Dave/Apology (2)

[Guest guest]

Hi Dave,

 

A few more things to consider, if you're looking. What's commonly

described as 'the ego' is actually a defense mechanism. What is

being defended?

 

" The separate self " is simply a fear of vulnerability. Nothing more

and nothing less, just a contraction. " Facing this fear " is the

only 'cure'... allowing total vulnerability -- and this entails total

surrender. Thus, Nisargadatta's admonishment, " Just be. Remain with

the beingness. " This is surrender. Best done in a quiet environment

in your 'spare time', although some claim to have come to it out in

the " hustle and bustle of the world. " I wouldn't know... that hasn't

been a 'practice' here. I like to stay out of " the hustle and

bustle. "

 

Don't " project " what it might be like to " lose the separate self. "

Anything you 'believe it to be like' will act as a block to it,

and 'the real thing' is likely to be totally unlike any " future-

projections. " Any beliefs held are 'blocks' -- the keyword there

is 'held'. " Holding things in the mind. " Don't hold, relax and let

go -- hold nothing in the mind, no images, no beliefs, nothing.

 

Some 'ego' is of course required in daily interactions, and can be

observed clearly in the sages. But ego is not to be 'gotten rid of',

only 'mastered' ( " used by the beingness " in daily functioning). If

you want to " lose " anything, lose " self image. " Lose the various

personas, the masks, whatever " pushes your buttons. " Those are

entirely illusory and are also 'blocks along the way'.

 

There is of course 'too much body consciousness' as well -- thus, the

constant " I am not the body " negations suggested by the sages. But

it could be noted that to negate the body is also to affirm the

body. A yogi involved in " neti-neti " thinks far more about the body

on any given day than " your average joe " does in 20 years! Consider

this. " My recommendation, " Just forget about the body instead.

Don't pamper it, don't torture it.

 

Namaste,

 

Tim

 

Nisargadatta, " D. Sirjue " <dsirju@n...> wrote:

> The transformation, if there is any my friend, is through 'fear',

> rather than escaping into any consoling or distracting gimmicks.

> Avoidance only postpones the appointed moment that all must face

> at some point, either while living or on the death bed.

> I see it rather as a blessing though, since " Truth " is revealed and

> all that is insecure and transient is removed.

>

> When this insight, when this courage to stand alone

> dawns on you, it doesn't matter whether you leave all forums

> or remain.

>

> Best

> ~dave