Tagged: eckhart tolle
I do but I am not responsible
In the video shared about Mooji, he mentioned about the realization that “I don’t do anything as we get to explore the self with greater extent.” Notice that this is a realization through observation: I wake up, without an alarm I have “no control” of the time that I will wake up. Still with an alarm, many things could go “wrong,” the battery of the alarm, the fact that I went to sleep hungry and couldn’t sleep well and overslept, etc. If we look at every activity that we do, we will see the chain of “cause and effect” behind it… and in this life, how that “chain reaction” started without my “choosing.” Do we see that? 🙂
In the first video, we will explore a “brainy” point on predestination and the fact that “if I am not responsible for my own actions, because I really have no free will, then I cannot be accountable for my actions. I am not guilty of them.”
The above reasoning of course is used as a good argument to see the need for “free will;” otherwise, why put serial killers in jail, if they are not truly responsible for their actions?
In the second video with Mr. Eckhart Tolle; he discusses our “responsibility,” and that is in the well-being of our own consciousness. He even expresses about this illusory entity called the “me” (which agrees with Mooji)and then, he “enlightens” us with “Who you “are” is the primary consciousness. What you “do” follows that.”
Please pay special attention to those words and observe them in yourself as they have great significance.
Notice the video below, “The Quran speaks” a good program due to the questions the interviewer is asking. The questions are answered by Dr. Shabir Ally.
In this video we can see that all is about “justification” of God. How “free will” is necessary to get God out of the hook for “creating” evil(because He created good, he created evil as well because one side cannot exist without the other.) “Final outcomes are not predetermined,” even though often scriptures talk about God knowing beforehand what will happen. Not only that, the belief of reincarnation, goes beyond the realm of “free will” and “choosing,” because there is “cause and effect” in it. However, a “Heaven” and “Hell” puts the “choice” back into the individual.
This is the Muslim belief as well as the Christian belief and other God centered religions. There is Godly judgment, so you are responsible for your actions.
Note that there is no point in the conversation where the word “consciousness” is used. All is about faith and beliefs. “Some beliefs do not seem to be rather logical…” Dr. Ally points out; but there are some beliefs which more logical than others, I may point out; however that does not mean that those beliefs are “truth.”
In this video everything is about responsibility of actions. I am responsible for them and God will judge me and either give me eternal hell or paradise in return.
Finally, in this video by Adyshanti, the word “oneness” comes into the picture. If everything is one, who am I? Part of that oneness. This “idea” will flow nicely with Mooji’s, Tolle’s and Zen about non doing our own actions but rather actions flow through us as we identify with them. That is how the “me” appears. Therefore, by concentrating in our actions, we will not solve anything “wrong” unless we take care first of our consciousness, because our actions follows consciousness as Mr. Tolle pointed out.
Consciousness is primarily, awareness and our extent of awareness will dictate how responsible we could be.
How do I make sense out of all the above information?
Easy. Experience it for yourself. This is not a matter of belief.
There is obviously a consciousness of “doing things” for some. Others will find that they do not do anything. Either way, as long as our consciousness hasn’t changed, then our activities whether we “do them” or not, those activities cannot be “elevated” unless my consciousness precedes them.
Consciousness precedes commandments and rituals.
Responsibility of action then is a matter of consciousness not a matter of beliefs.
Ego, Golden Age and Eckhart Tolle
Interesting to note how nowadays, we have different philosophies and approaches to spirituality but all of them seem to point to the same Self Realization, Awakening, Soul consciousness, etc.
This video explains how the “Golden age,” or “Paradise” (depending on your belief) depicts that time before the presence of ego.
Ego appears as a consequence of that entropy which is what gives the experience of duality.
Note how in Christianity, some of the teachings of Christ point to egoless-ness when well “interpreted;” that is from those who have experienced the experience and not from those who only have the degrees (known as “experts” and dwell in “theory.”)
Ego is not “bad” but part of that experience which we call life. It is through the experience of ego, how we will return to “soul consciousness” again, that is awakening.
As Mr. Tolle explained through one of the teachings of Christ, (the parable known as “The prodigal son”) that is how we will go back home, through the understanding of that ego, or by “conquering ego.”
“Back to the Father’s home;” (as in the parable) which is a well known line in Brahma Kumaris.
Good video to watch:
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bImdyQn43s8)
The unlimited vision of “purity and impurity.”
One of the most used words in the BK vocabulary is the word “purity.”
In the Sakar Murli, purity means “brahmacharya,” that is celibacy.
The distinction was between those who followed a celibate life style and those who do not. Then, the distinction between “non-celibate” and “celibate” was replaced with a word which has a higher “respect,” and “importance,” that is “purity.”
“They are impure…” came to be a phrase of distinction.
As we heard the Avyakt Murli (but perhaps we forgot for we only hear it once a week) the word “purity” as BapDada uses it, encompasses more than celibacy, that is our words, thoughts and actions are without vices.
In English, purity means: “freedom from adulteration or contamination,” or “freedom from immorality.” The term also applies to the absence of vice in human character.
If we use those dictionary words, we can see that the popular: ”they are impure and we are pure,” is far from the reality. Why??
Raise your hand if you are free from contamination. 🙂 That is if you are free from vice…
Thus, it appears to me that unless we have reached the “karmateet” stage, we all belong to the “impure group.” How about that?
🙂
In the unlimited, that is in the Drama, we will see that every soul will experience their higher stage of virtuous living in their first role in the Drama, and from that point; it will decline.
Therefore, it is not that there is a clear distinction between a vice and a virtue. It is the same thing but in different degrees. Positive side and negative side, if you would.
In other words, detachment will become attachment after so many births. See that?
Therefore, to try to “get rid of attachment” means to get rid of detachment as well. 🙂 That is why only greater consciousness can give us back a virtuous behavior.
To put this explanation in different words, let us say that there is a battery. That battery when fully charged is called “detachment,” that same battery when empty of electrical power, is called “attachment.”
What is important to see is that the moment in every soul when power reaches 50% will be different for we are “numberwise” and that capacity of holding electricity is different among batteries.
The tricky part to recognize in this example is: at which level detachment becomes attachment for the first time?
Suffering is the gauge.
The point is that we cannot have a blanket statement that this one is “impure” and this other “pure” for there are many levels of that.
Moreover, the word “pure” is continually used as a source of pride and ego, when there are indeed very few at this time who have reached that state of being viceless.
To avoid that problem of labeling with the connotation of making a huge difference among human beings, when as demonstrated there may not be that much difference for “we are mixed together in a bag of candies,” with the only difference that some realize that and others do not; then the question is: which words can I use without hurting someone but at the same time, to be able to express with greater accuracy; when suffering makes the distinction of detachment becoming attachment?
Then, the words “identification with form” came to the rescue.
Those words are used by Mr. Eckhart Tolle in his explanation of suffering. (By the way; I truly recommend reading his book: “A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose.” Any Bk who is seriously studying ego, will receive lots of benefit. Many times I have found many of the explanations that Gyan gives there, with just different wording. As we know, Mr. Tolle does not have knowledge of the Drama so there will be some shortcomings, but as far as the study of ego, emotions and thoughts and the experience of the self which he calls:”Presence,” he has done a pretty good job in my view. There are only 3 books in my life, which i have read from cover to cover and this one is one of them.)
Those who suffer are identified with the “form.” That word “form” not only means physical form, but also our mind making an “object” out of everything. For example, if someone who I was waiting for does not show up, then my mind will make an “object” called feeling left out or forgotten and even not getting respect. That self created suffering is an “object” created by the mind which does not exist (for we do not know the “real” reason for the person not showing up.) Once we find out that reason as to why the person did not show up, we may not take it that personal.
Those words also fit nicely into the concept of “body consciousness,” which have been misinterpreted as denying the body.
Yes, we are caught up with words.
Then that attachment comes, when we first start identifying with a form.
See how nicely it fits? Otherwise, we will have to say: “that attachment comes when we first became impure.” 🙂 Which is completely meaningless. Why do we become impure? Drama… 🙂
In short, I feel that the words: “to be identified with a form” is a much better fit than the loaded word “pure” and also “impure.”
In those words, there is no separation among human beings and at the same time those words are able to express what happens in the “Unlimited” Drama which is beyond the “black and white” wordings of “pure and impure.”
Loneliness: by Eckhart Tolle
This video by Eckhart Tolle is recommended for those souls interested in overcoming loneliness.
If it is in your “fortune” to be by yourself, then it is the perfect “spot” to find those weaknesses popping up like hot pop corn.
What Mr. Tolle refers as “presence” is what we BKs, may know as silence. The experience of the “true” self.
Through that, there is change. Note that our mind needs to fully accept a situation before there is opportunity for change. Ego does not allow us to accept but rather is looking to “fight back.”
That fight is delaying those changes. Flowing is the answer.
Also note that once loneliness becomes, through acceptance into solitude; the Drama may change and once there is no neediness in the self for company; that company may in fact appear…. So be careful what you wish for… for you may not like it after all… 🙂
Those are the workings of the Drama. Don’t desire anything, so you will have everything…
Soul consciousness with Deepak Chopra and Eckhart Tolle
These 2 short videos are “highly” recommended to watch for a couple of reasons:
1) They give an idea of what “intellectual knowledge” is versus practical knowledge.
2) They give an idea of what description does versus an experience.
The topic is the soul.
As described in this previous article: http://bkgyan.com/2012/04/22/notes-to-consider-on-the-raja-yoga-7-day-course/
The soul has no location. Why? Because the soul is timeless (beyond time.) The experience of time comes about with the experience of physical matter. Then we have time and location.
The soul is consciousness; however as we know, that consciousness is not “working accurately,” for even though we are timeless; we are subdue by time. Without using all the “nice scientific terminology,” we can say that to experience time when it does not exist is then, an illusion (Maya.)
When Dr. Chopra says “Your soul is not in your body; your body is in your soul.” Most will take those words literally, looking for a ‘definition.’ Basically he is just referring to the “experience” of the body through our consciousness ( For he defined the soul as timeless consciousness.) This is what we call “body consciousness.”
Note the dialogue. It is about descriptions. It is about rationalized theories and even the person asking questions is just happy with getting definitions, something to talk about, but certainly no experience at all.
A definition cannot bring the experience. It is just useless intellectual information.
Therefore, other words arise such as : Where is the soul? Dr. Chopra would say: “You cannot find “your” soul because “you” are looking in space time.”
Useless question. Useless answer. Why?
Because if the soul is beyond location…there is no “where,” for the soul. There is nowhere “to find” the soul.
“Don’t point here when you say consciousness…” ( As the interviewer was pointing to his head)
The Raja Yoga line, “The soul is in the middle of the forehead.” It is a “pointer” to an experience. It is not to be taken literally. “Where is located” is meaningless, when the experience of it is what matters.
What do I mean by “pointer”?
Mr. Tolle has a good response to that question. Note that the “experience” of who we are (soul) is beyond words, descriptions, analysis, etc.; but the words of someone who has experienced the experience, have some intrinsic power, which is undeniable.
Even though he does not use the “term,” soul; we can perceive his experience of it.
Some use the words right. Others, will have the experience of those words. Your “choice.”
Question: Brother, I have been in gyan for number of years yet I still have difficulty bringing my awareness to the present. At times my thoughts create pain. How can I get rid of this pain and become peaceful at will? Is this suffering part of settling my karmic accounts?
Thank you for your very good and honest question.
What you are experiencing most people do, without realizing it. It is either living in the “pain” of the past or the “anxiety” of the future.
As you know, whatever we experience is part of “settling karmic accounts,” however, we should continue to try new methods to find the “cure,” which as we know, will come when the time is right. 🙂
My suggestion based on what have worked for me is to find a nice spot in nature and put all your senses on the experience of Nature. Your mind will need to be quiet for that. You will be sitting still, letting Nature “be in you.” Every time you are in Nature (which I sincerely hope you will do it regularly) make a point on listening to 4 different Nature sounds every time. Through this practice you will feel what is like to be “thought free,” but in a state of “appreciation.” Then, “pure feelings” should emerge when in awe around such beauty. That is to live in the present surrounded and being that beauty. Once that feeling is recognized, you can bring it with you at any place and in that way “cut” the “devilish thoughts” with your own feelings of beauty.
Another practice that I would recommend, is to go for a walk after Amrit Vela for at least 15 minutes and “observe” the self producing thoughts. Catch yourself doing that and just be aware and say to yourself, “that is just an illusion.” Continue enjoying your walk and being aware of those thoughts coming up. This practice will allow you to “catch” the thoughts during your normal day and prevent that “pain” from taking root. In Baba’s vocabulary that is “catching Maya from a distance.”
Finally, I strongly suggest that you read Eckhart Tolle’s book, “The power of now.” He calls that pain from the past, the “Pain-body.” It is in page 27. Here is the link to the free pdf.
I have found this book to be invaluable to understand Baba’s practical gyan from yet another perspective.
Best wishes!
Observing the self
As I am enjoying my reading on “The Power of Now,” I am finding new things which are becoming very important in my spiritual path.
“Now,” I consider this book by Eckhart Tolle as one of the most important that I have read in my life so far. Hopefully I will finish it…I am not into reading everything from cover to cover, but there are always exceptions to confirm the rule. 🙂
The interesting thing is that I can understand every word that he is describing not at the mental level but because I have experienced what he is describing. This is something “new” for me.
When he mentioned about “being,” immediately the relationship is with the experience of soul consciousness. My realization is that this stage of “being,” which is an experience of “presence” beyond “thoughts” and mental chatter, would be very hard to “maintain” unless great awareness is developed. That is why “inner-observation” is very important.
For most individuals, this will be a gradual increase in awareness of the self. There are many things which need to be “tuned out,” many fears which need to be discovered and many past experiences which need to be forgotten from the heart; as well as forgetting our quest for that “future” which will be our “life-saver,” to escape the “now,” and which allow us to stoically tolerate sufferings hoping that a “near future” will clear all of those issues, magically.
BK gyan, is important here, because of the knowledge of karmic accounts. That state of “being” or “soul consciousness,” will be experienced in greater extent as long as those karmic accounts are settled. This what Mr. Tolle calls:”dropping suffering right now.”
Interestingly enough, very few individuals will be able to do that “right now,” to realize something, for most; it is a matter of time…until the “karmic account” has been settled that is , through suffering most of the time.
BK gyan, give us another avenue, that is the “power of yoga.”
We do not need to do anything to be liberated into soul consciousness or “being.” All we need to is “observe the self.” Watch it. See our own reactions. Find our emotions and see why are they coming out. We need time for that. We need patience and tolerance to understand ourselves. That is the journey, the only journey that has ever existed, but we didn’t know that it was US.
“Being” is not becoming but finding.
To find what?
That is what every single one of us, need to find… 🙂
Exploring the Depth of Living 