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!
Egoism or Intelligence
As I’m studying “In Search of the Miraculous,” written by Ouspenski; an Idea came to me, I wondered, what is awakening state being, and a passive sleep state of being?
I now realize that the ‘ego’ is our sleep state of being and in this mental state of sleep it is impossible to be aware of our magnificence: the spiritual intelligence that resides in all of us. The ego state is actually a sleep state of being; it is full of buffers, blinders and scotomas. Our ego lives in the past, harbors resentments, past hurts and accounts; and believes in free-will and he is the ultimate free-cause of his actions. The ego wants recognition, fame, and has excessive desires for food, drink, sex, wealth, and power. The ego focuses on materialism.
The knowledge that encompasses the ego is manifested by the first levels of knowledge, which is: hearsay knowledge and incidental experience; where imagination, fiction and confusions are embraced. Examples would be; someone tells you that a certain religion or faith is inferior or better; another example would be that a certain race of people or color is better or inferior, or if we come from a poor uneducated family, we believe that we are determined to be the same. Ego is an illusion of who we believe we are. Ego lives in feelings and negative emotions ‘fear and hopelessness.’ Ego is only an image of who we really are. Ego is like a photo, the photo only reflects the features and an images of ourselves it doesn’t express or communicate our true essential being.
The Intelligence is an awaken state of being; it is truly our essential nature. The intelligence is a state of mental activity; its ideas reflect the truth of nature: clear and real, and it understand the laws that manifest from nature or God. The intelligence is a mode and a part of the eternal and infinite intelligence of God. In our intelligence we live by reason and intuition, which are the higher levels of knowledge. As we live by reason and intuition it’s possible to come to the ultimate level of knowledge which is integration. Integration is a whole state of being where we live by reason + intuition + existence or reality = “Integration.”
I know at times I experience and live by my ego and at times I live in reason, intuition and integration; however, not as frequently as I like. The goal for me is to continue to apply myself to understand my nature, my strength and weakness and to continue to improve. Hopefully, I’ll be able to reach other individuals such as yourself so that you too can live a more mentally active-awake life so that you too are free from negative emotions.
I now realize that the ‘ego’ is our sleep state of being and in this mental state of sleep it is impossible to be aware of our magnificence: the spiritual intelligence that resides in all of us. The ego state is actually a sleep state of being; it is full of buffers, blinders and scotomas. Our ego lives in the past, harbors resentments, past hurts and accounts; and believes in free-will and he is the ultimate free-cause of his actions. The ego wants recognition, fame, and has excessive desires for food, drink, sex, wealth, and power. The ego focuses on materialism.
The knowledge that encompasses the ego is manifested by the first levels of knowledge, which is: hearsay knowledge and incidental experience; where imagination, fiction and confusions are embraced. Examples would be; someone tells you that a certain religion or faith is inferior or better; another example would be that a certain race of people or color is better or inferior, or if we come from a poor uneducated family, we believe that we are determined to be the same. Ego is an illusion of who we believe we are. Ego lives in feelings and negative emotions ‘fear and hopelessness.’ Ego is only an image of who we really are. Ego is like a photo, the photo only reflects the features and an images of ourselves it doesn’t express or communicate our true essential being.
The Intelligence is an awaken state of being; it is truly our essential nature. The intelligence is a state of mental activity; its ideas reflect the truth of nature: clear and real, and it understand the laws that manifest from nature or God. The intelligence is a mode and a part of the eternal and infinite intelligence of God. In our intelligence we live by reason and intuition, which are the higher levels of knowledge. As we live by reason and intuition it’s possible to come to the ultimate level of knowledge which is integration. Integration is a whole state of being where we live by reason + intuition + existence or reality = “Integration.”
I know at times I experience and live by my ego and at times I live in reason, intuition and integration; however, not as frequently as I like. The goal for me is to continue to apply myself to understand my nature, my strength and weakness and to continue to improve. Hopefully, I’ll be able to reach other individuals such as yourself so that you too can live a more mentally active-awake life so that you too are free from negative emotions.
How Clearly do We See?
Some of us see through our feelings, our imagination, from past experience, mental blocks or abstractions. To really see, we may have to learn and become aware of ourselves: by self-observation and self-reflection. As we begin to see how we see, we may be shocked in realizing that in reality we only see partially, as if we are looking through a crooked uneven window.
For example; we are all guilty of this at one time or another; a friend introduces you to new acquaintance and you automatically start comparing, and judging; depending how you see, you may only see through judgments. Are we comfortable or uncomfortable? If I see through my eyes, do I only see the shape, the size, the color of complexion, the skin tone, weight, size, style of clothes? If we see through our hearing, do we just focus on the sound of their voice? Are we irritated by the sound? Observe how you see, feel and hear, and try not to judge yourself.
What I realize and you may have experienced this also, is that, self-judgment stops mental activity and mental activity is where creativity comes from. The goal is to come to an active intelligence so that we see clearly; so clearly, in that we see from our whole being and we are one with the individual that we are speaking with, there is no competition and no comparison, no envy and no feelings of superiority or inferiority. In a sense, we truly see with our whole being and once we come to a place we truly know and understand what appreciation and love is.
For example; we are all guilty of this at one time or another; a friend introduces you to new acquaintance and you automatically start comparing, and judging; depending how you see, you may only see through judgments. Are we comfortable or uncomfortable? If I see through my eyes, do I only see the shape, the size, the color of complexion, the skin tone, weight, size, style of clothes? If we see through our hearing, do we just focus on the sound of their voice? Are we irritated by the sound? Observe how you see, feel and hear, and try not to judge yourself.
What I realize and you may have experienced this also, is that, self-judgment stops mental activity and mental activity is where creativity comes from. The goal is to come to an active intelligence so that we see clearly; so clearly, in that we see from our whole being and we are one with the individual that we are speaking with, there is no competition and no comparison, no envy and no feelings of superiority or inferiority. In a sense, we truly see with our whole being and once we come to a place we truly know and understand what appreciation and love is.
Symbolically, Adam, Eve and the Devil
Symbolically, Adam, Eve & the Devil
As I study “The Short Treatise” by Spinoza and in the Bible, John 15: 1-20, a new idea came to me and it helped me understand the story of Adam & Eve: of being tempted by the devil to eat of the fruit of knowledge, and by doing so, was eventually banished from the Garden of Eden.
The apple, which is a fruit, represents the first level of knowledge for man. This knowledge is comprised of hearsay, mere-experience, feelings, images, and words. This is where most of us live and breathe. This knowledge deals with life in general: we follow the trends of desire, such as: material gain, we procreate, we raise families, and we focus on beating the competition with our accumulations of things. Our time is mostly spent seeking wealth and material gains. We also seek immediate pleasure, and in doing so, we actually are running away from our painful experiences.
God made Adam and Eve and was human and being human has desires: living in Eden, and in God’s love, it was not enough for the curious impulses of desire. Choices we do have, free-will we don’t have. Freedom of the will is a false premise and belief. We are driven by our desires and we are unconscious of the causes of them and ultimately pay the consequences of giving into our desires.
The DEVIL is in the “DESIRE” the immediate desire which only wants to pleasure ourselves with excess’s which gratifies our current wants and feelings; we are blinded and forget the consequences of our decision, and after our desire is fulfilled we are filled with regret, remorse and repentance.
The second and the third level of knowledge is where our true freedom resides. Reason is the second level of knowledge and intuition is the third. To live in reason and intuition brings forth clarity and truth; we live life in its fullness. We are blessed because we know we participate in Gods consciousness, wholeness and activity: and we can immediately commune with Him.
As I study “The Short Treatise” by Spinoza and in the Bible, John 15: 1-20, a new idea came to me and it helped me understand the story of Adam & Eve: of being tempted by the devil to eat of the fruit of knowledge, and by doing so, was eventually banished from the Garden of Eden.
The apple, which is a fruit, represents the first level of knowledge for man. This knowledge is comprised of hearsay, mere-experience, feelings, images, and words. This is where most of us live and breathe. This knowledge deals with life in general: we follow the trends of desire, such as: material gain, we procreate, we raise families, and we focus on beating the competition with our accumulations of things. Our time is mostly spent seeking wealth and material gains. We also seek immediate pleasure, and in doing so, we actually are running away from our painful experiences.
God made Adam and Eve and was human and being human has desires: living in Eden, and in God’s love, it was not enough for the curious impulses of desire. Choices we do have, free-will we don’t have. Freedom of the will is a false premise and belief. We are driven by our desires and we are unconscious of the causes of them and ultimately pay the consequences of giving into our desires.
The DEVIL is in the “DESIRE” the immediate desire which only wants to pleasure ourselves with excess’s which gratifies our current wants and feelings; we are blinded and forget the consequences of our decision, and after our desire is fulfilled we are filled with regret, remorse and repentance.
The second and the third level of knowledge is where our true freedom resides. Reason is the second level of knowledge and intuition is the third. To live in reason and intuition brings forth clarity and truth; we live life in its fullness. We are blessed because we know we participate in Gods consciousness, wholeness and activity: and we can immediately commune with Him.
A Woman’s Inner Power
Being a man, I can only imagine the power that lies within a woman. However, I can intuit that there can be such a force that would influence all of mankind if women would collectively stand-up to the abuses of the male-ego. The power that I’m speaking about comes from a self affirmative nature; an understanding that you are a direct product of the almighty. My spiritual teacher once told me, many years ago, that women are more intuitive than men and they are more in touch with their feelings. A woman being in touch with her feelings can be a big advantage in the effort for real inner growth and change. I also believe that women hold an intuitive key that is so deep and powerful that once it’s tapped into; can be an awesome influence on men so they too can reach to a higher character and have direct communion with God.
Unfortunately, women have temporary lost this power of intuition, by indulging in several areas, which are manifested from negative beliefs, such as a woman must be like a man to succeed in a man driven environment. She must compete, be ego driven, and focus on material gains and wealth and she had the right to have sex with anyone she wants. Imitating mans drive for power and sex is being neglectful to her true spiritual intelligence and grace.
A woman’s spiritual intelligence is where her true power resides. Through her efforts and disciplines in working with Spinoza and Gurdjieff’s ideas for the improvement of her understanding, then it is possible to become a master of her-self.
Unfortunately, women have temporary lost this power of intuition, by indulging in several areas, which are manifested from negative beliefs, such as a woman must be like a man to succeed in a man driven environment. She must compete, be ego driven, and focus on material gains and wealth and she had the right to have sex with anyone she wants. Imitating mans drive for power and sex is being neglectful to her true spiritual intelligence and grace.
A woman’s spiritual intelligence is where her true power resides. Through her efforts and disciplines in working with Spinoza and Gurdjieff’s ideas for the improvement of her understanding, then it is possible to become a master of her-self.
A Conversation with R.W.
A Conversation with R.W.
The subject of pleasure and pain: are emotions that Spinoza writes about; and desire, pleasure and pain are three primary emotions and in which all emotions are derived from.
In my conversation with R.W. we discussed that we are either going towards pleasure or running from pain; most of us are running away from pain as a motivating force in our nature. We turn from pain by doing something that will offset our discomforts: we may smoke, drink, or eat excessively.
Negative behavior is that which is a hindrance to our health and well being: why we do the things we do may stem from a belief about who we imagine we are; we take on the beliefs and negative attitudes and examples from our parents, and in time we become just like them. Our siblings, our teachers, neighbors and so call friends also help shape our attitude about who we imagine we are. Our identity is borrowed; in essence we are lost and have no real solid “SELF or I.”
I asked RW what goals he planned for the new year of 2009: his answer was vague, unsure of himself. I mentioned that if he were on a sailing boat he would want to make sure there was a rudder to steer the boat in the direction he wanted, if there were no rudder the boat would flounder aimlessly: his answer, “if he were on a freeway, on the fast lane, and the traffic was bumper to bumper and his exit was just ahead and no one would let him pass; consequently, he wouldn’t be able to reach his destination.”
Thinking about R.W.’s answer puzzled me, and after time I came to this idea; RW may see himself in a limited way: such as, “life is nothing but obstacles and it’s impossible to make plans because they really don’t amount to much.” The vehicles that wouldn’t allow his car to pass to the outside lane so that he would not be able to exit and reach his destination: could also represent as mental obstacles or blocks that he believes are permanent. How did RW arrive at this? It’s possible that he took on negative self concepts passed down from parents and siblings. Being young impressionable children and if we are told something negative about ourselves and is repeated often enough, it becomes deeply rooted in our psychic. We believe it!
RW loves sail boats and if he were going on a trip out to sea, I’m confident he’ll be well prepared: planning the trip, knowing where he’ll be going, and the supplies he’ll take; visualizing the trip, and imagine the good times he’ll have would be fun and exciting: He understands the value of a compass, maps, radio, and life jacket, water and supplies. If RW would follow his love for his sail boat and apply this same discipline to other areas in his life: would his life be different? I think so!
The subject of pleasure and pain: are emotions that Spinoza writes about; and desire, pleasure and pain are three primary emotions and in which all emotions are derived from.
In my conversation with R.W. we discussed that we are either going towards pleasure or running from pain; most of us are running away from pain as a motivating force in our nature. We turn from pain by doing something that will offset our discomforts: we may smoke, drink, or eat excessively.
Negative behavior is that which is a hindrance to our health and well being: why we do the things we do may stem from a belief about who we imagine we are; we take on the beliefs and negative attitudes and examples from our parents, and in time we become just like them. Our siblings, our teachers, neighbors and so call friends also help shape our attitude about who we imagine we are. Our identity is borrowed; in essence we are lost and have no real solid “SELF or I.”
I asked RW what goals he planned for the new year of 2009: his answer was vague, unsure of himself. I mentioned that if he were on a sailing boat he would want to make sure there was a rudder to steer the boat in the direction he wanted, if there were no rudder the boat would flounder aimlessly: his answer, “if he were on a freeway, on the fast lane, and the traffic was bumper to bumper and his exit was just ahead and no one would let him pass; consequently, he wouldn’t be able to reach his destination.”
Thinking about R.W.’s answer puzzled me, and after time I came to this idea; RW may see himself in a limited way: such as, “life is nothing but obstacles and it’s impossible to make plans because they really don’t amount to much.” The vehicles that wouldn’t allow his car to pass to the outside lane so that he would not be able to exit and reach his destination: could also represent as mental obstacles or blocks that he believes are permanent. How did RW arrive at this? It’s possible that he took on negative self concepts passed down from parents and siblings. Being young impressionable children and if we are told something negative about ourselves and is repeated often enough, it becomes deeply rooted in our psychic. We believe it!
RW loves sail boats and if he were going on a trip out to sea, I’m confident he’ll be well prepared: planning the trip, knowing where he’ll be going, and the supplies he’ll take; visualizing the trip, and imagine the good times he’ll have would be fun and exciting: He understands the value of a compass, maps, radio, and life jacket, water and supplies. If RW would follow his love for his sail boat and apply this same discipline to other areas in his life: would his life be different? I think so!
Being Dissatisfied
About forty years ago, I met a man, his name was Gregory Grover, and he was conducting a meeting about the ideas of Gurdjieff, which was written in a book by Ouspenski, called “In Search of the Miraculous.” This one meeting changed my life. At the time I was married to a very attractive women and I was only 30 years old at the time: we worked in and owned a beauty salon, and we had nice home. I think most people would say I had the American dream.
I believed that all the things that I accomplished externally and the possessions I had were suppose to give me happiness and a relief from the inner pain I constantly felt: feelings of doubt, fear, uncertainty, depression, and at times over powering feeling of worthlessness would overtake my soul. My negative self-talk was telling me that I’m not good enough, I’m not educated, I’m not very smart and in many areas I felt inferior, I’m a dark skinned Mexican American so I shouldn’t expect too much from myself. I attempted junior college but I dropped out, not smart enough. I was too impatient, my efforts in applying myself to learning about things I didn’t know were rather low; unfortunately, strong conditional habits created resistance to wanting to change and creating something new.
Our resistance to change can be so strong that it is almost impossible to break away from the negative beliefs and negative self talk that controls our thinking; we are familiar and accustomed to depend on the negative voices which make it impossible to hear anything new. Many of you are dissatisfied, but what do you do with this dissatisfaction? To offset your inner discomfort or pain, some of you may excessively use drugs, alcohol, over eat, have many sexual partners, gamble, or party excessively so you can feel better at the moment, and yet the pain remains.
I was fortunate and grateful that I met my past spiritual mentor, Mr. Grover, who introduced me to Gurdjieff and Spinoza and in time, through great effort and inner work I was able to find a way out of this confused mental and emotional state.
I believed that all the things that I accomplished externally and the possessions I had were suppose to give me happiness and a relief from the inner pain I constantly felt: feelings of doubt, fear, uncertainty, depression, and at times over powering feeling of worthlessness would overtake my soul. My negative self-talk was telling me that I’m not good enough, I’m not educated, I’m not very smart and in many areas I felt inferior, I’m a dark skinned Mexican American so I shouldn’t expect too much from myself. I attempted junior college but I dropped out, not smart enough. I was too impatient, my efforts in applying myself to learning about things I didn’t know were rather low; unfortunately, strong conditional habits created resistance to wanting to change and creating something new.
Our resistance to change can be so strong that it is almost impossible to break away from the negative beliefs and negative self talk that controls our thinking; we are familiar and accustomed to depend on the negative voices which make it impossible to hear anything new. Many of you are dissatisfied, but what do you do with this dissatisfaction? To offset your inner discomfort or pain, some of you may excessively use drugs, alcohol, over eat, have many sexual partners, gamble, or party excessively so you can feel better at the moment, and yet the pain remains.
I was fortunate and grateful that I met my past spiritual mentor, Mr. Grover, who introduced me to Gurdjieff and Spinoza and in time, through great effort and inner work I was able to find a way out of this confused mental and emotional state.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
A Master of Oneself
Gurdjieff would explain, “Being a master of oneself,” is a key to man's happiness and continual growth. His ideas clearly tell us that man’s present mental state that he is in deep sleep and unconscious and there is no real future for mankind: man is governed by his instincts, negative emotions, and he reacts to life rather than actively participates fully and consciously.
We believe and think we can do and that we have freedom to choose. If we were free, why is it that we may see what is best and follow what is worse? The idea that we have free will is probably the greatest hoax to mankind.
True freedom, is knowing we are a part of infinite nature and that we understand and follow her laws. This follows necessarily as true knowledge becomes clearer to us. Understanding is a part of the mind that has clear ideas; we can see from our mind’s eye that we are a part of God and his perfection.
Gurdjieff’s idea of the necessity of a group is paramount in the process of self-discovery. Without a group, it is so easy to have the illusion we are making progress. He explains that only with other individuals is it possible to wake up the spiritual intelligence within us. Other individuals have the opportunity to see areas in our nature we normally hide. A knowledgeable teacher or leader who knows the way is necessary. You want to have an absolute trust and faith that this knowledge is available to you, and you want to be open to receive it.
We believe and think we can do and that we have freedom to choose. If we were free, why is it that we may see what is best and follow what is worse? The idea that we have free will is probably the greatest hoax to mankind.
True freedom, is knowing we are a part of infinite nature and that we understand and follow her laws. This follows necessarily as true knowledge becomes clearer to us. Understanding is a part of the mind that has clear ideas; we can see from our mind’s eye that we are a part of God and his perfection.
Gurdjieff’s idea of the necessity of a group is paramount in the process of self-discovery. Without a group, it is so easy to have the illusion we are making progress. He explains that only with other individuals is it possible to wake up the spiritual intelligence within us. Other individuals have the opportunity to see areas in our nature we normally hide. A knowledgeable teacher or leader who knows the way is necessary. You want to have an absolute trust and faith that this knowledge is available to you, and you want to be open to receive it.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Breaking Through Our Fear of Judgment
Several days ago, in a private meeting, I met with Josephine and Elizabeth who are members of our group. Josephine was going through an intense struggle; she was resistant to talk about it because she was afraid of the judgment she believed we would have of her. Finally she told us something she had done which was the cause of her intense emotion.
Neither Elizabeth no I judged her. We studied what she had done and encouraged her to think more deeply about it. Actually Josephine’s action required some courage. Her fear of telling us about it was not fear of our judgment but her fear of really thinking about what she had done, for then she would have to face the confining thoughts she had about herself and break through to larger ideas.
When we are young, before our intelligence can develop, we construct premises based on fear in order to protect ourselves. Our fear premises are pickets which become picket fences as a means self-protection. But as we mature, these fences become our prisons.
Josephine found her picket fence too confining. She intuited the need to break through it, but was afraid to think about it consciously. Her fear of our judging her was the fear within herself of having to face her imprisoning premises. But there was another part of her that wanted to break through. As we studied her situation, she succeeded in making some steps in the direction of inner freedom.
Neither Elizabeth no I judged her. We studied what she had done and encouraged her to think more deeply about it. Actually Josephine’s action required some courage. Her fear of telling us about it was not fear of our judgment but her fear of really thinking about what she had done, for then she would have to face the confining thoughts she had about herself and break through to larger ideas.
When we are young, before our intelligence can develop, we construct premises based on fear in order to protect ourselves. Our fear premises are pickets which become picket fences as a means self-protection. But as we mature, these fences become our prisons.
Josephine found her picket fence too confining. She intuited the need to break through it, but was afraid to think about it consciously. Her fear of our judging her was the fear within herself of having to face her imprisoning premises. But there was another part of her that wanted to break through. As we studied her situation, she succeeded in making some steps in the direction of inner freedom.
You Are Not Your memory Patterns
William Wordsworth, the English poet, wrote a sonnet in which the following line appears: “A pagan suckled in a creed outworn”.
The memory patterns which rule our lives are for the most part aptly described by this line, and we have indeed been suckled in creed outworn. If you examine the quality of your life honestly, you will have to affirm that the creed by which you were raised is not in harmony with the realities of your character and life: you will have to develop a whole new creed as different from your old creed as day is from night.
To accomplish this, you must understand that your old creed, made up of the memory patterns which direct your existence, is totally inadequate when it comes to the real meanings and values in your life. Your memory patterns may be adequate enough in regard to ordinary realities-how to walk, to talk, or even how to reach the moon. But this has no relationship to fulfilling the requirements of your essential character.
You Are Not Your Memory Patterns!! These patterns were formed long ago when you were very young and lacked the intelligence capacity to evaluate the false premises which you accepted as realities. Begin to distinguish between your now self, that is, your intelligence, and your old self, that is your outworn memory patterns. As you begin to be guided by your now-intelligence rather than by your old patterns, you will discover that you indeed have to go through a great rebirth process.
If you are willing to embark on this project, if inwardly there is something young and dynamic, something in your being that is not already crystallized, and then a new character may be developed in you. This is the work of our group in which the active students are participating and creating for themselves an inner life totally different in quality than their former existence.
The memory patterns which rule our lives are for the most part aptly described by this line, and we have indeed been suckled in creed outworn. If you examine the quality of your life honestly, you will have to affirm that the creed by which you were raised is not in harmony with the realities of your character and life: you will have to develop a whole new creed as different from your old creed as day is from night.
To accomplish this, you must understand that your old creed, made up of the memory patterns which direct your existence, is totally inadequate when it comes to the real meanings and values in your life. Your memory patterns may be adequate enough in regard to ordinary realities-how to walk, to talk, or even how to reach the moon. But this has no relationship to fulfilling the requirements of your essential character.
You Are Not Your Memory Patterns!! These patterns were formed long ago when you were very young and lacked the intelligence capacity to evaluate the false premises which you accepted as realities. Begin to distinguish between your now self, that is, your intelligence, and your old self, that is your outworn memory patterns. As you begin to be guided by your now-intelligence rather than by your old patterns, you will discover that you indeed have to go through a great rebirth process.
If you are willing to embark on this project, if inwardly there is something young and dynamic, something in your being that is not already crystallized, and then a new character may be developed in you. This is the work of our group in which the active students are participating and creating for themselves an inner life totally different in quality than their former existence.
Creating Your Inner Destiny with New Beginnings
Do you understand the “begin Again” principle? Do you know how to begin again at any moment and leave the past behind, how to disengage your mind from old negative memories and live in the present, going toward a better state and a better future? Are you chained to the past, to regrets, shame and guilt, which is rooted in the illusion that you have free will?
To begin again you must have some degree of “I” consciousness, awareness that you can create your inner destiny. Destiny is not an outer condition; it is an inner state of mind. Fate is to be in the world and of the world. Destiny is to be in the world but not of the world. A conscious pursuit of destiny is to create a kingdom within ourselves.
When you find yourself bogged down in some inner confusion, have the courage to think and to say to yourself, “I shall begin again-Now!” You must train your mind to think in this way again and again and again in specific experiences. To affirm new beginnings intellectually is useless, and to have merely an emotional feeling about beginning again is equally futile.
You must start to think in terms of beginnings again with your whole being. If you believe it is not possible to think in this way, then you have fallen victim to the trap described by Spinoza as a law of human nature: If we think something is impossible, then it is impossible. Much of our hopelessness is based on the fact that we have accepted the premise of impossibility.
Train your mind to make a new beginning now and then. Don’t expect instant results. Every effort will gradually strengthen your mind, until at some point you will have developed enough strength to find your self in that miraculous state where you are really free from the past moment, past memory, or even a long ago past. You’ll find your mind fresh, free and future-directed. There is no end to the new beginnings you can make. Begin again and go ahead to a new and better future.
To begin again you must have some degree of “I” consciousness, awareness that you can create your inner destiny. Destiny is not an outer condition; it is an inner state of mind. Fate is to be in the world and of the world. Destiny is to be in the world but not of the world. A conscious pursuit of destiny is to create a kingdom within ourselves.
When you find yourself bogged down in some inner confusion, have the courage to think and to say to yourself, “I shall begin again-Now!” You must train your mind to think in this way again and again and again in specific experiences. To affirm new beginnings intellectually is useless, and to have merely an emotional feeling about beginning again is equally futile.
You must start to think in terms of beginnings again with your whole being. If you believe it is not possible to think in this way, then you have fallen victim to the trap described by Spinoza as a law of human nature: If we think something is impossible, then it is impossible. Much of our hopelessness is based on the fact that we have accepted the premise of impossibility.
Train your mind to make a new beginning now and then. Don’t expect instant results. Every effort will gradually strengthen your mind, until at some point you will have developed enough strength to find your self in that miraculous state where you are really free from the past moment, past memory, or even a long ago past. You’ll find your mind fresh, free and future-directed. There is no end to the new beginnings you can make. Begin again and go ahead to a new and better future.
Speaking simply, Thinking Clearly
Simple ideas are the basis of clear thinking. The clarity of your thinking will be expressed in the way you speak. Are the thoughts you express simple or complex? Study your verbal self-expression. Using a tape recorder will be helpful. Also study the way others speak, see if your thoughts and their thoughts are simple.
Let us take an example: Joe says to Frank, “You wouldn’t like to go to the movies, would you?” This is an example of complicated thinking. Another example: Joe says to Frank, “Have you thought of that terrific picture they’re showing at the Mann Theater in Westwood? Tonight’s the last chance to see it; it would be a shame to miss it. Henry saw it and raved about it. I think you’ll regret it if you don’t see it. How about going?”
Simple thinking is straightforward; it’s not manipulative. Example: Joe say to Frank, “Tonight is the last night the latest Harry Potter movie is playing at the Mann Theater in Westwood; I plan to see it, I would enjoy your company if you would like to see it: it had excellent reviews. Henry said he enjoyed the movie very much.” Joe speaks for himself as an individual and allows Frank to make his own decision. This is mature and simply communicated.
Listen to yourself. Are your thoughts expressed simply and directly? If they are clear, they can be expressed simply. If they are complex, your speech will be complex. Working at speaking simply is a wonderful discipline for helping yourself to think clearly.
Let us take an example: Joe says to Frank, “You wouldn’t like to go to the movies, would you?” This is an example of complicated thinking. Another example: Joe says to Frank, “Have you thought of that terrific picture they’re showing at the Mann Theater in Westwood? Tonight’s the last chance to see it; it would be a shame to miss it. Henry saw it and raved about it. I think you’ll regret it if you don’t see it. How about going?”
Simple thinking is straightforward; it’s not manipulative. Example: Joe say to Frank, “Tonight is the last night the latest Harry Potter movie is playing at the Mann Theater in Westwood; I plan to see it, I would enjoy your company if you would like to see it: it had excellent reviews. Henry said he enjoyed the movie very much.” Joe speaks for himself as an individual and allows Frank to make his own decision. This is mature and simply communicated.
Listen to yourself. Are your thoughts expressed simply and directly? If they are clear, they can be expressed simply. If they are complex, your speech will be complex. Working at speaking simply is a wonderful discipline for helping yourself to think clearly.
Our Inherent Growth Force
How do we grow inwardly? Let us take as an example how we grow in physical strength. The weight lifter sets for himself a goal beyond his present capacity. Suppose he has reached a 200 pound limit. Now he decides to reach a 250 pound capacity. He strains his muscles to lift a heavier weight than ever before. As he continues his exercises, his muscles are forced to adapt themselves to the increased load. The self-preservative force-the conatus-which is present in all living things compels the muscles to increase in strength. Inwardly the same phenomenon occurs. If we set ourselves the goal of working out some problem which we could not deal with before, our understanding is similarly stretched and new ideas come to us.
In lifting weights, we decide to lift the heavier load and apply ourselves to the task. But the body accomplishes the growth through its own mechanisms. Similarly, the understanding is exposed to a more difficult problem. We apply thought to the problem. But the real work of growth is achieved by a growth force that is inherent in our deeper intelligence. Our conscious effort is but a small part of the process. Deeper resources within us take over and work in a workshop deep within us that is beyond the reach or comprehension of our more superficial intellect.
If we believe that the awareness we possess is all that is possible, our growth will be minimal. We must have the intuitive faith that this deeper intelligence within us must be allowed to digest the problem and, in its own time, produce insights which our aware mind can grasp. Evidence of this process is observed when an idea or solution to some problem comes to us unexpectedly when we do not seem to be thinking about the problem. The more we understand this aspect of growth, the more we set it into operation by feeding problems into our minds just as we put food into our mouths and chew and swallow it. Only when we understand how this process operates can we achieve real growth.
In lifting weights, we decide to lift the heavier load and apply ourselves to the task. But the body accomplishes the growth through its own mechanisms. Similarly, the understanding is exposed to a more difficult problem. We apply thought to the problem. But the real work of growth is achieved by a growth force that is inherent in our deeper intelligence. Our conscious effort is but a small part of the process. Deeper resources within us take over and work in a workshop deep within us that is beyond the reach or comprehension of our more superficial intellect.
If we believe that the awareness we possess is all that is possible, our growth will be minimal. We must have the intuitive faith that this deeper intelligence within us must be allowed to digest the problem and, in its own time, produce insights which our aware mind can grasp. Evidence of this process is observed when an idea or solution to some problem comes to us unexpectedly when we do not seem to be thinking about the problem. The more we understand this aspect of growth, the more we set it into operation by feeding problems into our minds just as we put food into our mouths and chew and swallow it. Only when we understand how this process operates can we achieve real growth.
Discriminating Between Your Intelligence and Memory
Are you becoming aware that almost everything you do is based on responses of memory patterns to present problems, situations, circumstances and the like? We are all programmed early in life with different patterns that become embedded in our memory banks. The result is that almost all of our mature existence has been predetermined, so that instead of living spontaneously in the now we are responding mindlessly-that is, without consciousness to various external stimuli. But because we are unaware of these deeply rooted patterns in our memory, we are under the illusion that we make choices out of free will.
When you begin, dimly at first, to recognize the great difference between your intelligence and your memory, your intelligence will slowly and gradually become activated so that you will be able to begin responding to problems and circumstances by asking yourself real questions. By asking yourself, “WHAT DO I THINK ABOUT THIS NOW?” you are not merely responding from pre-set patterns. You will consult your memory and use it as a tool, and then make decisions based on the best thinking you can do now.
This consulting of your intelligence will slowly strengthen it, and you will enter on the training path needed to discriminate between your dynamic intelligence and your passive memory. Then a process of growth will begin in your intelligence. In time you will discover your self becoming more alive and you will experience a new kind of joy based, not on externally produced sensations, but on the inner sense that you are really on the path of true self-fulfillment.
When you begin, dimly at first, to recognize the great difference between your intelligence and your memory, your intelligence will slowly and gradually become activated so that you will be able to begin responding to problems and circumstances by asking yourself real questions. By asking yourself, “WHAT DO I THINK ABOUT THIS NOW?” you are not merely responding from pre-set patterns. You will consult your memory and use it as a tool, and then make decisions based on the best thinking you can do now.
This consulting of your intelligence will slowly strengthen it, and you will enter on the training path needed to discriminate between your dynamic intelligence and your passive memory. Then a process of growth will begin in your intelligence. In time you will discover your self becoming more alive and you will experience a new kind of joy based, not on externally produced sensations, but on the inner sense that you are really on the path of true self-fulfillment.
Conscious Effort Is an Inner Requirement
Our being has an effort requirement. When we apply this effort from within our being in an adequate directions, we experience a sense of fulfillment. The motivation for this effort comes from within us. We use ourselves, expend and extend ourselves, for our own sake. If we merely apply effort from an external motivation, we do not experience this fulfillment. The effort must be expended for our own sake. It is part of our mission to apply this effort with consciousness: conscious that we are applying ourselves for our own sake; wrong motivation cannot produce fulfillment.
When you are applying adequately motivated effort, there is an inner sense of rightness, adequacy, peace, wholeness and joyousness. When the motivation is wrong, there are many signals which tell us this. If we experience inferiority, superiority, lack of self-respect, emotional dependence, lack of confidence, emptiness, disappointment, depression, anger, envy, jealousy or blame, we are not expending the inner effort needed to nourish our being. If you look toward others for respect, affirmation or approval, then you are not providing your own: You are then parasitic.
The majority of individual use only a tiny portion of the effort needed to nourish themselves inwardly. There are two aspects to whatever you do-the external and your inner being. If you concentrate on the external and are not conscious of yourself, you will remain inwardly unfulfilled. Practice being conscious of yourself in what ever you do and make this consciousness a priority in what ever you are doing. Expend more and more effort from within yourself for your own sake and you will begin to feel you are on the right path, for you now experience yourself intuitively.
When you are applying adequately motivated effort, there is an inner sense of rightness, adequacy, peace, wholeness and joyousness. When the motivation is wrong, there are many signals which tell us this. If we experience inferiority, superiority, lack of self-respect, emotional dependence, lack of confidence, emptiness, disappointment, depression, anger, envy, jealousy or blame, we are not expending the inner effort needed to nourish our being. If you look toward others for respect, affirmation or approval, then you are not providing your own: You are then parasitic.
The majority of individual use only a tiny portion of the effort needed to nourish themselves inwardly. There are two aspects to whatever you do-the external and your inner being. If you concentrate on the external and are not conscious of yourself, you will remain inwardly unfulfilled. Practice being conscious of yourself in what ever you do and make this consciousness a priority in what ever you are doing. Expend more and more effort from within yourself for your own sake and you will begin to feel you are on the right path, for you now experience yourself intuitively.
Concentrating on Specifics to Develop Clear Thinking
The third of the three disciplines for the development of consciousness that we are studying and applying in our group is the concentration on specifics. The conscious mind is constituted mainly of simple, clear and distinct ideas. The confused mind is made up of blurred ideas-ideas that are mixtures that are blends of two or more partial ideas.
But the difficulty is that we are so accustomed to thinking in a confused manner, that often we are not aware that we are confused. We accept our confusions as tough they were clarities. If you examine your thinking with care, you will begin to discover in how many areas it consists of blended ideas-not clear ideas. You will begin to observe how much of your life is based on hit-or miss efforts rather than clear thinking which is based on a study of the specific realities involved.
Your thinking can be improved by beginning to work with simple realities and concentrating on them. The purpose is to help you lead a life based on reason-on clear thinking. Take some small act, something simple, and apply your mind to study it in detail. For example, the next time you open your door lock, observe how the key operates and how the lock opens. Don’t do it haphazardly. By concentrating on small deed of this kind, you will gradually train your mind to think specifically rather than generally or vaguely.
But the difficulty is that we are so accustomed to thinking in a confused manner, that often we are not aware that we are confused. We accept our confusions as tough they were clarities. If you examine your thinking with care, you will begin to discover in how many areas it consists of blended ideas-not clear ideas. You will begin to observe how much of your life is based on hit-or miss efforts rather than clear thinking which is based on a study of the specific realities involved.
Your thinking can be improved by beginning to work with simple realities and concentrating on them. The purpose is to help you lead a life based on reason-on clear thinking. Take some small act, something simple, and apply your mind to study it in detail. For example, the next time you open your door lock, observe how the key operates and how the lock opens. Don’t do it haphazardly. By concentrating on small deed of this kind, you will gradually train your mind to think specifically rather than generally or vaguely.
Inner Effort is a Requirement for Fulfillment
Inner Effort is a Requirement for Fulfillment
This article was written in June 23, 1975 by my late spiritual teacher, Gregory Grover; I would like to share it with you. “One of the requirements for fulfillment is that we live with strong effort, effort expended for the sake of satisfying the requirements of our inner being. If we do not feed ourselves with enough effort, we are inwardly dissatisfied and blame conditions for this dissatisfaction.
This morning I spoke to Theodore, a member of our group, who related his fears that a few physical deficiencies might make him unattractive to girls. When I suggested that these deficiencies could be remedied, he replied that he would ten feel unnatural because he really wouldn’t be himself. Obviously, it was illogical that he would speak about these physical lacks and then avoid doing any thing about them. This simply proved that he was using these deficiencies an excuse to cover up some deeper problems. We then studied the idea that he was afraid of competition with other men and was using his deficiencies as a buffer to ease the pain of ejection. But as we worked toward the idea that he drama is within us, we were now able to uncover the real problem. Theodore’s inner being was demanding that he live with much more effort expended for his own sake, and not because of external motivation, that is, to get approval from others, to be superior to others, or for monetary gain.
Effort must be expended for the sake of exercising our Beings. Theodore’s parental environment encouraged indulgence rather that the expending of effort, and this was the source of his inferiority. The problem of relating to girls only served as an opportunity to express, in a camouflaged way, the unfulfilled requirements of his inner being. The problem in Theodore had nothing to do with external circumstances. It proved once again that our real problems are within us. The Drama is indeed within.”
This article was written in June 23, 1975 by my late spiritual teacher, Gregory Grover; I would like to share it with you. “One of the requirements for fulfillment is that we live with strong effort, effort expended for the sake of satisfying the requirements of our inner being. If we do not feed ourselves with enough effort, we are inwardly dissatisfied and blame conditions for this dissatisfaction.
This morning I spoke to Theodore, a member of our group, who related his fears that a few physical deficiencies might make him unattractive to girls. When I suggested that these deficiencies could be remedied, he replied that he would ten feel unnatural because he really wouldn’t be himself. Obviously, it was illogical that he would speak about these physical lacks and then avoid doing any thing about them. This simply proved that he was using these deficiencies an excuse to cover up some deeper problems. We then studied the idea that he was afraid of competition with other men and was using his deficiencies as a buffer to ease the pain of ejection. But as we worked toward the idea that he drama is within us, we were now able to uncover the real problem. Theodore’s inner being was demanding that he live with much more effort expended for his own sake, and not because of external motivation, that is, to get approval from others, to be superior to others, or for monetary gain.
Effort must be expended for the sake of exercising our Beings. Theodore’s parental environment encouraged indulgence rather that the expending of effort, and this was the source of his inferiority. The problem of relating to girls only served as an opportunity to express, in a camouflaged way, the unfulfilled requirements of his inner being. The problem in Theodore had nothing to do with external circumstances. It proved once again that our real problems are within us. The Drama is indeed within.”
Forcing Our Mind
In the last several days some of our members have raised questions about the idea of forcing ourselves. The fact is that we must force ourselves to grow inwardly. The belief that we grow easily and without great effort is an illusion that indicates one’s ignorance about human nature. But it is possible to force ourselves in the wrong way.
Our motive determines the adequacy of our self-forcing. If we force ourselves to obtain the approval of others, to be liked by others, or to conform to our peer group, the motive is wrong. If we force ourselves purely for our own sake, because our intelligence indicates to us areas of confusion or higher possibilities, then the motive is adequate and we are guided by our reason or intuition into the proper channels.
What do we force? Our minds! We must force our minds into more activity so that we are motivated by new insights rather than by old memory patterns. It is well said that we are creatures of habit, and habits makes us into machines. When we activate our intelligence, we cut through the bonds of our memory patterns and free ourselves from old habits. We concentrate on situations and problems in order to come to ideas. Our standards arise from our clear thinking: almost all of our present standards are borrowed from others. The new standards are thoroughly in harmony with our essential nature.
Spinoza found himself in a life and death struggle when he decided to live a conscious life, for he had to change old values and ideas. The inertias of our mind are enormous, and the conditioning which has led us to depend on approval from other people is deeply rooted. Real growth is possible only when we force ourselves to break though our conditioned thinking and really learn how to be guided by our understanding. The following A.B.C. would apply:
a. I help myself
b. I force myself
c. I lift myself up
Our motive determines the adequacy of our self-forcing. If we force ourselves to obtain the approval of others, to be liked by others, or to conform to our peer group, the motive is wrong. If we force ourselves purely for our own sake, because our intelligence indicates to us areas of confusion or higher possibilities, then the motive is adequate and we are guided by our reason or intuition into the proper channels.
What do we force? Our minds! We must force our minds into more activity so that we are motivated by new insights rather than by old memory patterns. It is well said that we are creatures of habit, and habits makes us into machines. When we activate our intelligence, we cut through the bonds of our memory patterns and free ourselves from old habits. We concentrate on situations and problems in order to come to ideas. Our standards arise from our clear thinking: almost all of our present standards are borrowed from others. The new standards are thoroughly in harmony with our essential nature.
Spinoza found himself in a life and death struggle when he decided to live a conscious life, for he had to change old values and ideas. The inertias of our mind are enormous, and the conditioning which has led us to depend on approval from other people is deeply rooted. Real growth is possible only when we force ourselves to break though our conditioned thinking and really learn how to be guided by our understanding. The following A.B.C. would apply:
a. I help myself
b. I force myself
c. I lift myself up
Are You a Student of Your Own Nature?
Are You a Student of Your Own Nature?
How do you know things? Have you ever wondered about this? A great deal of our knowledge is based on hearsay. Much of what we believe, we have heard from our parents. Many of our values come from them.
Are you a student of your own nature? This is totally different form being a student of things outside yourself. To study math or chemistry is vastly different form studying ourselves. Very few individuals are interested in studying themselves. Therefore, very few people are able to grow. I shall give you an example: Harold had to have a statement from his father’s accountant as a partial requirement in obtaining a contractor’s license. He asked his father’s accountant what he would charge for preparing the statement. The accountant answered. “Not much.” This satisfied Harold. To his surprise, and then anger, he received a bill or $70.00 from the accountant for a brief amount of work.
Harold called his father to complain about the bill. The father also thought the accountant’s charged was high, but said to Harold, “If you have learned a lesson from this, the $70.00 will have been well spent.” His father has expressed this idea on several past occasions, but Harold had not learned anything form these experiences.
I suggested to Harold that he get a pencil and paper and begin to really study his nature. Actually he has paid $70.00 for a course in the school of life. But if he does not lean anything form it, he will have wasted $70.00 and in the future he will have similar experiences. In order to learn about himself from this experience, Harold has to force his mind to come to new ideas. Memory doesn’t help here, because in his memory storeroom there are no answers.
There is in all of us, as in Harold, a tremendous inertia in our minds. In order to deal with problems concerning our nature, we must face far more inertial than when thinking about things outside our nature with which we are not emotionally involved. You have probably heard the saying that if we do not learn from history, history will repeat itself. This is true of personally history as well as world history.
Are you interested in studying your own character with the same objectivity with which you approach problems outside of yourself? Then you will have to force your mind to be active. You will have to overcome the asleep state of you mind.
How do you know things? Have you ever wondered about this? A great deal of our knowledge is based on hearsay. Much of what we believe, we have heard from our parents. Many of our values come from them.
Are you a student of your own nature? This is totally different form being a student of things outside yourself. To study math or chemistry is vastly different form studying ourselves. Very few individuals are interested in studying themselves. Therefore, very few people are able to grow. I shall give you an example: Harold had to have a statement from his father’s accountant as a partial requirement in obtaining a contractor’s license. He asked his father’s accountant what he would charge for preparing the statement. The accountant answered. “Not much.” This satisfied Harold. To his surprise, and then anger, he received a bill or $70.00 from the accountant for a brief amount of work.
Harold called his father to complain about the bill. The father also thought the accountant’s charged was high, but said to Harold, “If you have learned a lesson from this, the $70.00 will have been well spent.” His father has expressed this idea on several past occasions, but Harold had not learned anything form these experiences.
I suggested to Harold that he get a pencil and paper and begin to really study his nature. Actually he has paid $70.00 for a course in the school of life. But if he does not lean anything form it, he will have wasted $70.00 and in the future he will have similar experiences. In order to learn about himself from this experience, Harold has to force his mind to come to new ideas. Memory doesn’t help here, because in his memory storeroom there are no answers.
There is in all of us, as in Harold, a tremendous inertia in our minds. In order to deal with problems concerning our nature, we must face far more inertial than when thinking about things outside our nature with which we are not emotionally involved. You have probably heard the saying that if we do not learn from history, history will repeat itself. This is true of personally history as well as world history.
Are you interested in studying your own character with the same objectivity with which you approach problems outside of yourself? Then you will have to force your mind to be active. You will have to overcome the asleep state of you mind.
Interpreting the Messages from Our Inner Intelligence
The individual who has a genuine desire to grow must discriminate between the real problems in his nature and the symptoms of problems. If we deal only with the symptoms, no growth will occur and much time and effort are wasted.
William and I studied an experience that he had while taking measurements on a pier. William believed that the pier manager did not respect his efforts and he felt the pain of rejection. He has had similar experiences on other occasions. Joan told me about her envy she experiences when a woman friend was given an art assignment for which she was to be paid $1,500. Yesterday our group had and outing in the mountains: Ralph drove the car in which I was riding. He went through a good deal of pain because he felt I would be critical of his driving adequacy.
Each of these individuals had outwardly different problems. And yet, inwardly their problems had a common pattern. The awakening intelligence in each of them was counseling them about the growth direction. Each of them had buffered the voice of his or her intelligence. But their intelligence, refusing to be disregarded, manifested itself in an indirect fashion. Although William felt rejected by the pier manager, it was the voice of his intelligence which was rejecting many of his efforts. Joan’s envy was really the voice of her own intelligence calling upon her to live a more spontaneous life rather than the imitative existence she pursued. And Ralph’s intelligence was advising him that he had to put in more adequate efforts in his activities, whether in driving or in anything else.
The essential intelligence in each one of us is the only true authority to follow. The purpose of our group is to help each individual become aware of this voice within, to learn how to interpret the messages that come from our intelligence, and to discriminate between this living voice and the voices of our dead memory patterns that mechanically direct our lives.
William and I studied an experience that he had while taking measurements on a pier. William believed that the pier manager did not respect his efforts and he felt the pain of rejection. He has had similar experiences on other occasions. Joan told me about her envy she experiences when a woman friend was given an art assignment for which she was to be paid $1,500. Yesterday our group had and outing in the mountains: Ralph drove the car in which I was riding. He went through a good deal of pain because he felt I would be critical of his driving adequacy.
Each of these individuals had outwardly different problems. And yet, inwardly their problems had a common pattern. The awakening intelligence in each of them was counseling them about the growth direction. Each of them had buffered the voice of his or her intelligence. But their intelligence, refusing to be disregarded, manifested itself in an indirect fashion. Although William felt rejected by the pier manager, it was the voice of his intelligence which was rejecting many of his efforts. Joan’s envy was really the voice of her own intelligence calling upon her to live a more spontaneous life rather than the imitative existence she pursued. And Ralph’s intelligence was advising him that he had to put in more adequate efforts in his activities, whether in driving or in anything else.
The essential intelligence in each one of us is the only true authority to follow. The purpose of our group is to help each individual become aware of this voice within, to learn how to interpret the messages that come from our intelligence, and to discriminate between this living voice and the voices of our dead memory patterns that mechanically direct our lives.
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