UnbornTao

Sure, but that's not my priority with these posts. Setting all that side, what's true?

Wise indeed.

Not only have I listened to Leo - I've had my fair share of psychedelic breakthrough experiences in the past and fell into all that nonsense too. But I grew out of that phase once I recognized my delusions. But it doesn't matter how many times it's stated, you will keep insisting on that, as if you guys were discovering something new. Oh, it has a foundation, it's just difficult to pinpoint. Perhaps it's like assessing the ability of two actors - one world-class, the other mediocre at best. The problem is that in spiritual circles, a charlatan can be made to appear as if they know what they're talking about. Put an Indian guy with a guru name and long beard on a pedestal, wearing a robe and talking about God, Awakening, Samadhi and so on, and most of you will just buy it, not knowing the difference. Look at @Davino and his reading of someone like Brendan, versus some of the Indian guys whose videos he's shared, which are essentially selling spiritual fantasies. It goes over one's head how much there is to developing one's listening capacity. Of course. It's like telling people in a church that God doesn't exist. What kind of relationship are the members going to adopt toward that? Embrace it? You confuse my direct tone with not listening. Let's say I'm a recovering member. Pretty much. Again, I don't know how to teach listening, which is why my only instruction is basically to pay attention. But how well can people do that? And yeah - Adi Da, for example, was leagues ahead of Leo. This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. And it's not a put-down of Leo; it's just the case.

Thanks, I appreciate that. I don't bother pretending I'm not hurt, though, or disappointed, perhaps. Beyond the reactivity, there are deeper points being conveyed. And notice - we probably could have said something similar about Leo. It's okay too. But again, this is beside the point, in my view.

The who is pretty much irrelevant, at least on paper. What can I say? Pay attention. What's actually going on? What's being accomplished? Is it just an idea you like and therefore adopt? In practice, a good idea is to listen to someone like Adi Da first. Or Ramana. These are masters. But it's tricky, because what can really be said to be the foundation of that assessment? Again, I'm stopped short. Pay attention. Consider that people in a cult often don't realize they're in one. Why is that? What are they ignorant of? What aren't they paying attention to? Beyond their impressions, reactions, and how they feel about the whole endeavor, what are they actually up to? What people essentially do is get caught up in their impressions of things and remain stuck in that superficial layer. I'm not saying all cults are bad, to be clear. That said, it's easy to conflate open-mindedness with gullibility, or to be 'open' merely in the abstract, as a self-indulgent exercise. For example, it doesn't matter how many times it's said that the drugs don't really do it - this point just won't land. In that resource I shared, I bet you went through the motions, watching the Adi Da video and hearing the words, but did you really make an attempt to hear it?

It was to be expected that something like this would be said at some point. It is clear when someone is talking from a certain belief system. Seriously, it is appalling. Episodes on true listening and belief would be great.

Sure thing. You've picked some of the more trivial points, but obviously yours is made up too.

Really? God.

This is just sad. Ironically enough, despite your professing, you are quite closed-minded in some fundamental ways. It won't look this way for most of your acolytes, though. It's also clear that you want to avoid being challenged. You're smart enough to notice that Ralston knows a thing or two that you may be a bit dizzy about. Potentially deluding altogether. Remember that Adi Da knew what he was talking about. His group, unfortunately, turned into a full-on cult.

Sounds like a good pointer.

Love it. It could be taken a step further: What even is experience? What does it mean to experience something?

lol That's commitment.

Okay.

I'm a believer

@Natasha Tori Maru Body language, for example. Pretending not to know is not the same as actual not knowing.

Oh, you can definitely tell. You think it can be kept hidden or something. And you do it all the time.

Yeah, the issue I raised speaks to a deeper dynamic and includes what you're saying here.

Check out this belief.

No one, apparently. But it's a matter of honesty, not smartness. The latter can actually be used to fuel the deception. But seriously, yeah. Not just a video but a week-long workshop. We are such poor listeners in general. The more you look the more you realize this. And the more depth you find to the principle. Learning how not to see what is not there is another invaluable ability.

Of course it is, of course it is.