Authentic Vs. Spiritual

[Joe Akulis]

Fred, your thankyou ratio on Avalon is way better than most, so we know you're more spiritual than we are. :-)

Sorry. (I was physically unable to prevent myself from typing that.)

Okay, on the other lighter side of this conversation, I would echo a similar sentiment as others have. When you said, "I can't speak for anyone else, but it makes me sick when I see a small child who has been taught to be spiritual." It reminded me of a thread I was reading last week about someone explaining that by placing a priority on this strive toward righteousness--or, in this case, spirituality--we are being less authentic.

However, I bet there are some lifetimes we have entered into with the specific intention of surrounding ourselves with people who we knew would try to curb certain of our authentic traits. Once we see that a natural tendency in ourselves has led to a lot of hurt for a lot of other people, it will hopefully be identified as something we would like to conquer. If I cling too strongly to excess hedonism and physical pleasure, and I've been in the habit of ruining lots of marriages, (or take your pick of any vice and insert it here), perhaps later on I would choose a life among people who I knew would try to lay on the non-authentic spirituality as a way of loosening hedonism's grip on me. Then in the lifetime after THAT my authentic self would indeed be less hedonistic. :-)

So, could have it's plusses and minuses, it seems. Human Earth School. No place else like it.

Thank you for the food for thought.

[modwiz]

Posted by Fred Steeves (here)

There is a very fine line between judgement, and recognition. If I note non authentic behavior in a person, it is not judgement, it is recognition. It is recognition of an aspect of myself I know all too well. We are old friends. To somehow not notice this would be akin to not noticing/recognizing/judging an intruder in my house. This would be willfull blindness. As in, how many people still want to hear what Drake has to say?

Cheers,
Fred

A lot of new age sociopaths hide behind the "judgement" shield. "You're being judgemental," they shriek. Like I can't tell a snarling, bad intentioned, dog from a friendly one.

Bite me!

[NancyV]

Posted by modwiz (here)

Posted by Fred Steeves (here)

There is a very fine line between judgement, and recognition. If I note non authentic behavior in a person, it is not judgement, it is recognition. It is recognition of an aspect of myself I know all too well. We are old friends. To somehow not notice this would be akin to not noticing/recognizing/judging an intruder in my house. This would be willfull blindness. As in, how many people still want to hear what Drake has to say?

Cheers,
Fred

A lot of new age sociopaths hide behind the "judgement" shield. "You're being judgemental," they shriek. Like I can't tell a snarling, bad intentioned, dog from a friendly one.

Bite me!

We are all authentic beings who put on different masks depending on the play we are involved in and the role we choose to assume. Authentic is original, real, true… There is only one original being, energy or state of awareness: Source. The authentic Source sends out the creation in a never ending cycle, a wave of energetic patterns creating this masterful and illusionary work of art in progress. We who are aware/alive in this particular vibrational frequency we call the material world are all authentic and entirely spiritual parts of the authentic Source. All beings in all vibrational frequencies/dimensions are authentic creations of and emanations from the Source.

We cannot be other than authentic and spiritual because we are the Source. When we lie, pretend, criticize, play games, etc. it does not make us one whit less authentic because the Source cannot be anything BUT authentic. Our egos simply like to compare minutiae about other seemingly separated parts of ourselves and pass trivial judgments about their behaviors. We have fun thinking we are right and they are wrong. We also like to feel guilty by thinking WE might not be authentic when we lie, pass judgments, puff up our egos or behave stupidly. This is also perfect and authentic. No one is more or less spiritual or authentic than another. We are all a part of this authentic and spiritual game of Source playing with itself.

Of course there is always at least ONE exception to everything. In this case we have Modwiz. I'm thinking he's just a little bit more authentic than the rest of us!

[modwiz]

Posted by NancyV (here)
Of course there is always at least ONE exception to everything. In this case we have Modwiz. I'm thinking he's just a little bit more authentic than the rest of us!

That is sooo judgmental.

[Fred Steeves]

Authentic?

[Strat]

Posted by Fred Steeves (here)
To sum things up, I feel strongly that the answer to our times leads directly back to the old "Know Thyself", and absolutely nothing else.

Agreed 100%.

I don't have any tattoos but I plan on getting a few and that phrase may be one of them.

[Eram]

Posted by Fred Steeves (here)
Authentic?

Attachment 18742

very authentic.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=5rj_zCsOkJg

[NancyV]

Posted by Fred Steeves (here)
Authentic?

Attachment 18742

Absolutely one of the authentic and spiritual people who is the most fun for me to detest and judge harshly!

[ThePythonicCow]

Posted by Strat (here)
I don't have any tattoos but I plan on getting a few ...

I recommend bumper stickers instead ... you can more easily remove them, or plaster over them, or get a different car, or something like that, when your view changes again .

[sirdipswitch]

I rest my case

[Limor Wolf]

Posted by Paul (here)

Posted by Strat (here)
I don't have any tattoos but I plan on getting a few ...

I recommend bumper stickers instead ... you can more easily remove them, or plaster over them, or get a different car, or something like that, when your view changes again .

Paul, apparently not everyone has a problem with long-term commitment .
Ttattos are like a Catholic marriage, you can change your mind only when you die

[another bob]

Posted by NancyV (here)
We are all authentic beings who put on different masks depending on the play we are involved in and the role we choose to assume. Authentic is original, real, true… There is only one original being, energy or state of awareness: Source. The authentic Source sends out the creation in a never ending cycle, a wave of energetic patterns creating this masterful and illusionary work of art in progress. We who are aware/alive in this particular vibrational frequency we call the material world are all authentic and entirely spiritual parts of the authentic Source. All beings in all vibrational frequencies/dimensions are authentic creations of and emanations from the Source.

We cannot be other than authentic and spiritual because we are the Source. When we lie, pretend, criticize, play games, etc. it does not make us one whit less authentic because the Source cannot be anything BUT authentic. Our egos simply like to compare minutiae about other seemingly separated parts of ourselves and pass trivial judgments about their behaviors. We have fun thinking we are right and they are wrong. We also like to feel guilty by thinking WE might not be authentic when we lie, pass judgments, puff up our egos or behave stupidly. This is also perfect and authentic. No one is more or less spiritual or authentic than another. We are all a part of this authentic and spiritual game of Source playing with itself.

Along the same lines (although somewhat mis-titled):

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=RytUHQ3HD8Y

Based on what I learned in the afterlife, I'd say there is no way to evaluate where a character within Source is on its spiritual evolutionary path based on anything it does while in a human. And, more importantly, only a human would want to judge such a thing because being judgmental is a uniquely human character trait.

~Nanci Danison

[Fred Steeves]

Posted by NancyV (here)

Posted by Fred Steeves (here)
Authentic?

Attachment 18742

Absolutely one of the authentic and spiritual people who is the most fun for me to detest and judge harshly!

You do know how to thread that needle dear lady, I've gotta give it to you.

Just between you and me though, don't let Bob know about your little judgement confession.(LOL)

Cheers,
Fred

[Maunagarjana]

Posted by NancyV (here)
We are all authentic beings who put on different masks depending on the play we are involved in and the role we choose to assume. Authentic is original, real, true… There is only one original being, energy or state of awareness: Source. The authentic Source sends out the creation in a never ending cycle, a wave of energetic patterns creating this masterful and illusionary work of art in progress. We who are aware/alive in this particular vibrational frequency we call the material world are all authentic and entirely spiritual parts of the authentic Source. All beings in all vibrational frequencies/dimensions are authentic creations of and emanations from the Source.

We cannot be other than authentic and spiritual because we are the Source. When we lie, pretend, criticize, play games, etc. it does not make us one whit less authentic because the Source cannot be anything BUT authentic. Our egos simply like to compare minutiae about other seemingly separated parts of ourselves and pass trivial judgments about their behaviors. We have fun thinking we are right and they are wrong. We also like to feel guilty by thinking WE might not be authentic when we lie, pass judgments, puff up our egos or behave stupidly. This is also perfect and authentic. No one is more or less spiritual or authentic than another. We are all a part of this authentic and spiritual game of Source playing with itself.

Of course there is always at least ONE exception to everything. In this case we have Modwiz. I'm thinking he's just a little bit more authentic than the rest of us!

Maybe so....but some people's way of manifesting their intrinsic authenticity is really annoying.

[modwiz]

Posted by Fred Steeves (here)
Authentic?

Attachment 18742

The revulsion and disgust I felt looking at him is authentic.

Go ahead and put Mitt, all of congress, the senate and the supreme court up in pictures and you'll get the same result from me.

[modwiz]

Posted by sirdipswitch (here)
I rest my case

I looked, but could not find one that you made.

[Fred Steeves]

Posted by modwiz (here)

Posted by Fred Steeves (here)
Authentic?

Attachment 18742

The revulsion and disgust I felt looking at him is authentic.

Go ahead and put Mitt, all of congress, the senate and the supreme court up in pictures and you'll get the same result from me.

Better Rad? Best I could do on short notice.

[Chester]

Posted by Jenci (here)

Posted by Fred Steeves (here)
So here goes. This has been eating at me for some time now, so I'm just going to say it.(Oh boy, here he goes again LOL) I think spirituality is for the birds, and more than that, I think it's a trap. A person can meditate til the cows come home, memorize holy teachings of every sort, have powerful experiences, etc., but unless the coal of authenticity is burning hotly within, they're running in place, if not losing ground.

What do I mean exactly by authentic? The Oracle baking cookies in the original Matrix movie is authentic. Someone deeply into the dying process is likely to be authentic, or someone on death row, or someone who has truly been to war. Of course small children are authentic, as are our pets. We love them just for that don't we?

It's the realm of no games, and honesty, and the rest is dropping away like burnt flesh. I can't speak for anyone else, but it makes me sick when I see a small child who has been taught to be spiritual. Something precious has been taken away, like the ability just to be a little kid. Adults too.

What do I mean by spiritual? I don't rightly know, only that for the first time in easily a year recently, I found myself browsing the Spiritual section of Barnes And Noble to spend an old gift card. That particular realm not that long ago was my port in the storm so to speak, and now the feeling of being there again after some time was unmistakable: "Fred, you no longer belong here".

To sum things up, I feel strongly that the answer to our times leads directly back to the old "Know Thyself", and absolutely nothing else. To know one's self is to be at peace with one's self, and with that, comes peace with the world, and one's surroundings. (I'm nowhere near there btw) Anyone whose chief intent is anything other than this, is doing just fine of course, but it just means that this lifetime is likely not one of their chances to come here and remember. I think I've been through millions of those...

One more thing. Discernment between who is here to make another attempt at moving on past this plane, and who is here to spread out like a spiritual peacock, will be getting easier with noticing and practice. We've already seen this demonstrated nicely here on Avalon over the last couple of years.


Cheers Everybody,
Fred

Hi Fred


The ego is the activity in a person which maintains the illusion of separation from the Source. We can see this manifest in people in terms of competition and comparison with others, with people constantly seeking to maintain that separation - my job is better, my house is better, I've got a better relationship, my phone is better etc.

After initial spiritual awakening the need for all these "things" to bolster a sense of identity is usually seen through and all the things which used to be important, no longer seem relevent.

The ego activity of maintaining separation will still remain and it will just shift from using those things to maintain its sense of self, to using spirituality. The spiritually awakened ego is a natural part of this process, everyone will go through it but the real trap is when it is not seen through.

The spiritual ego will label, judge and compare others on the spiritual path to maintain a sense of self or individual identity. The ego needs the comparison of others to remain in tact - it's the same ego activity as it has always been, its just transferred what it uses and become more subtle.

In fact it can become more stubborn to deal with at this point because the person believes that because they have had such a huge transformation in their self and life that they believe they are on the right path.

Of course they are on the right path and all these feelings of comparison and judgement of others are being stirred up within them to show them what is internally calling for attention, in terms of seeking out points of separation from the Source.

The problem arises with this process when the person, rather than dealing with the inner calling of attention, externalises this onto other people and makes it about "them" and what "they" are doing.

The truth is that everyone is having an authentic human experience, whatever they are doing. Everyone is doing what they need to be do to get where they need to go.

Posted by Fred Steeves
This has been eating at me for some time now, so I'm just going to say it.(Oh boy, here he goes again LOL)

You said it here in the opening line of your post, something has been eating at you for some time? This is what is calling for your your attention and it has nothing to do with what "they" are doing.


Jeanette

Hi Jeanette, great post. I want to make sure no one might get the idea I have 100% transcended judgement of others, but lately I have found a sustained, significant decrease in that particular activity of my own mind. I have noticed this profound drop in judgement of others and have considered perhaps I have finally "gotten" at least some of "it." It is a strangely peaceful place. Now, I must also add that I am currently under little stress too these days. Meaning I am not under and significant pressure that I might not be able to support my family and meet my own basic needs. So I also attribute my ability to experience more peace because of this external (fortunate) circumstance.

But the key point I am trying to raise is that the last person on earth I would consider to be "spiritual" is me and yet based on my recent, sustained experience of peace that happens to coincide with this new "non-judgmental" view of others suggests that perhaps this massive ego of mine is taking a wee break?

Who knows... anyway, good thread IMO

[Anchor]

Posted by genevieve (here)
I've recently lost my self-described "enlightened Buddhist visionary" friend because

Genevieve - you win

Everyone is entitled to boundaries and to set them as appropriate.

I am sure that your friend is recognized and appreciated for the service she bought you.

[Fred Steeves]

Posted by Anchor (here)

I am sure that your friend is recognized and appreciated for the service she bought you.

Nice one John, unfortunately/fortunately we can get so lost in the weeds via the printed word, and language in general. George W. Bush was my personal catalyst for beginning the awakening process, because I always trusted him...Right up til the moment I didn't, when even a mind numbed, skull full of mush like me at this exact time 4 years ago, could plainly see he was a liar.

The rest of this post Anchor, is meant to be addressed to this thread at large, and not to you personally, just so you know. Your post just rattled loose a couple of things for me.

I'm very well aware that the Universe overall is functioning in exquisite synchronicity. That the "dark" should be respected just as the "light", that we should be ever so hesitant in perceiving someone as an "enemy", and that every incarnate thing, just by being here, is Divine in nature.

4 years ago, George W. did lost Fred a service that no other being on Earth could have pulled off at that time, by being a Divine Catalyst, for lack of a better term.(LOL) In the misty ancient "past" when I was a George W., surely just by me being me, helped some lost soul begin to remember their true self. While I floundered.

I'm going to leave it there for now, as an incomplete thought...