>> jim_flanegin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>>
>>I was looking at archived files and found this one pretty quickly.
>>I decided to post it again for everyone's enjoyment. It can be
>>found in the Files/FFLIndex.html section, or as message 4002, from
>>Michael Dean Goodman. I have copied a [lengthy] excerpt from that
>>message. Normally I wouldn't copy something so long, but this
>>writing is extraordinary in its simplicity and clarity:
> authfriend/Judy Stein <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Thanks, Jim. Michael's explanations are indeed extraordinary.
Dear Jim and Judy,
Thank you - you are both very gracious in your appreciation.
It's an honor to be of service. When someone expresses a sincere
need, and I find myself motivated to write this kind of essay,
I'm often surprised at what emerges out of the silence, and I'm
often clarified and strengthened in my own understanding by the
process. Even years later, with this resurrected post, it still
has that effect on me.
> Judy continues:
> I wish he were around.
Judy, I AM around - on this list and many others. But mostly I just
silently observe. I only post when I feel that I have something val-
uable to say - something that will be of service in the realm of un-
derstanding or experience, something that will help people remember
who they are. Those opportunities don't seem to arise here so much
anymore. :(
[In case my earlier posts may be of some value to either of you,
there is an index of my more useful ones in message #43379 in the archives.]
> This piece *almost* convinces me that I'm Self-realized,
Now Judy, you can predict what I'm going to say!
I'm NOT trying to convince you.
I AM encouraging you to notice that shift of perspective where the
Reality becomes Self-evident.
If I convinced you, I would just shift your "beliefs", the attitude
or filters of your intellect (and a fine intellect it is!). That
wouldn't catalyze awakening.
What I want to do is two things:
1. To shift your awareness itself, to direct your awareness back
upon its Self, so that the simple, direct "experience" (if it
can be called an experience) is an "aha", an awakening!
2. To present an understanding that is an alternative to the
ignorant "understanding" that we've all been immersed in
through our culture/family/school/religion/etc. - to present
an understanding that compliments/supports that "aha" experience.
> 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.
Judy, have I ever failed to come out to answer your questions? ;)
> If my experience is that I'm overshadowed, how would Michael interpret
> that in terms of what he says in this piece?
What I need here is a more detailed understanding of what you mean
by "being overshadowed by the relative":
a. What overshadows you? Everything, specific things...?
b. Who/what gets overshadowed?
c. How do you know you are overshadowed? What are the "symptoms"?
d. Who notices that you are sometimes overshadowed and sometimes
not?
If you would look into these questions, and answer them based on your
simple, direct experience (not theoretical understanding), then I
predict I could be of service to you.
Namaste,
Michael
PARA - THE CENTER FOR REALIZATION
Michael Dean Goodman Ph.D., D.D., Director
Boca Raton (Palm Beach County) FL * 641-919-3700 * [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Clients and programs throughout the United States, Europe, and India
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