posted August 07, 2007 03:02 PM         

I heard you and feel Blessed to be a part of your Joy and Love.

I felt Inspired to post a little piece from RabbiYehudah Lev Ashlag that has always stuck with me.

Faith manifests itself in our choices. Every day life challenges us to respond either from Faith or from habit. It takes courage to choose to act in Faith despite all the evidence of the eyes,ears and even thoughts. In the face of pressure from our conditioning, our social surroundings and the media, our Faith manifests itself when we "choose" to go beyond the clamor, choosing to believe. It is in Faith that we find our truest freedom.

Your choice to reject suffering, rejoice in God`s love and stand to meet the challenges, have made you a powerhouse able to share God`s Word in Service. Thank you

------------------
~
What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world is immortal"~

posted August 07, 2007 03:06 PM         

"Remembering me, you shall overcome all difficulties through my grace. But if you will not heed me in your self-will, nothing will avail you. If you egotistically say, "I will not fight this battle," your resolve will be useless; your own nature will drive you into it. (18:58-59)

Therefore, remember me at all times and fight on. With your heart and mind intent on me, you will surely come to me." (8:7)

The Gita

posted August 07, 2007 03:10 PM         

O beloved, let us sing together the song of joy, for the night has gone and dawn has come once again. Everywhere, within and without, the beautiful gardens blossom with fragrant flowers. In every place my steadfast mind is taking care. There is no fear of the darkness, so lets sing the song of joy in the enchanting garden. The blissful showers of the true name sprinkle the fruitful trees. So bountiful are the fruits of nectar, yet only the fortunate few will taste this heavenly juice. Let us sing this song of joy together, beholding the Satguru Shabda. The eyes are stunned and the organ of speech is mute. Satguru Kabir Sahib says, only signs and gestures can feebly express the glory. Let us sing the song of joy together.

Kabir (#10)

posted August 07, 2007 03:20 PM         

I hope my poem for Stephen wasn't misunderstood as something else. I thought he might understand and feel some comfort from it. I understand it...it's what I feel too. I feel both. One moment I want Kabir...one moment I want the balm of freedom to be natural to who I am and what inspires my spirit.

I would never think of suffering as a contest, or presume to deny yours. These are all moments~ moving, changing,
into the next. Poignant in their Bliss. Poignant in their Suffering. We all feel. And what we feel is ever-changing; either at one time was or is yet be or be again. Which is why with others, it means so much to remember or reach enough to imagine.

I like this thread. The feeling of it.
More Kabir to come, I hope.

posted August 07, 2007 03:28 PM         

It is my privilage to know you here; a Great gift. I'm blessed to have you as a friend. Thank you for sharing RabbiYehudah Lev Ashlag with me. That is a beautiful jewel of wisdom that i needed to hear.

The whole quote was great, but particularly this part:

quote:

---

Faith manifests itself when we "choose" to go beyond the clamor, choosing to believe. It is in Faith that we find our truest freedom.

---

"Your choice to reject suffering, rejoice in God`s love and stand to meet the challenges, have made you a powerhouse able to share God`s Word in Service. Thank you."

It's not me, as you know. Thank YOU!

God Bless You.

posted August 07, 2007 03:37 PM         

What stunning Songs Kabir sings..

Amazing...

posted August 07, 2007 03:47 PM         

No, the poem you posted for Stephen wasnt misunderstood, i think i just needed to vent. I dont have many people to talk to and usually i'm fine with that. So i let some pent up things out here today.

Bliss and suffering....i yearn more for the place in between the two these days. And am finding, that i'm finding it more often!! A peaceful, balanced, quiet kind of bliss.

Thank you for reaching out to me, Lia. I dont know why we dont connect here more...

posted August 07, 2007 06:29 PM         

It was nice to "hear" you on this topic. I don't know if I think about it in exactly this way, but I can agree with the statement "I see it for what it was" with all of my mind and heart and soul. A lot of my old friends who studied witchcraft and did a lot of drugs, seem to think they can leave their body behind and join in a fantastical spirit world. I have been EXTREMELY CAREFUL AND DISCERNING about what I have studied and I disagree. I think a person can only really "let go" of their body/physical if they have actually "let go" of their body/physical in their emotional experience, their mental experience and their soul level experience.
Otherwise, the dirt goes to the Earth, but you still retain your physical form and your physical desires and enough of your physical limitations to be disturbed and discontent, just like on Earth, only now you are surrounded by other emotional/mental energies that are also discontent and disturbed and you have less boundaries.
I think this happens to unenlightened people too, but they live in their beliefs and experience so they believe more firmly in their boundaries and have a protection of sorts. They might live in a blissful heaven of their own creation while continuing to learn their lessons.
There is no escaping the lessons.
Williamson says you can learn through Love or Pain, and that is the main teaching of hers that resonates with me. Lessons never end, that is what Life Is. To just "Be" is to sleep, for the Whole to just sleep. To Exist for "minute" as Whole (oh neat, I'm whole) then to Sit There (twiddling Our thumbs) then to decide the existential Truth, "I'm Lonely". Then it all starts over again.

But, maybe I just created that out of thin air.... or something like that.

That is what I used to try to explain to my friends at that time anyway (not to be confused with the innocent group of boys in my 'Green' poem for anyone who read it or cares). See first song in Favorite Poetic Lyrics for the friends I am speaking about at this time.

I could be wrong, but based on their results/fruits, I don't think I am...

But I'm always interested in learning from other perspectives. Especially this one, because I used to feel very often that I failed them. Now some of their children look to me, and I shamefully avoid them much of the time now, and love them only at a distance.

posted August 07, 2007 07:39 PM         

Thank you for that thoughtful post. The reason i brought up suicide is because i know a couple of people here have been in that same boat. It's been expressed on this site. I brought it up because i was "there" again recently, so it's on my mind. I brought it up to tell them, "i hear you", "i know it's hard", but there's a better way. I brought it up because HSC brought up suffering and it got me thinking about the ways we as individuals and as a whole suffer and why we continue to CHOOSE to do so. Ive begun to realize it is not necessary (for me at this stage in the game) and doing so is going against the will of God. Indeed, suffering is something that comes along with being human. I just think there's got to be a point where you drop that too. For everyone that day will come. It's painful for me to see people deluded into thinking that suffering is a great and mighty thing to do. The only thing it's good for is that it eventually brings to a point of wanting to find a better way - once and for all, when youve done enough of it.

What if suffering and the like are traps; self made prison cells. Be careful about getting comfortable in your miseries, i've heard some say. From what i've learned all negative emotions, fear, jealousy, sorrow, hatred, anger etc all stem from "maya", cosmic delusion. Some people call it ego, or the devil. "Which do you choose?" was all i was trying to say or ask.

At this point in my life i'm trying my best to live by my heart. When i see or hear people suffering it pains me. That is something I'm working on too. I see HSC and others suffering sometimes and wish i could take that away from them. Wave a magic wand and make it all better. Remembering that everyone is right where they need to be is tough sometimes.

An enlightened one would ask, who are these "theys" you are speaking of? This is another peice of the big puzzle.

Sorry, if what i said seemed out of line or to have come out of nowhere.

I dont know anything about witchcraft or what your friends said about being able to leave their bodies to go to a sprirt world.

This world in a way IS a spirit world. I do think that if we dont get it right while we are alive we're not going any place better when we shed our body. That is why i want to do the best i can and not fall victim to darkness or untimely death. Keeping my eyes to the sun is what i'm working on.

There's no way i can explain where i'm coming from to anyone anymore. Like you, i avoid many people. It's been a long road and i've done alot of work. I'm not saying no one else hasnt. I just cannot put into words where i'm at anymore.

What it boils down to is, "i havent got time for the pain".

What Williamson says about being able to learn through Love or Pain i agree with. But in which one do you find healing? We always have the power to choose, imo.

"To just 'Be' is to sleep."
Well, I do believe that you can be Awake and being if you find out how and then apply that wisdom to your own life. That is my goal and what i work on daily.

Did all of that answer your questions?

I'm finding out that the best way i can explain how i feel is by just being silent. As soon as i open my mouth, i'm misunderstood. Or say things i dont mean. Nothing ever comes out right. To sit and be silent is one of the greatest things.

Now, i'd like to leave "everyone else" alone. I'm not interested in teaching anyone anything or giving them new perspectives at this time. I have enough on my plate.

posted August 07, 2007 10:17 PM         

But in my twenties, I explained it by saying it is like pushing the re-set button on a game system. You just start over again, only without your cool sh!t. I didn't get a good response. I didn't know at the time that I was trying to perform exorcisms... in a manner of speaking...
in a manner of speaking yes yes

posted August 08, 2007 12:45 AM         

(the music fades into the song)

...always look on the bright side of life!
(whistle)

Always look on the bright side of life...
If life seems jolly rotten,
There's something you've forgotten!
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing,
When you're feeling in the dumps,
Don't be silly chumps,
Just purse your lips and whistle -- that's the thing!
And... always look on the bright side of life...

(whistle)
Come on!

(other start to join in)
Always look on the bright side of life...
(whistle)

For life is quite absurd,
And death's the final word.
You must always face the curtain with a bow!
Forget about your sin -- give the audience a grin,
Enjoy it -- it's the last chance anyhow!

So always look on the bright side of death!
Just before you draw your terminal breath.
Life's a piece of sh!t,
When you look at it.

Life's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true,
You'll see it's all a show,
Keep 'em laughing as you go.
Just remember that the last laugh is on you!

And always look on the bright side of life
(whistle)
Always look on the bright side of life
(whistle)

posted August 08, 2007 01:09 AM         

thank you, 26
The thing about words,
they can never say it all.
I don't know why we haven't
met up here more. Then, I haven't been
posting as often these days.

will hope to return to your
post, MM.

posted August 08, 2007 01:21 AM         

God’s will! Wish not one man more.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
nor care I who doth feed upon my cost
it yearns me not if men my garments wear
such outward things dwell not in my desires
but …
if it be a sin to covet honour
I am the most offending soul alive.
No, faith, coz, wish not a man from England.
God’s peace! I would not lose so great an honor
as one man more methinks would share from me
for my best hope. O, wish not one more!

Rather, Westmoreland, proclaim thoughout my host
that he which hath no stomach for this fight
let him depart, his passport shall be made
and crowns for convoy put into his purse.
We would not die in that man’s company
who fears his fellowship to die with us.

Today is called the feast of Crispian.
He who outlives this day and comes safe home
will stand a-tip-toe when this day is named
and rouse him at the name of Crispian.

He who sees this day and lives old age
will yearly, on the vigil, feast his neighbors and say
“Tommorow is St. Crispin’s”
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars
and say “These wounds I had on Crispin’s Day”

Old men forget, yet all shall be forgot but
he’ll remember with advantages
what feats he did that day
then will our names, familiar in their mouths as household words,
Harry the King
Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot
Salisbury and Glouster
be in their flowing cups freshly remembered.

This story shall the good man teach his son
and Crispin Crispian will ne’er go by from this day
to the ending of the world
but we in it shall be remembere’d
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers,
For he who spills his blood with me shall be my brother
be here ere so vile, this day shall gentle his condition,

And gentlemen in England now abed
shall think themselves accursed they were not here
and hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
who fought with us upon St. Crispin’s Day.

posted August 08, 2007 12:30 PM         

I leap, and I bound, but I couldnt even stand up if it were not for all these beautiful souls who encourage me with their generous praise and the deep sweetness of their own "songs".

I spoke to a Tarot Reader recently. I was at a gathering she was at, and she approached me and offered a free reading.. she said she rarley ever does that, but she was getting all these messages for me - again, she says that almost never happens unless she makes a conscious effort to tune-in to someone. So I took her card and met her a couple weeks ago in a coffee shop where she gave me a reading. One things she said really struck a chord with me. She has one deck that she always brings with her - I don't know the name of it, but the images are painted by the guy who did the creatures in Labrynth, and its maybe the most beautiful deck i ever saw, - and then she has another deck... an oversized Crowley Thoth Tarot Deck. She says that when she goes to do a reading, she brings one or two cards from the Thoth Deck with her, as she is directed by Spirit. So, she asked the Thoth Deck which card(s) to bring for me and the deck said "Take the whole deck". And she had a message for me, "Never let anyone tell you you are not playing with a full deck." This gratified my ego a little, but also really ressonated with me, because that is how I've always felt. I look around and I see people who seem to be embodying one or two stages in the Fool's Journey; having an experience which is somehow complete in itself, before moving into another stage. But for me I've always felt like the cards were overlapping like crazy, and i was learning a thousand lessons at once - or trying to, and finding myself totally overwhelmed and confused. Anyway, what you said made me think of that. And I feel like people misunderstand me all the time, and think I am this or that, when, in truth, I'm all of it. I'm blissed-out on Monday, suicidal on Tuesday, detached and pensive on Wednesday, etc. And round and round we go, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year,....

love to you,
s

posted August 08, 2007 01:47 PM         

Mystic Melody, You are very kind. I think i did misunderstand some of the things you meant. Last night i was super tired, had a splitting headache and was probably pms-ing a bit too. Not trying to make an excuse, was feeling out of sorts. I've really gotta drop this "I". Sometimes i think i read too much and try way too hard. I take it all too seriously and it gets me into trouble. I realized this thing i want to kill is not me because there isnt a me. It's this mistaken notion we all have of ourselves....our "false mes". My false ego-self is what i really want to die. And the battle goes on...

posted August 08, 2007 01:48 PM         

In another post, Lia, you mentioned something about being Home. Yes, that's really where all of us want to be, isnt it? That intense longing for Home will do crazy things to a man. I remember the place, the one that i cannot seem to find here on this planet. Where hearts were not broken and vision was not distorted. I want to be back there so badly. Really it's all about finding that place while we're "here". Dropping the idea that home is somewhere else; a place we need to get to. I'm beginning that journey.

"We are stardust
We are golden
And weve got to get ourselves
Back to the garden.."

I hope to meet up with you more here and eventually "there".

HSC,

Thank you for calling to check up on my crazy butt last night. I didnt answer because i was sleeping. And you know how much i dislike talking on the phone and emailing anyway.
The posts youve made in this thread and everything theyve sparked are better than any conversation we couldve had. Thank you for that.

I read this this morning:

"The treasure of friendship is your richest possession, because it goes with you beyond this life. All the true friends you have made you will meet again in the home of the Father, for real love is never lost."
-Paramahansa Yogananda

Isnt that comforting?

posted August 08, 2007 01:53 PM         

"Never let anyone tell you you are not playing with a full deck."

"Im a million different people from one day to the next..."

posted August 08, 2007 02:25 PM         

Pg.1 http://davidgodman.org/rteach/whoami1.shtml
Pg. 2 http://davidgodman.org/rteach/whoami2.shtml
*****************************
http://www.geocities.com/ganesha_gate/who.html
*****************************
http://www.awarenessplus.com/ramana.htm
*****************************
http://www.tamilnation.org/sathyam/east/ramana/ramana.htm
"Pursue the inquiry 'Who am I' relentlessly. Analyse your entire personality. Try to find out where the I-thought begins. Go on with your meditations. Keep turning your attention within. One day the wheel of thought will slow down and an intuition will mysteriously arise. Follow that intuition, let your thinking stop, and it will lead eventually to the goal." - Ramana Maharishi, quoted in 'In Days of Great Peace' by Mouni Sadhu
*************************************

posted August 08, 2007 03:14 PM         

And I love that Joni Mitchell song.

Not to be gratuitously self-congratulatory, but...

We all shine. All of us here. So beautifully.

And together we are stars enough to light the evening sky.

The simple pleasures of community are divine.

The earth is here to ground us,
not to be transcended,
as are our bonds to one another.

Love your brothers and sisters.

Love your struggle, love yourself.

Love the world's struggle, love the world.

Compassion is the healing key.

Not to transcend.
Or have you descended for no reason?

You are a blessing of love and a gospel from the Father.

You are a messenger of His light.

Or have you descended for nothing?

Light-bringer, bring up your faith.

Believe there is a reason for your self.

Believe you are a Perfect Child of the One True God, Who is Perfect.

And you are not alone.