We are always looking for a formula, a rule, or a prayer that will turn the trick for us. But there is no substitute for Presence. Without Presence, none of the prayers, meditations, teachers, and techniques in the world can transform us. This is why we can spend many years observing the practices of our religion and still not be able to consistently embody the beliefs that we hold. We can have extraordinary experiences and moments of being free from the shackles of our personality, but sooner or later—and usually much sooner than we would like—we return to our old ways. This is because we do
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