|
|
 |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Charliedog
1625 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 08 2015 : 09:28:56 AM
|
Dear all,
Why is it, we would like to share our journey on the path?
We are here on planet earth with our own goal in life?
That what not is for-filled in earlier lifes?
Find out what we are do-ing here?
Find out that we can not do, only be-ing here?
But still questions arise?
I know why I am here on AYP
It's not easy in normal daily life to meet someone with whom you can talk about this journey,
I have only one, and I believe he has awakened me,
With who I can share my deep questions with,
Aldo my work now is yogateacher, the questions asked are not so deep, but thats ok, it has to grow,
it's not easy to share your deepest feelings/questions face to face,
That's also why most of us not use our real names
I am so grateful that I have found this AYP
You all feel like my friends on the journey to the deepest 
Thank you all for be-ing here!
|
|
|
kumar ul islam
United Kingdom
791 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2015 : 09:49:10 AM
|
|
 |
|
|
Bodhi Tree
2972 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2015 : 10:27:42 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Charliedog
it's not easy to share your deepest feelings/questions face to face,
That's also why most of us not use our real names
I think this will become easier. Yesterday I went to a little festival that my friend helped organize called "Awakening into the Sun", and there were a bunch of booths where people were offering yoga/meditation/healing services and sharing their experiences openly. I talked with a man I had never met for a straight hour about spiritual experiences and nitty-gritty details.
Everyone is coming out of the closet. 
P.S. My real name is Cody, and one of the things I'm trying to do with my website "AYP for Recovery" is lead by example by not being shy or ashamed about my murky past, or these ongoing spiritual awakenings. Not that it's something to flaunt or boast about, but anonymity can be tricky, as I've learned from hanging out in AA for several years. I respect people's choices to remain private, but for me, some visibility is needed, especially when it comes to transformation and recovery. People thrive on real stories and true mythologies.  |
|
|
|
Charliedog
1625 Posts |
Posted - Mar 09 2015 : 03:51:08 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Bodhi Tree
I talked with a man I had never met for a straight hour about spiritual experiences and nitty-gritty details.
I noticed that it is sometimes more easy with people you never met. But there are still moments I feel myself an alien, and then at the same time I know and see that that are only thoughts. I know and feel most of the time that everything is ok as it is, and embrace the experience, but still something inside me would like to escape socialising and bla bla talks.
My life changed in so many ways and I really enjoyed and enjoy opening up, after many years of wearing all kind of masks.
I made a yoga website, in Dutch were I also blog, and there are reactions, of likewise thinking people or people who are touched by the words. Not that that is the reason I write it but inside me is something that will shake and awake, the words has to come out and at he same time I know that it happens for everyone on the right time and the right place. It can make me sad, when I see the suffering in so many lifes.....
Anyway, enjoy and embrace every moment thank you for your time Cody/Bodhi and keep up your good work! and beautiful writings, they are really good and hopeful!!
 Marjoleine  Charliedog |
Edited by - Charliedog on Mar 09 2015 05:18:19 AM |
|
|
|
Beehive
USA
117 Posts |
Posted - May 10 2015 : 1:33:38 PM
|
| This is so resonating with me today! |
|
|
|
Dogboy
USA
2193 Posts |
Posted - May 10 2015 : 2:39:20 PM
|
| Same here, from Michael, one of many dogboys |
|
|
|
Charliedog
1625 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2015 : 07:24:23 AM
|
|
|
|
|
adishivayogi
USA
197 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2015 : 12:57:42 PM
|
| People have alway been taught to keep their sadhana and experinces a secret. I think unless it is a source of income it shouldn't be talked about often. Defiantly share, if someone wants to know |
|
|
|
So-Hi
USA
481 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2015 : 6:33:17 PM
|
Actually once you take that first step with due caution and appropriate safety measures like meeting in a public place making sure your own people know where you are what you are doing and have established check in points it is wonderful to be with others in person and share your lifes stories and even better to sit together and practice Spinal Beathing and Deep Meditation etc.....
In recent times It has been my extreme good fortune and pleasure to spend full days with a fellow AYP Practitioner, we sat togother and talked and talked shared our experiences for hours and sat in AYP Practices together and the result was amazing the intense feelings of Divine Love, and Deep Appreciation for a complete stranger and a new friend overwhelminly beautiful and heart fulfilling.
With this kind of living it takes the idea of unity out of the realm of philosophy and brings it home and making it very, very real. It is like meeting yourself in another and loving them all the more for the uniqueness they represent and the feeling of love for their existance just knowing they are out there everyday living their life their way is a very unique and rewarding experience.
Like being with one of my own tribe, my kind. Which is to say someone who knows the same things and can relate it was very special you know. In this world we have all become far to alienated from one another while at the same time there are more people walking the earth than at any other time in history.
Odd no?
The old ways of keeping it to yourself are just that, old tired and a relic of a bygone era. Still some traditions insist upon it and to that it is thought whatever floats your boat. Mums the word ok too bad for you we could have enjoyed this life in kinship.
Yogani was bold and brave enough to break that barrier. Seems like it has worked out pretty darn good.
It is thought we are not put on this earth to hide and hold secrets from one another nor hide and covet that which is life. Stories and the stories of ones life are important they help others learn, or better understand what to expect when the time comes for them to have and opening and reinforce what we already know by repeating them.
Stories shared are a very human thing and it is sad to see it discouraged, maybe if it were not those of us of a certain knowing would not be so alienated and missing our tribe? |
Edited by - So-Hi on Jun 12 2015 7:36:45 PM |
|
|
|
Charliedog
1625 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2015 : 2:55:45 PM
|
| Thank you for sharing So- Hi ! Good to hear your story! |
Edited by - Charliedog on Jun 17 2015 05:16:14 AM |
|
|
|
So-Hi
USA
481 Posts |
Posted - Jun 17 2015 : 1:58:54 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Charliedog
Thank you for sharing So- Hi ! Good to hear your story!
 |
|
|
|
Charliedog
1625 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2016 : 11:22:18 AM
|
Why is it so difficult with family, parents and brothers to share, talk a little bit deeper then the surface.....
I am very very grateful for my children, they are open and sharing there feelings......
Sorry for ranting, feel alienating in my own family again  |
|
|
|
Bodhi Tree
2972 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2016 : 11:34:01 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Charliedog
Why is it so difficult with family, parents and brothers to share, talk a little bit deeper then the surface.....
Same here. They're still lagging behind. I've had to learn to continue to blaze ahead, regardless. They'll come along, in due time. Just leave a trail of breadcrumbs, and that will suffice. Trying to drag them against their will is simply exhausting and counterproductive. Leading by example, however, is the way to go.
At least we've got some felow practitioners to connect with through the emerging AYP network! The future looks bright. Onward. |
|
|
|
Charliedog
1625 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2016 : 11:54:18 AM
|
I don't try to drag them, well maybe I do, but I just would like them to be happy, so it is me again, who is not accepting them the way they are. It is not easy I guess because we share the same DNA  it gives me a headache if I share too much time with my own family. It is confronting, so it is interesting to learn from it I suppose.
Thank you Bodhi for sharing,
Onward.
|
|
|
|
Dogboy
USA
2193 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2016 : 11:55:50 AM
|
quote:
Sorry for ranting, feel alienating in my own family again
Rant here all you like. Seeing your feelings in words reduces the ache; releasing the ache samyama style cleans the slate. Staying connected with family as your true self will resonate over time. We are wired to be drawn to the Light. |
|
|
|
Charliedog
1625 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2016 : 12:16:28 PM
|
It is also kind of confronting to see parents grow old, they need more help, the roles are changing, not easy for both parts. I want contact and they want to talk about the car of the neighbors. Sometimes I have the feeling, yes we are connected and then suddenly it's gone again. Sometimes it is ok, sometimes it hurts, today it hurts, but then again I can feel love and it's ok, and so we move on... like this.
|
|
|
|
Charliedog
1625 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2016 : 12:22:49 PM
|
To see my ranting in words gives me the opportunity to see exactly what is happening here inside, that clears up the sky, letting it go in silence now, samyama style.  |
|
|
|
Bodhi Tree
2972 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2016 : 2:58:56 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Charliedog
it gives me a headache if I share too much time with my own family. It is confronting, so it is interesting to learn from it I suppose.
Been there, done that. I feel your pain.
On the other hand, when the audience's ears are receptive, the headache becomes a head massage, which I know you know from your ongoing experience as a teacher. That's the best. |
|
|
|
Charliedog
1625 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2016 : 4:32:47 PM
|
Let it go and go on, every moment fresh and new, and I would love a head massage Bodhi
|
|
|
|
sunyata
USA
1505 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2016 : 7:41:28 PM
|
I hear you, Charliedog. Like Dogboy said just residing in the beingness and let everyone be where/as they are is what's been happening these days. People who are interested will come to you.
Having this online AYP family, I never feel disconnected.
quote:
Originally posted by Bodhi Tree
At least we've got some felow practitioners to connect with through the emerging AYP network! The future looks bright. Onward.
Yes.
Today I attended an event "International Day of Yoga" in which they offered classes from Kundalini, Yin, Hatha, Ayurveda, Laughter yoga and so on. I had a vision of AYP being there in few years.
Another beautiful experience when chanting "Ong Namo Gurudev Namo" meaning "I bow to divine light/ guru" during Kundalini yoga- Yogani's name arose from the silence, I let it go back in silence. Every cell in the body lit up and "I" melted.
Thank you again Yogani for showing the way to living a magical life and creating this scared space where we can share and connect to our heart's content . |
|
|
|
Bodhi Tree
2972 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2016 : 8:27:56 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by sunyata
Today I attended an event "International Day of Yoga" in which they offered classes from Kundalini, Yin, Hatha, Ayurveda, Laughter yoga and so on. I had a vision of AYP being there in few years.
Another beautiful experience when chanting "Ong Namo Gurudev Namo" meaning "I bow to divine light/ guru" during Kundalini yoga- Yogani's name arose from the silence, I let it go back in silence. Every cell in the body lit up and "I" melted.
I like your vision, and your melting-ness. |
|
|
|
lalow33
USA
966 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2016 : 8:41:49 PM
|
| I agree some with this thread. Charlie girl, I have all kinds of family drama now. What I'm trying to say is its all in me. If I'm not accepting even others' unacceptance of me, it's a me problem. I'm not able to just let it go( or it's be gone by now). |
|
|
|
sunyata
USA
1505 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2016 : 9:07:10 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Bodhi Tree
quote:
Originally posted by sunyata
Today I attended an event "International Day of Yoga" in which they offered classes from Kundalini, Yin, Hatha, Ayurveda, Laughter yoga and so on. I had a vision of AYP being there in few years.
Another beautiful experience when chanting "Ong Namo Gurudev Namo" meaning "I bow to divine light/ guru" during Kundalini yoga- Yogani's name arose from the silence, I let it go back in silence. Every cell in the body lit up and "I" melted.
I like your vision, and your melting-ness.
|
|
|
|
Charliedog
1625 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2016 : 08:01:02 AM
|
Sunyata thank you for sharing your beautiful experience with chanting, chanting is beautiful I said it before, it opens my heart for divine love and brings me to deep silence.
New day, and this day started beautiful with a yoga&meditation class on the beach, there was an unexpected sunshine and a nice cirkel with students. I love to share yoga on the beach because we can feel so easy connected with all elements and there is so much space. And summer is short here...During shavasana I was chanting Aum Namah Shivaya, and felt deeply grateful.
Thank you Lalow, Bodhi, Dogboy for your presence here |
|
|
|
So-Hi
USA
481 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2016 : 1:04:29 PM
|
Well this touched something deep.... Thank you I am not going to try to structure this so be warned it is going to be long and jump around a bit just replying from the heart.
That feeling of alienation is not an easy one. It is a self inflicted wound. It does not seem like it but it is and it is because of being confused mostly but it is a stage you have to grow with and through and it can take a long, long time. Life times even.
Maybe some sharp words will cut that time down a bit? I don't know but here is what I comprehend anyway. The sharp words are mostly how I would talk to myself assuming the role of the third person and drifting in and out of that perspective.
Maybe others will recognize themselves a well?? Who knows? so here we / I go...
Let me relate to you that, that feeling of alienation is one of selfishness and insecurity. We all want others especially the ones we love most and who love us to understand us to be able to relate to us under our terms and under our conditions. We like best those who agree with us most and are perceived to be like us or who like us.
One way that people alleviate this feeling of alienation is to gather others around them that have the same interest. Tribes Nation, Religions and all manner of ism's start this way and as Ferris Bueller wisely once said Ism's of any kind are not good. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ep6YVqc6Ks
Sadly people misguidedly sometimes doing it in the name of helping others and being of service to humanity. These people if they take an outwards turn become teachers to alleviate these feelings of alienation.
Nothing wrong with this, but it is better if one is honest with themselves and others as to the motivation. Satisfaction is not always found this way because people will disappoint you and frustrate you if you are not aware of the feeling of alienation being the root motivating cause in the first place.
When it is like this you can be sure you are just once again exerting your control over your specific circle of influence that you yourself have orchestrated. Creating a reality, a circle of influence you can manage and dominate where you are in charge will not solve this ache in your heart. If you are really successful you may wind up becoming ran by that which you created and have wealth untold and fancy Ashrams etc....
Some even attempt to raise children this way. That can backfire spectacularly.
Many people get married for this root cause to be with someone like them that they can share a life with just the way they like it but in our case it is a little different is it not?
We have set upon the path of directed accelerated human evolution by practices because it is our time and for us to do. So inadvertently we create a distinction which in reality is no distinction at all.
Spiritual practices P'Faw all of this is spiritual.
Some may think oh man it is a good thing I am single then or oh I better not get involved with anyone who is not doing what I am. This is a bad idea.
I will warn you to be careful because many spiritual affiliated people identifying themselves with this thing or that putting on airs I have met are drug addicted people self medicating with very dangerous substances pawning that off as spirituality especially the ones who like to say oh but it is a plant ..... These are the same ones I have watched die before the age of 45 Have you heard about this plant or that Shaman this, that Shaman that. Most are just incredibly selfish manipulative people.
Most unless they are looking for someone to financially support them are going to want to be in control and dominate a relationship so be careful what you ask for with equally selfish beings you just might get it.
Same does not always equal wholesome satisfaction.
In fact I think many of us who are purposefully inducing human spiritual advancement by skillful ways and means have allot to learn from the more giving so called mundane types.
In fact I think they may be far more advanced than children like ourselves who are in a way forcing things, well at-least at first.
As far as I am concerned the verdict is still out as to which is better just living being present or doing so with daily practices. I wonder about this because I enjoy my practices too much and can not easily conceive of stopping and that is by any definition addictive behavior.
At the same time however I was drawn to practices by life events unfolding in a very peculiar way demanding research and comprehension to gain satisfaction of comprehension which only comes by doing. Then by the doing and gaining of comprehension I was made undone as the doing led to addiction of more doing visiting and becoming part of vistas heretofore only written of in the great philosophies of man couched in hidden phrases which only by doing have affirmative meaning.
To be a practitioner of Accelerated Human Evolutionary practices by definition is the height of ultimate selfishness make no mistake about it.
When you get in the car and set a destination or even just go without knowing where you will arrive but are enjoying the ride for the sake of the ride are you not also leaving your home? Leaving your wife? Leaving your Husband? Leaving your children?
Yes.
Why yes you are.
When you sit behind closed doors and go into deep ecstatic states and Samadhi where you cannot even hear power tools being used outside like chain saws and lawn mowers and the crashing of lightening and thunder move you not, have you not taken a journey that defies time dimension and distance and has effectively removed you from the shared reality of Kith and Kin?
When you return from the road trip and the people and things that happened along the way that you experienced are you not changed by the living?
Yes
Why Yes you are.
Did you know that since the road trip was not shared that all you can do is tell the stories to your wife, your Husband, your Children ?
Do you realize they were living a different set of life experiences but were equally alive as you during all of your travels?
Can you see that it is a difference that ultimately makes no difference at all least we choose to perceive a distinction and make ourselves unhappy with it?
When your children go to school and have school life experiences an learning we are pleased or sad for them because we were once children and know the routine. We have been there before and the road is more or less outlined within a given set of parameters. Yes the times are different and the Cabbage patch kids and Charlies Angels are no longer talked about in High School and no one talks about Ted Nugent or his fender amps anymore but the outline is pretty still there.
All of life is constant change. For none even the one in the passenger seat may share the changes in you and Visa Versa.
A very large part of the anxiety also comes from the fact that we are taking up a road trip with no clearly defined map nor even road signs and there is no one to ask directions from because everyone has a different opinion.
AYP has done allot to alleviate this but it is still a very individual journey and yes I get it there is allot of uncertainty, apprehension and anxiety to walking in the dark to destination unknown and it sure would be nice to have the wife, husband kids etc... in the car with us for company.
It just does not work that way. You just have to learn to be content with allowing what you bring back form your daily trips to be indirectly gifted to those around you and if you watch without watching you will see new dimensions in those around you unfolding and get caught by surprise wondering hey where did that come from were they always possessed of that knowledge, that heart , that soul or are the things I am bringing back with me somehow being gifted to them?
Here is a bigger question.
Am I changing and now able to perceive what was right in front of me all along am I now seeing the spiritual being my husband, wife, children etc... truly are for the first time. have I been so blind as not to see what was before me and so incapable of true perception that even now I am only getting glimpse as per my ability?
I rather think it is not one way or the other but then again I like the idea of giving and being in control as all givers are and do, which is why those who receive without genuine need often feel uneasy but I rather think that the later rather than the former is more truthful at-least in my case.
But what if the later has another dimension? what if the practices are really not allowing us to see more? What if the practices are actually helping us to forget?
Yes Forget.
Forget to see the same thing in the same way we always have and when the preconceived knowing of another is dropped away like old garments behold a naked beautiful woman stands before you who before was the wife grown old and accustomed to or the husband who is known for his ways oh that's just Dad.
What if we are forgetting to rely on the lazy underpinnings of conditioned perception and in those brief glimpses see the radiant one before us.
Does your heart not swell with Joy and deep appreciation for there life their very existence not for your sake or any utilitarian purpose but simply for the sake of their own existence bright and strong shining and independent of all cause and effect is this not that which animates?
I rather think the answer is a resounding YES! YES! YES!
You may call the booze hound or the dope smoking person a drug addict and sneer but make no mistake you are no better, in fact you may even be worse at-least they are clear about getting high, or are still in the stages of running away from something but you have already been all that in former incarnations. You know better.
Yet here you are manipulating your own dopamine levels IE Ecstatic conductivity and those who do often think they are not. Oh no because I sit and tap into the nervous system of this body and produce ecstatic feelings I am not an addict.
P'Faw don't kid yourself. If it did not feel good no one would do it and I like to think those who created this dimension of being know what they are doing and it has been set up this way on purpose.
No you must find your own way and learn to enjoy the perfection in the hideous imperfection and cultivate an inward smile otherwise you will be miserable.
Once you become aware this feeling of alienation and recognize it as a root cause you might even stop teaching and interacting.
Some knowing they do not want to be in charge and set the stage for the gathering and interacting with others even go so far as to push their own families away and go and live in an ashram.
Many times they sup on bitter disappointment as they are worked like slaves by those in charge.
For myself I found it best of all to just comprehend that everyone is different in my family and none of them are interested in the things having to do with purposefully forced targeted human spiritual development by skillful ways and means and that there way is to live each day to the best of their ability in their own unique individual way.
You know when you get very honest with yourself and think of it like that you realize that you yourself are doing exactly that also.
Living your life to the best of your ability in your own unique individual way yet unlike them you have structured formal time sitting performing spiritual practices.
Spiritual practices, Sadhana. Whew what a bunch of phony baloney B.S. just who are we kidding with phrases and terms like this anyway?
Honestly the very act of drawing breath is spiritual there is nothing about our existence that is not.
If you doubt my words attend a funeral the next time you get a chance and go and look at the corpse on display. There is a reason dead bodies look so different, sometimes like strangers or odd impersonators of the person you knew. The spirit is no longer there.
Your preconceived perceptions fail you now for that radiant one is there no longer, only the puppet with strings cut, the bird has flown away.
My advice is to cut yourself some slack and do the same for family and those around you and quit feeling sorry for yourself.
Ouch hard words. So what is the answer?
The root cause is allot deeper than just selfishness and insecurity there is also the desire to help others to live a life that is as nice as the one you have from your practices.
Even so even when they do it will not alleviate this.
Again though one must be cautious they are not seeking validation and approval, which are woven into human sociological structure since time forgotten it may even be a mammal thing as the same is observed in other mammalian species.
Here is my conclusion.
Each and everyone of us must seek unity within, within our own-selves until the Yin / Yang is blended and we become neither man nor woman but whole and complete as a blending of the two we will never know true satisfaction. After the blending then the dropping of the comfortable notions of our own identity are dropped as well neither male nor female and this dropping is a byproduct not a opening of the hand and letting go of the object because to do so always implies a duality of subject and object.
This is the process of directed accelerated human evolution all of the good stuff is a byproduct that happens by the power of induction not direct doing.
One may think oh if I do this then it makes that happen. WRONG! in-spite of doing this that happens yet there must be some initial doing because an effective form of doing is necessary then the formless reality will express.
When it comes to talking to family, parents and brothers to share and talk a little bit deeper it is difficult because these people all have entrenched ideas about who and why you are and when you bring things into the conversation that are alien to what they know, they know about you, then you become alien to them as well and you feel the alienation of it and the futility of it all and even the eroding of the familial connection with one such as your mother as the eroding of the mutually agreed upon up till now concept of you in relation to them is altered..
It is not our job to be perceived rightly, it is not our job to disturb the minds of others seeking comfort in our hearts for our own current concept of shifting identity, it is our job to be kind loving and understanding and most of all with ourselves.
This comes from long term objectivity gained by practices that lead to experiences of the deeper dimension of what we really are which as long as it can be codified or written about you can be sure is only a passing facet of the totality of the whole which while expressing can never be fully expressed as in reality that which is requires no expression as the very act of doing so creates yet another fiction.
Your children are more open and aligned to your inner reality because you are their Mother, yet despite your best efforts they will perceive you differently than you yourself do but likely more closely than others because it has been given to you like with all parents the responsibility and duty to help create a mental and emotionally supportive framework for these young souls under your authority to thrive and fulfill the purpose for their current incarnation under your stewardship. A good parent takes this very seriously and does his or her best.
When it comes to those we wish to make whole and complete within our framework of us it is only to realize that they really already are and the opposite of that is a trick of perception, we always look different in a different setting and with the play of lights and shadows but that which animates is self illuminated and is already whole without preconceived isms to make it one way or another seek the truth and the beauty of that which animates and not the corpse of the mind and emotions, if you would see the unity you already have, there is no place to look outside of yourself or the outside of others but rather within.
This is what I would tell.
quote:
Originally posted by Charliedog
Why is it so difficult with family, parents and brothers to share, talk a little bit deeper then the surface.....
I am very very grateful for my children, they are open and sharing there feelings......
Sorry for ranting, feel alienating in my own family again
|
|
|
|
parvati9
USA
587 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2016 : 5:17:48 PM
|
Good post So-Hi. If agreement is offered, you may wish to point out that I have failed to understand. That is accepted. I probably don't understand. Nevertheless having read your opinion, I can appreciate it and perhaps offer a slightly different point of view.
Just living being present is better than practices. In time practices will lead to simply being present. BUT I see no drawback in continuing enjoyable practices once that is realized. And practices certainly do not necessarily lessen one's ability to live being present. Unless there are feelings of superiority due to one's perceived state of accelerated evolution. One may be happy and satisfied about one's progress without feeling superior. That, however, may be easier said than done. Who are we to judge? As you seem to say, those who live every day to the best of their ability are sometimes doing better than we..... who may judge ourselves superior or happier or more balanced or whatever. The disadvantage of feeling superior is that it emphasizes an imaginary separation, i.e., there is no division and therefore nothing to be superior to.
"Learn to enjoy the perfection in the hideous imperfection and cultivate an inward smile otherwise you will be miserable." For me, this is only half the picture. We all know there are unspeakably horrible things happening (mostly to others), are we to attempt to distance ourselves and be unmoved by their plight? Are we to pretend they don't exist? Are we to say - they don't concern me - therefore my part in all this is to cultivate inner silence and remain unmoved, so it will not upset and disturb my harmony how others are obviously quite vulnerable to hideous imperfection? If we justify or rationalize hideous aspects of reality, don't we sweep it under the carpet where it can never be addressed or helped?
Yes, of course I should be concerned with mitigating my own suffering, and perhaps that peace will have a good enough effect on others. There seems to be a balance in all this. We maintain our own peace yet silently send healing and upliftment to others. That is not to say we are enjoying the perfection, but only that we are perhaps being all that we can be, given the totality of circumstances involved. Nevertheless, I would caution in using the idea of karma for justification of unspeakably corrupt and ruthless protocols.
There are requirements (our physiology demand these) and there are addictions (our physiology and/or psychology likes these but can do without them). "Honestly the very act of drawing breath is spiritual there is nothing about our existence that is not." I do not agree. It is only our awareness which is spiritual. It is our awareness which spiritualizes everything. Our breath is just a common occurrence, nothing special, it is our awareness of it that imparts the spiritualization or sanctification. Our awareness of the suffering of others may serve to spiritualize hideous imperfection - in a way. But only if we separate ourselves out from the equation, which we know is the product of illusion.
"..if you would see the unity you already have, there is no place to look outside of yourself or the outside of others but rather within." This would be a seeming paradox. In looking outside of ourselves or to the exterior of others, are we not also looking at ourselves? There is no separation, so everywhere we gaze we are looking at ourselves. The inside and outside are the same; it is the false dividing perception which fosters illusion. Ultimately it is all one. Nevertheless, it is our awareness of the essential truth which calms, perfects and heals. |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
|
|
| AYP Public Forum |
© Contributing Authors (opinions and advice belong to the respective authors) |
|
|
|
|
Dear Yoga family
