Comments on The Peaceful Self.com: CHRISTMAS NEUTRALITY : "Happy New Year" (addendum)...

Thanks Guys! And Happy New Year! mikeS

2009-12-30T14:51:33.993-05:00

Thanks Guys!

And Happy New Year!
mikeS

Oh Mike...not only can "I" handle it..."I" love it...

2009-12-29T05:53:39.767-05:00

Oh Mike...not only can "I" handle it..."I" love it. Or whatever label you approve of!

Great comments from Willie, very sharply observed.

great blog Mike! also have you noticed that if yo...

2009-12-29T04:30:56.216-05:00

great blog Mike!

also have you noticed that if you rest completely, when no matter what is arising...the thought of expectations, or the thought of no-expectations, or the thought that this is not a thought...etc etc..i mean any perception for that matter....that very perception undoes itself... just poof! And from that vantage of resting..all arisings have the same nature... :) that of undoing themselves..basically free in other words. Actually this already seems to be occurring... :)

Hey Barbara, "Mike, really like how simple this s...

2009-12-24T14:02:09.718-05:00

Hey Barbara,

"Mike, really like how simple this sounds. Hope it's as simple to do...or is that expectation and I've already blown the first possibility of surprise?"

Ha! Good point!

"Surprise New Year's wishes,"

Thank You...

...and may all your expectations dissolve into pure joy! (just don't expect that...)
mikeS

Nahnni, "But as you know, there are those whose e...

2009-12-24T13:58:00.378-05:00

Nahnni,

"But as you know, there are those whose expectations are often exceeded, and there are those whose expectations have led only to deep disappointment time and again. I suppose it has to do with confidence and realism more than the gamble of hope, dreams and wishes."

yes, that does perplex me. But I have found that when expectations are exceeded, there was little faith in that expectation to begin with, which tends to defuse its power, thereby, empowering what is not expected or more than expected.

"Maybe the trick is, is not to be sentimental about life, and yet not unmindful of what graces there are. What else is there?"

Hmmm...that might be a tough balancing act, but you could be right.

Merry Christmas! (or whatever you do during this holiday thing)
mikeS

No One, "Your blog is generating more comment - y...

2009-12-24T13:51:39.473-05:00

No One,

"Your blog is generating more comment - you need to slide up to other bloggers and get them to link to you, that way it won't just be me and Mynahnni who comment!"

Yep, tried that. Unfortunately I sense I'm raining on peoples spiritual parade, so I stay in my own yard these days.

Although I do jump the fence occasionally to smash pumpkins over at your place.

But only because I sense you can handle it.

Funny how some non-dualists don't much like me. Not very non-dual of em'.

Merry Christmas! (or substituting any facsimile thereof)
mikeS

Willie, Thanks for your kind words! "On a person...

2009-12-24T13:46:07.978-05:00

Willie,

Thanks for your kind words!

"On a personal note: I have been "enlightened" for 40 years - and my life still sucks. And, to no one else's surprise - I am going to DIE! AAAAHHHHH!"

Yes, I could tell by your comment.

"I have no problem with that. Or do I?"

Which? The "enlightenment," or your death? or both?

I too have problems with it and sometimes I think death has to be better than this damn "enlightenment"!

Ha!

My Best To You Willie!
mikeS

Mike - I have, mostly silently, acknowledged your ...

2009-12-24T06:24:19.028-05:00

Mike - I have, mostly silently, acknowledged your blog posts as some of the most powerful to be found in the non-duality "subset" (if I may be permitted the indelicate reference).

If nonduality blogs were a high-pressure steam boiler on the verge of exceeding it's designed capacity, your blog is the relief valve that prevents the boiler from exploding. You are always there to remind Mr. (or Ms.) Nondual Dipshit that even though you have the nondual metaphysics worked out in your brain - there is always, always, always some entity somewhere that is going to deny you your peace of mind.

On a personal note: I have been "enlightened" for 40 years - and my life still sucks. And, to no one else's surprise - I am going to DIE! AAAAHHHHH!

I have no problem with that. Or do I?

Ahh Mike, so true! Having no expectations...what ...

2009-12-24T00:47:07.946-05:00

Ahh Mike, so true! Having no expectations...what freedom.

I find I often have secret expectations I'm not conscious of until they don't get met! Just as well I completely ignore my mind. It can think (and expect) what it likes. Doesn't bother me at all.

Your blog is generating more comment - you need to slide up to other bloggers and get them to link to you, that way it won't just be me and Mynahnni who comment!

Merry Christmas! In the parlance of my people (in South Bend, IN) - you have a good one now.

Love, Suzanne

Mike, really like how simple this sounds. Hope it...

2009-12-24T00:21:35.623-05:00

Mike, really like how simple this sounds. Hope it's as simple to do...or is that expectation and I've already blown the first possibility of surprise?

I'll try it a different way. Instead of Happy...

Surprise New Year's wishes,
Barbara

Well, I'd have to agree that we take our expectati...

2009-12-24T00:17:11.923-05:00

Well, I'd have to agree that we take our expectations from a menu of pre-offered expectations. The worst is not realizing it and when one does, it actually hurts the brain to give it up. Chaos and confusion often threatens. And yet, I know when I've held no expectations, or as least as far as I refused them, certain events and experiences thereof, seemed to take on an almost timeless proportion. It's very strange and full of surprises, often pleasant...but, alas, one slips back into the cycle of expectations both of oneself and of those imposed by others that we seem wont to take into ourselves.

Sometimes, I think it is to the degree that people have them and how it works as a set up every time if they rule one's life. Expectations perhaps petrify the older one gets or lead to bitterness for all the ones denied, and then at some point they just fade away in the face of mortality.

But as you know, there are those whose expectations are often exceeded, and there are those whose expectations have led only to deep disappointment time and again. I suppose it has to do with confidence and realism more than the gamble of hope, dreams and wishes.

I wonder if both the Merry Christmas and the Auld Lange Syne have generally worn off their social myth in these changing times, but nobody wants to say good-bye, speaking of useless expectations.

Maybe the trick is, is not to be sentimental about life, and yet not unmindful of what graces there are. What else is there?

This is actually a very thought-provoking post, Mike.

Blessings~