> > The reality can be surprising. > > > > I grew up in an atheist family. I remember my mother mentioning God > > only once, when I was sick. According to her I had got the measles, > > because I was so evil and God was punishing me. My father occasionally > > lectured us about the foolishness of religions. And I agreed with him. > > I have never felt a desire or a need to pray. > > > > In my inner dialogues I was sometimes also pondering of the concept of > > God. I ended up not denying God's existence, but saw that this > > entity transcends my understanding and therefore I cannot form any > > picture internally of God. Therefore He cannot be an object of belief > > for me either. > > > > I also came to the conclusion that if God is the embodiment of Truth, > > he cannot expect from me more than I function according to what I > > understand to be true, even if that meant the denial of God. > > > > The irony is that when I at age 16 had my first conscious awakening > > shift, I hadn't consciously felt any desire to merge with God. After > > this awakening I saw that there is subtle deep intelligence permeating > > and beyond everything, which takes care of evolution and also of the > > inner growth of us humans. My trying to become something or being > > something disturbs the workings of this intelligence in me. If I try > > to become something my conscious intelligence cannot stay in tune with > > this deep intelligence in nature. > > > > I saw that life or this deep intelligence accepts me just as I am with > > all my defects. Trying to be something means denial and non-acceptance > > of what is. I think this applies also to trying to get enlightened. > > The basis for growth and transformation is accepting and then > > gradually penetrating what is, not by putting your attention elsewhere. > > > > Whatever your stage of awareness is, just be present and observe your > > deep motives, emotions, and energetic states as sincerely and as > > truthfully as you can, even if it might feel painful. Don't avoid > > feeling painful and heavy emotions. This avoidance is most potent in > > creating suffering and stagnation. Also relaxing meditation like TM is > > good as it helps to connect consciously to the more subtle levels. > > Deep relaxed breathing is useful in helping becoming more aware of > > suppressed unpleasant emotions and sensations and transforming them. > > > > Avoid excuses and using consciously your intelligence to defensive > > purposes. Inner growth and evolution is that simple. Sudden leaps to a > > higher level of awareness will appear on its own, when you are ready. > > Belief in God is not a necessity and in some phases can become an > > obstacle too. > > > > Irmeli > > ******** > > This is probably the clearest, most concentrated bit of good advice that > has ever been posted in this forum. > > Thanks. > > L B S
Can't speak for the history of the forum, since I'm a newcomer, but it's pretty good advice. Self acceptance seems to be the key that opens the door, and the desire to intellectually under- stand the door is what seems to keep it closed. As Lludrub mentioned about the Tibetan teacher he met, the people who seem to think about their own enlightenment the least probably have the best shot at it. To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
