The Balancing Act: Faith and Fear [Archive] - The Project Avalon Community Forum

Freed Fox

27th August 2014, 20:26

TL;DR?
...Then skip to post #13 (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?74274-Reflection-Revelation&p=870036&viewfull=1#post870036) for my best effort at summation. My posts preceding it are the attempts of a foolish novice to draw a map to something experiential, not physical or scientific. As such, your navigational side-effects may include frustration, irritation, impatience, total confusion, or indignant rage. Call a doctor for headaches lasting more than four hours.

Results may vary, but all are welcome.

<end edit>

"You talk to God, you're religious. God talks to you, you're psychotic."

A great many people claim either to be religious, or to believe at least in some form of higher power. Yet reflexively, due to the unconsciously agreed upon norms of our society and parameters of what is or isn't possible/"real", a great many - if not most - will hold the above quote as true, contradicting their own "beliefs".

One thing I might be inclined to suggest on this particular topic is that I don't believe it (whatever it really is) uses words alone. It's communication seems rather more subtle yet also vastly more meaningful and complex. It seems, rather than speaking with words and sentences, to communicate through reality itself. The key to this (or one of the keys) seems to be, from what I can gather, that one's own mind and past experiences become a necessary part of the filter through which this language is able to convey meaning (and for that meaning to be received and even remotely understood).

It may in fact be what we term 'synchronicity', but so often with such the message does not seem clear; almost as if something is missing from the equation.

It becomes rather evidently absurd, when coming from this type of experience (wherein the "equation" or connection does actually seem complete), how futile and overly simplistic our language is by comparison, how it lacks when aiming to communicate real, unadulterated meaning.

Against fear of futility and failure, I hope to share something of worth.

So many words are loaded with unfitting concepts, detracting from deeper meaning by way of preconceived notions, interrelated/tangential concepts, associated double-meanings, oversimplification, or even just the ways in which similar words may have been misused in the past.

Language appeals to and is filtered through the mind, first and foremost. What then when the concepts needing to be related are matters of the heart?

Consider; "matters of the heart". Obviously people here understand that I am plainly not referring to the biological heart but something much deeper, less tangible. Yet, those too literal-minded will dismiss such a statement as being silly, substance-less poetry on account of my word choice alone. On the other hand, however, the head/heart metaphor is useful to point to two seemingly opposing forces within us which, I suspect, need to be brought into greater balance.

One thing I seemed to have gleaned relates to how we talk about being "awake" and "aware" while others are "asleep". But knowing that our government does not share our best interests, or that wars are manufactured for profit, or that we are intentionally being kept divided and docile, or that we are slowly poisoning ourselves along with the rest of the planet does not make us truly "awake".

I believe we are presently in the stages of gaining awareness, at various degrees therein. It is no small achievement with the enormity of obstacles standing in the path. I would not want to diminish any progress thus far made, but in honesty I do not believe it is the same as being awake. It would stand to lessen at least the sense of division, or alienation for some if we can humbly acknowledge that we too are still asleep. For now.

Have you ever had a lucid dream? The rise of consciousness corresponds with a gaining of awareness. It builds upon itself with a tangible momentum, until you finally see that you're in a dream. Only then do you stop being a victim to the crescendos and diminuendos and start conducting them instead.

If all our lives are but a dream, how long might this process take? For one thing, in order to reduce back-sliding, we must shed our despair.
"A millimeter is fantastic!"

Carmody has shared previously on Avalon the idea that individuals are 88% unconscious during their day-to-day lives. I have been shown how this is true for me.

I have begun to learn firsthand; I have been shown how one does not need to feel afraid to be a slave to fear. It takes forms beyond counting.

There is so much more... but this feels the right place to conclude for now. The larger the mountain, the less it is climbed; and I wouldn't want to scare anyone off now would I?

Pardon my dust.

Freed Fox

27th August 2014, 22:20

{Note} The categorization and thus placing of this thread is still kind of up in the air to me at the moment. If anyone deems it better fit elsewhere, mods please do feel free to relocate as appropriate. I don't mind.

Seriously though; "Think Tank"? "Channeled and Other *Controversial* Material"? "Off-Topic" and closed?

Levity's important. Balance ever more so.

It has struck me how so much seems to boil down to a balancing and thus reconciliation of opposing forces. It can be a balance of two opposites or - as has more recently come to mind - two apparent opposites and a largely neglected third. Sometimes this third needs to be integrated, given to balance with the other two, or other times simply acknowledged. I'll try to make a case for that later, but only if it seems in any way necessary.

Right now I just wanted to acknowledge that this thread, for me, is a balancing act in many ways. There is a particular balance between head and heart which I'm striving for here, second only to unflinching honesty. I fully understand and appreciate how word-y posts and rambling inquiries into things be they intellectual, spiritual, philosophical, or non-sensical in nature absolutely can be trying on one's patience and/or nerves, not to mention time constraints. Factor in the wealth of other (read: better, more interesting, less mind-numbing) information to explore... I get it. I do not want to deter anyone from exploring this with me, or contributing freely here, but I also feel a strong sense of purpose and do not wish to get too sidetracked from it.

It is perhaps a fear of mine here to, just speaking hypothetically here for a sec, be chosen to say deliver a message to help spark something truly monumental and be found unfit to do so. Sounds pretty self important, right? Well, here's a little tidbit I've been given; most fears are. Full discosure; I agree I AM A NOBODY! I don't deserve the **** I eat let alone anything of remote importance. IMO, however: the right word, the right idea in the right hands at the right time can make an absolutely unbelievable world of difference.

So FROM THIS POINT ON I'm going to make an extra effort to make what I'm saying more accessible without detracting from the core of the message. PLEASE: if I fail to do so, or if what I say is in any way non-sense, let me know.

I WELCOME criticism on one condition: please do take a moment or two in meditation to ask yourself - deeply and honestly - for your true intentions for doing so. We have all been guilty of playing into the divide and conquer and/or obfuscation program through ignorance or lack of inquiry (that is, acting un- or semi-consciously, or out of false intent). I fully admit that I have, by far mostly in ignorance (then again, I'm still asleep. Just drifting closer to and then farther away from something one might consider otherwise).

Moreover, I freely and publicly admit I have been a terrible hypocrite. In recent memory, at that. Ask me for details, if you want. It doesn't matter to me anymore.

I also fully understand how these kinds of posts are sometimes exhaustingly confusing or frustrating. I'm trying to avoid that too. I hate logic circles and mental gymnastics as much as the next guy, I do.

Balancing acts though, I gotta tell ya: going on with me right now are about a half dozen. Like a docket of internal impulse decisions being tried in court. "And now presiding over the the trial of sincerity in expression v. empathy for the reader...".

Also; "the people and the state of The Utter Unbelievable Complexity v. my own intellectual ineptitude for conveying any meaningful conceptualization of it."

Incidentally; I have had no wireless internet access at all for the past five days, and the bulk of this sort of came together in the last four. Balance: believing in coincidences v. not.

Balance: a sincere alteration in my own methods of communication here so as to be less bland v. not appearing as if I have utterly lost my mind to my fellow Avalonians.

Of course, as I HOPE to give justice to later on, one of the best tools in our belt is to dis-spell fear in any way we possibly can, and keep working on not only doing that, but more fundamentally seeing how many faces fear will wear to trick us.

But things can only TRULY be rebuilt from the ground up. That means each one of us, on our most fundamental levels. It really is true. I figured I "got" that before I really "GOT" it. Now I have the foresight to place quotations on both the big and little "G-O-T"s.

Oh, and this time I actually took it to heart and have begun REBUILDING MYSELF from the fundamental bedrock which, in this case specifically, is altering my everyday routine and making certain sacrifices. Again, feel free to ask but I think it will be best to keep this from being about me. No fear of that, just the fact is that it isn't about me at all. Not really.

And, hopefully with the next post I can start to build a coherent presentation of what I feel lies ahead, from the ground up. PLEASE have patience for me... I cannot promise you much else but my love if you do however. Gambling with your time IS a better idea than gambling with certain other things, though...

Freed Fox

27th August 2014, 22:33

Actually, I could not encourage input enough, even the briefest message saying I truly have lost my ol' round pearlies. Fact is, I see this as a potential dialogue because I believe you are good people and that this can best be worked at all together. Pieces of the puzzles and all.

However, total sincerity and as little fear as possible are what's needed from each of us here. Otherwise - and get your tin-foils ready kids! - this will get shut down quick. Not by the mods, but the ol' agent smiths and what not.

You know, that non-sense... :rolleyes:

Robin

27th August 2014, 22:43

Hey brother,

Your empathy, intelligence, open-mindedness, sophistication, and candidness most certainly shines through with these enlightening "brain-droppings" as George Carlin would call them. I also like to use the term "brain-droppings" as a positive reflection of my inner desire to communicate what my mind and heart long to reveal to the world, and I think that it serves as a positive connotation.

I enjoy exploring philosophical discourse, especially on topics that are rarely discussed. Your brain-droppings are earnestly welcomed by myself and those who enjoy speaking "intellectually through the heart," as I will put it. Those who do not want to spend their time delving deep into complex philosophical thoughts will simply devote their time elsewhere, and that's fine. But I encourage you to at the very least to write down your thoughts in this thread -- or elsewhere -- as it can be a good relief of inner-tension. You would be surprised as to whom your words will touch.

I have personally devoted my philosophical thoughts/feelings in the sub-forum "What Does It Mean?," but I think that your brain-droppings (again, this is a positive phrase) will fit in most anywhere.

I have read your past two comments ^^^ three times and find remarkably brilliant prose written with the limitations language can contrive. I'm not fully sure that I understand the main focus of what you intend to to relinquish, but I don't necessarily think that having a focus matters. Your words will reverberate through the walls of the human psyche and the vibrations from your intentions will break through the walls until they are felt in one's own being.

Carry on, Good Sir. :)

Freed Fox

27th August 2014, 22:55

Very kind of you Mr. Wise (beyond your years, humbly), but I think focus does matter for a certain mindset. Arguably, the mindset we need the most because they are kind of hard-nosed, action-oriented people by my experience (or maybe I'm just stereotyping). I plan to eventually get to actionable measures forward. I hope.

I think it would be best to describe the problem next, thinking back to my old essay-writing days. The problem(s) rather, but it is something I only want to dwell upon briefly because Avalon already does really well with regard to looking at the problems, or at least acknowledging some of the underlying patterns are and they are all on the radar here, just perhaps disorganized in priority IMO (again, I have been just as guilty as anyone).

Also negative energy and all that. Darkness is a slow forces. It has a way of turning limbs to slumber don'cha know?

Freed Fox

27th August 2014, 23:08

Well it depends on how deep the manipulation goes, or how far it is willing or able to go, really.

All apologies if I at any point turn to singing/preaching to the choir (forget the difference), because you've all read the theories. Many probably have their own. I can only report without fear what I've experienced. AT THE SAME TIME, there is a sense that if we decided here today "Let's meet in the plaza at such-or-such place, to bring down the Matrix", according to some, if such a meeting were to ever foreseeably work, the "agents" would stop it from happening, or spoil the circumstances in such a way as to lead to failure.

It's a disempowering way of thinking, some would say impossibly paranoid. YET, when you get some experience that points to it in just such a way... it becomes entirely plausible. There's the saying, 'better safe than sorry' which is typically true, but what feels like a truer principle, which was, basically, shown to me; FEAR is what stops it, 99 out of 100 times if not more. Truly, it seems to be the greatest enemy. The thought of an omnipotent cabal is ultimately an empowerment of fear. You must give them no legs to stand upon. You can say there is this evidence and that, but just as I cannot deny the possibility, you cannot assert the truth. With things of that nature, it is unfortunately a matter of faith.

BUT; perhaps I said that wrong. Perhaps it is fortunately a matter of faith.

Freed Fox

27th August 2014, 23:30

Ok, screw essay writing, sorry.

There seems to be two ways of re-building ourselves in such a way that we can go out and start to actually re-build the world, and rectify the deficiencies we find there.

One is to become unassailable. What I take this to mean is to not only become entirely fearless, but shed your desires as well, such that you cannot be bought, bid, bargained, or threatened, bullied, or broken. If you truly fear nothing you could withstand anything, and without desires you have nothing to exploit. It further demands total, complete sincerity in all your dealings AND your deeds.

A very steep order, I assure you I get that. The deeper you go the more it sinks in just how difficult this would be. I came up with many things I fear worse than death, and anything you can imagine, you must seemingly not fear or at least become willing to face.

The other path is, in a way, even more demanding. However, it seems to also be much more a sure thing or at least serve to vastly simplify the concerns of becoming "unassailable".

That other path is, to truly shed your identity. You've heard of it before. I did. Didn't much like the taste. Yet, I may have potentially seen the power it could really bring when confronting the world as it is and making real, wide-spread, positive change. This is provided that you can also maintain focus on your purpose as well as adequately interact with people on a regular basis. I am not certain of that, I just assume it is possible somehow. Maybe you'd actually become the vessel for something else, I don't know.

The above is all said with an understanding that the plague upon this world is deeply set. It does not have ALL means of stopping anything opposing it but it does have MANY. Think of what some people are willing to do for money.
Think of what thousands do every day in the name of hate, or fear, or ignorance.
Think of how the systems of authority in place, and their means of surveillance and deadly deterrence are ever-growing.

None of it is hopeless, but we're being convinced that it is.

I don't really believe in condemning individuals, however. I believe that behaviors are what is to be condemned, with the underlying cause revealed and if possible in some ways healed. I have some thoughts on the underliars, but I should probably try to collect my thoughts a bit now for a change-up.

You are all great, by the way. This is a great place to inspire a coward like me to put forth total trust. You have to build from the ground up.

Jake

27th August 2014, 23:34

I can only second what Samwise has said. Bravo!! He nailed it.

FFox,, Your opening line is Priceless!! :) Also, I loved this too...
If all our lives are but a dream, how long might this process take?

Merrily merrily merrily merrily!! Of course this is another level of the dream,, I have experienced the truth of it,, once it 'sets in', nothing is 'ever' the same.. I'd agree with the '88% consciousness' assessment.. We are right there, looking over our own shoulder, watching ourselves have this dream... When I travel out of body, sometimes,, (upon returning to the physical) I tell myself,,, 'okay, time to be like a child again..' What I meant was returning to a state where I will be completely blind to the bigger world. Humans tend to think very highly of themselves.. It is true, we are magnificent beings.. But we are like small children, with regards the mountain of untapped potential that is about to dawn on us,, and we do not see it!!! We can only be vaguely aware of it... Just like a dream!!!! Take a regular dream, for example... I posit that there is no way to tell if you are dreaming until you 'wake up'. In a 'lucid dream', we are aware that we are dreaming because (just like you said it,, :)) consciousness has expanded, or 'peeled back' to reveal to the 'dreamer' that there is a higher self watching.. (One time, I became 'lucid' in this dream!!) It did not last long, and it hit me suddenly 'out of the blue' style. It is not something that I can not UNKNOW!! A game changer, a permanent 'known'..

Folks can be very bold to suggest that we live on a prison planet... (I agree, much information points in that direction.) Sometimes I think that it is more of a 'play pen' filled with 'children' who need to 'grow up',,,, Rather than a 'prison' filled with 'prisoners' who need to 'escape'...

The truth is easy,,, Doesn't hurt anymore!! EMBRACING the truth,,, that is hard.. That is what I am learning in this 'play pen'.

Crap, I just realized that I have no idea if I am on topic or not... :o

Thank you for creating a space where I could reflect on revelations.
Jake.

Freed Fox

27th August 2014, 23:48

Perfectly on topic, Jake. One may well ask, then; how does the child grow up?

Taking responsibility for everything? Standing by one's principles, absolutely? A 9-to-5 and a mortgage?

In all sincerity.

If I were to go into the world and try to effect (affect?) my ideal "be-the-change", it would be behind the advocacy of indiscriminate compassion.

People are seemingly always prone to hold higher compassion for themselves and their own lot than any alleged or perceived "other". If we could adopt compassion for all living things, it would not be withheld from anyone. No one could simply turn a blind eye to the suffering of others on the trivial and apathetic bases they do now. The fact is, we don't know if there can be such a thing as an abundancy paradigm because the people with the most means to try are busy accumulating their monetary/material wealth, and spending it to crush anything which disturbs the cashflow too greatly before it can be redirected or supplemented to their own level of greed at the time and in the near future.

I heard a quote that went something like, "There is more than enough money in the world to accommodate everyone's needs, but no one's greed."

True? Hard to say when you've never even pretended to try. It is akin to sickness. It is my hope that compassion can serve as some component of the cure.

Freed Fox

28th August 2014, 01:28

I am no master of the virtues I hold in esteem. Very far from it. None of this is meant as if it is coming from some higher place (certainly not if that higher place is me). I know my words probably seem arrogant, pompous, or ignorant, probably quite often. Perhaps that's how I am, currently, but people can change for the better, and this is not meant to be about me anyhow. Self-aggrandizement is no *conscious* goal of mine. Adherence to principles is a major part of the process for me right now, and part of that is being totally open and disregarding fears of embarrassment, judgement, or really as much else as can be conceived.

There's a very great deal I don't know. For example, I have basically indicated that there should be a strong devotion to love rather than fear. Ultimately, to do this or become further "unassailable", it seems that one would need a great deal of faith to truly succeed.

Faith in what though? For this, I don't have an easy answer. My OP suggested "God", and that could be one interpretation. However, I could easily second-guess all day at the different possibilities, certainly among them the negative interpretations such as my experiences being the result of some form of nefarious mind control. With the wealth of stories, experiences, and testimonies floating around out there, a clever enough attorney could argue the case in either direction in a way seemingly irrefutable. I might assert that some things simply cannot be known, at least at our present level/form of existence.

But the entire point of faith is that it relates to that which is, at least for a given time, beyond knowing. If you knew, if there was certainty in a matter, it would be nothing requiring or related to faith.

Imagine then, that those who call this a school are right. That the purpose of our being here is to teach us. Imagine the lesson was something simpler yet vastly more complicated than we ever imagined it'd be.

Could you ever conceive of a better place to teach about letting go and having faith? A world seemingly driven by the perpetuation of suffering, where corruption runs rampant? A world with just enough goodness and beauty to give hope, but with too much cruelty and injustice to seemingly warrant any faith in benevolent divinity? A world where even "faith" in "God" seems to inspire in some apathy, violence, or bigotry?

What if you could manage to cultivate and maintain, in the face of it all, faith in a benevolent universe?

All of this is just one possibility, presented not as an assertion but simply for your consideration. Faith, however, did seem a powerful part of this..."message". Whether it is - in its own right - a viable path to follow, a tool in our belts, a 'component of the cure', or a clever pitfall, or 'red hairring' to avoid, I truly don't know. It may be beneficial to discuss, but it does certainly seem...beyond knowing, to me.

Freed Fox

28th August 2014, 02:13

I have been as a child, but not in the poetic innocence and purity to which Jake alludes but in my ignorance. In my mistaking ignorance for understanding. In my hunger for affection and validation.

I am still a slave to fear. I am not a free man but a desperate one noticing what looks like a crack in the walls.

Maybe I'm hoping someone else will break the wall.

I'd like to believe that the solution is meant to be cooperative. Cooperation is a virtue and most great things are accomplished by groups. At the same time, I do not wish to shirk any responsibility I may have by insisting upon sharing it with others. In other words, Humility v. the state of Justifying Inaction.

But the action hasn't stopped, not yet anyway. I'm following through with certain lifestyle changes and keeping what I have interpreted as the core values in the forefront of my mind as much as I can. It continuously comes down to individuals choices wherein one choice is always equatable or traceable back to FEAR. My task is to choose the other path. I'm not succeeding in every case (thus, a slave even still), but it's work. Maybe I'm down from Carmody's 88% by only a few percentage points, but I'm clinging to that ground and actively searching out ways to gain more on this particular mountainside. And trying not to lose ground, of course.

I am ignoring one of my own tenets here; you have to build from the ground up. I'm attempting to share what I've found before sufficiently solidifying it within myself. Is that selfishness? Lack of faith? I understand that in so doing I run the risk of failing to communicate anything of substance or perhaps worse, send the wrong message.

If even a tidbit of this helped someone else, even just one other person, in a way which lead them to the truth, and a way to fix our worlds sickness, then it will have been worth the embarrassment, or insanity, or whatever else one might conceive as the consequences.

I truly do appreciate this place, and the people who inhabit it. I don't want to cause any of you grief, and I don't want to lose anyone's ear or confidence with such wild ramblings. Fears I'm balancing, but I will face if need be. Thus, the stream of consciousness aspect in some ways is a matter of honesty.

Can some fear be a good thing? There are a few cases that could be made, for sure. The ol' "Survival and/or Evolutionary Function" argument, at the very least.

However, let's go back and suppose again we are here to learn faith (or lose fear). In that case, it's altogether feasible that entire systems would be built into the very infrastructure of such a school so as to not just quell true faith but also legitimize fear.

Thus you have your lions, tigers, bears...

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=191787&d=1408720817

Rich

28th August 2014, 06:18

Freed Fox

28th August 2014, 14:32

Freedfox, to be honest I don't have a clue what you are trying to say, I didn't read it all (but most of your first 2 posts) I also have concentration problems so that might be why I don't see your point. When a writing goes on and on without getting to the point it's hard to follow for me. Maybe you could write a summery what this is about, if you want only.

Entirely understandable and reasonable, in this day and age. A wiser man than I may have waited, ruminated in order to formulate such a summary first, before rushing in like the fool. That's one of the main points, though; you can't be afraid to play the fool.

Key points:
+Be the change you want to see in the world

*Significant, transformative change must be built from the ground up.

*You have to begin with the least conscious aspects of yourself and your behavior.

*The art of mentally "stalking oneself" and near constant analysis of one's thoughts and feelings appears critical.
+Fear seems to be our greatest - if not only - enemy

*It takes countless forms; just because you don't feel afraid doesn't mean you aren't.

*Constantly assess your decisions before you make them, explore where impulses come from before acting upon them.

*Strikingly often, choices seem to come down to some form of fear, and an alternative.

*I believe we should choose that alternative as much as we possibly can.
+Truth is one of the greatest virtues

*By monitoring our internal processes of thoughts and feelings, we will find a multitude of instances and justifications for speaking or acting in ways which avoid truthful expression.

*We must stick to truth as a virtue within if we ever hope to see it championed without.
+There is greater power in choice than we likely realize

EDIT<: A great deal of this has also to do with Faith, its potential role, and even potential necessity in the process. Its role is so pervasive, yet paradoxically elusive that I don't know how I'd fit it in with the summary at the moment.>

I feel there is even more still to discuss - further issues to incorporate - but I feel also that in going forward, I need to do a greater service and respect to my audience; even if by just being more tactful, perhaps (though still remaining honest, and not choosing my course based upon you-know-what).

Much of the rest of this thread, not summarized above, alludes to the manner in which I feel I've experienced these things myself, and the seemingly huge amounts of difficulty and near-absurdity it has presented me with. When starting this thread initially, I recognized a fear within me, that I might be regarded as insane or ignored because of my presentation. That is precisely why I just let it all out the way that I did. You have to start from the ground up.

The thing is, I also get a certain sense that these sorts of experiences, of high synchronicity and personal revelation, are always personal and cannot simply be communicated. They may have to be experienced first hand. However, I could never have predicted the manner by which it came to me. It came in pieces, over the course of my entire life, yet stayed scattered until crystallizing all at once (and inspiring, among other things, the ranting and raving here). Some of those pieces came from Avalon. Is the puzzle complete? No. Make no mistake; I'm still in the thick of it. Yet, if I can help someone out with this, I need to at least try. The real work will be difficult enough as it is without everyone struggling on certain basic yet insidiously elusive issues ("basic" only because they lay at the foundations within, not because they are easy to rectify).

As for your question, EmEx; I wonder if any of us have experienced life at all. It's a branch of philosophical conversation which can get all too circular. The take-away from that remark is that the last thing I presume to be is someone special. It bears repeating because the message I carry reeks of pretentiousness. It seems somewhat unavoidable, to this one's limited faculties.

Rich

28th August 2014, 15:51

Yes, that's pretty clear now.
I do practice these things too.

Jake

28th August 2014, 16:14

Perfectly on topic, Jake. One may well ask, then; how does the child grow up?

Taking responsibility for everything? Standing by one's principles, absolutely? A 9-to-5 and a mortgage?

Well, right now, our higher selves are busy 'dreaming' up a way to do just that!! :) What if my big toe were to begin to become awake and aware, moving on its own, and beginning to discover its identity? What would I do? I would want to do everything that I could to help it to understand that it is unique, yet it is part of a bigger 'whole'. I would want it to become all that it could become,,, so at what point do I remind it that it is still,,, just a toe?? Not a perfect analogy, but one to ponder.

With that said,,, I don't consider myself a big toe!! ;);) (Tom Campbell may not approve.) :)

My 'lessons' in the Astral realms continue... This mornings OBE was no different. I got up and out of my body and shot straight up into the astral sky.. The energetic sensations are breathtaking,,, (as I am still aware of my body breathing...) The energy in the palms of my hands and in the balls of my feet were 'active',, and had to be maintained in order to fly. I found myself over a house. A small farm house with chickens and ducks. I have never seen this house before,, I didn't go inside the house, but I played with the ducks and chickens for a bit,, and then flew around the small town, hoping to get a glimpse of something that I recognize, so I can identify this place.. I didn't have a clue where I was,,, (this has become typical, actually.) Ya see, through the OBE, I have learned to 'let go' and to 'go with the flow'... (Lessons that I learned kicking and screaming,, btw) I have applied this lesson (just like all of the others) to my dealings in my physical (jake) life.. The lesson, then, comes to fruition, and I am a bit more 'whole'.. Anyways, that is how it happens. Little astral lessons,,,, when I 'get it',, I am on to the next lesson.

People don't really delve into this aspect of the OBE phenomenon, but,, as folks wake into different astral states,, folks will learn the creative potentials that are at their fingertips.

Whenever I 'go with the flow',, and let it take me wherever it wants,,, I will often see/experience scenes like the one I described above. I don't know where I am, but I do a bit of exploring and observing, just enough that I will be able to recognize it, if I come across it in the physical. (always trying to verify the experience,,, :))

Here is the kicker... 9 times out of 10, I will actually find myself at the place where I had been previously in an OBE!!!! I went many years thinking that my OBE's were 'predictive' in nature. Holy hell,, you want to talk about dejavi??? Very profound when you remember the scene from and OBE that you had!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

People talk about creating their own reality, as thought will do, but they are missing some pieces... I found, after much trial and error,,, that I was not 'predicting' what would happen in the future,,, I WAS CREATING IT!!! I can tell you all sorts of stories about it. We are not predicting,, we are creating. Maybe a subtle difference, but a profound one, too!! And to become comfortable with that, will be much easier if you can learn to 'go with the flow'... Creative energies are fluid and moving, never still... A solid creation from a solid point of view does not always manifest because our understanding of matter is SOLID..

I have absolutely NO doubt that I will come across this farm house some time soon. I don't even doubt it one little bit. Kinda hard for physical jake to suppose that he created an entire physical history,,, but then little jake does not fully get it,,, as he is only using about 12 percent of his potential....

We do not predict reality.,,, we are creating it. There is an inseperability between consciousness and matter... The proton and electron and the rest of the atoms family,, do not exist individually,,, they pull themselves into existence as part of a system. The most important part of the system of energetic 'potentials/probabilities' is CONSCIOUSNESS... Matter cannot BE,,, if it is not being observed!! Folks have not let this sink in yet.

Physical life is like an oracle. Non-physicals (hyper-advanced sentient beings) ponder often,,, if they come across an aspect of themselves that needs some exploring,,, the questioning part of them becomes physical, and unaware of its non-physical counterpart... A dream within a dream within a dream...

Humble yourself, young humans,,, as your existence here is fleeting. If we don't answer the question being asked by higher self,,, it will result in other incarnations.. :) Our higher selves will wait!!!

That is why I am willing to accept the astral lessons. That is why I know that my 'go with the flow' lessons in the astral will become important in my physical life... It has been written, and so it shall be... Written by me in an OBE..

We are ALL hyper advanced beings, living in a limited reality, and we think that WE are the soul.. No, my friend,,,, we are the dreamer. And the dreamer WILL awaken... The sleeper WILL awaken. It is inevitable....

Love to all
Jake.

Freed Fox

28th August 2014, 16:16

On a conceptual basis, I admit that it is mostly nothing new. Yet, I was struck with something of a strong notion of how it might be integrated and applied in an effective way.

As with so many other things, it seems a matter of delicate balance. I think both the personal and impersonal can stand in the way of understanding and/or applying real change:
*The personal I have in part demonstrated myself; it is best to leave as much of one's own personality out of matters as possible. People have much greater difficulty accessing or accepting a message when the messenger stands in the way, in any fashion.
*This site on the other hand (and with all due respect) to some extent illustrates the impersonal blockages. We get so wrapped up in conspiracy theories and 'what-if' scenarios that we are deterred from right action, fundamental change, and the ever-vigilant searching within that is truly required of us all. We unconsciously dis-empower ourselves.

For as long as I've been on this site, I've basically regarded these principles or similar variations highly. It wasn't until very recently that I even glimpsed the kind of vigilance and dedication it requires to truly live and pursue them, rather than merely carrying them as a lofty ideal. Really, I'm still coming into that understanding, still practicing, still building my resolve. I expect that if I have continued success, it will mean going out and no longer being in any position to contribute to Avalon (or try in vain, as may be the case).

Freed Fox

28th August 2014, 16:38

Thank you Jake, sincerely.

Ya see, through the OBE, I have learned to 'let go' and to 'go with the flow'... (Lessons that I learned kicking and screaming,, btw) I have applied this lesson (just like all of the others) to my dealings in my physical (jake) life.. The lesson, then, comes to fruition, and I am a bit more 'whole'..

This is a lot like how I've been viewing faith, actually. I touched on how loaded words are with other concepts or misconceptions which can get in the way of the real meaning... Well, "letting go" and "going with the flow" are far less loaded than "faith". I thank you for that.

One of the most absurd things really is this constantly recurring theme of balance, of bringing things into balance. I see this too as yet another one; need we not balance "letting go" with "taking charge"? That is, right action? Is it arrogant to even assume we can act upon the world in meaningful or transformative ways?

Has the world not seen revolutionary change in the past? Has not every revolutionary looked upon his or her task as seemingly hopeless at some point over its course?

I asked myself some questions, to test my limits. Specifically, to test the power of my own fear. It's a harsh exercise, but maybe others might like to try it too, in a few minutes meditation at least;

*What would it take to heal the world of its pathological cycle of suffering?
*What would you not do for the sake of love?

Explore your thoughts and feelings in relation to these, but especially the second question. Let your mind run wild until you reach something that you would indeed not do for love due to fear. THERE IS NO SHAME IN IT. I'm inclined to think that every one of us has this hold in at least parts of our lives. The task seems hugely monumental, but I think it CAN be accomplished by incremental change, gradual progress, ceaseless vigilance. There is a sense of it building upon itself.

By the way, for what it's worth, I don't think the answer to the first question is to assign blame as we tend to reflexively prefer. I think it would be much more effective to condemn specific behaviors rather than the individuals who engage in them. The more personal a conflict, the more difficult to reach reconciliation and thereby resolution.

Freed Fox

28th August 2014, 17:18

I still insist that minimal time should be dedicated to observance of the problem(s), but it seems obvious that some attention is needed there to derive the solution(s).
I find the documentary "Four Horsemen" to be a rather intelligent and accurate analysis.

5fbvquHSPJU

This is not 'required viewing' but it does aid in understanding. They summarize the problems facing this planet thusly;

-Escalating organized violence
-A rapacious financial system
-Abject poverty for billions
-Exhaustion of the Earth's resources

Currently, I see the underlying causes, or simplified foundational roots from which these stem as follows:

-Fear
-Greed
-Lack of compassion
-Unconscious living

Consider the huge disparity in wealth. Why do we not see a greater effort to even the playing field? How many lives would be saved if a single billionaire gave up his mansion or his yacht? Is simple compassion not enough to move him?

Are there tangible barriers to compassion which we can lift and rectify?

What will it take to inspire sacrifice for the betterment of others?

...Faith?

...Fear?

Freed Fox

28th August 2014, 17:58

I'd like to soon move into the exploration of methods and actions whereby we can promote compassion and dissolve fear.

ANY input on these two issues, even without reading a word of the rest of this thread, are welcome. I believe we do all have pieces of the puzzle, and they can come together at times in the most unexpected - even magical - of ways.

Jake

28th August 2014, 18:12

I changed the title, as requested by FreedFox!! :):) Keep going, my friend... I can't wait to hear more.. This sort of pondering is exactly what Avalon is about.. IMHO

Cheers
Jake.

Jake

28th August 2014, 19:24

Whitefeather just posted this vid in another thread (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?74291). Jim Carrey is spot on!! :) He discusses fear, and faith, in the context of this discussion.. You definitely have to watch it... :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7YKnKo8J-4

Cheers,
Jake.

Freed Fox

28th August 2014, 19:37

If I follow where fear guides me,
Even unaware what guides me,
I grant fear power.
If I empower fear both day and night,
Though I know it not,
Fear becomes my master.

Imagine being slave to nothing.

Imagine being unassailable; unmoved by any fear or desire. Impervious to being bought or bargained, threatened or abused.

Imagine someone who could become more than just a man or a woman. Imagine someone truly worth believing in. Imagine an unstoppable force for the greatest good of all made flesh.

Imagine that person is you.

Freed Fox

28th August 2014, 19:58

Follow me for a minute, guys:

Consider magic. Not as fringe as some might think (read: Occultism, ritualistic behavior).
Now, consider if magic were not only real or possible, but that it could even be natural if one were to take the right steps at the right time AND with the right intent.
Perhaps "magic" isn't even the proper term, but bear with me.
Consider these 'right steps' are things which would only occur to us if we had 'right intent' in focus at the right time. So bizarre occult rituals seem to those on the outside, right?
Even with this, further consider if there really is some sort of adversarial force opposing the realization or actualization of the "magic" from occurring.
This force is only one side of the coin, so it would only have dominion over one side of the equation. In this case I'd say the smart choice would be influencing power over "right intent".
Thus you have the corruption of any form of spirituality. Thus you have moral relativism. Thus you have persistent suffering and lack of "magic" in experiential reality.
Because intent is what inspires activity.
BUT if you could somehow sort out the keys to "right intent" (or the pathway to such, if you prefer), then you would have a way to "win the game".

I know this sounds insane to some of you.

One of the themes of my whole life has apparently been for me to build my essential empathy. I have been shown in so many ways to understand what things might drive someone to do something I find reprehensible for the sake of building empathy for them. I have not suffered as others suffer still today, not in this frankly charmed current incarnation. But I feel for them all. I love even the worst.

I know how that sounds.

But I am for the first time steeling myself against the prospect of meeting the worst. Meeting a cruel fate at the hands of the worst. I have a good imagination, incidentally, and I can imagine a whole heck of a lot that I would not want to forgive.

Yet, I think it is falling to me to do so, and be fully prepared to face it as a reality at some point ahead. The more I see of this "right intent" thing, the less I feel I can possibly turn my back on it, for any reason.

I WANT THIS FOR ALL OF YOU

But I must warn you, it's bloody f***ing terrifying. So is the hero's journey and I see so many heroes in every one of you.

I truly love you.

Freed Fox

28th August 2014, 20:12

Part of this is going to come down to some tough acts of forgiveness, if we want real change.

Ask yourself; how many times have the ruling elite changed faces? Changed doctrines? Changed list of primary victims? Changed political (superficial) policies?

How many faces does fear wear?

If we really want change by the virtues we so often discuss (and do our bests to live each day), it may well end up resting upon the answer but to just one question:

Can we forgive the worst among us?

or, maybe more to the point;

Can we demonstrate true compassion for something entirely unlike us?

Freed Fox

28th August 2014, 20:43

I considered how my words can be seen to draw attention away from the perpetrators and within us each instead. I totally get why that's a big red flag.

But, haven't you ever wondered; why, if we have such a deep sense of the problems, do we not have any viable solution? There are extremely bright people among us, and elsewhere who have great awareness. It is not for want of competence.

It is because every course of action lends either too much focus on a limited areas, or insufficient focus on crucial ones. But the problem is so deeply rooted, so multi-facetted, and so seemingly all-encompassing that every such solution is bound to fail. The octopus will make the necessary adjustment to its pigmentation, settle back in, and regenerate the one or two tentacles that were just severed. People meanwhile argue over priorities and compromise. What is lacking, I believe, is true intent.

Now, I have been flipping and floundering attempting to explain what I see as "true intent", and how I am endeavoring to get all the way there, clearly a fish out of my waters. I offer but I do not know. Things which are bound to become redundant as I feel the need expand upon and express what I see as most important aspects in as many ways as I can think to be even possibly accessible to those with different sensibilities or mindsets. 100 different locks need 100 different keys, even if they lead to the same doorway. I think language can be one type of said keys, concepts reaching the right person at the right time and there is a butterfly effect. That's the way it seemed for me, anyway. As I said, I owe Avalon a lot in this regard and if I can be the smallest stepping stone for the next great man or woman to emerge from here I will be perfectly honored. I just hope I haven't shot myself in the foot one too many times.

On that note, I deeply apologize to any one of you whom I may have ever wronged or insulted or hurt in the past with my unconscious words. That was never my conscious intention, but I ask your forgiveness nonetheless and ask to start with a clean slate here, knowing that I am a changed man and I am interested in anything honestly expressed about this thread, what it means, especially if there is something you want to say but are afraid to for any reason. That is the purpose of this; dispelling fear and learning how to not only be empowered by the act but build upon it with momentum.

I have faith it's leading great places.

But daaamn fear, you scary!

Freed Fox

28th August 2014, 21:09

We don't just talk about "programming" here, we understand they exist and we see some of the forms of it in society and the world. It seems plenty of us are humble enough to admit programs we've fallen under in the past to later break free, but how many of us are humble enough to consider we are still in one? That one might even be making most of our decisions for us? Not the "awake and aware", right?

Well, certainly not me prior to about five days ago. I thought, "I'm fine, I think for myself, I'm not really miserable anymore, nothing is controlling me".

Maybe something is controlling me even now, but guys; it seems hugely positive. Demanding, but positive.

I haven't known any of the programming to be like that, at least none whose results seem to be their own rewards, while at the same time showing so much incredible potential for the future.

You've got to give this your best shot, at least until you start to see and appreciate the real cleverness of fear:

*Stalk yourself relentlessly.
*More specifically; stalk yourself against fear.
*Analyse closely every choice you make or action you take beforehand.
*Analyse specifically; your intentions AND justifications.
*Make sure that you cannot trace your choice back to any form of fear, OR; make as many decisions opposing fear as possible (only stipulation being that by doing so, you will not being doing any real harm to anyone, just to be safe for now).

Now, there are deeper issues, I understand. I hope we can work through them together. Not least of these issues are the faces of fear. I wouldn't be surprised if there are faces (or forms, flavors) which some of you have encountered which I have not even considered. But for now, try to do this while maintaining only two other things, at the forefront of your conscious mind at least: Sincerity and resolve.

Substitute "resolve" for "faith" if you want, or actually "letting go" or "going with the flow" might be even better. Whatever can serve as a cornerstone for resolve to you. I will also freely share what I've done for anyone who believes it might be useful to them.

Basically, you keep challenging yourself into letting go more fear. You end up coming to some things you think you can't do. The more I've been able to actually do, the more improved things seem to get, ever so incrementally. I used to feel like a couple of different people throughout the day, depending on the situation. Now I feel like only one all the time and what's more; it might be more 'me' than I have ever been before.

I gave up meat, just like that. I haven't eaten it since this started. This should have been especially trying because I do enjoy the taste and I live with a consistent meat-eater. This is a major life change, an addiction people have to work to break. I did it almost casually. In a way, reduced to a choice. Perhaps I will keel over dead from it in a week or two, but I don't care. I was a hypocrite before.

There is no shame in who you are, but you are ever capable of becoming greater.

Freed Fox

29th August 2014, 20:04

It really is funny...

I won't seek to distance myself from my words here, or alter them, or beautify the ugliness of my error. I said, "I have been as a child" and in truth I still am.

I called out, "search your intentions! Rid yourself of fear!" and all the while acting from fear myself.

However, fear was only one half of my motivation. The other was born of love, and a sincere desire to help anyone I may have been able. For that reason, I want to leave it as it is.

This is a vexing journey; the more that is revealed, the less you feel you can believe, and yet the less you feel you can ever possibly doubt again.
Moreover, it would see that the only way to grasp it for oneself is through direct experience. Trying to put it into words in the first place may just be as a fool's errand.

Words can carry so many meanings... There is true wisdom out there which strikes many as utterly impotent, until the deeper meanings dawn upon the awareness. The following will likely appear as just words, or even simple common sense... but there is a magic to taking the right steps, at the right time, with the right intent.

Further, it seems the only fitting way to end my participation here:

Demonstrate virtue through action.

We have to follow through, if our virtues are true to the heart and soul. A great deal will get in the way, but all of those things must be faced and held as secondary to what is truly most important; what is most high.

It's my turn to take that plunge, come what may. Time for this child to grow up, as it were.

Thank you all. May you each find the road which will best serve you next upon your journeys. I'd like to think Avalon was a useful stop along mine.

Keep faith, be love.