In praise of negativity.

[Tony]

In praise of negativity.

This will be fun!

Praise of negativity is a positivity in itself.

If we can go beyond the stereotypical description of negative and positive, we may find ourselves in a freer space. Not so much - me good, them bad. Of course being positive is good, but being too positive as in some new age ideas, one will not feel the need to do anything...
...or perhaps that is the plan!

We do live in a negative age, which is useful as it can help us fast track.

Most of us want to be positive/creative, and do not want to be negative/destructive. So we all agreed..!? We want one and not the other. Can you spot the problem?
Hope and fear = like and desire and hatred = dislike!
It is two exaggerations of the same coin - but it is not all bad news.

Remember: pure consciousness has nothing to do with the physical worlds.
We only judge in the impermanent physical world...and that is constantly changing!

Saying everything is love and light...yes that is true. So what is the problem?
Well, we could be living just the dream and not the reality. How so?
For some people (including myself), the idea of ascending and going to heaven is the worse possible outcome! How so?
I have so much to learn, and as far as I know the god-realm may not be a permanent state.
I may still have to come back and face the demons all over again.
One sees people living in the god-realms here on this earth and it is most unattractive. Too mechanical for my taste.
Do I have the right to say that? Yes, I think so.
I have also been on the receiving end of positive people...and from my experience, they can be quite negative!

So how do we work with the wonderful negative side?
Well, on observing something, there is a "knowing" present. An emotion can arise which may just highlight this "knowing"!

An example: I paint. After putting in the initial blocking in or under painting, I look and think "Hmm..ok, but how can it be improved? What isn't working? Is there something not quite right?"
To an outsider this can seem negative or critical, because they just want a finished picture that will satisfy them.
“Just do your thing!” they say.
But what is my thing? They do not see the gradual process of discovery.

If I just race ahead to get it finished, all I will achieve would be the same old type of painting I've done before and I would not have learned anything. So one's eye has to be critical, or let's say 'discriminating'.

It's the same with any activity. I'm doing it now, by thinking, "Can I say this better? Will it help, or just be entertainment?"
Well, just try it and see.
This could all depend on whether one is a creative person or a mechanical person. Left brain V right brain.

Anything can become your path, having a positive outlook or a negative outlook. One does not have to be afraid of either.

My personal path seems to have been one of aversion. I look at the world and think ..."Bonkers!" Then I have to look into that thought, and ask myself why that is. Is it my outlook? Ah! Yes it is, and that's ok. In truth, any emotion an lead us back to wisdom, if we are not too fixated on our stance.

Those at street level have the emotions ruling their lives.
Those just off street level will fear their emotions.
The next level will say they have no emotions or that they have transcended them. This is not true at all! Even making that claim shows that something is being held onto, or protected. Seeing this, we can move on.
Did you know there are nine levels of Bodhisattvas before Buddhahood?!

I would truly like proof that one could do that in one giant ascending leap. Only Milarepa has ever done that (Milarepa was a black arts specialist who did a lot of very evil things, but turned his life around with much hardship through the help of his master Marpa the Translator).

The grit makes the pearl. Even Milarepa and Christ went through boot camp.
Why not you?

[Tarka the Duck]

You said, "Most of us want to be creative/positive..."
It does seem that amongst some of the greatest thinkers/artists/scientists, there is an underlying theme of melancholy (obviously, not all of them!)
Surely this sadness is an intrinsic part of what it is to be human; for many of us, it is the cause of starting a journey. To cut it off, to deny it, seems to be partitioning our human nature into 'good' and 'bad'.
Perhaps this 'bad' side is the part that actually spurs creative people on in their efforts to make sense of what they see around them as inexplicable.
Unfortunately, there is a movement afoot that seems intent on removing all sadness/negativity from our existence, and replacing it with a quick fix of 'sugar'.

[onawah]

I used to be very down on myself for "looking at the world and thinking: Bonkers!" ( LOL ) :loco:
I wondered why I didn't have more ambition.:noidea: even if it was only for "doing good" in the world.
I thought I would enjoy being a contemplative nun, but I really don't like religion and hate obeying orders, so that pretty much made that lifestyle choice impossible.
I decided I must still have a lot of "bad karma" to burn off.
Then I read something in the Michael Teachings ( http://www.michaelteachings.com/ ) which opened up a new train of thinking for me.
According to the Michael Teachings, when one reaches the Old Soul level, it is quite natural to have become somewhat disillusioned with this 3D world, and therefore, to have little in the way of ambition as far as worldly success goes.
Old souls can be quite eccentric and are very selective about who they hang out with, to the point of being "loners".
In fact, it says that Old Souls can have trouble just surviving. They are not interested in playing the kinds of games that go along with "succeeding", are not competitive, don't care enough about having possessions to actually go out and earn money to buy them with.
Furthermore, and this really surprised me, Old Souls can actually be prone to addiction, and be very sensual.
Those were traits I had previously thought could only indicate a younger soul who had not yet "learned his/her lessons", but I now think that view was a relic of my childhood religious programming.
Besides altering my world view, it helped me become more tolerant of myself, which I think was a good thing.
I was told I am a 2nd level Old Soul, which is a sort of youngish Old Soul (there are 10 levels, if I recall rightly).
That was encouraging to hear, though I still wish I had a bit more ambition! :madgrin::behindsofa:

[PurpleLama]

It's the old souls have learned to enjoy life. Not taking life too seriously is an integral part of enjoying it. There is definitely some truth there. If someone is at a point in their experience where they choose to share light with everyone, that doesn't mean they didn't come through serious darkness to arrive at that point. Many lightworkers I know have done this, going through a boot camp every bit as extreme as any other master who has walked this planet and wound up no less positive for it. My own experience is a testament to this. I am positive to the extreme but I have gone through all manner of negativity to be strong enough to hold the light, and I do.

Love to you, Mr. Tony. I have a chat every now and then with Avaloketishvara, being the Tibetan deity that most "resonates" with me. I hope you don't mind me putting in a good word in for you, when I do. Kuan Yin, who was "born of one of his tears" is prominent in my own altar space bringing much needed femininity to my magical place. But often I find myself seeking the masculine face of that energy as well.

[Tony]

I used to be very down on myself for "looking at the world and thinking: Bonkers!" ( LOL ) :loco:
I wondered why I didn't have more ambition.:noidea: even if it was only for "doing good" in the world.
I thought I would enjoy being a contemplative nun, but I really don't like religion and hate obeying orders, so that pretty much made that lifestyle choice impossible.
I decided I must still have a lot of "bad karma" to burn off.
Then I read something in the Michael Teachings ( http://www.michaelteachings.com/ ) which opened up a new train of thinking for me.
According to the Michael Teachings, when one reaches the Old Soul level, it is quite natural to have become somewhat disillusioned with this 3D world, and therefore, to have little in the way of ambition as far as worldly success goes.
Old souls can be quite eccentric and are very selective about who they hang out with, to the point of being "loners".
In fact, it says that Old Souls can have trouble just surviving. They are not interested in playing the kinds of games that go along with "succeeding", are not competitive, don't care enough about having possessions to actually go out and earn money to buy them with.
Furthermore, and this really surprised me, Old Souls can actually be prone to addiction, and be very sensual.
Those were traits I had previously thought could only indicate a younger soul who had not yet "learned his/her lessons", but I now think that view was a relic of my childhood religious programming.
Besides altering my world view, it helped me become more tolerant of myself, which I think was a good thing.
I was told I am a 2nd level Old Soul, which is a sort of youngish Old Soul (there are 10 levels, if I recall rightly).
That was encouraging to hear, though I still wish I had a bit more ambition! :madgrin::behindsofa:

Dear Onawah,
On our journey two things seem to happen, what is real shows itself and what is not needed drops away. We also get more sensitive, which can feel quite wobbly. Ambition naturally drops away for perseverance to take place. Once one know how to meditate, resting in natural awareness, we come to conduct. Conduct is just the continuity of the view (natural empty awareness) in daily life. Life becomes the symbolic teacher, it being an illusion. Everything is impermanent, in knowing that is absolute reality.

Doors close and doors open.

[Tony]

It's the old souls have learned to enjoy life. Not taking life too seriously is an integral part of enjoying it. There is definitely some truth there. If someone is at a point in their experience where they choose to share light with everyone, that doesn't mean they didn't come through serious darkness to arrive at that point. Many lightworkers I know have done this, going through a boot camp every bit as extreme as any other master who has walked this planet and wound up no less positive for it. My own experience is a testament to this. I am positive to the extreme but I have gone through all manner of negativity to be strong enough to hold the light, and I do.

Love to you, Mr. Tony. I have a chat every now and then with Avaloketishvara, being the Tibetan deity that most "resonates" with me. I hope you don't mind me putting in a good word in for you, when I do. Kuan Yin, who was "born of one of his tears" is prominent in my own altar space bringing much needed femininity to my magical place. But often I find myself seeking the masculine face of that energy as well.

It's funny you should mention Avalonketishvara/ Chenrezi, I wake up every morning with his mantra going round in my head!

[onawah]

That's a very good description. I love this: "Conduct is just the continuity of the view (natural empty awareness) in daily life."
A Zen Master could not have defined that better for me.
Thank you Pie'n'eal!
It's delightful to find gems like this on PA, and makes me feel justified in coming back here.

And yes, this process can certainly feel "wobbly"!
Meditation is a wonderful tool, as long as it is done properly. If it's used as an escape from this world, or to "control' the mind, it can be quite dangerous, as I have discovered the hard way.
I find I get the best results now by meditating outdoors, sitting on the earth, with my back against a tree. That feels very real!
The Earth herself is a sublime mediation teacher.

Perseverance is wonderful, however, one also needs something worthwhile to persevere in.
When one gets to the point where so much is seen as empty of meaning in this world, finding something worthwhile to persevere in can be difficult.
That seems to be the point where many aspirants turn away from the world.

I don't think we can afford to do that anymore, but until the tide in worldly affairs really turns for the good, I think a lot of people on spiritual paths feel at sea.
Some things, like spirituality, are so well charted, we can still rely on the basic truths, which is invaluable.
But so many of the old ways of doing things, traditions, customs, structures, etc., even in spiritual circles, feel to me like they are not transforming quickly enough.

There is so much resistance to change, yet change we must.
How to change the world without destroying what is good is such a challenge.

[PurpleLama]

It's the old souls have learned to enjoy life. Not taking life too seriously is an integral part of enjoying it. There is definitely some truth there. If someone is at a point in their experience where they choose to share light with everyone, that doesn't mean they didn't come through serious darkness to arrive at that point. Many lightworkers I know have done this, going through a boot camp every bit as extreme as any other master who has walked this planet and wound up no less positive for it. My own experience is a testament to this. I am positive to the extreme but I have gone through all manner of negativity to be strong enough to hold the light, and I do.

Love to you, Mr. Tony. I have a chat every now and then with Avaloketishvara, being the Tibetan deity that most "resonates" with me. I hope you don't mind me putting in a good word in for you, when I do. Kuan Yin, who was "born of one of his tears" is prominent in my own altar space bringing much needed femininity to my magical place. But often I find myself seeking the masculine face of that energy as well.

It's funny you should mention Avalonketishvara/ Chenrezi, I wake up every morning with his mantra going round in my head!

As different as we are in our respective approaches to spirituality, to truth, as much variance as there may be, if we are open to others we can always find something we share. Thank you, Mr. Tony, for helping me to remember this. I wonder, would you be willing to share the mantra, for the benefit of myself and everyone?

[Tony]

It's the old souls have learned to enjoy life. Not taking life too seriously is an integral part of enjoying it. There is definitely some truth there. If someone is at a point in their experience where they choose to share light with everyone, that doesn't mean they didn't come through serious darkness to arrive at that point. Many lightworkers I know have done this, going through a boot camp every bit as extreme as any other master who has walked this planet and wound up no less positive for it. My own experience is a testament to this. I am positive to the extreme but I have gone through all manner of negativity to be strong enough to hold the light, and I do.

Love to you, Mr. Tony. I have a chat every now and then with Avaloketishvara, being the Tibetan deity that most "resonates" with me. I hope you don't mind me putting in a good word in for you, when I do. Kuan Yin, who was "born of one of his tears" is prominent in my own altar space bringing much needed femininity to my magical place. But often I find myself seeking the masculine face of that energy as well.

It's funny you should mention Avalonketishvara/ Chenrezi, I wake up every morning with his mantra going round in my head!

As different as we are in our respective approaches to spirituality, to truth, as much variance as there may be, if we are open to others we can always find something we share. Thank you, Mr. Tony, for helping me to remember this. I wonder, would you be willing to share the mantra, for the benefit of myself and everyone?

I love hearing a different version of the same thing!!! We call Kuan Yin, Green Tara. I say her mantra every day.
Chenrezi's mantra is, OM MANI PEME HUM. You can get the tune on YouTube. Chenrezi is the lord of compassion.
He holds a rosary and a lotus, symbolising compassion in emptiness. In saying the mantra you invoke compassion for all sentient beings.

OM MANI PEME HUM...OM MANI PEME HUM....OM MANI PEME HUM.

[Tony]

There are many tunes for this mantra...or make your own one up!

This is a simple version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG_lNuNUVd4

This is an authentic Tibetan chant master - very deep!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7_cYRAIdTs&feature=related

This one is more tuneful
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPszteX0z7k&feature=related

[Lord Sidious]

It's funny you should mention Avalonketishvara/ Chenrezi, I wake up every morning with his mantra going round in my head!

As different as we are in our respective approaches to spirituality, to truth, as much variance as there may be, if we are open to others we can always find something we share. Thank you, Mr. Tony, for helping me to remember this. I wonder, would you be willing to share the mantra, for the benefit of myself and everyone?

I love hearing a different version of the same thing!!! We call Kuan Yin, Green Tara. I say her mantra every day.
Chenrezi's mantra is, OM MANI PEME HUM. You can get the tune on YouTube. Chenrezi is the lord of compassion.
He holds a rosary and a lotus, symbolising compassion in emptiness. In saying the mantra you invoke compassion for all sentient beings.

OM MANI PEME HUM...OM MANI PEME HUM....OM MANI PEME HUM.

Wow, ok.
Have you seen this years ago pinealnugget?
Oh, and I am not taking the mickey, I am serious.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VvZ-VaeB5g

[Tony]

Dear Lord Sidious,
Yes I remember that, very scary!!
This links to the thread again the military using meditation. I'm sure they know all about it, accept the wisdom part. I meet up with some lamas in a few weeks and will ask them what they think. My gut feeling is will enhance their capacity, but without compassion it will cause them much suffering. The dark side know exactly what they are doing.

Tony

[Lord Sidious]

For me, I don't want the military.
Let alone want them meditating.

[Tarka the Duck]

Wow, ok.
Have you seen this years ago pinealnugget?
Oh, and I am not taking the mickey, I am serious.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VvZ-VaeB5g

Can you explain the significance of this (serious) spider please:confused: ! Thanks.

[PurpleLama]

I love hearing a different version of the same thing!!! We call Kuan Yin, Green Tara. I say her mantra every day.
Chenrezi's mantra is, OM MANI PEME HUM. You can get the tune on YouTube. Chenrezi is the lord of compassion.
He holds a rosary and a lotus, symbolising compassion in emptiness. In saying the mantra you invoke compassion for all sentient beings.

OM MANI PEME HUM...OM MANI PEME HUM....OM MANI PEME HUM.

wow, I knew that mantra and loved it without realizing the meaning/connection to kuan yin.
thanks, again!

[Lord Sidious]

Wow, ok.
Have you seen this years ago pinealnugget?
Oh, and I am not taking the mickey, I am serious.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VvZ-VaeB5g

Can you explain the significance of this (serious) spider please:confused: ! Thanks.

It is a tv show from the 70's, it is more the mantra they were chanting that I was showing.
It is the same one our pinealnugget spoke of.