--- In [email protected], "authfriend" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > --- 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.
Put another way, it is that sense that there is still someting there when we are sitting quietly, yet not thinking. To call it 'attributeless bliss' perhaps is distracting. it is just that sense of silence without thoughts that we sometimes experience when just sitting quietly, not thinking, not meditating. Does this sound like something you have experienced? > (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. OK. I think I understand. In order for the strain to not be there, there must be an acceptance of all...which is impossible to grasp intellectually. At least for me it always was, because I equated acceptance of all, with *liking* all, which I suspect is never the case... So, once we can accept everything, the strain will begin to abate. > > 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/
