Being Pushed

[Fred Steeves]

Rahkyt posted this clip in Tim's enlightenment thread, http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?43027-Enlightenment-A-direct-succinct-account-of-what-occurs...
and it reminded me of how profound the Neo metaphor of "The One" is. Except of course that we are all "The One", albeit in waiting. (My interpretation)

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Now here's what really grabs me, as a good deal of space is taken up on this and other like forums by fury at the seemingly insurmountable challenges we face in this time. If the Universe does indeed operate with divine precision and perfection, which I whole heartily think is the case, then what is the method to this madness surrounding us?

Well, how about this. Would Neo have ever made his big break through in discovering his power within, had his ordinary life not been turned upside down and inside out, and been pushed well beyond his supposed breaking point?

Which brings me to one of my favorite quotes of all time, by Andrew Bernstein:


A hero has faced it all: he need not be undefeated, but he must be undaunted


What did "Cool Hand" Luke gain in this famous prison boxing scene, besides getting the living crap beaten out of him? Only the grudging respect of everyone in that camp, both friend and foe alike...

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[Chester]

Great OP - agree 100% - the biggest lesson I took from the Matrix trilogy is what I call the Lesson of Neo and which you covered in the OP, Fred. That we are all, collectively and individually, "the One." Because if you take it all the way that "you" are "the One" (and only) then the opposite of you is "nothing."

You cancel yourself out.

Neo, at the end, united with his counterpart, Agent Smith, and then there was no more Neo (nor Smith).

I like it safely at the 99.99 (repeating) percent.

To take that last step is to end this illusion for justoneman.

Thus my interpretation of one of the points Fred's OP makes for me (something many here would probably (and rightfully) conclude is something I need to "get") is that everything is actually perfect... just as it is.

Yet its no fun unless one engages the illusion of form so forgive me folks while I dive back in!

[Dennis Leahy]

I see your logic, Fred, but feel like it may be a way to make sure Earth stays the "toughest school in the Universe" at the expense of the unnecessary suffering of millions of humans, non-human life forms, and Gaia herself.

Imagine the "boxing ring" from the Cool Hand Luke clip taking place in a pit full of that last mating pair of every endangered species. While Luke was gaining the respect of other human prisoners, hundreds of thousands of species would be going extinct every time Luke was knocked back down. Is this lesson worth it?

Will Gaia survive humans? Yes, I'm sure of it, but while we destroy this paradise among galaxies (learning our tough lessons), many species will suffer and die and literally quintillions (or some big number) of life forms will be wiped out in our very messy fight.

=======================

I'll never forget, when I was just out of high school, I camped in an area that has to be one of the most incredibly beautiful places on Earth, in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. I wanted to share it with friends, and the next Summer, I was able to entice half a dozen friends to make the journey and the climb to 10,500 feet - to an alpine meadow surrounded with snow-capped peaks, with millions of wildflowers, a hot springs, and a crystal-clear river (at that time of the year, more of a creek than a river.) There was one place in the river that had a tiny island - maybe only a square meter - around which the crystal water divided and flowed and upon which were hundreds of wildflowers vying for space. It would have been an old Zen gardener's major life accomplishment to have created such an intensely beautiful tiny island teeming with wildflowers, but of course, it was the work of Gaia/Mother Nature. The level and degree of tranquility and beauty was beyond words, just being near it. Magical. Mystical.

Suddenly, one of my friends waded out through the crystalline water, reached the little island paradise, bent over and started grabbing the rocks that were the substance of the island and heaving them into the river with a caveman's yell - to make a splash, I guess.

I could have just been an observer. I could have simply watched as he disassembled and destroyed one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. He was probably learning something, and had I just observed, it would have no doubt been a (hidden) lesson for me as well.

I screamed! "STOP!" I yelled, "I can't believe you're wrecking that! This is the most beautiful place I've ever been, and you're wrecking it! I should never have brought you here!"

He stopped, and apologized. Much later, I apologized for saying something so hurtful to my friend, but he insisted that I was right and that he should have respected the natural beauty.

=======================

I just don't believe that the "right thing to do" is just to be an observer, nor is it enough "just" to enlighten one's self. The final stage of Buddhist development is sometimes depicted as "returning to the marketplace", and I always got it that the gist of that was that it is one thing to obtain enlightenment when in solitude in the mountain cave, but until that enlightenment can be maintained in the chaotic marketplace, it is not full enlightenment. But I see another piece of deep wisdom in the return to the marketplace, as that is where probably almost everyone is unenlightened - and where the enlightened have the opportunity to share their wisdom.

Compassion and love can be taught, or we can just observe and wait and hope to see compassion and love spring forth on its own. I believe we need to do whatever we can to teach (of course by example, but even further) compassion and love to counteract the successful proliferation of the opposing forces. Some may argue that humanity is "winning", in a metaphysical sense, but it appears to me we (and Gaia) are losing terribly in the physical realm. The cost is too high. The fight is too messy. There is too much "collateral damage"... and the spirits that need extreme trauma and excruciating suffering to progress can just take their goddamed fight to another realm.

Dennis

[Fred Steeves]

Suddenly, one of my friends waded out through the crystalline water, reached the little island paradise, bent over and started grabbing the rocks that were the substance of the island and heaving them into the river with a caveman's yell - to make a splash, I guess.

I could have just been an observer. I could have simply watched as he disassembled and destroyed one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. He was probably learning something, and had I just observed, it would have no doubt been a (hidden) lesson for me as well.

I screamed! "STOP!" I yelled, "I can't believe you're wrecking that! This is the most beautiful place I've ever been, and you're wrecking it! I should never have brought you here!"

I would likely do/say something similar Dennis. :nod: We're not so different as you might think. You want to know something funny? I'm sometimes considered a knuckle dragging Neanderthal for legally carrying a gun whenever in public. Why do I do that? In case me and the wife are say, having a nice dinner out, and someone comes in with the intent of shooting everyone there.

On the other hand, I'm sometimes considered a starry eyed love and light wimp, for thinking it's not such a hot idea to wage war against the machine, or saying all is well.

Nothin's simple as it seems I reckon. (LOL)


I just don't believe that the "right thing to do" is just to be an observer,

Well, there are times for action, and there are times for observation.



nor is it enough "just" to enlighten one's self.

It's not enough to do just ANY one thing.


Some may argue that humanity is "winning", in a metaphysical sense, but it appears to me we (and Gaia) are losing terribly in the physical realm. The cost is too high. The fight is too messy. There is too much "collateral damage"...

I don't think there's really a "fight" so to speak, but it certainly appears that way.


and the spirits that need extreme trauma and excruciating suffering to progress can just take their goddamed fight to another realm.


As always Dennis, I admire your tenacious spirit.

Love ya brother!
Fred

[Peace of Mind]

Humans are more powerful than they currently know. All of their triumphs and failures are based on their own actions. Unknowingly many of us fall victim because of our own thinking, often creating boundaries and obstacles through disempowering thoughts. Once one realizes that there is really nothing to lose they will then start gaining everything. They have to realize that failure and suffering are mental constraints brought on by the self. The self learns of such restrictive ideas through the observations of others but often gets too caught up in what others feel/do/say/experience and blindly choose to make those misfortunes of others their very own….even when those misfortunes never ever existed in their reality before…other than in the media they choose to let program them.

Adversity has always “Pushed” humanity into prosperity simply because it is our destiny. When the individual removes its fear it removes the borders, therefore that individual flourishes with little to no resistance. Unfortunately, most humans seem to need calamity in their lives in order to trigger the “God Mode” within them. I suppose years of indoctrination will do this to some people, but these people need to realize ASAP that the pain in the world is generated by the collective body of frightened souls all around the globe, sharing their fearful ideas while spreading this disempowering virus with subtle intent. The Matrix is full of tricks, cleverly designed to suppress and oppress the great being known as the “Human”.

Humanity is ruled by the wicked because they are easily divided amongst themselves; their confusion is results of being consistently tricked while tricking humans into creating frightening environments to live in. They are programmed to be ego driven and often base most of their movements/inspirations off of greed. Many people’s minds aren’t even their own. Their day to day operations are governed by others, most of us allow others to run our lives and this can be seen most obvious when electing strangers to be our representatives. When we relinquished our responsibilities we relinquished our powers. There’s hardly anything in our universe that will work (properly) without some form of power. There are 2 ways to go about dealing with “The Matrick”, you either start controlling your reality/illusion or someone else will have it controlling you.

Peace

[Fellow Aspirant]

I screamed! "STOP!" I yelled, "I can't believe you're wrecking that! This is the most beautiful place I've ever been, and you're wrecking it! I should never have brought you here!"

He stopped, and apologized. Much later, I apologized for saying something so hurtful to my friend, but he insisted that I was right and that he should have respected the natural beauty.

=======================

I agree with you stopping your friend. You did the right thing. The proof is that he recognized that he was in the wrong - he became aware. Congratulations.

If only it was always this easy to wake people up!

[WhiteFeather]

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

[Sunny-side-up]

So many great reply's and emotions in words as usual :)

All I know is for the good of self or others sake what ever we actually do at the time, if action you take adds to the whole. It's Pandora's box all around us.
So many a good action adds to the whole illusion. Enlightening one's self is the only way to go, But! we need do it MINDFULLY and curve problems before they happen, if we can, as much as possible.

[Sunny-side-up]

P.S
We ALL need to OWN our own actions and their repercussions. Its the tangled web we leave and live in I guess.

[golden lady]

I screamed! "STOP!" I yelled, "I can't believe you're wrecking that! This is the most beautiful place I've ever been, and you're wrecking it! I should never have brought you here!"

Dennis

I wonder if this is what God would like to scream at us?

[Fred Steeves]

I screamed! "STOP!" I yelled, "I can't believe you're wrecking that! This is the most beautiful place I've ever been, and you're wrecking it! I should never have brought you here!"

Dennis

I wonder if this is what God would like to scream at us?

God must have quite the sense of humor to put up with us rascals. But then again, I think God's a bit of a rascal as well...:whistle:

[Ron Mauer Sr]

I know that experience in this reality can be tough, and it is going to get tougher, but I accept responsibility for choosing to be here. And why did I choose this experience? To become stronger? To change this reality? I don't yet know.

Why did I choose the Marine Corp and boot camp at Parris Island? Same questions apply. I was never the follow orders, aggressive warrior they wanted me to become.

Maybe experience here in this place, this time, this reality is simply boot camp for consciousness.

Wish I knew.

There are many changes I would make if I were in charge. But would that diminish the value of being in this boot camp for consciousness now? Others may also want the challenge of being here now, just as it is.

Wish I knew.

Maybe the biggest challenge is to change self, and not try to change others to make self feel better.

Wish I knew.

[Fred Steeves]

I know that experience in this reality can be tough, and it is going to get tougher, but I accept responsibility for choosing to be here. And why did I choose this experience? To become stronger? To change this reality? I don't yet know.

Why did I choose the Marine Corp and boot camp at Parris Island? Same questions apply. I was never the follow orders, aggressive warrior they wanted me to become.

Maybe experience here in this place, this time, this reality is simply boot camp for consciousness.

Wish I knew.

There are many changes I would make if I were in charge. But would that diminish the value of being in this boot camp for consciousness now? Others may also want the challenge of being here now, just as it is.

Wish I knew.

Maybe the biggest challenge is to change self, and not try to change others to make self feel better.

Wish I knew.

All excellent questions Ron, and no easy answers. Like you I was not compatible with the military (Navy), yet I chose to be there...Hmmmmmm.(LOL) It would seem we like to put ourselves in near impossible situations, then wonder how the hell we got there, and what to do about it. I spent years blaming the Navy for how things went, even though some of the best times of my life also happened while there. Eventually it finally began to dawn on me, and not all that long ago either, that this attitude was both stupid and irresponsible. All blame rested squarely on my own shoulders. I chose to be there, then tried to change the Navy after discovering I didn't like it. BIG mistake!

Facing up to that fact was a very humbling process, but also a major and empowering life lesson. Invoking "As above so below, As below so above", our situation here on Earth is basically the same I reckon. We chose to be here didn't we? I don't know the answers to the hows and the whys either, but as we continue to feel the pressure of our backs being pushed further and further up against the wall, some sort of response has either already begun, or is forthcoming.

What that response is, and the resulting fall out ("good" or "bad"), will be solely our responsibility. It could be our finest hour, back to the old drawing board, or somewhere in between.