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

[loungelizard]

Hello Chris and everyone!

The thinking behind the suggestion that a teacher is not required on the spiritual journey is a fascinating topic

I wonder how much of what we are talking about here comes from a basic misunderstanding in the west, of the role of the teacher... There is a comprehensive book written about this by Alexander Berzin, called "Wise Teacher: Wise Student" http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/x/...305527811.html

Our history in the west is of controlling, often corrupt religious bodies and perhaps it is this troubled chronicle that has given rise to the belief that we're better off without teachers.

There isn't a tradition of teacher/student relationship in the west, and yet there seems to be an assumption that we understand the dynamics of such a connection. Some in the west speak as if they have moved beyond such a relationship, blazing a trail of spiritual empowerment and individuality, which is their individual choice - but I don't see how the timeless function of transmission (which is primarily what the function of a teacher is) can be replicated.

The distrust of spiritual teachers (which isn't in itself unhealthy) could arise from a distrust of ourselves, and our ability to discern truth from falsehood. Maybe we think of spiritual mentors as those who proclaim their wisdom and set themselves up above the ordinary person, which has a ring of authoritarianism. Maybe we see them as preying on the vulnerable and gullible, and brainwashing them for their own advantage.

And all this has happened, and will probably always happen. No one said the path would be easy. People are people…and that refers to teachers and students. But if you've never encountered an authentic teacher (and it's taken me decades to find one ) scepticism is perfectly understandable. There is always - as in any walk of life - a risk of an unhealthy relationship based on control, exploitation, dependence and fear. And that is where confidence in your own discrimination, and trust in your ability to be honest with yourself comes in: to be able to ask yourself whether the teacher is helping or hindering.

But…if we take the step to label all gurus as manipulators and their students as blind and desperate, we are simply stereotyping, and cutting ourselves off from a vast and profound resource. If we rely only on our own (fixed) viewpoint, and our inner seed of enlightenment, we could find that we have been merely dancing round in circles to the tune that our ego is merrily playing for lifetimes, to entertain us.

Westerners, who are educated to be individualists, have difficulty in grasping the concept that the guru is not so much a person as a function. Of course, the guru function depends for its performance on a human being, and therefore it always occurs in the context of a particular personality. This is what is the most confusing to Western students, who tend to get caught up in externals. —Georg Feuerstein

[greybeard]

Yes Loungelizard
there are several ways of looking at it.
I needed the books and several visits to ashrams in India to get to the point where I may not need a teacher---thats mainly because there is not one in Scotland that I know of.

Nasargadata was ever thankful for his Guru.
A translation of Guru can be "The remover of ignorance"
Apart from the words there can be a transference of energy---the grace of the guru.
In India linage is very important.
Love and trust of the guru is very important.
You love and trust the god within the guru who is communicating with the god within you.
Hence the saying "The teacher and the taught are the same"
In some ways learning about spirituality is a mine field---its a totally different language with specific meanings for certain words and the meaning of the word can vary from teacher to teacher.
Just "being" does not mean you sit and wait for enlightenment to happen.
Do what you do but the fruits are not yours---the end result is not down to you.
Part of the problem is that because we are talking about ultimate Truth posts can sometimes seem to leave no room for manoeuvre.
An interesting discussion can be had, that's for sure Loungelizard.

Chris

[Wind]

Nothingness, What Is, Emptiness, pure Consciousness, Self, natural Mind — all these terms are synonymous, they point to the one true Self.

Nothingness does not remove anything at all.
It neither attains nor transcends anything.
Nothingness is not affected or intimidated by anything.

It does not depend on anything.
It simply Is.
Being complete, it lacks nothing.

Therefore, nothing is required for Nothing to be.
Discovering oneself to be Nothing, this is Freedom.

~ Mooji

Mooji and Marley in the same video, this is way too funny!

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=RWxJ2LC7fNI

[Wind]

[Wind]

THE DIVINE GAME-SHOW

Discerning the real from the unreal — this is the greatest game on Earth, the game of transcendence. And what is to be transcended? Ego, the false sense of self.

Your Self is the prize, but not yourself personally.
Actually, yourself personally is the cost.

To transcend even this game, go straight to Enquiries.
They will point you directly to Dr. Who
and he will accompany you through the door: Who am 'I'?

~ Mooji

[Zampano]

Hey there party people!
3 days ago I had a One to One Satsang with an Awakened Person here in Austria.
His name is "Aktu": AKTU - the silent View of Eternity

The name AKTU comes from a blessing in India 2001 and means "Shining Light"!
"Your eye contact with humans will act like a laser and bring the inner, absolute truth into consciousness" were the words of the blessing master.

He comes from Ramana Maharshi`s and Nisargadatta Maharaj self enquiry school (and a little Zen Buddhism) and went through different stages of spiritual development. The state "he" is in now is, what he described "the infinite void" or "The Self" and its nature is Being-Consciousness-Bliss or Satcitananda. At that point, there is no person anymore, no individual self and "your" remain in the Self, no time-everything is one big NOW.

Not only his eye-contact, even being in the presence of Aktu was like...a switch was turned on and I was in this infinite void as well, full of bliss. Since december last year or so
I practise also the method of self enquiry and it led me also to this state, the Ego returned to the Self and all there was, was a big emptiness, yet fully vibrant and alive. But only temporary, for like a few hours or a half day. I had some questions about self enquiry and he patiently answered all of them, choosing exactly the right words for me to understand.

[greybeard]

Very happy for you Zampano.
An amazing experience.
I think the sharing of such moments are an encouragement for us all

Chris

[greybeard]

Solar Cycle News; DNA, Magnetic Fields and Biological Information Transfer


The Global Coherence Initiative’s worldwide community continues to grow. We now have more than 58,000 members from 154 countries.

The Recent Flip of Solar Poles’ Recent Flip

Sometime around the end of 2013, the sun’s north and south magnetic poles completed a flip. This reversal of the sun’s magnetic field occurs about every 11 years, at the peak/midway point of a solar cycle.

Despite the current solar cycle now having begun its wane, the first few months of 2014 saw the unleashing of several large solar flares. The biggest was an X5-class flare on Feb. 24. X-class solar flares are classified as the most powerful flares; a video from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory shows the explosion:
solar flare
You can watch the YouTube video of solar flare by clicking the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=jukJsH5L-Ss.

Effects of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity on Humans

As we have reported in previous commentaries, solar and geomagnetic activity can affect human health and behavior, including social behavior and unrest around the world. There is strong and convincing evidence supporting this.

For example, we witnessed an increase in social unrest, revolutions, insurrections and uprisings during the upswing of the current solar cycle. The most prominent example is the Arab Spring, which started in December 2010. By December 2013, rulers had been forced from power in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen. Civil uprisings erupted in Bahrain and Syria, and there were major protests in Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco and Sudan.

NASA has speculated that the sun reached its peak around the end of 2013 and the downswing of the cycle is now under way. As observed by Russian scientist Alexander Chizhevsky, also known as A.L. Tchijevsky, most of a solar cycle’s effect on human health and behavior occurs within about five years of the cycle’s peak. His observation appears to be consistent with some current events in the world.

Notable among these are recent events in Ukraine and Venezuela: Tensions between Ukraine and Russia boiled over in November 2013, culminating with violent clashes in the streets, the president’s ouster and finally the Russian annexation of Crimea. In Venezuela, violent demonstrations began on Feb. 4 and rocked Venezuela for weeks.

Further indications of the turmoil that can occur around a solar cycle’s peak may be extreme weather events of 2013 and early 2014: Intense drought persisted in California and other U.S. states, while record snowfall was recorded in the central and northeastern states; there were record highs in Australia, extreme drought in New Zealand and exceptional rain in Spain and China.

With continued social unrest in so many areas of the world and abnormal weather patterns around the planet, the question arises: Do humans have any input in or control over what is happening?

GCI hypothesizes that geomagnetic and solar activity not only affect human health and behavior, but also that Earth’s magnetic field is a carrier of biologically relevant information connecting all living systems. GCI also hypothesizes that every individual affects the global information field.

Information Transfer Via Electromagnetic Signals

HeartMath’s research shows that animals and the nervous systems of people in close proximity can detect the heart’s electromagnetic field and that a bioelectromagnetic field such as that radiated by the human heart and brain can affect other individuals and the global information field environment.

Research conducted in our laboratory has confirmed the hypothesis that when an individual is in a state of heart coherence, the heart radiates a more coherent electromagnetic signal into the environment. Additionally, when we are in a coherent state we are more sensitive to detecting the information in the fields radiated by others.

Recent scientific studies involving DNA, water, the environment and magnetic fields, lend support to the hypothesis that magnetic fields can carry biologically relevant information. The authors of a 2011 study conducted by Nobel laureate Luc Montagnier et al., say DNA in their experiments teleported itself to distant cells through electromagnetic signals. Furthermore, they indicated that this information could instruct the re-creation of DNA when the basic constituents of DNA are present and coupled with extremely low electromagnetic frequency fields.

Such low electromagnetic frequency fields, ones that are able to stimulate DNA information transfer, could come from sources such as Schuman resonances, which occur naturally in the earth’s electromagnetic field spectrum, starting at 7.83 hertz. Thus, some scientists surmise, solar and geomagnetic activity could affect human health and behavior – down to the level of the DNA.

If DNA signaling can be stimulated by the Schuman resonances and brain and heart frequencies overlap with those frequencies, it raises interesting questions about how we all are interconnected with each other through solar and geomagnetic frequencies.

Other scientific research has explored the nature and interaction of ecosystems, water molecules and electromagnetic fields.

In Conclusion and Looking Ahead

It remains uncertain when humans finally will move away from the current global unrest and instability to a more stable and peaceful planet. There clearly is an urgency, however, among millions of people to discard old structures that do not serve all sentient beings and the planetary environment. We are in the midst of a paradigm shift in consciousness and on the threshold of a new era of personal and global harmony.

Solar activity not only has been correlated with social unrest, destructive climatic conditions and other adverse events, but also with periods of great human achievement, including in architecture, arts and science and positive social change.

We can learn from past mistakes and consciously choose to harness such energetic influences for human flourishing and advancement and humanitarian efforts. The Global Coherence Initiative employs multiple strategies for increasing personal, social and global coherence. Through GCI’s internet-based global network, a rich array of people around the world are connecting daily to radiate heart consciousness around the planet to shift global consciousness toward a more harmonious and peaceful future.

It is with gratitude and appreciation that all of us at GCI thank you for your continued support as together we seek to increase global coherence.

Annette Deyhle, Ph.D., and the GCI research team


http://www.glcoherence.org/templates...ies-online.php

[Wind]

What is the ego-mind’s fear of awakening?

It is: Who wants a relationship with Miss Nobody? Who will employ Mr. No-Mind? What kind of future is there for one who is desireless?

But I am reminding you that all these are the ego's taboos, imaginings and attempts to distract you from your ever perfect nature.

In truth, your awakened life will be magnificent, harmonious, joyous and complete.

~ Mooji

[Wind]

The value of life will be determined by the value you place upon yourself which, in turn, depends on what or who you believe you are.

Paradoxically, when you discover yourself to be beyond name, form and conditioning, life sparkles, from the inside, like a celestial diamond.

~ Mooji

[Wind]

To awaken to the timeless and perfect Truth,
don't put so much importance on study.

Avoid the tendency to collect a lot of information on spirituality.
Instead, dive within with your entire heart by saying,
‘Yes, I am here for this alone. Drown me in You.’

Information and mind-created knowledge is meaningless in the higher realm.
Here, only Harmony prevails.

By going beyond the notion of a personal self, the detached observer of all phenomena is discovered as a formless field of inner silence and harmony. It spontaneously becomes self-evident that this is our real nature and position.

This clarity of seeing and understanding arises from the synchronicity of ‘I’ with the universal consciousness.

Pure Harmony is the language and vibration of Holiness.
It is synchronicity with God.

~ Mooji

[Wind]

Register for Eckhart Tolle’s FREE Live Meditation Broadcast today at 1pm PT/4pm ET

https://www.eckharttolletv.com/landi...h/default.aspx

[Wind]

Mooji says that happiness is your natural state. This joy is contagious to the core. Happy Monte Sahaja was inspired by Pharrell Williams simple yet powerful message of happiness. The greatest joy is to discover the truth inside yourSelf.

'I have neither past, present, nor future! I am Nobody. I am Nothing. Therefore, as I am, I am supremely Happy'. - Mooji

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=iO-gevZvjOw

[Delight]

I have been benefiting from Matt Kahn's words. True Divine Nature

The Love Revolution

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=fFS84Jp1qfc

[Guish]

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=i-FkO7nIOSw

Hi friends,

Have a look at this one. For me, it's very straight forward and clear.

[Guish]

Posted by Wind (here)
What is the ego-mind’s fear of awakening?

It is: Who wants a relationship with Miss Nobody? Who will employ Mr. No-Mind? What kind of future is there for one who is desireless?

But I am reminding you that all these are the ego's taboos, imaginings and attempts to distract you from your ever perfect nature.

In truth, your awakened life will be magnificent, harmonious, joyous and complete.

~ Mooji

I have to admit that this is my struggle. We've grown up with the idea that we need to fight oppression to survive. Will no action not result in extinction? Enlightenment is not logical but spiritual. I remember Swami Tapovan was gifted a golden bowl once. While he was going through the forest, burglars tried to kill him to get the Bowl. He gave them the bowl with a smile and said that he's not interested in the bowl. That kind of inner peace is just another level, I'd say. This discussion reminds me of the story found below.

"A Zen Master lived the simplest kind of life in a little hut at the foot of a mountain. One evening, while he was away, a thief sneaked into the hut only to find there was nothing in it to steal. The Zen Master returned and found him. "You have come a long way to visit me," he told the prowler, "and you should not return empty handed. Please take my clothes as a gift." The thief was bewildered, but he took the clothes and ran away. The Master sat naked, watching the moon. "Poor fellow," he mused, " I wish I could give him this beautiful moon."

Source: http://users.rider.edu/~suler/zenstory/moon.html

[GarethBKK]

A story once told by Sri Ramakrishna:

Once a master and his disciples were gathered in the jungles of India. The Master had been teaching his disciples: "Everyone is God, everything is God and we should bow down to God in everyone and everything".

Now, the next day, when the disciples were out in the jungle gathering fruit for their meals, off in the distance was heard the bellowing, trumpeting and crashing of a great bull Elephant, wild with rage; And, all of a sudden, he was crashing through the jungle precisely in the direction of the assembled group of disciples.

The Mahout,(the man who rides the elephant) was shouting to all in front of him, "Get out of the way! Get out of the way! The elephant is mad!"

Seeing the approaching terror, all of the disciples began to run, except for one; He remembered the Master's words, "God is in everyone and everything and we should bow down to God in everyone and everything."

The elephant was thundering towards him and the Mahout was shouting for him to get out of the way, but, remembering his Masters words, he bowed down to the approaching elephant.

The elephant, plunged towards him, picked him up with his trunk, smashed him to the side and thundered on through the jungle.

The disciples came back after the elephant had gone and finding him unconscious they brought him to the Master. When he came to his senses, he was given tea and then the Master asked him : "Why did you not run away?"

The devotee replied, "Master, you yourself had said that God was in everyone and everything and to bow down to God in everyone and everything. I have simply followed your words".

The Master replied: "It is true, God is in everyone and everything. There is God in the Elephant, but, there is God in the Mahout too, and the Mahout said; 'Get out of the way'."

Mad Elephant


Wind, please keep the daily dose of Mooji coming!!!!

[Guish]

Gareth, I can't stop laughing.

[greybeard]

The challenge is you get to the point where you dont take life too seriously and can say things that are funny but not appropriate to the the situation.
Then your friends and family think you have lost it--you know you have "gained" it, or at least well on the way.
One of my sons told me that I had "Lost the plot"--he was serious. I laughed.

Compassion arises where appropriate, but that's for the ignorance (lack of knowledge) that causes pain and suffering.

Time and time I have read that if you want to help the human race apply your self to spiritual practice.
Every time your spiritual vibration goes up, numerous other have their load lightened.
The late Dr David Hawkins gave precise percentages in his book Power vs Force (The hidden determinates of human behaviour)
One enlightened raises the consciousness of millions.
The higher the consciousness the more appropriate right action happens all by itself.
So if everyone’s consciousness is raised enough then selfish behaviour come to an end.
Its not necessary for Christ consciousness to happen for everyone, or duality to end, for a massive improvement in the well being of all humans to come about.

Every moment spent in spiritual endeavour has a beneficial effect, not just for the aspirant, but for all.

Chris

[Guish]

Chris, your post reminds me of the movie " into the wild". The character smiled just before he died. This points to the conclusion that even death should not be feared if one lived one's life fully.