Desperately seeking enlightenment

[dddanieljjjamesss]

I've been an amateur walking on the path for as long as I believe I ever held a self-reflective thought, which seems like a lot in our time. Anyway, I think what really needs to be stressed is that on the path, the best teacher is yourself. Gods, gurus, advisors, shamans, etc are all sources of information that may unlock some understanding for you, but if you look too hard you forget what it is thats in front of you.

I wandered spiritually for a long time, then found Zen Buddhism, and it opened lots of doors for me, but unfortunately after a time I was even attached to ideas about that, while still in the thinking that I was "living" it. Now I try to look for value or resonance in all sources of information, but better still I know would be to just seek truth inside myself with no outward distractions.

When you look for info outside yourself, you risk getting attached to only temporary forms in any number of ways, which ends up bringing you right down into the **** and the mundane and the drama and the dissonance and the etc. etc.

And don't take my word for it either. I'm not anyone special, I haven't ascended or obtained any special understanding, I just recognize my mistakes as I make them.

[greybeard]

Originally Posted by dddanieljjjamesss

I've been an amateur walking on the path for as long as I believe I ever held a self-reflective thought, which seems like a lot in our time. Anyway, I think what really needs to be stressed is that on the path, the best teacher is yourself. Gods, gurus, advisors, shamans, etc are all sources of information that may unlock some understanding for you, but if you look too hard you forget what it is thats in front of you.

I wandered spiritually for a long time, then found Zen Buddhism, and it opened lots of doors for me, but unfortunately after a time I was even attached to ideas about that, while still in the thinking that I was "living" it. Now I try to look for value or resonance in all sources of information, but better still I know would be to just seek truth inside myself with no outward distractions.

When you look for info outside yourself, you risk getting attached to only temporary forms in any number of ways, which ends up bringing you right down into the **** and the mundane and the drama and the dissonance and the etc. etc.

And don't take my word for it either. I'm not anyone special, I haven't ascended or obtained any special understanding, I just recognize my mistakes as I make them.

Yes the recommendation is that at some point the books the teachers etc must be let go of. Its a question of when. The Self of the teacher is the same as your Self.

When there is a degree of silence in the mind the progress made at that point is possibly enough to let go of all externals. The teacher is essential in the early stages though.

Im back to Eckhart Tolle. His books are pointing to truth as are the videos and cds.
Eckharts advice is simple and relevant to our time and culture, though Truth is timeless.
Hope this helps.
Chris

[truthseekerdan]

Richard, glad to have you on board!
I will give you a little advice, to follow your heart.
It doesn't really matter what religious background you have (if any ) however, here are some sacred verses that might inspire you on your pursuit to enlightenment:

Matthew 7:7-8 (English Standard Version)

Ask, and It Will Be Given

7. Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
8. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (English Standard Version)

21. But search (test) everything; hold fast what is good.
22. Abstain from every form of evil.

Love and blessings to you,

Dan

[justpeter]

As regards the idea that aliens who are more advanced than us should be more loving, caring or whatever, I think the terms "service to self" and "service to others" are important to understand. Bill and Kerry use these terms quite often and they come from the channelled information from Ra -

http://wiki.lawofone.info/index.php/Main_Page

I think this information is very useful because it not only explains how more advanced beings could still wish to harm us but it also gives a lot of info on the various spiritual dimensions and Bill and Kerry will often refer to it so it's probably worth having a look at it.

[greybeard]

Well Richard
I hope we have not silenced you with all of the information, its really simple.
As Beren said on another post.
Love love and then see what happens.

Chris

[Majorion]

Richard, that was a great post, it didn't feel long because it was very entertaining and it made me laugh because your way of thinking and beliefs are startlingly really close to mine. You are not alone, all of us have these similar thought patterns and reevaluating and questioning things over and over again.

The best advice I could give you, is that all the answers you need are already within you, you know what the truth is because it will resonate, you have all the enlightenment already. Follow your own intuition, its a gift.

[Moxie]

It does seem that one goes into despair before the view clears or the heart is opened.... reading others' biographies, that seems to be the case, as w/Tolle, deep, dark abyss of despair, suicidal... tormented w/ questions like "what's the point", "what is life about", "why am I so unhappy"... having a haunting desire to Know...
or those suffering in other ways, addictions, for example, you hear the hit rock bottom.

But I do know one thing: you can't get to anywhere from here if you don't own and accept where you are right now.

I often think too, that are lives are so rich, right now, in the moment and we've simply become oblivious to much of this richness by a bombardment from the conditioning of our society, thru the media, new age & other religions, our job... being disconnected from nature.

You are aware that something is missing... it might simply be that feeling of being alive! Moment to moment. I think the greatest realization came to me when my stepson asked me where does time go and it came out of my mouth was spontaneous, I said ... it doesn't go anywhere because there is only Now... everything happens Now.

that was my first taste of Eternity and I was 30 yrs old.

When I read your opening remarks and saw you asking for advice, I almost cringed because you will get Plenty of it by asking that! (chuckles)...

You cannot Be outside of God for God is either Everything or Nothing at all. I choose this word God knowing full well that everyone has their own understanding or belief, it doesn't matter.

Heed your intuition and avoid feeling shame that you lack anything because you don't "resonate" <(geyawd I'm tired of that word) with all the love, light poll-parroting that goes on around here. Accept where you are, cultivate the desire for knowledge.
Examine the word "belief" and how beliefs affect your everything.

[carriblu]

Originally Posted by Moxie

It does seem that one goes into despair before the view clears or the heart is opened.... reading others' biographies, that seems to be the case, as w/Tolle, deep, dark abyss of despair, suicidal... tormented w/ questions like "what's the point", "what is life about", "why am I so unhappy

this is very interesting. because if you think about our existential "whats the point/make your own point" culture, the next step may be spiritual enlightenment.

[greybeard]

Cant help but feel we are talking to our selves.
Richard hasn't replied to any post that I can see.
Moxie--- Great advice.
As im sure you know Eckhart basically says it dosnt have to the route of the cross ie crucification or misery before we turn to the spiritual.

I wish I had read that age three
Mind you when rock bottom is hit, humility follows through the famous 12 steps of AA, thats from personal experience.
I wouldn't wish that route on anyone, however the rewards have been great.

Think times they are a changing, Every one that trod the path in the past has made the way easier for us.

Chris

[Wyzyrd]

Hello all.

This is my first post although I have been reading for a while.

I could almost have written Richard's post myself! I too have searched and dug and turned over rocks since 1994, starting with the book 'ET 101' and moving along to Jane Roberts, Marciniak, etc. for years. Then came the internet in 1998 and whoa! Andromedans, Cassiopaens - a plethora of information. I have been abducted numerous times. The paralysis and figures in the room, the domed rooms, the greys - and the reptilians. So I have been searching for a Higher Power for years. At the moment I am comfortable with having a Goddess figure to talk with.

I'd like to address Greybeard for a moment. I am an addict and have been bouncing in and out of NA for years. I just got sixty days back yesterday, and the group voted me to lead the Friday night meetings. This is new for me because I always would 'pass' and take off at the end of meetings. THIS TIME, I am getting involved, and it FEELS different. Like a connection to a Higher Power is being forged by helping other addicts, even if it is just something I share in a meeting. I've been hitting two and three meetings a day (I am disabled and don't have to work). I have to be careful about letting this become another addiction . . . but although I'm unsure of the path to Enlightenment (above links appreciated) I think I am learning that the path to awareness is simple: helping other people - somehow.

I don't know if I'm making any sense, and just rambling, but this thread struck a chord with me. I've read all the transcripts at Camelot (my computer is old and won't play the movies - new one on order) and have gotten a lot out of each of the interviews.

I've had email lists, posted on many forums, and generally was open and searching in the late nineties and early two-thousands. Then a series of events happened and I lost eight years clean and sober. That's ok - I'm back on track now and want to thank each and every one who posts on this forum because I learn something from every single person I read.

Thank you all for being here.

[greybeard]

'd like to address Greybeard for a moment. I am an addict and have been bouncing in and out of NA for years. I just got sixty days back yesterday, and the group voted me to lead the Friday night meetings. This is new for me because I always would 'pass' and take off at the end of meetings. THIS TIME, I am getting involved, and it FEELS different. Like a connection to a Higher Power is being forged by helping other addicts, even if it is just something I share in a meeting. I've been hitting two and three meetings a day (I am disabled and don't have to work). I have to be careful about letting this become another addiction . . . but although I'm unsure of the path to Enlightenment (above links appreciated) I think I am learning that the path to awareness is simple: helping other people - somehow.

Hi Wyzyrd
As you know its a day at a time, but sixty days congratulations!!!!
If you haven't been there you don't know.

I think you have it right, its not possible to overdose on meetings at the stage you are at.
Im very happy for you. Lets face it we overdosed on whatever!!
Ive been sober and clean for thirty years but didn't get it first go either.
When you are ready get a sponsor to guide you through the twelve steps one at a time.

Higher Power is whatever appeals / works for you.
However having said that the traditional God/creator is the most trodden path and therefore safe route.
there is no evidence that aliens are more or less spiritually advanced than us

I would strongly recommend Eckhart Tolle's book "The Power of Now" .
Its just made for folk like us.
Also "Power versus Force" by Dr David Hawkins. He helped to set up AA.

You might like to look at the "Ego what is it?how to transcend?" thread.
The main obstacle to continued success in NA, which I have been to, is the ego.
The thought that I know it now, I can make it on my own, I dont need help, I dont need a Higher Power, is from the ego and its a killer for us.
Being addicted to the path of enlightenment is the only safe addiction I know.
The first high that we get from dugs alchol is very similar to the feling that you get when you find God within.
The cause being all inhibitions, fears drop away, for the first time we get a glimpse of what we really are, unfortunately as you know while we seek the same high it takes more and more usage to even get a tase of that first experience then the alchol or substance just dosent do anything for us but we are left with a chemical addiction. Heavy drinkers live for drink, Alkies drrink to live.
Been there done it.
By the Grace of God and the fellowship of AA I am sober today.
With love
Chris

[Beyondmyctrl]

Wow and here I was thinking I might not get any responses , first of all, thank you to all of you who have answered . it's really late here in Vancouver 02:am so I "ll be hittin' the hay soon but I promise that when I wake up tomorrow i'll read all of your posts . I'm very excited ! . thanks again

your friend ,

Richard

[RedeZra]

Originally Posted by moxie

it does seem that one goes into despair before the view clears or the heart is opened....

there is the reason for pain

to turn to Truth and look for Love


when lost alone

nowhere to go

God will guide


Remembrance

is to forget

oneself


Be Still and Know that I Am God