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Thread: Enlightenment: The Ego, what is it? How to transcend it.

  1. Link to Post #7701
    Finland Avalon Member Wind's Avatar
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    Default Re: Enlightenment: The Ego, what is it? How to transcend it.

    The Finite Mind is Limited but Consciousness is Unlimited

    "When you've seen beyond yourself, then you may find, peace of mind is waiting there." ~ George Harrison

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    Scotland Avalon Member greybeard's Avatar
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    Default Re: Enlightenment: The Ego, what is it? How to transcend it.

    A wolf came to a city hospital. What for? It is hard to believe

    In today's video, we have an interesting story about a #wolf who came from a forest to a city hospital. He was sitting on a walking path and was waiting for something.




    When A Man Went To Help An Owl Trapped In Fishing Line, The Raptor’s Reaction Came Out Of The Blue


    The wolf recognized the boy years later and saved him from a wolf pack

    You never know what you can expect from #wolves if you meet them on your way.
    This incident happened with a hunter. One day when he was going along the path through the forest he saw a little wolf pup. Probably, a wolf pack forgot or abandoned him. The hunter felt sorry for the little animal, so he decided to take him to his house. At home, the reaction to the man with the wolf pup was ambiguous: his wife nearly fainted, but his son, on the contrary, was delighted. The boy liked the wolf, and he decided to teach him commands as if he was a dog. Training was difficult: the pup did not want to follow the commands. Obviously, because he was a wild animal and wild animals have different laws. Gradually, the #wolf pup got used to his new owners and even started going for a walk in the yard. Even the man’s wife got used to the wolf: she already liked him and gave him food. The boy could spend the time with the little predator only in the morning and after school. Parents noticed a change in their son’s behavior: his studies improved, and he became, as it were, serious and responsible. So the days and months passed.



    Animals and birds have a greater capacity for thought and love than we appreciate--one consciousness-- me thinks!!

    Love Chris
    Last edited by greybeard; 12th January 2020 at 14:05.
    Be kind to all life, including your own, no matter what!!

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    Scotland Avalon Member greybeard's Avatar
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    Default Re: Enlightenment: The Ego, what is it? How to transcend it.

    A heart dedicated to Infinite Being.....Rupert Spira


    Be kind to all life, including your own, no matter what!!

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    Scotland Avalon Member greybeard's Avatar
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    Default Re: Enlightenment: The Ego, what is it? How to transcend it.

    Signs Of Spiritual Awakening: Feeling Disconnected & Lonely (And What TO DO About It!)

    Be kind to all life, including your own, no matter what!!

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    Finland Avalon Member Wind's Avatar
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    Default Re: Enlightenment: The Ego, what is it? How to transcend it.

    Be aware of this persistent feeling
    that there is something more to do
    in order to attain freedom.
    Somehow, you have been brought to a stage
    where you are encouraged to leave aside all intentions,
    desires, judgements, attachments and fantasies,
    and to simply remain quiet inside your being.
    Mind is inclined to say this is not enough.
    It is suggesting you take some action.
    However, the Master tells you to keep quiet
    and to focus on the silence of your Heart
    rather than the rush of the mind.
    You are advised to avoid the sense of waiting
    for something to happen.
    There may arise a little tension because of this advice
    to not go with the movements of the mind.
    Learn to identify and be with your own silence
    by observing the tensions encircling it.
    Observe rather than react.
    Again, keep quiet.
    Stay only as awareness.

    ~ Mooji
    "When you've seen beyond yourself, then you may find, peace of mind is waiting there." ~ George Harrison

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  11. Link to Post #7706
    UK Avalon Member Clear Light's Avatar
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    Default Re: Enlightenment: The Ego, what is it? How to transcend it.

    Quote Posted by Wind (here)
    Be aware of this persistent feeling
    that there is something more to do
    in order to attain freedom.
    Somehow, you have been brought to a stage
    where you are encouraged to leave aside all intentions,
    desires, judgements, attachments and fantasies,
    and to simply remain quiet inside your being.
    Mind is inclined to say this is not enough.
    It is suggesting you take some action.
    However, the Master tells you to keep quiet
    and to focus on the silence of your Heart
    rather than the rush of the mind.
    You are advised to avoid the sense of waiting
    for something to happen.
    There may arise a little tension because of this advice
    to not go with the movements of the mind.
    Learn to identify and be with your own silence
    by observing the tensions encircling it.
    Observe rather than react.
    Again, keep quiet.
    Stay only as awareness.

    ~ Mooji
    Oh, but for what it's worth, I'd just like to mention the following quotation as perhaps a way of juxtaposing Mooji's view with a Buddhist view eh ?

    Quote It would be absurd to worry that we might not succeed in discovering the nature of mind [as empty aware presence], as it is already present in us. It is sufficient to look into ourselves. When our mind directs its gaze upon itself, it finds itself and understands that the seeker and the sought are not two different things. At the moment, we cannot see the nature of our mind because we do not know how we must look. The problem is not that we do not possess the capacity for doing this, but that we do not look in the right way.

    From : Heart Advice from a Mahamudra Master
    Thus, what I'm getting at is in reading Mooji's advice, you're being directed in a certain way, instructed (more-or-less) to "abide as that" but this is still DUALISM ... it's a pointer eh ?

    I'd say it seems as if he is asking "you" to reflect upon your sense of "I AM" (the "persistent feeling") but even "it" must give way to the Absolute at some point eh ?


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    Scotland Avalon Member greybeard's Avatar
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    Default Re: Enlightenment: The Ego, what is it? How to transcend it.

    I think we are very fortunate to have the sharing that goes on in this thread.
    The fact that the post above is covering what I am currently going through is very reassuring
    I dont feel alone because of this.
    Quite a few things that have happened over the years might have been a bit scary otherwise.
    Just "normal" on this inward journey.
    I agree with the last part of Clear Light's post.
    Eventually there comes the point where even the persistent feeling of "I" must be let go of. Not that there is anyone to let go of anything---language is dualistic by nature.
    A definition of "The Absolute" is impossible as there would have to be subject and object and there are neither.

    Form-formless both and neither--is a good pointer--beyond definition.

    Chris
    Be kind to all life, including your own, no matter what!!

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    Default Re: Enlightenment: The Ego, what is it? How to transcend it.

    To See the Whole, You Have to Become Nothing


    In this profound Satsang excerpt, Moojibaba leads us through the power of self-inquiry to clarify our true position. Discover yourself as the ultimate witness, who is not disturbed by any of the things perceived.

    “Don’t ask your mind to cooperate, just look. Out of seeming nothing, something begins to manifest in a way that resonates inside your heart. Stay with it. Quickly, it deepens into an attraction. An urge, a joy—stay with it.

    It is indescribable, inscrutable. It is not too much for you to bear. You manifested in form in order to discover this.”




    This talk by Mooji is one of the best I have heard.
    It moved me greatly
    May it do the same for you.
    Chris
    Last edited by greybeard; 17th January 2020 at 17:41.
    Be kind to all life, including your own, no matter what!!

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    UK Avalon Member Clear Light's Avatar
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    Default Re: Enlightenment: The Ego, what is it? How to transcend it.

    Quote If it is a question of which is most important, realization or meditative experiences,
    then it is realization that is important, not meditative experiences.
    No matter how fine the meditative experience,
    in the absence of realization there can be no liberation [1]

    From : Zhang Rinpoche, The Path of Ultimate Profundity
    [1] Oh, but for those of us who (as Spiritual Seekers in the "Dream of Consciousness") are interested in so-called "Liberation" I'd like to suggest that it is not Liberation FOR the "self" but FROM the "self" eh ?


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    Scotland Avalon Member greybeard's Avatar
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    Default Re: Enlightenment: The Ego, what is it? How to transcend it.

    No self no problem.
    Chris
    Be kind to all life, including your own, no matter what!!

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    Scotland Avalon Member greybeard's Avatar
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    Default Re: Enlightenment: The Ego, what is it? How to transcend it.

    Quote Posted by Clear Light (here)
    Quote If it is a question of which is most important, realization or meditative experiences,
    then it is realization that is important, not meditative experiences.
    No matter how fine the meditative experience,
    in the absence of realization there can be no liberation [1]

    From : Zhang Rinpoche, The Path of Ultimate Profundity
    [1] Oh, but for those of us who (as Spiritual Seekers in the "Dream of Consciousness") are interested in so-called "Liberation" I'd like to suggest that it is not Liberation FOR the "self" but FROM the "self" eh ?

    Very true.
    Experiences in meditation whilst they encourage one to continue with the practise are also distractions.
    They can also feed the ego --"Hey guys look what happened during my meditation"

    Stephen Wolisky says "Dont get off at that station"
    In other words you have not arrived because you have a bliss state for a few hours--days.
    Job not done---not that you are the doer.
    "Thats not it" Naargadatta stock phrase---I remind myself regularly with his pointers.
    The station is not the terminus---the terminus is terminal--terminates the persona--which is just a thought. Its identification with the story of me.

    " Events happen
    deeds are done
    there is no individual doer there of"

    So there you go.
    With love Chris
    Be kind to all life, including your own, no matter what!!

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    Finland Avalon Member Wind's Avatar
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    Default Re: Enlightenment: The Ego, what is it? How to transcend it.

    Mind has a very important role in the play of life.
    It is a wonderful power that emerges
    from the same source as the conscious presence we are.
    However, as soon as God calls you homewards,
    mind will begin to bite you each and
    every time you turn to it for reassurance
    or lean on him for support.
    And it is good that you are bitten.
    For this bite tells you, ‘Leave this company now
    and turn your face fully to your Lord.
    These are my instructions. I’ll keep biting until
    you turn from me and stand on the firm ground
    of your unshared Being.’

    ~ Mooji
    "When you've seen beyond yourself, then you may find, peace of mind is waiting there." ~ George Harrison

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    Mauritius Avalon Member Guish's Avatar
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    Default Re: Enlightenment: The Ego, what is it? How to transcend it.

    Dear all,

    Please find a chakra healing meditation for your practice

    https://www.spreaker.com/user/geeris...ing-meditation

    Much love,
    Geerish.
    Experience reality beyond the senses
    https://www.facebook.com/geerishhealer/

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    Default Re: Enlightenment: The Ego, what is it? How to transcend it.

    Laughing Buddha(s) 2
    After the warm welcome to our first LAUGHING BUDDHA video, it would have been a shame not to pursue with sharing those amazing moments of liberating laughter... They were quite frequent during satsang with Papaji, and so are they with dear Moojiji.

    This is an extract from:
    Be the Buddha with No Bliss

    Be kind to all life, including your own, no matter what!!

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    Finland Avalon Member Wind's Avatar
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    Default Re: Enlightenment: The Ego, what is it? How to transcend it.

    'I Am' Is Awareness's Knowledge of Itself

    "When you've seen beyond yourself, then you may find, peace of mind is waiting there." ~ George Harrison

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    Finland Avalon Member Wind's Avatar
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    Default Re: Enlightenment: The Ego, what is it? How to transcend it.

    Alan Watts ~ The Universe Is Expressing Itself Through You

    "When you've seen beyond yourself, then you may find, peace of mind is waiting there." ~ George Harrison

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    Default Re: Enlightenment: The Ego, what is it? How to transcend it.

    Thinking outside the box
    In the begining was the word.
    That was the start of Maya, the illusion of seperation.
    The moment a word comes into play, there is a definition.
    Thoughtless awareness sees withoout definition--it sees reality.
    A beautiful sunset leaves one speachless.
    The poet--the painter endevours to capture the sunset --reality can not be captured--every effort, no matter how inpressive, reduces the reality of the sunset.
    Language, though necessary, does the same.
    Everything in its place.
    Thoughts are not true---two people will have different thoughts about the same thing.
    Thoughts are not mine till I claim them.
    They just appear.
    "Nothing is true till thinking makes it so" is a famous quote.
    Reality is beyond words which is why the sages say "Enlightenment can not be spoken of"

    Chris
    Be kind to all life, including your own, no matter what!!

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    Default Re: Enlightenment: The Ego, what is it? How to transcend it.

    The True Goal of Life
    A conversation about the purpose of life.

    Be kind to all life, including your own, no matter what!!

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    Finland Avalon Member Wind's Avatar
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    Default Re: Enlightenment: The Ego, what is it? How to transcend it.

    There is only the one Self,
    unchanging, unmoving, uncreated,
    imperishable, timeless.
    It is ever-perfect and complete.
    It is without parts.
    It neither contemplates, reflects, aspires,
    renews nor upholds itself.
    It is not resting.
    It is not a state, nor is it in-between states.
    It is not the gap between thoughts.
    It is not a space between things.
    It does not hide, nor can it be hidden.
    It cannot be seen. It cannot be touched.
    There is nothing that can reach it or become it.
    Self-knowing, yet without knowledge.
    Self-realised, yet without mind.
    Beyond sin and beyond righteousness.
    Being beyond being and non-being.
    Unfathomable, unconquerable, ungraspable.
    Who but itself can know this?

    ~ Mooji
    "When you've seen beyond yourself, then you may find, peace of mind is waiting there." ~ George Harrison

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    Scotland Avalon Member greybeard's Avatar
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    Default Re: Enlightenment: The Ego, what is it? How to transcend it.

    'My silent retreat obsession changed my life.
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-51093672

    'My silent retreat obsession changed my life'
    By Jim Farthing Newsbeat reporter

    6 February 2020


    A few years ago, Gemma Needham was stuck in a job she didn't love, while struggling with stress and anxiety.

    Then a friend recommended a book on meditation.

    "I was doing my job for the money and had various relationships which weren't great," she tells Radio 1 Newsbeat. "The book gave me perspective, I felt so much calmer."

    The 26-year-old started meditating at home in Nottinghamshire, before deciding she wanted to take things up a level.

    She looked online for silent retreats - holidays where you meditate and don't speak to anyone, sometimes for several days at a time. Then, she booked a three-day visit to a retreat near Exeter, not knowing what to expect.

    "It was tough at first but absolutely life-changing."
    Image copyright Gemma Needham
    Image caption Gemma first started meditating at home on her own

    "I was the youngest there and I was sharing a room with five strangers.

    But, she says, at least there was no need to make small talk with strangers.

    "That would have been much more awkward."

    Over the past three years, Gemma has done 10 silent retreats - some for up to 12 days long.

    "I was definitely addicted - one year I did five retreats. When you come out, it's like the world is a different place."
    Image copyright Gaia House
    Image caption A typical bedroom at the retreat where Gemma would share with five other guests

    Since she started attending retreats, Gemma has turned her life around. She's quit her job, deleted Facebook, started learning the piano and begun a new career in healthcare.
    'Everything in my life has changed'

    But it wasn't an immediate transformation. At first, she found meditating for long periods a slog.

    "An hour's meditation in a hall with 100 people is different from 20 minutes alone at home. Thoughts and feelings you're unaware of can come up, and when you're with that many people, you feel like you can't just get up and leave."

    It wasn't until her fifth retreat that she had her "lightbulb moment".

    "I woke up in the middle of the night, everybody was asleep, it was pitch black and something in my mind clicked."

    Gemma says it made her see difficult situations in a new light.

    "I realised that if something seems stressful, the way you see it is not the only way of looking at it."
    Image copyright Gemma Needham
    Image caption Gemma says meditating helped her conquer a phobia of needles

    She quit her office job and joined the ambulance service, which she never thought would be possible.

    "Before I started meditating, I had a bad needle phobia. When having an injection, I would need to be pinned down by four people - it was awful."

    "I'd always wanted to be a doctor and I got the A-Levels but changed my mind two weeks before the university application date."

    But now, her phobia has disappeared and she's working in nursing.

    "Everything just affects me less."

    At first, Gemma's family were surprised that she was choosing to spend her free time this way.
    Image caption Gemma in Taiwan where she visited a friend who she'd bonded over meditation with

    "They were like, 'you're a 24-year-old going on silent retreats with old people, don't you want to do more interesting things?'"

    But now, she says they can see the benefits of her unusual holiday choice.

    "I have more patience - instead of just reacting and getting angry or upset with people - I can take a step back."
    What actually happens on a silent retreat?

    Silent retreats have a long history in many religions including Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity.

    They can be done alone or, like Gemma, in a group.

    Typically, there are no phones, reading or TV, and you are encouraged to not write.

    "Each day starts at about 6am but there are no clocks so you're woken up by someone ringing a bell," Gemma says.
    Image copyright Gaia House
    Image caption The meditation hall where Gemma would spend hours each day

    "Then you go into the meditation hall for about an hour, and after that is breakfast.

    "Everyone is sat around eating in silence, but simple things like trying to manoeuvre past people without saying 'excuse me' can be tricky.

    "If you bump into someone, you automatically say 'sorry' then you have to apologise for speaking and everyone laughs."

    The rest of the day is spent doing sitting and walking meditation, broken up by meal times.

    "Days usually end around 9pm. People tend to just go to bed because you're completely knackered."
    Image copyright Gaia House
    Image caption Some meditation is done outdoors

    And Gemma's love of retreats shows no signs of lessening - she plans to keep attending at least one retreat a year.
    "I've learnt the importance of relaxing more and looking after myself - we all just need to chill out."


    Chris
    Be kind to all life, including your own, no matter what!!

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