A Prayer to God

[Guest guest]

Hi Vicki,

Beliefs aren't damage, they're just beliefs. On this, or any other

spiritual path, it's easy to mistake what you've studied and gained

some insight about for realization. But, at some point, even non-dual

philosophy is seen as merely another set of beliefs. Another "thing"

to let go of.

At times, I skim the surface of Advaita; my fascination with its

philosophy blocking me from really resting in what is. While at other

times, Advaita pulls me deep into my own heart. How do I know the

difference? I don't. I'm constantly aware that my perception is

faulty; that what "feels" true, may not be true. So, I simply do my

best to be honest and open and not worry about coming to conclusions

about whether any particular insight is ABSOLUTE TRUTH or not. I try

to stay alert and aware, but with a light touch. I'm not as

interested in claiming any particular insight as THE TRUTH, as I am

in saying that this is where I'm at--in this moment. I trust the

truth of my experience, always. It's my perception about my

experience that isn't always trustworthy.

Running a quote list, myself, I worry about leading others astray in

the same way that you do. I know how easy it is to get lost in

philosophy. But I feel right doing what I'm doing and I trust that my

members are exactly where they need to be. Is this wisdom or naivete?

Beats the heck out of me.

Namaste,

Julie

[Guest guest]

Hi Vicki,

 

Yes, I understood that you were concerned with those who consider themselves

Self-Realized, but who are not. And I know how easily one can use the

"philosophy" of non-duality to support this self-delusion. Most of these

people are well-meaning and passionate about spirituality. Personally, I'm

wary of anyone who announces that they are AWAKE and KNOW THE TRUTH. They

may or may not. I rarely ever know, unless their love and peace are so

strong, so obvious, that it never even occurs to me to doubt them. And that

is RARE indeed!!!!

 

Whenever I'm at Satsang, whenever I'm listening to a "teacher," while

listening to their words, I'm listening even more closely for my heart's

response. I let the teacher within my own heart tell me if there is anything

I can learn from this person. If there is, I stay, for as long as my heart

tells me to. I don't feel that I can, or that's its even my place to judge

someone else's state of awareness. I can only judge whether I believe

someone has something to teach me. And that someone doesn't always have to

be Self-realized. I accept truth wherever I find it. And if I look and

listen closely enough, I find that there's truth all around me.

 

Yes, I know that one should be able to trust one's teacher. They are

claiming to share TRUTH with us. And we are thirsting for the truth. Are

they giving us water or sand? I don't know. All I know is, if I accept their

gift, I accept responsibility for it. My inner guidance takes me to a

teacher for the wisdom that they share (even if a teacher is only expressing

intellectual understanding, if their wisdom opens my heart then I've

benefited greatly) or to more deeply learn to look within my own Self for

truth. Perhaps I'm being too easy on these false teachers, but if there

truly are no mistakes, then maybe they have something to teach the students

who come to them, even if what they have to teach is not pure or deeply

realized. Maybe they are here to teach discernment. Maybe not. I don't know.

 

It is interesting to note how different all the teachers are who "teach"

Advaita Vedanta. (I'm sure it applies to other teachings as well, but this

is the path I know.) When you look at those who claim to be Self-Realized

in Sri Ramana Maharshi's lineage, and you see how incredibly different their

expression of this path, it becomes clear that some semblance of the

personality remains. Individuality lives within oneness. Perhaps it's this

remaining individuality that attracts us to a teacher, to someone who seems

to "speak our language." Perhaps that's why we may be attracted to a false

teacher. But if our thirst for truth is strong enough then we, at some

point, will recognize that the false teacher is not quenching our thirst,

and we will go deeper within ourselves, and, at the same time, find an outer

teacher who is more worthy of our respect and devotion.

 

I know it took me a lot of years and many false steps to be ready to open to

Ramana and this way of being. I honor my journey. All of it. Every mistake

I've made. Every bit of wisdom that has been gifted to me. Every teacher,

false and true.

 

<<and if my way is 'astray' as you say then that is what has to be and

it is alright with me.>>

 

I'm sorry that you took my words this way. I never meant to imply in any way

that you've gone astray. I don't believe that for a second. I'm not telling

you WHAT IS, I'm simply sharing my experience with you, for whatever it's

worth.

 

Namaste,

Julie

[Guest guest]

Hi Vicki,

 

You're right. I didn't understand. I have little patience for someone who

imposes their beliefs on others without being asked. It's disrespectful and

a red flag as far as ego is concerned. A truly realized being, while having

compassion for all, wouldn't force themselves on anyone.

 

Years ago, I used to ask my teacher to pray for members of my family who

were ill or in trouble. She would refuse. It always made me angry. Nothing I

could say would make her give way. She would not pray for, or give advice

for, any individual who did not personally request it. I didn't understand

it at the time, but I do now. It was not lack of compassion, but fullness of

respect that prompted her refusal.

 

Unfortunately, being polite with people who are captivated by their own

ideas, rarely makes a dent in their consciousness. Be kind to yourself by

being firm with others. No, you shouldn't have to explain or defend your

devotion to Ramana, but sometimes you have to shout a little to be heard

over someone else's beliefs.

 

Namaste,

Julie

[Guest guest]

.....a teacher is chosen by the student, not vice versa....when a teacher

chooses a student, sooner or later (s)he realizes that (s)he is the

student.....when a student chooses a teacher, sooner or later (s)he draws

eqaul to and then surpasses the teacher....this is the way of

creation.....love is always arising....ultimately, there are no teachers but

only fellow students or wayfaers on the path of the sacred warrior....do we

not best honor those great ones who have gone before us and sacrificed for

us not by placing them on a pedastel, but by standing on their

shoulders.....or, at least by allowing our beloved to grasp our outstretched

hand and pick us up when we stumble along the way....i follow my beloved

even when she is following me....^^~~~~~~

 

further up and further in,

 

white wolfe

> Hi Vicki,

>

> You're right. I didn't understand. I have little patience for someone who

> imposes their beliefs on others without being asked. It's disrespectful

and

> a red flag as far as ego is concerned. A truly realized being, while

having

> compassion for all, wouldn't force themselves on anyone.

>

> Years ago, I used to ask my teacher to pray for members of my family who

> were ill or in trouble. She would refuse. It always made me angry. Nothing

I

> could say would make her give way. She would not pray for, or give advice

> for, any individual who did not personally request it. I didn't understand

> it at the time, but I do now. It was not lack of compassion, but fullness

of

> respect that prompted her refusal.

>

> Unfortunately, being polite with people who are captivated by their own

> ideas, rarely makes a dent in their consciousness. Be kind to yourself by

> being firm with others. No, you shouldn't have to explain or defend your

> devotion to Ramana, but sometimes you have to shout a little to be heard

> over someone else's beliefs.

>

> Namaste,

> Julie

>

>

>

>

> /join

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>

>

> All paths go somewhere. No path goes nowhere. Paths, places, sights,

perceptions, and indeed all experiences arise from and exist in and subside

back into the Space of Awareness. Like waves rising are not different than

the ocean, all things arising from Awareness are of the nature of Awareness.

Awareness does not come and go but is always Present. It is Home. Home is

where the Heart Is. Jnanis know the Heart to be the Finality of Eternal

Being. A true devotee relishes in the Truth of Self-Knowledge, spontaneously

arising from within into It Self. Welcome all to a.

>

>

>

> Your use of is subject to

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