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Word Gems 

exploring self-realization, sacred personhood, and full humanity

Editor's Review, 20 Years later

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Part 1

It’s been nearly 20 years now since I encountered Eckhart Tolle’s “true self,” and then later the related lectures of Jiddu Krishnamurti.

However, more accurately, my investigations concerning how to spiritually transform and evolve the human species began with my studies of the Bible decades earlier.

every group sells its own version of how reality works

There are many groups, philosophies, organizations, and of course, religions, ostensibly devoted to this vision of humanity’s metamorphosis. Essentially, most, or nearly all – let’s just say all – promote an approved way or method, some practice or discipline, ritual or regimen, which, they say, will deliver the goods, if only we might sedulously adhere to runic wisdom dispensed by a pedestaled Dear Leader.

One group, seemingly prominent in this quest, existing for many decades, but escaping my notice until recently, advocates an eclectic approach. Over the years, it has brought together the intelligentsia, rich and famous, of the world to discuss best practices from a variety of disciplines. Many, at times, would quasi-communally live together in a resort-like setting, share free sex while discussing cosmic principles of human advancement.

Concerning all these methods and programs, has any of it proved efficacious in authentically changing one human being?

if every group has its own version of reality, why is the information on this page different

It's different because no one will suggest that you learn from any external source. No Dear Leader can help you. What's different here is that we, each of us, must teach ourselves; we must discern the message of the "life within" and gain a private tutoring. This is fundamentally different.

However, whatever the secret of authentic personal growth might be, whatever might serve as catalyst to finally effect transformation, it seems to me, has to be something quite simple, easy to understand and negotiate, devoid of elitism and privilege, as entrance requirement.

Whatever Grand Designer superintends, this Universal Intelligence could not have made “the keys to the kingdom” as something dependent on performing the twelve labors of Hercules, a genius IQ, or Olympian-athlete fortitude.

On the “inferential life” page, we discussed the likelihood that such Higher Power does, in fact, exist; that, S/He is beneficent, just, and kind; that, such august entity desires to share the joy of existence with offspring, ones “made in the image” who will become like itself.

If all this is the case, then we should expect that an avenue to transformation, to apotheosis, to Father Chardin’s “omega point,” will not be far out of reach, no impossible Holy Grail search, and will be accessible, available, to the average person.

'my teaching discipline is easy and light'

And I think this attainability will have been designedly baked into the system, intimated by the New Testament words of Jesus, “My teaching discipline, my instruction, is not burdensome, but easy and light as a way of living.”

From personal experience, I would put forward that the road to human transformation is not excruciating, not like a Klingon initiation gauntlet, with Worf being poked and jabbed with pain-sticks.

It’s something easy; not easy like lounging around on a summer day, there is work to be done, but easy in the sense that anyone can do it. It’s not so hard, not like playing six-dimensional chess or passing the Mensa genius test. It’s not like that. It’s for everyone.

The best analogy I’ve found is that we all have a “spark” or a “seed” of godhood within. It’s factory-installed, part of the basic package. And this seed wants to germinate. We don’t have to huff-and-puff to make it do its thing.

The seed will automatically burst into life, when conditions are right, and sometimes even when we say we’re not ready. This seed is part of the soul, and does what it wants, it’s in charge, doesn’t ask our permission for everything, will take us for a ride, and, once activated, will be on a mission to unfold itself, all of its godlike qualities, over the coming eons.

What can we do to further this process? – mercifully, not much; meaning, it’s an easy process, anyone can do it. The biggest factor, in terms of our part, is not to get in the way and hinder the germination. Implied here is that God is most gracious, never violates one's deeper free will, never forces anyone to grow up. We gotta wanna.

My best findings in this regard, my best understanding on how to help the seed of godhood to burgeon, will be found on the Krishnamurti page.

Part 2

I’d like to emphasize this issue of simplicity in terms of growing or coming alive spiritually. The churches make it into something hard. But it’s not that way.

I once thought I needed a particular breathing practice to awaken the inner self. I did this for a long time, and I it did help somewhat. But later I learned that whatever progress I was making had little to do with the breathing.

simpler and simpler

Over the years, as I’ve looked at this subject, and analyzed what teachers were saying about it, my own view on what works has become less and less complicated, less regimented, until finally I follow no method or system at all.

Let’s recall that the inner life is like a seed. It wants to germinate. We don’t have to do that much. All we need do is become aware of what’s going on in our own mind. Simply notice, without any judgment of oneself. That's it.

This means that, when we do anything, reserve a portion of one’s awareness as a “background witnessing presence” to all of life’s activities. When you tie your shoes, eat a meal, walk to the mailbox, change lanes on the freeway, have a conversation on the phone, when you look at the sky, or hear a baby bird cheeping – in all these activities we are to “stay present” to the part of ourselves that knows we are doing these things.

how sane do you want to be

It needs to become a way of life. Those who “lose presence” and find themselves taken over by the false self, drift into a materialistic mindset. It’s a form of insanity. That's why most people you meet are sorta crazy. They're being led around by the ego, and have lost touch with themselves; their true selves.

One needs to practice this kind of awareness. In the beginning, especially, it can feel like hard work. Normally, we don’t like to remain present to our own thoughts but, instead, we'll often distract ourselves with a movie, a book, drinking, sports, it could be anything. And it’s not that we can never have down-time, but, when we do, we are to do it mindfully, and not let the ego take us over.

The question becomes, how sane do we want to be? -- this much, and that's enough, we're good now, mate? -- how intelligent do we want to become? how closely do we want to emulate the mind of God?

Anyone can do this. No college degree or years of experience required, you don't have to be a Greek scholar, or memorize passages from an ancient tome.

And, again, why should we do this? As we shine a spotlight of awareness on all of our mental activities, this “presence of mind,” itself, is what allows the inner seed of godhood to germinate and flourish. You're good to go, you've got this.

staying alert to the subtle machinations of one's own mind allows the hidden inner person, the awesome human potential, to begin to unfold

Why does it work this way? I don’t know. But what I sense is this: We were made to become more and more like God. It’s our mission statement, written upon our souls. There are natural forces in play to bring this about without us huffing and puffing. The seed will grow all by itself if we provide the right growing conditions: a willing heart, a mind surrendered to the wishes of God. It’s easy. Anyone can do this.

There are many details. No one can give you the details. You will learn the details yourself, day by day, in flashes of insight. This is how God will personally teach you, for all of your eternal life.

Postscript

Elsewhere I’ve mentioned the apostle Paul’s house-church meetings. He had the right idea. People met in small decentralized groups and would share with each other what God had personally allowed them to see during the previous week. Everyone gets to speak, everyone instructs the whole group. Everyone's "private tutoring" is important. Wouldn’t this be wonderful? - friends supporting and encouraging each other in their mutual quest for radical, authentic, personal transformation.

Also, the benefits of “staying present” are even more than attaining spiritual sanity, which would be enough. But there’s so much hidden in the soul that will be unpacked, we have no idea. In Summerland, as we continue our efforts to “remain present,” we will discover that certain powers, unbidden, will emerge from the secret self – powers that would make a comicbook hero envious. READ MORE

heroic altruism: “ambitious for the sake of others”