Surfingthewave

Paradise Lost Part 2 - Call off the Search It's time to stop seeking. Seriously, call off the search. The seeking has become a distraction. Keep learning by all means, practicing and growing. But seeking has a heavy meaning. I had an insight today, its just another thought. There will always be thought, although now and again I can experience blissful minutes, sometimes hours of no thought. One special day, early on in my journey I had no thought for an entire day. Pure consciousness. Consciousness carried me through. When we experience no thought, we allow. We allow the opening of consciousness / vibration / awareness of no self. What is this? This is a slice of Infinity. Enjoy it. When thought appears, smile and observe thought disappear, or sometimes, not. So call off the search, keep practicing but enjoy things as they are. Let consciousness carry you through.

Paradise Lost Rupert Spira talks about movement and rest, the movement towards awareness and the resting in awareness. The movement towards awareness can be the shift towards seeing the light of being. Michael Singer talks about how we over complicate spirituality, that really it's just being aware of thoughts. Perhaps we over complicate life? Seeing the light of being is essentially seeing paradise in the moment - the sun setting, a beautiful tree, a tasty meal, laughter with a friend. Not seeing the light of being is seeing suffering, experiencing resistance and being caught in thoughts. Paradise Lost is where we get caught in between, when we seek too much or when we miss what's in front of us. What are you missing?

@Giulio Bevilacqua The balance between effort and surrender IS the way. It's both sides of the same coin. Rather than effort versus surrender - they come together. See it as a dance, you do every day. If you can balance between the two, you can become conscious. If you're applying too much effort, surrender. If you're surrendering too much, apply a little effort. The magic is knowing the dance.

@Vynce What do you mean when you describe " my psyche?" Let thoughts do their thang. Laugh at them, be curious by them, watch them. The key is thoughts come and go - like addiction you got to ride the trigger - and suddenly you are no longer addicted. Try a retreat (see it like rehab). Intensify your practice and see what happens.

That's it. You've hit the nail on the head. Except there is no nail or head. Where do physical sensations go? Where do physical sensations appear from ? The same place, right. They dissolve into...? That's it. Illusion has too much meaning. Try the word being. Try the word source. Any words can work. It's not a word, it's an experience. You need to experience it. Then you'll know.

Experiencing God So I had a tough week. Family and relationships can bum you out at times but something different happened this time. This time I didn't get roped in. This time I could see clearly what was being played out. I called it out. And interestingly it comes down to projection. People, particularly people close, can project onto you, especially if you're at a certain level of awareness/consciousness /self actualisation. Perhaps to avoid their own issues. But a sibling relationship which - in my early years caused a lot of pain but also brought a lot of love - I could feel the level of distress radiating from a detached perspective. This detached perspective is awareness. What I then experienced in my Yoga&meditation session today is God. More than just a feeling, an experience of consciousness, a love,a being, a glow, a grounding, but most importantly a Knowing. A Knowing I am always supported. A letting go of needs, of positive and negative. A realisation of the mystery of what this means. This brought me to tears because I realised then everything I want I already have. It is already on its way. A profound shift has occurred. I no longer need to seek so much as it is already here.

@BipolarGrowth Yes, indeed. But you still think there's an I am - experiencing? That's how you're making definitions/ meanings. Think of it as consciousness having a human experience not the other way round.

@BipolarGrowth You're getting it conceptually. Why do you think that you're not experiencing Oneness right now? Or to rephrase How are you experiencing Oneness right now? It's a recognition and a non duality of things. What is Oneness to you? Yes there is no separation. The Buddha got enlightened when he gave up seeking it (although he had 16 years of work behind him). I find Adyashanti's books really help to clarify the above. Walking through the door of "I am" he describes it. We're so used to seeking, when we find it, we often resist. Break down the line "I exist but am not Enlightened" to I am. Just I am. Meditate on this / contemplate this and see where it gets you.

Why do we get blown off course? There are a million reasons but a good one is self protection. Just like the thermostat in your house, homeostasis will pull you right back when you start to make progress. When it comes to life purpose see this as part of the path. You can quit anything but what can you actually stick to? What kind of life do you want to reflect on when you're on your death bed? These are key parts of the path. The biggest threshold guardian is yourself. Are you ready to really push yourself and go the extra distance. But what if this was all an illusion created in the mind? The mind creates all sorts of rubbish to stop you from doing what you need to do to protect you from doing it. See the games the mind places and carry on regardless. But if you need time out, take it. Just don't quit cos things are about to get exciting. When you feel like quitting it's generally because you're about to make massive progress. Keep going.

@Raphael Thank you.

@Opo @Opo I have no idea.

@Opo There is a connection between far right political extremism and far right religious extremisim. This has been discussed in sections of the media, particularly after the Capitol riots earlier this year. Evangelicalism in particular has become associated with American nationalism, specifically white nationalism, according to some of Obama's advisors (this is a quote from Time mag). For example some White Nationalists use Christian symbols to spread messages to racists. There's a good article on this in Time magazine, Jan 14, 2021. There's also a political thread to this. I recommend reading Obama's A Promised Land. It's an excellent book that is not only a deeply personal account of the presidency but also attempts to explain the roots of White Nationalism, if you read between the lines, this movement gained traction over years during Obama's presidency. There were certain groups/voters that didn't want a black man in the White House.

@trenton Fear of difference and perpetual 'othering'. Also many white people have continued to deny the impact of racism, colonialism and slavery within history so disillusioned young people aren't able to challenge and uproot white supremacy once and for all. There's also the massive part Religion plays which is inexplicably linked.

You are not your thoughts Some thoughts are overwhelming. Some can be obsessive like a strange loop and come back time and time again. Some thoughts make us feel a certain way, a feeling we crave. Thoughts can become stories. Stories that stick and become part of identity. Thoughts are not what we are. They are like sensations but localised, as our perception says, in the mind. Although this is not the case. From where do thoughts arise? To where do thoughts go? Surrender to this place. Become conscious of this place. This place is awareness, it is consciousness. What is only real is this moment. Thoughts can stop is from really enjoying and experiencing this moment. Let go of judgement of your thoughts. Practice having no attitude to your mind, as Deepak Chopra talks about. What you really and truly are is something way more magical and mystical. Don't let thoughts get in the way of experiencing this.

@Emerald Great post. Keep doing what you're doing.

Every moment has potential Sounds like a line from a cheesy Tony Robbins power seminar. But this stuff really works. Been feeling good recently. I've been setting boundaries with myself and important people in my life. The daily meditations and regular yoga have allowed a lightness to be present. If you truly realise the potential of every moment you have a different perspective of those bad habits and stories you make up. You see them for what they are: stories. You begin to really listen and connect with others without judgement. You begin to listen to your deep inner voice, that feeling that is your inner guidance system. The one that has the answers. You begin to receive what you have been asking. You begin to see the beauty everywhere, this beauty we take for granted every day. When you let go of "good" and "bad" experience - as this is the mind filtering experience - you enjoy the what is. You merge with it more and begin to get what all those spiritual gurus have been going on about all this time. Michael Singer talks about waking up and feeling good every day. Surrendering to what is, is his mantra because actually, there's nothing else. I've begun to let go of those stories and scripts of who I thought I was. I am light that shines bright. Favourite quote this week: Laugh at what games the mind plays, the tricks of the mind. See the mind sticking to stories and experiences like barnacles on a boat (Deepak Chopra's Methuman). Getting close to nature has really helped me with this. Star gazing, walking and being in the wild. Doing more stuff that brings joy. We are only here for a brief moment. See the potential of the moment and all will be well. Tips i've taken to wellness: Daily meditation / yoga / consciousness work Jounalling Eating healthy, drinking more water and exercising regularly Regular rest / contemplation (important for nervous system) Daily creative expression and consumption: music, art, books etc Nature connection: wild swimming, walking, retreats etc Commitment to self development: books, seminars etc Having fun: enjoying the journey and connecting with others To sum up: Consciousness, Contact, Chi, Contemplation, Creativity, Connection, Commitment, Calling

@OneHandClap Good post, refreshing, honest and very true. Marriage or significant commitment instead of casual sex/ frantic seeking the perfect other has had a bad rep of late. Actually committing to someone can bring great freedom. Even if that someone is yourself. You don't have to be in relationship to be happy and fulfilled but if you do want one, marriage or commitment can bring you this and more. In terms of Enlightenment work it can move you on leaps and bounds, it can release creativity and heavy stuff. As you say it's about sharing this crazy thing called life with another and having as much fun along the way. Too many people are obsessed with the surface bs like looks. The thing is you never really know if it's gonna work out. But take a risk and I guarantee it will work out if you want it to. For those seeking, seek connection and love and you'll find it.

What is Pain? Pain can take many forms. Sensation, thought, memories, perceptions, feelings. Anger, fear, sorrow, but also pain can be a comfort. Ultimately pain is resistance to What Is. We go through life analysing pain, theorising pain, avoiding pain, getting addicted to pain. What is the payoff? Not being the What Is. Ultimately pain is a rejection of Love. Allow the Love in. The Joy that comes from this. This week I am Light. I no longer put any demands on the What Is. Light cuts through the dark. Light gives us vision, weightlessness. The more I drop the more Light I am.

Yes and we fall at the first hurdle by clinging. What happens when you no longer cling to or resist what is? What happens when you accept the what is in all its form however painful? What happens when you stop seeking the next moment and fully embrace with Love, the what is? Surrendering is allowing. Surrendering is not giving up. Surrender is embracing experience before perception. But that's impossible the mind says. How do we do this within the constraints of the mind. You continue to seek, however as you so state, you are continually seeking an idea. Let go and see what happens. Let go of the seeker.

@ConsilienceHave more faith in yourself. You're perfect the way you are. Calling someone sexy when on the first meeting isn't ideal. Is out of context and probably threw her a bit. Is kinda old school, cheesy. Don't over analyse your interactions through, you'll soon get lucky. Think law of attraction rather than pick up. Change your frame of reference/paradigm. Ask for Love, believe in yourself more and you'll get it.

Delaying Gratification Why do we avoid the things we really need? According to Scott Peck in The Road Less Travelled it's a lot to do with the kind of parenting we received and how we we may have been given or not given the things we wanted. More importantly it's about delaying gratification. Why does our society suck at this? My mastery hit a few roadblocks in so much that I procrastinate doing the work. But I showed my work to some family members and they loved it, asked me to commission a picture. I am working with my ability to delay gratification. The best way to do this is do the most difficult thing first. The other good way to do this is enjoy the process of mastery, not the end result. The process is the bit where I can experience Flow, a state of Oneness - who cares about the end product. Continuing daily meditation and Yoga Nidra. Vivid dreams, lots of thoughts lots of imaginary scenarios, fear, anxiety. Understanding that Love fundamentally does conquer all. It's not out there, it's inside. The road to Freedom is you, you are the road. External constructs are just leaves falling in the way, sweep them to one side and carry on.

Gratitude What are your gifts? What can you give to others and to the world? The power of Knowing (there is only awareness) is a great gift, and how this can enable you to bring more Love into the world. Being grateful, truly grateful of existence and the gifts this brings can cut through any difficult feelings. How do you feel grateful? Look outside of yourself at the beauty of everything. Savour every moment. We don't know when this will be taken away. The small self will fight to be listened to, me, me, me, me. The power of this path is the shift of knowing that there really is no me, but the illusion of me enables us to experience the beauty of existence. Don't waste this power. My san culpa this week is I am Love. The small me has been fighting and fighting for attention. Headaches, fatigue, emotions, craving, anger, resentment. It's all there to distract you from the beauty of existence.

@SilentTears Thanks bro, means a lot. Moving into fear is the groundbreaking part of this work. The harder it is, the better the payoff, I've found. I'm starting to feel lighter and moving more with life rather than against it. John Lennon once said life happens when you're busy making other plans. Just don't forget to stop and smell the roses along the way. ?

@StarStruck Sounds like you have difficulties around consent. It's not ok to be masculine and dominate a girl without her consent. You are assuming girls want this, this is very dangerous territory and you could get punished yourself. Perhaps you want this, thinking about your previous trauma? How are you addressing this before sex, are you talking this through with the girl first?

A New Hope Yes indeed this is another installment of my Awakening journey. Through Yoga Nidra and meditation practices this past week has brought up another deep layer of identity and psychological "stuff' I have unconsciously been holding on to. I am "allowing" the beauty and love into my life. I am allowing creative expression into my life. As I do I am letting go of this huge piece of me which was definitely one of the heavier rocks in my backpack. Internalised homophobia - what it exactly (source from Rainbow Project.org): Denial of your sexual orientation of yourself and others Feeling you are never good enough Engaging in obsessive /compulsive thinking Underachievement or overachievement as a bid for acceptance Low self esteem and negative body image Being psychologically abused or in an abusive relationship Shame or depression, anger, anxiety (there are many more) This resonates with me particularly the low self esteem, overachievement and obsessive thinking. I was raised in a culture where homosexuality was viewed as wrong. Sad. Illegal. Shameful. Things are changing nowadays but we still have a long way to go. What came to the core during my meditation practice was deep shame. This together with other trauma, well this letting go stuff goes deep. When you "allow" you move towards deep pain and give it loving kindness so it can move through you. Then you can begin to receive what you truly deserve in life, to see the real beauty and love that is there. What is truly there is magical, feels wonderful. The shame, sadness, anger are simply body sensations, feelings that can be dissolved, purified into positive sensations. This is a process, and to start the process you have to sit down and face your fears, sober. If anyone can relate to the above I send you love.