Comments on The Peaceful Self.com: AWAKENING CHIC: The Path of the Walking Wounded

Hey Roger! "Mmh. Aren't these lines a ki...

2009-12-16T12:58:48.761-05:00

Hey Roger!

"Mmh. Aren't these lines a kind of teaching?"

They certainly are. I would only add that they are not consciously chosen lines. If the ego-self consciously chooses the teacher than it will learn what it expects and is prepared for. Therefore, if the ego consciously chooses a teacher, nothing will be linearly transmitted from the teacher, however, from the depth of the relationship both will learn.

"Why are you writing this blog? Why not in form of private notes in your old desk at home? Why on the internet?"

Because I enjoy the engagement.

"I like your texts. They give food for thought. And this is exactly what teaching (except instruction for meditation) often does as well: giving food for thought. But I fear, that way you keep people from realizing what is (in this blog and elsewhere) called "truth". So why do it?"

Nothing I do or do not do (or anyone else) will keep you from truth, unless, of course, one chooses not to learn (which is actually impossible). I do not teach truth. However, I do believe it will be found where it is least expected, since expectation is an egocentric function.
I merely advise that in the depth of relating truth is available mutually, so be careful who you expect has nothing to teach since most likely truth is "there."

Thanks!
mikeS

Hi Mike, "What they fail to convey is that ...

2009-12-16T09:04:21.352-05:00

Hi Mike,

"What they fail to convey is that they have nothing to teach, because teaching is simply an excuse for deeply engaging with the world. Awakening proceeds from engagement, it doesn't result in it. It is deeply engaged in relationship from which awakening is experienced."

Mmh. Aren't these lines a kind of teaching?

Why are you writing this blog? Why not in form of private notes in your old desk at home? Why on the internet?

I like your texts. They give food for thought. And this is exactly what teaching (except instruction for meditation) often does as well: giving food for thought. But I fear, that way you keep people from realizing what is (in this blog and elsewhere) called "truth". So why do it?

Just wondering :)

Roger

P.S: Now you might ask why then, I do respond? And ask Questions? ;)

Hi Mike~ It only goes to show that it is not the ...

2009-12-02T03:55:27.851-05:00

Hi Mike~

It only goes to show that it is not the wound nor the experience of having shed or healed, but what one does with it.

I wonder that in a world which has conspired to have us all live dishonest lives, that until we awaken to this "truth", there can be no "truth" beyond it.

Good Post.

Blessings~

As my husband is fond of saying: "Just get o...

2009-12-02T02:58:06.119-05:00

As my husband is fond of saying: "Just get on with it!"

He's a much better teacher than I am.

Helder, Actually, I am not seeking enlightenment ...

2009-12-01T21:33:03.537-05:00

Helder,

Actually, I am not seeking enlightenment and because of that 'not seeking' I may in fact find it. Therefore, I don't hold much credence in paths to "enlightenment."

If we consider awakening or enlightenment as a means of 'knowing' truth, then I do not feel individual relative minds have the capacity to awaken. However, I do believe many minds or more specifically the collective can 'know' truth as soon as they decide that it is impossible to know truth individually. However, this hypothesis is not very credible in awakening circles. Nevertheless, I continue to hold it all the same.

However, it's all merely food for thought, since I really don't know anything of any importance.

Thanks,
mikeD

Well thank you Mike! I was actually also hoping t...

2009-12-01T19:46:11.995-05:00

Well thank you Mike!

I was actually also hoping to hear more from you. I was pondering more on this thing about suffering and enlightenment. Basically you point out something very interesting and that I wondered myself at times: all these "awake masters" seem indeed to have had in common intense periods of suffering yet, after awakening, they all dismiss it as "just a story" with no relevance. And I am not saying that they are not fundamentlaly right, but is that helpful to others?

I experienced a sort of an awakening in the past (obviosuly it was not permanent) and it happened after intense suffering/trauma. Then there was a sudden switch and an opening. So, I guess I am interested in your opinion: do you think awakening (defined as a substantial switching in conscioussness/perception) happens only after intense disilusenment/confusion?

That is something I can actually understand. But something that is not really talked about much. Suffering is really mistreated these days...

Sorry, I haven't read any of your other posts but I will. Sounds really interesting your blog. I gather from the subtitle that you are seeking enlightenment?

Greetings.

Hey Helder! To struggle or not to struggle that i...

2009-12-01T13:06:09.133-05:00

Hey Helder!

To struggle or not to struggle that is the question...

"For me all is well when I know all is well, when there is no searching. I actually think that is why "I" am here: to experience the beauty of all that is. And for this I need no teachings"

Well said! Actually it seems we only teach our 'self' anyway. Imagine the thrill in realizing that there is no longer a need to teach anything at all. We can finally relax

It's "Miller Time"!

Good to hear from ya, hope to hear more!
mikeS

Very interesting Mike (my name is Helder by the wa...

2009-12-01T10:48:51.173-05:00

Very interesting Mike (my name is Helder by the way...nice engaging with you:)

I feel the same, and that is seldomnly "taught": suffering is part of life. I guess even in the "awakening" is duality: first rock bottom, then getting up and realising there was no suffering in the first place. Had to be there to see this. What is wrong with this? Why struggle to get rid of anything in the first place? Why not struggle? :)

For me all is well when I know all is well, when there is no searching. I actually think that is why "I" am here: to experience the beauty of all that is. And for this I need no teachings :)

"And this (sometimes unwritten) motivation of...

2009-12-01T10:09:23.294-05:00

"And this (sometimes unwritten) motivation of "teachers" to "relieve suffering" is puzzling...surely suffering is a big part of the story of the human condition...without which there is no deliverance."

Well said!

I feel that this motivation to help others is nothing more than a misinterpreted desire to deeply engage with others and nothing more than that, because we cannot negate that teaching demands an intense level of engagement or relationship with others.

I feel that the problem is that some teachers miss the engagement part and feel that they have some unknown "truth" to impart, which then distracts from the truth of the engagement.

"Life is everything, and everyone. No escaping it! Although many seem hell-bent on trying (to escape)"

Yes! Exactly! And any ideology that directs individuals to follow exclusive individualized paths are essentially teaching escape from what cannot be escaped and thus maintain suffering by claiming that until you take this path suffering will remain.

Thanks!
mikeS

Hey Mike, good one. As my friend Lune waxes poeti...

2009-11-30T00:54:23.051-05:00

Hey Mike, good one. As my friend Lune waxes poetic..."The only enlightenment is to realise there is no enlightenment."

And so true...hitting bottom always has to do with separation, isolation, being cut off, and finally being motivated to reach out for help...

And this (sometimes unwritten) motivation of "teachers" to "relieve suffering" is puzzling...surely suffering is a big part of the story of the human condition...without which there is no deliverance. In the story that unfolds, perhaps the trick is to bear the suffering, until, like everything else, and, as you emphasise, with the help of others, the suffering changes into yet another face of life.

Life is everything, and everyone. No escaping it! Although many seem hell-bent on trying (to escape).

Love, Suzanne