Reality tearing through the fabric of illusion.

Will you cling to the love in your heart or the illusion?

It a fascinating story about the Money changers 2,000 years ago and now history repeats itself.

Seems the money changers flee the temple...the people United sseing through the illusion.

Click my name for the parallels and parables.

Sounds like advanced being both noun and verb.

Click .Me

Divine .me The Divine in You

Click .Me

I can't wait!!!

Hi Deepak,

It's always interesting to hear you speak on this kind of topic. I can measure how I have changed by the way I respond to your material over the years of being exposed to your thoughts.

I appreciate the basic sentiment and the idea of striving for a society based on wisdom, which of course, means people acting from their own wisdom individually and in small and large organizations.

There's a few things I don't agree on, as usual. But that's what's so great about IB. We have high level discussions that go beyond just agreeing with each other. So in the interest of furthering the conversation...

First off, so very little is actually known about the man Jesus. Almost everything we have is legend, myth, tales handed down generation after generation. We don't even have so much as an artist's rendition drawn by someone who was actually alive and saw the man.

So it is interesting to see what different people project onto Jesus, and what different ideas of who he was and what he stood for that people create. Due to the lack of actual factual information about Jesus, it is all pretty much conjecture. Usually people are using their idea of Jesus as a theme to put their ideas of wisdom and spirituality on, or perhaps to try to find their own inner wisdom.

So the result is this: what I say about Jesus may not actually contain any real in formation about the man Jesus, but it certainly will reveal a lot about what I believe. So it is for this reason I find other people's ideas about Jesus interesting - not because they show me anything about Jesus, but because they tell me many things about the speaker.

Next is the idea that humans are the only species that can destroy itself. Umm....sorry to say, this is flat out wrong. All kinds of species have arisen, overpopulated, overwhelmed their food sources or other aspects of their environments, and caused their own extinction.

Perhaps what you are alluding to is that we are the first species that is capable of doing it ON PURPOSE, which is to say, capable of knowing we are destroying ourselves, and then deciding to do it anyway. That point I can agree with. Why we would do that I think would lead to a fascinating study of genetic influences, man's survival instincts, social conditionings and other factors that might contribute to create a knowingly self-destructive social animal. I think it would be quite enlightening to understand some of those mechanisms.

And for now, the last point I disagreed with is that all the wars currently being fought on this planet are over ideas of God. They are not. More frequently wars are fought because of greed, or to determine who gets to control natural resources, or who gets political domination, or who gets to control trade and/or the means of wealth. Even when religion is used as a pretense, usually the deeper drive has to do with conquering and acquiring power.

Nevertheless, I agree with you on the main point:

Up to now, evolution has happened to man, and like the other animals, man has been subject to the whims of natural cycles of evolution.

No more. What is different in the 21st century is that we are beginning to learn ways to directly evolve ourselves, technologically, genetically, and socially.

Whereas other species may have unknowingly overpopulated and destroyed their means of sustenance, leading to their own demise, what's different with us is that we know we're doing it.

And that changes the whole game.

It is going to be very challenging, and very interesting.

If we mismanage the challenge, a LOT of people are going to get hurt. Or killed off. The demise of a civilization of six billion people due to self-inflicted wounds and self-inflicted poisoning is a level of human suffering that we have never even thought about before.

A lot rides on figuring this stuff out.

And so I laud your efforts, even if I don't always agree with every thing you are saying.

Good point Yogi-one; “So the result is this: what I say about Jesus may not actually contain any real in formation about the man Jesus, but it certainly will reveal a lot about what I believe” and for the most part your right on. But, a person of God consciousness (enlightenment) has alleviated the log (ego) in his eye and sees the point of his teachings clearly. To talk about his personal life IS a guessing game and really doesn’t matter, nor should it.

It suffices to say that it was a struggle to get the word out and not get beheaded before you do, hence the metaphors and parables. And the extra words that were tossed in or left out by the writers, can confuse any scholar to misunderstand his teachings. Making it the job of the God conscious being to decipher the dialogue and clear up the confusion.

Dear yogi-one,
I think man is and always will be subject to the whims of what has gone before. That's why, to start now, on purpose, toward spiritual evolution is important; a point you did not mention.

Hi Sherry,

That's right. I'd like to hear more about 'spiritual evolution'. I think it's a meaningful phrase. How do you see it? Where would you say human society stands now in the realm of spiritual evolution?

One of the ideas of Deepak I like is the idea he put forth a few months back that the next big leap in evolution of human society would be to construct a wisdom based society. Would this constitute a step in spiritual evolution?

I'm looking for some clear definition of the term here.

Also, same for KAN - what is "God Consciousness"?

I have meditated every day for decades and experienced profound states. I feel connected to all mankind. I believe in practicing compassion, civility, and in educating our people in ways to govern themselves and take care of themselves based on the view that all men and women are brothers and sisters, and that all life is interconnected and interdependent.

Is that God Consciousness?

In all my meditations, or even altered state experiences (believe me I have had plenty of those too), never did God show up and say "Hi, I'm God. Here's some of My Consciousness. Have a nice day."

So what is God consciousness? What God are you talking about that bestows it?

I have to ask because if we are going to say society has to be based on God Consciousness, then we better know what the foundation is we're planning to base our construction of society on.

Maybe if I have to ask, then I don't know. Fair enough. Me and six billion others that have to find a way to do this work, somehow.

It will be difficult to take the ideas to the general public if terms are fuzzy. Already, there's plenty of people who think that Deepak Chopra and everything he stands for is simply a bunch of new-age woo.

Using vague, feel-good phrasing is not going to help much. We have to break out of that.

I'm all for laying out some more easily understandable and practical values and perspectives that we can actually start educating others in to make the transformation in their own minds.

We can't require that everybody be enlightened (whatever the standard to define that term is). We have to get going now, in terms that people can grasp, with ideas they can start using today to transform their perspectives, and then their activities, in everyday life.

As far as I'm concerned, enlightenment does not mean walking around in some altered state with people throwing flowers at your feet all the time.

This is not to say that a guru cannot be enlightened. I consider the Dalai Lama enlightened. But this is not because everybody throws flowers at him. It's because when he speaks, he speaks from a deep, wisdom-based intelligence.

Enlightenment to me is a type of intelligence. An intelligence to see things clearly, discern issues clearly, and be able to take effective, appropriate action based on principles of wisdom.

We probably stand next to enlightened people everyday in the grocery line, at the bank, or the crosswalk, and don't know it.

They aren't making a big deal out of it. They are just going through their lives making intelligent, clear decisions based on clear vision and compassion.

That's the kind of enlightenment I think can transform the world.

Your questions are well founded, and I’m more than happy to explain it the best way I can. Actually, that’s what God consciousness is, more or less. After seeing Absolute space, God, heaven, etc., as in enlightenment, you no longer understand spirituality from a personal point of view, but from God’s point of view. You’re the messenger using the best words you can to convey to others what reality is, how to see it, for they have a proven path that works and freely talk about it.

Yogi-one your words are wise, logical and on the mark. It is an intelligence that sees things with clarity, and God consciousness as they say, is that, but a seeker should know, the timeless knowledge of a timeless teacher only comes from the ultimate experience called enlightenment.

I’m glad you are meditating, your spiritual talk and experiences confirm that and I encourage you to continue, and ask questions. Up to now your experiences were energy based in the mind and body, because of the sensory feel of the event. Self-realization is to go beyond all the sensory, and it is undoubtedly more real than anything you can perceive here with the senses. It is rare in today’s world, however to default back to your original Eternal identity makes you a pure service to others and not yourself.

As far as what Deepak says; I think he wants a society based on spiritual principals that are proven to bring results, giving you inner peace and truth, not myth. He has high aspirations and I applaud him too, and I think he is the best “time bound guru” on the planet, but I wouldn’t throw flowers at him and you better not throw them at me. These are the traditions of India not America, and any western teacher would say a friendly gesture or hand shake will do, for they are you, and want your salvation as much as you do, and they won’t mislead you.

There are tigers and there are lambs and there is Mount Everest. Yet, am I dying to meet 'GOD?'
How odd.

I look forward to your series, Deepak.

Thank you.

Too heavy for me this morning, yogi-one. The only or rather, best thing that comes to my mind is "One must be Desirous of learning."

Good morning, mister Ed.

Sorry, I got my names confused when I meant to address Sherry.

Sorry again, now after my morning coffee I see my mistakes.

The Eternal Identity

This is what we are at the core of our being, only we don’t identify with it.

We naturally identify with appearances, due to the sensory apparatus we occupy.

Because of which our emotions rise and fall with this limited perception of who we are.

The mind responds accordingly to this personal, self created world that keeps it enslaved.

Spiritual freedom from an Eternal identity places the onus back on Eternity, not the world.

The old perception that tied you down to appearances is now anchored in Eternity.

This ancient perception is you, it is your natural identity, so you talk and act accordingly.

Now, with your mindset on Eternity, you find the best words, but there will be resistance.

Content in knowing the truth places the onus on those who deny it, because it stays true.

In the midst of a dinner, celebrating a birthday, listening to the conversations of the participants, talking, travels, health, money, relationships, etc., I was observing that I was the only one present, in the moment, without thought of past or future tense. I observe how everyone is traveling even though it was only mental since we were all seated at the same table physically. Travels were taking place in the minds through conversations. Not talking, becoming quite, in mind, in body, I entered the present moment, completely, disappearing into the eternal present. No one noticed the presence of my absence, I smile.

have a great day everyone, ruth

Dear KAN, (per #13)
How many names do you have?

Kan have as many names as he wants, Sherry, but he is not the One!

Laughing down the street......even as I try to make sense.....

Ed, I have a great coffee maker, but it just doesn't seem to do the trick. I can't wake up. Is it a philological problem with transmutation or an ontological one with transcendence?
Should I go ask Dr. Phil or, maybe, Oprah?

Yours in a nutshell,

My creative solution:

I only remember one thing that has been made clear to me: If I do not do it myself, no one will do it for me.

So it is all up to me :)

Therefore:

If one has a little money, just enough to feed oneself and share with others around and if one is content with that throughout ones life, then one lives on and never has fear. One is grateful and this gratitude pays back by itself.

I cannot explain this, have tried out many things to prove it in my life but can only prove it to myself.

The past week i have made the most wonderful, wonderful natural labyrinth in Nature and I feel rich. I made a heart labyrinth, so simple and yet so beautiful from big fir-cones and in it so many coloured autumn leaves.

The wonder was that I made one with a left entry and one with a right entry, opposite towards each other and it turned out to be the most beautiful natural butterfly I have ever seen.

Creativity without a single penny spent.

It is ones own perspective. My perspective is focussed on gratitude towards Nature, towards Spirit, towards happiness with the smallest things that can bring joy in ones life.

I have found my creative way to create with natures abundance in a simple way.

I do recognize the body needs to be nourished
I do recognize the spirite needs to be nourished

I stand with two feet on the ground to create the first need.

I have my head in the clouds to provide the second.

My soul therefore is nourished by both.

Perhaps if we learn to be more satisfied with the basic needs in life, we would be able again to appreciate the not so basic ones as a plus that can be shared in ones life.

And Ruth, I couldn't agree more :)

Love, Mieke

Thanks for your clear answers, Kan.

Sherry -no worries - enjoy!

Many of the posters here seem to have a pretty good grasp of what's eternal and what's not.

That's the foundation, that's where you start.

Hi Mieke,

So nice to see you still here at IB. You come and share your lovely fruits of "Mieke" wisdom and creativity.....:)))

love, ruth

#19 Ekernelly yours, nutshell!

One name, KAN are my initials.

Sometimes the coffee maker is so slow, it turns back into grounds before I can drink it.

They? tell me coffee is not good for One. Do you have any grounds for that, Kan, my friend?

;))

We have nothing to fear, but fear of our self.

It's just I don't know how to make coffee. I'll just have to get some measuring spoons from the dollar store.

Being grounded is what happens when your born.

Turning back into grounds is what happens when you die.

Just add water to the grounds and life takes off.

The only legitimate fear here is running out of grounds.

Coffee always makes me run faster. That way I avoid my worst fears.

Dear yogi-one #8,

Spiritual evolution: As a cocoon of a catepillar evolves into the butterfly, the mundane mind gives way to the spiritual mind. One must know that Spirit is, and it is not a group of concepts held within the mind.

A New Way of Being ....

From the Tzava'at Harivash (Kabbalah) we have shaveh (equal).
and equanimity - the most precious levels among the rungs of the pious,
and, the fundamental principle in the pursuit of authentic religiosity and PIETY;
and, shiviti (from shaveh)- everything is EQUAL to me because I realize that God is before me at all times;
and, your MOTIVES are altogether for the sake of Heaven, and as for yourself nothing matters any difference.

And then I find in the Gita:
"Let right deeds be thy MOTIVE, not the fruit which comes from them. And live in action! Labor! Make thine acts thy PIETY, casting all self aside, contemning gain and MERIT; equable in good and evil: EQUABILITY is Yog, is PIETY!

And of course I read in Mahayana Buddhism how MERITS (parivarta) are given away.

So I am curious about the series as I don't really know how Christianity relates to yoga as all the other religions do to me. But relate it must given all the saints and sages it has produced.

Yours, Deepak, from a peanut in a nutshell

Thumbs up, Deepak, you are the Master of stating the case!
Think what it will be like when we've no longer a need to......like now, even ;))