Molly, quite interesting. However, I lost you when you used the term 'systems'. Of course, I have no doubt this has been explained before; however, I'd appreciate a re-run, OK? Thanks.
On Aug 30, 5:30 am, Molly <[email protected]> wrote: > looking at the Banks models, I would say that Mind, as shared wisdom; > Consciousness, as shared experience; and Thought as compassion or love > can all create shared culture of great value. Of course, in duality, > the opposite aspects of culture can also be created. > > Banks seems to be saying in this simply synopsis of his three > principals, that thought creates the form of our experience, and we > have thoughts beyond our own personal thought systems (egos that > include identification and attachment), common thoughts about life > that pertain to all. The simple exercise of examining our own > thoughts, finding their origin, filtering, housekeeping, letting go of > self defeating thoughts - this is one of the first and most important > practices used for knowing ones self. If we can originate and > organize our thoughts into systems that create lives better aligned > with our highest potential, (that aspect within us we need to explore > and become intimately familiar with), what how we live with mind and > consciousness will also change immeasurably. > > I will note that this simple exercise can take a lifetime to master, > but is ultimately worth trying - like learning language and reading. > > On Aug 29, 2:03 am, rigsy03 <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > > A lot can happen to a human being to derail this view- optimistic as > > it is, Molly. At any rate between you and Slip I was reminded of Emily > > Dickinson's poem, as follows: > > > I'm Nobody! Who are you? > > Are you- Nobody- Too? > > Then there's a pair of us? > > Don't tell! they'd advertise- you know! > > > How dreary- to be- Somebody! > > How public-like a Frog- > > To tell one's name- the livelong June- > > To an admiring Bog! c.1861 > > > How do the values and expectations of a culture shape what is expected > > of an individual and what happens when there is a dramatic turn of > > events? Is ego strength "fixed" to cope or does it have "limits", the > > latter which might explain many behaviors. I can think of such > > stresses and imagine you can, as well. > > > On Aug 26, 8:56 am, Molly <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > Mind: All human beings share in being a part of, and connected to > > > Mind, the universal Life energy and source of intelligence beyond the > > > brain. Because of Mind, we share in an endless flow of wisdom—each of > > > us equally capable of being wise. > > > > Consciousness: All human beings share in the principle or fact of > > > Consciousness. We experience life. We also experience life from > > > different levels of consciousness—from truncated and fear-based, angry > > > and insecure “levels” to grounded, secure, safe, wise and even > > > enlightened states (Buddha Mind, Christ Consciousness, the “Father > > > within,” the Kingdom of Heaven.) If humans lived even a little more > > > often in this last state of mind, the impact on world peace, from a > > > personal to a global level, would be significant. > > > > The principle of Thought, as a universal function, guides humans > > > either toward or away from non-violence, love and compassion. The > > > existence of a personal thought system, or “ego”—which we see as > > > simply being a sticky attachment to, or identification with thoughts— > > > trips up our noble aspirations for peace. Yet we have found that > > > teaching people about the neutral fact of Thought, and how it creates > > > reality for each of us (rather than attempting to change “content”), > > > allows people to shine the light of this principle on all their > > > thinking. Levels of consciousness jump as people gain understanding > > > about the formless source of all ideas, beliefs and opinions. > > > > When humans understand that a thought is just a thought, just a > > > creation from formless energy, the iron grip the ego can have on us > > > begins to lessen. Lighter, gentler, more inspired feelings arising > > > from impersonal, or universal thoughts create kind and selfless > > > behaviors. We begin to realize we are so much more than our limited > > > thoughts. So much more than we ever “thought”! While respecting our > > > own and others’ traditions, cultures and preferences, we see beyond > > > the forms that humans have created—and to the deeper truth of our > > > common divinity, our shared existence in universal Mind, Consciousness > > > and Thought … or in Life. From this vantage point, there is no reason > > > to argue, to fight, to hurt another. When I hurt you, I diminish me. > > > > So, our personal answer is to share with people these simple > > > principles that govern their states of mind. Because, beneath it all, > > > all humans are already wise, good, generous, kind and even > > > enlightened. When the clouds of thought begin to part, they each take > > > their unique and radiant place in being one in “six billion paths to > > > peace. > > > > What do YOU think? > > > > See also Sydney Banks, “The Missing Link: Reflections on Life and > > > Philosophy” & other works. > > > >http://www.centerforsustainablechange.org/principles.php
