new to this, in colorado

[ahenshaw]

Hi All,

I have never been on a discussion board so I hope I don't mess up.
I found this site trying to determine whether D Hawkins was legit. To my embarressment I see I have really been living on the fluff. How did
you folks move from the fluff to the real deal. I've barely out grew Wayne Dyer. Be kind I'm just trying to start.

Peace, Alice

[anonji]

Hi Alice,

Reading is good, but it is better to understand yourself than a book. Try reading Eckhart Tolle's book, The Power of Now or A New Earth; it will give you a simple idea about the spiritual life. The basic idea is to live more oriented to the present moment, but also to be aware of those things that block it. It is about cultivating an awareness of your inner life and being open to change. It is also about a commitment to the process. People here will help you. There are no wrong questions.

[Peter]

Hi Alice

When I started secondary school, the chemistry teacher told us that atoms are tiny round snooker balls with 1 - 4 "arms" that get joined to other atoms. Some years later we found out about electrons and valency and the like and I'm sure if I'd followed it through to university I'd have been taught something else that's even closer to the "truth". But that's not to say that the first thing I learned was "wrong" as such.

So I wouldn't feel bad about thinking something fluffy or woolly (or in D Hawkins case, too far away from woolly) was true. If you found it inspiring and you felt drawn towards it at the time, then it was useful to you. You obviously felt you were ready to move on when you started questioning it's legitimacy.

So what do you feel drawn to now? Personally I've really enjoyed reading Jack Kornfield recently - he's down to earth, has a lifetime of teaching practice and weaves self deprecating humour in with sensible advice.

I'd agree with anonji in that you'll find 100 different opinions in 100 different books / traditions / practices, but the one thing that everyone agrees on and which I've seen make a measurable difference in my life is being present to the moment. Not living your life in a day dream.

Welcome to the board.
Peter

[lightmystic]

Hey Alice,

I generally find that going with one's direct experience is useful, and then going with people that resonate. It's important just to innocently stick with direct experience, and not get too caught up in the ideas. Growth happens as an undoing, less and less that's in the way, and then the realization can start to dawn. Like Peter suggests, I'm sure you got what you need out of David Hawkins even if he wasn't completely legitimate, so I would not consider it a waste. It's ultimately just being innocent, and the life takes you by the hand and can bring you exactly what you need. If something feels wrong: leave it. It does need to be dealt with now. If something feels right on that deep level, then go towards it. Keep in mind that the process is one of deconstruction and letting go, and so it may not always be comfortable. That said, the fact that you are a seeker, even a new one, means there is the subtle knowledge that there is something that find. That subtle knowledge is a very faint feeling within, that gets stronger as things progress. By putting full attention on that feeling, without deciding how it has to look on the surface, then it has a chance to blossom and grow - with the attention constantly watering it - and then, when it blooms....ahhh....it's beautiful....what fulfillment... yes?

As a book recommendation, I think you might really enjoy Byron Katie. I think she can help provide a good model for a deconstruction process. Eckhart Tolle can certainly help bring up the feeling, but people get trapped in this whole idea of "trying to be present" which is not what he is talking about. There is nothing that is NOT happening in the present. And there is no way to "be here now". I'm going to write a book in response to the Power of Now called "Is it Now yet?" Joking aside, I hope you see what I'm saying. Anyway, I'm sure life will guide you, if you let Her.

[ahenshaw]

Hi All,

Thank you all very much for your comments. I am reading a book given to me by a friend about 10 years ago. It's called 'Seeing with the eyes of love' by eknath easwaran. I know it's very old but has anyone heard of it and what were your impressions.

Peace, Alice