Isle of View

Hello, once upon a time I was born into the christian tradition, but as soon as I started meditation at age 14 and have seen a lack of real spiritual process in my tradition, I never really had much to do with organised christianity. But while I was always felt drawn to eastern thought and practices, I also remained open minded to christian thought and studied a lot about the subject on my own. And it's nice to see as more and more people show up on the global scene who introduce new ways and give this old traditions a new face, a deeper spiritual touch (as opposed to dogmatism and mere rituals). If you have family who can't break with tradition but you still would like to introduce them to spiritual process of one kind or another, here are some videos that may help you do that. I personally like all of them and some of them go deeper than one would expect. About chanting in christianity. Jesus, a non-duality teacher? (She is such a beautiful soul) Christianity and Enlightenment (this is cool aswell) Here is an introduction to Christian Meditation by Laurence Freeman. Kind regards, Chris

I agree with you @Khin That's why this video was so fascinating to see: Kind regards, Chris

Get a job for vacations and you're good to go. Maybe even a job in a bigger city, so you are in a different location, see some places and earn some money on top of it. Kind regards, Chris

It's a good one. Have done it 2 years ago for 5-6 months together with my girlfriend. 2 times a day (with some days off in between). Kind regards, Chris

It really depends on how you define problem. We have a problem and then the worries that are connected to problems. A problem actually arises when something that you are wanting to achieve is blocked or made impossible. There is your reach towards something and something that or someone who is opposing your reach. For example: you want to become a pilot and your father says no. Or you don't have the needed education to make your wish come true. If you have desires, you will always have problems. Problems are obstacles. How you feel about them is entirely coming from your mind, how you look at the obstacles, what emotions arise etc. Very often it is enough to change the way you look at problems to make them less a problem. Sometimes you realize that what you desire is a pipe dream or no longer desireable for you and a whole chain of problems just blows away. If you face a problem or feel bad about a problem ask yourself what is the underlying goal or intention that I am pursuing that makes this problem appear so big to me. Be aware of your desires, goals and intentions. Write a journal. Kind regards, Chris

Why would you think you don't exist? The source of your existence may be non-existencial, but telling yourself, when you look at your hand, that there is no existence or that you yourself do not exist... well... Can you simultaneously know that what you actually are is something that you can't grasp at this very moment and at the same moment enjoy your existence and your creation? You won't make it by self-denial. Learn who YOU ARE and what you are capable of and while you are doing it, learn to discern that which you are not. You have a unique field of experience. This is your existence. That's what you're looking at in your own unique way. When you read it (this post), I am part of your existence. You exist as part of my experiencial field, too. The more you learn about your experiencial field, what you do with it, which identities you use to move it, the more you will recognise that who you are is actually beyond this field, operating this field and choosing what to express or create and how to react to experiences. You can of course listen to others who are bullshitting themselves that they do not exist. It's your experience. But if you really wanna make it, embrace your creation. Follow your dreams and visions. Love. Improve your vibration. The time will come where you recognise and peel away all of that which you are not. But it will not work if you deny and don't own your life and existence. Kind regards, Chris

This didn't answer my question. In order to use this forum, you assume an identity. You are not aware of it? What kind of identity would protect "Ant"? Or, given you are that lofty presence you write about above, what would be the purpose of being right?

Is it toxic only because you see it as toxic? it is toxic when others respond to things as a reaction generally from an emotional state or having expectations of others, that should not exist, all anyone had to do was simply ignore, and it didnt exist, those who reacted should examine why they did. You, my friend, have a funny mind-set: "There is nothing wrong when nobody labels it as such." What kind of identity is it that you are using right now?

Yes, but some people are just the way they are. He has had not so much an effect on me as he had on the community. Toxic is toxic. You can have it in small doses only if you are to run a community. Cheers, Chris

@Nic Why saying it, when you don't mean it? And yes, of course, philosophy, thinking and debate will not bring us closer. Just words. Makes fun sometimes, except when the batteries go empty ;-) truth is reality, both are the same, they both exist in the same place, neither are experienced by the identity. The Identity is a construct to work/interact within a specific reality paradigm. Truth is beyond that.

and maybe you have never experienced it, did you ever consider that possibility. What you call true reality was within your experience. You remember it. It's not true reality. It is just another projection. There is no such thing as true reality. There is Truth and there is reality. Forget about reality. It's only good when you want to inter-connect with others. Otherwise go straight for the Truth. Cheers, Chris

I don't know. Do you? I stopped asking myself those kind of questions, but be my guest, you can try to find a response that could fit or not my/your dreams. I don't think any teacher lectures anything in order to convince people. At best Leo wants you to open up to new ways of looking at things. Question your viewpoints and dare to have another look at existence. So be it! Take care Thanks. Good to know you include me ;-)

What you call true reality does not exist.

There is no reality except what you and others agree upon. Your own experience, no matter how much evolved or enlightened, will ever only be your own unique view on it.

You think Leo makes videos to convince me? Or others for that matter? I didn't say that. :-) I don't play the game of self-deprivation. I play the game of inclusivness. True, self becomes luminous and less and less absorbing, but at least as long as you walk this earth, you will use a sort of reference within your unique field of experience. Kind regards, Chris

Why is there no free-will? Why is there no self-agenda? If there was no free-will and no self-agenda humanity would live in absolut harmony with nature and the universe. But now we realize that a greedy self-agenda driven life brings about misery, war, hatred... Yes, there is free-will and we have yet to learn to exercise it wisely, without self-absorption. Cheers, Chris

Yeah, you could as well ask @Leo Gura, why he set up his Life Purpose Course... "Self-Agenda" is different than finding ones purpose and being of service. Adding value to the world, expressing yourself, purifying the "I am the Alpha and Omega of Life" attitude and seeing that there is life beyond your own "think" is a very rewarding activity, it will make you grow, as you expand your view points from self-absorbtion to others and the enviroment. That's what actually expands your "being". You can also read the excerpts of Maslows books @Mat Pav shared here the other day: http://www.actualized.org/forum/topic/3473-what-is-self-actualisation/ Kind regards, Chris

Thanks. I see. Maybe if he was as harmonious as Zain Bhikha I could listen more than 3 minutes. :-) Best regards, Chris

I think the is a funny guy and has some humor, but I couldn't listen more than 3 minutes into the video. Too much screaming So I don't actually know what he was up to :-D

Thanks for reposting @Mat Pav I would happily agree, but when conflicting opinions degenerate to hateful insult, the line is crossed. I'm not aware how much you've seen from what he wrote before he deleted his own original posts. Back to topic: great selections from a good work. Liked it the first time already. Chris

As I said, that might be true for you. This does not make it ultimate. Now, does it?

May be true for you. But for me there is insight beyond thoughts. There is more to existence than just thoughts. But again, that may be different for you.

The biggest differences are the lack of life (life-energy), (true) emotions and free-will. Machines can only work within the parameters of their algorithms, even if the machine is set up in a way that it will "learn", "decide" and "implement", it's a set up programm, a stimulus-response mechanism without the quality and faculty of contemplation or reflexion. ~Chris

Perception is a faculty of the spirit that precedes intention, thoughts and conclusions. @cle103 Reality is agreement (with others) about perceptions and conclusions.