There is a similiar quote in Buddhism, "If you find the Buddha along the path, kill him."
cognizant dissident
JoinedPosts by cognizant dissident
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5
A Propos Quote...
by outnfree in'... follow the man who seeks the truth: run from the man who has found it.
' (vaclav havel).
the above may have found its way to this site before, but i just ran across it and thought of all of you here.
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161
What if you're missing the purpose?
by journey-on infor those of you who espouse the philosophy that one needs to discard who we "think" we are and embrace the "reality" of who we really are, what if, there is a divine purpose to our miniscule existence in the here and now and that purpose is to experience the pull of opposite forces (duality), and you are missing it by not allowing yourself to experience the ego self?
what if you are missing the whole purpose of this pull of pain and joy by trying to suppress it or place yourself outside of it?
the below is a short story sent to me by a friend and it is an example of what i'm inferring.
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cognizant dissident
For instance not getting lost in the story or becoming paralysed by it, or being defined by it - but on the other hand its also possible to become lost in the oness story.
Very important point, ql. It is possible to create an ego identity around being a spiritual person who is "aware" and "enlightened". One man in my meditation group told a story of how he was on a retreat and the person next to him asked him for his "spiritual resume".
"My what?" he asked. "What is a spiritual resume?"
She replied, "Your resume of all the retreats you have been on, all the teachers you have met with, all the spiritual books you have read, etc"
He told us he burst out laughing and she got offended. He still shakes his head over that one. Talk about missing the point. It can be almost competitive. (You show me your enlightenment and I'll show you mine) Let's impress each other with our spiritual credentials. Not that different from JW's with their BO, DO, CO, PO designations. They are lost in the story of their "differentness" from Christendom's clergy/laity divisions. Ha! Talk about delusion.
Cog
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161
What if you're missing the purpose?
by journey-on infor those of you who espouse the philosophy that one needs to discard who we "think" we are and embrace the "reality" of who we really are, what if, there is a divine purpose to our miniscule existence in the here and now and that purpose is to experience the pull of opposite forces (duality), and you are missing it by not allowing yourself to experience the ego self?
what if you are missing the whole purpose of this pull of pain and joy by trying to suppress it or place yourself outside of it?
the below is a short story sent to me by a friend and it is an example of what i'm inferring.
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cognizant dissident
There is no need to recreate lonliness for the sake of facing it. Simply face it when it shows up unbidden. To think that you HAVE to change your situation for something that, to the mind, appears better is to become lost in a fantasy. The reality facing you in each moment is all you need to become free.
Good advice, poppers. Loneliness shows up often enough without seeking it out. I find it difficult to live with already. The fantasy I continually have is that changing my life in some grand, dramatic gesture, reinventing myself, will speed my progress to enlightenment. Perhaps on a subconscious level, I am aware that is not true and that's what prevents me from doing anything too drastic without insight into whether it would truly be harmful or beneficial.
Still, good to have feedback and reminders from others. We all help each other on the journey. Thanks.
Cog
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161
What if you're missing the purpose?
by journey-on infor those of you who espouse the philosophy that one needs to discard who we "think" we are and embrace the "reality" of who we really are, what if, there is a divine purpose to our miniscule existence in the here and now and that purpose is to experience the pull of opposite forces (duality), and you are missing it by not allowing yourself to experience the ego self?
what if you are missing the whole purpose of this pull of pain and joy by trying to suppress it or place yourself outside of it?
the below is a short story sent to me by a friend and it is an example of what i'm inferring.
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cognizant dissident
The time for it to be gone is now, for that is the only time you have - right now. You are so close a feather could push you over.
Sometimes I "feel" very close to a major transition. I feel urges to totally isolate myself, immerse myself in lonlieness as you say, not speak with anyone, not even my teacher for a prolonged period. I believe I will emerge on the other side of this experience of aloneness with greater strength and clarity. Yet, circumstances, and sometimes fear prevent me. Sometimes, I think too much aloneness just breeds depression and distorted thinking (think Tom Hanks in the castaway). Then I will look outside myself for a little boost. A pleasurable encounter with another person, a Starbucks double latte, etc. I do feel torn between immersing myself in solitude as much as possible or reaching out to others. I guess this is just another duality slide. Whatever situation I find myself in, should become my practice. Still, the urge to experience loneliness on a grand scale so as to face my fear of it is very strong. I even consider ending my marriage sometimes as I got married very young and have never really lived alone. A serious step and not to be taken lightly.
Cog
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161
What if you're missing the purpose?
by journey-on infor those of you who espouse the philosophy that one needs to discard who we "think" we are and embrace the "reality" of who we really are, what if, there is a divine purpose to our miniscule existence in the here and now and that purpose is to experience the pull of opposite forces (duality), and you are missing it by not allowing yourself to experience the ego self?
what if you are missing the whole purpose of this pull of pain and joy by trying to suppress it or place yourself outside of it?
the below is a short story sent to me by a friend and it is an example of what i'm inferring.
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cognizant dissident
Poppers, are you in a relationship with someone who shares your spiritual path?
Cog
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161
What if you're missing the purpose?
by journey-on infor those of you who espouse the philosophy that one needs to discard who we "think" we are and embrace the "reality" of who we really are, what if, there is a divine purpose to our miniscule existence in the here and now and that purpose is to experience the pull of opposite forces (duality), and you are missing it by not allowing yourself to experience the ego self?
what if you are missing the whole purpose of this pull of pain and joy by trying to suppress it or place yourself outside of it?
the below is a short story sent to me by a friend and it is an example of what i'm inferring.
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cognizant dissident
and since that time I haven't once felt lonliness, despair, or unfulfilled. Peace has been my constant state, and inner silence my comforter. From that insights unfold.
Your inner peace shines through in your posts, poppers, as does JT's. I am envious, perhaps that is why I always gravitate to both of your posts, for the wisdom is apparent to all. I would say that despair has left me, but I still feel lonely and unfulfilled much of the time. Lonely for human companionship, for someone to connect with on a deeper level. I do feel this peace and contentment when I am with my teacher, when I am with my meditation group, when I am doing spiritual reading, when I am in nature or even listening to great music. I guess that is still looking for peace outside of myself instead of within. It does not carry with me for the rest of the day though. When I am with troublesome family, or JW's, or working at something that I feel is a duty but not personally satisfying or enjoyable, I must be honest, and say I do not feel at peace at those times. I also feel there is something deeply missing in my personal relationship. The alternative of a life of complete solitude is also not appealing to me, although I do find comfort in periods of solitude.
Well, it is a journey and this is where I currently am on my own path.
Cog
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161
What if you're missing the purpose?
by journey-on infor those of you who espouse the philosophy that one needs to discard who we "think" we are and embrace the "reality" of who we really are, what if, there is a divine purpose to our miniscule existence in the here and now and that purpose is to experience the pull of opposite forces (duality), and you are missing it by not allowing yourself to experience the ego self?
what if you are missing the whole purpose of this pull of pain and joy by trying to suppress it or place yourself outside of it?
the below is a short story sent to me by a friend and it is an example of what i'm inferring.
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cognizant dissident
Poppers! I love that song! And Don Henley and the Eagles. One of my all time favorite groups!
Cog
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161
What if you're missing the purpose?
by journey-on infor those of you who espouse the philosophy that one needs to discard who we "think" we are and embrace the "reality" of who we really are, what if, there is a divine purpose to our miniscule existence in the here and now and that purpose is to experience the pull of opposite forces (duality), and you are missing it by not allowing yourself to experience the ego self?
what if you are missing the whole purpose of this pull of pain and joy by trying to suppress it or place yourself outside of it?
the below is a short story sent to me by a friend and it is an example of what i'm inferring.
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cognizant dissident
I'm not sure I would want the mystery to be solved. It seems to me that would deprive life of its wonderment and surprise. By the way, who is your teacher (if you don't mind my asking)?
Cog no like surprises...in my family of origin, surprises often carried more a negative connotation than a positive one. No doubt this has impacted my endless quest for certainty...
When I say "my teacher" I am referring to a psychologist who I went to for counseling a year and a half ago because I started having anxiety attacks when I decided I was never going to set foot in another JW meeting again. Never mind that I am a strong-minded, independent, feminist woman whose rational mind did not believe a word of their teachings any longer. The fear was overwhelming. I think this was mostly fear of shunning, losing friends and family and job and starting over "alone" in the world. I was having to increase my anti-anxiety medicine 3 and 4 fold just to be able to sleep! During the day my adrenaline was just racing.
This psychologist advertised himself as a relationship counselor (I was also having marriage problems) and a spiritual counselor. So I went to him, sort of expecting and thinking I need a Dr Phil, kick butt, problem solving type, but instead I found this gentle kindred spirit who was himself embarked upon a spiritual journey. So, he invited me to this meditation group he hosts in his home every week. He practices Vipassana meditation and is a member of the Vipassana BC society. They are associated with teachers out of the Spirit Rock Centre in California. Cheri Hubert, Jack Kornfield, etc. Our group all went on a local, silent meditation retreat together for a week with some guest teachers who came up California. It really changed my outlook on "worldly" people and organized religion and the interconnectedness of all things. Funny, afterwards, when I had told him that I had experienced that openess on retreat, he looked at me and said the same thing as you did, "You know, you can never go back to the way things were, don't you?" You can not un-know what you have become aware of.
Anyway, our relationship has evolved somewhat from one of traditional counseling to more of a mentor/teacher and student relationship. We meditate together and discuss spiritual concepts and questions much as we have done on this thread today. He has taught me to accept life's inevitable problems and not look at life and myself as a problem that needs to be solved. Just to let it all be and be at peace with it. Still, it is a daily practice. Old JW, black and white thinking does not die an easy death does it? It rears its ugly head now and again.
What about you poppers? How did you get to be so wise as you are?
Cog
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meditation: your thoughts? :)
by DeusMauzzim inthe wtbts always has meditation as a topic on conventions.
they always state that eastern meditation makes the mind "blank", so this is a no no.. of course we know that it is actually the convention that makes the mind blank :).
so what are your thoughts on meditation now?.
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cognizant dissident
Yeah Gumby. If you would just give JT that nutsack polishing you promised him, then maybe he would stop harping on it constantly! Put him out of his misery already!
Cog
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meditation: your thoughts? :)
by DeusMauzzim inthe wtbts always has meditation as a topic on conventions.
they always state that eastern meditation makes the mind "blank", so this is a no no.. of course we know that it is actually the convention that makes the mind blank :).
so what are your thoughts on meditation now?.
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cognizant dissident
Well, the governing body is empty-headed, I will give them that much!
Cog