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2.
Here, with those who are still driven to talk about "god," the "Son of
god," the "Holy Spirit," "Buddha," "Krishna," etc., etc., etc., the
invitation to them is to view those as verbs, not nouns. See the green text after today's post for the full meaning and implications of that.
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CONSCIOUSNESS, SEEKING AND REALIZATION ARE ALL GIVEN FAR TOO MUCH PRESTIGE AND STATURE
It was seen yesterday that conscious-energy / consciousness is held in far more esteem than it deserves. It's just energy and, in fact, is the prerequisite for (1) the hold which the Ultimate Sickness has always had over humankind and, per Maharaj, (2) the subsequent "ignorance stupidity and insanity" which he noted has long marked and marred the relative existence of humans.
And the excess status given to conscious-energy is only exceeded by the excess status given to seeking and to realization.
CONSCIOUS-ENERGY
Relax. Take it easy. It's just energy, but energy which has been blocked. Unblock it by discarding all the nonsense stored in your mind via programming, conditioning, etc. Then, abide naturally in the brain-rooted wisdom which comes and be done with it all.
SEEKING
Seeking is not unlike traveling: if you want to go to New York City, you make flight or driving plans, you set out, and you arrive. To expect all of New York to celebrate your so-called "accomplishment" would be rather warped, would it not? As would be spending the remainder of your existence in needless acts of wasting your resources in trying dozens of ways to get there, forever bent on refusing to enjoy whatever can come from having arrived and being obsessive-compulsive about the seeking and traveling instead.
REALIZATION
Realization is defined by some as "the act of becoming completely aware of something." Not "conscious of something" because consciousness drives Subject-Object duality: "I (subject) see that (object)." "I understand that." "I fear that." "I desire that." "I love that." Awareness allows for the comprehension or understanding or awareness of something, such as that which is pointed to by such terms as "the oneness" or "the unicity" or "the original state."
Maharaj said
"Realization is simply the condition of being free from functioning under the influence of learned ignorance"
and
"Realization is but the opposite of ignorance."
It is a means by which ignorant and / or insane humans stop doing insane things and start behaving normally, sanely, wisely, and naturally. Like a drunk who stops drinking and who might find ways to enjoy the realities of the relative existence instead of trying to escape those realities by engaging in all sorts or relatively-destructive ways, many want a reward and praise and recognition for doing something that is simply sane and natural.
Former drunks are not special. Formerly insane humans are not special. Formally ignorance-driven persons are not special. They are all simply persons who have joined the ranks of non-drunks or the not insane or the no-longer-ignorant persons who have become aware of something, namely, how to abide soberly and wisely and sanely.
And they can abide far more peacefully once they understand why the wise around them have a "whoop-de-do" reaction to their bragging about the new ways they are finally behaving which are merely the ways they should have been behaving all along.
THE OFTEN SELFISH, SELF-CENTERED ROOTS OF SEEKING
That which one searches for - often wholeheartedly - is most often determined by one's persona-driven perceptions and beliefs regarding "the benefits" which can be derived from finding that which they seek and "the value" which they and / or their cultures' place on that which is sought.
Those who sought the "Holy Grail" were certain it would earn them the admiration of Christians all around the globe as well as unimaginable wealth. They and their culture valued respect and money, a trait which still exists among those types today.
The Spaniards who sought "El Dorado" (El Hombre Dorado . . . The Golden Man or El Rey Dorado . . . The Golden King) were certain that finding him would lead them to unimaginable stores of gold and wealth. They and their culture valued gold and the material possessions which it could provide.
Those who rushed to California between 1848 and 1855, seeking to duplicate James W. Marshall's finding of gold at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California were also seeking gold, unlimited wealth, and all of the materials things which that could buy. The news of the discovery of gold there inspired 300,000 people to move to California in an eight-year period, all of whom valued gold and the material possessions it could provide.
Those who seek a spouse believe that the finding of a mate - a perfect mate, Mr. Right or Ms. Right - might bring a variety of benefits and provide need-fulfillment:
some want to avoid loneliness;
some want to find a caretaker, a bill-payer, a personal banker;
some want to find someone to mother them;
some want to find love in order to relieve the nagging sense that they never received enough love from a father who was absent during their childhood as a result of willful abandonment, divorce, death, etc.;
some are driven to seek a mate because of family pressure, cultural pressures, acculturation-based pressures, or culture programming and conditioning;
some are driven to find a mate in order to have the co-dependent counterpart player who is required for them to assume the role of "Spouse" and / or "Parent," etc.;
and the rest are driven by a combination of the above and a host of other drivers, both conscious and subconscious.
Religious seekers for thousands of years have sought
(1) to have their wishes and prayers answered and their fears allayed in this life; and
(2) the chance to spend eternity with their gods / goddesses / God who would offer up endless rewards and eternal life to them; or
(3) if male and willing to kill and die for God, eternal life with a host of virgins and wives and whores to satisfy their every prurient fantasy; or
(4) a chance to escape an otherwise endless series of trying incarnations; or
(5) whatever other promises and benefits their leaders have been able to dream up over the last 5,000 years or longer.
Many spiritual seekers are certain that they can attain (A) a host of relative existence payoffs now, including all sorts of perks or benefits (or even "a happy and joyous and free state of sobriety which lasts until their die"); others want to eventually (B) reach a "higher level of consciousness" or some magnificent state of beingness involving a Higher Level of This or a Higher Level of That;
others want to (C) find their purpose in life; others want to (D) be "blessed with abundance"; and a few want to (E) be free of the mind and able to view reality (and Reality?) clearly rather than through the lens of mind-and-culture-generated distortions and illusions and mind constructs which are marked by being totally delusional.
others want to (C) find their purpose in life; others want to (D) be "blessed with abundance"; and a few want to (E) be free of the mind and able to view reality (and Reality?) clearly rather than through the lens of mind-and-culture-generated distortions and illusions and mind constructs which are marked by being totally delusional.
Just as varied as the "goals" or "desires" of the religious or spiritual persons above are the "goals" or "desires" of those who are seeking via one of the many different versions of "non-dual paths / journeys" which might lead to the attainment or achievement of . . .
1. "purpose" identification;
2. a replacement of old, bad identities with new and improved identities;
3. liberation;
4. enlightenment;
5. realization;
6. Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha (the Hindu version)
or
7. Nirvana (the Buddhist version);
8. the reunification of the soul with Brahman;
9. an end to cycles of reincarnation;
10. the cessation of suffering;
etc., etc., etc.
The seeking of 1-10 above or anything else being sought is driven mostly by two key definitions, the first being "what your problem is" and secondly "what the solution to your problem is," the second of which is often sought wholeheartedly or obsessively or compulsively or fanatically.
And who passes along that diagnosis and who defines what the supposedly-exact solution is which is to be sought until found? Parents or relatives or friends or teachers or "The Big Name Teachers" (as Maharaj labeled them while warning his visitors to avoid those types)
as well as gurus or cult leaders or sky cult leaders such as priests or preachers or rabbis or ayatollahs or other influential persons who define whatever specific "goals," "objectives," "aims," "ambitions," "purposes," "aspirations," "states" or "levels" are to be sought.
as well as gurus or cult leaders or sky cult leaders such as priests or preachers or rabbis or ayatollahs or other influential persons who define whatever specific "goals," "objectives," "aims," "ambitions," "purposes," "aspirations," "states" or "levels" are to be sought.
The view here is that "liberation" is not the "endgame" because that merely refers to being liberated from belief in false identifications such as the personalities assigned by and assumed in all cultures;
as for "Enlightenment," that is the act or means of enlightening, but the obstacles to clear seeing - to clear perceiving - require being "repositioned, mentally" in order to see accurately that which has had light cast upon it (such as referred to in "the rope and snake" pointer);
and many seekers identify that which is to sought as "realization."
The latter is what Maharaj most often referenced and the case is the same here, but the way that realization is defined varies considerably, often touching on 1-10 above or on any one of a number of other concepts.
If a seeker would be guided to that which awaits at the end of a "path" or "journey," then one must understand exactly how the guide perceives "the main problem" (as in, "humankind's problems which are all rooted in the Ultimate Sickness," for example) and then understand how the guide defines "the solution" (or the "Ultimate Medicine").
Maharaj's definition of realization varied as it shifted away from discussing problems which were supposedly rooted in understanding too little dogma and from discussing problems which were supposedly rooted in not being spiritual enough to heal a sick spirit or a spiritual malady and to understand that realization instead involves nothing more than this:
Again, he said that realization is simply the condition of being free from functioning under the influence of learned ignorance. He said: "Realization is but the opposite of ignorance."
Wow. How bold, especially considering the environment in which he was offering that definition. So much for purpose; for replacing old, bad identities with new and improved identities; for achieving Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha or Nirvana; for the reunification of the soul with Brahman; or for an end to cycles of reincarnation, etc., etc., etc., ad infinitum.
If that definition points to humankind's problems and the solution, then indeed Maharaj was spot on: the version of the Ultimate Medicine required to address the issue pointed to in that definition really is simple, if one can find a guide that is offering pointers based in understanding that definition.
Note that a limitless accumulation of knowledge is not being called for there. As noted yesterday, one need not earn Master's Degrees or Doctorates. One need not accumulate more learning. One need but see that the problem involves all which has been taught and learned in cultures which pass along ignorant and insane programming and conditioning and domestication and acculturation and brainwashing and indoctrination.
[Here, the invitation has long been to allow yourself to be un-taught, to un-learn.]
[Here, the invitation has long been to allow yourself to be un-taught, to un-learn.]
To understand that point makes clear that one need not become a Biblical scholar because no single volume contains more nonsense and ignorance and ill-advice than that, unless - that is - one considers the content in all other supposedly-holy texts as well.
If the problem of humanity centers in the mind, as Maharaj finally concluded, then more need not be added to the mind. The mind is calling for a purging, A Great Flush, if you will. Thus, as noted, it is calling for un-learning, not more learning. It is calling for all which has been taught to be un-taught.
Now we're getting somewhere. Now we're simplifying the process. Accept Maharaj's definition of what realization is (and therefore what it also is not) and a lifetime of religious and / or spiritual work and knowledge accumulation can end and clarity and then relaxing can begin.
If the problem is the vast store of learned ignorance which has been taught and accumulated within a mind, then how could the seeking of other-worldly-noumenal-based religious fitness or other-worldly-noumenal-based spiritual fitness possibly address the mental problems which are manifesting right here and right now in the relative existence?
How can going to meetings and listening to insane talk possibly help address problems rooted in learned ignorance and imposed insanity?
How can traveling the globe in order to stand in a hundred supposedly-holy spots possibly help address problems rooted in learned ignorance and imposed insanity?
How can wailing at a wall possibly help address problems rooted in learned ignorance and imposed insanity?
How can striking a special bowl with a special stick possibly help address problems rooted in learned ignorance and imposed insanity?
How can special garments possibly help address problems rooted in learned ignorance and imposed insanity?
How can endless seeking and "sharing" and hearing and going and doing and zooming possibly help one become able to be still and quiet?
How can the killing of non-believers and infidels possibly help address problems rooted in learned ignorance and imposed insanity?
How can speaking in foreign tongues and rolling around on a church floor or handling rattlesnakes possibly help address problems rooted in learned ignorance and imposed insanity?
How can a planet wide tolerance of, and the providing of continuous financial support for, a supposedly holy place which has long tolerated the physical and sexual abuse of children possibly help address problems rooted in learned ignorance and imposed insanity?
How can judging and punishing others possibly help address problems rooted in learned ignorance and imposed insanity?
The answer: it cannot. None of that can address the symptoms of the Ultimate Sickness which Maharaj identified as "ignorance, stupidity, and insanity."
In fact, all of the above can only reinforce and add to the already-accumulated "ignorance, stupidity, and insanity."
Maharaj's approach: sit with someone that has transitioned beyond the ignorance, stupidity, and insanity which they were taught and with someone that can shine light on the symptoms of the Ultimate Sickness which have manifested and accept the invitation to see all of the learned ignorance which has been accepted and then be willing to cast it all aside.
How? All of the accumulated ideas, concepts, notions, thoughts, views, etc. which have been accumulated and stored in the mind collectively form your "belief systems." They are all just beliefs, and they are not even "your beliefs." They are "their" beliefs.
Want to purge the mind? Want to give yourself the required Great Flush required to be rid of the cesspool called "the mind"?
Again, easy peasy. Just admit it's all nonsense and cast it out, the same way you treat the other garbage which accumulates in your domicile between the days that the garbage is picked up and hauled off for disposal. It makes no more sense to cling to the garbage stored in a mind than it would make to cling to the garbage which accumulates in a home.
Dispose of the content of the mind in order to be free of the problem which centers in the mind. Then only can you relax and take it easy because - as Maharaj said - "There is no such thing as peace of mind" and - as added here - "There is only peace if you are out of your mind," that is, out from living under the influence of the lies and fiction and nonsense that have been stored in all humans' minds.
To be continued.
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Here, with those who are still driven to talk about "god," the "Son of god," the "Holy Spirit," "Buddha," "Krishna," etc., etc., etc., the invitation to them is to view those as verbs, not nouns.
To be continued.
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Here, with those who are still driven to talk about "god," the "Son of god," the "Holy Spirit," "Buddha," "Krishna," etc., etc., etc., the invitation to them is to view those as verbs, not nouns.
THE EXPLANATION
If
looked at as nouns, they point to illusions and are, therefore, a total
waste of time to even discuss; if looked at as verbs which are
resulting in certain sane but rare behaviors among humanity, then they
are worthy of some attention during the relative existence.
Meaning?
There are members of certain groups who say things such as "My concept
of god in the past was of a weak god, an absentee god, A Santa
Claus-type god, a mean, punishing, vindictive god, etc. Today, I am in
close contact with a loving and caring god whom I worship and praise and
glorify and give thanks to."
The
reply to that usually goes like this: "If you are in contact with a god
that wants to be worshipped and praised and glorified, then you're
dealing with someone like yourself - a narcissist - and hanging out with
narcissists will never bring an end to your narcissism (that narcissism
evidenced by the fact that you think you are "godly").
Next,
in the phrase 'loving and caring god,' any supposed god that truly had
her or his act together would tell you that the totally irrelevant part
of that phrase is 'god' and that the only part that is relevant is the
"loving and caring" part.
"That
is, a non-narcissistic their god / their goddess would say, "I care not
an iota about being worshipped and praised and glorified by you or
anyone else. How arrogant and insecure and needy would I have to be to
want that? Forget the man-made, dreamed up noun 'god' and focus on the
'god as a verb' understanding and then go forth and let loving and
caring be verbs - not adjectives - and let them generate the act of love
and the act of caring and let those actions manifest through you."
Yeshu'a (Jesus) and Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis were spot on:
"No one shall ever see 'the kingdom of heaven.' It is within"
--Yeshu'a (Jesus)
and
"Heaven and earth shall fade away."
--Yeshu'a (Jesus)
and
"Heaven and hell are not geographic places
but are states of mind, nothing more than
concepts dreamed up by men."
--Pope John Paul II
"There is no hell."
--Pope Francis, the current pope
in an interview with journalist Eugenio Scalfari,
a writer used by the Pope to issue off the record
teachings which become a part of the Papal Magisterium.
[That
said, would that the popes who have shown the courage to reject a core
concept of their dogma - namely, "hell" - would find the additional
courage required to question the very existence of their institution in
light of the centuries-long cover-up of their history of raping children
and in light of the mental and emotional and psychological scarring of
billions of their members past and present.
And
that need for courage also applies as questions need to be asked about
why so many other sky cults are still being supported and allowed to
continue to exist as well. When certain types of programming and
conditioning have been shown to blind the masses, they should end. Will
they? Not likely. Why?
Because
what the masses think and say and do is most influenced by the
international crime families which hold sway over the masses as
criminals conduct their planet-wide operations. What are the major
international crime families and which are the most influential and have
the largest memberships?
The
Mafia / La Cosa Nostra; the Catholic Church (with it 1.2 billion
followers) whose Vatican Bank worked for decades with the Mafia while
laundering mob earnings (for a 15% all-profit charge by the Bank);
Protestant and Evangelical Churches (with over 1.2 billion followers)
like the one I was raised in where the youth director molested and
sexually assaulted young girls; big business which has long created
environments in which people have been abused; powerful political bodies
like the U.S. Congress, etc., etc., etc.)
With
all of those crime families, neither the followers nor the leadership
ever voluntarily step down or shut down their criminal activities. Be
they gangs, organized crime families, religions, big business,
politicians, etc., they all want control and they all want power and
they all want money, and nothing internal will interfere with the
driving forces at play.
The
masses must demand that all those in charge must step down and their
groups and institutions must shut down, and there's the real problem
because the continuation of their crimes are enabled not as much by the
people running such crime organizations as they are enabled by the
masses of people who - wanting some perceived "payoff" - remain involved
with them and give them money and support them and aid and abet the
continued existence of those criminal enterprises and thus facilitate
the ability of church criminals and political criminals and other types
of criminals to continue to commit their crimes.]
Here's
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or
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