A Buddha in Australia
Article by ‘Sudesh’ published in 'Southern Crossings’ magazine, Australia, 1987
The first time I heard Barry Long speak, I hardly knew what to think. The one definite thing that came to me was that I’d heard no ego. Even in his strongest statements, still I felt no bullshit being spoken, no guilt being induced, no flattery. Straight talking. The effect of that meeting lay low for a couple of days and then suddenly I booked for an all day session with him called 'Facing Yourself’.
His approach was entirely practical and began by helping us to descend into that part of us where everything is felt, the body. As I listened to him, noticeable gaps appeared in my thought processes which allowed me to be more fully in my body than usual. The emphasis was on finding and feeling the good within ourselves. Then, being established in that as much as possible, each of us was invited to say what our principal difficulty in life was, if any.
He made it clear that whatever he said to any individual was also addressed to everyone else. I appreciated his clarity with each man or woman, his sensitivity, and once or twice, like a Zen Master, the accurate disintegration of a prime piece of ignorance. By the end of the day I had an unfamiliar stillness inside of me and I left with a grin, knowing that something important had happened.
(At a later 'Facing Yourself’ session a prime piece of my own ignorance was uncovered. I was shocked and joyous simultaneously; shocked by the suddenness, and joyous as something in me acknowledged the exceptionally intelligent love I was receiving.)
The next two meetings were quite different for me and I saw a lot more of Barry’s humour and lightness, directness and power as he discussed such topics as making love, death, right meditation and the nature of the divine mind. He asked us not to believe him, for truth is demonstrable, and he would demonstrate in our own experience the truth he was speaking. Slowly, a somewhat vague perception was becoming stronger in me. Intellectually I knew it was impossible for a normal man to speak spontaneously for so long as he did, with such skill and knowing. But the real thing was, I could literally feel the sound of truth resonating in my body. It was delightful!
Since then I have been to many meetings of Barry Long. Sometimes it is warm and intimate. Or I might be so affected by the exquisiteness of his expression that tears swell out. And sometimes, by God, his energy is beautifully strong as it makes a brisk sweep through the rubble in my mind, leaving it clearer and fresher.
So here is a man of truth able to reflect to me the truth in myself. And this not some abstract notion. The more I am with him, the more I can feel the hum and swell of life rising in my body as distinct energy bringing with it a joyful equanimity and subtle strength. At times the feeling has been so fine that I was filled with an extraordinary blissfulness. My sense of alertness has a new impetus to bring me into the present and I welcome the freedom growing in me to live and love more fully.
Self-Growth?