24. My enemy is my best teacher.

[Tony]

One of my best teachers.

Years ago I used to fence (foil).
I was in a competition, and in between bouts I would sit 'quietly'. A fellow competitor came up to me and said, “You're meditating!”
I looked up and with half a smile, not wanting to give too much away.

Then the bastard said, “That trophy would look good on your shelf!”
He knew, he bloody knew the effect. I now, knew that he also meditated, but whose side was he on?

We both went through the rounds, and met in the final. The score was four all, the last hit would decide the winner.

Now as fencers you learn to observe. He had just one movement, he just stuck his arm out...unfortunately for other fencers, at the right time!

I was more complex, I also had a straight arm but bent half way though the attack to produce a broken time affect....crafty!

He knew this had become a lazy habit on my part (it got me by) so four times I just walk onto his point. I got me four point by being extra crafty.

It was tense...relaxed but sweaty.

I attacked (being on the aggressive side) my arm straight out, his arm shot out expecting me to bend my arm. The muscles in my arm started to contract for the habitual bend...then I let go....the trophy is in my shed!

The point being the battle is not on the physical plan, it's in the mind and consciousness. Most important of all, my enemy was my best teacher!

He showed me something about myself, while others let me do and say what ever I liked...I got away with murder (only a figure of speech) it made me lazy!

Keep sharp..

pie'n'eal

[Carmody]

Yes, It appears, beware one's own habitual response. We are literally designed as a pre-conceived or learned notion.

To return to learning and the new, we need to understand aspects of our autonomous learned response can get in our way and prevent our knowledge expansion. It's a delicate balancing act but it must become conscious (known observed behavior patterns in the self) before it can be changed, hence the need to mention it.

[Tony]

Posted by Carmody (here)
Yes, It appears, beware one's own habitual response. We are literally designed as a pre-conceived or learned notion.

To return to learning and the new, we need to understand aspects of our autonomous learned response can get in our way and prevent our knowledge expansion. It's a delicate balancing act but it must become conscious (known observed behavior patterns in the self) before it can be changed, hence the need to mention it.

Hello Carmody,
I'm not sure, but I think we could be agreeing!
However with regard to learning and knowledge. In the physical world there is not end to learning,
though everything we learn about is transient, is not constant, has no reality. It all comes to pass.

When you say about behaviour pattern in the self, do you mean mind or the brain?

For me real knowledge rests in realising consciousness, which is beyond the physical.

Technically I could learn to be a better fencer, but what one actually uses is consciousness.
The sword of wisdom is just letting go = no fear.

However, I am beginning to see that people on this site may see the universe differently.
I've yet to understand what that is.

A teacher of some sort is helpful to expand ones view, it's faster!

All the best
pie'n'eal




What The knowledge I am talking about is uncovering.

[Leprechaun]

These words are so true

[enfoldedblue]

I agree absolutely. I believe that this relates to anything that we perceive as negative that enters our reality. If instead of fearing it and trying to fight it, we see it as a teacher, then it reveals the gifts that it brings us. For example 2 yrs ago the doctors told me they believed I had MS. I saw very clearly that I could react in fear and see the disease as an enemy that I had to fight, or I could see it as a teacher. After the initial terror, I decided to chose the latter. I learned to listen to my body and connect deeply with my heart, and after a couple a months I felt better than I ever had, and came to see the disease as a great gift. Now 2 yrs later I have no symptoms at all and actually doubt that I have MS at all.

Thanks for posting

LOVE ALLways, c

[Tony]

Posted by enfoldedblue (here)
I agree absolutely. I believe that this relates to anything that we perceive as negative that enters our reality. If instead of fearing it and trying to fight it, we see it as a teacher, then it reveals the gifts that it brings us. For example 2 yrs ago the doctors told me they believed I had MS. I saw very clearly that I could react in fear and see the disease as an enemy that I had to fight, or I could see it as a teacher. After the initial terror, I decided to chose the latter. I learned to listen to my body and connect deeply with my heart, and after a couple a months I felt better than I ever had, and came to see the disease as a great gift. Now 2 yrs later I have no symptoms at all and actually doubt that I have MS at all.



Thanks for posting

LOVE ALLways, c

Dear Enfoldedblue,

That is a wonderful story...well, it's not a story, it happened!
Every thing must be created by consciousness, or maybe things are created by a cloudy consciousness..?!
At this moment I am getting the feeling that we are pure consciousness...or pure light, not of the body.

Because we do not realise this, we take on a form... maybe clinging to a form would better describe it.
We did this because our consciousness is a bit clouded...at the moment!

So our present is created by our past. Created by our past actions and reaction.... but also by the clouded
view of those around us. Out of some feeling of comfort we all hold this physical universe together, a mass
dream.
So we need a good poke now and again...... to wake us up!!!!

Whatever you are doing, keep doing it!

pie'n'eal

[Davidallany]

My enemy is my best teacher.

You are your best teacher, your so called enemy is also a reflection of you, it's just a tool to practice.

[Tony]

Posted by Davidallany (here)

My enemy is my best teacher.

You are your best teacher, your so called enemy is also a reflection of you, it's just a tool to practice.

That my friend is ssssssooooo true!!!!

pie'n'eal

[TimelessDimensions]

"You can only get smarter by playing a smarter opponent"

- Revolver (2005)

[FrankoL]

I couldn't agree more. However the true is that we will not easily admit that. You have to be very wise just to think that.

At the very moment you try to love your enemy, then the lesson is learned. And the enemy is released from your karma and he/she is no longer attracted to you...and vice versa.

[sirac]

Posted by FrankoL (here)
I couldn't agree more. However the true is that we will not easily admit that. You have to be very wise just to think that.

At the very moment you try to love your enemy, then the lesson is learned. And the enemy is released from your karma and he/she is no longer attracted to you...and vice versa.

very good, where did u get this from

thinking about the enemies we have, if we face them all, great is our potential

[Tony]

Posted by TimelessDimensions (here)
"You can only get smarter by playing a smarter opponent"

- Revolver (2005)

That is so true toooooooo!!!
So let's see...hmm.....you are both right!

Let's move it up a notch!
There are different levels of understanding the same thing.

Our present was created by our past. Our future will be that same, if something doesn't change.
So we all go round in circles, and it gets boring, but we just get used to it. It is familiar.

Something has to happen to get us out of our cosy chair.
Learning is painful, the old us does not want change.
We need some lateral thinking, or a kick up the rump.

And we need teachers!!
There are four types of teacher.
1. The teacher who points out the nature of your mind. (not easy to do yourself)
2. The teacher or books that reveals the manual/text/path
3. These two help you realise your inner teacher. YOU... Empty essence and cognisant nature.
4. The symbolic teacher-realisation that all thoughts, emotions and phenomena that arise are empty illusions. so seeing that, remind you of your true nature.

Meditation is just being familiar resting in your true nature... solves everything!

There is no need for complex distractions.

All the best
pie'n'eal...............I felt a bit chatty!

[FrankoL]

Posted by sirac (here)

Posted by FrankoL (here)
I couldn't agree more. However the true is that we will not easily admit that. You have to be very wise just to think that.

At the very moment you try to love your enemy, then the lesson is learned. And the enemy is released from your karma and he/she is no longer attracted to you...and vice versa.

very good, where did u get this from

thinking about the enemies we have, if we face them all, great is our potential

I got it from my experience. I don't think you personally have that many enemies, do you? So, the task is not that hard.

[dan i el]

Sometimes, if I am to have an enemy, it feels like the true enemy would be simply myself. Or is it egocentric? I know I shoot myself in the foot sometimes even as I watch myself do it. Perhaps I can learn from myself then? Perhaps my enemy is the eugenicist elte, but then, what can I learn from them that is useful? Their lack of empathy confirms mine? Where is a lesson in that? Perhaps, I am stamping on my own foot in musing on it. shrugs.

As it goes, I try and observe myself tapping away at the keyboard writing these words; I say to myself: " now i am typing a reply on the Avalon forum". Gurdjieff apparently called such things exercises in attempting to remember self but i am not clear as to what the point is.

[Tony]

Posted by FrankoL (here)

Posted by sirac (here)

Posted by FrankoL (here)
I couldn't agree more. However the true is that we will not easily admit that. You have to be very wise just to think that.

At the very moment you try to love your enemy, then the lesson is learned. And the enemy is released from your karma and he/she is no longer attracted to you...and vice versa.

very good, where did u get this from

thinking about the enemies we have, if we face them all, great is our potential

I got it from my experience. I don't think you personally have that many enemies, do you? So, the task is not that hard.

Dear Frankol,

Now we can get to an interesting point. We can refine the word enemy to, anyone that makes you feel 'uncomfortable', or anything you feel 'disturbed' by. Anything that makes you lose your inner peace.

You see, it's a test. It's how you can gauge, how you are.

Our enemy is our emotions....but, they can be seen as wisdoms!!!
The emotions never existed in the first place!!!!

(Oh, I have to go a fix someones boiler....will get back!)

pie'n'eal

[Tony]

Posted by dan i el (here)
Sometimes, if I am to have an enemy, it feels like the true enemy would be simply myself. Or is it egocentric? I know I shoot myself in the foot sometimes even as I watch myself do it. Perhaps I can learn from myself then? Perhaps my enemy is the eugenicist elte, but then, what can I learn from them that is useful? Their lack of empathy confirms mine? Where is a lesson in that? Perhaps, I am stamping on my own foot in musing on it. shrugs.

As it goes, I try and observe myself tapping away at the keyboard writing these words; I say to myself: " now i am typing a reply on the Avalon forum". Gurdjieff apparently called such things exercises in attempting to remember self but i am not clear as to what the point is.

Dear Dan i el,

The smug answer to that, is, there is no Self!
The Self is something made up in the mind, a bunch of ideas.
That is the enemy.
The which see all this is perfect purity...the real you.... though it cannot be found!
If you find it, it has just turned into a concept.. .another idea.

When you know your true nature, I mean know it. Then whatever arises is seen as a teacher
or reminder.

When fencing, thinking is too slow.

good night sweet prince.

pie'n'eal

[SKAWF]

good opposition does provide an oppurtunity to learn about the game.
i think theres a process behind it though.
3 stages
1, where you are constantly beaten by better opponents
2, where you match your opponent
3, where you beat your opponent.

is it that your opponent teaches you........
or does he provide a scenario where you can improve your own game?

i'm someone who plays video games.
say what you like about them, but for me its the difference between
vegetating in front of a TV or being involved in virtual scenario's that
force me to make a wide variety of decisions under pressure.
in my time ive raced against, fired banana's at, launched missiles toward,
dropped bombs on, jumped over, smashed through and squashed
more people than i care to remember.

i do understand what your saying about the enemy teaching you,
but i think its more about your ability to learn,
from what starts as trial and error.
and also the creative use of the things you learn.

i reckon theres a sliding scale of learning once you get into something.
at the start your picking up new things all the time, but as you go on
that slows down. the more you do something, the more you learn though.
i think i will close by saying, that in my opinion,
your own experience is the best teacher, and the things you learn over time.

steve

[dan i el]

Posted by pie'n'eal (here)

Posted by dan i el (here)
Sometimes, if I am to have an enemy, it feels like the true enemy would be simply myself. Or is it egocentric? I know I shoot myself in the foot sometimes even as I watch myself do it. Perhaps I can learn from myself then? Perhaps my enemy is the eugenicist elte, but then, what can I learn from them that is useful? Their lack of empathy confirms mine? Where is a lesson in that? Perhaps, I am stamping on my own foot in musing on it. shrugs.

As it goes, I try and observe myself tapping away at the keyboard writing these words; I say to myself: " now i am typing a reply on the Avalon forum". Gurdjieff apparently called such things exercises in attempting to remember self but i am not clear as to what the point is.

Dear Dan i el,

The smug answer to that, is, there is no Self!
The Self is something made up in the mind, a bunch of ideas.
That is the enemy.
The which see all this is perfect purity...the real you.... though it cannot be found!
If you find it, it has just turned into a concept.. .another idea.

When you know your true nature, I mean know it. Then whatever arises is seen as a teacher
or reminder.

When fencing, thinking is too slow.

good night sweet prince.

pie'n'eal

Is the "I" , then, merely a ricochet, in a sapiensapien pinball machine? If I wanted a "self" would I be deluding myself? If there is no self how would this be even possible?

My elf keeps telling me I don't want to be mulched!!

: )

[Tony]

Posted by SKAWF (here)
good opposition does provide an oppurtunity to learn about the game.
i think theres a process behind it though.
3 stages
1, where you are constantly beaten by better opponents
2, where you match your opponent
3, where you beat your opponent.

is it that your opponent teaches you........
or does he provide a scenario where you can improve your own game?

i'm someone who plays video games.
say what you like about them, but for me its the difference between
vegetating in front of a TV or being involved in virtual scenario's that
force me to make a wide variety of decisions under pressure.
in my time ive raced against, fired banana's at, launched missiles toward,
dropped bombs on, jumped over, smashed through and squashed
more people than i care to remember.

i do understand what your saying about the enemy teaching you,
but i think its more about your ability to learn,
from what starts as trial and error.
and also the creative use of the things you learn.

i reckon theres a sliding scale of learning once you get into something.
at the start your picking up new things all the time, but as you go on
that slows down. the more you do something, the more you learn though.
i think i will close by saying, that in my opinion,
your own experience is the best teacher, and the things you learn from it.

steve

Dear Steve,
You make an interesting point about sliding scale.

We all have varying levels of capacity at any moment, meaning how open our door or mind is. Learning is painful, moving from one pond to a bigger pond.

Maybe it's to do with how dissatisfied one is, and so look for a solution. Though one can by satisfied in dissatisfaction. The pain is acceptable. It also depend if one is learning for oneself or for the benefit of others.

When we first engage on a task, there is lots to learn. But then one can go into autopilot or cruise. Then one doesn't have to worry about technique, just rest in consciousness. One can play with the situation, there is no longer a fight going on.

That bits fun!!

It all depends on the percentage of consciousness that is present during the day..and night. Most of the time we are either distracted or busy, or in a vacant oblivious state.

This cannot be helped because of a thing called karma. it's a residue, imprint or habit in the mind that make us reaction....in the same old way. It keeps us in a prison. In not reacting, the prison wall fall down, and no karma is created.

But this take time for most of us, as we carry wounds and burdens.

It's a relief to understand this and not feel guilty. When there is a reaction in the mind, it is only a product from the past, and has no reality.

We can start from now!!!

All the best
pie'n'eal

[dan i el]

" First they showed me the planet Earth as it was eons ago, before there was any life on it. I saw an ocean, barren land, and a bright blue sky. Then black specks dropped from the sky by the hundreds and landed in front of me in the barren landscape. I could see that the 'specks' were actually quite large, shiny, black creatures with stubby Pterodactyl-like wings and huge whale-like bodies...They explained to me in a kind of thought language that they were fleeing from something out in space. they had come to planet Earth to escape their ENEMY. The creatures then showed me how they had created life on the planet in order to hide themselves within the multitudinous forms and thus disguise their presence. Before me, the magnificence of plant and animal creation and speciation-hundreds of millions of years of activity-took place on a SCALE and with a vividness impossible to describe. I learned that the dragon-like creatures were thus inside all forms of life, including man"

M.Harner


Is it off topic? :/ If not, is there any word on this from animistic Bonpo?