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Post by anja on Jun 9, 2016 10:06:03 GMT -5
What I'm driving at, dear Zendancer, is this:
If one is interested in joing a so called sangha, a group of people who deal in so called spirituality, it would be a good idea, if the "leader" is honest and sincere, and first ask the seeker the following questions:
1.) Are you perfectely happy and satisfied with the relationships you are having with your family? And if the answer is no, then what is called professional psychological counceling might be the right way to go and not spirituality.
2.) Are you sure you want to be part of something you don't know yet what it realy is all about? And if the answer is no, one might be better off to not deal in stuff that might not solve problems but create new ones.
3.) Are you perfectely happy and satisfied with what you, as a person, are? And if the answer is no, then also psychological counceling might be the better choise.
My point is that so called spirituality is NOT, by any means, a way to solve psychological issues. It only creates new problems so that the real problems are kept under the table.
Know what I mean?
Annnddd...would mentally, physically and emotionally healthy people engage in spirituality anyway? Why would they?
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Post by zendancer on Jun 10, 2016 11:48:47 GMT -5
What I'm driving at, dear Zendancer, is this: If one is interested in joing a so called sangha, a group of people who deal in so called spirituality, it would be a good idea, if the "leader" is honest and sincere, and first ask the seeker the following questions: 1.) Are you perfectely happy and satisfied with the relationships you are having with your family? And if the answer is no, then what is called professional psychological counceling might be the right way to go and not spirituality. 2.) Are you sure you want to be part of something you don't know yet what it realy is all about? And if the answer is no, one might be better off to not deal in stuff that might not solve problems but create new ones. 3.) Are you perfectely happy and satisfied with what you, as a person, are? And if the answer is no, then also psychological counceling might be the better choise. My point is that so called spirituality is NOT, by any means, a way to solve psychological issues. It only creates new problems so that the real problems are kept under the table. Know what I mean? Annnddd...would mentally, physically and emotionally healthy people engage in spirituality anyway? Why would they? Anja: Many spiritual teachers/sages discuss exactly the kinds of issues that you mention. Gangaji, as one example, often tells people that she is NOT a psychologist, and that if they are having relationship problems or neuroses, they should seek professional help elsewhere. Most sages view themselves more as signposts directing people to look within themselves for answers to existential questions. Having had a wide range of experiences and existential realizations, themselves, sages can often offer valuable advice concerning where and how to look for existential answers. You ask, "Why would mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy people engage in spirituality anyway?" Only someone who has never had a cosmic consciousness experience or a deep existential realization could ask such a question. One glimpse of the Infinite would make the answer obvious. As Kabir, a 15th century sage, said, "I saw the truth for 15 seconds and became a servant for life." Discovering that the entire cosmos is a unified whole, and discovering that It is alive, aware, infinite, and intelligent beyond human comprehension is a humbling and awe-inspiring event. It fills one with endless gratitude and deep reverence. Even people who do not consider themselves spiritual instantly become spiritual after encountering THAT. Meditation, silent looking, and being alone in nature are highly correlated with spiritual experiences, and many people are drawn to silent retreats in wilderness settings because they intuit that answers can more easily be found when the usual distractions of a high-speed high-stress lifestyle are temporarily left behind. People also enjoy associating with other people who share their interest in existential truth. |
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Post by anja on Jun 10, 2016 13:04:26 GMT -5
Thanks for your long and elaborated answer, Zendancer.
Here is my thesis, once again: Only people who have deeply rooted PERSONAL psychological, social, intellectual or emotional issues would join spiritual groups. I know that for a fact because I was one of them once. Although I just have been on two retreats, one a weekend and one a week, and that nailed it for me (That group was a so called sant-mat group, which I was a member of for more than two years. And I practized the method they innicated me in).
And then I hung out with James Swartz for a week. I'm his most beloved moron/student/real-deal human being. Ask him if that is true.
And I also had a few e-mail ex-changes with Greg Goode. That also gave me the rest.
So...yeah...why not going for retreats...it may help...or not. But what I see is that it does NOT help. It just makes people addicted to the group-energy.
I'm on my own now. And I actually always was. Also I highly promote the Jed McKenna method of writing. It works and is utterly satisfying...at least for me.
Keep up the good work, Zendancer.
By the way, I think Gangaji stinks...spiritually. She makes a lot of money with her crap, so I heard. Guess what that is pointing to.
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Post by zendancer on Jun 10, 2016 13:41:13 GMT -5
Thanks for your long and elaborated answer, Zendancer. Here is my thesis, once again: Only people who have deeply rooted PERSONAL psychological, social, intellectual or emotional issues would join spiritual groups. I know that for a fact because I was one of them once. Although I just have been on two retreats, one a weekend and one a week, and that nailed it for me (That group was a so called sant-mat group, which I was a member of for more than two years. And I practized the method they innicated me in). And then I hung out with James Swartz for a week. I'm his most beloved moron/student/real-deal human being. Ask him if that is true. And I also had a few e-mail ex-changes with Greg Goode. That also gave me the rest. So...yeah...why not going for retreats...it may help...or not. But what I see is that it does NOT help. It just makes people addicted to the group-energy. I'm on my own now. And I actually always was. Also I highly promote the Jed McKenna method of writing. It works and is utterly satisfying...at least for me. Keep up the good work, Zendancer. By the way, I think Gangaji stinks...spiritually. She makes a lot of money with her crap, so I heard. Guess what that is pointing to. Each human being is different, and if being on your own, and unaffiliated with any group, feels right for you, then that's perfect. I always tell people to trust their own intuition above all else. FWIW, I enjoy hearing sages point to the truth in new and different ways, and I also enjoy going on retreats and relaxing in silence. Different strokes for different folks is also perfect. Best wishes. |
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Post by anja on Jun 10, 2016 13:47:46 GMT -5
One more point, just to show how it can work also:
My mother is self-realized by never ever have been interested in any kind of religion or spirituality or esoteric stuff. She once said to me, as we were walking in some park on our monthly date, "I'm crazy too, Anja. I know I die in peace and not like granny in agony. I feel happy inside."
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Post by zendancer on Jun 10, 2016 15:23:21 GMT -5
One more point, just to show how it can work also: My mother is self-realized by never ever have been interested in any kind of religion or spirituality or esoteric stuff. She once said to me, as we were walking in some park on our monthly date, "I'm crazy too, Anja. I know I die in peace and not like granny in agony. I feel happy inside." Wonderful! Your mother sounds like a real sage. |
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Post by anja on Jun 17, 2016 4:56:14 GMT -5
One more point, just to show how it can work also: My mother is self-realized by never ever have been interested in any kind of religion or spirituality or esoteric stuff. She once said to me, as we were walking in some park on our monthly date, "I'm crazy too, Anja. I know I die in peace and not like granny in agony. I feel happy inside." Wonderful! Your mother sounds like a real sage. Seems as if you're a sage too, Bob. A saintly one, of course. My very good friend Bob Harwood talks about the path: zenmirror.blogspot.de/2013/02/my-very-good-friend-bob-harwood-talks.html |
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Post by anja on Jun 17, 2016 5:23:17 GMT -5
And here is your name, in my kind of club: Sri Satyananda Nirvana Maharaj. (That means something like: Sir enjoyer of truth, who fills emptiness with grace). Just sayin'.... |
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Post by zendancer on Jun 20, 2016 10:32:51 GMT -5
And here is your name, in my kind of club: Sri Satyananda Nirvana Maharaj. (That means something like: Sir enjoyer of truth, who fills emptiness with grace). Just sayin'.... Don't let that Bob Harwood character fool you; he's a big loser. Some people lose small things like money, but that guy lost himself and his entire universe! ha ha |
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Post by anja on Jun 20, 2016 12:44:40 GMT -5
And here is your name, in my kind of club: Sri Satyananda Nirvana Maharaj. (That means something like: Sir enjoyer of truth, who fills emptiness with grace). Just sayin'.... Don't let that Bob Harwood character fool you; he's a big loser. Some people lose small things like money, but that guy lost himself and his entire universe! ha ha “To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best day and night to make you like everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight and never stop fighting.” ― E.E. Cummings www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/10547.E_E_Cummings |
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Post by laughter on Jun 20, 2016 13:27:00 GMT -5
And here is your name, in my kind of club: Sri Satyananda Nirvana Maharaj. (That means something like: Sir enjoyer of truth, who fills emptiness with grace). Just sayin'.... Don't let that Bob Harwood character fool you; he's a big loser. Some people lose small things like money, but that guy lost himself and his entire universe! ha ha |
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Post by anja on Jun 20, 2016 13:39:21 GMT -5
Don't let that Bob Harwood character fool you; he's a big loser. Some people lose small things like money, but that guy lost himself and his entire universe! ha ha Does that mean you apply for membership, Laughter? Just askin'.... |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2016 20:13:45 GMT -5
Even if I never go there knowing that there's a place within driving distance run by sane adults with an interest in this stuff would be a warm fuzzy.  THAT place be here Laughter. Get your rocks off. I wish I had a number to share here. I have always helped ppl get their goals established... working in architecture has allowed me to design many a love-shack, for the rich and the poor. My interests in (a) have always been with-in solar sensitivity, not being satisfied that being rich is the way, where one has unlimited finance an can afford to run aircond. Have worked-up designs for communes an the like, always making use of the resources about the Clients an within their scope of building practices, utilising waste where we can, hay bales, bottles an plastic, rocks an water. Sorry to say, had I NOT retired, it would be a thorough pleasure to work with ZD in practicalising the Brief, or any others with building an design interests. Whilst I have ZD in my mind... thank you bro. I have loaned your book to another friend that is interested in spiritual emergence and made him aware where you can be shacked-up with in ST.org. Hopefully, he may come this way an participate as he has heaps to offer. Looking forward to the time the young german girl returns an reads this horribly-long text;unusual 4ME. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2016 20:21:13 GMT -5
And here is your name, in my kind of club: Sri Satyananda Nirvana Maharaj. (That means something like: Sir enjoyer of truth, who fills emptiness with grace). Just sayin'.... Don't let that Bob Harwood character fool you; he's a big loser. Some people lose small things like money, but that guy lost himself and his entire universe! ha ha Sweet to finally get to post towards you ZD. Loosing happens when we are engaged in our own process whilst trying to hold down a job, or run a business. I sincerely hope your debts no-longer gather about you. Women are great to have close when the Emergence begins. A women can carry-us lads when we are Totally at LOSS, if we need to get to the toilet; so long as they're huge an strong, like Anjas Mother. Glad to see you are still here, living the GOODlife. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2016 20:23:54 GMT -5
Don't let that Bob Harwood character fool you; he's a big loser. Some people lose small things like money, but that guy lost himself and his entire universe! ha ha “To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best day and night to make you like everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight and never stop fighting.” ― E.E. Cummings www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/10547.E_E_CummingsThank you for this quote Anja. It will be good for the Other Members of this site to re-read it. Hope you return after your pleasure cruise. Cuddles for MUM. |
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