If one doesn't want to, if one has a very clear idea of what he wants, like this man who seems to have a clear idea of what the next step should look like, then it becomes difficult. And I understand you very, very well, by the way. For me, the time in the morning when my day starts is the most important time. That's when I like to be alone. That's when I like to withdraw. I meditate alone, of course.

I like to spend the morning, the beginning of the day, alone, and then I'm ready for all sorts of things afterwards. And I find it incredibly helpful, even when you meet, when you have a good space to withdraw to, like you have with your bedroom. That makes it so much easier. Then you can spend time together when it suits you, and when you realize: "Now I'd like to withdraw for half an hour and come back to myself", then you can go into your nice bedroom and feel safe and secure. And then you can meet him again.

I can only encourage you to be true to yourself. And one final tip: life tests you. Life simply looks and thinks: I want to see who suits you. And if you now accept this man as he is and make compromises so that he doesn't run away from you, then life thinks: "Yeah, okay, he's a good fit, let's dump him here."

But if you are true to yourself... if the things that are really important to you, that are helpful for you, if you don't put them up for debate... If it's clear: "This is how I live my life, this is how I live my mornings", then you'll get a partner who's exactly right for you. Either it's the man you're getting to know right now and he'll learn to like it, or he'll run away, and then, someone will come along who understands this better or possibly even appreciates it very much.

So: how true you are to yourself right now is a message to life, so to speak. A message to life: "This is important to me". And: "Hey, life. If you want me to be with a man, then there has to be someone who fits in. There's no other way for me." That's how I do it, and it works great. The more stubborn you are, the more true to yourself you are, the more beautiful the men will be that life will send your way. I'm telling you. I promise you.

The more stubborn you are, the more true to yourself you are, the more beautiful the men will be that life will send your way.

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A relationship with someone who doesn't meditate

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And you ask: Can a relationship work with someone who doesn't meditate? You have to find out for yourself.

Anything is possible. You know, there are people who meditate, and you just can't be with them. "Someone who meditates" is not a predicate. It doesn't mean that it's easier with them. And there are people who don't meditate, and they are wonderful souls. And everything in between. There are people who meditate, and with them it's really good. And there are other people who don't meditate and with them it's impossible for you.

So, I wouldn't base it on whether someone meditates or not. Something general, a blanket assessment, doesn't help at all, of course. Just be true to yourself. That's all you need to know. You just need to know what is important to you. Just take good care of yourself, and then, everything else will fall into place all by itself. Of course, you have to be willing to let him go.

Just be true to yourself. That's all you need to know.

You just need to know what is important to you. Just take good care of yourself, and then, everything else will fall into place all by itself.

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This is only possible if you are prepared to let go in every moment. And that's important in a relationship, not just at the beginning, not just where you are now, but every day, every night, every moment: always let go. Then you can be true to yourself. And then, a relationship works very, very well. But if you want to do anything to keep him, then it will be difficult. Thank you for that question. Thank you very, very much.

That's important in a relationship, not just at the beginning, not just where you are now, but every day, every night, every moment:

always let go.

Then you can be true to yourself. And then, a relationship works very, very well.

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Breaking free from oneself through enlightenment

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[Simone:] Mikael, I have two new questions in the meantime.

[Dhyan Mikael:] Oh, how nice. I am happy.

[Simone:] The first is from Sahid.

[Dhyan Mikael:] Hello Sahid.

[Simone:] "Hello Mikael. Sometimes, I'm confident and dare to do things. But most of the time, I am not confident and don't dare to do things, and I think I am inferior. So, I'm hoping for enlightenment to free me from myself. Can you say something about this? Thank you very much."

[Dhyan Mikael:] What a lovely question. Thank you, thank you. Ah, that's really very touching how you describe yourself. Yes, that's how we humans are. Sometimes, we are confident. Sometimes, we're not confident at all. Sometimes, we can do things, and sometimes, it's impossible for us to do things.

And of course you can liberate yourself from that, but liberation looks different than you think. There is this idea of enlightenment: "I become enlightened, and then I can do everything well. Then, I'll be okay with myself, and then, everything will be great. Then, I can do all the things that I can't do otherwise." But that's not how it works. This has nothing at all to do with enlightenment. The way out of this dilemma looks completely different, but we can't imagine it if we haven't experienced it yet.

And it works like this: If you're confident, you enjoy it, and you say 'yes' to that. And if you are not confident, then you say 'yes' to this: "Ah, now I'm like that again. Okay, yes, I'm like that. Okay. Yes! I'm like this." Not wishing for anything other than the way it is right now, the way I am right now. Then you're in that phase where you're not capable of anything: saying 'yes' to that.

That leads you in the right direction. We always want everything to be different. We think: if I was always confident, if I was always as capable as I am in these short phases that you know, then I would be happy. But of course, that's not true. We become happy, we discover something... a whole new world we discover, a whole new space of life we discover when we stop judging ourselves and what happens and the world, and when instead we no longer choose, no longer judge, but accept everything through and through, as it is for me and as I am, without question, forever.

A whole new space of life we discover when we stop judging ourselves and what happens and the world, and when instead we no longer choose, no longer judge, but accept everything through and through, as it is for me and as I am, without question, forever.

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Someone who hasn't yet dared to try it for themselves thinks: "That can't work."

The path to what is called enlightenment

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But I'm telling you: that's the only thing that ultimately works. Everything else is just detours, and at some point, when you've learned that all the detours don't actually work, every person comes back to this point at some point, eventually. But you can also start here right away; that saves a lot of time. And then, at some point we start to say 'yes'; to say 'yes' to the things that we believe are wrong. We start to say 'yes' to the things that we firmly believe are to blame for us having such a hard time. And then, we discover that none of that is true.

And that is the path to what is called enlightenment. Enlightenment is like that discovery: "Ah, this is what makes life tick!" It's like this... Everyone is busy climbing up. Everyone is in a kind of funnel, you're sinking deeper and deeper, and everyone is trying to climb out at the top, by improving and by working on themselves. And at some point, you can't do it anymore. And then, you let go.

Then you say 'yes', because you can't do anything else anymore; because you've tried everything else, and none of it works. And at some point, you say 'yes' and let go and say: "Okay, I am the way I am. I can't do anything else. Now I'm going to say 'yes'." You let go, so to speak, of what you've always been afraid of. You no longer try to be different. You no longer try to achieve anything. And it feels like you're allowing yourself to sink and drown where you are and in the way you are.

We start to say 'yes' to the things that we firmly believe are to blame for us having such a hard time.

And then, we discover that none of that is true.

And that is the path to what is called enlightenment.

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But then, in reality, you sort of fall out at the bottom, without effort, without work, and end up in the realization of how life really works. Only when you have stopped this constant attempt to somehow change yourself, and wanting life to be different, only then do you discover that everything is right. But you have to experience that for yourself. It doesn't help to have someone tell you that.

Only when you have stopped this constant attempt to somehow change yourself, and wanting life to be different, only then do you discover that everything is right.

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I'm the same as you. Every day is different for me. Every hour is different. Sometimes, I feel wonderful. Sometimes, I feel so incapable. Sometimes, I feel totally wrong. And I know all these feelings so well. And then I'm with the feeling; then, sometimes, I'm all withdrawn, all sad and gloomy. And a few hours later, I feel completely different again.

A person who has discovered what the truth is like, and what life is really like... It's not that he feels different from you, but he's deeply at peace with it all. It's not a problem at all. And it's like living in a different dimension, as if you no longer have anything to do with the things that used to bother you so much. They're no longer so important, because you've gotten to know something completely different. That is enlightenment. And the path to it is easy. That's why we are here, in this life.

It's not for a select few; it's for you, for me, for everyone. That's why we are playing this whole game with these bodies, with this life: to discover this path – this way out, that you're looking for: to redeem yourself from yourself. To redeem yourself from this misunderstanding, this believe: "I am this body; I have to somehow manage to be happy and become different so that everything fits." There are many ways. The way I know is Samarpan Meditation. It's simple, it's easy.

A person who has discovered what the truth is like, and what life is really like... It's not that he feels different from you, but he's deeply at peace with it all.

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You just need a little patience. It's just a question of time. It is not difficult. And when a person has come to the point where you are right now, where you realize: "There must be a way somewhere which I don't know. There's an exit somewhere, but I don't know what it looks like"... When you're at that point, you become open to things you don't know, things you can't even imagine. But it's a very normal, very grounded thing: Meditate for a few years, and your whole life will change.

It's a very normal, very grounded thing:

Meditate for a few years, and your whole life will change.

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I don't know if that helped you with your question now, but that's what comes to mind. I'm glad you're at the point where you are. That's a good point, a really good point. But don't try to change yourself. There's nothing wrong with you. There's nothing wrong at all with these feelings, these states that you have, this state of mind that you have, that you don't feel confident at all. On the contrary. It's great that you can feel it. It's like a door that allows you to get closer to yourself when you accept the way you are. Thank you.

Forgiveness, when there is no one

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[Simone:] I may read another question from Mukunda.

[Dhyan Mikael:] From whom?

[Simone:] Mukunda.

[Dhyan Mikael:] Ah, Mukunda! Hello; good to see you back.

[Simone:] "What is the meaning of forgiveness when there is no doer?"

[Dhyan Mikael:] Thank you for your question. If you know that there is no one who is acting, then, forgiveness is not necessary for you.

Forgiveness is a tool. Normally, we experience life in such a way that there are other people out there who are doing something they shouldn't be doing, which hurts us, and then they are evil, and we hold grudges, we are angry, we feel hurt or misunderstood.

And these feelings that we have... we are convinced that these feelings are justified. But in reality, these are our feelings; they are inside us. You feel this anger, this hate, whatever. These are your feelings. They hurt you, not anyone else. The other person may not care, but you are bathing in your own negative feelings, so to speak.

And forgiveness is like a tool, a change of perspective, to free ourselves from it; like a bridge for ourselves. If we have this point of view: "There is a doer, and an evil one at that, and he is doing something to me", then this act of forgiveness frees me from this point of view. Forgiveness is not good for the person I forgive. Forgiveness is good for myself. Then I stop hating the other person. And then, as said earlier, what is left is me with my feelings, and then, I can make friends with those. This way, I come to peace, and I come closer to myself. And that's when healing happens.

But when you realize that there is no one who wants to hurt you... when things happen in your life... and you feel all sorts of things, you may feel misunderstood or hurt, or rejected, or treated unfairly. But if you are ready to feel these feelings, just like that, without looking for someone to blame, without judging the trigger or judging it in any way, then there is nothing to forgive. Then you are already at the next step. Then you simply love these feelings, even if they are difficult for you.

Forgiveness is basically an emotional acknowledgment: there is no one who is evil, in reality. And that is simply helpful for ourselves. Yes, thank you for that beautiful question, Mukunda. Thank you.

Forgiveness is basically an emotional acknowledgment: there is no one who is evil, in reality.

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[Simone:] Mikael, I have more questions that I would like to read out. But first, I would like to read out Sahid's feedback: "Wow, your answer was just beautiful. Thank you so much."

[Dhyan Mikael:] Thank you.

Personally carried, nourished and sustained by God

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[Simone:] Alexandra asks. "A boy took a sip of milk and suddenly had the feeling that God was pouring into him. Do you know that?"

[Dhyan Mikael:] Great questions.... Do I know that?

Yes, I've been there, but not with milk. But I do know it. I'm not good at remembering certain things, but I know the feeling you're talking about. You're sitting somewhere in a completely mundane situation, something you've experienced countless times, thousands of times. And suddenly you can see, and you think: "Wow, it's just grace, what a gift. Here I am personally carried, nourished, sustained by God." And that is the truth.

And this is how we can live.

Suddenly you can see, and you think:

"Wow, it's just grace, what a gift. Here I am personally carried, nourished, sustained by God."

And that is the truth.

And this is how we can live.

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I spoke at the beginning about how to encounter feelings: accept every single feeling without question, unquestioningly, always, unconditionally. You realize: everything is a gift from God. God nourishes me through the milk, God nourishes me through the food on my plate, God nourishes me through pain, through everything.

Everything that happens to me, every breath, every hurt, every pain, every ray of sunlight: everything is this milk of God. Normally we are picky, and then we live in hell, and we can't discover this. It doesn't work. But children have it easier, much much easier. Thank you for this wonderful question.

Everything that happens to me, every breath, every hurt, every pain, every ray of sunlight: everything is this milk of God.

Normally we are picky, and then we live in hell, and we can't discover this. It doesn't work.

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Can an awakened one harm others?

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[Simone:] Now I'll read the next question. It is from Holly.

[Dhyan Mikael:] Hello Holly.

[Simone:] "Can a person who is awakened still harm other people?"

[Dhyan Mikael:] It's a thing with these terms: "A human who is awakened." It's not like there's a switch there: the unawakened Mikael, stupid, who can harm other people. And then something happens, and whoosh, Mikael is enlightened, and he can no longer harm anyone else. It's not like that.

What is commonly referred to as 'enlightenment' is this first realization: "Ah wow, there's something else entirely." Every person who reports it experiences it a little differently, but basically you discover a space within yourself. You experience something that has nothing to do with this world and yet is tangible, palpable, always tangible. Even I can feel it now. I live in it.

But when you feel it for the first time, recognize it for the first time – it is an overwhelming experience for some people – it's impressive. And when you tell people about it, then other people who don't know it think it's totally amazing. But for most people, it's not like that at all. For most people, it's a very gradual development. Very gradually, they discover this other within themselves: that which is the actual reality. It happens very gradually, very slowly. A development.

So... what is called enlightenment is actually a completely unimportant triviality.

It doesn't change a human being. In terms of perception, it's a big deal, but the human being develops very gradually. It's like growing up. It's not like when you're a child and you go to sleep at night, and the next morning you wake up as an adult because something happened during the night and suddenly, you're an adult and your life is different. Of course it's not like that. It's a very gradual change with many different developments and phases. And it's the same with spiritual development: very gradual, very slow.

What is called enlightenment is actually a completely unimportant triviality.

It doesn't change a human being.

In terms of perception, it's a big deal, but the human being develops very gradually.

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And the more a person gets to know their true nature – what Swamiji, my Guru, who brings Samarpan Meditation to society, calls the soul; what you discover more and more when you do Samarpan Meditation regularly –... the more you discover this, it is as if you experience a direct access to what you really need; to what truly nourishes you.

Swamiji describes it like this: you get to know God, the Eternal Source. You just experience it. It is not a spiritual concept. You just start experiencing it: "Ah, from here I come. This nourishes me. This carries me."

And the more you get to know it, experience it, not as a fantasy, not as a concept, not as a hope, but it gradually becomes an experienced reality... to the extent that you no longer seek happiness in the desperate way that was normal for us normal people before. And then, there is no longer any reason to do any stupid things because you are no longer in need. You are no longer looking for anything. You have arrived at your source.

You get to know God, the Eternal Source.

You just experience it. It is not a spiritual concept. You just start experiencing it:

"Ah, from here I come. This nourishes me. This carries me.".

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So, you don't become a better person overnight, but you simply no longer have reason to run around the world and harm others because you are desperately trying to somehow get for yourself what you think you need.

That's why you become such a blessing to the world, because then you're sitting at the source and it just spills over, and you're simply satisfied. You no longer need to take anything away from other people. You have everything you need.

And that's why a person who is connected to this source can't do anything bad, nothing bad, because they have no reason to.

He no longer needs it.

But as I said, it has nothing to do with an event that changes a person overnight. And every person is always able to change, in one direction or the other. There are people who are connected to the source, but they have never learned to stay connected to the source, and then they forget it again, and then they do the old stupid things again, sometimes even without realizing it.

Swamiji meditates every day; my Guru. This is the greatest soul, it's like a living Jesus before our eyes, here today. He also practices this connection every day, this direct connection to himself, to the source that is common to all of us, in order to cultivate it.

If it becomes a habit in life to focus on this and to take it as the only important thing, then you will never do anything bad again. But you have to want to do it, you have to practice it, you have to learn it. Then it's not a problem. It's not difficult.

But, as I said, enlightenment is not something that happens to you, and then you're different, and then it stays that way. This has nothing at all to do with reality. So, if you're on the path to truth, to enlightenment... I don't like the word so much because it carries this idea that it's something sudden... then you will already know what I'm talking about. You know: it's a very gradual process. And that's normal. And that is even good.

Swamiji, my Guru, says: It's very, very good that this development takes place very gradually. Because every time we discover a little bit more about ourselves, we become more sensitive, we can see more about ourselves, and then we have to learn a little more to cope with it, to digest it and to become a little stronger, like a weightlifter who can lift more and more weight. He can't learn to lift five hundred kilos in one day. It happens very gradually. And it's the same with opening your inner eyes.

It's not difficult.

But, as I said, enlightenment is not something that happens to you, and then you're different, and then it stays that way.

This has nothing at all to do with reality.

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So: slowly, gradually, is a good thing. It's not a sign that there's a problem – on the contrary. Be grateful for that. Thank you very much.

Slowly, gradually, is a good thing.

It's not a sign that there's a problem – on the contrary.

Be grateful for that.

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Support me if it gives you joy

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[Simone:] Mikael, there are currently no more questions at the moment.

[Dhyan Mikael:] Yes, thank you. Then I'll read out another question that reached me by email... I always forget this, but now I'm remembering: I'd like to mention here in Satsang from time to time that everything I do here, the Satsangs, the intensives I do, all the recordings, all the videos, is all for free. Nobody has to pay for it, and I do it that way on purpose. Because what I share here... what I talk about here, is not my own wisdom. It's not something I've created and can now sell. These are all things that I have been given and continue to be given.

And that's why I simply pass it on, as best I can, simply because it gives me so much pleasure. And that's why it is free. And that's why it stays free. But for very practical reasons, I am very, very grateful for financial support, because what I do here takes a lot of time, a lot of work, work that I really enjoy doing. But it takes time. And if I get support in financial form, then I can spend more time on it. Then it's easier for me and I don't have to stress about work and earning money elsewhere.

Then I can simply devote more energy to it, and there's nothing I'd rather do. And that's why I'm happy about financial support. It's very easy. For example, you can start a membership – I have a really great provider called Steady, where you can start a membership, and then I get a small amount every month. You can choose how much. It starts at seven Euros a month, and that helps me immensely. Even such a small amount helps me tremendously with my work, which I love doing.

And now, brand new, I'm going to... I think I'll get to it next week... I will create the possibility to offer other ways of support, for example bank transfers, a one-off donation, everything is welcome. I'm just happy for every single person who supports me. Yes, as said, it's all free. This is not about making money, but somehow, the whole thing has to work practically. And that's why I mention it from time to time. If you enjoy it, if you feel like supporting me, you'll find all the information you need to know on my website, on the 'Donate' page.

Or just write to me, and I'll tell you what you need to know. Thank you. And I thank everyone who is already supporting me. It's such a miracle for me. You know, when I started with the videos, I thought: "Who wants to hear that?" I thought: "Nobody cares about that. Who is that supposed to help?" But I did it anyway because I couldn't help myself. And now I see that so many people appreciate it, and I see how many people want to support it, and that is such a gift for me to experience. Thank you. So, now to the next e-mail.

[Simone:] Mikael, I've already received another question.

[Dhyan Mikael:] All right, then I'll let you go first.

No spiritual experience

Link to topic in video at 50m53s

[Simone:] Barbara asks: "Dear Mikael, a question on the subject of 'enlightenment is a gradual process and that's a good thing'. But at the same time, you also say: only that counts what you have experienced yourself. I have never had any spiritual experience and can only believe what others tell me. I'm sad about that."

[Dhyan Mikael:] Oh, thank you, thank you for your report.

You are right. Only believe what you experience yourself. What someone else has experienced is of no use to you.

For you it is like this. And if you then believe you should experience something which you don't experience but someone else does, then you're sad.

I just said: what you call enlightenment is completely unimportant. It is not at all useful to talk about such things. They are not necessary.

You know, Barbara, it's like this: I spoke earlier about the example of this transformation from child to adult. This transformation starts when a child is ten or eleven years old, and it never stops. And the child notices that something is changing, but you can't know what is happening.

Looking back... ten years later, you look back, and then you begin to understand what you experienced back then. And it's the same with spiritual development. But what we are experiencing today, right now, we cannot see. We think, and this is typical, all people report the same thing... We think: "Nothing is happening with me at all. I'm just as stupid, unspiritual and unenlightened as ever."

You can't know what is happening.

Link to quote in video at 52m41s

We think: "Nothing is happening with me at all." We become more and more beautiful, we become deeper and deeper and more silent, but we don't know it ourselves. Sometimes something happens in life. Perhaps we experience a crisis that we have experienced before, and then we realize: "Wow, I experienced this very differently today than I did fifteen years ago." And then we realize that we have changed fundamentally, but we don't notice it in our everyday lives.

We think: "Nothing is happening with me at all."

We become more and more beautiful, we become deeper and deeper and more silent, but we don't know it ourselves.

Link to quote in video at 53m34s

Only your own experience counts – not what other people tell you. Not even what a Guru tells you, or a Master, or a Mikael.

The value of a Guru or a Master is not that they tell you great things. The infinite gift of such a being is that when you come into contact with him, somehow – I am not talking about physical contact – that you then experience something within yourself that you have never known before. This experience, which is the only important thing, is given to you.

That's why you watch these Satsangs or videos, because then you have a feeling... you perceive something that is otherwise not part of your everyday life. But it is your experience. You feel it. It's like one of those: "Ah, this can also be part of life!" You have this feeling. It doesn't come from me. It is yours.

And we can nourish this sensitivity, for example by doing the Samarpan Meditation every morning. We can nourish this by saying 'yes' to ourselves, our feelings and everything we experience every moment. We can foster this by no longer judging, but accepting everything as we experience it. And then we become more and more sensitive, and then we discover more and more: "Ah, the way it is now, it's completely different from what I imagined." It's not that when you arrive spiritually, you change or the world changes.

It's not that when you arrive spiritually, you change or the world changes.

Nothing changes.

Your perspective changes. Your ability to see: that's what changes.

Link to quote in video at 56m14s

Nothing changes. Your perspective changes. Your ability to see: that's what changes. I live in the same world as my neighbors here. I have a good life. I live in Heaven. I think they don't; but they live on the same street. I see differently. I experience differently. That's what is changing, very gradually. That's why it's not necessary for you to change or for the world to change. The only thing that's necessary is that you turn inwards and gradually become quieter and more sensitive. And that's already happening to you.

The only thing that's necessary is that you turn inwards and gradually become quieter and more sensitive.

And that's already happening to you.

Link to quote in video at 57m04s

And of course we're impatient. We think: "I've been meditating for three years now and still nothing is happening."

But, you know, it doesn't take long and you can just laugh about this. You have to imagine it like this – of course it won't do you any good if I tell you this, but maybe you'll get a feeling inside you that what I'm about to say is true... You've been on this path for a long time, a very long time. Many lives, many many lives.

In this life, for the first time, you know where you want to go. Nothing more is necessary. Now it can happen. That's what this life is for. That's what this time we're living in is for. It's never been easier than now; never.

You've been on this path for a long time, a very long time. Many lives, many many lives.

In this life, for the first time, you know where you want to go.

Nothing more is necessary. Now it can happen.

Link to quote in video at 58m06s

And our normal perception is so short-sighted; we can't see any further.

I said earlier: one of the gifts of a Guru is that he gives us an experience, our own experience, and that is the gift. Suddenly, we know something from our own experience that we didn't know before. And I remember the first time I came into contact with Swamiji, my Guru in India, and the contact was quite funny. I was sitting with my spiritual Master Soham, and Soham told me about Swamiji for the very first time, because in the meantime – he had been at home for a week – Soham had heard about Swamiji. He hadn't met him in person, but he had heard about him and it totally touched him.

And then he met me again, and he told me about it. And just hearing about this Guru... something happened in me. I had the experience in me, the feeling in me, "Wow. For this moment, for what's coming to me right now" – Swamiji wasn't in the room, it was just energy; it was just a mystical, spiritual connection – "This that's coming to me, I've been waiting for this for soooo long, for so many lifetimes." You know, I don't know anything about past lives. I can't see my past life, except for a little interesting glimpse I had once. I'm just a normal person, just like you.

But at that moment, I had a tangible idea of how long I've been on the road, and what an incredibly good fortune and what a blessing it is to be able to live this life now, where I can meet someone like that. Or look at you: that you are interested in Satsang; that you are touched by something like this; that you are capable of it; that you are open to it; that you are interested in it; that you long for it... that is such a miracle! You've been waiting for this for a long time. Now the time has come. The rest will go very quickly. This life is enough. Just make the most of it.

Thank you very, very much. I am totally touched by your question.

Being as you are: more is not needed

Link to topic in video at 1h01m47s

[Simone:] Mikael, I only have one feedback from Holly. She had asked if a person who is awakened can harm other people. She now writes: "Thanks for your reply. You are right. For me, it is a slow development. And your words are relaxing for me. Something inside me feels the truth, and with your advice I've realized once again that I always want to be here."

[Dhyan Mikael:] Yes, you know, just being as you are now, and more and more just being as you are now: arriving here, with the one you are right now: nothing more is necessary. We can't imagine it, but that's enough. Thank you.

Just being as you are now, and more and more just being as you are now:

arriving here, with the one you are right now: nothing more is necessary.

We can't imagine it, but that's enough.

Link to quote in video at 1h02m25s

Your most noble task

Link to topic in video at 1h02m56s

[Simone:] Then there is another question from Samudaya.

[Dhyan Mikael:] Hello Samudaya, hello to you. How nice that you are here.

[Simone:] "My neighbor has been successively knocking himself out this whole year, and with total crystal addiction, he thankfully went to the hospital recently. I recommended Samarpan Meditation to him beforehand. I wonder why this heaviness happened so close to me and how I can be free of it – today again noise and stress from his family – how I can be free of it. I meditate gratefully every day. Kindest regards."

[Dhyan Mikael:] Thank you, Samudaya.

Take care of yourself as best you can.

You are allowed to do that. You are allowed to take care of yourself. You're welcome to spend time with anyone if you want, but take good care of yourself.

I'm radical about that.

You know, we have absolutely no sense of what that means. From an early age, we've always learned to be there for others. We have never learned to take care of ourselves. And that's why we have no measure of it at all. As soon as we do even a little something for ourselves, we feel wrong, selfish, self-centered.

We have never learned to take care of ourselves. And that's why we have no measure of it at all.

As soon as we do even a little something for ourselves, we feel wrong, selfish, self-centered.

Link to quote in video at 1h05m10s

Swamiji, whom you also know, exemplifies this. He is a spiritual giant, but he also takes care of himself as best he can.

He takes the time he needs. He completely withdraws for several months every year.

He maintains his space and his distance from other people, as is right for him, so that he is well, and from this arises all the wonderful things that such a person brings into the world. That's true for you and for me too. But as I said, we have no measure at all.

And we want to help other people and be there for them. But we can only do that if we ourselves are bathing in abundance.

Then, it happens by itself.

We want to help other people and be there for them.

But we can only do that if we ourselves are bathing in abundance. Then, it happens by itself.

Link to quote in video at 1h06m50s

But the first thing we have to learn is to take radical care of ourselves, of this needy being that each of us finds somewhere inside ourselves and carries around with us.

That is your task, your foremost task.

And that is the most difficult task of all. It is easy to be there for other people. It's a huge challenge to take care of yourself and be close to yourself. I don't know why I'm telling you this, but that's the point.

That is the most difficult task of all.

It is easy to be there for other people. It's a huge challenge to take care of yourself and be close to yourself.

Link to quote in video at 1h07m50s

And people like your neighbor, who have such a life and such a path, they have their own destiny.

I don't know why this person has to go this way, but for him this way is what is right for him right now, as strange as it sounds.

Be at peace with it. You can pray for him if you want, but take good care of yourself.

Inviting more life energy

Link to topic in video at 1h09m09s

[Simone:] There are currently no open questions in the chat, Mikael.

[Dhyan Mikael:] Yes, then I can have another go.

I have an email from a woman who has two questions. The first: "Is there a way to invite more life energy into our lives, or to connect us directly to the source? I sometimes feel physically very weak and therefore sometimes lack the drive."

That's a really great question because it's so practical. There are two things to say about it. One is: We usually feel weak, we lack drive, but we don't want to feel weak. We want to keep running. And what I just said to Samudaya also applies here. I told her: we have no measure in this matter of how we help others, and how much we help others and how little we help ourselves. We have no sense of how out of balance we are there.

That's what I mean by: we have no measure. And that applies here too. We have no measure for it... we can't judge at all how much we have exhausted and drained ourselves far beyond our true capacity. And what happens then: we become weak; we need rest. But we think there's something wrong with that. We want to keep running. We want to have drive again. We want to get going. The best thing you can do when you feel like this is: be weak.

Be without energy. That is very, very important. Be weak for so long as... give it space, give it time, give it opportunity, adjust to it... until the drive comes back again – by itself. It will come back if you let the lack of drive be there. Now, you can do things that give you energy again. There are all kinds of tricks. You can do this with substances, coffee for example, alcohol. You can do it with mental tricks.

We have no measure for it... we can't judge at all how much we have exhausted and drained ourselves far beyond our true capacity.

Link to quote in video at 1h10m41s

Then you can keep running for a while, and then the weakness comes back, but at a much lower level. And if you then want to keep running and find new tricks again, then at some point, you will become so ill that you won't be able to run at all. There's nothing wrong with a lack of drive. It brings you back into balance. You just have to say 'yes' to it. "Okay, I'm weak. I can't take any more. Okay." And then, organize your life accordingly: leave everything out what doesn't have to be there, and there is so much. We're always looking for more energy.

There's nothing wrong with a lack of drive. It brings you back into balance.

You just have to say 'yes' to it.

Link to quote in video at 1h12m29s

We don't need more energy. We just need to stop wasting the energy we have. It's like we're sitting in a boat, and the boat has lots of holes in it, and water is leaking in. And we take a bucket and try to scoop the water out of the boat, instead of plugging the holes.

We're always looking for more energy.

We don't need more energy.

We just need to stop wasting the energy we have.

Link to quote in video at 1h12m55s

Invite the listlessness. Let it be there, and it will teach you where your energy is being wasted everywhere.

Invite the listlessness.

Let it be there, and it will teach you where your energy is being wasted everywhere.

Link to quote in video at 1h13m34s

Then you plug one hole after the other, and then you only do what is absolutely necessary. And then, it changes all by itself.

That's a good sign, that's a really good sign. When a person gets to the point where you are right now: that is the turning point in life. If things can't go on as before: that's a really good sign. Normally, we then try to find ways to continue as before, but that's not the point.

The one source of energy

Link to topic in video at 1h14m36s

But I would also like to give you a second answer, which comes from a completely different direction. There is a source of energy that you can tap into, and you will discover it through Samarpan Meditation, quite simply and quite practically, and it will completely change your life. And it will give you the energy that you really need, but it's a completely different kind of energy. In this meditation... you do it for half an hour every morning, right after you get up; it's very easy.

And in this meditation – I don't want to say everything here now; there's not really much to say about it, but I have made a few videos about it, which you can find on my website – your attention is up here, at the top of your head, up here. This place is also called the crown chakra. And you don't actually do anything spiritual there during this half hour. You simply sit with your eyes closed and rest your attention on this spot up here, which you can feel. It doesn't feel spiritual at all. You don't think anything, you don't imagine anything spiritual.

But if you do this for a while, you discover something quite astonishing, something that you can't actually explain. You discover that it goes on up there. There is a connection, and I'm not talking about some strange ideas or other worlds that you then see. No, I mean a very practical, very real experience of your own: "Ah! That's where the energy that animates me comes from. That's where I come from." You really experience it. It sounds a bit strange when you hear it from someone else, but when you meditate for a while, you experience it yourself, and then it's a very practical thing.

It then actually feels quite natural and normal: that's where we come from – our soul. That's the entrance to this body, and that's where the life energy comes from, and that's what carries you through life, even now. And if you connect more to this energy by meditating, you will get the true energy that you need, and that will change you.

It probably won't help you to keep running around in life as you have been doing. It will help you to do what really serves you. What is that? You don't know. I don't know that either. You will discover that for yourself. It will all work itself out. But that's the source you're really looking for: the one source. You don't need another one.

If you are interested, start with Samarpan Meditation.

It's such a simple, such a practical path for us normal people.

It will change everything for you. Thank you for your question.

About true authenticity

Link to topic in video at 1h18m27s

Now I've completely forgotten that I read out the question, and now I'll continue with the second question.

"I'm always afraid of coming out spiritually, both privately and professionally as a coach. So, I always try to beat around the bush with neutral words. With this fear, I can't really be authentic. I have also found that I am not really understood, no matter what words I use. I hope you understand what I mean. Where does this fear come from? Can you say something about it?"

That's a great question too – thank you. So many beautiful questions today.

You are experiencing that you can't talk about what really moves you in life, and there is nothing wrong with that at all.

The thing that is causing you problems is the desire to come out. You think you should come out. You think you should come out as a spiritual person. But you don't want to, you're afraid of it, and if you try it anyway, nothing works. None of this is a problem, everything is fine. Just let go of this idea that you should come out. What good would that do?

You know, it's not necessary for you to come out. It's not at all necessary that you talk about these things that you can't talk about. Do your job. Work as a coach. What you embody is transmitted to your clients, but not through words.

It is transmitted without you doing anything and without the clients knowing about it. You do normal coaching work, nothing spiritual, and yet these clients receive something from you that is inexplicable. It happens all by itself. Don't worry about it. Then they like to come to you and say: "It's always so great; I was with the woman and afterwards I feel like I've been reborn. I don't know why; we only really talk about the weather."

That's how it is. Trust what it's like for you. Trust your fear. It will tell you clearly where to go. It says: "No, no, I don't want anything to do with that. Stop this nonsense about 'coming out'." You're saying: you can't be authentic like that. That's a misunderstanding. Be authentic: you're afraid of it, you don't want it. And when you try it, it doesn't work. Be authentic: don't do it. It's as simple as that. Trying it anyway is inauthentic.

So, there's nothing wrong at all.

Everything is fine.

Thank you for your two questions. I am very touched. Thank you.

[Simone:] Mikael, I would also like to read out a thank you from Samudaya. "I thank you very much. It was very good for me to be able to express myself, and the amount of tears that this and your advice released makes it clear to me how much I want to and will dedicate myself to my task from now on. Thank you."

[Dhyan Mikael:] Samudaya, I've heard of you before and I know what you're going through.

You really have enough to do,and you are allowed to do it. That is your only task. You have my blessing for that.

[Simone:] I don't have anything else to read at the moment, Mikael.

[Dhyan Mikael:] Yes, but I do have something else.

Treated badly by others

Link to topic in video at 1h23m29s

I think there's just enough time for the email I have here. "What is the best way to behave when I encounter a person who is unfriendly, unfair, not empathetic, verbally aggressive, old-hearted and unloving. These are people who are close to me – friends, acquaintances, family – as well as people who are not close to me. In these encounters, I wish for respectful, friendly, peaceful, compassionate, appreciative and loving interaction with one another.

Yes, I am aware that I am responsible for all of this myself. That's why I asked you, because situations often require a reaction. Most of the time I try to stay calm, say nothing, do nothing and take note of what's happening here, even though I'm seething inside and would like to bang the table. And then the next question arises: How do I clearly represent my point of view in these situations?"

Thank you for the question. How do you do that?

I'd like to say two things about that. If someone is so hostile, so unloving, so aggressive, so disrespectful to you as you describe, then the very last thing you should want is to have a respectful, loving, appreciative relationship with someone like that. You're wishing for too much.

This person is being disrespectful to you.

Simply acknowledge that: "Ah, interesting. I'd like it to be loving, but that's not possible here." Look, you write it so beautifully. You write so honestly, and I really appreciate that in your email, what you wish for. And this wish is the problem. And the others sense that, and then they trample on you. I don't expect anyone to be loving and respectful with me. I don't expect anyone to show me appreciation. And that's why I'm free. I don't need anything from others. And if someone comes along and treats me the way you describe, then I don't care at all. I'll just walk away.

I don't want anything from them, especially not appreciation. I don't need any appreciation from him. I don't need affectionate interaction or anything like that from that person.

But if I'm dealing with someone who is very affectionate with me... oh, I enjoy that. But I don't wish for it. If I don't have it, that's okay too.

If you want something from someone, then you're a beggar, and beggars get trampled on. You need something from other people. Maybe you don't know it. You want something from them. And then you are not free. If you expect and want and desire something from others, then you put yourself in a prison. Then you behave yourself... it's like you're prostituting yourself, because you want something from the other person, instead of just turning around, leaving and saying, "Listen: leave me alone. Goodbye."

That's why I asked you... When I got the email a couple days ago, I had a question. I said, "What do you want from people? Why is this happening?" If you want to be loved, recognized, appreciated, you expect too much. You can't expect that from other people. It doesn't work that way.

You write: you know that you yourself are responsible for this, and that's exactly right.

Appreciate yourself.

Love yourself. Then you won't put up with people like that.

Give yourself the love that you seek from other people, as best you can. Be tender with yourself, loving, very gentle, very patient, as if you were your own child. You don't expose your own child to someone who is rough, unkind or even aggressive. You would never leave your child there. Take good care of yourself and don't think you need anything from people. That's not necessary.

Take good care of yourself and don't think you need anything from people. That's not necessary.

Link to quote in video at 1h29m40s

You ask how you can handle it practically, but what's really important is that you let go; that you let go of what you want from someone else, even if you don't know exactly what it is. You don't need to analyze it at all. You can simply do a kind of 'general letting go'. You don't know exactly what it is that you want from the other person, but something is preventing you from being truthful.

Let go of everything that you somehow expect from the other person. And then, these practical questions that you have will answer themselves, from within yourself. If you don't expect anything from others, then you are free. Then you can do anything that suits you. But you only let yourself be abused by someone if you think you need or want something from them. Only then. It's really quite simple.

You only let yourself be abused by someone if you think you need or want something from them. Only then. It's really quite simple.

Link to quote in video at 1h30m49s

But if you say, "I'd rather sleep alone under a bridge tonight – I'd rather be alone forever than listen to something like that," then you're free.

That is the key to those situations where we realize that we are being treated badly by others. That is the key to it. I have to close now, we are already two minutes over time, but I thank you for your question, and you are welcome to write to me again if you are still unclear about anything. Thank you.

And I thank you and all of you for this wonderful evening and Satsang. I am so grateful that we can meet here together in this way, and I thank you for the questions and for your trust in allowing me to speak. Have a good evening, Namasté.

I love you.