Dear Reader, whoever you are,
Why is this so important to me? Why can’t I just let it be. Some people wan’t to take the Vow, others don’t. Deepak Chopra is such a wonderful, sincere and wholehearted person. We know taking the Vow may not be the most constructive thing to do, but he means well. Why am I so cynical? Isn’t creating non-violence, however you do it, a good thing? If I think it can’t be done, it can’t be done, right? I’m just adding my doubt to the sea of consciousness, creating discord instead of peace and making things more difficult for those who have taken the Vow already. If I’m not a part of the solution, I’m a part of the problem.
I have heard all these things and I’ve said them to myself many times. I would have spoken up a long time ago if it wasn’t for thoughts along these lines interfering with my initial feelings of wrongness. It’s not stupid at all. However they have no basis in truth and the one who is creating discord is in fact those who are telling you to take the Vow, to be more specific Deepak Chopra and his yay-sayers who, without really being aware of the consequences of what they are doing, promotes and advocates the Vow with great enthusiasm.
I am not cynical. In fact I am so uncynical, I don’t think we need a Vow to be non-violent. We just are. I believe, no I KNOW that we are Love itself, that which is beyond, Infinite Oneness and in our natural state we are perfect being(s) in harmony with everything because we are everything (and nothing).
So, here we are in a situation where Infinite Love is promising Deepak Chopra to be non-violent… We don’t need to do this! We ARE non-violence! Peace in it’s purest form. I believe that the only reason we are not living that in every aspect of our life is because that realisation is being supressed. Supressed by systems imposed on us. By people who tell us what to do and who to be etc etc. Separation didn’t just happen. It was imposed on us and all the systems we see today maintain it. If you were left to fend for yourself, without a government, a policeforce, a law or anything, there wouldn’t be chaos, violence or suffering. What would happen is that you would return to your true nature. You know what that is, so why are you doubting it? Why do you think you need to take a vow of non violence? Just by taking that vow you are saying you don’t trust yourself and you need a system, a Vow to Deepak, to impose non-violence in your life. You do not. In fact, taking a vow is directly harmful to peace and to you.
It is harmful because it only creates inner conflict. Most people know that supressing negative emotions only makes things worse. When you deny a feeling, you hide it from your waking consciousness and it grows and distorts and comes out in other forms. Now, if you have taken a vow of non-violence in your thoughts, speech and actions, don’t you think that is going to make you deny to yourself that you are having them? It is. I know this and Deepak Chopra knows that too. Saying the words “I promise never to be violent” is not going to make those energies go away! No matter how much you mean it. It’s just denying them and denying them access to your conscious awareness. Now imagine that you promise to be non-violent in thoughts…. what an enormous pressure you are putting on yourself if you have done this! Then you realise that you are still having “bad” thoughts and emotions. Going through this is painful enough but now you also feel guilty about it because you promised not to. A vow of non-violence is not a relative, it’s an absolute. Thats what a vow means. If you have taken the vow, not only are you almost guaranteed to deny your feelings to yourself, you start to deny them to others. In other words you begin to participate in a lie and to project an image of yourself which is not true, which causes even more guilt. If it goes far enough this idea of the non-violent you may take up a life on it’s own in the sense that you believe in that instead of who you really are and in that way distancing yourself further and further from the real you, from all the anger, pain and dissappointment, yes but also from yourself in your truest expression: Love. Now picture how much agony, anger and, violence this nonsense is causing on a large scale!
But there is a hole in my reasoning, you may argue, if we really are just loving, sweet and wonderful then why do we have violent tendencies in the first place? Well, the system of oppression this life has imposed on us through governments, work, rules, opression from parents, school and more has affected us. It is within us. In our brains (the reptilian brain), our genes, our thoughts and emotions but regardless of how we believe it got that way, (because we may differ in our opinions on that) we can’t resolve this with another imposed limitation, another rule. The only way to really be non-violent is so simple and beautiful and obvious. It is to go inside and realise that that is what you are. You are peace. You are Love. You are unbound creativity and you don’t have to give a vow to anyone!
I AM peace. I AM Love. I AM unbound creativity and I don
Excellent!
———–
http://www.intent.com/hello/blog/deepak-chopra-an…
Love-Anarchy forever!
Dearest kara,
thanks for putting up the argument against Deepak's vow, he is doing a wonderful thing by trying to make people abstain from violence, and you are doing a wonderful thing by speaking your heart out honesly. i agree with deepak's view and starshine's. as i am non veg by choice i cant take deepak's pledge, if i was vegetarian i would have taken it. in this war torn world we need people who will talk for peace and love.
its beautiful of deepak to take trouble to spread this word.
i agree with your word "You are peace. You are Love. You are unbound creativity and you don
Dear Trisha,
Deepak Chopra is a very intelligent man who understands the human mind. I've read many of his books and listened to his podcasts etc. Don't you think he understands what I wrote in this blog? He does and I'm almost certain he knows exactly what he is doing. You have to be a bit daft not to see the negative consequences of this. Deepak is not daft. He is doing it on purpose.
I'm glad you haven't taken the vow. It is an absurdity. An old, common and traditional absurdity but an absurdity nevertheless. Something that is used for the purpose of control. Trisha, I sustain myself from a right through vegan diet and I wouldn't call myself non-violent. For starters vegetables are forms of life too. When you kill them, they feel pain. Secondly I can't try to control my thoughts to be non-violent. That would be a violent crime to myself and cause me pain, worryness and more.
You are beautiful to trust so much. It shows how utterly sweet and trustworthy you are.
Thank you for being you, Trisha, just the way you are and thank you for not taking the vow. I'm so relieved!
Love,
Kara
———–
http://www.intent.com/hello/blog/deepak-chopra-an…
Love-Anarchy forever!
I always thought the vow was very superficial as well; cute, fun, but due to the lack of a systematic practice of introspection that curtails those unwanted thoughts, and without adding guilt and suppression which only adds flames to the fire. If you want people to take a serious vow have some techniques on how it is achieved. Otherwise it
Dear Kara,
I see that no one has defended Deepak here so I will take up the banner. I got to meet Deepak yesterday, (take a look at my blog), and so I am sure that I have a much better understanding of him than I did before when I only knew him from his online statements and books.
First I can tell you that Deepak has no agenda of generating numbers to increase his own self importance. What you are suggesting is that he knows this is wrong and is still doing this Vow for the purpose of generating greater self importance to honor his ego. Your belief about this is mistaken. Yesterday I listened to him speak for hours, learned some cutting edge physics from him, and listened to him in a guided meditation. He is a very spiritual man. Ego and spirituality are at opposite extremes.
In fact your objection to his pledge of non-violence is a manifestation of your ego. He is not denying that you can have negative thoughts or emotions. He is not suggesting that you supress or repress them into your unconscious mind so that you act them out unconsciously. What he is saying is that on a deeper level of reality, on a soul level which is the deepest level of physics, there is no separation between human beings. Our souls are part of the same reality. Therefore violence of any kind makes no sense.
Violence only appears rational or logical to a person who lives in the ego of separate selfhood which is a dream. Or perhaps better described as a nightmare from which we all need to awaken.
Now can you realise this and be non-violent without making a pledge? Of course you can. The pledge or vow is a political statement that is trying to educate people.
Love to you Kara,
Stuart
http://stuartmarkberlin.com
Good banner waving, Stuart!
non-pledges
self thinking
not led by another
to chant what they say
but rather to listen, to learn and to be
oddly enough when I said what I did here
I found that I vowed not to vow
(and I chanted what Kara did say)
So I'm caught in my own web
but there's a way out
out of the 'caught'
just to 'realize'
and in this moment
I do
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Transfered from paper & internet
into a person of brilliance of thought
gives a perspective of oneness of soul
dissolving any need to protest
face to face with Deepak, dear Kara
what would thee see, what would thee say
if given your chance to look through ?
looking at the inner side of inside
Starshine
Death is a violence.
Is it any less so if it takes 80-100 years?
Come on. Let's get to grips with what Kara is actually saying!
ed
Ed, maybe I need to know what you are saying that Kara is saying.
Junnie
Dear Junnie,
although my comment was general and you are away, relishing the fresh air of the mountains, I should try to answer you now, while iron is hot!.
I think Kara is trying to say paradox or pair o' ducks! (noughties)
It's something to be grasped from between the lines of 'saying' in my view.
Here we have the most beautiful Universe, playing on our Inner Screen, courtesy of our governing five physical senses. We've become too enamoured with our own self-righteous yet, at same time, liberating little earthy kingdom. The self-serving 'structures' have become the blinkers to, oh so much more of infinite Glory.
All that is for us, is also against us! (not essentially what Kara is saying, but near enough!!)
I'm not into writing long essays, let alone theses, so may I introduce you to Joseph Chilton Pearce's, 'culture V biology.' Although not my terms or my 'combative' ultimate view, I do feel he captures the essence of the shenanigans AND from some scientific basis, too :-
1
http://personallifemedia.com/podcasts/212-living-…
2
http://personallifemedia.com/podcasts/212-living-…
3
http://personallifemedia.com/podcasts/212-living-…
Much Love,
ed
Wow! There is a debate, great! I'm going to start with answering Stuart. Hello, Stuart! Thank you for reading and for taking your time to answer so thoroughly. I value your perspective. Lets see…
"First I can tell you that Deepak has no agenda of generating numbers to increase his own self importance. What you are suggesting is that he knows this is wrong and is still doing this Vow for the purpose of generating greater self importance to honor his ego."
Well, to start off I don't think we use the word "ego" the same way. Actually, I don't use it at all. What I am suggesting is that he is wrong, yes, and that he is doing it on purpose. I'm less sure about the ego part though. It may play a part in his motivation, believe me, I have thought about this alot. Why is he doing it? I can only speculate but just because I don't know the details of his personal motvations, I still want to warn my friends. I don't want the pain and conflict to spread.
"In fact your objection to his pledge of non-violence is a manifestation of your ego. He is not denying that you can have negative thoughts or emotions. He is not suggesting that you supress or repress them into your unconscious mind so that you act them out unconsciously. What he is saying is that on a deeper level of reality, on a soul level which is the deepest level of physics, there is no separation between human beings. Our souls are part of the same reality. Therefore violence of any kind makes no sense."
I know this is what he is saying. I've read books and listened to podcasts and articles by the man too. I know a friend who has known him for a very long time and is getting very dissapointed about him the more that person realises what he has been doing. I am amazed that he can say such wonderful things and then want us, even encourage us to impose a vow of non-violence on ourselves. A vow is redundant. If we are love deep down inside (and we are), we certainly don't need a vow. It serves no purpose. What it does however, I have described in my blog. If you don't believe that and want to take a vow, thats fine by me. Everyone should follow their own hearts. Just remember that even a vow can be denounced if you realise that this treaty has been committed to under false premises. Don't let it have power over you.
Violence of any kind does not make sense. I agree wholeheartedly. It may seem strange to you but I am not doing this to be violent. I really believe in what I am writing here and though it may hurt some peoples feelings, I do want to help.
"Now can you realise this and be non-violent without making a pledge? Of course you can. The pledge or vow is a political statement that is trying to educate people."
Yes you can and, in fact, a pledge will make it much more difficult, not the other way around. The last sentence I have to completely disagree with you about though. The pledge is not a political statement that is trying to educate people. It is a vow of non-violence, no matter what you pass it off as. It will have enormous influence on peoples lives if you take it seriously. Also, people do not need to be educated. Education is a part of the problem. I don't believe anything can make us be non-violent except for love itself.
Thank you for stopping by, Stuart and for expressing your views. I will read your blog. Did you see my blog before this one? You might find it amusing
Hugs and love
Kara
———–
http://www.intent.com/hello/blog/deepak-chopra-an…
Love-Anarchy forever!
Starshine,
I love your comment. Good thinking (or being). I thought it was very insightful and yes, we all are caught in our own web.
"face to face with Deepak, dear Kara
what would thee see, what would thee say
if given your chance to look through ?"
I wonder. So far I don't know except that I would be completely honest, say exactly what I thought and what I had found out without pretense or fear of the consequences. Then it may lead wherever it does. This "conflict" will collapse one way or the other. I'm ready for any option.
Thank you for coming inside.
Love
Kara
———–
http://www.intent.com/hello/blog/deepak-chopra-an…
Love-Anarchy forever!
Hi, Kurt! I am quoting your entire comment here, to make it easier to read:
"I always thought the vow was very superficial as well; cute, fun, but due to the lack of a systematic practice of introspection that curtails those unwanted thoughts, and without adding guilt and suppression which only adds flames to the fire. If you want people to take a serious vow have some techniques on how it is achieved. Otherwise it
Dear Kara,
First of all, I love your passion! When I saw your blog I didn't know what the "vow" thing was all about and wanted to read the vow to see if I agreed with it or not. So I read it and had a couple of issues with it.
What first popped into my mind regarding vows is the marriage vow that couples take: stay together til death do you part, blah, blah, blah. How many people keep this vow? And supposedly, according to the Deepak Chopra's site instructions on taking his vow, "there is no going back". Back to what? What do couples go "back" to when they part company because they've broken their vows? Is it the end of their lives? Do they suddenly explode into the ethers never to be heard from again? For that reason this vow seems threatening (violent?) to me. I also didn't like the part about having to get two friends to join with you as part of the vow. What does this have to do with taking a vow for nonviolence?!! I did get the impression that Mr. Chopra would love to reach his goal of 100 million people taking this vow. Is ego involved here? Almost certainly. Are his intentions well meaning? Almost certainly. Take a vow if you want–but don't beat yourself up with guilt or spiral into despair if you should "fail". Because you will. So what? Carry on, be the love that you are and don't fall into spiritual traps of vows or any other constrictions that bind you to commitments that only add to your pain and suffering. Live as best you can with kindness of speech, thought and action–be conscientious with all beings–especially yourself–all accomplished without a vow.
Nonviolent,
Gayle
Thank you, Gayle. You've got it! Another thing I'm thinking about in all this is the extent of group pressure involved. Imagine you were there in the hall when Deepak proposed this and people started standing up … and you didn't? Would you have managed that act of independence? I'm not even sure I would. In his blog he said that 450 people of 500 stood up. I admire the integrity of those who didn't. Then he wants us to impose this vow on our friends! The pain this vow causes in the lives of those who take it is violent. Deepak is violent for campaigning it. The whole thing is an absurdity.
"I did get the impression that Mr. Chopra would love to reach his goal of 100 million people taking this vow. Is ego involved here? Almost certainly. Are his intentions well meaning? Almost certainly."
His ego? I guess so but I don't believe his intentions are well meaning at all. Did you read my blog "Deepak Chopra and the Green Agenda"? Deepak knows alot about human psychology. I think he knows exactly what he is doing and he is certainly in the habit of lying. The man supports Barack Obama, for goodness sake. This vow of non-violence is nothing but a sick joke which leaves scars in our collective subconscious and hinders spiritual developement. It's about control.
Thank you for being you, Gayle. You are such an intelligent being. Think whatever you want. I trust we will all get there in the end/the beginning/now.
Love,
Kara
———–
http://www.intent.com/hello/blog/deepak-chopra-an…
Love-Anarchy forever!
THANK YOU AND STAY BLESSED!!! INTERESTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GIVE US SOMETHING TO THINK AND RE THINK ABOUT!!!!!!!!!!!THANKS FOR SHARING…………………
LOVE AND PEACE,
TOWANDA
P.S I'M A GREAT BEILIVER INTO HEARING THAT INTER VOICE!!! IF IT DON'T FEEL RIGHT I'S NOT RIGHT, GO WITH THE FLOW, IT WORKS FOR YOU IT WORKS FOR ME AS LONG AS YOUR NOT HURTING YOURSELF OR ANYONE ELSE AND IT IS WHAT IT IS. I A LEADER AND ALWAYS HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR OTHERS AND WHAT THEY BEILIVE IN!!! EVEN IF I DON'T CARE FOR IT OR THINK IT'S THE BEST IDEA…I DON'T FOLLOW ANYONE AND SUPPORT ALL. SO ON THAT NOTE, AGREE TO DISAGREE AND THATS OK, BUT WHEN YOU GET INTO THAT PERSON IS RIGHT OR WRONG THATS WHEN I BELIVE WAR NOT BEHAVING IN A KIND OR LOVING MATTER!!! AN THE INTERNT IS NOT TO HURT OR DISRESPECT ANYONES FEELING OR OUR RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH!!! DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STAY AND KEEP IT LOVING GUYS(SMILE) AND KEEP IT MOVING…..
LOVE AND PEACE,
TOWANDA!
KNOW IF YOU DON'T STAND FOR SOMETHING YOUR'LL FALL FOR ANYTHING!!!!
Dear Kara,
Why do you think they call it peer "pressure"? The pressure is there to make you conform with the masses. I too think that Deepak Chopra is an exceedingly intelligent man and perhaps knows a thing or two about manipulation and control of people. Although, I don't think initially, when he first became popular with his books and talks that he was in the manipulation mode but success does something to people. It distorts their own beliefs about themselves. He may not even be aware that his own authenticity has been compromised. Long ago I felt a disconnect with him as I learned about his healing centers that charge astronomical prices to attend–something just turned me off. So I have listened to my instincts and have been "off" Mr. Chopra. I am leery of those who project themselves of knowing something "we" all don't (or who charge big prices to gain their wisdom, etc.) and of those who would follow those teachers blindly. I really try to listen to my own teacher within who guides me with wisdom and love and with my best interest at heart. It has yet to fail me. The truth is free–we don't need to pay for it.
Vow free,
Gayle
Dear Kara,
Thank you for your comments on my comments. You promoted some good dialog here. You really get me thinking and I appreciate that. I think you can be well meaning but totally screw something up. Perhaps Deepak Chopra meant well with his intention of signing up people to take this vow but in doing so didn't think of the karmic repurcussions of his actions. If he's not meaning well, what is he meaning? Harm? Is he evil? Is he promoting violence under the guise of nonviolence? How do I find out the truth here–I listen to mySELF and act accordingly.
Love,
Gayle
Dear Gayle,
It's so nice to have you around. Thank you for your comments. I nod in agreement to most of what you are saying. This:
"I am leery of those who project themselves of knowing something "we" all don't (or who charge big prices to gain their wisdom, etc.) and of those who would follow those teachers blindly."
I think summons up alot. However there was one thing concerning what we are talking about here that made me unable to sleep. Although I agree that some celebrities, (spiritual teachers aso) act like this, I don't think everyone does and I would be the last person to tell someone they don't have the right to express themselves or pursue their dreams. Even if that means being a celebrity. This "not holding anyone back" is fundamental to me. Everyone has the right to express their spirit. I have so enjoyed and appreciated the company I have been given in my life through books and films and shows by many entertainers/truthspeakers/inspirers/musicians. I wouldn't dream of saying they shouldn't and for heavens sake: we humans need to communicate! But. There is a big but here. Medial attention can be missused in the extreme and as you say, it is easy to slip into something you did not intend from the start of it all.
"If he's not meaning well, what is he meaning? Harm? Is he evil? Is he promoting violence under the guise of nonviolence? How do I find out the truth here–I listen to mySELF and act accordingly."
I won't pretend to know what is the matter with Deepak. Maybe he had ulterior motives from the start, maybe he did not. Is he evil? I feel silly even saying the word but I believe some people are capable of the most extreme actions which is difficult for those of us with empathy to even comprehend. If he is like that, I don't know. The important thing, as you are saying, is that we listen to our hearts and do what we feel is right regardless. That doesn't mean to say that we can't have very meaningful exchanges with eachother, of course. Love loves, and so it should.
Thanks again, Gayle
Kara
———–
http://www.intent.com/hello/blog/deepak-chopra-an…
Love-Anarchy forever!
"KNOW IF YOU DON'T STAND FOR SOMETHING YOUR'LL FALL FOR ANYTHING!!!!"
I like it TOWANDA, thank you for commenting!
Kara
———–
http://www.intent.com/hello/blog/deepak-chopra-an…
Love-Anarchy forever!
Kara, gravity is always working whether you stand or fall it is God's Laws remember to obey them…
Big Hershey Kisses my Swedish Bunny
Peace Soul Sweetie Sweden from Eden(+)
Dom DO-ZEN,FRO-ZEN with ZAZEN on the HORIZEN in my ZENDOM….Good Night
Dom, I obey nothing and no one. Obedience is redundant.
———–
http://www.intent.com/hello/blog/deepak-chopra-an…
Love-Anarchy forever!
Kara, Dearest…gravity, Gravity,GRAVITY…OBEY IT…It keeps you in your place, unless you are floating around?
Peace Soul Sweetie Sweden from Eden(+)
Dom DO-ZEN,FRO-ZEN with ZAZEN on the HORIZEN in my ZENDOM….GOOD NIGHT!
I don't want to be kept in place and I'd much rather float around, Dom. Gravity is too grave.
———–
http://www.intent.com/hello/blog/deepak-chopra-an…
Love-Anarchy forever!
I like
"We don
Kara, it's nice having you around too. As far as you feeling silly even saying the word "evil", I said it first of all because I think it exists and second to see what your ideas were. Did you think he's "evil"? I have my answer. One definition of evil: "resulting from or based on conduct regarded as immoral". Using this word seemed pertinent to the discussion.
I'm enjoying these meaningful exchanges with you.
You're welcome,
Gayle
Dear Kara:
I believe the reason Deepak has asked people to consider taking a vow of non-violence is because he truly wants to advance peace and transformation in our world. For decades, Deepak has encouraged people to find their true essence and source. His writing and media work honor the integrity of the individual to a commendable degree. I find no ulterior or shallow motives in his request that people consider or "discern" taking a vow of non-violence. I find love in his action – love for people, love for our world, love for the Divine. And it is love I find in my feelings for him, and for you.
Love, Greg
Dear Greg, how warm and real your love
thank you.
Dear Kara,
I answered your post in the forum of the ANH, and would like to add it here too, to deepen the discussion on what the Vow of Peace actually is. I know that the conditioned mind would love to declare it is liberated, of course, confusing liberation with the "freedom" to be as suspicious, cynical or divisive as one wants. The conditioned mind confuses its warped logic with clarity of spirit, and this is a very sad trap which can keep souls in pain for a long time.
For dedicated spiritual travellers who have understood that their ego is not the ideal guide on the journey, the vow of peace can be an invaluable tool to dismantle the ego's attempts to "liberate us" parading as love and peace while hiding anger and division. Here is why:
The vow of peace is only possible to take by those people who have realized that they have a personal mind which is conditioned with all kinds of separatist beliefs creating aggression, AND also have realized that the personal mind is just a small speck in the loving infinity of what they truly are.
First, there needs to be an experience of a Self that transcends the conditioned mind. We access this Self in many ways and many times in our lives, at moments of great expansion, when we fall in love or fall in inspiration, compassion, or creativity. But the experience needs to be more than fleeting, it needs to be repeated enough times for our attention to realize that it is a Self more deep and real than anything else. Regular meditation is the best way I know to do that.
Then, the process continues with the spiritual light of this realized true identity starting to shine on all the dark corners of our personal mind, showing us where we have amassed beliefs and points of view resulting in pain and aggression. As the light shines on the ways of our own ego-mind, the old ways of feeling, thinking and acting are dissolved. But the ego mind will not let itself be "dissolved" like this without resistance, it will insist that we are separate, in danger and in conflict, and that aggression and fighting are important. The only thing in danger and in conflict is the ego itself, with its illusory separate existence.
It is at this stage that the Vow of ahimsa (non-violence) is important and useful. This vow is a final decision about which "me" we consider real and want to give our energy to, so it can expand: the small personal "me" with all its conflicts and troubles, keeping us in a view of "me-others" being separate thus in conflict …. or direct our growth in the direction of the expanded, transcendent "me" with its unconditional love, bliss and unity with the whole of its own existence.
Taking a vow of peace means in no way denying or supressing our own aggression- on the contrary. It means looking with full clarity and honesty at the aggressive tendencies in our own conditioned minds, from the point of view of our real, loving, unified Self, letting this clarity of who we truly are dissolve the struggle of our ego.
Deepak Chopra invited everyone to —ask their heart if they are ready— to take the Vow. That means, ask the deepest part within (presuming they have a clear contact with it), if they are ready to give their full attention and dedication to their own spiritual source and identity .
The vow of peace is a vow of dedicating our whole attention and intention to our own evolution- to becoming what we truly are. And it should be taken only if we have a real understanding of what it means, and a great desire to do the actual work of setting ourselves free from the illusion of separation.
So Kara, it is surely good that you act according to your present view and don't take the vow.
At the same time, I encourage everyone whose heart tells them to take the vow to fully commit themselves to the path of evolution.
Love, aurora
In any one Natural moment I reserve the right to take appropriate action. You will put the label on it.
I am at Peace. Meet me there.
Love,
ed
Dear Ed,
you say "In any one Natural moment I reserve the right to take appropriate action. You will put the label on it."
You see, the problem with "reserving the right to take appropriate action" is that the appropriate action is different for different degrees of awakening to who we are. If I steal your loaf of bread, you will naturally respond with any of the following things:
- not dare do anything about it or kill me, depending on your make up
- put me in prison to isolate and punish the evil you see out there
- do your best to forgive the evil you see
- deeply empathize with my hunger and give me everything in your fridge
- see me as another you, feel my hunger as yours, know that my only need is to realize my own deepest essence, and help me in the most appropriate of the previous ways to come closer to realizing my Self. Which is what Nature itself automatically does for all of us.
When we say "I am at peace, meet me there", we can either be supremely realized beings, inviting everyone into the pure, realized essence of our Self… or… our ego may have learned the language of spirit so well, that it avoids being looked at by putting on this mask. Spirit is not a mask. But our ego can and often does put on the mask of spirit, declaring that we are at peace, when we actually have a basement full of stuff to still look at.
So it is up to our own discernment to stay in our fantasy-illumination, or actually en-lighten our basements to free ourselves for real.
In other words, I do not think that telling ourselves "we are at peace already so we do not need to do the unpleasant work of looking at our own aggression " is a path that leads to real growth.
Love, aurora
Wonderfully put, Aurora. I have seen many masks worn by people who profess a certain spiritual level and those masks are there to hide their fears. The mask doesn't work.
Gayle
I'm sure you have, Gayle. But for me, the only place of knowledge is myself. So I have learned (probably) everything there is to know about the ego from my own journey.
We are so much NOT our pain, fear and anger, and bringing these "dark secrets" up to the light of our consciousness heals and frees us for real. But everyone will do this in his/her own time of course. Most of us fear our light, and if I could, I would hold the hand of any scared fellow traveller and try to describe how the most fantastic part of the journey begins when we surrender to our own spirit, realizing that this process is bringing us closer to so much bliss, love and fulfillment that the only problem is how to cope with its enormity.
Good luck to all on the path
love, aurora
Aurora
Most of your statements are just preaching. I think the problem between you and I is that I know something you don't. All those things you want to project onto me simply are not true. Here is something you said that actually has something to do with what we are discussing here:
"Taking a vow of peace means in no way denying or supressing our own aggression- on the contrary. It means looking with full clarity and honesty at the aggressive tendencies in our own conditioned minds, from the point of view of our real, loving, unified Self, letting this clarity of who we truly are dissolve the struggle of our ego.
Deepak Chopra invited everyone to —ask their heart if they are ready— to take the Vow. That means, ask the deepest part within (presuming they have a clear contact with it), if they are ready to give their full attention and dedication to their own spiritual source and identity ."
If this is what it means to you, then fine. As long as it does not hurt you. A Vow isn't that though. It's a promise not to be violent. Not even in thought. Or emotion. It will cause you to feel guilt when you do and Aurora, when you, as you say, are ready to take the vow, you don't have to and you realise how pointless it is. Love should not have to promise to be love.
You seem to put alot of effort into telling me how lowly I am on the spiritual path. I'm not going to argue with you about that. I don't see the point in it.
I agree one should never run from your fear and aggression, which is the very reason why I wrote this blog. (no, I don't mean it's an aggressive blog) Oh and Aurora, your true spirit never demands surrender. It doesn't want us to blind our senses to what is going on around us either.
I know we are all one. I've felt it. I also know there is discord and manipulation going on. Not just in me personally. I am not singlehandedly responsible for everything that is wrong in the world and neither are you. You point in one direction and say "It's a trap" I point in another and say just the same thing. Time will tell who is correct in this instance and when it does, it won't matter anymore. We share the same wish and I will not be quiet.
Good luck to you too
Kara
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http://www.newsforthesoul.com/icke-june25-2005.ht…
Love-Anarchy forever!
Kara, I see and love your, our Self. The rest… smoke
Good night pal!
Nighty, Sweetpeas!
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http://www.newsforthesoul.com/icke-june25-2005.ht…
Love-Anarchy forever!
So, I am a prophet, too, Aurora
Love,
ed.
Dear Aurora:
Your words are as beautiful a reflection on the importance and validity of Ahimsa that I have ever read. Thank you for writing with insight, humility and clarity.
Love, Greg