The document discusses staying open to life's possibilities rather than establishing a fixed path. It argues that intense emotions are rarely a solid foundation for life plans. Deeper than emotions lies the fine feeling level of wisdom and reason, which offers a balanced understanding. Staying open like the wise is staying at peace with the paradox and unknown nature of life through patience. Our relationship with life is flexible, and staying open is the gateway to infinite possibilities found through inner knowing rather than faith in facts.

1. STAYING OPEN
The Gateway To Life’s Infinite Possibilities

2. In spite of what may be our desire,
life is not a road map we follow.
It is a journey into the unknown.

3. As we plan our future, we all too often take comfort in establishing a fixed path.
Staying open may feel like an uncomfortable place to be.
It may even feel like it goes against every fiber of your being,
yet it is the path of the wise.

4. Intense emotions are generally rooted in
distorted perspectives and personal issues.
They are rarely a solid foundation for a life plan.

5. Deeper than emotions lies the fine feeling level.
It is the place of wisdom, insight, and reason.
It offers a balanced under-standing
of the many facets of any situation.

6. Life is a paradox of pros and cons, permeating every decision.
Paradox cannot be resolved with the intellect or the emotions.
The resolution of paradox is found
in the quiet stillness of the fine feeling level.
Michael Mamas

7. All too often, we consider our emotions to be our truth.
The wisdom we find in the fine feeling level
gives emotions the time to settle down
so our real truth that lies deeper can be known.

8. Ancient Seers have said that
impressions upon the mind
(chitta)
obscure our knowing of truth.
Wisdom pursues
that which lies beyond chitta.

9. Understanding the nature of time,
the fine feeling level is a place of patience.
Patience is simply a healthy relationship with time
—a comfort with the unknown.

10. Our relationship with life
is far more flexible than we may realize.
Staying open is the gateway to infinite possibilities.

11. Staying open
is not a matter of faith,
but of inner knowing.
Our inner knowing is
not something that
knows facts.
Instead it knows
and is at peace with
the nature of life.

12. When the heart and mind are in balance,
we rest at home in the fine feeling level.
We contentedly stay open to the unknowable,
and thereby wisely find our way along the path of life.