Creating a Better You!
How can we become more effective in life? Why are we so easily swayed by our desires’ that take us here, there, and everywhere? We want this we want that, it seems that we are never satisfied: Are we happy or unhappy? What would make one happy? It seems that happiness or unhappiness is totally dependent on the quality of the object which we love. What if the object of our love no longer wants us or we lose interest; what happens to us? Is this loss the cause of our sadness, depression or disappointments?
I wonder if there is something out there that is more solid and less fleeting: is it possible that when we embrace it; we might feel fulfilled? What can that be? I believe and think it’s in the development of the self; the “I” that is directly connected with our true intelligent nature.
When we are in touch with our inner “Intelligence” and act from it we know that we are in truth and are in direct connection with the ALMIGHTY. This awareness and mental activity coupled with a strong feeling or positive emotion creates an inner love and a feeling of our true power; unfortunately, most of the time we seek and attach ourselves to objects which are transient, fleeting and are easily destroyed by external causes. These objects can be excessive desire for money, career, status, ambition, glory, fame, pleasure, sex, food, etc.
Fortunately, these object of desire, if under our control can be sought as a means and not as an end in itself. In order to be able to temper our desires and seek the greater good in the future rather than satisfy the desire for the present good, we must want to learn how to develop the power to say YES or NO. This power to say no to the temporary good that’s facing us in the present moment must come from this powerful self that we want to develop. Some call this active discipline, I call it active decision that comes from REASON and INTUITION and which is a mental activity of our intelligence.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The Good is the Enemy of the Better
There is a saying that the good is the enemy of the better. If you are interested in growth, you had better become familiar with the meaning of this saying.
There is a tendency in human nature to go after self-affirmation in the easiest manner possible. We accept challenge only in areas which are not too difficult, and so we may improve in certain aspects of our character while remaining weak and becoming weaker in other areas. The man with a sore leg favors the good leg. The person who is successful in business may spend almost all of his life in this realm. The individual with a talent in music, art, etc., tends to concentrate on the aspect of his or her own talented nature.
Observe this tendency in yourself. Due to buffers you may find it very difficult to acknowledge your weak areas. Deep down within you is a sense of your weaknesses, but you have carefully hidden them from yourself. This is how the conatus, the self-preservative force in us, acts to save us from pain.
In a real work group the other students challenge us in our weak areas. That is why growth is only possible in such a group. By ourselves we area too shielded from our inadequacies: If you have a real desire to grow, these challenges will arouse a deep struggle in you, for the old forces do not want to surrender to the awakening desire to grow. This is your moment of truth. Will you turn again to what you previously felt gave you satisfaction and buffer out the challenge to seek something better? Or is there enough strength in your desire to grow for you to hold on to the search for a more total development? If you hold on to the present good and turn away from the better, the good will in time becomes good for nothing. The decision you make now, about seeking the better and going beyond the present good, will determine the life you will have next year and the year after. The choice is yours.
There is a tendency in human nature to go after self-affirmation in the easiest manner possible. We accept challenge only in areas which are not too difficult, and so we may improve in certain aspects of our character while remaining weak and becoming weaker in other areas. The man with a sore leg favors the good leg. The person who is successful in business may spend almost all of his life in this realm. The individual with a talent in music, art, etc., tends to concentrate on the aspect of his or her own talented nature.
Observe this tendency in yourself. Due to buffers you may find it very difficult to acknowledge your weak areas. Deep down within you is a sense of your weaknesses, but you have carefully hidden them from yourself. This is how the conatus, the self-preservative force in us, acts to save us from pain.
In a real work group the other students challenge us in our weak areas. That is why growth is only possible in such a group. By ourselves we area too shielded from our inadequacies: If you have a real desire to grow, these challenges will arouse a deep struggle in you, for the old forces do not want to surrender to the awakening desire to grow. This is your moment of truth. Will you turn again to what you previously felt gave you satisfaction and buffer out the challenge to seek something better? Or is there enough strength in your desire to grow for you to hold on to the search for a more total development? If you hold on to the present good and turn away from the better, the good will in time becomes good for nothing. The decision you make now, about seeking the better and going beyond the present good, will determine the life you will have next year and the year after. The choice is yours.
Happiness, a Way of Life
How can we become more effective in life? Why are we so easily swayed by our desires that take us here, there, and everywhere? We want this we want that, it seems that we are never satisfied. Are we happy or unhappy? What would make one happy? It seems that happiness or unhappiness is totally dependent on the quality of the object of our love. What if the object of our love no longer wants us or we lose the object of our love; what happens to us? Is this loss the cause of our depressed mental state?
Is there something out there that is more solid and less fleeting that when embraced would give fulfillment and happiness? What can that be? I believe and think it is our intuitive self in connection with the knowledge of the almighty as its cause. When we are in touch with our inner self and act from it, we know that we are in truth and in union with the laws of nature. This awareness and mental activity coupled with a strong feeling or positive emotion creates an inner love and a feeling of our true power; Unfortunately, most of the time we seek and become attached to objects which are transient, fleeting and are easily destroyed by external causes. These objects can be excessive desire for money, fame, sex, food, etc.
Fortunately, these objects of desire, if under our control can be sought as a means and not as an end in itself: However, if and only if we are pursuing truth and understanding so we can gain a sense of self..
Is there something out there that is more solid and less fleeting that when embraced would give fulfillment and happiness? What can that be? I believe and think it is our intuitive self in connection with the knowledge of the almighty as its cause. When we are in touch with our inner self and act from it, we know that we are in truth and in union with the laws of nature. This awareness and mental activity coupled with a strong feeling or positive emotion creates an inner love and a feeling of our true power; Unfortunately, most of the time we seek and become attached to objects which are transient, fleeting and are easily destroyed by external causes. These objects can be excessive desire for money, fame, sex, food, etc.
Fortunately, these objects of desire, if under our control can be sought as a means and not as an end in itself: However, if and only if we are pursuing truth and understanding so we can gain a sense of self..
Growth & Resistance to Change
Growth & Resistance to Change
It is assumed that human nature evolves spiritually and that we are automatically spiritual by nature: it is said that the world is in a new cycle of conscious spiritual development, in truth, it’s a false belief. The reality of man is that he is by nature self serving and he will do whatever means at his disposal for his own personal advantage, good or bad: this is a law of self preservation. To do good or bad is in the eye of the beholder, what may be good for one may be bad for another or what is bad for one may be good for another. Our nature imagines and perceives the truth or reality from a conditioned nature: meaning, that our beliefs, attitudes, and desires are controlled and directed by how we were influence in our early environmental upbringing.
Unfortunately, the truth is that we have unconsciously imitated our parents, guardians, siblings, people we admire and want to be like; therefore, we never really know who we are. In the process of self-discovery it’s possible to find our real self, our true intelligence. This intelligence is manifested by a real self study and work. In self study which is done in a work group environment, (with a teacher who knows the way) one can then discover ones intelligence through the process of solving inner problems, and overcoming and understanding negative emotions.
Most people confuse memory with intelligence, or our daily life intelligence with the active mind intelligence. Being intellectual, smart, having a high IQ is not the intuitive intelligence that embraces the inner-self. Mankind is only interested in the ego and materialism which is the downfall of humanity and the true cause of depression and unhappiness: he is trapped by old negative emotional patterns, beliefs, and attitudes. Spinoza, Gurdjieff and other spiritually conscious individuals tried to awaken mankind from his sleep state: In awakening the mind man would be able to live by his intelligence and experience peace, love, blessedness, happiness, and freedom.
It is assumed that human nature evolves spiritually and that we are automatically spiritual by nature: it is said that the world is in a new cycle of conscious spiritual development, in truth, it’s a false belief. The reality of man is that he is by nature self serving and he will do whatever means at his disposal for his own personal advantage, good or bad: this is a law of self preservation. To do good or bad is in the eye of the beholder, what may be good for one may be bad for another or what is bad for one may be good for another. Our nature imagines and perceives the truth or reality from a conditioned nature: meaning, that our beliefs, attitudes, and desires are controlled and directed by how we were influence in our early environmental upbringing.
Unfortunately, the truth is that we have unconsciously imitated our parents, guardians, siblings, people we admire and want to be like; therefore, we never really know who we are. In the process of self-discovery it’s possible to find our real self, our true intelligence. This intelligence is manifested by a real self study and work. In self study which is done in a work group environment, (with a teacher who knows the way) one can then discover ones intelligence through the process of solving inner problems, and overcoming and understanding negative emotions.
Most people confuse memory with intelligence, or our daily life intelligence with the active mind intelligence. Being intellectual, smart, having a high IQ is not the intuitive intelligence that embraces the inner-self. Mankind is only interested in the ego and materialism which is the downfall of humanity and the true cause of depression and unhappiness: he is trapped by old negative emotional patterns, beliefs, and attitudes. Spinoza, Gurdjieff and other spiritually conscious individuals tried to awaken mankind from his sleep state: In awakening the mind man would be able to live by his intelligence and experience peace, love, blessedness, happiness, and freedom.
God & Mathematics
God & Mathematics
Spinoza understood that with the aid of reason and intuition, that it would be possible to truly understand our nature, the nature of God, and the infinite universe. Man must reach the higher level of intuitive intelligence to understand the laws of Nature or God and then and only then can he become truly free and at peace. This level of knowledge that Spinoza is speaking about comes from the third level of knowledge which is intuition. Spinoza reminds us that if it wasn’t for mathematics mankind would still be in the dark- ages. In the beginning, mathematics was a light in the minds of man.
Scientist’s application of physics and mathematics awakens in them their desire to search to understand the nature of the universe. Unfortunately, scientists do not adequately understand the original cause of how the universe came to existence, because of this error; he cannot truly see the reality of the essence and the nature of things. He has a confused idea of the primary cause of all that exist. This lack of understanding forces the average scientist to think abstractly.
Their first endeavor has to begin with God and see the truth that all things are manifested from the laws and the nature of God: which in turn will help them realize that there is no such thing as the “Big Bang Theory,” because in God or Nature, there is no beginning and no end.
Through the laws of physics, the great Einstein had grand wonderments of the magnificent universe and saw in Spinoza such great depth and understanding; and believed that Spinoza understood the laws of the universe, nature and God. Many rejected Einstein because of his love of Spinoza; and Jewish leaders opinion of Einstein prompted them to judge Einstein as an atheist. Einstein believed he understood the nature of God through his knowledge of physics and he quoted, “My God is not a personal God, but the God of Spinoza.” Is it possible to come to the level of knowledge that Spinoza and Einstein obtained? What do you think?
Spinoza understood that with the aid of reason and intuition, that it would be possible to truly understand our nature, the nature of God, and the infinite universe. Man must reach the higher level of intuitive intelligence to understand the laws of Nature or God and then and only then can he become truly free and at peace. This level of knowledge that Spinoza is speaking about comes from the third level of knowledge which is intuition. Spinoza reminds us that if it wasn’t for mathematics mankind would still be in the dark- ages. In the beginning, mathematics was a light in the minds of man.
Scientist’s application of physics and mathematics awakens in them their desire to search to understand the nature of the universe. Unfortunately, scientists do not adequately understand the original cause of how the universe came to existence, because of this error; he cannot truly see the reality of the essence and the nature of things. He has a confused idea of the primary cause of all that exist. This lack of understanding forces the average scientist to think abstractly.
Their first endeavor has to begin with God and see the truth that all things are manifested from the laws and the nature of God: which in turn will help them realize that there is no such thing as the “Big Bang Theory,” because in God or Nature, there is no beginning and no end.
Through the laws of physics, the great Einstein had grand wonderments of the magnificent universe and saw in Spinoza such great depth and understanding; and believed that Spinoza understood the laws of the universe, nature and God. Many rejected Einstein because of his love of Spinoza; and Jewish leaders opinion of Einstein prompted them to judge Einstein as an atheist. Einstein believed he understood the nature of God through his knowledge of physics and he quoted, “My God is not a personal God, but the God of Spinoza.” Is it possible to come to the level of knowledge that Spinoza and Einstein obtained? What do you think?
Freedom from Negative Emotions
Freedom from Negative Emotions
In our study of Spinoza, we have found that there are three levels of knowledge.
1. The first level of knowledge is hearsay and experience, which includes; acquired opinions, attitudes, and beliefs that come to us from outside influence; and is the root and the foundation of all negative emotions. We have experiences in life that we do not understand, yet, we accept without question. At a very young age, we automatically imitated beliefs which we learned from our parents, guardians, siblings and friends. Those beliefs became imprinted in us and are a part of our fixed memory. The attitudes about religion, race, sex, money, culture, etc., all reflect those beliefs. We believe that we have certain rights because of our race and the color of our skin. Another belief is that sins are automatically forgiven if you confess them. Or that a certain religion is superior toward another’s religion. We may believe that we are inferior or superior to others or that we are never good enough.
2. The second level of knowledge is Reason, which is an activity of our mind and expresses discernment and knowing the difference between when our thinking is confused and when our thinking is clear: ideas which stem from reason guides us to seek what is truly useful to us and others. Reason helps us follow the true good not from opinion, or emotions and hearsay, but from our understanding.
Reason leads us in the development of self. In the SELF, we have real inner power. We know when our perception of a thing is clear and in this clarity then it is possible to truly be a master of ourselves. To be a master of ourselves, means, we are able to direct our own life and live freely and when we learn through reason we can then overcome negative emotions. Reason is also a stepping-stone to the next level, which is intuition.
3. The third level of knowledge is intuition, we intuitively know our true purpose in life, we see and understand the laws that manifest from God’s nature, and we know intuitively the essence and the nature of things. We know and see the truth without comparison. When our intuition is operating, we understand the laws that govern our nature, the nature of other individuals and of all things. Intuition directs us to seek the highest good of all that is, and that is, the love of God. In this love is where our true salvation and fulfillment resides, where we find peace, blessedness, love, freedom and we know clearly that our life is eternal.
In our study of Spinoza, we have found that there are three levels of knowledge.
1. The first level of knowledge is hearsay and experience, which includes; acquired opinions, attitudes, and beliefs that come to us from outside influence; and is the root and the foundation of all negative emotions. We have experiences in life that we do not understand, yet, we accept without question. At a very young age, we automatically imitated beliefs which we learned from our parents, guardians, siblings and friends. Those beliefs became imprinted in us and are a part of our fixed memory. The attitudes about religion, race, sex, money, culture, etc., all reflect those beliefs. We believe that we have certain rights because of our race and the color of our skin. Another belief is that sins are automatically forgiven if you confess them. Or that a certain religion is superior toward another’s religion. We may believe that we are inferior or superior to others or that we are never good enough.
2. The second level of knowledge is Reason, which is an activity of our mind and expresses discernment and knowing the difference between when our thinking is confused and when our thinking is clear: ideas which stem from reason guides us to seek what is truly useful to us and others. Reason helps us follow the true good not from opinion, or emotions and hearsay, but from our understanding.
Reason leads us in the development of self. In the SELF, we have real inner power. We know when our perception of a thing is clear and in this clarity then it is possible to truly be a master of ourselves. To be a master of ourselves, means, we are able to direct our own life and live freely and when we learn through reason we can then overcome negative emotions. Reason is also a stepping-stone to the next level, which is intuition.
3. The third level of knowledge is intuition, we intuitively know our true purpose in life, we see and understand the laws that manifest from God’s nature, and we know intuitively the essence and the nature of things. We know and see the truth without comparison. When our intuition is operating, we understand the laws that govern our nature, the nature of other individuals and of all things. Intuition directs us to seek the highest good of all that is, and that is, the love of God. In this love is where our true salvation and fulfillment resides, where we find peace, blessedness, love, freedom and we know clearly that our life is eternal.
Excessive Desires
Excessive Desires
Excessive desire for fame, riches, or pleasure can be the cause of many of our negative emotions if these emotions are not under our restraint. For example, if our hopes, dreams, and ambitions for fame, or wealth are not coming our way, we are overcome with sadness and depression. We have feelings of rejection, not being good enough; we wallow in self-pity and deep feelings of inferiority. All this takes up a lot of our mental, physical and emotional time. We get stuck in depression, and isolation for months at a time. Some of us can take prescribed medication, illegal drugs or alcohol to off set these feelings and it works temporarily.
The emotions of fear, hope, desire, envy, anger, hatred, all work in us when we focus on the temporal things that we believe will give us happiness. If we take any person in the music or movie businesses that have come to the level of fame, will find it very difficulty to have a private and normal life. Many are controlled by their fame, so they will do what ever is necessary to keep their image in the lime light.
Why is fame so wanted by all of us? What is underneath this desire? I believe what we are reaching for is approval. The desire for approval and fear of rejection operates in all of us. As children we are applauded for taking our first step, our first successful potty experience, tying our shoe laces is a big event. In time we learn that all of our approval comes from outside of us, which is good and important in our early development; however, as we grow older this desire for external approval never stops. All the negative emotions stem from this ambitious desire for approval.
True self-approval is innate in most of us, it’s written in our spiritual DNA: unfortunately, we don’t know how to find it or apply it. Fortunately, there is a way and the way is through the ideas of Spinoza and Gurdjieff. So seek it!
Excessive desire for fame, riches, or pleasure can be the cause of many of our negative emotions if these emotions are not under our restraint. For example, if our hopes, dreams, and ambitions for fame, or wealth are not coming our way, we are overcome with sadness and depression. We have feelings of rejection, not being good enough; we wallow in self-pity and deep feelings of inferiority. All this takes up a lot of our mental, physical and emotional time. We get stuck in depression, and isolation for months at a time. Some of us can take prescribed medication, illegal drugs or alcohol to off set these feelings and it works temporarily.
The emotions of fear, hope, desire, envy, anger, hatred, all work in us when we focus on the temporal things that we believe will give us happiness. If we take any person in the music or movie businesses that have come to the level of fame, will find it very difficulty to have a private and normal life. Many are controlled by their fame, so they will do what ever is necessary to keep their image in the lime light.
Why is fame so wanted by all of us? What is underneath this desire? I believe what we are reaching for is approval. The desire for approval and fear of rejection operates in all of us. As children we are applauded for taking our first step, our first successful potty experience, tying our shoe laces is a big event. In time we learn that all of our approval comes from outside of us, which is good and important in our early development; however, as we grow older this desire for external approval never stops. All the negative emotions stem from this ambitious desire for approval.
True self-approval is innate in most of us, it’s written in our spiritual DNA: unfortunately, we don’t know how to find it or apply it. Fortunately, there is a way and the way is through the ideas of Spinoza and Gurdjieff. So seek it!
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