[FairfieldLife] Re: Proclaiming ones enlightenment

[Paula Youmans]

Hi   That was a very interesting story. What you describe sounds like another way of experiencing the same concept of oneness, albeit much more empathetic than the incident I mentioned. Sounds like you were a pretty cool kid J   So the question is, does your sense of "no I" include an absence of localized "issues" that affect "you", distinct from "You"? In other words, for example, if someone insults you, that is, someone -- or an event -- pushes a really deep button, do "you" still feel insulted? And that gets to the point, are there still any buttons to push that can get "you" riled up enough so that "you" actually feel insulted? Or is the Ocean so deep, no waves are felt?   I can’t help but think that if I dare answer no to this question that the universe will make sure that I encounter a person tomorrow that pushes every last button I have just to prove a pointJ. Actually when someone insults me I feel deeply hurt…but then (and this will sound really kooky) I get this second wave of calm and actually can see an image of someone running their hand downward open palmed as if they were telling a dog to sit. When that happens the feeling moves down into more of a stoic acknowledgement of what occurred…like when you hear of a co-workers car breaking down. Kind of a  “that’s unfortunate” type feeling. But believe you me, that first wave of pure “Paula” gets pissed. It’s quick, but I feel it. Thank God for whatever that hand is that kind of mellows me out. It’s probably me, but who knows. Some claim enlightenment but are easily, personally (as in "me") insulted and angered, even when quite small buttons are pushed -- even if inadvertently.   You know, I think the one thing that makes every enlightened being amazing is that fact that every last one was human. How cool is that? If they never felt insulted and stayed calm, well then big freaking deal; I have a stoic neighbor that does the same thing. Show me the one that feels it and understands it and yet still remains in perfect balance and loving kindness in both mind and action. That’s someone I’d like to meet. But seriously, I’ve never really known anyone yet that can tell me what enlightenment is. Lord knows I couldn’t quantify it. When I look it up it says “freed from illusion” It made me wonder how anyone would ever know then…given the nature of illusions. “fool me once, shame on you….fool me twice…” ;) So, the same question from a different angle, does is feeling of "no-I" one of emptiness and void, or is it Oceanic and full?   When I reflect on it, I can easily see describing it as both. I think that is because as soon as I think about it, it is being tainted by my own perception. The only way I can kind of describe it is if you were dangling from a cliff holding on to a rope for dear life…..until you can no longer so you simply let go and fall. Now if you can relate that image to having any thought whatsoever (i.e. hold the rope or let it go)….it is similar.     Do "buttons" and "me"-related button responses exist in the void -- or the Ocean? If so, more so in one or the other?   It isn’t even like that…no “me” at all. Not even anything to do the insulting for that matter. Everything as I knew it was gone. There was no *thing* to know anything else.   I hope I did your questions justice.   P. 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  Visit your group "FairfieldLife" on the web.    To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:  [EMAIL PROTECTED]    Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.