Animal Farm, by George Orwell

[Tony]

George Orwell's 'Animal Farm' illustrates the abuse of power and words,
and the exploitation of stupidity.

I am taking it that the Avalon community is 100% responsible for the world. Whether or not this is the case is another matter...we have to act as if it was true – otherwise, it would all be a bit half hearted. Total commitment to the welfare of others is needed.
So I am questioning: If we took the elite out of the equation, can we be sure that we wouldn't still have the Animal Farm effect within us?

A. We cannot! But you can...

To expect everyone to be perfect is not practical.
This is a world of desire, conflict and strife, and that's all right.

How else would we learn?

We humans are intelligent and passionate. Desire has a very strong influence on us.
So maybe this world can never find perfect peace, and that's all right.

It is wishful thinking to hope that the world will find perfect peace in the Kali Yuga.
It's just as it is, and that's all right.

In this world of conflict, it is not possible to put everyone else right.
However, we can put ourselves right.
In putting myself right, everything else is put right.
Everything is just as it is.

To put myself right, all I need to do is stop trying change others.
Stop trying to impress others.
Stop protecting myself from others. Stop hiding from others.
This is just fear. Fearing myself.

Thinking I am not worthy is not all right.
Every sentient being deserves respect.
We need courage to respect ourselves, with all our imaginary faults.
Then true confidence arises.

We are where we are, and that's all right.
It can take many, many incarnations as practitioners to become enlightened...
this may be your last one, just as you are!

Anything that presents itself could be the last drop of karma to be exhausted.
Until then ,you will still have something unattractive dangling from your nose!
And that's all right!!!

Compassion is caring about others, more than we care for our self-image.
In caring about others, there is no time to be lonely - there is no time for 'me'.
Loneliness is, unfortunately, self cherishing. But that's all right.
We are not perfect, yet!

Compassion has to be impartial, to include everyone.
That final drop of withheld compassion could be what produces 'the change'.
This inner work is painful. It makes me want to scream and cry, “Not fair, not fair! What about meeeeee?!”
That unattractive dangling thing is ego, dropping to the ground - and that's all right.


*******************



NB To help complete the picture... George Orwell's other book '1984' mentions four Ministries - the Ministry of Truth, the Ministry of Love, the Ministry of Peace, and the Ministry of Plenty.
All exist to twist meanings. There was also Doublethink and Newspeak.

The Ministry of Love propagates love of and reliance upon Big Brother.
Through fear, if Big brother says 2+2=5 you readily agree.
“...the moment Winston realised he loved Big Brother the bullet entered his brain!”
That is mind control. Love through Fear.

Newspeak (as opposed to Oldspeak) is changing the meaning of words or limiting the use of words or devaluing words. When the number of words in usage is reduced, the ability to express an experience is reduced. We call it texting! Reduced vocabulary makes the expression of feelings difficult to communicate, and therefore we will lack the ability to empathise. We become more easy to control. Big Brother is now seen as a 'harmless', trivial TV programme..I mean programming! Moreover, it tells you who to love and who to hate.

Doublethink means the power to hold two contradictory views at the same time - playing tricks with reality. Listen carefully to interviewers and interviewees in the media...

When I say, 'see everything as it is', I am not saying accept everything as it is.
Once one becomes a healthy human being, one can either move on, or stay and help unconditionally.

All the best

Tony

[Tony]

There are forces that are trying to twist reality, reality cannot be twisted.

Tony

[shadowstalker]

Your thread is awesome, I still need to get both books.

[DoubleHelix]

Posted by pie'n'eal (here)
reality cannot be twisted.

But reality can be twisted, in any way you so desire.

[Tony]

Posted by DoubleHelix (here)

Posted by pie'n'eal (here)
reality cannot be twisted.

But reality can be twisted, in any way you so desire.

Dear Doublehelix,

Ho ho, what a lovely can of worms you have just opened...thanks!

The perception of reality can be twisted, but not reality itself.

So the question is: What is reality?
What is constant?
What is unchanging?

Over to you, and good luck!

All the best
Tony

[the trojan]

Posted by shadowstalker (here)
Your thread is awesome, I still need to get both books.

essential reading for no other reason than they are wonderful in themselves.
you should pick them up in a second hand shop for a couple of dollars.
good good reading.

[Cjay]

Excellent posts Tony. "They" made me read those books in high school. I'm glad I did, even though my heart wasn't in it when I read them. I actually learned something back then and I re-learned it today. Thank you.

[Tony]

Posted by Cjay (here)
Excellent posts Tony. "They" made me read those books in high school. I'm glad I did, even though my heart wasn't in it when I read them. I actually learned something back then and I re-learned it today. Thank you.

Dear Cjay,

I was wondering whose side Orwell was on.
Was he threatening or warning us?

Tony

[The One]

Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don't complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don't bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality. Wake Up and Live. Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.

If you can beleive that our intention creates our reality then anything is possible

[Cjay]

Read online or download free - both Nineteen Eight-Four and Animal Farm here:
http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/o/orwell/george/

[Lord Sidious]

Posted by pie'n'eal (here)

Posted by Cjay (here)
Excellent posts Tony. "They" made me read those books in high school. I'm glad I did, even though my heart wasn't in it when I read them. I actually learned something back then and I re-learned it today. Thank you.

Dear Cjay,

I was wondering whose side Orwell was on.
Was he threatening or warning us?

Tony

Did you not read the thread we have on Eric Arthur Blair?

[Cjay]

Posted by pie'n'eal (here)
Dear Cjay,

I was wondering whose side Orwell was on.
Was he threatening or warning us?

Tony

I always read it as a warning, not a threat. I don't think George Orwell was a part of TPTW but if he was, then his books could be interpreted as a brazen boast.

[crosby]

Posted by pie'n'eal (here)

Posted by Cjay (here)
Excellent posts Tony. "They" made me read those books in high school. I'm glad I did, even though my heart wasn't in it when I read them. I actually learned something back then and I re-learned it today. Thank you.

Dear Cjay,

I was wondering whose side Orwell was on.
Was he threatening or warning us?

Tony

this is a very good question. lord sidious has started a thread regarding george orwell. and there is very interesting information in it regarding who he was and who his friends and work colleagues were. he apparently was a very well connected man.
regards, corson

[Fred Steeves]

Posted by shadowstalker (here)
Your thread is awesome, I still need to get both books.

I would add Brave New World to complete the trifecta.


Cheers,
Fred

[ViralSpiral]

Posted by jorr lundstrom (here)
Many years ago when my children was small, two of my daughters used to fight with each other.

One time when they fought and I asked wot they fought over Anna said: Karin is calling me a pig.

I asked her, well are you a pig then? She said: of course not. I said, if you know that you are no pig

why do you then fight.

I liked this. Thanks Jorr. Unshackling the Orwelian chains........

[Tony]

Every-thing is twisted reality. If we untwist every-thing we may find reality....oo it was there all the time!

[ViralSpiral]

looooooool Pie, I only have to venture to your lessons for the day to lift my spirits! Bless you!!!

If I had a choice to be an animal on a farm, in 1984 or anytime, this is what I would be:

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=kdJcYTh1rP0

[Tony]

Dear Viralspiral,

Love it!
I unfortunately am 'Boxer' the futile diligent horse. He just does out wind or rain, saying "I must try harder, I must try harder..." never understanding what is going on.

Until now. Thank you Avalon.

[sshenry]

Posted by pie'n'eal (here)
To expect everyone to be perfect is not practical.
This is a world of desire, conflict and strife, and that's all right.

How else would we learn?

We humans are intelligent and passionate. Desire has a very strong influence on us.
So maybe this world can never find perfect peace, and that's all right.

It is wishful thinking to hope that the world will find perfect peace in the Kali Yuga.
It's just as it is, and that's all right.

In this world of conflict, it is not possible to put everyone else right.
However, we can put ourselves right.
In putting myself right, everything else is put right.
Everything is just as it is.

To put myself right, all I need to do is stop trying change others.
Stop trying to impress others.
Stop protecting myself from others. Stop hiding from others.
This is just fear. Fearing myself.

I can't believe that this is the first time I've stumbled across these numbered posts of yours. I want to thank you - espeically for the bit I quoted.

It is so easy as your own perception shifts, to want others perceptions to shift as well, after all, it seems so clear!

But I need to remind myself, over and over again, that they are on their own journey, and I can't expect them to see things my way and that, indeed, perhaps they weren't meant to.

I think it was the Lama Surya Das who said "Each of us, you and I, stands at the center of his or her own truth." I have it posted on the wall over my desk. I just need to read it more often. Thank you again

[Tony]

Posted by sshenry (here)

Posted by pie'n'eal (here)
To expect everyone to be perfect is not practical.
This is a world of desire, conflict and strife, and that's all right.

How else would we learn?

We humans are intelligent and passionate. Desire has a very strong influence on us.
So maybe this world can never find perfect peace, and that's all right.

It is wishful thinking to hope that the world will find perfect peace in the Kali Yuga.
It's just as it is, and that's all right.

In this world of conflict, it is not possible to put everyone else right.
However, we can put ourselves right.
In putting myself right, everything else is put right.
Everything is just as it is.

To put myself right, all I need to do is stop trying change others.
Stop trying to impress others.
Stop protecting myself from others. Stop hiding from others.
This is just fear. Fearing myself.

I can't believe that this is the first time I've stumbled across these numbered posts of yours. I want to thank you - espeically for the bit I quoted.

It is so easy as your own perception shifts, to want others perceptions to shift as well, after all, it seems so clear!

But I need to remind myself, over and over again, that they are on their own journey, and I can't expect them to see things my way and that, indeed, perhaps they weren't meant to.

I think it was the Lama Surya Das who said "Each of us, you and I, stands at the center of his or her own truth." I have it posted on the wall over my desk. I just need to read it more often. Thank you again

You are right, our experience is all alone, and somehow all one.
It is nice to have company!

Tony