Hard Questions (for me), and the Bicycle Experience

[tribunalofmercy]

Sometimes I wonder why it is that God seems to “help” some people more than others; I have difficulty reconciling this in my mind, even believing is it True – instead I believe there must be Many ways of helping (on the part of ‘God’), just as I see differences in the way we perceive the Direct action of the hands, as a part of the body, rather than noticing the work of the elbow, when there is still Much action going on. (Is it still fuzzy logic if I simply see correlations in Everything? lol)




For example: In my culture is it a common thing for growing children to ride bicycles for fun. And, in my experience, there are times when a parent will introduce the child to the experience of ‘riding the bike’ First, by placing the child up on the bike and pushing it around while still holding on, so the child will Know what it Feels like, to ride the bike. But even parents who are not entirely Aware of their own actions will know the child cannot be pushed around that way Forever; at some point the parent will let Go of the bike, or take the child off, and say “Ok – now You do it!”



Sometimes this is motivation enough for the child to Get Going, you know? Get back up there and try to Emulate what Daddy or Mommy has shown them, learning to ride the bike for Themselves. Some children might whine, though, and say, “No – Why can’t you keep pushing me? I want You to do it For me!”



Either way, in those instances, the parent has provided what I call a Benchmark of understanding for the child by giving them the Experience of ‘riding the bike’ so they will Know what it is they are supposed to do, and what the ride Feels like. There are plenty of children out there who do not Have someone to push them first; some may never ride a bike at All, but a number of them will simply get out there and Try and Try until they get it Right, you know?




Is it fair that some children have help at the beginning, to Know what the experience is like before trying to figure it out themselves? Why does this happen? We can understand the microcosmic bike analogy because we have Seen it, with parents/mentors and children, but do we apply the idea to Other things – spiritual truths, perhaps?




Why do some people seem to receive “gifts” of spiritual highs, insights, awakenings that seem almost Passive in that someone Else is setting them up on the spiritual bicycle of cosmic awareness First, and letting them See what life could be like in such bliss….while others must Try and Try to figure it out without that kind of help?




Is it Fair? Is it even True? Or is that only what it Seems like, sometimes? If I truly believe that ‘God’ (or that Perfect Wisdom of All that I call by such a name as God) is indeed as wise as I Think, perhaps he/it Knows that some are strong enough to benefit from the extra effort so that they may better fulfill their Perfect purpose, while others need to See/experience First, in order to make the attempt at All?



I do not know if this is a ‘spiritual question’ that can be answered, but as always I value the thoughts of others.

[aceofcups]

Mary Anne,

just my two cents

to me it presupposes that god is a person that gives out stuff randomly.. more to some then others it sounded like at times.

I don't personally except the prepositions: first, that that god is person he gives more to one then another and/or that things are randomly given,

I think we live in an ordered lawful world and universe... To me the laws are part of this god concept. Trouble is we don't always see from absolute awareness - our limited viewpoints of all the energy interactions taking place on multidimensional levels of consciousness can make us feel some people get more then others. That life is random and not always fair.

Personally, i think each gets exactly what they are bound to get by the laws manifested in their being at a particular time. Some even say it is always perfect ( from the Absolute God-consciousness point of view) and don't think it can be otherwise.

peace
aceofcups

[tribunalofmercy]

You know, Charlie, the painful thing for me is that I Do see it from your point of view as well...but, like some others, it allows the safety net to be jerked out from under me in that way. For example, why in Heck was I given a life of comfort growing up? There are Plenty of teachings that say I Deserved it, because of karma. Others that say it was because I Chose this life before I got here, and do I Really want to think of myself in such terms? Yet the view is limited, because I have had my share of hardships this time, to Teach me things.

Yes, I believe the laws of the Universe are set up so that each person experiences what they Need to experience; that way of thinking brings me Total detachment from Everyone and Everything (personally), and I do not Like to be so detached. Yet you are right; over and over, you are right, and I do not have to like it. Thus am I still Human today

[aceofcups]

mary anne,
thank you for making your response short enough so I could read whole thing and respond.

you use words i don't accept as part of what i wrote -- deserve - again sounds like it is handed to you as a punishment or gift. To me it is just meaningful ( as opposed to just random) energy playing itself out.

understanding non-attachment does not necessarily mean not being compassionate or helping to relieve suffering.. quite the contrary.

but it does move the energy out of personality ego solar plexus energy attached helping into a true heart centered process.

very big difference to me.

peace
aceofcups

[tribunalofmercy]

Perhaps I do not know the difference yet However I will Think about it. Quite a bit.

[mojomojo]

Having enjoyed the benefits of good health for the large part of my life, my occasional visits to the medical profession has always left me with the feeling of no concern for the patient, you were nothing more than a number, they were only doing a job, while my supposed belief told me people in the medical would be humanitarians.

Expressing this to my wife, she burst into a fit of laughter, she also works in the medical profession.
She expressed it was part of their training, how can a surgeon, cut up a human being while thinking of them as such with a wife and kids etc.
Their elevated beliefs of themselves causes the detachment to perform the job.

My first, what I presumed was my spirit guide, always came across as been very cold, maybe neutral is a better word here, he spoke in short verse to get points across, but the feeling of neutrality was always present.

Is this the feeling that often comes across with detachment, the lack of being attached comes across as cold, neutral.





Robert.

[tribunalofmercy]

You know, Robert, today has been a somewhat Emotional day for me; not always the case, but I must remain Aware of the energy of emotion that conveys into the words I type. (backing away and meditating helps, lol) Sometimes there are things I feel Strongly about but might not react to, if I walk in the Middle Way, as Charlie talks about….it is helpful at times to experience both the emotion and the detachment, but the difficulty comes in our Response to them, how we walk within each.


I’m going to combine a response to my Own thread of thoughts and those of yours on another thread, Robert. It is another microcosm to watch the transformation of caterpillar to butterfly, and we perhaps have seen how the butterfly must emerge from its cocoon (remember this one?)…like other microcosmic examples, it is not so Stressful for us to watch the process because we Know how it ends, do you see?


Are we impatient, truly, with the progress of the butterfly? Not after seeing the results in nature; the butterfly is not concerned with how Long it is taking, for it is intent on the Struggle, which gives it strength to fly when free. I see a comparison to the bicycle experience but there are more things Happening in that experience; some learn to ride quickly, some take Quite a bit of time, some give up, and I find myself becoming Concerned that I will not know how the experience will End, for someone I care about. So I may become emotional, wish to Help, etc when it may well be the Struggle that frees the cyclist to “fly”. This is Not what I should be doing, lol.


We also know what will happen to the butterfly once it Is ‘free’ from it’s cage/cocoon; it still conforms to Universal Law for its particular species and life, living only a short life, migrating because it is Made to do so, buffeted about by storms or winds etc…this Happens. Does it mean the butterfly is not free? ( Perhaps a Big issue for me is that I no longer Need to be free, yet I become concerned with my Own thinking about that) The entire process of life-and-death within its cycle is Planned, yet the experience of the butterfly to those who See it, is a thing of beauty, of bringing of Lessons that the butterfly has to teach us.


My guides are also non-dual, therefore detached, yet they have never "come across" as cold - have I been conditioned to understand them, or do I See the strength of their feeling even while not emotional? I think Charlie nailed it, lol – I know there is a way to walk in Balance, seeing the struggles in my own life and those of others, practicing non-attachment without losing my Experiences in life, the sharing of everything…so that either direction does not Consume me and I fall. (I reserve the right to personify ‘God’ at times but I know it is not in such limited form, that I Experience him/it.)

[sparklekaz]

Hi Robert,

I've always thought the same as you. In as much as detachment seems rather cold, or implies not caring. For to 'detach' is to break away from, if you take the word literally. Ace and I have spoken about this at length. And as I understand it. In the spiritual sense. Detachment is having no attachment to the outcome. As in no expectations. I think it's important to differentiate between what is mean't by spiritual detachment - to the very human physical emotional state of detaching.

I can understand why surgeons and doctors can sometimes come across as being detached. For one thing, think of the pressure and emotional burden they would carry, if they thought too much about how each life is in their hands. Can you imagine cutting into someone and keeping a steady hand if you were worrying about them on a emotional level? I remember reading somewhere that there is a very high incidence of suicide in Doctors and Veternarians. Which shows that many are not as detached as they may appear. Clearly the 'job', does 'get' to many.

Spiritual detachment is about seeing something or a situation from a higher perspective. That what they feel is unconditional love, which I see as a divine state, which we can aspire too, but rarely achieve in purity; rather then a 'reactive' emotional state. I think when we feel compassion, it's the nearest we get to it. That and paternal love of children. It is not that they don't care, but that they believe all is as it should be and that by 'reacting' in a emotional way serves no purpose. If you think about it, when we are in emotional turmoil or worked up emotionally. What we need is someone who is calm, who will help us to regain perspective. If the person we were talking to reacted as emotionally as we did, they would not be helping. Maybe even making things worse.

I am a compassionate person, and I do love my children unconditionally. But accept that I am only human and however hard I try to be aware; I do have expectations. If it's only that, 'if I love you, you will love me back'. 'If I treat you well and with respect, you will treat me the same'. Sadly this does not always happen. But that is life and I accept it.

Love and light
Kaz

[donq]

Hi Karen,

I always regret that I don’t have a daughter (in fact, I have no kids) so I cannot know the feeling of being a dad. But somehow I know it’s a great feeling with great responsibility and great love.
Let me tell you my story. When I was a kid, at fourth grade, maybe. I read almost all the book in my school’s library. The librarian knew me very well and always smiled at me. One night I was reading Arsène Lupin (Yes, I read its translation when I was about 8 years old!) and my dad found me. He hit me so hard just because he knew that it was not a school textbook and he had no idea what the book was. He was an old tradition soldier. Anyway, what I want to tell is, though he abused all his sons, it turn out that all his son growing so well. I mean, all of his sons never smoked, drank (drinking alcohol is considered bad in my tradition) or done anything (worldly) bad. It was only me who smokes (but only when I was about 25 years old). hahaha

At the hindsight, I think even he was a tyranny, but because of that, none of his sons never dared to do anything bad. Sometimes I wonder, if he was so kind, all of his sons will grown up like this? 

P.S. Sorry Mary Anne, for my irrelevant post.

[cyberangel]

Hi Robert,

So I am here trying to find the right words to explain without sounding quite crazy! Lol

Ok...when I could hear the Angels (which I can't right now because....well that's another story, surfice to say that we are on a "break" at the moment lol) when I could hear them...they would fill me with an incredible sense of love...overwhelming sense of pure divine love...stronger yet lighter than our human emotional love. They are complely detached from the earthly plain and the human experience...even in our most highest vibrations of Joy they are still so much higher than that again...very hard to explain really.

Anyway when they would communicate with me, either one of two things would have to happen...either I had to raise my vibrations (usually through meditation) or they would raise my vibrations...by almost putting me into like a blissful trance-like state...I would physically feel them coming by experiencing a 'soundless humming' in the centre of my chest and I knew I had to get a pen and paper ready...this 'silent hum' could happen for between 1 to 5 mins before I would hear them.

When they would speak it was like my mind was pushed to one side so to speak...I mean I was totally aware of my surroundings and environment and even the pen and paper in my hand, down to the words appearing on the paper but it was like I could not understand what was being said or written at the time and I just became a viewer...it felt like I was hypnotised by the bliss I felt that nothing else mattered and yet I was fully aware of everything going on in and around me.

Anyway, as different Angels would visit I could feel their different energies and could recognise each by his or her own energy (although the Angels are nether male or female) but could use energy to communicate if you get me. The softer nurturing angels would hold a female energy while the urgent and more firm messages would have a male energy. So I learned how to recognise each by their energy...eventually they also would use colour and sometimes a beautiful scent to distinguish themselves...but that was for my benefit and not theirs and it was just another way of getting the message across to me...so I could relate...if again that makes sense.

They would fill me with the most divine love that really cant be explained by any words except for bliss...and even that doesnt really come close to the feeling. Anyway as much as they love me and all life they are still completely detached from me and my emotions. No matter what I am feeling or what I choose to do in life, it has no effect on them. ..dont get me wrong...often they would comfort me and console me but it was done without them taking on my emotions.

My emotions or feelings had no effect on them but they could effect or influence me with their energies, but still leaving my free will intact...It's so hard to explain. I just wanted to try and explain their detachment...but its so difficult because we can never attain that level of detachment on this plain nor can we fully understand it.

Karen expressed it ideally and logically and yet it is even beyond that again...we can never fully detatch while in these bodies...it is our attachments that keep us here...alive. As I understand it (and I can't fully comprehend it)...to fully detach...our earthly cords must be severed permanently. Meaning that we cannot live both here on the physical and in the spirit realm at the same time...but yet we ARE connected to both for as long as we live.

That is the best way I can describe it. Its so hard to explain in human ways because full detachment is not fully within human understanding. When we speak of detachment we speak from a human/earthly/emotionally experience but its far far beyond that again...and there simply are no words to explain it from the other side. (We are bound by the law of cause and effect here on earth)

Oh that was my whole point I was trying to get at...that although my Angels/guides are completely detached they have never ever been what I can call cold or uncaring...quite the opposite. ..their love is incredable and all encompassing. Sorry went the long way around but got there in the end

Love and Light

[mojomojo]

Hi all,
Thank you very much for your replies, more confused now than ever, joking, honestly, just joking.
I think it's one of those paradoxes that is never going to make sense, until you experience it, and that doesn't seem to be possible while in the physical.
Kaz's explanation of one who can keep their head while all around them is losing it, gives a baseline, while Lorraine's, it's much higher than that, we can think we can understand it, but only experience gives true knowledge, but that is where our difficulties lie, we are playing two fields at once, spiritual and physical, each with its own set of rules, and some we can't even experience or test. It does make me question, the energies I seem to attract when I meditate though, I have experience of good energies, so do know the difference, but why do I attract these neutral, staring types, LOA , and all that.

ps. You don't sound crazy at all Lorraine, not one little bit. LOL. (Joking, honest.)



Again, many thanks,
Robert.

[sparklekaz]

Robert said "we are playing two fields at once, spiritual and physical, each with its own set of rules, and some we can't even experience or test." And this I feel is what causes so much 'inner conflict', so much struggle. Whether you believe we are human beings having a spiritual experience, or spiritual beings having a physical experience. There is no doubt in my mind, that the more aware I become, the more I struggle. Earthly life means having to develop the life skills to survive. Not just literally, but to understand the dynamics, understand the rules of human interaction. I'll try to explain what I mean by this. Forgive me if I'm unclear. As I do struggle sometimes to translate what I'm thinking into words.

Spiritual development, coming to higher awareness teaches us that what is socially or humanly acceptable in behaviour, is NOT aways right or acceptable from a higher perspective. For example. The working environment is very competitive. If an individual through need, must gain a better position. For job security, a better salary to feed their family, etc. To do this they are required to forge ahead, sometimes exploiting the weaknesses of others to show they are stronger, better. Not doing anything illegal, but may be morally questionable. They tell themselves they are doing it for the greater good, the welfare of their family. But in the process they lose their integrity, supress their natural instincts of compassion for others who are struggling.

Maybe this is an extreme example. But to varying degrees, many do act and speak in ways that contradict their inner moral compass. Or there is the individual who walks away from a dificult situation, one that makees them deeply uhappy. But in doing so, they make other's deeply unhappy. On one hand we might say, it is immaterial how my actions effect others, as to suffer is part of their karma, or the suffering will help them to understand, to learn and eventually release said karma. The person who walks away tells themselves that what they are doing is right, because they were not mean't to suffer and if they are suffering, surely that must mean they are not where they are mean't to be in terms of their spiritual purpose. But deep down, non of this helps to alleviate their feelings of guilt.

Roberts statement about living a life abiding by 'two sets of rules', I see clearly played out every day in one form or another. My question is this. If it is true, that it is rarely possible to achieve the state of spiritual detachment, until we pass into spirit. Are human beings destined to always suffer. For it seems that on one hand the man or women who is not spiritually aware, has more chance of finding inner peace in this life. Then the man/women who is committed to their spiritual growth. Who is constantly pulled in two directions or of two minds. The angel and the devil sat on their shoulders, never giving them peace. I know not everyone is tortured by worry abut right thing. I'm not talking about the 'obvious' right things. I'm talking about knowledge that self awareness brings. That every action has consequences. And trying to second guess what those consequences will be for 'everyone'. Someone who is aware can feel paralyzed by that self awareness. "What if I do this, and that happens. What if I make this choice and unknown to me it has a negative effect on someone else." There comes a point when an individual can literally become paralyzed, frozen into inaction. For fear of doing something wrong. So they then reassure themselves with the thought, everything is as it should be. Is this a reassuring platitude we tell ourselves, to absolve ourselves from the guilt if things do go wrong?

Apologies if this is a longwinded reply. As I said, trying to put thoughts into words can be difficult. What I'm trying to say is. That straddling two worlds so to speak is very difficult. Trying to combine the two is difficult. Everything about who we are is geared up to physical human life. Not spirit life. Is it only me that inds it hard? Does trying to be a spiritual person living a physical life put us at a disadvantage from the word go? Dr David Hawkins said that we are all innately spiritual and that the desire to become more spiritual is natural in us. But it is clear by looking around at the people we interact with on a daily basis, some are more aware of that then other's. Here on this forum, we feel surrounded by people who are like us. But 'out there' in the world, it seems to me, we are in a minority. How do we survive in a world that plays by different rules to us?

Love and light
Kaz

[mojomojo]

Hi Kaz,
I think you got your point across very well, and I agree with every word you wrote.
Two armies on the verge of going to war, one General a spiritual man, the other not, who has the hardest decision.
A herd of cows in a field, one cow is a spiritual cow, who,is the blood sucking tick going to land on to get its fill.
Yes, I do believe we have it harder, there are times I sit there with my head in my hands, asking myself , do I really need this, but you know you will never put it down.
And, yes I do believe people pick up on your energy, and will use it to their advantage, that's life for them, might is right.
I strongly believe, your situation is a very important factor, I worked in the truck trade for many years, long hours, low pay, a very bad atmosphere, very aggressive and often violent.
The way I coped, was putting up a very hard outer shell, you have to, otherwise they will tear you to pieces, but then you are not being yourself, it all becomes an act, you are been dragged down to their level, in the end I got sick of the whole lot, walked out and swore I would only work at something I loved, I had lost all fear, will I get another job, what will I do, how will I live, how will I eat, I just didn't care anymore.
It felt like I had stopped running, turned around, faced GOD, and said, right that's it, enough, let's put the theory to practice, and that's where I'am now, I'm not making loads, still in training, but spiritually I'am rich, I have time to follow that which is important to me, I still have to deal with people, but there on a slightly higher level than where I was. Don't think I'am putting down all truck drivers, I'm not, some are lovely people, who live a very hard life, but some are not, it's more the industry than anything.
Some will say you are there to learn something, others will tell you do what you love, the universe will support you, but then, material wealthy spiritually poor, spiritually wealthy materially poor, not sure if we can have it all, but I will keep you posted.
For me, if your in a bad situation, have given it time and done all you can and nothing changes, your flogging a dead horse, move on.

Absolutely brilliant post Kaz, as you can see I could rant on for days about it.

[cyberangel]

Hi all

I agree with you. Karen and Robert have made very valid points and expressed them very clearly

For me, (in my personal experience and opinion) life and spirituality is about reaching an equilibrium. Now, how each reaches that balance is up to them.

The way I see it is like this...we can spend our entire lives here seeking out that which is just beyond our grasp or we can enjoy what we already have and learn to use the gifts already within.

So many seek outwardly when the answers lie inwards. People can seek out all the spiritual advisors there are and all the answers available, but until we seek the answers within ourselves, we can never be fully satisfied...because what we are doing is trying to make someone else's truth fit into ours...and that is where the inner turmoil is.

When you find that balance within then and only then can YOU cease the inner conflict...but it does not end there, that would be just too easy. We must then maintain the equilibrium...and if you think that finding the equilibrium was difficult...it is nothing compared to trying to maintain it...but also it is so rewarding being in that perfect space...to finally find that Peace and be at Peace

Finding and more importantly MAINTAINING that Peace is the closest (IMO) a person can get to detachment in this life.

Love and Light

[sparklekaz]

Hi Monty,

I think what you are referring to is what is called 'Tough Love'. An expression people use to illustrate why they choose excessive strictness and sometimes violence (as in your case), for 'your own good'. You say "At the hindsight, I think even he was a tyranny, but because of that, none of his sons never dared to do anything bad. Sometimes I wonder, if he was so kind, all of his sons will grown up like this?" My feelings are, that children follow by example. If your father lived a good honest life and stayed away from harmful things. Wouldn't that have been enough? Do we have to have 'fear' instilled in us, to do what is right? On one hand, that fear kept you safe. But on the other hand, what kind of hidden damage does it do, to the psyche of a child, who lives in fear?

There is a old Victorian expression in my culture that says 'spare the rod, and spoil the child'. This was an old fashioned expression that implied leniency not only allowed but encouraged bad behaviour. But it is interesting to note that the word 'rod' is used rather then another term that would inhibit unacceptable behaviour. So was it any wonder that beating your child with whatever was to hand, at one time was was deemed normal. All a child will see is that using violence to enforce your will upon another is ok. Thus perpetuating the behaviour. Ask yourself this question. If you had, any children. Would you have acted the same way as your father? I doubt it very much. You are a gentle man who would have raised his children to see that all human life is precious and that we should treat people how we wish to be treated, with reason, love and respect. Thank goodness we have moved on since those times.

Love and light
Kaz

[sparklekaz]

Hi Robert,

I would seem this is something we are both struggling with at the moment. Which is comforting to me as when you are surrounded by those who seem to have risen above this inner conflict, not only do you feel out of sync in the outside world but amongst your spiritual peers also. I know some would say that this type of inner turmoil, which elicts some truly deep soul searching, can often precipitate, some kind of spiritual breakthrough. I hope this is the case. I am so glad what I said made sense to you.

You should be proud that you made that stand, had the courage to just throw your hands up and say 'enough'. I can't live this way anymore. The inner conflict brought about by trying to fit in, projecting and maintaining an outer personna that is not who we really are. Will I feel literally destroy us if we don't find a way to stop it, or leave it behind us. You said "For me, if your in a bad situation, have given it time and done all you can and nothing changes, your flogging a dead horse, move on." I agree with you totally in this. It is only too easy forget sometimes when your in the throes of a negative situation. Where you feel trapped and think there is no way out. Your words a timely reminder for many, that we do have 'free will'.

Love and light
Kaz

[mojomojo]

Hi Lorraine,
Quick question,
When you get the balance right and find that space of peace,
Is it anything like, what some here have called quiet mind, or is it something beyond that.


Let's hope your right Kaz, and the break through is near.




many thanks,
Robert.

[donq]

Hi all,

First I have to apologize in advance that this post will be boring (more than usual lol) as I’m going to talk about Buddhism a lot here.

To Mary Anne,
Once Buddha said he would speak only something that was true, right and beneficent for the listeners, even it might not please them (therefore not spoil them in any case) but the most important thing was, he stressed, it had to be said “only” at the right time.

This showed that, people are really different. He also said that there are four kinds of people comparing to lotus:
(below is from somewhere on the internet)

The first lotus bud comes above the water, it gets the sunshine and blooms easily like a genius who can understand what she or he learns, easily.

The second lotus bud is in the water, it needs some time to grow out above the water and gets the sunshine then it blooms. This is like a person who does not understand at first when he tries to learn but he tries again and then he understands.

The third lotus comes out from the mud, it needs a long time to grow out above the water, then it gets the sunshine, and blooms later. This is like a person who doesn’t understand when he tries to learn but he tries again and again, never giving up, then at last he understands.

The fourth lotus is in the mud, it doesn’t have the ability to grow out from the mud, so it is food for fish and tortoises. This is like a person who tries very hard in his study but has no ability to understand.

...................................

To Karen,
Great post! again. (Where can I click double "like"?  :-)

Why did I come here, to this forum? Because I’m just a minority. (and I was thinking that our forum might be like that Sci-Fi movie, Minority report. :-). Whatever I feel comfortable to say here, I never dared to say it else where (been there, done that). Got a lot of reaction or dead silence every time I tried to say something spiritual out there. Hahaha.

Anyway, I like what Confucius said:

“Is it not the conduct of exemplary man,
to refrain from taking offence
when other fails to appreciate your abilities?”


P.S. If I had a daughter, she would be spoiled (so much) until she became bad. Hahaha.

To Robert,
Hmm….about detachment, let me talk about Buddhism here.

Why detachment? Because even it may be true that right/good/ things (person) could make us feel good, healthy, happy but the craving may/must cause us unhappy later. The more that thing is good, the more we will crave to it and want it more and more. Then, unhappiness follows. So does any joyfulness/happiness. For example, no matter how delicious food we eat and crave to it everyday, when it reaches a certain point, it will bore us, make us unhappy, and we want to change it to another food/taste. Again, this is also unhappiness. What does this tell us? It tells that it’s not about any delicious food (happiness) we are craving, but it’s about us, about our cravings. If we never taste how delicious food is, we will not crave to it either. And because everything is impermanent and cannot remain the same. This is inevitable. We have to lose everyone/everything we love and know one day (or vice versa) Do we prepare ourselves for that day yet? This is one thing any Buddhist has to be ready. That comes non-attachment or detachment.

Ok, now it’ going to be boring and I'm sorry. (But the point is about choosing the right livelihood)

In Buddhism there are two ways to get understanding: hearing much (or reading) and association with the virtuous (spiritual teachers, good/noble friends) so that we can have proper/thorough method in our thoughts/considerations (yonisomanasikāra) about the ariyasacca (the four Noble Truths) which are:

1 The truth of dukkha (suffering, anxiety, unsatisfactoriness)
2. The truth of the origin of dukkha
3. The truth of the cessation of dukkha
4. The truth of the path leading to the cessation of dukkha (the noble eightfold path or shortly version: sila, concentration and wisdom.)

- Sila or ethical conduct (right speech, right action, right livelihood)
- Concentration (right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration)
- Wisdom (right view, right intention)
The right knowledge and right liberation are needed for proper/thorough method in our thoughts/considerations (yonisomanasikāra) about the ariyasacca: the four Noble Truths.

[aceofcups]

I wholehearted agree with the wonderful ideas that people thought out and posted here -- except for the points I don't - now my job for myself is to figure out which is which.

peace
aceofcups

[tribunalofmercy]

@ ace: hahahahahahahaha


...I'll go back to my corner to write now

[cyberangel]

Hi Karen

I think once you have this coming weekend over with...you will begin to see through the fog as it were, you have a lot going on internally which is probably why you are feeling this way. As hard as it is at the moment, just stay the course my friend, you'll get back on track again, think of it as just a foggy patch and we all get them

Hi Robert,

I can only answer this from my perspective so I hope you can make your own sense from my reply

When my mind is quiet...all thoughts and emotions stop...and its the place where the 'I' (body, mind and ego) cease to be and merge and become 'one' with all that is, was and ever will be.

Now in that state of super-consciousness it would be impossible to continue to function here with that state of awareness. This is the highest state of consciousness I have been able to reach and I am unsure if there is anything higher than that.

Now to reach the level of peace I was talking about you still have to be aware, its when you reach a level of 'being' at peace...where the world continues but you can maintain and hold that peace within yourself and your life. When in this state everything becomes peaceful...even when you can see and are aware of stuff going on around you (on tv...in the news...with people you meet) its like you are just accepting of events because you are at peace within...but it's not becoming apathic...you just reach a stage where you are sympathic without losing you own sense of peace. Hard to explain really and even harder to maintain when you are empathic to outside forces.

It really is quite difficult trying to find the right words to explain when it really is beyond 'explanation' and more a state of 'being'. Anyway Robert, I can only hope that this makes some sense to you

Love and Light

[sparklekaz]

Hi Lorraine,

I hope so. You are right I am going through a difficult time at the moment. It's a process of letting go of the past and moving forward. But doing it in a fair way. Without going into too much detail. It's to do with my old house, which I am still co owner of. I've been asked to sign it over without any recompense. Trying to do what's right, without compromising my own integrity. To do what is right for others which is my main concern. But also what is right for me. Too often in the past I have done things to my own detriment. So trying to be fair. I just wish others were too.

Love and light my friend.

[cyberangel]

Hi Karen

My gut is saying to not do anything at the moment...I seriously dont feel its the right time for you to be making or signing anything.

I feel you definitely need to detatch from others in this situation and their influence over you. There IS a reason you were co-owner, dont forget that!

My advise is to not be hasty in this situation. Give yourself time and use your own inner resources that do guide you. Take a step back my friend. I feel next month things will be clearer for you or new things will come to light for you in this situation. I dont think you are seeing the full picture at the moment.

My 'feeling' is that there is a male influence involved somewhere in the family...take your time my friend dont be rushed or pushed into something you may regret.

I will keep you on my prayers and ask that archangel Uriel cast some light on this for you.

Love and Light

[tribunalofmercy]

I really like that, here, we stand by each other – whether there are difficulties, situations, even differences of opinion…I wonder if those who lurk and read can see how Much benefit there is to such a union of minds and hearts (and wish to come closer, because there is No danger of rejection)


We use (some) discretion as to what is shared, but I think we Know there is nothing experienced in this life, that must truly separate us from one another, unless We are the ones who do the separating? “Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (from I Corinthians)


So we’ll all hold each other’s hands, in our thoughts and hearts, through the trials that come, won’t we? Karen, I know you know the strength of this particular pain will lessen, but I know that doesn’t make it easier for you Now, and I hurt for you because I Can, and because that is Okay.


The closeness of Karen and Lorraine bring to mind the symbiotic action of the hand and the wrist, though to me it does not matter Who is Who; at times one is the encourager while the other gains strength, but the roles can change, can they not? As with the creative and the receptive, we switch back and forth according to perfection in Need, which shows depth into how these things are Supposed to work. The encouragement and insight shown to Robert is indicative of the workings of the heart within the body, for we Know what it is like to be in the process of growth through (temporary) suffering.


Monty, thank you for the deep wisdom of your words both of the lotus buds, and of the explanation of the four Noble Truths,..I see the wisdom in the teachings and their Necessity, even if I personally feel there is a bit more to the Experience of life, that brings us the strength to complete our cycles. Charlie, it means a lot to me that you are willing to move Into the circle of friends, even with all of your knowledge of what we Should be seeing, because so often, part of our Journey here seems to include interactions with others to complete that “something extra” that makes a great recipe into a prize-winning one, you know?


The ‘letting go’ of strong emotion and embracement of a Different way of looking at things is still new to me, though you may not see such a difference because I did not Come here until after the changes had begun…still, I learn that the fire of Feeling does not leave me so much as it is Transformed into a more positive direction, to keep me from allowing it to consume me at the expense of others.


You all mean more to me than words can say; thank you for Every moment I share with you ♥

[aceofcups]

Karen.. do what you have to do. But it would be way beneficial to read over and check everything a few times before you sign or agree to anything -- being that we are in a Mercury retrograde period until February 12. In which generally communications of contracts and other papers like that are known at times to go wacko. The Trickster aspect of Mercury or Kokopelli as named by the Native Americans.

PS

I hadn't read what Angel posted just before but seems to correlate very much I see to this Mercury aspect now also.

good luck
aceofcups.

[sparklekaz]

Dear Lorraine,

I am by nature impulsive, and emotional. I seem to veer between patience and in danger of doing something rash. Often connected to what someone has said. And that is why you've hit the nail on the head when you said "I feel you definitely need to detatch from others in this situation and their influence over you." My youngest son in particular is being 'manipulated'. Things have been said to him implying if I don't just sign, they will move. He is upset about the thought of losing his home. Angry with me because he sees me as being responsible for this. Rather then other's who have initiated things. I was content to leave things as they were, till such a time as he no longer lived there. I've tried to explain to him that this situation was presented to me, not the other way around. And that I'm trying to do what's right. Not just for me, but ultimately for him and my other children. He has been silent. I'm hoping he understands and has decided to stay out of it. I have a feeling that he was pulled into it by other's in the hope that his reaction would force me into doing what they wanted. Maybe I'm being cynical, but I don't think so. Anyway just wanted to say, you are right.

I agree I don't think I'm seeing the full picture. I know I've been given some facts, but they don't feel right. That they are being distorted for someone else's benefit. It's at times like this I miss my mum, Aunt and Uncle. But my Dad is being supportive. Not that he can say or do much. He's just advised me to do what's right for me and not to be emotionally blackmailed. Thank you my friend for caring and for your good advice.

Mary Anne.. I loved it when you said "So we’ll all hold each other’s hands, in our thoughts and hearts, through the trials that come, won’t we?" That is so true. This friendship, this family we have hear is so mutually supportive. I know it has become very precious to me, and seriously wouldn't know what I'd do without it. Lots of good advice, common sense and gentle reminders that things will turn out just as it should be. Stay calm and don't get drawn into other people's chaos and in this instance games.

Love and light
Kaz

[sparklekaz]

Thank you Ace thankk you my friend.. I will do. At this moment, I am not going to do anything. I cannot be forced and that is something I need to keep reminding myself of. I have always tried to be honourable and fair in everything I do. But as per the conversation with Robert and Monty earlier about the actions and behaviour of others. Not everyone plays by the same rules. And the qualities I try to emulate, are often perceived by other's as a weakness to be exploited. I will try to rise above it. And with good friends like you all here, even if I should falter, you are there to remind me.

Love and light
Kaz

[cyberangel]

Hi Karen

I am relieved that you will take your time with this and also agree with Ace 100%. I still feel everything will become clearer for you in March...whether it will help you more with your decision I dont know, but I feel that you will finally see more to this situation, and I feel there is a lot more and more people involved than you may realise! Keep your head and definitely take your time my friend

Hi Mary Anne,

Your reply really touched me and also made me smile. You are so right we are so supportive here. I have always felt and call this my spiritual family. So many of these dear people have helped me over the years by their love support and encouragement. I, like Karen would feel lost in the world without this group of ours. I know none of us will actually ever meet but I strongly feel we already have in a past life or that we are from the same soul group. And although we all have different strengths and gifts we all just blend together beautifully. It takes me a long time to fully trust but when I do, I am so loyal. Sometimes, I relate more to the people here as souls rather than people if you get me, so gender or names is often irrelevant to me. I connect to each person's energy. Some connections are harder than others lol...especially when they feel so completely different. There is one such energy here in the group and try as much as I want I just cant connect to him. He manages to prickle my energy lol and yet I know he is not the problem, he is just a catalyst for something that needs to be worked on within myself. So everyone here does help each other in so many ways. Thank you Mary Anne for your very genuine and loving post.

Love and Light

[donq]

Dear Mary Anne,

The hand and the wrist?
Hmm…I have to be careful whenever one of them become the hand.
Because the wrist cannot slap, right? hahaha.

[donq]

Dear Karen,

Lorraine, Ace and Mary Anne were faster than me and didn’t leave the lines for me to say. Maybe I have to steal Gruntal’s lines from another thead?: “Croak croak croak croak. Chirp chirp chirp.” :-)

When a friend is in trouble, her friends who care about her also feel the same (in the sense that they want to help her). Your personality (very calm and patience) sometimes makes me forget that you are a woman. Most of the time I always think that you are a man who has a very strong heart. (don’t know if I’ve used the right word but you get it, right?).

What I’m going to say is something that I’m sure you already knew. But let me say it anyway, as your friend.

As you already knew that I divorced twice. And that made me lost everything twice: my cars, house (and condo), all money (sometimes I have very little or no money at all in my purse). I lost even my personal libraries, twice. hahaha.

What I want to say is in the middle of those disaster, somehow something happened. Always. I don’t want to bother you with its details, but I’m sure you already know about it. When we have walked on our spiritual path, no matter how terrible things happened, somehow “something” always helped us. Sometimes helped us with those material things/part like a miracle, but all the time it helped us on spiritual part.
I had a feeling that you have changed a lot for the past 10 days (and I’m sure after I read Lorraine’s post. Recently I kind of trust her intuition :-) But this change is so good. It seemed your spirituality has gone so deep. At least deeper than ever, since I’ve known you.

So, no matter you would decide to do or not do, I believe that you will make the right decision. And (let me say in your believe) God will help you, my friend. He always helps you.