[FairfieldLife] Mrs. Pat Anjali's weird Indian cook book!
Here's a very short sample of Mrs. Pat Anjali's vegetariAn cook book: Adai Ingredients : Par boiled rice- 2 cups Red gram dhal- ½ cup Bengal gram dhal- ½ cup Green chillies- 6 Grated coconut- 3 tablespoons Coarsely powdered pepper and cumin -1 teaspoon. Chopped coriander leaves and curry leaves- 2 tablespoons Salt to taste - optional oil- for frying - use sparingly Makes about 20 Adais BTW, doncha even think about eating this stuff. At worst it's highly poisonous. Cauliflower and Peas Curry (Phoolgobhi Aur Mutter ki Kari) Ingredients : 2 teacups cauliflower, small florets 1 teacup boiled green peas 2 bay leaves 2 tomatoes 2 tsp fresh curds 2 tbsp cashewnuts, chopped ½ tsp sugar 3 tbsp ghee or refined oil Salt to taste For the paste : 1 onion, chopped 2 tbsp coconut, grated 5 garlic cloves 2 coriander seeds 1 tsp jeera 12 mm (½ ) piece ginger 2 tsp khus khus 6 red chillies Method : Keep the tomatoes in hot water for 10 minutes. Remove and blend into a puree. Heat the ghee, put the cauliflower florets and gently fry for 6 to 7 minutes. Take out and keep aside. In the same ghee, put the bay leaves and paste and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Put the tomato puree and curds and sauté for another 2 to 3 minutes. Put the cauliflower, cashewnuts, green peas, sugar, ½ cup of water and salt and cook for 5 to 7 minutes till the vegetables becomes soft. Ready to serve. The following is sure to give you at least diarrhea: Cauliflower and Peas Curry (Phoolgobhi Aur Mutter ki Kari) Ingredients : 2 teacups cauliflower, small florets 1 teacup boiled green peas 2 bay leaves 2 tomatoes 2 tsp fresh curds 2 tbsp cashewnuts, chopped ½ tsp sugar 3 tbsp ghee or refined oil Salt to taste For the paste : 1 onion, chopped 2 tbsp coconut, grated 5 garlic cloves 2 coriander seeds 1 tsp jeera 12 mm (½ ) piece ginger 2 tsp khus khus 6 red chillies Method : Keep the tomatoes in hot water for 10 minutes. Remove and blend into a puree. Heat the ghee, put the cauliflower florets and gently fry for 6 to 7 minutes. Take out and keep aside. In the same ghee, put the bay leaves and paste and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Put the tomato puree and curds and sauté for another 2 to 3 minutes. Put the cauliflower, cashewnuts, green peas, sugar, ½ cup of water and salt and cook for 5 to 7 minutes till the vegetables becomes soft. Ready to serve. Keep in mind: DON'T EAT THAT STUFF!
[FairfieldLife] Difference between American and British drummers?
American drummers tend to slow it down: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3t7yOYPKn4 British drummers tend to speed it up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgxL6ECOHXQ
[FairfieldLife] What the difference between Maharishi and the rest of the meditators?
I'm just curious what makes Maharishi have the ability to know essentially anything he wants? He also had a very very blissful aura to him. Does anyone know how this can be accomplished by meditators? Or what the movement says about this?
[FairfieldLife] TV review: Enlightened
[ Some spoilers here, but nothing you wouldn't have guessed anyway from the trailers and promo spots for this series. ] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF3w88BAmkM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF3w88BAmkM I'm writing this *as* I watch it, and my first comment is that given the first 3-1/2 minutes of the show, Laura Dern's character Amy Jellicoe certainly fits the TM model of enlightenment. Notified that she's being transferred out of her department and into a lesser one, she assumes that it's because the office guy she slept with arranged it and storms through the office, face covered with tear-soaked mascara, screaming at the top of her lungs and finally cornering the supposedly offending guy in an elevator, where she threatens to kill him. So far, Amy is pretty much *exactly* like many women I've ever met in the TMO who claimed to be enlightened. :-) Cut to idyllic scenes of her meditating on the beach in some New Age Hawaii ashram, having realizations while swimming with sea turtles, and waxing eloquent about how someone can both really change, and become an agent of change. All of the hysteria has left her voice, and she sounds calm, rational, and possibly even enlightened. Again, exactly like many of the women I've met in the TMO and other movements who claimed to be enlightened -- both shortly before the screaming incidents, and shortly after them. :-) Then, arriving back in Riverside, blissed out to the max, she goes back to the company she publicly melted down in, carefully meditating in the car before going to meet with HR. She not only fully expects them to give her her old job back, when told that it has been filled she not only doesn't get the hint, she calls the company a corporate parasite that's raping the land and the people and drugging America's kids, and then expects them to create a special position for her as a kind of community liaison, to help clean up the company's image. Again, the resemblance to the utter cluelessness of Supposedly Enlightened Women I've encountered in real life is scary. Finally -- and the first false note in the script so far -- when told that the company has nothing to offer her, she basically blackmails them with the threat of a wrongful termination lawsuit into creating this new dream job for her. This is the way that things work out in the minds of the Supposedly Enlightened, not the way they work out in real life. All of this said, the series looks to be delightful. Laura Dern is like the avatar of every blonde blissninny who has ever lived. And she is so *completely* unaware of how much this makes her stand out and that most around her think she is at best eccentric or quirkly, and at worst certifiable, that this creates a strong dynamic for humor. All that the writers have to do is put her in a room with normal people, and how weird she is just leaps off the screen at you; the viewers will eat it up. Pretty much the only places on the planet where Amy *would* fit in and be perceived as normal would be Fairfield or some other cult community. There is a lot of potential for humor in all of this, and series creator/writer Mike White looks as if he's going to make the best of it. One of the funniest scenes has Ms. Serenity driving up to the guy she threatened to kill's house at night, completely unaware that from his point of view she is acting like a deranged stalker, and then when he tells her he wants nothing to do with her, once more turning *into* a screaming, deranged stalker. The best part from my point of view is that so far the series doesn't seem to be making any kind of statement about whether Amy's sea-turtle-inspired realization is real, or whether she's as crazy as most around her perceive her to be. This is potentially very funny stuff...as long as it's happening on a TV screen, and not in real life.
[FairfieldLife] Enlightenment and FFL
Still pondering the new HBO series Enlightened, I am struck by how good Laura Dern's performance in it was. I am also struck by how much fodder it may produce for discussion here on FFL, if people treat it as the opportunity for intelligent discussion it is. Laura Dern is, after all, a talented actress; she has been nominated for an Oscar, and was often arguably the only redeeming factor in any number of David Lynch films. She's also a multi-year TMer, and thus probably familiar with the phenomenon of someone having -- or merely claiming to have had -- a realization or enlightenment experience. So her performance is nuanced and real. More important, she's been given dialogue by writers who seem to understand that from an objective bystander's point of view, there is often very little difference between a person claiming to be enlightened and a person suffering from full-on manic depression. In their manic phases, both are completely convinced of the validity of their subjective experiences, and often equally con- vinced that others around them should see them the way that they see themselves. Those others...uh...not so much; for them, if it quacks like a manic-depressive, they may be more likely to perceive it as one, as opposed to perceiving it as enlightenment. Laura Dern's Amy is admittedly off her meds, after having first suffered a breakdown, and then subsequently having had a realization experience. So which is she -- realized or merely manic-depressive and off her meds? That seems to be the theme that will be explored by this TV series. Interestingly, here on FFL we also tend to explore the same theme. Think Ravi, when he first descended here. Think Robin. Think any number of other crazy wisdom gurus or wannabee gurus whose exploits have been related here. From their subjective points of view, they are certainly experiencing *something*. They choose to call it realization or enlightenment. From the points of view of others around them, what they are experiencing may be legitimately seen as something else, something more from the off the meds mundane world than the off the wheel spiritual world. Which is real? Does real even exist? All good fodder for discussion, from my point of view. Whether that can actually happen here without people getting all uptight behind defending their particular point of view is another question entirely.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Enlightenment and FFL
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, turquoiseb no_reply@... wrote: Still pondering the new HBO series Enlightened, I am struck by how good Laura Dern's performance in it was. I am also struck by how much fodder it may produce for discussion here on FFL, if people treat it as the opportunity for intelligent discussion it is. Laura Dern is, after all, a talented actress; she has been nominated for an Oscar, and was often arguably the only redeeming factor in any number of David Lynch films. She's also a multi-year TMer, and thus probably familiar with the phenomenon of someone having -- or merely claiming to have had -- a realization or enlightenment experience. So her performance is nuanced and real. My take is that in the TMO and probably other such groups, there is a lot more tolerance for odd, unproductive behavior among members of the group. While they have their own rules, in some ways they give a lot of leeway to people when they assume they are going thru some process of evolving. Rather than saying someone needs to get some meds, they might prefer to assume that the person is unstressing or working out some sort of past karma (an idea I find particularly annoying). More important, she's been given dialogue by writers who seem to understand that from an objective bystander's point of view, there is often very little difference between a person claiming to be enlightened and a person suffering from full-on manic depression. In their manic phases, both are completely convinced of the validity of their subjective experiences, and often equally con- vinced that others around them should see them the way that they see themselves. Those others...uh...not so much; for them, if it quacks like a manic-depressive, they may be more likely to perceive it as one, as opposed to perceiving it as enlightenment. Laura Dern's Amy is admittedly off her meds, after having first suffered a breakdown, and then subsequently having had a realization experience. So which is she -- realized or merely manic-depressive and off her meds? That seems to be the theme that will be explored by this TV series. This is a big question, at least for me. I have no doubt that what we call mental illnesses all have corresponding problems in brain function when compared to a baseline normal. And those experiencing them certainly have trouble functioning in life. Mental illness is an illness. And the variety of spiritual experience we have, temporary witnessing, CC, Unity etc - well, that too must be the result of shifts in brain functioning. (Or the spiritual take is that brain functioning shifts ss a result of the presence of some energy or elimination of interfering stress or habits - that is what we assume). We have been told thru the ages that these experiences and shifts are better than normal and also something to aim for. They certainly feel better than normal functioning. But are they really the Truth, an improvement. Are we really then connected to the cosmos or is it just a personal perception that stops once you move beyond that person's brain? Is it a type of illness? What really happens in the brains of people who have the experiences we term awakened? Do some sections atrophy, or does the whole thing light up, even heal itself? We really don't have answers to these questions yet. Interestingly, here on FFL we also tend to explore the same theme. Think Ravi, when he first descended here. Think Robin. Think any number of other crazy wisdom gurus or wannabee gurus whose exploits have been related here. From their subjective points of view, they are certainly experiencing *something*. They choose to call it realization or enlightenment. From the points of view of others around them, what they are experiencing may be legitimately seen as something else, something more from the off the meds mundane world than the off the wheel spiritual world. Which is real? Does real even exist? All good fodder for discussion, from my point of view. Whether that can actually happen here without people getting all uptight behind defending their particular point of view is another question entirely.
[FairfieldLife] Happy birthday, Rick
Hope it's a great one, and that you have mucho fun on it. Barry
[FairfieldLife] Re: Enlightenment and FFL
Thanks for your reply, wayback. Those are exactly the kinds of questions this series brings up for me. I have no simple answers to them, but I think they're viable questions. As you so correctly put it, the only reason that people in TM or other spiritual communities put up with some of the bizarre behavior around them is that they've been trained to see it as something good happen- ing. But what if it's not something good, but an outbreak of something far more serious? Would anyone notice, or would their tolerance of odd behavior allow someone who is *truly* suffering from manic depressive disorder to dig themselves into a hole from which they may never be able to emerge? --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Susan wayback71@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, turquoiseb no_reply@ wrote: Still pondering the new HBO series Enlightened, I am struck by how good Laura Dern's performance in it was. I am also struck by how much fodder it may produce for discussion here on FFL, if people treat it as the opportunity for intelligent discussion it is. Laura Dern is, after all, a talented actress; she has been nominated for an Oscar, and was often arguably the only redeeming factor in any number of David Lynch films. She's also a multi-year TMer, and thus probably familiar with the phenomenon of someone having -- or merely claiming to have had -- a realization or enlightenment experience. So her performance is nuanced and real. My take is that in the TMO and probably other such groups, there is a lot more tolerance for odd, unproductive behavior among members of the group. While they have their own rules, in some ways they give a lot of leeway to people when they assume they are going thru some process of evolving. Rather than saying someone needs to get some meds, they might prefer to assume that the person is unstressing or working out some sort of past karma (an idea I find particularly annoying). More important, she's been given dialogue by writers who seem to understand that from an objective bystander's point of view, there is often very little difference between a person claiming to be enlightened and a person suffering from full-on manic depression. In their manic phases, both are completely convinced of the validity of their subjective experiences, and often equally con- vinced that others around them should see them the way that they see themselves. Those others...uh...not so much; for them, if it quacks like a manic-depressive, they may be more likely to perceive it as one, as opposed to perceiving it as enlightenment. Laura Dern's Amy is admittedly off her meds, after having first suffered a breakdown, and then subsequently having had a realization experience. So which is she -- realized or merely manic-depressive and off her meds? That seems to be the theme that will be explored by this TV series. This is a big question, at least for me. I have no doubt that what we call mental illnesses all have corresponding problems in brain function when compared to a baseline normal. And those experiencing them certainly have trouble functioning in life. Mental illness is an illness. And the variety of spiritual experience we have, temporary witnessing, CC, Unity etc - well, that too must be the result of shifts in brain functioning. (Or the spiritual take is that brain functioning shifts ss a result of the presence of some energy or elimination of interfering stress or habits - that is what we assume). We have been told thru the ages that these experiences and shifts are better than normal and also something to aim for. They certainly feel better than normal functioning. But are they really the Truth, an improvement. Are we really then connected to the cosmos or is it just a personal perception that stops once you move beyond that person's brain? Is it a type of illness? What really happens in the brains of people who have the experiences we term awakened? Do some sections atrophy, or does the whole thing light up, even heal itself? We really don't have answers to these questions yet. Interestingly, here on FFL we also tend to explore the same theme. Think Ravi, when he first descended here. Think Robin. Think any number of other crazy wisdom gurus or wannabee gurus whose exploits have been related here. From their subjective points of view, they are certainly experiencing *something*. They choose to call it realization or enlightenment. From the points of view of others around them, what they are experiencing may be legitimately seen as something else, something more from the off the meds mundane world than the off the wheel spiritual world. Which is real? Does real even exist? All good fodder for discussion, from my point of view. Whether that can actually happen here without people getting all uptight
[FairfieldLife] Re: Art is doing something better than it needs to be done
I heard that NeXT wanted to hire me the day I was supposed to get in my car and drive East. I do not regret for a moment turning their offer down and setting out on a Road Trip of my own, because I was following *my* passion. But at the same time part of me misses not being able to discover what it was like working in the same building with Steve Jobs, hellworld that it might have been, and seeing what he was like in person. What Everyone Is Too Polite to Say About Steve Jobs Gawker: http://tinyurl.com/6l2mc3l authfriend: Quite an indictment of Jobs Never did we think we'd need to do a How-To on something which should be part of the basic functionality of a portable music player... How to get music off your iPod: Endgadget: http://tinyurl.com/8nwos
[FairfieldLife] Re: Age-Activated Attention Deficit
Thanks for taking the time to collect the links. I will read the threads and comment. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@... wrote: Curtis-- I think you'll get most of it if you follow the thread that starts with this August 2009 post from Vaj: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/message/226302 This is a classic case of what we were talking about mixing together different layers of understanding and using words outside a jargon context. Remember when I mentioned a while back about the choice to stay with the Self in meditation? I shut the discussion down because I felt this was not a suitable context for it but this post touches on some of those issues. I don't view this as evidence of not understanding TM yet. This is an advanced discussion of meditation including TM IMO. Once you open up techniques like the Chopra thing which I had, you have a different view of your options down there, or up there, or in there or whatever it is we are doing wherever. So I get how you could take a position that he shouldn't say what he said in the context of a TM center, but he was discussing it in a very different context outside the need to maintain jargon or approve phrases. Unless you are in a context where being precise about the teaching really matters, or you are hanging around a lot of TMers, or you are just really into being precise about your language of TM, it kind of drops away. We are talking decades of Vaj not trying to be precise about the language. Decades of adapting his memory of how people talk about TM mixed with his new understanding of meditations that he currently practices. Plus you are taking this as some kind of test of his exposure to TM teaching, Vaj is just talking here. He obviously is somewhere the continuum of not giving a shit to actually enjoying that you seem to believe he never was a teacher. There was an earlier thread in March that more or less began here with a post from you: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/message/213494 Yes, this was the thread I was talking about. So check out Vaj's comment His particular phrasing--which IMO the sensitivity and careful phrasing--is all that is unique. But easy repetition of mantra itself is not unique at all, although limiting oneself to just that slant on mantra, to the exclusion of others, is a uniqueness (really a dogmatic narrowness) of the TM technique. How TM insiderish does he have to be? He is comparing the central teaching of TM to other practices he has been exposed to. And once you have some of the advanced techniques or the Chopra technique, the simple formula of innocence is altered. If out of the blue I told you to think you mantra as if it is coming from your heart, under beginner TM rules you might think this involves effort. It does not as evidenced by higher TM practices. From is next post: Really, in terms of the technical description of how TM is practiced in the initial technique--it's not truly like 'any other thought', as one is enjoined to maintain mindfulness (or smriti to use the actual technical term) both as the mantra first arises (waiting or monitoring for the mantra to appear) and one must be mindful to return to the mantra--otherwise one would potentially end up never returning to the mantra, but remain distracted for the entire session! This is not like any other thought. The level of mantra repetition where mantra continues continuously like a spontaneous thought actually is ajapa-japa: no effort or smriti, just constant ongoing awareness of mantra 24/7/365. This is like a deep experience discussion with Maharishi applying traditional Sanskrit terms to TM with him concluding that it is an effortless effort. (Actual tape) It is a fine distinction between any other thought and the mantra and I have heard Maharishi himself make such a distinction. The terminology may not be movement approved for beginners, but Vaj has combined it with his current perspective. And in the end I get his point. It is a valid distinction. Any other thought flows through my mind with no attempt to go back to it. The mantra has a special quality of attention that the obsessive Hindus have a name for. Here Vaj is bound to piss some TM people off: Technically the style of mantra repetition where one has to return to the mantra still is called faulty or defective in Sanskrit since one has to constantly re-engage the mantra as it is lost. It's one of the lower levels of mantra practice. So he is fitting TM into a whole perspective that demotes TM. Maybe he is right, I don't know. But it doesn't mean he doesn't understand TM to me. I just read your refutation of his point. This is why I didn't pursue this discussion with you when I was making this kind of distinction. The words are so inaccurate that unless you are in good rapport with a person you end up talking about different things, which is
[FairfieldLife] Re: Enlightenment and FFL
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Susan wayback71@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, turquoiseb no_reply@ wrote: snip Laura Dern's Amy is admittedly off her meds, after having first suffered a breakdown, and then subsequently having had a realization experience. So which is she -- realized or merely manic-depressive and off her meds? That seems to be the theme that will be explored by this TV series. This is a big question, at least for me. I have no doubt that what we call mental illnesses all have corresponding problems in brain function when compared to a baseline normal. And those experiencing them certainly have trouble functioning in life. Mental illness is an illness. It's admittedly a bit of a stretch, but as I was reading all this, a sense of familiarity kept niggling at me that was completely unrelated to what's being described of this new series (of which I haven't seen anything). It's the Occupy Wall Street protests and the other protests they've spawned across the country, and the reaction to them from the other side of the political and economic divide. This bit from David Brooks's column in the NYTimes today is what clued me in to what it was that seemed familiar: If there is a core theme to the Occupy Wall Street movement, it is that the virtuous 99 percent of society is being cheated by the richest and greediest 1 percent. This is a theme that allows the people in the 99 percent to think very highly of themselves. All their problems are caused by the nefarious elite. Brooks is, of course, a conservative, albeit a relatively moderate one. But his jaundiced, rather contemptuous view of the protesters strikes me as parallel to what those who have seen the first episode of Dern's series have been describing of how Dern's character is viewed by objective bystanders: as a crazy person whose demands are hysterical, unjustified, and totally unrealistic. She upsets the status quo, and the folks who have been enjoying the benefits of that status quo resent it, understandably so. How dare she call their company a corporate parasite that's raping the land and the people? How dare she accuse them of being greedy cheaters? Whereas she, apparently (again, I'm going by the descriptions of these posts and what I've read about the series elsewhere), thinks very highly of herself and perceives her problems to have been caused by the nefarious elite. She's the sane, normal person, and they're the ones who are screwing everything up. She's the virtuous, enlightened agent of change who will force them to realize the damage they're doing. Neither she nor the people in her company are able to perceive the other as they perceive themselves. Paul Krugman, a liberal, had a column in the Times yesterday about the Wall Street protests titled Panic of the Plutocrats that's a fascinating counterpoint to Brooks's column today, taking just about exactly the opposite perspective. Krugman's final paragraph: So who's really being un-American here? Not the protesters, who are simply trying to get their voices heard. No, the real extremists here are America's oligarchs, who want to suppress any criticism of the sources of their wealth. Barry sez: So far the series doesn't seem to be making any kind of statement about whether Amy's sea-turtle- inspired realization is real, or whether she's as crazy as most around her perceive her to be. No sea-turtles per se for the Wall Street protesters, but they're certainly convinced they've had a realization of what's wrong with the country. And the folks they're holding responsible have no doubt they're crazy. Barry concludes: This is potentially very funny stuff...as long as it's happening on a TV screen, and not in real life. In a sense, it *is* happening in real life. The parallels between the Wall Street protests and the Dern series aren't perfect by any means, but there's definitely a family resemblance to the conflict. And it isn't funny at all. The fate of the nation may depend on how it works out. Will we be renewed for another season? Stay tuned.
[FairfieldLife] Happy Birthday Rick!
Happy Birthday to you, dear man. From the Gita: The underlying principle of good fame in society is that when a man constantly does good he becomes a centre of harmonious vibrations which, enjoyed by the people around him, naturally create warmth and love in their hearts. That is why he is described in glowing terms by all. In this way the good fame of a man is the criterion of his goodnessIt is the vibrations spreading from a man's actions that induce people to speak well of him.. May your fame last forever, Sharalyn
[FairfieldLife] Re: David Wants to Fly
Dear Vajradhatu, You are convinced of the objective truth of enlightenment. I have tried to explain that while on the one hand enlightenment has an objective basis in a definitive style of functioning [as opposed to waking state functioning], it cannot be objectively true in the sense of being the way things really are. As long as your premise is: There is such a thing as enlightenment, and it represents the highest state of consciousness there can be, then it becomes simply an argument between someone who believes and knows there is a God, and someone who believes and knows there is no God. We are stuck with different premises, a priori in you case; experimental and a posteriori in my case. I have 'been enlightened', and everything I have said about enlightenment is based upon *what happened to me immediately after I entered into this 'higher state of consciousness*. Your views on enlightenment appear to be derived from a comprehensive study of esoteric texts and certain meditative (Buddhist) experiences about which I know almost nothing. Still, I stand on one fundamental conviction: the proposition of there being a state of self-realization which dissolves the individual personality and enables one to know that one is just an individuated expression of pure consciousness is metaphysically false. I.e. it is, yes, an abnormal, therefore, unreal, state of consciousness. The fact that there have been persons (such as Maharishi, such as Buddha) who teach the supreme truthfulness of enlightenment makes no difference. Both Maharishi and Buddha experienced reality not as reality is. But in both cases they received tremendous support from celestial intelligences which arranged for their nervous systems to comprehend and experience themselves, the universe, and reality in just these terms: the primacy of the reality of an impersonal Self. The fiction of the enduring reality of the human personality. I am not in the category of a Buddha, or even a Maharishi, but I too felt the power of these celestial intelligences, and I came to know through direct experience and revelation that these same celestial intelligences created, structured, and supported my Unity Consciousness style of functioning. And of course I ultimately rejected this influence, these celestial intelligences. But while I accepted and rejoiced in my enlightenment, these intelligences made me feel and act in a way which was miraculously different from the way I had been one second before slipping into Unity in Arosa, Switzerland in September 1976. Now I would like to say something about Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. To be physically near to him (you more or less had to do Transcendental Meditation to 'get' Maharishi) was to be near the most alive, sensitive, entertaining, compelling, ironic, strong, attractive, deep personality that you could ever imagine. No one who was close to Maharishias a disciple, as an initiatorhas ever, in rejecting Maharishi, acquired an experience (in this repudiation of his authenticity as a spiritual Master) that qualitatively (in the negative sense) compared the experience of loving and surrendering to him. To know Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (say, in the early and mid-seventiesand before this) was to know (if one came to be close to him physically) the most beautiful human being in the world. Maharishi implied to us that he was in Unity Consciousness. In those halcyon days, to doubt the whole universe was somehow perfectly representing itself in Maharishi would be the same as doubting that the Atlantic Ocean is full of wetness. Maharishi's brilliance and beauty and charisma were virtually physical. Now, if I come across anyone who once was in the Movement and devoted to Maharishi who can conjure up an experience which I feel comes from a deeper place in his rejection of Maharishi than he (or she) came from when he or she loved, adored, and even worshiped Maharishi, I stand refuted. But this cannot happen. Or at least, it has not happened yet. Even for myself, who considers Maharishi my personal enemy, I cannot, in my renouncing of Maharishi and Transcendental Meditation (and everything that has been added to TM), attain the state of profound experience (in this condemnation) that even begins to compare to the depth and power of the positive experience I had of Maharishi. This is an essential point to grasp, for Maharishi, no matter what we found out about him, no matter how he behaved towards the end of his life, no matter how far he seems to have fallen, he was, at his peak, the most extraordinary and wondrous personality and personal consciousness that we could conceive of. I will say something more: Maharishi, just be what he gave off, by his very physical presence exerted an innocent, natural, irresistible influence upon one: and the only possible way to interpret that influence (upon one's self, one's body, one's being) was: *I am supposed to honour this man as
[FairfieldLife] Re: What the difference between Maharishi and the rest of the meditators?
His meditation technique works. You can be blissful too if you learned his method. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, shainm307 shainm307@... wrote: I'm just curious what makes Maharishi have the ability to know essentially anything he wants? He also had a very very blissful aura to him. Does anyone know how this can be accomplished by meditators? Or what the movement says about this?
[FairfieldLife] transient enlightenment vs. permanent realization [was Re: E and FFL]
Regarding transient periods of witnessing, vs. permanent realization, the difference is just that. As a result of Being not being fully integrated, the temporary experience can feel kind of manic, as if one is one with the universe, feeling almost giddy, and somewhat hyperactive in the body and mind. I have had a few of these experiences over the years, and all I can say is the feelings were like an expansion of the heart that couldn't sustain itself, and dissolved after a few days. Permanent realization is just that. The mind isn't involved with it. In fact our self identity shifts radically from what we have always considered to be the 'me', to a universal identity with everything. This is also an evolving process that Maharishi described succinctly and simply in about 1968. So, rule of thumb is that if it feels overly blissy and the mind is involved in enjoying this experience on the level of the small self, and the whole thing feels special, it probably won't last. On the other hand, once Being is fully integrated, there is no mania associated with the experience, life just continues as before, with the only difference being complete liberation from bondage being lived moment to moment, and consequently a quiet and satisfied mind. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, turquoiseb no_reply@... wrote: Thanks for your reply, wayback. Those are exactly the kinds of questions this series brings up for me. I have no simple answers to them, but I think they're viable questions. As you so correctly put it, the only reason that people in TM or other spiritual communities put up with some of the bizarre behavior around them is that they've been trained to see it as something good happen- ing. But what if it's not something good, but an outbreak of something far more serious? Would anyone notice, or would their tolerance of odd behavior allow someone who is *truly* suffering from manic depressive disorder to dig themselves into a hole from which they may never be able to emerge? --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Susan wayback71@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, turquoiseb no_reply@ wrote: Still pondering the new HBO series Enlightened, I am struck by how good Laura Dern's performance in it was. I am also struck by how much fodder it may produce for discussion here on FFL, if people treat it as the opportunity for intelligent discussion it is. Laura Dern is, after all, a talented actress; she has been nominated for an Oscar, and was often arguably the only redeeming factor in any number of David Lynch films. She's also a multi-year TMer, and thus probably familiar with the phenomenon of someone having -- or merely claiming to have had -- a realization or enlightenment experience. So her performance is nuanced and real. My take is that in the TMO and probably other such groups, there is a lot more tolerance for odd, unproductive behavior among members of the group. While they have their own rules, in some ways they give a lot of leeway to people when they assume they are going thru some process of evolving. Rather than saying someone needs to get some meds, they might prefer to assume that the person is unstressing or working out some sort of past karma (an idea I find particularly annoying). More important, she's been given dialogue by writers who seem to understand that from an objective bystander's point of view, there is often very little difference between a person claiming to be enlightened and a person suffering from full-on manic depression. In their manic phases, both are completely convinced of the validity of their subjective experiences, and often equally con- vinced that others around them should see them the way that they see themselves. Those others...uh...not so much; for them, if it quacks like a manic-depressive, they may be more likely to perceive it as one, as opposed to perceiving it as enlightenment. Laura Dern's Amy is admittedly off her meds, after having first suffered a breakdown, and then subsequently having had a realization experience. So which is she -- realized or merely manic-depressive and off her meds? That seems to be the theme that will be explored by this TV series. This is a big question, at least for me. I have no doubt that what we call mental illnesses all have corresponding problems in brain function when compared to a baseline normal. And those experiencing them certainly have trouble functioning in life. Mental illness is an illness. And the variety of spiritual experience we have, temporary witnessing, CC, Unity etc - well, that too must be the result of shifts in brain functioning. (Or the spiritual take is that brain functioning shifts ss a result of the presence of some energy or elimination of interfering stress or habits - that
[FairfieldLife] Re: Happy Birthday Rick!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdFfB7P_YGQ Please substitute Rick's name for Rama's to know how I feel about him. (Ignore the section about how Rama treated Sita because Rick is a much better husband to Irene than Rama was to Sita! You may want to use this tidbit in your next marital argument, Rick.) Such a worthy endeavor to keep this place rock'n for 10 years through not listening to any voice that would squelch free speech and thought. Your project involving Buddha Passing Gas (I may have that wrong, I fell asleep after the first few interviews) is a worthy endeavor along the lines of: you believe you are awakened/enlightened/ so lets hear what you have to say for yourself is brilliant and direct. It lets everyone get what they need. Believers can see abundant evidence for the value of the spiritual life, and cretins like me can use it for more reasons to keep our eyes wide shut. You are one of the most interesting people I have ever met Rick, a guy committed to his spiritual path whose mind and heart is broad enough to embrace the nonbeliever. (A bro hug embrace that in no way violates the bro rules concerning shoulder only contact during the brief hug.) Plus you can really make me laugh. I hope this is your best year ever Rick and you find a way to monetize your Buddha Huffing Gas (that can't be right) project. I believe you are on to something big and are only on Oprah away from being able to pursue your interests fulltime. (Or one Ellen which is a much,much smaller unit of measure.) Happy Birthday brother!
[FairfieldLife] Re: How He Transformed The Beatles Added FWD:cut and paste
cut and paste from: http://mailerindia.com/hindu/veda/index.php?hculture 1. RESPECT FOR ELDERS: Respect for elders is a keystone of Hindu culture. This genuine acknowledgment of seniority is demonstrated through endearing customs, such as sitting to the left of elders, bringing gifts on special occasions, not sitting while they are standing, not speaking excessively, not yawning or stretching, not putting one's opinions forward strongly, not contradicting or arguing, seeking their advice and blessings, giving them first choice in all matters, even serving their food first. Every culture has respect for the aging and the fwd below is about respect of elderly. - I think the cutting room floor, must have been a bit crowded as someone has mentioned George Harrison's sister was completely left out of the documentary, left out in the shown family pictures too, or was it an, Opps, we forgot. Would be interesting to hear an official reason she was not mentioned. Her son was a TM-Sidha for many years until he died. The below forwarded links give some history and the final dates of Miss Louise Harrison presenting a tribute band in Branson this month. They have been at the Mansion Theatre for 5 years with great reviews. This 80 year old sister, does it for the love of the fans and her brother and to keep the legend going. If anyone has the time to see the shows (listed below, but check the box office in case of cancellations), in Branson, Missouri, Miss Louise, is very approachable and loving to Beatle fans. Go see her! http://www.themansiontheatre.com/calendars/Final_(email)_LL2011cal_8-8.pdf http://liverpoollegends.com/calendar.html http://womenoftruegrit.com/uncategorized/read-profile-of-louise-harrison-sister-of-beatles-george/ http://abbeyrd.best.vwh.net/louharrison.html http://www.fox2now.com/news/morningshow/timezell/ktvi-beatles-tribute-band-to-play-at-george-harrisons-sisters-birthday-bash-20110809,0,7038171.story http://www.bransonworld.com/news/guess-how-many-candles-for-louise-harrison.html http://fifthbeatle.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=otherbrianpeoplebeatlesaction=displaythread=833 --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Thanks for posting this. I read an earlier review and the reviewer didn't understand the second part of the film at all because it is apparently put together in a more intuitive, less structured way. Sounds like it may be worth renting at some point. Almost all the reviews I've seen have been very positive (if less insightful than this one). Whether that's just because of the tendency to genuflect before Scorsese, I have no idea. But I can't imagine it wouldn't be worth a watch. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@ wrote: Long, meaty, well-written review from Joe Bosso, U.S. editor of musicradar.com: http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/george-harrison-living-in-the-material-world-review-503240 http://tinyurl.com/3zq5ddp Has a clip from the documentary of Ringo telling a funny story about his attempts to get with the odd Indian rhythms of George's Here Comes the Sun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oqoa9VtQ5Gsfeature=player_embedded
[FairfieldLife] Re: David Wants to Fly
Then Reality overpowers reality. And enlightenment is seen for what it really is: a very unnatural, deceitful, black-magical state of consciousness, which alienates one from who one really is. WTF? If it is really enlightenment, there is no conflict with waking state whatsoever, and no need to believe anything. You don't seem to get it Zebra Man, as it is/was apparently all in your head. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, maskedzebra no_reply@... wrote: Dear Vajradhatu, You are convinced of the objective truth of enlightenment. I have tried to explain that while on the one hand enlightenment has an objective basis in a definitive style of functioning [as opposed to waking state functioning], it cannot be objectively true in the sense of being the way things really are. As long as your premise is: There is such a thing as enlightenment, and it represents the highest state of consciousness there can be, then it becomes simply an argument between someone who believes and knows there is a God, and someone who believes and knows there is no God. We are stuck with different premises, a priori in you case; experimental and a posteriori in my case. I have 'been enlightened', and everything I have said about enlightenment is based upon *what happened to me immediately after I entered into this 'higher state of consciousness*. Your views on enlightenment appear to be derived from a comprehensive study of esoteric texts and certain meditative (Buddhist) experiences about which I know almost nothing. Still, I stand on one fundamental conviction: the proposition of there being a state of self-realization which dissolves the individual personality and enables one to know that one is just an individuated expression of pure consciousness is metaphysically false. I.e. it is, yes, an abnormal, therefore, unreal, state of consciousness. The fact that there have been persons (such as Maharishi, such as Buddha) who teach the supreme truthfulness of enlightenment makes no difference. Both Maharishi and Buddha experienced reality not as reality is. But in both cases they received tremendous support from celestial intelligences which arranged for their nervous systems to comprehend and experience themselves, the universe, and reality in just these terms: the primacy of the reality of an impersonal Self. The fiction of the enduring reality of the human personality. I am not in the category of a Buddha, or even a Maharishi, but I too felt the power of these celestial intelligences, and I came to know through direct experience and revelation that these same celestial intelligences created, structured, and supported my Unity Consciousness style of functioning. And of course I ultimately rejected this influence, these celestial intelligences. But while I accepted and rejoiced in my enlightenment, these intelligences made me feel and act in a way which was miraculously different from the way I had been one second before slipping into Unity in Arosa, Switzerland in September 1976. Now I would like to say something about Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. To be physically near to him (you more or less had to do Transcendental Meditation to 'get' Maharishi) was to be near the most alive, sensitive, entertaining, compelling, ironic, strong, attractive, deep personality that you could ever imagine. No one who was close to Maharishias a disciple, as an initiatorhas ever, in rejecting Maharishi, acquired an experience (in this repudiation of his authenticity as a spiritual Master) that qualitatively (in the negative sense) compared the experience of loving and surrendering to him. To know Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (say, in the early and mid-seventiesand before this) was to know (if one came to be close to him physically) the most beautiful human being in the world. Maharishi implied to us that he was in Unity Consciousness. In those halcyon days, to doubt the whole universe was somehow perfectly representing itself in Maharishi would be the same as doubting that the Atlantic Ocean is full of wetness. Maharishi's brilliance and beauty and charisma were virtually physical. Now, if I come across anyone who once was in the Movement and devoted to Maharishi who can conjure up an experience which I feel comes from a deeper place in his rejection of Maharishi than he (or she) came from when he or she loved, adored, and even worshiped Maharishi, I stand refuted. But this cannot happen. Or at least, it has not happened yet. Even for myself, who considers Maharishi my personal enemy, I cannot, in my renouncing of Maharishi and Transcendental Meditation (and everything that has been added to TM), attain the state of profound experience (in this condemnation) that even begins to compare to the depth and power of the positive experience I had of Maharishi. This is an essential point to grasp, for Maharishi, no matter what we found out
RE: [FairfieldLife] Re: Happy Birthday Rick!
Thanks Curtis. You make me laugh too. You're one of my favorite posters here. Whenever I think of visiting DC, where one of my sisters and a close friend live, I think oh boy, I'll get to visit with Curtis! We'll do it buddy! From: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com [mailto:FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of curtisdeltablues Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 10:15 AM To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com Subject: [FairfieldLife] Re: Happy Birthday Rick! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdFfB7P_YGQ Please substitute Rick's name for Rama's to know how I feel about him. (Ignore the section about how Rama treated Sita because Rick is a much better husband to Irene than Rama was to Sita! You may want to use this tidbit in your next marital argument, Rick.) Such a worthy endeavor to keep this place rock'n for 10 years through not listening to any voice that would squelch free speech and thought. Your project involving Buddha Passing Gas (I may have that wrong, I fell asleep after the first few interviews) is a worthy endeavor along the lines of: you believe you are awakened/enlightened/ so lets hear what you have to say for yourself is brilliant and direct. It lets everyone get what they need. Believers can see abundant evidence for the value of the spiritual life, and cretins like me can use it for more reasons to keep our eyes wide shut. You are one of the most interesting people I have ever met Rick, a guy committed to his spiritual path whose mind and heart is broad enough to embrace the nonbeliever. (A bro hug embrace that in no way violates the bro rules concerning shoulder only contact during the brief hug.) Plus you can really make me laugh. I hope this is your best year ever Rick and you find a way to monetize your Buddha Huffing Gas (that can't be right) project. I believe you are on to something big and are only on Oprah away from being able to pursue your interests fulltime. (Or one Ellen which is a much,much smaller unit of measure.) Happy Birthday brother! No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.1831 / Virus Database: 2090/4546 - Release Date: 10/11/11
[FairfieldLife] Re: Happy Birthday Rick!
-- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Rick Archer rick@... wrote: Thanks Curtis. You make me laugh too. You're one of my favorite posters here. Whenever I think of visiting DC, where one of my sisters and a close friend live, I think oh boy, I'll get to visit with Curtis! We'll do it buddy! Let's not let another year pass without hanging out fer real real Rick. From: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com [mailto:FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of curtisdeltablues Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 10:15 AM To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com Subject: [FairfieldLife] Re: Happy Birthday Rick! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdFfB7P_YGQ Please substitute Rick's name for Rama's to know how I feel about him. (Ignore the section about how Rama treated Sita because Rick is a much better husband to Irene than Rama was to Sita! You may want to use this tidbit in your next marital argument, Rick.) Such a worthy endeavor to keep this place rock'n for 10 years through not listening to any voice that would squelch free speech and thought. Your project involving Buddha Passing Gas (I may have that wrong, I fell asleep after the first few interviews) is a worthy endeavor along the lines of: you believe you are awakened/enlightened/ so lets hear what you have to say for yourself is brilliant and direct. It lets everyone get what they need. Believers can see abundant evidence for the value of the spiritual life, and cretins like me can use it for more reasons to keep our eyes wide shut. You are one of the most interesting people I have ever met Rick, a guy committed to his spiritual path whose mind and heart is broad enough to embrace the nonbeliever. (A bro hug embrace that in no way violates the bro rules concerning shoulder only contact during the brief hug.) Plus you can really make me laugh. I hope this is your best year ever Rick and you find a way to monetize your Buddha Huffing Gas (that can't be right) project. I believe you are on to something big and are only on Oprah away from being able to pursue your interests fulltime. (Or one Ellen which is a much,much smaller unit of measure.) Happy Birthday brother! No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.1831 / Virus Database: 2090/4546 - Release Date: 10/11/11
[FairfieldLife] Re: Happy Birthday Rick!
Informed by this form, a Birthday wish is entitled the the man of, Rick. Happy Birthday and many more and all the birthday cake one can eat! --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Sharalyn homeonthefarm@... wrote: Happy Birthday to you, dear man. From the Gita: The underlying principle of good fame in society is that when a man constantly does good he becomes a centre of harmonious vibrations which, enjoyed by the people around him, naturally create warmth and love in their hearts. That is why he is described in glowing terms by all. In this way the good fame of a man is the criterion of his goodnessIt is the vibrations spreading from a man's actions that induce people to speak well of him.. May your fame last forever, Sharalyn
Re: [FairfieldLife] David Wants to Fly
On Oct 11, 2011, at 9:34 AM, curtisdeltablues wrote: the SCI integration award You've gotta be joking. They actually have (had?) this?? Curtis, this beats all. There is no way in hell I can ever approach your level of experience in Movement insanity. I bow. Sal
Re: [FairfieldLife] TV review: Enlightened
Indeed it looks like it is going to be a fun series, especially next week's episode where she does wind up working. Mike White even has a role in next week's episode. They are pretty much nailing what happens with about anyone who has done some kind meditation program (not just TM) or had a major life change. I think everyone on FFL could relate to coming back and finding relatives and friends seemingly stuck in old habits while you've changed. Her reaction with her mother and ex-husband are pretty typical of that. Most of us eventually learn to realize that though we've made a life change it doesn't mean that others will at the same or maybe ever. One learns to tolerate habits they have even if they are destructive. On 10/11/2011 03:31 AM, turquoiseb wrote: [ Some spoilers here, but nothing you wouldn't have guessed anyway from the trailers and promo spots for this series. ] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF3w88BAmkM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF3w88BAmkM I'm writing this *as* I watch it, and my first comment is that given the first 3-1/2 minutes of the show, Laura Dern's character Amy Jellicoe certainly fits the TM model of enlightenment. Notified that she's being transferred out of her department and into a lesser one, she assumes that it's because the office guy she slept with arranged it and storms through the office, face covered with tear-soaked mascara, screaming at the top of her lungs and finally cornering the supposedly offending guy in an elevator, where she threatens to kill him. So far, Amy is pretty much *exactly* like many women I've ever met in the TMO who claimed to be enlightened. :-) Cut to idyllic scenes of her meditating on the beach in some New Age Hawaii ashram, having realizations while swimming with sea turtles, and waxing eloquent about how someone can both really change, and become an agent of change. All of the hysteria has left her voice, and she sounds calm, rational, and possibly even enlightened. Again, exactly like many of the women I've met in the TMO and other movements who claimed to be enlightened -- both shortly before the screaming incidents, and shortly after them. :-) Then, arriving back in Riverside, blissed out to the max, she goes back to the company she publicly melted down in, carefully meditating in the car before going to meet with HR. She not only fully expects them to give her her old job back, when told that it has been filled she not only doesn't get the hint, she calls the company a corporate parasite that's raping the land and the people and drugging America's kids, and then expects them to create a special position for her as a kind of community liaison, to help clean up the company's image. Again, the resemblance to the utter cluelessness of Supposedly Enlightened Women I've encountered in real life is scary. Finally -- and the first false note in the script so far -- when told that the company has nothing to offer her, she basically blackmails them with the threat of a wrongful termination lawsuit into creating this new dream job for her. This is the way that things work out in the minds of the Supposedly Enlightened, not the way they work out in real life. All of this said, the series looks to be delightful. Laura Dern is like the avatar of every blonde blissninny who has ever lived. And she is so *completely* unaware of how much this makes her stand out and that most around her think she is at best eccentric or quirkly, and at worst certifiable, that this creates a strong dynamic for humor. All that the writers have to do is put her in a room with normal people, and how weird she is just leaps off the screen at you; the viewers will eat it up. Pretty much the only places on the planet where Amy *would* fit in and be perceived as normal would be Fairfield or some other cult community. There is a lot of potential for humor in all of this, and series creator/writer Mike White looks as if he's going to make the best of it. One of the funniest scenes has Ms. Serenity driving up to the guy she threatened to kill's house at night, completely unaware that from his point of view she is acting like a deranged stalker, and then when he tells her he wants nothing to do with her, once more turning *into* a screaming, deranged stalker. The best part from my point of view is that so far the series doesn't seem to be making any kind of statement about whether Amy's sea-turtle-inspired realization is real, or whether she's as crazy as most around her perceive her to be. This is potentially very funny stuff...as long as it's happening on a TV screen, and not in real life.
Re: [FairfieldLife] Happy Birthday Rick!
Happy Birthday Rick, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0FrOFYcFls In gratitude, thank you for being such a democrat; the real kind. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Statute_for_Religious_Freedom From: Sharalyn homeonthef...@iowatelecom.net To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 7:39:45 AM Subject: [FairfieldLife] Happy Birthday Rick! Happy Birthday to you, dear man. From the Gita: The underlying principle of good fame in society is that when a man constantly does good he becomes a centre of harmonious vibrations which, enjoyed by the people around him, naturally create warmth and love in their hearts. That is why he is described in glowing terms by all. In this way the good fame of a man is the criterion of his goodnessIt is the vibrations spreading from a man's actions that induce people to speak well of him.. May your fame last forever, Sharalyn
[FairfieldLife] Re: Enlightenment and FFL
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Susan wayback71@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, turquoiseb no_reply@ wrote: snip Laura Dern's Amy is admittedly off her meds, after having first suffered a breakdown, and then subsequently having had a realization experience. So which is she -- realized or merely manic-depressive and off her meds? That seems to be the theme that will be explored by this TV series. This is a big question, at least for me. I have no doubt that what we call mental illnesses all have corresponding problems in brain function when compared to a baseline normal. And those experiencing them certainly have trouble functioning in life. Mental illness is an illness. It's admittedly a bit of a stretch, but as I was reading all this, a sense of familiarity kept niggling at me that was completely unrelated to what's being described of this new series (of which I haven't seen anything). It's the Occupy Wall Street protests and the other protests they've spawned across the country, and the reaction to them from the other side of the political and economic divide. This bit from David Brooks's column in the NYTimes today is what clued me in to what it was that seemed familiar: If there is a core theme to the Occupy Wall Street movement, it is that the virtuous 99 percent of society is being cheated by the richest and greediest 1 percent. This is a theme that allows the people in the 99 percent to think very highly of themselves. All their problems are caused by the nefarious elite. Brooks is, of course, a conservative, albeit a relatively moderate one. But his jaundiced, rather contemptuous view of the protesters strikes me as parallel to what those who have seen the first episode of Dern's series have been describing of how Dern's character is viewed by objective bystanders: as a crazy person whose demands are hysterical, unjustified, and totally unrealistic. She upsets the status quo, and the folks who have been enjoying the benefits of that status quo resent it, understandably so. How dare she call their company a corporate parasite that's raping the land and the people? How dare she accuse them of being greedy cheaters? Whereas she, apparently (again, I'm going by the descriptions of these posts and what I've read about the series elsewhere), thinks very highly of herself and perceives her problems to have been caused by the nefarious elite. She's the sane, normal person, and they're the ones who are screwing everything up. She's the virtuous, enlightened agent of change who will force them to realize the damage they're doing. Neither she nor the people in her company are able to perceive the other as they perceive themselves. Paul Krugman, a liberal, had a column in the Times yesterday about the Wall Street protests titled Panic of the Plutocrats that's a fascinating counterpoint to Brooks's column today, taking just about exactly the opposite perspective. Krugman's final paragraph: So who's really being un-American here? Not the protesters, who are simply trying to get their voices heard. No, the real extremists here are America's oligarchs, who want to suppress any criticism of the sources of their wealth. Barry sez: So far the series doesn't seem to be making any kind of statement about whether Amy's sea-turtle- inspired realization is real, or whether she's as crazy as most around her perceive her to be. No sea-turtles per se for the Wall Street protesters, but they're certainly convinced they've had a realization of what's wrong with the country. And the folks they're holding responsible have no doubt they're crazy. Barry concludes: This is potentially very funny stuff...as long as it's happening on a TV screen, and not in real life. In a sense, it *is* happening in real life. The parallels between the Wall Street protests and the Dern series aren't perfect by any means, but there's definitely a family resemblance to the conflict. And it isn't funny at all. The fate of the nation may depend on how it works out. Will we be renewed for another season? Stay tuned. An interesting connection, Judy, between political protestors, those on the fringe of society and how we tend to categorize them,the spiritually evolving, and the genuinely ill. Where do you draw the line? Sometimes the most effective and radical people are hypomanic. Or have a personality disorder. It's a very interesting world.
[FairfieldLife] Re: David Wants to Fly
Agreed. I bow to the curtis too. [Bow]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXxArFuoLvI (Sorry the title of this link has princess in it.) --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Sal Sunshine salsunshine@... wrote: On Oct 11, 2011, at 9:34 AM, curtisdeltablues wrote: the SCI integration award You've gotta be joking. They actually have (had?) this?? Curtis, this beats all. There is no way in hell I can ever approach your level of experience in Movement insanity. I bow. Sal
[FairfieldLife] Re: David Wants to Fly
In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Sal Sunshine salsunshine@... wrote: On Oct 11, 2011, at 9:34 AM, curtisdeltablues wrote: the SCI integration award You've gotta be joking. They actually have (had?) this?? Curtis, this beats all. There is no way in hell I can ever approach your level of experience in Movement insanity. I bow. Sal I am considering a gravestone with: As Twisted as They Come. Actually it was recognition for my translating the entire SCI course into Ebonics. Tape 8 was a bitch! When existence becomes conscious, then intelligence becomes intelligent, in preparation to assume the role of Creative Intelligence. Became: When where its at becomes hip, then know'n the score becomes know'n how to score, in its preparation to assume the role of a real playa.
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Enlightenment and FFL
On 10/11/2011 05:12 AM, Susan wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, turquoisebno_reply@... wrote: Still pondering the new HBO series Enlightened, I am struck by how good Laura Dern's performance in it was. I am also struck by how much fodder it may produce for discussion here on FFL, if people treat it as the opportunity for intelligent discussion it is. Laura Dern is, after all, a talented actress; she has been nominated for an Oscar, and was often arguably the only redeeming factor in any number of David Lynch films. She's also a multi-year TMer, and thus probably familiar with the phenomenon of someone having -- or merely claiming to have had -- a realization or enlightenment experience. So her performance is nuanced and real. My take is that in the TMO and probably other such groups, there is a lot more tolerance for odd, unproductive behavior among members of the group. While they have their own rules, in some ways they give a lot of leeway to people when they assume they are going thru some process of evolving. Rather than saying someone needs to get some meds, they might prefer to assume that the person is unstressing or working out some sort of past karma (an idea I find particularly annoying). More important, she's been given dialogue by writers who seem to understand that from an objective bystander's point of view, there is often very little difference between a person claiming to be enlightened and a person suffering from full-on manic depression. In their manic phases, both are completely convinced of the validity of their subjective experiences, and often equally con- vinced that others around them should see them the way that they see themselves. Those others...uh...not so much; for them, if it quacks like a manic-depressive, they may be more likely to perceive it as one, as opposed to perceiving it as enlightenment. Laura Dern's Amy is admittedly off her meds, after having first suffered a breakdown, and then subsequently having had a realization experience. So which is she -- realized or merely manic-depressive and off her meds? That seems to be the theme that will be explored by this TV series. This is a big question, at least for me. I have no doubt that what we call mental illnesses all have corresponding problems in brain function when compared to a baseline normal. And those experiencing them certainly have trouble functioning in life. Mental illness is an illness. And the variety of spiritual experience we have, temporary witnessing, CC, Unity etc - well, that too must be the result of shifts in brain functioning. (Or the spiritual take is that brain functioning shifts ss a result of the presence of some energy or elimination of interfering stress or habits - that is what we assume). We have been told thru the ages that these experiences and shifts are better than normal and also something to aim for. They certainly feel better than normal functioning. But are they really the Truth, an improvement. Are we really then connected to the cosmos or is it just a personal perception that stops once you move beyond that person's brain? Is it a type of illness? What really happens in the brains of people who have the experiences we term awakened? Do some sections atrophy, or does the whole thing light up, even heal itself? We really don't have answers to these questions yet. Back in the day the ideal sane person was Maslow's Self Actualized Man. Since that seemed out of reach journalists started writing articles on how everyone is crazy (which is probably true). So then the psychology field made the average the norm which as a friend who is a psychology professor says who wants to be average? Thing is those who have never suffered a mental illness often believe themselves to sane but the only people who know what sanity really is are those who have suffered a mental illness. One has to bring themselves back to some level or definition of sanity to cure that illness. After that one recognizes how off most of society is mentally and appreciates the rare few who seem to be sane. And interestingly enough when you get to know the sane person they may well have had an incident of mental illness themselves. Enlightenment is really just the state of having an inner peace a quietness from which one relates to the world and sees it in those terms. It ls also an ongoing process. Most here have started down the road and maybe a few running, screaming, trying to get back to where they started. :-D
Re: [FairfieldLife] TV review: Enlightened
I also meant to mention there is the element Office Space in this series too. Replete with all the games that go one in the corporate world that when I worked in it I liked to ridicule but then again Dilbert was very popular at that company. It is also of the genre of The United States of Tara and The Big C, which also are a theme of a woman finding herself in some unusual space and trying to relate to the world because of it. On 10/11/2011 03:31 AM, turquoiseb wrote: [ Some spoilers here, but nothing you wouldn't have guessed anyway from the trailers and promo spots for this series. ] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF3w88BAmkM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF3w88BAmkM I'm writing this *as* I watch it, and my first comment is that given the first 3-1/2 minutes of the show, Laura Dern's character Amy Jellicoe certainly fits the TM model of enlightenment. Notified that she's being transferred out of her department and into a lesser one, she assumes that it's because the office guy she slept with arranged it and storms through the office, face covered with tear-soaked mascara, screaming at the top of her lungs and finally cornering the supposedly offending guy in an elevator, where she threatens to kill him. So far, Amy is pretty much *exactly* like many women I've ever met in the TMO who claimed to be enlightened. :-) Cut to idyllic scenes of her meditating on the beach in some New Age Hawaii ashram, having realizations while swimming with sea turtles, and waxing eloquent about how someone can both really change, and become an agent of change. All of the hysteria has left her voice, and she sounds calm, rational, and possibly even enlightened. Again, exactly like many of the women I've met in the TMO and other movements who claimed to be enlightened -- both shortly before the screaming incidents, and shortly after them. :-) Then, arriving back in Riverside, blissed out to the max, she goes back to the company she publicly melted down in, carefully meditating in the car before going to meet with HR. She not only fully expects them to give her her old job back, when told that it has been filled she not only doesn't get the hint, she calls the company a corporate parasite that's raping the land and the people and drugging America's kids, and then expects them to create a special position for her as a kind of community liaison, to help clean up the company's image. Again, the resemblance to the utter cluelessness of Supposedly Enlightened Women I've encountered in real life is scary. Finally -- and the first false note in the script so far -- when told that the company has nothing to offer her, she basically blackmails them with the threat of a wrongful termination lawsuit into creating this new dream job for her. This is the way that things work out in the minds of the Supposedly Enlightened, not the way they work out in real life. All of this said, the series looks to be delightful. Laura Dern is like the avatar of every blonde blissninny who has ever lived. And she is so *completely* unaware of how much this makes her stand out and that most around her think she is at best eccentric or quirkly, and at worst certifiable, that this creates a strong dynamic for humor. All that the writers have to do is put her in a room with normal people, and how weird she is just leaps off the screen at you; the viewers will eat it up. Pretty much the only places on the planet where Amy *would* fit in and be perceived as normal would be Fairfield or some other cult community. There is a lot of potential for humor in all of this, and series creator/writer Mike White looks as if he's going to make the best of it. One of the funniest scenes has Ms. Serenity driving up to the guy she threatened to kill's house at night, completely unaware that from his point of view she is acting like a deranged stalker, and then when he tells her he wants nothing to do with her, once more turning *into* a screaming, deranged stalker. The best part from my point of view is that so far the series doesn't seem to be making any kind of statement about whether Amy's sea-turtle-inspired realization is real, or whether she's as crazy as most around her perceive her to be. This is potentially very funny stuff...as long as it's happening on a TV screen, and not in real life.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Age-Activated Attention Deficit
Curtis, throughout this post, you've defended Vaj's take on points I never disputed, and ignored the ones I *did* dispute. I may disagree with some (not all) of the points you've defended, but it wouldn't occur to me to cite them as evidence that Vaj was never a TM teacher. In your earlier post, you did acknowledge that some of what I quoted seemed inaccurate as a description of TM practice and instruction. But you've backed off that in this post. And you haven't responded to my immediately previous post in which I challenged a number of your points. I've snipped all your defenses of stuff I was not challenging, because they're completely irrelevant. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@... wrote: megasnip [quoting Vaj:] one is enjoined to maintain mindfulness (or smriti to use the actual technical term) both as the mantra first arises (waiting or monitoring for the mantra to appear) and one must be mindful to return to the mantra--otherwise one would potentially end up never returning to the mantra, but remain distracted for the entire session! Here he's describing what he purports to be the instructions for TM (enjoined). (Not to mention that remaining distracted for the entire session--as long as it never occurs to one that one is not thinking the mantra--is 100 percent OK as far as TM instruction is concerned.) In your earlier post you said: - [Me:] He's elaborated on this in a number of different posts in ways that make it crystal clear he believes TMers are instructed to wait for the mantra--that's at the beginning of meditation--and to monitor their meditation throughout, as well as quoting the checking notes way out of context in an attempt to justify the above. [You:] That sounds inaccurate, I agree. - But here, you just quoted one of the very posts I was referring to as if there was nothing wrong with it. (The checking notes point that he quoted out of context in a different post to justify the waiting for notion was point #7, which I briefly discussed earlier, noting that it was a reassurance rather than an instruction.) megasnip I don't doubt that this list of people have their reasons to doubt Here I was responding to your argument that the folks who doubt Vaj's teacher status are TBs who resent his criticisms; and that they've all been influenced by my allegedly compelling personality to adopt my view. but I just don't. It is so much easier for me to see him as a guy into TM who moved on, who is still fascinated with TM and Maharishi as I am for his own reasons now. It seems harder to construct the kind of person who would create such an elaborate presentation. And to what end? To make us all believe that he is into something better that we don't have access to? He comes off as much more normal and sincere than that to me. I haven't taken a poll, so I don't know whether yours is a minority viewpoint on his normality and sincerity. But there are certainly quite a few folks who don't agree, who find him incredibly overbearing and patronizing (and often quite gratuitously insulting); and then there are the many statements he's made that have been documented to be either outright false or seriously misleading (not talking about the current issue you and I are discussing regarding the instructions for TM). Furthermore, a number of people here who have studied one or another of the other systems he claims to have extensive knowledge of have spoken up to insist he doesn't know what he's talking about with regard to these systems either. emptybill is the current example, but there have been others; in some cases lurkers have popped in for a post or two just to call him on some of his errors. I'm not in a position to say who's right in these instances (and neither are you), but they do reinforce the impression that he may not be quite who he claims to be. And finally, when he's challenged on something he's said about TM, he almost never responds directly. Instead, he makes snide remarks about the challenger, spouting arcane Sanskrit or Tibetan terms and going on about what sound like highly esoteric concepts that he knows the challenger is unlikely to be familiar with. If he were truly personally acquainted with TM, he ought to be able to address challenges from TMers in terms they would understand. But he almost never does. In fact, the few times he *has* appeared to attempt to do that have included some of the very assertions about how TM is practiced that I've been objecting to. IOW, when he tries to speak about TM in TM's own terms, he gets it all fouled up. Maybe that's why he does it so rarely. Anyway, finally, a post from me from December 2010, when Vaj brought the same waiting issue up again; my post quotes his extensively (you can track back to find his original in response to a post from emptybill): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/message/263765 This reinforces my belief
[FairfieldLife] Re: TV review: Enlightened
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Bhairitu noozguru@... wrote: Indeed it looks like it is going to be a fun series, especially next week's episode where she does wind up working. Mike White even has a role in next week's episode. They are pretty much nailing what happens with about anyone who has done some kind meditation program (not just TM) or had a major life change. I think everyone on FFL could relate to coming back and finding relatives and friends seemingly stuck in old habits while you've changed. Her reaction with her mother and ex-husband are pretty typical of that. Most of us eventually learn to realize that though we've made a life change it doesn't mean that others will at the same or maybe ever. One learns to tolerate habits they have even if they are destructive. With all due respect, do you hear the arrogance and the elitism in your voice as you write these things? YOU've had a life change, which you can never prove to anyone that you've ever had -- it's all inside your head, subjective. And yet you somehow fault these other people in your life for not recognizing it, so much so that you have to be tolerant of them. The point I'm trying to make -- and that I think that the creators of this series are trying to make -- is that such life changes are and will always remain subjective. They don't mean shit to anyone but the person who has exper- ienced whatever they experienced. *In their heads*, the enlightened think that their world has changed, and that the world outside themselves should recognize this and treat them them way they deserve to be treated, as not only having achieved something that the lesser mortals around them have not, but as messengers or saviors of some kind, as if the people they preach their New Age stuff to should actually be grateful to be around them. I made a point today of reading as many reviews of this new series as I could find, to see what mainstream critics thought of it. Almost all of them thought that Laura Dern's character was insufferable. Many assumed she was crazy as a bedbug. Several used the same term I did -- manic depres- sive. NO ONE saw her the way she sees herself in her voice- over soliloquies, as someone who has become an agent of change. THAT is the point I'm trying to make about this series. If a bunch of TMers or spiritual people or New Agers or cultists see it, they're going to see something very different. Their conditioning is going to lead them to accept the possi- bility that she really DID have some kind of realization experience, and that that makes her manic behavior somehow not only acceptable, but normal. But normal people don't see her that way. They see her as a rather neurotic, close-to-the-edge manic depressive who is now -- upon her return from the ashram -- even less tolerable during her manic, happy, blissninny upswings than she was before during her depressive downswings. What this series is about IMO (and in the opinion of most of the critics I read today) is the narcissism of the New Age spiritual types that prevents them from ever having the slightest clue of how they are perceived by the people around them. If being that clueless and out of touch is one of your definitions of enlightenment, so much so that you feel that you have to be tolerant of those who don't look upon such behavior favorably, I'm thinkin' you've got an awful lot of people to convince that your view is right and theirs is wrong. Like maybe 90% of the world's population. The way she acts ISN'T normal. It ISN'T enlightened. So far in the series, she's merely manic, and so self-obsessed that she doesn't even realize that she's manic, and that almost everyone she meets views her that way. On 10/11/2011 03:31 AM, turquoiseb wrote: [ Some spoilers here, but nothing you wouldn't have guessed anyway from the trailers and promo spots for this series. ] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF3w88BAmkM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF3w88BAmkM I'm writing this *as* I watch it, and my first comment is that given the first 3-1/2 minutes of the show, Laura Dern's character Amy Jellicoe certainly fits the TM model of enlightenment. Notified that she's being transferred out of her department and into a lesser one, she assumes that it's because the office guy she slept with arranged it and storms through the office, face covered with tear-soaked mascara, screaming at the top of her lungs and finally cornering the supposedly offending guy in an elevator, where she threatens to kill him. So far, Amy is pretty much *exactly* like many women I've ever met in the TMO who claimed to be enlightened. :-) Cut to idyllic scenes of her meditating on the beach in some New Age Hawaii ashram, having realizations while swimming with sea turtles, and waxing eloquent about how someone can both really change, and become an agent of change. All of the hysteria has left her voice, and
[FairfieldLife] Re: Age-Activated Attention Deficit
I'll answer in more detail later but on first read one point I want to make is that my opinion is evolving as I read the posts and think about them. There is no contradiction between noticing that Vaj is using concepts in a way that we wouldn't teach to a new meditator, and then noticing on further reflection that he seems to be focusing on the experience we have as more experienced meditators. And both of these are filtered through the understanding and terminology that he is into now, not the TM way. I'll pursue it more if you are interested. Not to try to change anyone's mind, but because I think it brings up some interesting issues about how we discuss our internal experiences and if it is possible for communication across systems of meditation or are we all too locked into the terms we are most familiar with. (Myself inclulded) --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@... wrote: Curtis, throughout this post, you've defended Vaj's take on points I never disputed, and ignored the ones I *did* dispute. I may disagree with some (not all) of the points you've defended, but it wouldn't occur to me to cite them as evidence that Vaj was never a TM teacher. In your earlier post, you did acknowledge that some of what I quoted seemed inaccurate as a description of TM practice and instruction. But you've backed off that in this post. And you haven't responded to my immediately previous post in which I challenged a number of your points. I've snipped all your defenses of stuff I was not challenging, because they're completely irrelevant. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: megasnip [quoting Vaj:] one is enjoined to maintain mindfulness (or smriti to use the actual technical term) both as the mantra first arises (waiting or monitoring for the mantra to appear) and one must be mindful to return to the mantra--otherwise one would potentially end up never returning to the mantra, but remain distracted for the entire session! Here he's describing what he purports to be the instructions for TM (enjoined). (Not to mention that remaining distracted for the entire session--as long as it never occurs to one that one is not thinking the mantra--is 100 percent OK as far as TM instruction is concerned.) In your earlier post you said: - [Me:] He's elaborated on this in a number of different posts in ways that make it crystal clear he believes TMers are instructed to wait for the mantra--that's at the beginning of meditation--and to monitor their meditation throughout, as well as quoting the checking notes way out of context in an attempt to justify the above. [You:] That sounds inaccurate, I agree. - But here, you just quoted one of the very posts I was referring to as if there was nothing wrong with it. (The checking notes point that he quoted out of context in a different post to justify the waiting for notion was point #7, which I briefly discussed earlier, noting that it was a reassurance rather than an instruction.) megasnip I don't doubt that this list of people have their reasons to doubt Here I was responding to your argument that the folks who doubt Vaj's teacher status are TBs who resent his criticisms; and that they've all been influenced by my allegedly compelling personality to adopt my view. but I just don't. It is so much easier for me to see him as a guy into TM who moved on, who is still fascinated with TM and Maharishi as I am for his own reasons now. It seems harder to construct the kind of person who would create such an elaborate presentation. And to what end? To make us all believe that he is into something better that we don't have access to? He comes off as much more normal and sincere than that to me. I haven't taken a poll, so I don't know whether yours is a minority viewpoint on his normality and sincerity. But there are certainly quite a few folks who don't agree, who find him incredibly overbearing and patronizing (and often quite gratuitously insulting); and then there are the many statements he's made that have been documented to be either outright false or seriously misleading (not talking about the current issue you and I are discussing regarding the instructions for TM). Furthermore, a number of people here who have studied one or another of the other systems he claims to have extensive knowledge of have spoken up to insist he doesn't know what he's talking about with regard to these systems either. emptybill is the current example, but there have been others; in some cases lurkers have popped in for a post or two just to call him on some of his errors. I'm not in a position to say who's right in these instances (and neither are you), but they do reinforce the impression that he may not be quite who he claims to be. And finally, when he's challenged on
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: TV review: Enlightened
On 10/11/2011 09:18 AM, turquoiseb wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Bhairitunoozguru@... wrote: Indeed it looks like it is going to be a fun series, especially next week's episode where she does wind up working. Mike White even has a role in next week's episode. They are pretty much nailing what happens with about anyone who has done some kind meditation program (not just TM) or had a major life change. I think everyone on FFL could relate to coming back and finding relatives and friends seemingly stuck in old habits while you've changed. Her reaction with her mother and ex-husband are pretty typical of that. Most of us eventually learn to realize that though we've made a life change it doesn't mean that others will at the same or maybe ever. One learns to tolerate habits they have even if they are destructive. With all due respect, do you hear the arrogance and the elitism in your voice as you write these things? And with all due respect that's YOUR misperception, Barry. I'm just pointing out the typical experience that many people seem to have after they've learned something and try to share it with someone else. You apparently didn't read the rest of my post where I pointed out that eventually people give up on trying to change those around them. And be careful about accusing someone of being arrogant as that seemed to be a trait that Fredrick Lenz imbued in his followers and it is VERY obvious. :-D And of course MMY did this too as I'm sure we all remember the enlightened and the ignorant. Which because we must all be the same the next person I meet on the street I'll ask to solve a computer algorithm problem I'm working on. After all we're all the same so they should know, shouldn't they? :-D :-D :-D YOU've had a life change, which you can never prove to anyone that you've ever had -- it's all inside your head, subjective. And yet you somehow fault these other people in your life for not recognizing it, so much so that you have to be tolerant of them. The point I'm trying to make -- and that I think that the creators of this series are trying to make -- is that such life changes are and will always remain subjective. They don't mean shit to anyone but the person who has exper- ienced whatever they experienced. *In their heads*, the enlightened think that their world has changed, and that the world outside themselves should recognize this and treat them them way they deserve to be treated, as not only having achieved something that the lesser mortals around them have not, but as messengers or saviors of some kind, as if the people they preach their New Age stuff to should actually be grateful to be around them. I made a point today of reading as many reviews of this new series as I could find, to see what mainstream critics thought of it. Almost all of them thought that Laura Dern's character was insufferable. Many assumed she was crazy as a bedbug. Several used the same term I did -- manic depres- sive. NO ONE saw her the way she sees herself in her voice- over soliloquies, as someone who has become an agent of change. THAT is the point I'm trying to make about this series. If a bunch of TMers or spiritual people or New Agers or cultists see it, they're going to see something very different. Their conditioning is going to lead them to accept the possi- bility that she really DID have some kind of realization experience, and that that makes her manic behavior somehow not only acceptable, but normal. But normal people don't see her that way. They see her as a rather neurotic, close-to-the-edge manic depressive who is now -- upon her return from the ashram -- even less tolerable during her manic, happy, blissninny upswings than she was before during her depressive downswings. What this series is about IMO (and in the opinion of most of the critics I read today) is the narcissism of the New Age spiritual types that prevents them from ever having the slightest clue of how they are perceived by the people around them. If being that clueless and out of touch is one of your definitions of enlightenment, so much so that you feel that you have to be tolerant of those who don't look upon such behavior favorably, I'm thinkin' you've got an awful lot of people to convince that your view is right and theirs is wrong. Like maybe 90% of the world's population. The way she acts ISN'T normal. It ISN'T enlightened. So far in the series, she's merely manic, and so self-obsessed that she doesn't even realize that she's manic, and that almost everyone she meets views her that way. Yeah, so? It's a comedy series, Barry. It's poking fun at these things. Remember that in early 2010 when the trades mentioned Mike White pitched the series to HBO I joked here that Mike White ought to take a look at FFL for material. :-D
[FairfieldLife] Re: Enlightenment and FFL
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, turquoiseb no_reply@... wrote: Still pondering the new HBO series Enlightened, I am struck by how good Laura Dern's performance in it was. I am also struck by how much fodder it may produce for discussion here on FFL, if people treat it as the opportunity for intelligent discussion it is. Laura Dern is, after all, a talented actress; she has been nominated for an Oscar, and was often arguably the only redeeming factor in any number of David Lynch films. She's also a multi-year TMer, and thus probably familiar with the phenomenon of someone having -- or merely claiming to have had -- a realization or enlightenment experience. So her performance is nuanced and real. More important, she's been given dialogue by writers who seem to understand that from an objective bystander's point of view, there is often very little difference between a person claiming to be enlightened and a person suffering from full-on manic depression. In their manic phases, both are completely convinced of the validity of their subjective experiences, and often equally con- vinced that others around them should see them the way that they see themselves. Those others...uh...not so much; for them, if it quacks like a manic-depressive, they may be more likely to perceive it as one, as opposed to perceiving it as enlightenment. Laura Dern's Amy is admittedly off her meds, after having first suffered a breakdown, and then subsequently having had a realization experience. So which is she -- realized or merely manic-depressive and off her meds? That seems to be the theme that will be explored by this TV series. Interestingly, here on FFL we also tend to explore the same theme. Think Ravi, when he first descended here. What about Ravi? I think I have written quite a lot detailing my experiences and how to distinguish between manic depressive symptoms and spiritual awakening. It has been a big interest of mine since my awakening after the furious attempts by ex to brand me as such and the attempts of doctors to medicate when I was in peak bliss. Suffice to say they all failed but I learnt a lot from all their vain attempts. I have also explained a bit about why spiritually awakened would be labelled narcissists. But you and some others here are completely closed minded on it. I know how threatened you feel when others have a genuine awakening. So I don't think you have ever paid any attention to genuine experiences such as mine and now use this TV series to dump the same old garbage that you dump day in and day out here. Think Robin. Think any number of other crazy wisdom gurus or wannabee gurus whose exploits have been related here. From their subjective points of view, they are certainly experiencing *something*. They choose to call it realization or enlightenment. From the points of view of others around them, what they are experiencing may be legitimately seen as something else, something more from the off the meds mundane world than the off the wheel spiritual world. Which is real? Does real even exist? All good fodder for discussion, from my point of view. Whether that can actually happen here without people getting all uptight behind defending their particular point of view is another question entirely.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Enlightenment and FFL
It's kind of sad and shows how Barry is stuck in a rut and doesn't want to step out of his cocoon. I would be the kind of person he should have been happy to hear being enlightened. I was always opposed to traditions, temples, God always shocking everyone with my irreverent humor. Very open minded on sex, against traditional Brahmacharya. Eventhough I went through intense issues caused by Kundalini and my spiritual awakening I missed just 3 months of work plus three weeks back in 05-06, I still earn a very high salary, highly valued at my work. If this can't convince Barry what else can? --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Ravi Yogi raviyogi@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, turquoiseb no_reply@ wrote: Still pondering the new HBO series Enlightened, I am struck by how good Laura Dern's performance in it was. I am also struck by how much fodder it may produce for discussion here on FFL, if people treat it as the opportunity for intelligent discussion it is. Laura Dern is, after all, a talented actress; she has been nominated for an Oscar, and was often arguably the only redeeming factor in any number of David Lynch films. She's also a multi-year TMer, and thus probably familiar with the phenomenon of someone having -- or merely claiming to have had -- a realization or enlightenment experience. So her performance is nuanced and real. More important, she's been given dialogue by writers who seem to understand that from an objective bystander's point of view, there is often very little difference between a person claiming to be enlightened and a person suffering from full-on manic depression. In their manic phases, both are completely convinced of the validity of their subjective experiences, and often equally con- vinced that others around them should see them the way that they see themselves. Those others...uh...not so much; for them, if it quacks like a manic-depressive, they may be more likely to perceive it as one, as opposed to perceiving it as enlightenment. Laura Dern's Amy is admittedly off her meds, after having first suffered a breakdown, and then subsequently having had a realization experience. So which is she -- realized or merely manic-depressive and off her meds? That seems to be the theme that will be explored by this TV series. Interestingly, here on FFL we also tend to explore the same theme. Think Ravi, when he first descended here. What about Ravi? I think I have written quite a lot detailing my experiences and how to distinguish between manic depressive symptoms and spiritual awakening. It has been a big interest of mine since my awakening after the furious attempts by ex to brand me as such and the attempts of doctors to medicate when I was in peak bliss. Suffice to say they all failed but I learnt a lot from all their vain attempts. I have also explained a bit about why spiritually awakened would be labelled narcissists. But you and some others here are completely closed minded on it. I know how threatened you feel when others have a genuine awakening. So I don't think you have ever paid any attention to genuine experiences such as mine and now use this TV series to dump the same old garbage that you dump day in and day out here. Think Robin. Think any number of other crazy wisdom gurus or wannabee gurus whose exploits have been related here. From their subjective points of view, they are certainly experiencing *something*. They choose to call it realization or enlightenment. From the points of view of others around them, what they are experiencing may be legitimately seen as something else, something more from the off the meds mundane world than the off the wheel spiritual world. Which is real? Does real even exist? All good fodder for discussion, from my point of view. Whether that can actually happen here without people getting all uptight behind defending their particular point of view is another question entirely.
[FairfieldLife] Re: TV review: Enlightened
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Bhairitu noozguru@... wrote: On 10/11/2011 09:18 AM, turquoiseb wrote: With all due respect, do you hear the arrogance and the elitism in your voice as you write these things? And with all due respect that's YOUR misperception, Barry. I'm just pointing out the typical experience that many people seem to have after they've learned something and try to share it with someone else. What I'm trying to point out are two assumptions that seem to be built in to what you're saying. The first is that these things you've learned are not only valid because you experienced them subjectively, but that they're valid for *other people* as well. The second is that someone who has had such an experience has the *right* to try to share it with someone else. Bzzzt. I see that as the mindset of decades of conditioning within traditional spiritual disciplines. After a few years no one even *questions* these two assumptions any more. They have a subjective experience, feel that it was transformative or life-changing for them, and then set about trying to convince others that they should -- or must -- have the same or a similar experience. I no longer see that as a valid way of looking at either life or the spiritual process. If I have some great woo woo experience, the only right I have -- if I feel like doing so -- is to tell people about it to the best of my ability. THEY have the absolute right to look at me as if I were crazy, to disbelieve what I say, and/or to reject the experience I felt was valuable for me completely, as lacking any value for them. THEY are under no obligation to pay any attention whatsoever to my subjective experi- ences and the value I choose to assign to them, for me. What I find refreshing and interesting about the TV series I've been rapping about is that its creators seem to understand this. They do NOT assume -- at least so far in the series -- that because Amy had some (for her) whiz-bang realization experience that anyone else should value it in the slightest. SHE assumes that they should. She assumes this so strongly that she's almost completely self-absorbed, and unable to even *perceive* how the people around her perceive her, let alone value it. I'll be interested to see how this phenomenon is handled as the series progresses.
[FairfieldLife] Re: TV review: Enlightened
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, turquoiseb no_reply@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Bhairitu noozguru@ wrote: On 10/11/2011 09:18 AM, turquoiseb wrote: With all due respect, do you hear the arrogance and the elitism in your voice as you write these things? And with all due respect that's YOUR misperception, Barry. I'm just pointing out the typical experience that many people seem to have after they've learned something and try to share it with someone else. What I'm trying to point out are two assumptions that seem to be built in to what you're saying. The first is that these things you've learned are not only valid because you experienced them subjectively, but that they're valid for *other people* as well. The second is that someone who has had such an experience has the *right* to try to share it with someone else. Bzzzt. I see that as the mindset of decades of conditioning within traditional spiritual disciplines. After a few years no one even *questions* these two assumptions any more. They have a subjective experience, feel that it was transformative or life-changing for them, and then set about trying to convince others that they should -- or must -- have the same or a similar experience. I no longer see that as a valid way of looking at either life or the spiritual process. If I have some great woo woo experience, the only right I have -- if I feel like doing so -- is to tell people about it to the best of my ability. THEY have the absolute right to look at me as if I were crazy, to disbelieve what I say, and/or to reject the experience I felt was valuable for me completely, as lacking any value for them. THEY are under no obligation to pay any attention whatsoever to my subjective experi- ences and the value I choose to assign to them, for me. What I find refreshing and interesting about the TV series I've been rapping about is that its creators seem to understand this. They do NOT assume -- at least so far in the series -- that because Amy had some (for her) whiz-bang realization experience that anyone else should value it in the slightest. SHE assumes that they should. She assumes this so strongly that she's almost completely self-absorbed, and unable to even *perceive* how the people around her perceive her, let alone value it. I'll be interested to see how this phenomenon is handled as the series progresses. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQY8Ei3cda0 [sips tea while reading the Mystic comments.]
[FairfieldLife] Cephalopod tentacle, coleoid sucker?
In the fossil bed, some of the shonisaur vertebral disks are arranged in curious linear patterns with almost geometric regularity, McMenamin explained. The proposed Triassic kraken, which could have been the most intelligent invertebrate ever, arranged the vertebral discs in double line patterns, with individual pieces nesting in a fitted fashion as if they were part of a puzzle. Even more creepy: The arranged vertebrae resemble the pattern of sucker discs on a cephalopod tentacle, with each vertebra strongly resembling a coleoid sucker. In other words, the vertebral disc 'pavement' seen at the state park may represent the earliest known self portrait... 'Giant kraken lair discovered' Physorg: http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-10-giant-kraken-lair.html
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: TV review: Enlightened
On 10/11/2011 11:08 AM, turquoiseb wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Bhairitunoozguru@... wrote: On 10/11/2011 09:18 AM, turquoiseb wrote: With all due respect, do you hear the arrogance and the elitism in your voice as you write these things? And with all due respect that's YOUR misperception, Barry. I'm just pointing out the typical experience that many people seem to have after they've learned something and try to share it with someone else. What I'm trying to point out are two assumptions that seem to be built in to what you're saying. The first is that these things you've learned are not only valid because you experienced them subjectively, but that they're valid for *other people* as well. The second is that someone who has had such an experience has the *right* to try to share it with someone else. Bzzzt. I see that as the mindset of decades of conditioning within traditional spiritual disciplines. After a few years no one even *questions* these two assumptions any more. They have a subjective experience, feel that it was transformative or life-changing for them, and then set about trying to convince others that they should -- or must -- have the same or a similar experience. I no longer see that as a valid way of looking at either life or the spiritual process. If I have some great woo woo experience, the only right I have -- if I feel like doing so -- is to tell people about it to the best of my ability. THEY have the absolute right to look at me as if I were crazy, to disbelieve what I say, and/or to reject the experience I felt was valuable for me completely, as lacking any value for them. THEY are under no obligation to pay any attention whatsoever to my subjective experi- ences and the value I choose to assign to them, for me. What I find refreshing and interesting about the TV series I've been rapping about is that its creators seem to understand this. They do NOT assume -- at least so far in the series -- that because Amy had some (for her) whiz-bang realization experience that anyone else should value it in the slightest. SHE assumes that they should. She assumes this so strongly that she's almost completely self-absorbed, and unable to even *perceive* how the people around her perceive her, let alone value it. I'll be interested to see how this phenomenon is handled as the series progresses. We all know these are subjective experiences, Barry. Just sayin' that everyone seems to go through this be it a meditation program or a religious one. We call it zealousness. For some reason you are trying to project on me what I think with what appears to be a misperception of what I said. And one should be careful about reading too much into what the writers of the series are doing. Some of those connections can even be accidental. Let's not also forget the series is also going to mock the robotic behavior that happens in the corporate world. Also I wouldn't be surprised if they introduce some characters who resonate with her experience too.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Enlightenment and FFL
Interestingly, here on FFL we also tend to explore the same theme. Think Ravi, when he first descended here. Think Robin. Think any number of other crazy wisdom gurus or wannabee gurus whose exploits have been related here. From their subjective points of view, they are certainly experiencing *something*. They choose to call it realization or enlightenment. From the points of view of others around them, what they are experiencing may be legitimately seen as something else, something more from the off the meds mundane world than the off the wheel spiritual world. Which is real? Does real even exist? All good fodder for discussion, from my point of view. Whether that can actually happen here without people getting all uptight behind defending their particular point of view is another question entirely. Dear Barry Wright, You have, for some unknowable reason (even to yourself) entirely ceased questioning your own personal epistemology: you are a perfect anti-critic of yourself in every moment. Life can never bring you to your knees. You do not even know what it would be like to experience humility. Of anyone writing on FFL, your incapacity for self-reflection is the most mystical and aesthetically pure of anyone. It must be your innocent and subtlest of all religions: to remain unable to even imagine there could be another point of view about something other than your own. Or rather that you could be seeing reality within a metaphysical bias about which you are entirely oblivious. I could be as crazy and deluded as you imply that I am, butget this, Barry boy*you would never know it*, because, without being aware of this, *you never make contact with the reality which you are reacting to*. In this sense you remain utterly and immaculately virginal: nothing is experienced which might contradict your idea of what is real, of who you are, of what is going on inside the minds and hearts of other persons. Now don't get me wrong, Barry: As I say, you might be the person to deliver me from my hallucinations and madness; but if you really cared about someone you would connect to the context of your experience *out of which you make this judgment*. Then I could feel the reality inside of you which leads you to this dismissal of the sanity and rationality of my point of view. Are you there, Barry? I am here. Talking to you. None of us can doubt your intelligence nor the acuteness of your movie and television reviews; but all the while this is going on you are entirely paralyzed and static and dead *inside the experience of what it is like to be Barry*. Now if you read this, your only approach (which seems to me to be morally and psychologically suicidal) will be to *make sure none of it gets into you*, that you remain innocent of how reality might wish to shake you, confront you, startle you in all its vertiginous complexity. I am sure you are a good fellow, Barry, but your prejudice and bigotry and closed-mindedness (unbeknownst to yourself) is extraordinary. For instance, if I asked you: Hey, Barry, I need some help. I have read your put-downs of me, and I just realized, against my will, that intuitively you must be right about me. It hurts, but apparently it is the truth. Would you, then, be willing to help me, Barry? Because you would be of no help whatsoever if your judgment of me remained entirely within an abstract space, refusing to come down into reality, where I could experience the actual effect I and my posts have made upon you. I write this, then, not in protest against anything you have said about me. For all I know you may be right about me. But even if you said the very opposite of what you have, and praised me, I would feel the same way about you, because if that praise came from the place where you are critical of me, it would mean nothing. Because unlived, unfelt, unexperienced, unverified. You have a psychic immune system which anaesthetizing you to a context of experiencing realityand other peoplewhich could afford you empirical and first person ontological perspective. As it is, the Barry Wright guy in there is a prisoner, but for all that, certain he is free and autonomous. It's not what you say, Barry; it's how unconvincing and pointless what you say is*because your heart is stone cold*. No, being stone cold would be fine. It is because you are mystically dead to where you first got your opinions and judgments and point of view in the very beginning. Now if one of your supporters on FFL would like to (since you will not) defend you, I only ask one thing: take in the whole of what is behind this post and then let me have it. For Christ sake, in your sense of loyalty to Barry, don't imitate him. Because then your analysis will be bloodless and without the minimal vitality and sincerity to make its mark upon me. Sure, Barry may have got me right, but I will never know it, because his critiques are just the involuntary reflex of a
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Happy Birthday Rick!
Many happy returns. Are you still planning to visit the left coast for that Advaita conference this month? On 10/11/2011 08:31 AM, Rick Archer wrote: Thanks Curtis. You make me laugh too. You're one of my favorite posters here. Whenever I think of visiting DC, where one of my sisters and a close friend live, I think oh boy, I'll get to visit with Curtis! We'll do it buddy! From: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com [mailto:FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of curtisdeltablues Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 10:15 AM To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com Subject: [FairfieldLife] Re: Happy Birthday Rick! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdFfB7P_YGQ Please substitute Rick's name for Rama's to know how I feel about him. (Ignore the section about how Rama treated Sita because Rick is a much better husband to Irene than Rama was to Sita! You may want to use this tidbit in your next marital argument, Rick.) Such a worthy endeavor to keep this place rock'n for 10 years through not listening to any voice that would squelch free speech and thought. Your project involving Buddha Passing Gas (I may have that wrong, I fell asleep after the first few interviews) is a worthy endeavor along the lines of: you believe you are awakened/enlightened/ so lets hear what you have to say for yourself is brilliant and direct. It lets everyone get what they need. Believers can see abundant evidence for the value of the spiritual life, and cretins like me can use it for more reasons to keep our eyes wide shut. You are one of the most interesting people I have ever met Rick, a guy committed to his spiritual path whose mind and heart is broad enough to embrace the nonbeliever. (A bro hug embrace that in no way violates the bro rules concerning shoulder only contact during the brief hug.) Plus you can really make me laugh. I hope this is your best year ever Rick and you find a way to monetize your Buddha Huffing Gas (that can't be right) project. I believe you are on to something big and are only on Oprah away from being able to pursue your interests fulltime. (Or one Ellen which is a much,much smaller unit of measure.) Happy Birthday brother! No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.1831 / Virus Database: 2090/4546 - Release Date: 10/11/11
[FairfieldLife] Re: TV review: Enlightened
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, turquoiseb no_reply@... wrote: snip With all due respect, do you hear the arrogance and the elitism in your voice as you write these things? YOU've had a life change, which you can never prove to anyone that you've ever had -- it's all inside your head, subjective. And yet you somehow fault these other people in your life for not recognizing it, so much so that you have to be tolerant of them. From Barry's second post about the series: All good fodder for discussion, from my point of view. Whether that can actually happen here without people getting all uptight behind defending their particular point of view is another question entirely. ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)
[FairfieldLife] Re: TV review: Enlightened
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Bhairitu noozguru@... wrote: On 10/11/2011 11:08 AM, turquoiseb wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Bhairitunoozguru@ wrote: On 10/11/2011 09:18 AM, turquoiseb wrote: With all due respect, do you hear the arrogance and the elitism in your voice as you write these things? And with all due respect that's YOUR misperception, Barry. I'm just pointing out the typical experience that many people seem to have after they've learned something and try to share it with someone else. What I'm trying to point out are two assumptions that seem to be built in to what you're saying. The first is that these things you've learned are not only valid because you experienced them subjectively, but that they're valid for *other people* as well. The second is that someone who has had such an experience has the *right* to try to share it with someone else. Bzzzt. I see that as the mindset of decades of conditioning within traditional spiritual disciplines. After a few years no one even *questions* these two assumptions any more. They have a subjective experience, feel that it was transformative or life-changing for them, and then set about trying to convince others that they should -- or must -- have the same or a similar experience. I no longer see that as a valid way of looking at either life or the spiritual process. If I have some great woo woo experience, the only right I have -- if I feel like doing so -- is to tell people about it to the best of my ability. THEY have the absolute right to look at me as if I were crazy, to disbelieve what I say, and/or to reject the experience I felt was valuable for me completely, as lacking any value for them. THEY are under no obligation to pay any attention whatsoever to my subjective experi- ences and the value I choose to assign to them, for me. What I find refreshing and interesting about the TV series I've been rapping about is that its creators seem to understand this. They do NOT assume -- at least so far in the series -- that because Amy had some (for her) whiz-bang realization experience that anyone else should value it in the slightest. SHE assumes that they should. She assumes this so strongly that she's almost completely self-absorbed, and unable to even *perceive* how the people around her perceive her, let alone value it. I'll be interested to see how this phenomenon is handled as the series progresses. We all know these are subjective experiences, Barry. Just sayin' that everyone seems to go through this be it a meditation program or a religious one. We call it zealousness. For some reason you are trying to project on me what I think with what appears to be a misperception of what I said. Yes very common in spiritual circles, for that matter even mundane life. We see something beatiful and we want to share - very natural. The fact that Barry 1 is so agrressive and sensitive about it shows how much he feels guilty for his cult adsociations. I'm positive he did lot of objectionable things under the tutelage of Swami Rama. Barry - the cultish wolf, in the Skeptic Sheep's garb now. And one should be careful about reading too much into what the writers of the series are doing. Some of those connections can even be accidental. Let's not also forget the series is also going to mock the robotic behavior that happens in the corporate world. Also I wouldn't be surprised if they introduce some characters who resonate with her experience too.
[FairfieldLife] transient enlightenment vs. permanent realization [was Re: E and FFL]
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@... wrote: Regarding transient periods of witnessing, vs. permanent realization, the difference is just that. As a result of Being not being fully integrated, the temporary experience can feel kind of manic, as if one is one with the universe, feeling almost giddy, and somewhat hyperactive in the body and mind. I have had a few of these experiences over the years, and all I can say is the feelings were like an expansion of the heart that couldn't sustain itself, and dissolved after a few days. Permanent realization is just that. The mind isn't involved with it. In fact our self identity shifts radically from what we have always considered to be the 'me', to a universal identity with everything. This is also an evolving process that Maharishi described succinctly and simply in about 1968. So, rule of thumb is that if it feels overly blissy and the mind is involved in enjoying this experience on the level of the small self, and the whole thing feels special, it probably won't last. On the other hand, once Being is fully integrated, there is no mania associated with the experience, life just continues as before, with the only difference being complete liberation from bondage being lived moment to moment, and consequently a quiet and satisfied mind. Thanks for posting this very personal account Jim. But are you sure you are not suffering some kind of mental disease as the Turqo suggests ? :-) :-) Anyway your experiences, particularily those regarding before permanency reminds me of experiences I and my friends on Purusha had for prolongued periods of time years ago. But I would have described it as something in the middle of yours; life continued as before in happiness and it was not special, yet it would come and go. It will be interesting to see how many have entered phase two as they have been now in the Himalayas for quite a few years already.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Enlightenment and FFL
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, turquoiseb no_reply@... wrote: Still pondering the new HBO series Enlightened, I am struck by how good Laura Dern's performance in it was. Enlightened Trailer: http://www.buzzsugar.com/Enlightened-Trailer-Starring-Laura-Dern-1975052\ 1 http://www.buzzsugar.com/Enlightened-Trailer-Starring-Laura-Dern-197505\ 21 http://www.buzzsugar.com/Enlightened-Trailer-Starring-Laura-Dern-197505\ 21
[FairfieldLife] Re: David Wants to Fly
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Ravi Yogi raviyogi@... wrote: Yeah that's why I referred to Robin as TM's prodigal pimp. I think he is defining enlightenment as the intellectual hard-on that he aroused himself to years ago. No wonder he thinks it's not healthy..:-). But to blame his hard- ons to Vedic Gods or Hindu demons is really sick, what a perverted SOB. Sweet Ravi, Don't you think this is a little harsh. You can hurt a guy, you know, with comments like this. Have you ever thought what I might do to myself reading what you say about me. Perverted SOBsurely you exaggerate. Am I really this, Ravi? Well, we've been through this rigamarole before, and, if I remember correctly, it never cameand never comesto anything. I have taken up a hint you once gave me in some post from months ago: I will now (for my own purposes of remaining tranquilized in my own egoismit's pretty tenacious, wouldn't you agree?) assume you are one of those Vedic gods or Hindu demons incarnated in order to mock me out of the perfection of my post-enlightenment integrity. You perhaps *made me enlightened*; now you are seeking revenge because I exorcized you from my consciousness. I will consider this, of course, only a functional hypothesis, since it is always possible you will end up persuading me you are my very own Self, just having a bit of fun inside the maya of creation. It is maya, right? No, really, Ravi, I know what you need most of all: It is to turn your life over to the Lord. He's waiting for you: then you must let Rick interview you as an Born-again Christian. After you have done this, you can return to your Deva individuality inside eternity. But remember: when I come to die I will point you out: since, being one of those fallen angels, you never have died. And you have never been up to any good since you first fell with your Master. Ooops! I never have died either, even though I'm just a human being. Because who I really am [the Self] is unborn and undying. Right? Better idea: Teach me to be provocative and winsomely insolent: I like this methodology. But will it work, has it ever worked, with the lovely vulnerable romantic Netherlands guy? He excoriates you as vehemently as he excoriates me. What really galls me, Ravi, that he has the temerity to put me *in the same category as yourself*. That's what really gets to me. Because, after all, I have given up my enlightenment, and you haven't. Still, there's no reasoning with him. Your taunts and animadversions can't touch him. Now where were we, Ravi? Oh, yes: you were insulting me: prodigal pimp: that is outrageous. How dare you call me that, Ravi. It's not true, I tell you; it's not true. At least I don't *think* it's true. I didn't expect to get anywhere with this; don't worry. Have you tried Transcendental Meditation? Now that would really get my attention: hearing from Ravi about his first experience of transcending. It might make a difference you could not imagine. It did for me. By the way: if you think I am going to drawn in to answering what is being thought up in your mind right now, you are wrong. I've had enough of your cruelty, Ravi. Leave me alone.
[FairfieldLife] Why Are There Dinosaurs in the Tree of Life Movie?
Here is my attempt to answer the question, Why are there dinosaurs in the Tree of Life Movie? http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/mainstream-movie-reviews/tree-of-life-why-dinosaurs-
[FairfieldLife] transient enlightenment vs. permanent realization [was Re: E and FFL]
I was listening to a downloaded lecture of MMY's from 1968 or so, that I picked up off of some website several years ago, where MMY purportedly discusses kundalini energy. I missed that part, but he does outline the process whereby the TC turns into CC, and becomes a permanent addition to consciousness, so that any experience has an underlying foundation of silence. I know anyone that learned or taught TM knows that this is supposed to be what happens, and I don't recall Maharishi saying anything about dissolving oneself in order to gain liberation, however, after all is said and done, his description of silence underling every activity turns out to be confirmed 100% by direct experience. *Nothing* that can be demonstrated, and yet unmistakable in its existence and the experience of silence along with activity, dreaming and sleeping. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_reply@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Regarding transient periods of witnessing, vs. permanent realization, the difference is just that. As a result of Being not being fully integrated, the temporary experience can feel kind of manic, as if one is one with the universe, feeling almost giddy, and somewhat hyperactive in the body and mind. I have had a few of these experiences over the years, and all I can say is the feelings were like an expansion of the heart that couldn't sustain itself, and dissolved after a few days. Permanent realization is just that. The mind isn't involved with it. In fact our self identity shifts radically from what we have always considered to be the 'me', to a universal identity with everything. This is also an evolving process that Maharishi described succinctly and simply in about 1968. So, rule of thumb is that if it feels overly blissy and the mind is involved in enjoying this experience on the level of the small self, and the whole thing feels special, it probably won't last. On the other hand, once Being is fully integrated, there is no mania associated with the experience, life just continues as before, with the only difference being complete liberation from bondage being lived moment to moment, and consequently a quiet and satisfied mind. Thanks for posting this very personal account Jim. But are you sure you are not suffering some kind of mental disease as the Turqo suggests ? :-) :-) Anyway your experiences, particularily those regarding before permanency reminds me of experiences I and my friends on Purusha had for prolongued periods of time years ago. But I would have described it as something in the middle of yours; life continued as before in happiness and it was not special, yet it would come and go. It will be interesting to see how many have entered phase two as they have been now in the Himalayas for quite a few years already.
[FairfieldLife] Re: David Wants to Fly
Thank god - you kept it short Robin. I really enjoyed it and was smiling through out. Yes what about the temerity of Barry to mention us both in the same sentence? I like the phrase born again - I was literally born again. I look the same yet I'm not the same person that people around me think I am. My categorization was harsh but at least I got a response unlike Barry - I think you have done an excellent analysis in your earlier post. I don't agree with you on the hard on part but enjoy your posts. I WILL leave you alone for some time - I didn't sleep much last night and I'm still a little high. I still need lot of sleep every night to integrate my daily highs. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, maskedzebra no_reply@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Ravi Yogi raviyogi@ wrote: Yeah that's why I referred to Robin as TM's prodigal pimp. I think he is defining enlightenment as the intellectual hard-on that he aroused himself to years ago. No wonder he thinks it's not healthy..:-). But to blame his hard- ons to Vedic Gods or Hindu demons is really sick, what a perverted SOB. Sweet Ravi, Don't you think this is a little harsh. You can hurt a guy, you know, with comments like this. Have you ever thought what I might do to myself reading what you say about me. Perverted SOBsurely you exaggerate. Am I really this, Ravi? Well, we've been through this rigamarole before, and, if I remember correctly, it never cameand never comesto anything. I have taken up a hint you once gave me in some post from months ago: I will now (for my own purposes of remaining tranquilized in my own egoismit's pretty tenacious, wouldn't you agree?) assume you are one of those Vedic gods or Hindu demons incarnated in order to mock me out of the perfection of my post-enlightenment integrity. You perhaps *made me enlightened*; now you are seeking revenge because I exorcized you from my consciousness. I will consider this, of course, only a functional hypothesis, since it is always possible you will end up persuading me you are my very own Self, just having a bit of fun inside the maya of creation. It is maya, right? No, really, Ravi, I know what you need most of all: It is to turn your life over to the Lord. He's waiting for you: then you must let Rick interview you as an Born-again Christian. After you have done this, you can return to your Deva individuality inside eternity. But remember: when I come to die I will point you out: since, being one of those fallen angels, you never have died. And you have never been up to any good since you first fell with your Master. Ooops! I never have died either, even though I'm just a human being. Because who I really am [the Self] is unborn and undying. Right? Better idea: Teach me to be provocative and winsomely insolent: I like this methodology. But will it work, has it ever worked, with the lovely vulnerable romantic Netherlands guy? He excoriates you as vehemently as he excoriates me. What really galls me, Ravi, that he has the temerity to put me *in the same category as yourself*. That's what really gets to me. Because, after all, I have given up my enlightenment, and you haven't. Still, there's no reasoning with him. Your taunts and animadversions can't touch him. Now where were we, Ravi? Oh, yes: you were insulting me: prodigal pimp: that is outrageous. How dare you call me that, Ravi. It's not true, I tell you; it's not true. At least I don't *think* it's true. I didn't expect to get anywhere with this; don't worry. Have you tried Transcendental Meditation? Now that would really get my attention: hearing from Ravi about his first experience of transcending. It might make a difference you could not imagine. It did for me. By the way: if you think I am going to drawn in to answering what is being thought up in your mind right now, you are wrong. I've had enough of your cruelty, Ravi. Leave me alone.
Re: [FairfieldLife] Difference between American and British drummers?
On 10/10/2011 11:43 PM, cardemaister wrote: American drummers tend to slow it down: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3t7yOYPKn4 British drummers tend to speed it up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgxL6ECOHXQ You mean that the Stones were rushing? Which they are in that track but not badly. The Beach Boys band track is probably studio musicians maybe with Hal Blaine on drums and stays metronome solid.
[FairfieldLife] Re: David Wants to Fly
And in the short time you have been here I have learned a lot from you, new insights and angles in to explaining enlightenment. I'm sure it will be of good use in the future. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Ravi Yogi raviyogi@... wrote: Thank god - you kept it short Robin. I really enjoyed it and was smiling through out. Yes what about the temerity of Barry to mention us both in the same sentence? I like the phrase born again - I was literally born again. I look the same yet I'm not the same person that people around me think I am. My categorization was harsh but at least I got a response unlike Barry - I think you have done an excellent analysis in your earlier post. I don't agree with you on the hard on part but enjoy your posts. I WILL leave you alone for some time - I didn't sleep much last night and I'm still a little high. I still need lot of sleep every night to integrate my daily highs. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, maskedzebra no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Ravi Yogi raviyogi@ wrote: Yeah that's why I referred to Robin as TM's prodigal pimp. I think he is defining enlightenment as the intellectual hard-on that he aroused himself to years ago. No wonder he thinks it's not healthy..:-). But to blame his hard- ons to Vedic Gods or Hindu demons is really sick, what a perverted SOB. Sweet Ravi, Don't you think this is a little harsh. You can hurt a guy, you know, with comments like this. Have you ever thought what I might do to myself reading what you say about me. Perverted SOBsurely you exaggerate. Am I really this, Ravi? Well, we've been through this rigamarole before, and, if I remember correctly, it never cameand never comesto anything. I have taken up a hint you once gave me in some post from months ago: I will now (for my own purposes of remaining tranquilized in my own egoismit's pretty tenacious, wouldn't you agree?) assume you are one of those Vedic gods or Hindu demons incarnated in order to mock me out of the perfection of my post-enlightenment integrity. You perhaps *made me enlightened*; now you are seeking revenge because I exorcized you from my consciousness. I will consider this, of course, only a functional hypothesis, since it is always possible you will end up persuading me you are my very own Self, just having a bit of fun inside the maya of creation. It is maya, right? No, really, Ravi, I know what you need most of all: It is to turn your life over to the Lord. He's waiting for you: then you must let Rick interview you as an Born-again Christian. After you have done this, you can return to your Deva individuality inside eternity. But remember: when I come to die I will point you out: since, being one of those fallen angels, you never have died. And you have never been up to any good since you first fell with your Master. Ooops! I never have died either, even though I'm just a human being. Because who I really am [the Self] is unborn and undying. Right? Better idea: Teach me to be provocative and winsomely insolent: I like this methodology. But will it work, has it ever worked, with the lovely vulnerable romantic Netherlands guy? He excoriates you as vehemently as he excoriates me. What really galls me, Ravi, that he has the temerity to put me *in the same category as yourself*. That's what really gets to me. Because, after all, I have given up my enlightenment, and you haven't. Still, there's no reasoning with him. Your taunts and animadversions can't touch him. Now where were we, Ravi? Oh, yes: you were insulting me: prodigal pimp: that is outrageous. How dare you call me that, Ravi. It's not true, I tell you; it's not true. At least I don't *think* it's true. I didn't expect to get anywhere with this; don't worry. Have you tried Transcendental Meditation? Now that would really get my attention: hearing from Ravi about his first experience of transcending. It might make a difference you could not imagine. It did for me. By the way: if you think I am going to drawn in to answering what is being thought up in your mind right now, you are wrong. I've had enough of your cruelty, Ravi. Leave me alone.
[FairfieldLife] Jennifer Lynch's Hisss on Netflix WI
Says in HD and 1:33:1 but probably widescreen and the listing is wrong. It was shot in scope or 2:35:1. Of course she's David's daughter and some here liked her Surveillance film. In Hindi with subtitles. Nagins another mythical India thing and there are sects that worship cobras. A nagin is a snake that changes back and forth from human form. http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Hisss/70170181 No dancing around trees.
[FairfieldLife] Re: Enlightenment and FFL
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Bhairitu noozguru@... wrote: On 10/11/2011 05:12 AM, Susan wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, turquoisebno_reply@ wrote: Still pondering the new HBO series Enlightened, I am struck by how good Laura Dern's performance in it was. I am also struck by how much fodder it may produce for discussion here on FFL, if people treat it as the opportunity for intelligent discussion it is. Laura Dern is, after all, a talented actress; she has been nominated for an Oscar, and was often arguably the only redeeming factor in any number of David Lynch films. She's also a multi-year TMer, and thus probably familiar with the phenomenon of someone having -- or merely claiming to have had -- a realization or enlightenment experience. So her performance is nuanced and real. My take is that in the TMO and probably other such groups, there is a lot more tolerance for odd, unproductive behavior among members of the group. While they have their own rules, in some ways they give a lot of leeway to people when they assume they are going thru some process of evolving. Rather than saying someone needs to get some meds, they might prefer to assume that the person is unstressing or working out some sort of past karma (an idea I find particularly annoying). More important, she's been given dialogue by writers who seem to understand that from an objective bystander's point of view, there is often very little difference between a person claiming to be enlightened and a person suffering from full-on manic depression. In their manic phases, both are completely convinced of the validity of their subjective experiences, and often equally con- vinced that others around them should see them the way that they see themselves. Those others...uh...not so much; for them, if it quacks like a manic-depressive, they may be more likely to perceive it as one, as opposed to perceiving it as enlightenment. Laura Dern's Amy is admittedly off her meds, after having first suffered a breakdown, and then subsequently having had a realization experience. So which is she -- realized or merely manic-depressive and off her meds? That seems to be the theme that will be explored by this TV series. This is a big question, at least for me. I have no doubt that what we call mental illnesses all have corresponding problems in brain function when compared to a baseline normal. And those experiencing them certainly have trouble functioning in life. Mental illness is an illness. And the variety of spiritual experience we have, temporary witnessing, CC, Unity etc - well, that too must be the result of shifts in brain functioning. (Or the spiritual take is that brain functioning shifts ss a result of the presence of some energy or elimination of interfering stress or habits - that is what we assume). We have been told thru the ages that these experiences and shifts are better than normal and also something to aim for. They certainly feel better than normal functioning. But are they really the Truth, an improvement. Are we really then connected to the cosmos or is it just a personal perception that stops once you move beyond that person's brain? Is it a type of illness? What really happens in the brains of people who have the experiences we term awakened? Do some sections atrophy, or does the whole thing light up, even heal itself? We really don't have answers to these questions yet. Back in the day the ideal sane person was Maslow's Self Actualized Man. Since that seemed out of reach journalists started writing articles on how everyone is crazy (which is probably true). So then the psychology field made the average the norm which as a friend who is a psychology professor says who wants to be average? Thing is those who have never suffered a mental illness often believe themselves to sane but the only people who know what sanity really is are those who have suffered a mental illness. One has to bring themselves back to some level or definition of sanity to cure that illness. After that one recognizes how off most of society is mentally and appreciates the rare few who seem to be sane. And interestingly enough when you get to know the sane person they may well have had an incident of mental illness themselves. This is an interesting idea, B. I agree that people who have had a bout with a mental illness really are ever after extra sensitive to the stability or craziness in others and in the world. Seems to be a humbling experience as you realize just how fragile all of us are, how precious our sanity, and how it can happen to anyone. In my early 20's I suffered from hypoglycemia for about year or so before finding out what was going on. I felt mentally ill - anxious all the time, thinking obsessively, fearful. What a huge humongous
[FairfieldLife] Re: Happy Birthday Rick!
Ah Rick, Knowing you are around is a bit like knowing that somewhere, mother is at home, or better- a friend is at home. Have a wonderful year ahead filled with more fun, new ideas, great guests on BatGap, and more awakening. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Bhairitu noozguru@... wrote: Many happy returns. Are you still planning to visit the left coast for that Advaita conference this month? On 10/11/2011 08:31 AM, Rick Archer wrote: Thanks Curtis. You make me laugh too. You're one of my favorite posters here. Whenever I think of visiting DC, where one of my sisters and a close friend live, I think oh boy, I'll get to visit with Curtis! We'll do it buddy! From: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com [mailto:FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of curtisdeltablues Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 10:15 AM To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com Subject: [FairfieldLife] Re: Happy Birthday Rick! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdFfB7P_YGQ Please substitute Rick's name for Rama's to know how I feel about him. (Ignore the section about how Rama treated Sita because Rick is a much better husband to Irene than Rama was to Sita! You may want to use this tidbit in your next marital argument, Rick.) Such a worthy endeavor to keep this place rock'n for 10 years through not listening to any voice that would squelch free speech and thought. Your project involving Buddha Passing Gas (I may have that wrong, I fell asleep after the first few interviews) is a worthy endeavor along the lines of: you believe you are awakened/enlightened/ so lets hear what you have to say for yourself is brilliant and direct. It lets everyone get what they need. Believers can see abundant evidence for the value of the spiritual life, and cretins like me can use it for more reasons to keep our eyes wide shut. You are one of the most interesting people I have ever met Rick, a guy committed to his spiritual path whose mind and heart is broad enough to embrace the nonbeliever. (A bro hug embrace that in no way violates the bro rules concerning shoulder only contact during the brief hug.) Plus you can really make me laugh. I hope this is your best year ever Rick and you find a way to monetize your Buddha Huffing Gas (that can't be right) project. I believe you are on to something big and are only on Oprah away from being able to pursue your interests fulltime. (Or one Ellen which is a much,much smaller unit of measure.) Happy Birthday brother! No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.1831 / Virus Database: 2090/4546 - Release Date: 10/11/11
[FairfieldLife] Re: Why Are There Dinosaurs in the Tree of Life Movie?
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Jean jeanjessup@... wrote: Here is my attempt to answer the question, Why are there dinosaurs in the Tree of Life Movie? http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspective.com/mainstream-movie-reviews/tree-of-life-why-dinosaurs- I liked your take on the dinosaurs issue - never thought of this because i looked t it this way: the dinos showed the first example of Grace in Nature. Remember at the beginning of the film the voice over (Sean Penn?) talks about the 2 ways to look at life; as filled by Grace or simply a sequence of the acts of Nature? So the dino showed compassion (as well as control and power over another) as a new response to weakness. He made a choice to let the weak animal live Some people in the film were moved by Grace, too, but not all, of course. And certainly God was a mix of a source of breauty in Nature as well as apparently random cruelty towards life.
Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Enlightenment and FFL
On 10/11/2011 02:55 PM, Susan wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Bhairitunoozguru@... wrote: Enlightenment is really just the state of having an inner peace a quietness from which one relates to the world and sees it in those terms. It ls also an ongoing process. Most here have started down the road and maybe a few running, screaming, trying to get back to where they started. :-D You mean back to Being or back to good ole waking state? The 'ole waking state' or what I call serial consciousness living from event to event. Maybe that sounds arrogant though. :-D
[FairfieldLife] transient enlightenment vs. permanent realization [was Re: E and FFL]
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_reply@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Regarding transient periods of witnessing, vs. permanent realization, the difference is just that. As a result of Being not being fully integrated, the temporary experience can feel kind of manic, as if one is one with the universe, feeling almost giddy, and somewhat hyperactive in the body and mind. I have had a few of these experiences over the years, and all I can say is the feelings were like an expansion of the heart that couldn't sustain itself, and dissolved after a few days. Permanent realization is just that. The mind isn't involved with it. In fact our self identity shifts radically from what we have always considered to be the 'me', to a universal identity with everything. This is also an evolving process that Maharishi described succinctly and simply in about 1968. So, rule of thumb is that if it feels overly blissy and the mind is involved in enjoying this experience on the level of the small self, and the whole thing feels special, it probably won't last. On the other hand, once Being is fully integrated, there is no mania associated with the experience, life just continues as before, with the only difference being complete liberation from bondage being lived moment to moment, and consequently a quiet and satisfied mind. Nice and clear description, Jim. Thanks as always. This matches the talk about awakening by Adyashantai, Ramana Maharishi and many in the satsang movement. Thanks for posting this very personal account Jim. But are you sure you are not suffering some kind of mental disease as the Turqo suggests ? :-) :-) Anyway your experiences, particularily those regarding before permanency reminds me of experiences I and my friends on Purusha had for prolongued periods of time years ago. But I would have described it as something in the middle of yours; life continued as before in happiness and it was not special, yet it would come and go. It will be interesting to see how many have entered phase two as they have been now in the Himalayas for quite a few years already.
[FairfieldLife] Video: Koch Brothers Exposed
Documentary about cancer deaths from one of the Koch industries plants. The Koch demons are deranged and seem to think they are living in the middle ages. Guess they would understand what a guillotine is then. ;-) http://kochbrothersexposed.com/cancer/
[FairfieldLife] transient enlightenment vs. permanent realization [was Re: E and FFL]
Nice and clear description, Jim. Thanks as always. This matches the talk about awakening by Adyashantai, Ramana Maharishi and many in the satsang movement. ** Yep, we all end up in the same wonderful place; right here! --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Susan wayback71@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Regarding transient periods of witnessing, vs. permanent realization, the difference is just that. As a result of Being not being fully integrated, the temporary experience can feel kind of manic, as if one is one with the universe, feeling almost giddy, and somewhat hyperactive in the body and mind. I have had a few of these experiences over the years, and all I can say is the feelings were like an expansion of the heart that couldn't sustain itself, and dissolved after a few days. Permanent realization is just that. The mind isn't involved with it. In fact our self identity shifts radically from what we have always considered to be the 'me', to a universal identity with everything. This is also an evolving process that Maharishi described succinctly and simply in about 1968. So, rule of thumb is that if it feels overly blissy and the mind is involved in enjoying this experience on the level of the small self, and the whole thing feels special, it probably won't last. On the other hand, once Being is fully integrated, there is no mania associated with the experience, life just continues as before, with the only difference being complete liberation from bondage being lived moment to moment, and consequently a quiet and satisfied mind. Nice and clear description, Jim. Thanks as always. This matches the talk about awakening by Adyashantai, Ramana Maharishi and many in the satsang movement. ** Yep, we all end up in the same wonderful place; right here! Thanks for posting this very personal account Jim. But are you sure you are not suffering some kind of mental disease as the Turqo suggests ? :-) :-) Anyway your experiences, particularily those regarding before permanency reminds me of experiences I and my friends on Purusha had for prolongued periods of time years ago. But I would have described it as something in the middle of yours; life continued as before in happiness and it was not special, yet it would come and go. It will be interesting to see how many have entered phase two as they have been now in the Himalayas for quite a few years already.
[FairfieldLife] transient enlightenment vs. permanent realization [was Re: E and FFL]
Yeah, the permanence of silence during everything else just continues to deepen, sort of a really drawn out version of a sip of excellent cognac or other preferred distilled spirit, the way the alcohol fueled flavor is absorbed first in the mouth and then down the throat and finally to the stomach. It happens gradually yet unmistakably over time, with the only inevitable casualty being our limited identity. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_reply@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Regarding transient periods of witnessing, vs. permanent realization, the difference is just that. As a result of Being not being fully integrated, the temporary experience can feel kind of manic, as if one is one with the universe, feeling almost giddy, and somewhat hyperactive in the body and mind. I have had a few of these experiences over the years, and all I can say is the feelings were like an expansion of the heart that couldn't sustain itself, and dissolved after a few days. Permanent realization is just that. The mind isn't involved with it. In fact our self identity shifts radically from what we have always considered to be the 'me', to a universal identity with everything. This is also an evolving process that Maharishi described succinctly and simply in about 1968. So, rule of thumb is that if it feels overly blissy and the mind is involved in enjoying this experience on the level of the small self, and the whole thing feels special, it probably won't last. On the other hand, once Being is fully integrated, there is no mania associated with the experience, life just continues as before, with the only difference being complete liberation from bondage being lived moment to moment, and consequently a quiet and satisfied mind. Thanks for posting this very personal account Jim. But are you sure you are not suffering some kind of mental disease as the Turqo suggests ? :-) :-) Anyway your experiences, particularily those regarding before permanency reminds me of experiences I and my friends on Purusha had for prolongued periods of time years ago. But I would have described it as something in the middle of yours; life continued as before in happiness and it was not special, yet it would come and go. It will be interesting to see how many have entered phase two as they have been now in the Himalayas for quite a few years already.
[FairfieldLife] Dr. Ravi Batra: OWS and the demise of crony capitalism
Maybe Dr. Batra (who I began reading in the late 1970s) was MMY's economics advisor? However Batra was an Ananda Marga devotee though. I've always enjoyed his insights on the economy: http://www.truth-out.org/occupy-wall-street-movement-and-coming-demise-crony-capitalism/1318341474
[FairfieldLife] Re: Cephalopod tentacle, coleoid sucker?
thx, this is amazing...can't wait to learn more. (sucker discs). http://www.danielmartindiaz.com/illum-01.html --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, richardwillytexwilliams willytex@... wrote: In the fossil bed, some of the shonisaur vertebral disks are arranged in curious linear patterns with almost geometric regularity, McMenamin explained. The proposed Triassic kraken, which could have been the most intelligent invertebrate ever, arranged the vertebral discs in double line patterns, with individual pieces nesting in a fitted fashion as if they were part of a puzzle. Even more creepy: The arranged vertebrae resemble the pattern of sucker discs on a cephalopod tentacle, with each vertebra strongly resembling a coleoid sucker. In other words, the vertebral disc 'pavement' seen at the state park may represent the earliest known self portrait... 'Giant kraken lair discovered' Physorg: http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-10-giant-kraken-lair.html
[FairfieldLife] La Luz (Enlightened)
http://www.laluzdejesus.com/shows/2011/LaLuz_XXV_1/Lipton.htm
[FairfieldLife] Dr. Glaxo
http://www.laluzdejesus.com/shows/2011/LaLuz_XXV_1/Mars.htm
[FairfieldLife] The Face of Enlightenment
by Laurie Lipton http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NV6hhNA1PMY/TMVs33yi2XI/A4w/AogDowlp_Lo/s1600/LaurieLipton_8.jpg
[FairfieldLife] Fate of the Enlightened
by Laurie Lipton http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bwAHfdJLOJg/TPT1oyR66NI/DFI/WpLvSTf6wEI/s1600/laurie-lipton.jpg
[FairfieldLife] Post Count
Fairfield Life Post Counter === Start Date (UTC): Sat Oct 08 00:00:00 2011 End Date (UTC): Sat Oct 15 00:00:00 2011 333 messages as of (UTC) Tue Oct 11 23:47:43 2011 40 authfriend jst...@panix.com 38 Yifu yifux...@yahoo.com 28 turquoiseb no_re...@yahoogroups.com 26 Bhairitu noozg...@sbcglobal.net 25 obbajeeba no_re...@yahoogroups.com 23 Tom Pall thomas.p...@gmail.com 12 whynotnow7 whynotn...@yahoo.com 12 emptybill emptyb...@yahoo.com 12 curtisdeltablues curtisdeltabl...@yahoo.com 10 richardwillytexwilliams willy...@yahoo.com 10 Susan waybac...@yahoo.com 10 Rick Archer r...@searchsummit.com 9 Denise Evans dmevans...@yahoo.com 8 Vaj vajradh...@earthlink.net 7 maskedzebra no_re...@yahoogroups.com 7 Ravi Yogi raviy...@att.net 7 Alex Stanley j_alexander_stan...@yahoo.com 5 oye34vay msilver1...@yahoo.com 5 Sal Sunshine salsunsh...@lisco.com 5 John jr_...@yahoo.com 4 nablusoss1008 no_re...@yahoogroups.com 4 martyboi marty...@yahoo.com 4 cardemaister no_re...@yahoogroups.com 3 wgm4u anitaoak...@att.net 3 johnt johnlasher20002...@yahoo.com 3 Bob Price bobpri...@yahoo.com 2 jpgillam jpgil...@yahoo.com 2 Buck dhamiltony...@yahoo.com 1 shukra69 shukr...@yahoo.ca 1 shainm307 shainm...@yahoo.com 1 raunchydog raunchy...@yahoo.com 1 feste37 fest...@yahoo.com 1 azgrey no_re...@yahoogroups.com 1 wle...@aol.com 1 Sharalyn homeonthef...@iowatelecom.net 1 Paulo Barbosa tprob...@terra.com.br 1 Jean jeanjes...@q.com Posters: 37 Saturday Morning 00:00 UTC Rollover Times = Daylight Saving Time (Summer): US Friday evening: PDT 5 PM - MDT 6 PM - CDT 7 PM - EDT 8 PM Europe Saturday: BST 1 AM CEST 2 AM EEST 3 AM Standard Time (Winter): US Friday evening: PST 4 PM - MST 5 PM - CST 6 PM - EST 7 PM Europe Saturday: GMT 12 AM CET 1 AM EET 2 AM For more information on Time Zones: www.worldtimezone.com
[FairfieldLife] transient enlightenment vs. permanent realization [was Re: E and FFL]
Dear Nablusoss, They clearly missed the destination. Evidently Tqb, CDb and these other negativistic writers here are bound in states of apostasy. For lack of experience they clearly are in states of formal disaffiliation from or abandonment or renunciation of any possibility of spiritualized or awakened experience by a person, particularly persons having any connection to practicing Transcendental Meditation. One who commits apostasy apostatises is an apostate. These guys are that here. Many religious movements consider it a vice (sin), a corruption of the virtue of piety, in the sense that when piety fails apostasy is the result. As a conservative practicing meditator I read their blasphemes here and am shocked that they even have privileges to post here. For instance, many religious groups and some states punish apostates as appropriate protection for the larger group. Apostates may be shunned by the members of their former religious group or even subjected to formal or informal punishment. This may be the official policy of the religious group or may be the action of its members. A Christian church may in certain circumstances excommunicate the apostate, while some Islamic scriptures (al-Bukhari, Diyat, bab 6) demand the death penalty for apostates. The death penalty is still applied to apostates by some Muslim states (such as Iran), but not in Christianity or Judaism. Now, of course TM is not a religion nor a cult like those other groups but I think these non-meditator apostate guys get off incredibly lite as they write and post here. En lieu of a higher level of oversight by the FFL owner and his FFL moderators here those of us who are more awake can only use the shun key to its best effect before any negative effect might intrude. I wish there was a way to better protect the list. Eternal vigilance is the price of Peace. Be careful, just shun them out and certainly don't let them get in the way of a good meditation. Peace on Earth, Buck in FF --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@... wrote: Yeah, the permanence of silence during everything else just continues to deepen, sort of a really drawn out version of a sip of excellent cognac or other preferred distilled spirit, the way the alcohol fueled flavor is absorbed first in the mouth and then down the throat and finally to the stomach. It happens gradually yet unmistakably over time, with the only inevitable casualty being our limited identity. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Regarding transient periods of witnessing, vs. permanent realization, the difference is just that. As a result of Being not being fully integrated, the temporary experience can feel kind of manic, as if one is one with the universe, feeling almost giddy, and somewhat hyperactive in the body and mind. I have had a few of these experiences over the years, and all I can say is the feelings were like an expansion of the heart that couldn't sustain itself, and dissolved after a few days. Permanent realization is just that. The mind isn't involved with it. In fact our self identity shifts radically from what we have always considered to be the 'me', to a universal identity with everything. This is also an evolving process that Maharishi described succinctly and simply in about 1968. So, rule of thumb is that if it feels overly blissy and the mind is involved in enjoying this experience on the level of the small self, and the whole thing feels special, it probably won't last. On the other hand, once Being is fully integrated, there is no mania associated with the experience, life just continues as before, with the only difference being complete liberation from bondage being lived moment to moment, and consequently a quiet and satisfied mind. Thanks for posting this very personal account Jim. But are you sure you are not suffering some kind of mental disease as the Turqo suggests ? :-) :-) Anyway your experiences, particularily those regarding before permanency reminds me of experiences I and my friends on Purusha had for prolongued periods of time years ago. But I would have described it as something in the middle of yours; life continued as before in happiness and it was not special, yet it would come and go. It will be interesting to see how many have entered phase two as they have been now in the Himalayas for quite a few years already.
[FairfieldLife] The FLDS compound in El Dorado, Texas
The Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints compound. (as in polygamists, Warren Jeffs, etc...). Probably doesn't have the striking interior design of the Scientology place shown before. Thanks for posting that, btw, maybe Tom Cruise can get me in for a visit. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/FLDS_4323.jpg
[FairfieldLife] transient enlightenment vs. permanent realization [was Re: E and FFL]
-- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Buck dhamiltony2k5@... wrote So was this some kind of deadpan joke or is this one of the ugliest post I have read here? I request assistance on how I am to view such a post. Dear Nablusoss, They clearly missed the destination. Evidently Tqb, CDb and these other negativistic writers here are bound in states of apostasy. For lack of experience they clearly are in states of formal disaffiliation from or abandonment or renunciation of any possibility of spiritualized or awakened experience by a person, particularly persons having any connection to practicing Transcendental Meditation. One who commits apostasy apostatises is an apostate. These guys are that here. Many religious movements consider it a vice (sin), a corruption of the virtue of piety, in the sense that when piety fails apostasy is the result. As a conservative practicing meditator I read their blasphemes here and am shocked that they even have privileges to post here. For instance, many religious groups and some states punish apostates as appropriate protection for the larger group. Apostates may be shunned by the members of their former religious group or even subjected to formal or informal punishment. This may be the official policy of the religious group or may be the action of its members. A Christian church may in certain circumstances excommunicate the apostate, while some Islamic scriptures (al-Bukhari, Diyat, bab 6) demand the death penalty for apostates. The death penalty is still applied to apostates by some Muslim states (such as Iran), but not in Christianity or Judaism. Now, of course TM is not a religion nor a cult like those other groups but I think these non-meditator apostate guys get off incredibly lite as they write and post here. En lieu of a higher level of oversight by the FFL owner and his FFL moderators here those of us who are more awake can only use the shun key to its best effect before any negative effect might intrude. I wish there was a way to better protect the list. Eternal vigilance is the price of Peace. Be careful, just shun them out and certainly don't let them get in the way of a good meditation. Peace on Earth, Buck in FF --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Yeah, the permanence of silence during everything else just continues to deepen, sort of a really drawn out version of a sip of excellent cognac or other preferred distilled spirit, the way the alcohol fueled flavor is absorbed first in the mouth and then down the throat and finally to the stomach. It happens gradually yet unmistakably over time, with the only inevitable casualty being our limited identity. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Regarding transient periods of witnessing, vs. permanent realization, the difference is just that. As a result of Being not being fully integrated, the temporary experience can feel kind of manic, as if one is one with the universe, feeling almost giddy, and somewhat hyperactive in the body and mind. I have had a few of these experiences over the years, and all I can say is the feelings were like an expansion of the heart that couldn't sustain itself, and dissolved after a few days. Permanent realization is just that. The mind isn't involved with it. In fact our self identity shifts radically from what we have always considered to be the 'me', to a universal identity with everything. This is also an evolving process that Maharishi described succinctly and simply in about 1968. So, rule of thumb is that if it feels overly blissy and the mind is involved in enjoying this experience on the level of the small self, and the whole thing feels special, it probably won't last. On the other hand, once Being is fully integrated, there is no mania associated with the experience, life just continues as before, with the only difference being complete liberation from bondage being lived moment to moment, and consequently a quiet and satisfied mind. Thanks for posting this very personal account Jim. But are you sure you are not suffering some kind of mental disease as the Turqo suggests ? :-) :-) Anyway your experiences, particularily those regarding before permanency reminds me of experiences I and my friends on Purusha had for prolongued periods of time years ago. But I would have described it as something in the middle of yours; life continued as before in happiness and it was not special, yet it would come and go. It will be interesting to see how many have entered phase two as they have been now in the Himalayas for quite a few years already.
[FairfieldLife] transient enlightenment vs. permanent realization [was Re: E and FFL]
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Buck dhamiltony2k5@... wrote: Dear Nablusoss, They clearly missed the destination. Evidently Tqb, CDb and these other negativistic writers here are bound in states of apostasy. For lack of experience they clearly are in states of formal disaffiliation from or abandonment or renunciation of any possibility of spiritualized or awakened experience by a person, particularly persons having any connection to practicing Transcendental Meditation. One who commits apostasy apostatises is an apostate. These guys are that here. Many religious movements consider it a vice (sin), a corruption of the virtue of piety, in the sense that when piety fails apostasy is the result. As a conservative practicing meditator I read their blasphemes here and am shocked that they even have privileges to post here. For instance, many religious groups and some states punish apostates as appropriate protection for the larger group. Apostates may be shunned by the members of their former religious group or even subjected to formal or informal punishment. This may be the official policy of the religious group or may be the action of its members. A Christian church may in certain circumstances excommunicate the apostate, while some Islamic scriptures (al-Bukhari, Diyat, bab 6) demand the death penalty for apostates. The death penalty is still applied to apostates by some Muslim states (such as Iran), but not in Christianity or Judaism. Now, of course TM is not a religion nor a cult like those other groups but I think these non-meditator apostate guys get off incredibly lite as they write and post here. En lieu of a higher level of oversight by the FFL owner and his FFL moderators here those of us who are more awake can only use the shun key to its best effect before any negative effect might intrude. I wish there was a way to better protect the list. Eternal vigilance is the price of Peace. Be careful, just shun them out and certainly don't let them get in the way of a good meditation. Peace on Earth, Buck in FF --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Yeah, the permanence of silence during everything else just continues to deepen, sort of a really drawn out version of a sip of excellent cognac or other preferred distilled spirit, the way the alcohol fueled flavor is absorbed first in the mouth and then down the throat and finally to the stomach. It happens gradually yet unmistakably over time, with the only inevitable casualty being our limited identity. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Regarding transient periods of witnessing, vs. permanent realization, the difference is just that. As a result of Being not being fully integrated, the temporary experience can feel kind of manic, as if one is one with the universe, feeling almost giddy, and somewhat hyperactive in the body and mind. I have had a few of these experiences over the years, and all I can say is the feelings were like an expansion of the heart that couldn't sustain itself, and dissolved after a few days. Permanent realization is just that. The mind isn't involved with it. In fact our self identity shifts radically from what we have always considered to be the 'me', to a universal identity with everything. This is also an evolving process that Maharishi described succinctly and simply in about 1968. So, rule of thumb is that if it feels overly blissy and the mind is involved in enjoying this experience on the level of the small self, and the whole thing feels special, it probably won't last. On the other hand, once Being is fully integrated, there is no mania associated with the experience, life just continues as before, with the only difference being complete liberation from bondage being lived moment to moment, and consequently a quiet and satisfied mind. Thanks for posting this very personal account Jim. But are you sure you are not suffering some kind of mental disease as the Turqo suggests ? :-) :-) Anyway your experiences, particularily those regarding before permanency reminds me of experiences I and my friends on Purusha had for prolongued periods of time years ago. But I would have described it as something in the middle of yours; life continued as before in happiness and it was not special, yet it would come and go. It will be interesting to see how many have entered phase two as they have been now in the Himalayas for quite a few years already. Perhaps the experience is as it is inside as outside? Like Krishna, the challenge was to play with the negativity. One does not have to become negativity. The
[FairfieldLife] transient enlightenment vs. permanent realization [was Re: E and FFL]
note: Apostates must have their garments (official underwear) taken away. http://www.rhsager.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/mormonunderwear.jpg --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, obbajeeba no_reply@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Buck dhamiltony2k5@ wrote: Dear Nablusoss, They clearly missed the destination. Evidently Tqb, CDb and these other negativistic writers here are bound in states of apostasy. For lack of experience they clearly are in states of formal disaffiliation from or abandonment or renunciation of any possibility of spiritualized or awakened experience by a person, particularly persons having any connection to practicing Transcendental Meditation. One who commits apostasy apostatises is an apostate. These guys are that here. Many religious movements consider it a vice (sin), a corruption of the virtue of piety, in the sense that when piety fails apostasy is the result. As a conservative practicing meditator I read their blasphemes here and am shocked that they even have privileges to post here. For instance, many religious groups and some states punish apostates as appropriate protection for the larger group. Apostates may be shunned by the members of their former religious group or even subjected to formal or informal punishment. This may be the official policy of the religious group or may be the action of its members. A Christian church may in certain circumstances excommunicate the apostate, while some Islamic scriptures (al-Bukhari, Diyat, bab 6) demand the death penalty for apostates. The death penalty is still applied to apostates by some Muslim states (such as Iran), but not in Christianity or Judaism. Now, of course TM is not a religion nor a cult like those other groups but I think these non-meditator apostate guys get off incredibly lite as they write and post here. En lieu of a higher level of oversight by the FFL owner and his FFL moderators here those of us who are more awake can only use the shun key to its best effect before any negative effect might intrude. I wish there was a way to better protect the list. Eternal vigilance is the price of Peace. Be careful, just shun them out and certainly don't let them get in the way of a good meditation. Peace on Earth, Buck in FF --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Yeah, the permanence of silence during everything else just continues to deepen, sort of a really drawn out version of a sip of excellent cognac or other preferred distilled spirit, the way the alcohol fueled flavor is absorbed first in the mouth and then down the throat and finally to the stomach. It happens gradually yet unmistakably over time, with the only inevitable casualty being our limited identity. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Regarding transient periods of witnessing, vs. permanent realization, the difference is just that. As a result of Being not being fully integrated, the temporary experience can feel kind of manic, as if one is one with the universe, feeling almost giddy, and somewhat hyperactive in the body and mind. I have had a few of these experiences over the years, and all I can say is the feelings were like an expansion of the heart that couldn't sustain itself, and dissolved after a few days. Permanent realization is just that. The mind isn't involved with it. In fact our self identity shifts radically from what we have always considered to be the 'me', to a universal identity with everything. This is also an evolving process that Maharishi described succinctly and simply in about 1968. So, rule of thumb is that if it feels overly blissy and the mind is involved in enjoying this experience on the level of the small self, and the whole thing feels special, it probably won't last. On the other hand, once Being is fully integrated, there is no mania associated with the experience, life just continues as before, with the only difference being complete liberation from bondage being lived moment to moment, and consequently a quiet and satisfied mind. Thanks for posting this very personal account Jim. But are you sure you are not suffering some kind of mental disease as the Turqo suggests ? :-) :-) Anyway your experiences, particularily those regarding before permanency reminds me of experiences I and my friends on Purusha had for prolongued periods of time years ago. But I would have described it as something in the middle of yours; life continued as before in happiness and it was not special, yet it would come and go.
[FairfieldLife] transient enlightenment vs. permanent realization [was Re: E and FFL]
One ugly joke? : ) --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@... wrote: -- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Buck dhamiltony2k5@ wrote So was this some kind of deadpan joke or is this one of the ugliest post I have read here? I request assistance on how I am to view such a post. Dear Nablusoss, They clearly missed the destination. Evidently Tqb, CDb and these other negativistic writers here are bound in states of apostasy. For lack of experience they clearly are in states of formal disaffiliation from or abandonment or renunciation of any possibility of spiritualized or awakened experience by a person, particularly persons having any connection to practicing Transcendental Meditation. One who commits apostasy apostatises is an apostate. These guys are that here. Many religious movements consider it a vice (sin), a corruption of the virtue of piety, in the sense that when piety fails apostasy is the result. As a conservative practicing meditator I read their blasphemes here and am shocked that they even have privileges to post here. For instance, many religious groups and some states punish apostates as appropriate protection for the larger group. Apostates may be shunned by the members of their former religious group or even subjected to formal or informal punishment. This may be the official policy of the religious group or may be the action of its members. A Christian church may in certain circumstances excommunicate the apostate, while some Islamic scriptures (al-Bukhari, Diyat, bab 6) demand the death penalty for apostates. The death penalty is still applied to apostates by some Muslim states (such as Iran), but not in Christianity or Judaism. Now, of course TM is not a religion nor a cult like those other groups but I think these non-meditator apostate guys get off incredibly lite as they write and post here. En lieu of a higher level of oversight by the FFL owner and his FFL moderators here those of us who are more awake can only use the shun key to its best effect before any negative effect might intrude. I wish there was a way to better protect the list. Eternal vigilance is the price of Peace. Be careful, just shun them out and certainly don't let them get in the way of a good meditation. Peace on Earth, Buck in FF --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Yeah, the permanence of silence during everything else just continues to deepen, sort of a really drawn out version of a sip of excellent cognac or other preferred distilled spirit, the way the alcohol fueled flavor is absorbed first in the mouth and then down the throat and finally to the stomach. It happens gradually yet unmistakably over time, with the only inevitable casualty being our limited identity. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Regarding transient periods of witnessing, vs. permanent realization, the difference is just that. As a result of Being not being fully integrated, the temporary experience can feel kind of manic, as if one is one with the universe, feeling almost giddy, and somewhat hyperactive in the body and mind. I have had a few of these experiences over the years, and all I can say is the feelings were like an expansion of the heart that couldn't sustain itself, and dissolved after a few days. Permanent realization is just that. The mind isn't involved with it. In fact our self identity shifts radically from what we have always considered to be the 'me', to a universal identity with everything. This is also an evolving process that Maharishi described succinctly and simply in about 1968. So, rule of thumb is that if it feels overly blissy and the mind is involved in enjoying this experience on the level of the small self, and the whole thing feels special, it probably won't last. On the other hand, once Being is fully integrated, there is no mania associated with the experience, life just continues as before, with the only difference being complete liberation from bondage being lived moment to moment, and consequently a quiet and satisfied mind. Thanks for posting this very personal account Jim. But are you sure you are not suffering some kind of mental disease as the Turqo suggests ? :-) :-) Anyway your experiences, particularily those regarding before permanency reminds me of experiences I and my friends on Purusha had for prolongued periods of time years ago. But I would have described it as something in the middle of yours; life continued as before in happiness and it was
[FairfieldLife] Skeptical Inquirer Conference
New Orleans, 2011 - Oct 27-30, NO Marriott. Laissez les bons temps rouler! (Let the good times roll!) Has an illustrious list of Skeptics. http://www.csiconference.org/speakers
[FairfieldLife] Jagjit Singh passes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kaj4nv3-B-E
[FairfieldLife] Deepak Chopra interviews Richard Dawkins
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/
[FairfieldLife] Re: Jagjit Singh passes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmevZ4he5GE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwwDsew_F7c http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmevZ4he5GE --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, obbajeeba no_reply@... wrote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kaj4nv3-B-E
[FairfieldLife] Re: Skeptical Inquirer Conference
I think I am going to catch a greyhound bus to New Orleans! Put my right thumb on my chin and index finger extended to my temple when I arrive to the Skeptics convention and I will try to keep that pose until someone points it out saying what I am doing is skepticalwe will go from there! : ) That is how to have fun at a skeptics convention. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Yifu yifuxero@... wrote: New Orleans, 2011 - Oct 27-30, NO Marriott. Laissez les bons temps rouler! (Let the good times roll!) Has an illustrious list of Skeptics. http://www.csiconference.org/speakers
[FairfieldLife] Killhouettes
Would make Jack the Ripper proud. http://www.killhouettes.com/page2.html
[FairfieldLife] Senate Republicans Voted to Make Obama President in 2012
By voting against the jobs bill, Senate Republicans have shown where their allegiance lie. They are not for improving the economy and to provide jobs for Americans. Hence, discerning American citizens will overwhelmingly vote to re-elect President in 2012. http://news.yahoo.com/senate-republicans-vote-kill-obamas-jobs-bill-230811759.html
[FairfieldLife] transient enlightenment vs. permanent realization [was Re: E and FFL]
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@... wrote: -- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Buck dhamiltony2k5@ wrote So was this some kind of deadpan joke or is this one of the ugliest post I have read here? I request assistance on how I am to view such a post. Dear Nablusoss, They clearly missed the destination. Evidently Tqb, CDb and these other negativistic writers here are bound in states of apostasy. For lack of experience they clearly are in states of formal disaffiliation from or abandonment or renunciation of any possibility of spiritualized or awakened experience by a person, particularly persons having any connection to practicing Transcendental Meditation. One who commits apostasy apostatises is an apostate. These guys are that here. Many religious movements consider it a vice (sin), a corruption of the virtue of piety, in the sense that when piety fails apostasy is the result. As a conservative practicing meditator I read their blasphemes here and am shocked that they even have privileges to post here. For instance, many religious groups and some states punish apostates as appropriate protection for the larger group. Apostates may be shunned by the members of their former religious group or even subjected to formal or informal punishment. This may be the official policy of the religious group or may be the action of its members. A Christian church may in certain circumstances excommunicate the apostate, while some Islamic scriptures (al-Bukhari, Diyat, bab 6) demand the death penalty for apostates. The death penalty is still applied to apostates by some Muslim states (such as Iran), but not in Christianity or Judaism. Now, of course TM is not a religion nor a cult like those other groups but I think these non-meditator apostate guys get off incredibly lite as they write and post here. En lieu of a higher level of oversight by the FFL owner and his FFL moderators here those of us who are more awake can only use the shun key to its best effect before any negative effect might intrude. I wish there was a way to better protect the list. Eternal vigilance is the price of Peace. Be careful, just shun them out and certainly don't let them get in the way of a good meditation. Peace on Earth, Buck in FF --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Yeah, the permanence of silence during everything else just continues to deepen, sort of a really drawn out version of a sip of excellent cognac or other preferred distilled spirit, the way the alcohol fueled flavor is absorbed first in the mouth and then down the throat and finally to the stomach. It happens gradually yet unmistakably over time, with the only inevitable casualty being our limited identity. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Regarding transient periods of witnessing, vs. permanent realization, the difference is just that. As a result of Being not being fully integrated, the temporary experience can feel kind of manic, as if one is one with the universe, feeling almost giddy, and somewhat hyperactive in the body and mind. I have had a few of these experiences over the years, and all I can say is the feelings were like an expansion of the heart that couldn't sustain itself, and dissolved after a few days. Permanent realization is just that. The mind isn't involved with it. In fact our self identity shifts radically from what we have always considered to be the 'me', to a universal identity with everything. This is also an evolving process that Maharishi described succinctly and simply in about 1968. So, rule of thumb is that if it feels overly blissy and the mind is involved in enjoying this experience on the level of the small self, and the whole thing feels special, it probably won't last. On the other hand, once Being is fully integrated, there is no mania associated with the experience, life just continues as before, with the only difference being complete liberation from bondage being lived moment to moment, and consequently a quiet and satisfied mind. Thanks for posting this very personal account Jim. But are you sure you are not suffering some kind of mental disease as the Turqo suggests ? :-) :-) Anyway your experiences, particularily those regarding before permanency reminds me of experiences I and my friends on Purusha had for prolongued periods of time years ago. But I would have described it as something in the middle of yours; life continued as before in happiness and it was not special, yet it
[FairfieldLife] Re: Senate Republicans Voted to Make Obama President in 2012
What kind anyone expect if the generation was brainwashed with this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxBeOdLHSPU --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, John jr_esq@... wrote: By voting against the jobs bill, Senate Republicans have shown where their allegiance lie. They are not for improving the economy and to provide jobs for Americans. Hence, discerning American citizens will overwhelmingly vote to re-elect President in 2012. http://news.yahoo.com/senate-republicans-vote-kill-obamas-jobs-bill-230811759.html
[FairfieldLife] Re: Senate Republicans Voted to Make Obama President in 2012
Typo brain fart, kind, was meant to be can. LOL Sorry --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, obbajeeba no_reply@... wrote: What kind anyone expect if the generation was brainwashed with this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxBeOdLHSPU --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, John jr_esq@ wrote: By voting against the jobs bill, Senate Republicans have shown where their allegiance lie. They are not for improving the economy and to provide jobs for Americans. Hence, discerning American citizens will overwhelmingly vote to re-elect President in 2012. http://news.yahoo.com/senate-republicans-vote-kill-obamas-jobs-bill-230811759.html
[FairfieldLife] Crown of Flowers
http://www.laluzdejesus.com/shows/2011/LaLuz_XXV_1/Rodriguez-Maruca.htm
[FairfieldLife] transient enlightenment vs. permanent realization [was Re: E and FFL]
Categorizing and gradation. Jeez this quickly becomes a complex calculation, many are the apostatises here. Just, who to shun? This project needs a spread sheet to go with names. It was so much easier before just using 'Meditator' and 'Non-meditator' to sort posts. Now add in labels: spiritual-apostate, meditation-apostate, TM-apostate, TM-Movement-apostate, TM-Siddhi apostate, religious apostate, non-religious but spiritual apostate, generally apostate. Now, I don't know quite which columns to check for Robin. I haven't read enough of his posts yet. He's an interesting fellow to show up after all these years out. For instance, is he still a practicing meditator today? That's worth something even if shunned and an apostate. What could a non-meditator possibly have to offer on a spiritual list like this? I do kind of like him though if for all of his apostasy because he was there. The golden rule of filtering is, 'you know an apostate when you see one'. The other rule is, safety first and keep your finger on 'shun'. The filter in Yahoo-mail works pretty good. -Buck --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, emptybill emptybill@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: So was this some kind of deadpan joke or is this one of the ugliest post I have read here? I request assistance on how I am to view such a post. Dear Nablusoss, They clearly missed the destination. Evidently Tqb, CDb and these other negativistic writers here are bound in states of apostasy. For lack of experience they clearly are in states of formal disaffiliation from or abandonment or renunciation of any possibility of spiritualized or awakened experience by a person, particularly persons having any connection to practicing Transcendental Meditation. One who commits apostasy apostatises is an apostate. These guys are that here. Many religious movements consider it a vice (sin), a corruption of the virtue of piety, in the sense that when piety fails apostasy is the result. As a conservative practicing meditator I read their blasphemes here and am shocked that they even have privileges to post here. For instance, many religious groups and some states punish apostates as appropriate protection for the larger group. Apostates may be shunned by the members of their former religious group or even subjected to formal or informal punishment. This may be the official policy of the religious group or may be the action of its members. A Christian church may in certain circumstances excommunicate the apostate, while some Islamic scriptures (al-Bukhari, Diyat, bab 6) demand the death penalty for apostates. The death penalty is still applied to apostates by some Muslim states (such as Iran), but not in Christianity or Judaism. Now, of course TM is not a religion nor a cult like those other groups but I think these non-meditator apostate guys get off incredibly lite as they write and post here. En lieu of a higher level of oversight by the FFL owner and his FFL moderators here those of us who are more awake can only use the shun key to its best effect before any negative effect might intrude. I wish there was a way to better protect the list. Eternal vigilance is the price of Peace. Be careful, just shun them out and certainly don't let them get in the way of a good meditation. Peace on Earth, Buck in FF --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Yeah, the permanence of silence during everything else just continues to deepen, sort of a really drawn out version of a sip of excellent cognac or other preferred distilled spirit, the way the alcohol fueled flavor is absorbed first in the mouth and then down the throat and finally to the stomach. It happens gradually yet unmistakably over time, with the only inevitable casualty being our limited identity. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Regarding transient periods of witnessing, vs. permanent realization, the difference is just that. As a result of Being not being fully integrated, the temporary experience can feel kind of manic, as if one is one with the universe, feeling almost giddy, and somewhat hyperactive in the body and mind. I have had a few of these experiences over the years, and all I can say is the feelings were like an expansion of the heart that couldn't sustain itself, and dissolved after a few days. Permanent realization is just that. The mind isn't involved with it. In fact our self identity shifts radically from what we have always
[FairfieldLife] Zooids
http://boingboing.net/2010/12/16/the-incredible-art-o.html
Re: [FairfieldLife] transient enlightenment vs. permanent realization [was Re: E and FFL]
Yo Buckaroo, Do I have this right; you belong to a religious cult---no one has ever heard of, in a sea of Judeo-Christian humanity---not known for celebrating our differences, and you're advocating intolerance? I'm wondering if you're a vegetarian; if so, you may be whole protein challenged; if you're not getting all your essential amino acids, you may be starving your brain for oxygen. From: Buck dhamiltony...@yahoo.com To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 6:58:53 PM Subject: [FairfieldLife] transient enlightenment vs. permanent realization [was Re: E and FFL] Categorizing and gradation. Jeez this quickly becomes a complex calculation, many are the apostatises here. Just, who to shun? This project needs a spread sheet to go with names. It was so much easier before just using 'Meditator' and 'Non-meditator' to sort posts. Now add in labels: spiritual-apostate, meditation-apostate, TM-apostate, TM-Movement-apostate, TM-Siddhi apostate, religious apostate, non-religious but spiritual apostate, generally apostate. Now, I don't know quite which columns to check for Robin. I haven't read enough of his posts yet. He's an interesting fellow to show up after all these years out. For instance, is he still a practicing meditator today? That's worth something even if shunned and an apostate. What could a non-meditator possibly have to offer on a spiritual list like this? I do kind of like him though if for all of his apostasy because he was there. The golden rule of filtering is, 'you know an apostate when you see one'. The other rule is, safety first and keep your finger on 'shun'. The filter in Yahoo-mail works pretty good. -Buck --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, emptybill emptybill@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: So was this some kind of deadpan joke or is this one of the ugliest post I have read here? I request assistance on how I am to view such a post. Dear Nablusoss, They clearly missed the destination. Evidently Tqb, CDb and these other negativistic writers here are bound in states of apostasy. For lack of experience they clearly are in states of formal disaffiliation from or abandonment or renunciation of any possibility of spiritualized or awakened experience by a person, particularly persons having any connection to practicing Transcendental Meditation. One who commits apostasy apostatises is an apostate. These guys are that here. Many religious movements consider it a vice (sin), a corruption of the virtue of piety, in the sense that when piety fails apostasy is the result. As a conservative practicing meditator I read their blasphemes here and am shocked that they even have privileges to post here. For instance, many religious groups and some states punish apostates as appropriate protection for the larger group. Apostates may be shunned by the members of their former religious group or even subjected to formal or informal punishment. This may be the official policy of the religious group or may be the action of its members. A Christian church may in certain circumstances excommunicate the apostate, while some Islamic scriptures (al-Bukhari, Diyat, bab 6) demand the death penalty for apostates. The death penalty is still applied to apostates by some Muslim states (such as Iran), but not in Christianity or Judaism. Now, of course TM is not a religion nor a cult like those other groups but I think these non-meditator apostate guys get off incredibly lite as they write and post here. En lieu of a higher level of oversight by the FFL owner and his FFL moderators here those of us who are more awake can only use the shun key to its best effect before any negative effect might intrude. I wish there was a way to better protect the list. Eternal vigilance is the price of Peace. Be careful, just shun them out and certainly don't let them get in the way of a good meditation. Peace on Earth, Buck in FF --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Yeah, the permanence of silence during everything else just continues to deepen, sort of a really drawn out version of a sip of excellent cognac or other preferred distilled spirit, the way the alcohol fueled flavor is absorbed first in the mouth and then down the throat and finally to the stomach. It happens gradually yet unmistakably over time, with the only inevitable casualty being our limited identity. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Regarding transient periods of witnessing, vs. permanent
[FairfieldLife] transient enlightenment vs. permanent realization [was Re: E and FFL]
http://unconditionedresponse.blogspot.com/2011/07/pasta-apostate.html I wish to add pasta-apostate! Do I hear a yay? Count yays and nays (but the nays are negative and it would be best to speak this sound quiet with your head turned to the right, if one is male. Left, if one is female, unless one is menstruating, then you must not vote. The list of names can go to the tune of: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmTihetNinI --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Buck dhamiltony2k5@... wrote: Categorizing and gradation. Jeez this quickly becomes a complex calculation, many are the apostatises here. Just, who to shun? This project needs a spread sheet to go with names. It was so much easier before just using 'Meditator' and 'Non-meditator' to sort posts. Now add in labels: spiritual-apostate, meditation-apostate, TM-apostate, TM-Movement-apostate, TM-Siddhi apostate, religious apostate, non-religious but spiritual apostate, generally apostate. Now, I don't know quite which columns to check for Robin. I haven't read enough of his posts yet. He's an interesting fellow to show up after all these years out. For instance, is he still a practicing meditator today? That's worth something even if shunned and an apostate. What could a non-meditator possibly have to offer on a spiritual list like this? I do kind of like him though if for all of his apostasy because he was there. The golden rule of filtering is, 'you know an apostate when you see one'. The other rule is, safety first and keep your finger on 'shun'. The filter in Yahoo-mail works pretty good. -Buck --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, emptybill emptybill@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: So was this some kind of deadpan joke or is this one of the ugliest post I have read here? I request assistance on how I am to view such a post. Dear Nablusoss, They clearly missed the destination. Evidently Tqb, CDb and these other negativistic writers here are bound in states of apostasy. For lack of experience they clearly are in states of formal disaffiliation from or abandonment or renunciation of any possibility of spiritualized or awakened experience by a person, particularly persons having any connection to practicing Transcendental Meditation. One who commits apostasy apostatises is an apostate. These guys are that here. Many religious movements consider it a vice (sin), a corruption of the virtue of piety, in the sense that when piety fails apostasy is the result. As a conservative practicing meditator I read their blasphemes here and am shocked that they even have privileges to post here. For instance, many religious groups and some states punish apostates as appropriate protection for the larger group. Apostates may be shunned by the members of their former religious group or even subjected to formal or informal punishment. This may be the official policy of the religious group or may be the action of its members. A Christian church may in certain circumstances excommunicate the apostate, while some Islamic scriptures (al-Bukhari, Diyat, bab 6) demand the death penalty for apostates. The death penalty is still applied to apostates by some Muslim states (such as Iran), but not in Christianity or Judaism. Now, of course TM is not a religion nor a cult like those other groups but I think these non-meditator apostate guys get off incredibly lite as they write and post here. En lieu of a higher level of oversight by the FFL owner and his FFL moderators here those of us who are more awake can only use the shun key to its best effect before any negative effect might intrude. I wish there was a way to better protect the list. Eternal vigilance is the price of Peace. Be careful, just shun them out and certainly don't let them get in the way of a good meditation. Peace on Earth, Buck in FF --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Yeah, the permanence of silence during everything else just continues to deepen, sort of a really drawn out version of a sip of excellent cognac or other preferred distilled spirit, the way the alcohol fueled flavor is absorbed first in the mouth and then down the throat and finally to the stomach. It happens gradually yet unmistakably over time, with the only inevitable casualty being our limited identity. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Regarding transient periods of witnessing, vs. permanent realization, the difference is
[FairfieldLife] transient enlightenment vs. permanent realization [was Re: E and FFL]
I found it quite amusing and so was your reply. Sounds like something to do on a Sunday afternoon. Such cruelty actually sounds downright Biblical and Koranic. Do you think he might be puttin' us on? Hope you enjoy the quotes: ...the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt... - The author of Exodus describing the actions of the killer God in Ex. 12:29 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. - Author of 1 Samuel describing God's instructions (I Sam.15:2-3) Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones. -Psalm 137:9 (KJV) Kill them all, God will recognize his own. - Arnald-Amalric, 1208 when asked by the Crusaders what to do with the citizens of Beziers who were a mixture of Catholics and Cathars) We should always be disposed to believe that which appears to us to be white is really black, if the hierarchy of the church so decides . - St. Ignatius Loyola (1500) The only reward of those, who wage war against ALLAH and HIS Messenger and strive to create disorder in the land, is that they be slain or crucified or their hands and feet be cut off on account of their enmity, or they be expelled from the land. That shall be a disgrace for them in this world, and in the Hereafter they shall have a great punishment. - Allah's words in the Quran, 5:33 If a man is in open rebellion, everyone is both his judge and his executioner. . . Therefore, let everyone who can, smite, slay, and stab, secretly or openly, remembering that nothing can be more poisonous, hurtful, or devilish than a rebel. It is just as when one must kill a mad dog. - Martin Luther, 1525 This is America, God has sent one of the attacks by God and has attacked one of its best buildings. And this is America filled with fear from the north, south, east and west, thank God. - Osama bin Laden, 7 Oct. 2001 The only reward of those, who wage war against ALLAH and HIS Messenger and strive to create disorder in the land, is that they be slain or crucified or their hands and feet be cut off on account of their enmity, or they be expelled from the land. That shall be a disgrace for them in this world, and in the Hereafter they shall have a great punishment. - Allah's words in the Quran, 5:33 --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, emptybill emptybill@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: -- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Buck dhamiltony2k5@ wrote So was this some kind of deadpan joke or is this one of the ugliest post I have read here? I request assistance on how I am to view such a post. Dear Nablusoss, They clearly missed the destination. Evidently Tqb, CDb and these other negativistic writers here are bound in states of apostasy. For lack of experience they clearly are in states of formal disaffiliation from or abandonment or renunciation of any possibility of spiritualized or awakened experience by a person, particularly persons having any connection to practicing Transcendental Meditation. One who commits apostasy apostatises is an apostate. These guys are that here. Many religious movements consider it a vice (sin), a corruption of the virtue of piety, in the sense that when piety fails apostasy is the result. As a conservative practicing meditator I read their blasphemes here and am shocked that they even have privileges to post here. For instance, many religious groups and some states punish apostates as appropriate protection for the larger group. Apostates may be shunned by the members of their former religious group or even subjected to formal or informal punishment. This may be the official policy of the religious group or may be the action of its members. A Christian church may in certain circumstances excommunicate the apostate, while some Islamic scriptures (al-Bukhari, Diyat, bab 6) demand the death penalty for apostates. The death penalty is still applied to apostates by some Muslim states (such as Iran), but not in Christianity or Judaism. Now, of course TM is not a religion nor a cult like those other groups but I think these non-meditator apostate guys get off incredibly lite as they write and post here. En lieu of a higher level of oversight by the FFL owner and his FFL moderators here those of us who are more awake can only use the shun key to its best effect before any negative effect might intrude. I wish there was a way to better protect the list. Eternal vigilance is the price of Peace. Be careful, just shun them out and certainly don't let them get in the way of a good meditation. Peace on Earth, Buck in FF --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Yeah, the permanence of silence during everything else just continues to deepen, sort of a
[FairfieldLife] Saint Winehouse
http://www.laluzdejesus.com/shows/2011/LaLuz_XXV_1/Berndt.htm
[FairfieldLife] Re: Skeptical Inquirer Conference
You are on fire tonight! You have posted three things that made me laugh out loud. The pasta thing, the Chopra thing and this. Thanks for serving up the good stuff! --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, obbajeeba no_reply@... wrote: I think I am going to catch a greyhound bus to New Orleans! Put my right thumb on my chin and index finger extended to my temple when I arrive to the Skeptics convention and I will try to keep that pose until someone points it out saying what I am doing is skepticalwe will go from there! : ) That is how to have fun at a skeptics convention. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Yifu yifuxero@ wrote: New Orleans, 2011 - Oct 27-30, NO Marriott. Laissez les bons temps rouler! (Let the good times roll!) Has an illustrious list of Skeptics. http://www.csiconference.org/speakers
[FairfieldLife] transient enlightenment vs. permanent realization [was Re: E and FFL]
I guess you are the new Andy Kaufman. That is the only way I can relate to your posts. I don't want to consider the other option from what you wrote. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Buck dhamiltony2k5@... wrote: Categorizing and gradation. Jeez this quickly becomes a complex calculation, many are the apostatises here. Just, who to shun? This project needs a spread sheet to go with names. It was so much easier before just using 'Meditator' and 'Non-meditator' to sort posts. Now add in labels: spiritual-apostate, meditation-apostate, TM-apostate, TM-Movement-apostate, TM-Siddhi apostate, religious apostate, non-religious but spiritual apostate, generally apostate. Now, I don't know quite which columns to check for Robin. I haven't read enough of his posts yet. He's an interesting fellow to show up after all these years out. For instance, is he still a practicing meditator today? That's worth something even if shunned and an apostate. What could a non-meditator possibly have to offer on a spiritual list like this? I do kind of like him though if for all of his apostasy because he was there. The golden rule of filtering is, 'you know an apostate when you see one'. The other rule is, safety first and keep your finger on 'shun'. The filter in Yahoo-mail works pretty good. -Buck --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, emptybill emptybill@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: So was this some kind of deadpan joke or is this one of the ugliest post I have read here? I request assistance on how I am to view such a post. Dear Nablusoss, They clearly missed the destination. Evidently Tqb, CDb and these other negativistic writers here are bound in states of apostasy. For lack of experience they clearly are in states of formal disaffiliation from or abandonment or renunciation of any possibility of spiritualized or awakened experience by a person, particularly persons having any connection to practicing Transcendental Meditation. One who commits apostasy apostatises is an apostate. These guys are that here. Many religious movements consider it a vice (sin), a corruption of the virtue of piety, in the sense that when piety fails apostasy is the result. As a conservative practicing meditator I read their blasphemes here and am shocked that they even have privileges to post here. For instance, many religious groups and some states punish apostates as appropriate protection for the larger group. Apostates may be shunned by the members of their former religious group or even subjected to formal or informal punishment. This may be the official policy of the religious group or may be the action of its members. A Christian church may in certain circumstances excommunicate the apostate, while some Islamic scriptures (al-Bukhari, Diyat, bab 6) demand the death penalty for apostates. The death penalty is still applied to apostates by some Muslim states (such as Iran), but not in Christianity or Judaism. Now, of course TM is not a religion nor a cult like those other groups but I think these non-meditator apostate guys get off incredibly lite as they write and post here. En lieu of a higher level of oversight by the FFL owner and his FFL moderators here those of us who are more awake can only use the shun key to its best effect before any negative effect might intrude. I wish there was a way to better protect the list. Eternal vigilance is the price of Peace. Be careful, just shun them out and certainly don't let them get in the way of a good meditation. Peace on Earth, Buck in FF --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Yeah, the permanence of silence during everything else just continues to deepen, sort of a really drawn out version of a sip of excellent cognac or other preferred distilled spirit, the way the alcohol fueled flavor is absorbed first in the mouth and then down the throat and finally to the stomach. It happens gradually yet unmistakably over time, with the only inevitable casualty being our limited identity. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Regarding transient periods of witnessing, vs. permanent realization, the difference is just that. As a result of Being not being fully integrated, the temporary experience can feel kind of manic, as if one is one with the universe, feeling almost giddy, and somewhat hyperactive in the body and mind. I have had a few of these
[FairfieldLife] transient enlightenment vs. permanent realization [was Re: E and FFL]
Buckji - spirituality is never for others always for oneself. If your love for the beloved is so easily threatened by others it's time to examine your love. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Buck dhamiltony2k5@... wrote: Dear Nablusoss, They clearly missed the destination. Evidently Tqb, CDb and these other negativistic writers here are bound in states of apostasy. For lack of experience they clearly are in states of formal disaffiliation from or abandonment or renunciation of any possibility of spiritualized or awakened experience by a person, particularly persons having any connection to practicing Transcendental Meditation. One who commits apostasy apostatises is an apostate. These guys are that here. Many religious movements consider it a vice (sin), a corruption of the virtue of piety, in the sense that when piety fails apostasy is the result. As a conservative practicing meditator I read their blasphemes here and am shocked that they even have privileges to post here. For instance, many religious groups and some states punish apostates as appropriate protection for the larger group. Apostates may be shunned by the members of their former religious group or even subjected to formal or informal punishment. This may be the official policy of the religious group or may be the action of its members. A Christian church may in certain circumstances excommunicate the apostate, while some Islamic scriptures (al-Bukhari, Diyat, bab 6) demand the death penalty for apostates. The death penalty is still applied to apostates by some Muslim states (such as Iran), but not in Christianity or Judaism. Now, of course TM is not a religion nor a cult like those other groups but I think these non-meditator apostate guys get off incredibly lite as they write and post here. En lieu of a higher level of oversight by the FFL owner and his FFL moderators here those of us who are more awake can only use the shun key to its best effect before any negative effect might intrude. I wish there was a way to better protect the list. Eternal vigilance is the price of Peace. Be careful, just shun them out and certainly don't let them get in the way of a good meditation. Peace on Earth, Buck in FF --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Yeah, the permanence of silence during everything else just continues to deepen, sort of a really drawn out version of a sip of excellent cognac or other preferred distilled spirit, the way the alcohol fueled flavor is absorbed first in the mouth and then down the throat and finally to the stomach. It happens gradually yet unmistakably over time, with the only inevitable casualty being our limited identity. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, whynotnow7 whynotnow7@ wrote: Regarding transient periods of witnessing, vs. permanent realization, the difference is just that. As a result of Being not being fully integrated, the temporary experience can feel kind of manic, as if one is one with the universe, feeling almost giddy, and somewhat hyperactive in the body and mind. I have had a few of these experiences over the years, and all I can say is the feelings were like an expansion of the heart that couldn't sustain itself, and dissolved after a few days. Permanent realization is just that. The mind isn't involved with it. In fact our self identity shifts radically from what we have always considered to be the 'me', to a universal identity with everything. This is also an evolving process that Maharishi described succinctly and simply in about 1968. So, rule of thumb is that if it feels overly blissy and the mind is involved in enjoying this experience on the level of the small self, and the whole thing feels special, it probably won't last. On the other hand, once Being is fully integrated, there is no mania associated with the experience, life just continues as before, with the only difference being complete liberation from bondage being lived moment to moment, and consequently a quiet and satisfied mind. Thanks for posting this very personal account Jim. But are you sure you are not suffering some kind of mental disease as the Turqo suggests ? :-) :-) Anyway your experiences, particularily those regarding before permanency reminds me of experiences I and my friends on Purusha had for prolongued periods of time years ago. But I would have described it as something in the middle of yours; life continued as before in happiness and it was not special, yet it would come and go. It will be interesting to see how many have entered phase two as they have been now in the Himalayas for quite a few years already.
[FairfieldLife] transient enlightenment vs. permanent realization [was Re: E and FFL]
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Ravi Yogi raviyogi@... wrote: Buckji - spirituality is never for others always for oneself. If your love for the beloved is so easily threatened by others it's time to examine your love. Et tu, Ravi? I'm disappointed; thought your sensa yooma was better than that. Was emptybill the only one who saw this clearly? --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Buck dhamiltony2k5@ wrote: Dear Nablusoss, They clearly missed the destination. Evidently Tqb, CDb and these other negativistic writers here are bound in states of apostasy. For lack of experience they clearly are in states of formal disaffiliation from or abandonment or renunciation of any possibility of spiritualized or awakened experience by a person, particularly persons having any connection to practicing Transcendental Meditation. One who commits apostasy apostatises is an apostate. These guys are that here. Many religious movements consider it a vice (sin), a corruption of the virtue of piety, in the sense that when piety fails apostasy is the result. As a conservative practicing meditator I read their blasphemes here and am shocked that they even have privileges to post here. For instance, many religious groups and some states punish apostates as appropriate protection for the larger group. Apostates may be shunned by the members of their former religious group or even subjected to formal or informal punishment. This may be the official policy of the religious group or may be the action of its members. A Christian church may in certain circumstances excommunicate the apostate, while some Islamic scriptures (al-Bukhari, Diyat, bab 6) demand the death penalty for apostates. The death penalty is still applied to apostates by some Muslim states (such as Iran), but not in Christianity or Judaism. Now, of course TM is not a religion nor a cult like those other groups but I think these non-meditator apostate guys get off incredibly lite as they write and post here. En lieu of a higher level of oversight by the FFL owner and his FFL moderators here those of us who are more awake can only use the shun key to its best effect before any negative effect might intrude. I wish there was a way to better protect the list. Eternal vigilance is the price of Peace. Be careful, just shun them out and certainly don't let them get in the way of a good meditation. Peace on Earth, Buck in FF
[FairfieldLife] transient enlightenment vs. permanent realization [was Re: E and FFL]
Whew! Judy to the rescue! Oh man. I thought I had to hide the Holy Science book someone gave me a copy of years ago. Really, it was hidden under a stack of Jehovah witness pamphlets and I forgot about it. Oh, I also found the book of a really good astrologer who lives in Fairfield, but just pretend I gave it away to Good Will. One Deepak book too. Do Deepa Metha movies count? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBFUCj4IFOY I mean, she was married to Paul Saltzman? Right? A couple of his pictures, I have of his, well, on screen saver, shh. A few pictures of the Bealtes when they were in and out of the movement, but now that they are back, I think those are okay, right? These things are all over the floor in my burst of panic! All because of a joke. Ah hah! Hahahahahaha. I had disconnected my electric frequency sensors to check the digital phone taps and seal the duct tape over the camera on the puter, disconnect the face recognition and microphone, reset the modem, lock the doors, but the list of names thing, REALLY freaked me out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swQi4CAzmrA Guys showing up in 1970's polyester suits with up to date organic pastel undergarments (how do I know? Don't ask.) and T-T-Ties! DL standing in the background in a black shirt and black pants (organic pastel undergarments? I don't know.) with his arms crossed, his hair in a twizzle (much more than usual), and Nabby with antennas on his head. Robert Roth giving me that Phantom of the Opera grin (hey someone on this board posted his picture, not me.) All with a bunch of papers to sign or I would never ever be allowed, never, back into the domes and no more using this message board unless I use a Facebook account with all provided and required security questions, and no pseudonym. Rick could make a lot of money giving names! LOL. NOT! Please don't! --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Ravi Yogi raviyogi@ wrote: Buckji - spirituality is never for others always for oneself. If your love for the beloved is so easily threatened by others it's time to examine your love. Et tu, Ravi? I'm disappointed; thought your sensa yooma was better than that. Was emptybill the only one who saw this clearly? --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Buck dhamiltony2k5@ wrote: Dear Nablusoss, They clearly missed the destination. Evidently Tqb, CDb and these other negativistic writers here are bound in states of apostasy. For lack of experience they clearly are in states of formal disaffiliation from or abandonment or renunciation of any possibility of spiritualized or awakened experience by a person, particularly persons having any connection to practicing Transcendental Meditation. One who commits apostasy apostatises is an apostate. These guys are that here. Many religious movements consider it a vice (sin), a corruption of the virtue of piety, in the sense that when piety fails apostasy is the result. As a conservative practicing meditator I read their blasphemes here and am shocked that they even have privileges to post here. For instance, many religious groups and some states punish apostates as appropriate protection for the larger group. Apostates may be shunned by the members of their former religious group or even subjected to formal or informal punishment. This may be the official policy of the religious group or may be the action of its members. A Christian church may in certain circumstances excommunicate the apostate, while some Islamic scriptures (al-Bukhari, Diyat, bab 6) demand the death penalty for apostates. The death penalty is still applied to apostates by some Muslim states (such as Iran), but not in Christianity or Judaism. Now, of course TM is not a religion nor a cult like those other groups but I think these non-meditator apostate guys get off incredibly lite as they write and post here. En lieu of a higher level of oversight by the FFL owner and his FFL moderators here those of us who are more awake can only use the shun key to its best effect before any negative effect might intrude. I wish there was a way to better protect the list. Eternal vigilance is the price of Peace. Be careful, just shun them out and certainly don't let them get in the way of a good meditation. Peace on Earth, Buck in FF
[FairfieldLife] Re: Skeptical Inquirer Conference
Thank the flaming Pitta god. Balance is needed. : ) Spontaneous combustion this evening. I don't remember the Chopra thing, so I posted another, mentioning Chopra. lol. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@... wrote: You are on fire tonight! You have posted three things that made me laugh out loud. The pasta thing, the Chopra thing and this. Thanks for serving up the good stuff! --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, obbajeeba no_reply@ wrote: I think I am going to catch a greyhound bus to New Orleans! Put my right thumb on my chin and index finger extended to my temple when I arrive to the Skeptics convention and I will try to keep that pose until someone points it out saying what I am doing is skepticalwe will go from there! : ) That is how to have fun at a skeptics convention. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Yifu yifuxero@ wrote: New Orleans, 2011 - Oct 27-30, NO Marriott. Laissez les bons temps rouler! (Let the good times roll!) Has an illustrious list of Skeptics. http://www.csiconference.org/speakers
[FairfieldLife] Re: Age-Activated Attention Deficit
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@... wrote: Judy, I haven't responded to this post which I guess focuses on the points you believe I am missing. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, curtisdeltablues curtisdeltablues@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@ wrote: snip But it doesn't explain why he says things like Mindfulness of mantra or 'waiting for the mantra' is a natural and important part of TM. This might be his reevaluation. Long term meditators relate differently to this. I don't really ever have to come back to the mantra at a gross level, it is a more gentle process for my attention. Same here. The realization that I've been thinking random thoughts rather than mantra is virtually simultaneous with returning to the mantra. IOW, the return to the mantra is automatic. It's almost as if--and may actually be; hard to tell at that subtle level--there is no thought I'm not on the mantra, just a return to it when the train of ordinary thoughts comes to an end. But I think you're missing the point, which is the idea of waiting for the mantra, of monitoring (another word he used) what's happening. Far from being an important part of TM, Mindfulness of mantra or 'waiting for the mantra makes no sense in the context of TM instruction or the TM process itself. And it most certainly is not part of my experience. You know as well as I do that monitoring is strongly discouraged because it introduces effort. I believe you are missing his point but I could be wrong. In the way I understand it, he is making a distinction between thinking the mantra and any other thought. OK, you don't want to acknowledge the problem. Doesn't really surprise me. You seem to be getting hung up on his terminology. No, it's conceptual, as I noted elsewhere. The point it valid having read his original post in context. As I said before, you guys have completely different agendas here. He is not trying to prove his ability to parrot TM teaching, You say that several times as if someone had suggested he was. I certainly didn't. He was explaining how he believes TM is practiced and what the instructions are, but he got it wrong. If in casual conversation someone who has claimed to be a physician recommends antibiotics to a person who has a cold, you have good reason to suspect their claim is bogus. They aren't trying to prove or parrot anything, they're just saying what they believe to be the case, that a cold is properly treated with antibiotics. he is discussing how it it practiced within the framework of his current understanding. Which is wrong. It may be true of other types of mantra meditation he's familiar with, but it isn't true of TM. The way you are paraphrasing it out of the context of his post seems misleading to how I understood what he was saying. I have taught people who couldn't get it right about not having to pick up the mantra because it seemed like an effort. And you told them to wait for the mantra and to monitor their meditation to make sure that...what?? To keep checking to see if they're thinking thoughts instead of mantra? What *was* he saying, Curtis? You keep saying I'm missing his point, but you never say what you think his point *is*. And although sometimes it might be possible to start meditation and be lost in thoughts the whole time, in my experience of teaching it was more usually due to not understanding how the mantra is used. Quite possibly. All I'm pointing out is that once you've made sure the person *does* understand how the mantra is used, you don't tell him or her to be more attentive. If a train of thought is so compelling that the realization of not entertaining the mantra doesn't occur, it's fine. If you start trying to *watch* what you're thinking, that introduces effort. It takes a little back and forth sometime for people to get the hang of it. So his analysis does not ring false experientially. Hmm, so now we're talking about beginning meditators. Except your big point was that Vaj's perspective had to do with deep inner experience. Make up your mind, please. And remember he has sanskrit words for all these experiences so for him the distinctions are way clear. Oh, good grief, Curtis. You have no idea whether he's even using the Sanskrit terms correctly. He throws them out not to clarify or foster understanding, but to impress people with his vast knowledge, because he knows nobody here is that familiar with arcane Sanskrit terminology. He sure succeeded with you. He's elaborated on this in a number of different posts in ways that make it crystal clear he believes TMers are instructed to wait for the mantra--that's at the beginning of meditation--and to monitor their meditation throughout, as well as
[FairfieldLife] transient enlightenment vs. permanent realization [was Re: E and FFL]
Hmm.. I can't seem to see the humor here, what gives?? --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, authfriend jstein@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Ravi Yogi raviyogi@ wrote: Buckji - spirituality is never for others always for oneself. If your love for the beloved is so easily threatened by others it's time to examine your love. Et tu, Ravi? I'm disappointed; thought your sensa yooma was better than that. Was emptybill the only one who saw this clearly? --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Buck dhamiltony2k5@ wrote: Dear Nablusoss, They clearly missed the destination. Evidently Tqb, CDb and these other negativistic writers here are bound in states of apostasy. For lack of experience they clearly are in states of formal disaffiliation from or abandonment or renunciation of any possibility of spiritualized or awakened experience by a person, particularly persons having any connection to practicing Transcendental Meditation. One who commits apostasy apostatises is an apostate. These guys are that here. Many religious movements consider it a vice (sin), a corruption of the virtue of piety, in the sense that when piety fails apostasy is the result. As a conservative practicing meditator I read their blasphemes here and am shocked that they even have privileges to post here. For instance, many religious groups and some states punish apostates as appropriate protection for the larger group. Apostates may be shunned by the members of their former religious group or even subjected to formal or informal punishment. This may be the official policy of the religious group or may be the action of its members. A Christian church may in certain circumstances excommunicate the apostate, while some Islamic scriptures (al-Bukhari, Diyat, bab 6) demand the death penalty for apostates. The death penalty is still applied to apostates by some Muslim states (such as Iran), but not in Christianity or Judaism. Now, of course TM is not a religion nor a cult like those other groups but I think these non-meditator apostate guys get off incredibly lite as they write and post here. En lieu of a higher level of oversight by the FFL owner and his FFL moderators here those of us who are more awake can only use the shun key to its best effect before any negative effect might intrude. I wish there was a way to better protect the list. Eternal vigilance is the price of Peace. Be careful, just shun them out and certainly don't let them get in the way of a good meditation. Peace on Earth, Buck in FF
