I am in a confused state of mind. Perhaps this is a good thing to be aware of? The road of spiritual enlightenment can be a lonely one. But does it have to be? We are all trying to find OUR OWN way and there are as many paths up the mountain as there are people to walk them. I can only follow my path and cannot dictate to anyone or any belief sysytem as to what their path should be. Which is why when someone is TELLING me what or what I shouldn’t do or eat I am apprehensive. What gives anyone the right or so-called knowledge to tell anyone …anything! The greatest ‘spiritual’ teachers of our past , present and future have several things in common.
1) They only share their experience
2) They have compassion for all living things
3) They are always continually learning, and can change their perception of reality based upon discovery of new information. They are ALWAYS open to debate. Even 2+2=4 can be debated, can’t it?
I would like to post something from one of the many inspirations in my journey. It is by a man named Gautama Siddhartha , a.k.a. ( Buddha)
"It is no wonder that a person gets puzzled and confused when that person hears teachings contradictory to each other, but I tell you this:
Don’t accept a thing merely because it is handed down by tradition.
Don’t accept a thing merely because many people repeat it.
Don’t accept a thing merely on the authority of the sage who teaches it.
Don’t accept a thing merely because it is found in the so-called scriptures.
Don’t accept a thing merely because probability is in its favor.
Don’t accept a thing merely because you have imagined it, or that it is inspired by some supernormal agency.
After examination, after testing it for yourself, if you find it reasonable and is in conformity with your well being and the well being of others as well, then accept it and follow it."
Buddha, layed a path for us all, if we choose. Not because he said so….Allowing people to find their own ‘truth’ is the way of the enlightened ones. Anyone who preaches and tells me they are enlightened and fully conscious is like a dog chasing its tail. What question would you ask someone who claims to be awakened? Would you not feel love and compassion from this person rather than Opinions and Beliefs about how EVERYONE else should conform to their beliefs?
I am confused and looking for answers. My weakness is my greatest strength. By knowing nothing I am learning everything. Knowledge is a great obstacle to reality in my eyes. The mind has no part of pure awareness but my soul has everything to do with it. I t is within us all and I say to anyone who reads this…smile at a stranger….learn from everyone and everything. Learn from ‘the river’ as the Buddha did. Learn from nature. Learn from the meager and the less fortunate. Learn from our children. NOT just the so-called knowledgeable ones. Learn from YOUR OWN experience. " See how the lillies grow, they neither toil nor spin" Learn from the lillies. If it is right for you, then follow it. But, like the Buddha, allow others to find their own way, please.
Peace,
Stu Restrup
I couldn't stop a mild a laugh .. Stu … upon reading the lines "Don't tell me what to do" …… and it's the song that I have been singing since I was a kid and my parents would tell me to do something in a certain way………….
I so identify with you "Don't Tell ME"..
and now On this beautiful path of trying to have mind merge back into awareness…………… again this "ME" is the BIG Hurdle….
But this "ME" is getting cleaner and cleaner and weaker and weaker……
I read this beautiful blog entry here……. about YOga…..and that really hits me…..How far and How simply other People have come to "Getting IT".
Anyways… Thankyou for sharing…
Yeah, don' tell me what to do! LOL! Best insight ever in recorded history! We got all eternity to be self realized, and probably, we've done this repeatedly in different epochs and star systems. It is a real amusement! Oh the drama!
Confusion is a good state! It puts the energy wheelies out in front of you that you realize you are not THAT!
Charles
Charles,
Thanks for that insight! Great reminder always to see I am not THAT! That is how I will find that inner being. By finding out what I am NOT. I needed to hear that again. It was there but you have brought that back into my immediate awareness.
Peace
Stu
Dear Stu – I don't find "confusion" in your words, on the contrary, wisdom leaps out at me. Sadly, I let others, particularly religious leaders "tell" me "their" truth for most of my 51 years. Only late in life have I began to embrace the path that you are traveling with grace and honesty at a much younger age, the path that includes the knowledge that everything we need in order to experience enlightenment exist within ourselves. We will not find Buddahood anywhere else. I find it interesting that frequently people attracted to drug use often grow into the greatest spiritual leaders among us. I believe you are well on the way toward that loving vocation. Love, Greg
Heehee! I love this post. You are so NOT confused Stu, I agree with Charles, "best insight ever in recorded history." What you have put down in words truly is the embodiment of PEACE. Thank you & now I'm going to continue finding my own way and stop bothering to get cranky at those who are trying to tell me how to BE.
Love, Robin
Greg,
Always a pleasure to hear from you. Thanks for the inspiration and being a part of my experience. I hope you are well and I keep my prayers for your step-daughter in my heart always. Keep showing your love and compassion. It is immense and brings joy into my heart as well!
Peace
Stu
Robin,
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. It is always a pleasure to hear from others and how their heart feels. This too helps me learn. Thanks for being a part of that.
Peace
Stu