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

[Rich]

Thanks for that excellent talk of Dr. Hawkings, Part 1 at 6:25... just bliss.


Since this is probably the most visited spiritual thread on Avalon, I'm posting
the Lester Levenson books here for those who haven't seen the other thread.

Lesters Story
lester-levenson-story.pdf

Keys to Ultimate Freedom
keystoultimate.pdf

Lester and Me
[ Mod-edit: Link removed due to copyright infringement. - Paul. ]

Original post [with table of contents]:
https://projectavalon.net/forum4/show...498#post684498

[greybeard]

Hi EmEx
Im happy for you to post Lester material or anything else for that matter.
At least here, the thread having a sticky, its accessible for a long period of time.
Regards Chris

[Youniverse]

Posted by AwakeInADream (here)

Posted by greybeard (here)
Dr David Hawkins---The final doorway- the highest level of enlightenment possible on earth.
He was very frail when this video was made but the final door happened many years previous.
Ch

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=wnYJS5lg72w

The terror of non existence is something I used to feel when I had a panic attack (much worse than death). It was most severe when it first started (the breakdown), I thought of it as a dark night of the soul, now I'm thinking it was more of a Kundalini awakening. I became physically crippled for a time and couldn't eat anything at first, but it gradually got easier. It took me seven years in all to stop having those attacks, but I finally beat them by getting connected with HS and also surrendering (in a way) to the terror, by simply allowing it to be.

Of course I'm by no means enlightened, which is where I want to be. I just don't know if I'll ever be ready enough in this lifetime to suffer such agony again. Well, maybe if it only lasts a few minutes....

Great video Chris! Has Dr Hawkins written any good books you would recommend?

I had an experience quite similar to what you're sharing here, several years ago. The doctors diagnosed it as some sort of severely overactive hiatus hernia. They saw that I had a pretty bad hiatus hernia from the gastroscopy procedure. Perhaps the hiatus hernia was acting up, but I have a persistent feeling that something much more happened to me back then. I had several panic/anxiety attacks, as you mentioned, a couple of which were pretty rough. I didn't really identify the panic attack at the time as "the terror of non-existence," but there was a great deal of fear and terror involved. I also had a feeling at times like something was trying to 'take me over' and that something was not welcome. But since the 'terror of non-existence' idea was mentioned here, I thought about my panic attacks and that element may very well have been a part of it. However, when I reflect on that now I kinda find it amusing because now I KNOW it is impossible for who I really am, not to exist. I have zero fear of non-existence now. So perhaps we had to face that sort of feeling before we could transcend it. I don't care to experience those attacks again either, though I get the sense that I would handle it differently now. I did experience a great deal of fear of dying back then, and now I genuinely feel that death is an illusion. So now it would be like, "ok you're coming for me, here I am, and I will always be!"

¤=[Post Update]=¤

I definately feel like something 'not of this world' happened to me back when I had those panic attacks.

[greybeard]

Thanks for sharing guys.
Dr Hawkins said that every fear, no matter how small, investigated fully will lead to the the fear of death, non-existence.
The question is "What then?"
The car is broken I cant afford another.
What then?
I wont be able to get to work?
What then?
I will lose my job?
What Then?
I will have no money?
What then?
I will be home less?
What then?
I will be destitute?
What then?
I will starve to death.

You can start with any negative thought and follow it on from there with What then?

A fashion model---Im getting older
What then?
You can fill in the rest.

Any fear is ultimately related to the body and the fear of the death of it--the fear of the unknown.

The upside is that fear can lead to the spiritual search--- and yes dark nights of the soul as part of that.

Chris

[Rich]

Plus, fear is always about the future never about what is.

[AwakeInADream]

Posted by Youniverse (here)
I had an experience quite similar to what you're sharing here, several years ago. The doctors diagnosed it as some sort of severely overactive hiatus hernia. They saw that I had a pretty bad hiatus hernia from the gastroscopy procedure. Perhaps the hiatus hernia was acting up, but I have a persistent feeling that something much more happened to me back then. I had several panic/anxiety attacks, as you mentioned, a couple of which were pretty rough. I didn't really identify the panic attack at the time as "the terror of non-existence," but there was a great deal of fear and terror involved. I also had a feeling at times like something was trying to 'take me over' and that something was not welcome. But since the 'terror of non-existence' idea was mentioned here, I thought about my panic attacks and that element may very well have been a part of it. However, when I reflect on that now I kinda find it amusing because now I KNOW it is impossible for who I really am, not to exist. I have zero fear of non-existence now. So perhaps we had to face that sort of feeling before we could transcend it. I don't care to experience those attacks again either, though I get the sense that I would handle it differently now. I did experience a great deal of fear of dying back then, and now I genuinely feel that death is an illusion. So now it would be like, "ok you're coming for me, here I am, and I will always be!"

¤=[Post Update]=¤

I definately feel like something 'not of this world' happened to me back when I had those panic attacks.

Thanks Youniverse! I think You're right, we did need to go through hell in order to transcend it. I wouldn't change a thing about it since it's made me so much stronger than I would ever have been without having suffered. I was still afraid of death when I first joined Avalon, but now I think I can safely say (99.9%) that "I am not afraid to die!". Just being on Project Avalon amongst some of the finest minds and hearts humanity has to offer, has gotten me to this stage of fearlessness, courage and confidence. Having a few OBE's has helped too, and also realizing that I am the Higher Self. There's still a long way for me to go before I realize who/what I really am ultimately, but I think it's going to be plain sailing from here(or at least no more than I can handle). This place sure has been a catalyst for my spiritual development.

Posted by greybeard (here)
Thanks for sharing guys.
Dr Hawkins said that every fear, no matter how small, investigated fully will lead to the the fear of death, non-existence.
The question is "What then?"
The car is broken I cant afford another.
What then?
I wont be able to get to work?
What then?
I will lose my job?
What Then?
I will have no money?
What then?
I will be home less?
What then?
I will be destitute?
What then?
I will starve to death.

You hit the nail on the head there Chris! This is exactly how it happened with me. Small fears and worry's revealed to me larger underlying fears which eventually lead me to the ultimate and only fear I had. Now that's gone, it's Love, Love, Love all the way from here on in.

Posted by EmEx (here)
Plus, fear is always about the future never about what is.

Yup. Why worry about something that will never happen. I choose to stay positive about everything now, because even if a situation doesn't work out ideally as I'd hoped for, I have still benefited from feeling great about it before hand(even if it doesn't happen). Plus I don't feel disappointed when things go wrong because, there's always next time, and my peace is unshakable anyway since problems don't even exist in the moment, only peace.

I'm not putting on 'rose coloured spectacles' either, there really always is a genuine 'reason to be cheerful' (blissful even) when I just pause and decide to look at what really is (and what was there all along).
(that's something else I've learned on Avalon, that true feelings really are an extra sense perception, that tell it like it is. Becoming aware of these feelings has made my world so much larger than it was before, and much more truly alive)

[greybeard]

Following the success of our film Who’s Driving the Dreambus?, we now have great pleasure in inviting you to Who’s Driving the Dreambus? LIVE, a two-day conference to be held in London on the weekend of 31st August 2013.

What is non-duality? Who’s Driving the Dreambus? LIVE will be a unique event providing an opportunity to listen to, debate with and question some of the leading communicators on the notion of ‘non-duality’ and the whole ‘Who am I?’ mystery.

Whether you are a spiritual seeker, an atheist, a person of faith, a philosophy graduate, a philosophy professor, or simply enjoy non-dual communication, then don’t miss the bus – GET A TICKET – and join us on the ride!
Who's Driving the Dreambus

Thanks to absent friend Jeanette for this.


http://www.dreambuslive.com/

[greybeard]

Whos driving the Dream bus? trailer

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=1AVQFWkfSls

Tony Parsons----The open Secret.
He is one of the first Non-duality teachers in UK and on the film Who's driving the dream Bus
He has a great sense of humour a really inspiring teacher --who seems to get results.

The full film (Dream Bus) is in this thread some where----an index of videos would be a great thing but I dont have the ability.
Chris

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=pL3aIolKCmA

[wind in the stone]

I have been dealing with this question for a while.I used to hate myself because i thought the ego was me.I have found that to transend the ego(which i must do daily.). I must know that i am not the seeker of the truth,i am that which is being sought.I watch my body and mind and see as they play the game of life.but if i can attain this view,i can have some control over me and my mind.i can discard the ego like crumbs on my leg.this view is difficult to renew every day,but it is so very worth it.set aside some time each day,to see you(the thing that hold your name) and watch what he/she does,watch where they hurt,watch where they are joy,and marvel at closeness that comes when you realize that;you are the thing that fills every gap and crack.you are the love that the artificial you longs so much for.you are the living water that if you drink of it,you shall never thirst.

[greybeard]

Posted by wind in the stone (here)
I have been dealing with this question for a while.I used to hate myself because i thought the ego was me.I have found that to transend the ego(which i must do daily.). I must know that i am not the seeker of the truth,i am that which is being sought.I watch my body and mind and see as they play the game of life.but if i can attain this view,i can have some control over me and my mind.i can discard the ego like crumbs on my leg.this view is difficult to renew every day,but it is so very worth it.set aside some time each day,to see you(the thing that hold your name) and watch what he/she does,watch where they hurt,watch where they are joy,and marvel at closeness that comes when you realize that;you are the thing that fills every gap and crack.you are the love that the artificial you longs so much for.you are the living water that if you drink of it,you shall never thirst.

Welcome wind in the stone.
Yes you have to consistently be aware of what is going on with the ego.
After a while it gets easier and actually happens all the time---its non critical awareness-- not trying, pushing or shoving.
The light of awareness dissolves the identification with the thoughts and actions.

Thanks for your Post here---the first of many I hope.

Chris

[Rich]

Posted by greybeard (here)
an index of videos would be a great thing but I dont have the ability.

Not sure what you mean, isn't it just about going thru the posts and getting the links?

Posted by wind in the stone (here)
and watch what he/she does,watch where they hurt,watch where they are joy

Look at your mind. That in itself is a good practice. It
puts you apart from it. You are looking at it. Watch your
thoughts. It's a wonderful practice. If you examine
thoroughly the mind, you will discover that it isn't, it's an
illusion. Let it go it's way, just watch the mind. The
ultimate witness is the Self. It's a tremendous thing to
watch the mind. Not only does it quiet it, it makes the
mind not you. If you trace the source of the mind, you
find it is nothingness. This whole world is a dream
illusion, which means that it isn't. ~Lester Levenson

Mind (thought) cannot be said to exist apart from it's claim that it does.

It takes another thought to tell you that you've had a thought. ~Byron Katie

Does what is Real have to announce it's existence? Does mind not always cancel itself out?
Not saying that I know the answer, just something to contemplate.

Posted by wind in the stone (here)
i am not the seeker of the truth

[greybeard]

Hi EmEx
Thats a well thought out post.
First Im dyslexic so making a list is not easy for me.
It more like the contents of a book list.
There must be hundreds of really good videos.
Such and such a video is on post no-- kind of.
It would have to be on page one or it would be lost in days.

As to mind---its temporary-- it dies with the body---its not what you are.
The sages recommend you work towards a silent awareness.
If the mind is silent you don’t die--you are not the mind.
It would seem that events happen deeds are done without a personal self---mind is useful up to a point but not needed.
To give an example --You can be spell bound by a peak moment -- a beautiful sunset--not a word in the head distracting from what is really happening.
Every moment can be a peak moment in silent awareness--fully present.
Depends what you mean by mind of course.
Some speak of the Mind of God which is somewhat different.

Chris

[Rich]

Quite possible to do but would probably take a few days of work. You could simply edit your first post.

The list could be based on key words like:

-Love
-Mother Earth
-Mind
-Ramana Maharshi
-Science
-Self Inquiry
etc...

Some videos would be under more than one topic for example
''Ramana--What is having this thought?'' https://youtube.com/watch?v=epWYcYHj07A
would be under 'Ramana Maharshi' and 'Self Inquiry'

Depends what you mean by mind of course.

To be honest I'm not sure.

[greybeard]

Thanks EmEx
I doubt if I will get round to producing a list, its too time consuming and I would not impose on any one else this task.

Now and then I suggest that new people start at the beginning and work through.
There is a progression of my understanding from first post to current posts, however the kind of posts and interactions found on the thread are never dated, they will always be relevant to some one reading or viewing videos.

Chris

[greybeard]

David Sereda on Giza Plateau & Quantum Entanglement

Published on 1 May 2013

David Sereda is back to tell us of his latest findings about the Giza Plateau and quantum entanglement. Two objects that are quantum-entangled communicate with one another in an unknown, instantaneous mannr that Einstein called 'spooky action at a distance.' It has recently been discovered that this doesn't just apply to subatomic particles. Two diamonds have been entangled, and not only that, they weren't brought together at all, but rather encoded with identical vibrations.

This implies the possible existence of a powerful new tool, and here David Sereda makes the leap that the structures on the Giza Plateau might actually BE such a tool, capable of connecting us to distant parts of the universe in a whole new way.

Quantum entanglement occurs when particles such as photons, electrons, molecules as large as buckyballs, and even small diamonds interact physically and then become separated; the type of interaction is such that each resulting member of a pair is properly described by the same quantum mechanical description (state), which is indefinite in terms of important factors such as position, momentum, spin, polarization, etc.

Quantum entanglement is a form of quantum superposition. When a measurement is made and it causes one member of such a pair to take on a definite value (e.g., clockwise spin), the other member of this entangled pair will at any subsequent time be found to have taken the appropriately correlated value (e.g., counterclockwise spin). Thus, there is a correlation between the results of measurements performed on entangled pairs, and this correlation is observed even though the entangled pair may have been separated by arbitrarily large distances. In quantum entanglement, part of the transfer happens instantaneously. Repeated experiments have verified that this works even when the measurements are performed more quickly than light could travel between the sites of measurement: there is no slower-than-light influence that can pass between the entangled particles. Recent experiments have shown that this transfer occurs at least 10,000 times faster than the speed of light, which does not remove the possibility of it being an instantaneous phenomenon, but only sets a lower limit

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=6-Jf2Z9-XXY

David Sereda Explains Crystal Energy, Chakras & Auras


Published on 12 Sep 2012

http://www.americanantigravity.com - David Sereda applies solid-state physics research to explain crystal energy and describes how crystal energy interacts with chakras in the body and nervous system.

David Sereda lives in Sedona - a city filled with vendors selling all types of crystal energy products - and he became intrigued by the idea of developing a scientific basis for crystal energy and the chakras. Research led him into solid-state physics, and as he retraced the history leading to the development of solid-state transistors, he formulated a model for crystal energy that he has developed into a series of crystal energy pendants.

He uses Kirlian aura photos to demonstrate how pendants he's designed based on this research enhance the body's aura, and also demonstrates high-resolution aura photos that demonstrate how crystal energy interacts with the chakras.

To learn more, please read: http://www.americanantigravity.com/fi...

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=8Vyr-nLQXT0

Disclaimer
Some of what David Sereda says takes some believing.
However even though its a may be so ie Princess Diana visiting him the day after she died for example. I post things that may be of interest without claiming they are true in their entirety or part.

Chris

[greybeard]

Gregg Braden on consciousness


Gregg Braden takes us on a short trip through consciousness that connects our feelings and our mass reality.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZYntzEMnLF8

[greybeard]

David R. Hawkins - The Experience Of Experiencing

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=dVTQcdKk41M

"...You avoid the lower astral" ~David R Hawkins


This is another segment from the 2002 lecture: Positionality & Duality

The late Dr Hawkins in fine humorous form

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=02OJVj1SVqw

[greybeard]

David Hawkins - How To Transcend Cause Effect & Past life

Potentiality become actuality.
Intention a very powerful factor.
Depends upon the spiritual vibration.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=VIGvVMdG3HU

[greybeard]

Jeff Foster - pointers on Nonduality (Advaita) and Oneness - Audiobook
A clip from the audio book version of "An Extraordinary Absence" by Jeff Foster, available here:
http://www.non-dualitypress.com/produ...

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=IrdL7VMSOLI

Jeff Foster - Oneness Meeting Itself - Nonduality

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=PkAIlKuqt6I

This is Jeff in the early days probably before the state fully matured.
He is struck by the wonder of it all---even though there is no Jeff left as a person. There never was a Jeff in fact is the message of Advaita.
There is no individual, never was never will be.
One Consciousness is pretending to be separate individuals.

Chris
Chris

[greybeard]

Eckhart Tolle - Opinions Of Others Is A Self Judgement



Eckhart Tolle was born in Germany and educated at the Universities of London and Cambridge. At 29, he says a profound inner transformation radically changed the course of his life. He spent the next few years devoted to understanding, integrating and deepening that transformation, which he says marked the beginning of an intense inward journey. While in London, he also began to work with individuals and small groups as a counselor and spiritual teacher. Since 1995, he has lived in Vancouver, Canada. The Power of Now made its American debut in 1999 and has since been translated into 33 languages.

Eckhart is not aligned with any particular religion or tradition. Through his writing and seminars, his simple yet profound teachings have already helped countless people throughout the world find inner peace and greater fulfillment in their lives.

At the core of his teachings lies the transformation of consciousness—a spiritual awakening that he sees as the next step in human evolution. An essential aspect of this awakening consists of transcending our ego-based state of consciousness. This, he says, is a prerequisite not only for personal happiness but also for the ending of violent conflict endemic on our planet.

A sought-after public speaker and teacher, Eckhart travels throughout the world. Most of the talks are given in English, but occasionally Eckhart speaks in German and Spanish. Many of his talks, intensives and retreats are published on CD and DVD.

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/oprahsbookclub/E...

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=3Y-ttuK5sSE