--- In [email protected], "jim_flanegin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > --- In [email protected], "authfriend" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote: <snip> > > Thanks, Jim. Michael's explanations are indeed > > extraordinary. > > > > I wish he were around. This piece *almost* convinces > > me that I'm Self-realized, but I'd really like to ask > > him about being overshadowed by the relative, which is > > my sole basis for saying I'm not Self-realized. > > > > If my experience is that I'm overshadowed, how would > > Michael interpret that in terms of what he says in > > this piece? > > You may be associating that peculiar unintegrated 'witnessing' > phenomenon with Self realization. > > As an ardent seeker, when I first started TM and did a few > residence courses, I remember this experience I would have of being > clearly distant from what I was doing; witnessing activity. I felt > so free, and it was such a relief to be briefly released from the > strain of seeking that the witnessing experience made a deep > impression on me as synonomous with self Realization.
Yes, I've had that experience... > However, I see now that the experience I had previously of > witnessing was not fully integrated; that my typical daily life > experience of Self realization is quite normal- nothing remarkable > in and of itself. And yet, if I choose to take a minute and sense > where my Self is, within myself, it is easily found. Oddly, as that > which is attributeless bliss... ...but not this one. (And in any case, Michael says what I've always understood, that the Self isn't something that can be "found"; it can't be an object of perception.) > And I am sure that you have the same experience. Yes and no, as above. I understand what you're saying about the contrast of "beginner" witnessing being characterized by a sense of relief because it's novel. But I have trouble understanding how I could be in an "integrated" state of Self-realization and still be experiencing all the stuff the "beginning" witnessing relieved me *of*, if you see what I'm getting at. In other words: I get that one wouldn't continue to feel a sense of relief once Self-realization has become customary. But one would *not*, I should think, continue to feel bound. So, when Self > realized, we don't feel any differently, it is just that life takes > on an easier, more seamless quality. As Michael says in his piece, > to paraphrase, we perform spontaneous right action (vs. strained > right action). Still feels "strained" to me. That's part of what I mean by being overshadowed. There's definitely been progress, but it still seems like there's quite a way to go. > Hope this helps! ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/JjtolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> 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/
