Do you believe what you think?. . . .
This has been a great few Months. Last weekend I was able to visit with friends while teaching a seminar in Ontario Canada. Now, I have been back for a week and I am already getting ready to head off on a plane overseas.
I am going to Singapore in a few hours. . . . Here are a some things to share before I go.
I had the fantastic opportunity to see a women named Byron Katie speak here in Portland a week or so ago. She has written two books so far. Her second just came out, and was so enjoyable it was read in one day. It is brilliant.
There are many great authors, artists, and teachers out there. People like Robert Thurman, Catherine Ingram, and all the writers I have spoken about in previous posts. But if anyone ever asks me for the one book that I have found to be the best in terms of practical applications for truth and happiness, I always suggest Byron Katie.
She has an amazing story. I wont do it justice by relating it word for word, but you can find information about her on the web. What I find really interesting is just how radical her basic message is, and yet how accepting the general public is to it, and her, when she speaks it. She is stating the most provocative truths, which in past generations usually resulted in some form of terrible torture and death at the hands of the established culture and peoples, and yet everyone there now applauds. When I look around the room it is a different crowd from what I would expect. Mainstream, secular, "normal". . . . .nobody is playing drums or smoking a huka here.
What I think pulls people in is the "ring of truth". . . .you know, you know it when you hear it. She doesn't explain the reality of non duality, or the fine points of Vedanta-Gnostic-Dharma. . . .Absolute Truth.
She just solves problems. . . . .any problems. She welcomes anyone to speak. What is the problem, she says. Then she asks four questions.
Self Inquiry
Self inquiry was the one method taught by Ramana. The end point of all philosophy, and the recommendation of all the worlds true spiritual traditions.
The 'Who Am I' question of Ramana is clear, distinct, and flawless. . . .but is also a leap in understanding for us modern human beings who are constantly distracted by the bombardment of materialistic and ritualistic conditioned patterns.
The 4 questions cut through that by virtue of the fact that they deal with the process of thought directly, using reality itself as the ultimate means testing. . .as the ultimate form of measurement. The 4 questions are what Buddha called "Skillful Means". . . . that is, a means to free the mind up when it becomes trapped, stuck, snagged. . . . . when you 'think' you have a problem, and therefore suffer.
If you are still on the "I can control my own thoughts trip". . .please see previous blog entries, and/or, look around. If you are still on the "I can replace bad thoughts with good thoughts trip", please read the above sentence again, and then remember that manipulation is separation. . . . . . . . always. . . . . .separation is ignorance. Ignorance creates suffering. . . . .blah blah blah. . . . . . . on to her application:
The mind seems wild. . . but I no longer believe that anyone can 'change' their mind. I think you can question the mind. . .and if the questioning is sincere, then that can change the experience of thoughts.
Can I always remember the clear distinction between those two above ideas? One is authentic, and one is just an effort to manipulate. One sweeps the patterns under the table. The other cleanses them with light.
I think I have a problem. . ..I use self inquiry. . .
Question #1 Is it true?
Follow ups include, where is your proof. This one often brings humor if you really get down and dirty in the beautiful pettiness of the ego.
Question #2 Can you absolutely know that it is true?
Follow ups include, whose business are you in? Can you really know what is best for the long term? Can you know more then reality/god* *(insert preference for word)
Question #3 How do you react when you believe that thought?
Follow ups include, where do you feel it? What pictures come to mind with it. How do others treat you when you believe this? How do you treat yourself when you believe this? Where does the mind travel when you believe this? Can you see a reason to drop this thought?
. . . . . to which she always adds.. . .
"And don't try and drop it. That is not possible. Nobody ever 'dropped' a thought. Inquire into the thought and the thought drops you."
"As each thought arises one must be watchful and ask to whom is this thought occurring. The answer will be 'to me'. If you inquire 'Who am I?' the mind will return to its source from where it issued from. -Ramana
Byron Katie's editor Michal Katz had read nearly every self help book on the market, from Tony Robbins, to Dr Phil. When he finished Byron's book he realized two things. One, she was speaking the absolute truth, and two, it was often the exact opposite of what these self-help books advised or claimed.
The real smile comes without any effort.
The fake smile is easy to spot, it is deliberate, and designed to extract some sort of reaction or perception from and in you. It is designed to manipulate for gain.
Now think of the real smile. It cannot be faked. How does it feel when it occurs? Can you always remember the difference?
One manipulates, the other opens hearts.
Which do I value more is the question. And it is only a valuable question when it is asked solely of myself.
So now we know we are speaking about something that is AUTHENTIC. . .and that is a very different thing from the pop psychology of materialism.
Do you believe what you think?
Heaven = This is WONDER-full. I could stay here forever.
Hell = This is not quite perfect.
"Should" is the story of the past or future. When we are so busy thinking we are making improvements we fail to realize we stepped out of heaven.
But that voice in my head, isn't it me? If the voice in your head is you, who's the one listening to it?
Thoughts APPEAR. . .you are NOT doing them. And neither are 'they'.
Polite behavior is full of approval seeking disguised as consideration. When you say or do anything to please, get, influence, or control anyone or anything, FEAR is the CAUSE. . . .and PAIN is the result.
Manipulation is separation
Separation is painful.
If you act from fear, there is no way you can receive love, because you are trapped in a thought about what you have to do for it.
For the personality, love is nothing more then an agreement. If I agree with you, you love me. And the minute I don't agree with you, the minute I question one of your sacred beliefs, I become your enemy. Then you start looking for all the reasons why you are right. . . .you stay focused outside yourself. . . . .when you stay focused outside yourself and you believe your problem is caused by someone else, rather then by your attachment to the story. . . .you are your own victim.
Unconditional love doesn't dictate the form.
After all, my understanding of a person is always limited by what I think I already know.
If I want something from her . . . if I think I need* her love or approval, I suffer. The only way I can realize completion with her is through total surrender. There is no compromise in that. But I do try to bargain.
*(If I think = I need)
How do we love ourselves? = By not seeking approval outside ourselves.
Then I can see I already have it.
People who aren't interested in seeing how everything is good, get to be right. But that apparent rightness comes with disgruntlement, depression, and separation.
What I need is what I have. This is not something to believe; rather, it is the way things are right now, whether you believe it or not.
Is this it. . . .sometimes you think there is something wrong with you? You think that other people think there is something wrong with you because you think it. So by gaining their approval, you have been trying to stop them from thinking what you are thinking. . . .right? So the worst that can happen is that they are just like you.
There may be a reason for that.
So long story short, love is not something you evolve into being, or work towards, or gain, or loose, find, or keep, sell, or buy, make better, or make worse. . . . .
. . . .Love is what you already are.
So I will see you on the other side of Singapore, and please remember to do one thing with me. . . . .
. . . . relax. . . . .smiles just happen.
.
I am going to Singapore in a few hours. . . . Here are a some things to share before I go.
I had the fantastic opportunity to see a women named Byron Katie speak here in Portland a week or so ago. She has written two books so far. Her second just came out, and was so enjoyable it was read in one day. It is brilliant.
There are many great authors, artists, and teachers out there. People like Robert Thurman, Catherine Ingram, and all the writers I have spoken about in previous posts. But if anyone ever asks me for the one book that I have found to be the best in terms of practical applications for truth and happiness, I always suggest Byron Katie.
She has an amazing story. I wont do it justice by relating it word for word, but you can find information about her on the web. What I find really interesting is just how radical her basic message is, and yet how accepting the general public is to it, and her, when she speaks it. She is stating the most provocative truths, which in past generations usually resulted in some form of terrible torture and death at the hands of the established culture and peoples, and yet everyone there now applauds. When I look around the room it is a different crowd from what I would expect. Mainstream, secular, "normal". . . . .nobody is playing drums or smoking a huka here.
What I think pulls people in is the "ring of truth". . . .you know, you know it when you hear it. She doesn't explain the reality of non duality, or the fine points of Vedanta-Gnostic-Dharma. . . .Absolute Truth.
She just solves problems. . . . .any problems. She welcomes anyone to speak. What is the problem, she says. Then she asks four questions.
Self Inquiry
Self inquiry was the one method taught by Ramana. The end point of all philosophy, and the recommendation of all the worlds true spiritual traditions.
The 'Who Am I' question of Ramana is clear, distinct, and flawless. . . .but is also a leap in understanding for us modern human beings who are constantly distracted by the bombardment of materialistic and ritualistic conditioned patterns.
The 4 questions cut through that by virtue of the fact that they deal with the process of thought directly, using reality itself as the ultimate means testing. . .as the ultimate form of measurement. The 4 questions are what Buddha called "Skillful Means". . . . that is, a means to free the mind up when it becomes trapped, stuck, snagged. . . . . when you 'think' you have a problem, and therefore suffer.
If you are still on the "I can control my own thoughts trip". . .please see previous blog entries, and/or, look around. If you are still on the "I can replace bad thoughts with good thoughts trip", please read the above sentence again, and then remember that manipulation is separation. . . . . . . . always. . . . . .separation is ignorance. Ignorance creates suffering. . . . .blah blah blah. . . . . . . on to her application:
The mind seems wild. . . but I no longer believe that anyone can 'change' their mind. I think you can question the mind. . .and if the questioning is sincere, then that can change the experience of thoughts.
Can I always remember the clear distinction between those two above ideas? One is authentic, and one is just an effort to manipulate. One sweeps the patterns under the table. The other cleanses them with light.
I think I have a problem. . ..I use self inquiry. . .
Question #1 Is it true?
Follow ups include, where is your proof. This one often brings humor if you really get down and dirty in the beautiful pettiness of the ego.
Question #2 Can you absolutely know that it is true?
Follow ups include, whose business are you in? Can you really know what is best for the long term? Can you know more then reality/god* *(insert preference for word)
Question #3 How do you react when you believe that thought?
Follow ups include, where do you feel it? What pictures come to mind with it. How do others treat you when you believe this? How do you treat yourself when you believe this? Where does the mind travel when you believe this? Can you see a reason to drop this thought?
. . . . . to which she always adds.. . .
"And don't try and drop it. That is not possible. Nobody ever 'dropped' a thought. Inquire into the thought and the thought drops you."
"As each thought arises one must be watchful and ask to whom is this thought occurring. The answer will be 'to me'. If you inquire 'Who am I?' the mind will return to its source from where it issued from. -Ramana
Byron Katie's editor Michal Katz had read nearly every self help book on the market, from Tony Robbins, to Dr Phil. When he finished Byron's book he realized two things. One, she was speaking the absolute truth, and two, it was often the exact opposite of what these self-help books advised or claimed.
The real smile comes without any effort.
The fake smile is easy to spot, it is deliberate, and designed to extract some sort of reaction or perception from and in you. It is designed to manipulate for gain.
Now think of the real smile. It cannot be faked. How does it feel when it occurs? Can you always remember the difference?
One manipulates, the other opens hearts.
Which do I value more is the question. And it is only a valuable question when it is asked solely of myself.
So now we know we are speaking about something that is AUTHENTIC. . .and that is a very different thing from the pop psychology of materialism.
Do you believe what you think?
Heaven = This is WONDER-full. I could stay here forever.
Hell = This is not quite perfect.
"Should" is the story of the past or future. When we are so busy thinking we are making improvements we fail to realize we stepped out of heaven.
But that voice in my head, isn't it me? If the voice in your head is you, who's the one listening to it?
Thoughts APPEAR. . .you are NOT doing them. And neither are 'they'.
Polite behavior is full of approval seeking disguised as consideration. When you say or do anything to please, get, influence, or control anyone or anything, FEAR is the CAUSE. . . .and PAIN is the result.
Manipulation is separation
Separation is painful.
If you act from fear, there is no way you can receive love, because you are trapped in a thought about what you have to do for it.
For the personality, love is nothing more then an agreement. If I agree with you, you love me. And the minute I don't agree with you, the minute I question one of your sacred beliefs, I become your enemy. Then you start looking for all the reasons why you are right. . . .you stay focused outside yourself. . . . .when you stay focused outside yourself and you believe your problem is caused by someone else, rather then by your attachment to the story. . . .you are your own victim.
Unconditional love doesn't dictate the form.
After all, my understanding of a person is always limited by what I think I already know.
If I want something from her . . . if I think I need* her love or approval, I suffer. The only way I can realize completion with her is through total surrender. There is no compromise in that. But I do try to bargain.
*(If I think = I need)
How do we love ourselves? = By not seeking approval outside ourselves.
Then I can see I already have it.
People who aren't interested in seeing how everything is good, get to be right. But that apparent rightness comes with disgruntlement, depression, and separation.
What I need is what I have. This is not something to believe; rather, it is the way things are right now, whether you believe it or not.
Is this it. . . .sometimes you think there is something wrong with you? You think that other people think there is something wrong with you because you think it. So by gaining their approval, you have been trying to stop them from thinking what you are thinking. . . .right? So the worst that can happen is that they are just like you.
There may be a reason for that.
So long story short, love is not something you evolve into being, or work towards, or gain, or loose, find, or keep, sell, or buy, make better, or make worse. . . . .
. . . .Love is what you already are.
So I will see you on the other side of Singapore, and please remember to do one thing with me. . . . .
. . . . relax. . . . .smiles just happen.
.
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