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I was just thinking someone may as well post some words from our sponsor ...

The inner intelligence
of the body
is the ultimate
and supreme genius
in nature.

It mirrors the wisdom
of the cosmos.

This genius is
inside you,
a part of your
inner blueprint
that cannot be erased.

Journey into Healing by Deepak Chopra

In case I forget, here's a link to the entire text as I haven't quite decided which section to cut and post.

William Ricketts Philosophy

I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure. :)

Well, you have been a busy boy. Yes, it is a bit chilly in Oz right now.

Interesting synchronicity as I was just reading some Emerson myself the day you posted that excerpt.

"Is it so bad then to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every wise and pure soul that ever took flesh."

On the subject of solitude, I have some words to post from someone whose name is most likely unknown to those outside of Oz.

His name is William Ricketts and he spent 50 years living in the Dandenong Ramges which are a short drive from where I live.

Click here to see some of the results of his time spent in solitude - William Ricketts Sanctuary

Will post some of his words in my next visit.

If I can't have contentment,
at least let me have an interesting variety of discontents."

Dolores: Not for a while, sweetheart. However, San Miguel is now a place in my mind and heart which I will always cherish, and I am eternally grateful to you for guiding me there.

I bow. I embrace. Namaste'.

Khosru: I got bits of that, but it didn't make much sense.

Kereyra, Cathy and Sumitha: The important part of the focus for me is in what is understood by "attachment to" and "detachment from". Yes it is a paradox that the people and relationships we are attached to appear to be the things that make life worth living, while those same attachments can also be the things that make us the most miserable. Is it not said that "only those we love can really hurt us"?

But what is this "love"? The love most people refer to is not the love that Buddha, Christ and the other Mystics speak of. That love is for your neighbour, your brother, the good, the bad and the ugly. The love we often refer to and crave, that Romeo and Juliet type of "infatuation" which burns up our soul, that is not it. That is just a "super attachment". A kind of nuclear "want" and desire. A need to possess and control our passions.

What is meant by detatching from Ego? Does it mean living without one? I don't think so. In The Way of the Wizard, Deepak emphasises the importance of Ego. We cannot exist without one. The attachment with Ego is the "relationship" one has with one's Ego. Since most people are not even aware that they are not their Ego, then this recognition is the first step to "detachment". One must observe oneself and observe one's own thoughts, behaviour and beliefs. In this way one becomes aware of one's "Self". The observer. The witness. When one has a focus on one's Self and is able to see and hear Ego's thoughts and ideas and habits, we may be lucky enough to "awake" and realise what nonsense occupies our mind. Then detatchment comes not only naturally, but as a matter of urgency. We become almost ashamed of our own past "attachments" to such ideas as "nation" "religion" "right & wrong" "family values" "size eight figures" "blonds" etc. But, as Cathy pointed out, these things are the very things that make our lives worth living and as she says, "I am also at a loss for how things would work if we didn't have these attractions".

But are they the things that make our life worth living? Or were they once, and we are still attached to them? Or the idea of them. Is it not said that one must empty one's cup? We must be prepared to empty it before we can grasp the "new". Einstein said something like "You can't solve the worlds problems with the same mind (thinking) that created them in the first place". Your attachments are not the "things". They are your ideas, beliefs and thoughts about those things. The things, the people, the world will still be there when you have emptied your cup. And having given up your ideas and beliefs about those things, you would have given up your attachment to them, and then there is clarity, and you see them for what they are and not what you once believed they were or might be. You will be detached from your ego beliefs because the ego is nothing but a bundle of ideas and thoughts and beliefs that define YOU. Give them up and you will find room in your cup for more. There can then be growth. Only by continuing to think as your ego did before will you get more of the same. So, don't approach the problem with the same mind that likes those problems or created those problems. When you are free of your ego beliefs, even the trees in your street will seem new. And when you see them anew, they will seem to bow as you pass.

Hola HADI, como estas? I enjoy very much reading your posts... as always! Any plans to return to Mexico soon? Please say hello to Grace. With metta, Dolores

{{{Dolores>}}}

; )

Terry: the only thing we need to learn is, how to be.

Evening folks. We're preparing for a heatwave here this weekend. In England than means the high twenties. Hope it's fine where you are. Bit chilly in Oz right now, I suspect. Are Deepak and Larry King lovers? A transcript of the coming interview would be appreciated if you HTML wizards jave the time. Thanks.

Hadi, in line with that last post (Conduct of Life) I've been giving some thought to "master's".

It would seem that both my grandfather's would fit as well as any others that have crossed my awareness.

I say that mainly because on reflection, they never said a damn thing to me about anything.

In a way like Ghandi-----their life was their message.

What they "knew" was that life (Universe/God) would teach me what I was meant to learn in an un-folding, e-volving journey.

If "I" lived long enough, and was blessed enough, to "awaken" somewhat, and "I" was in a position to "help" and was so "moved", then "I" should do so in whatever manner open to me.

This "manner" would also be "presented", without effort.

"I" bow............."I" embrace..........

Namaste'

Hi!

Even better: the DALAI LAMA will be in a free public appearance in WASHINGTON D.C. on Saturday July 1st.

Enjoy your weekend... beware of the wind though:)

Solitude, the safeguard of mediocrity, is to genius the stern friend, the cold, obscure shelter where moult the wings which will bear it farther than the suns and the stars. He who should inspire and lead his race must be defended from traveling with the souls of other men, from living, breathing, reading, and writing in the daily, time-worn yoke of their opinions. "In the morning - solitude;" said Pythagoras; that Nature may speak to the imagination, as she does never in company, and that her favorite may take acquaintance with those divine strengths which disclose themselves to serious and abstracted thought. 'Tis very certain that Plato, Plotinus, Archimedes, Hermes, Newton, Milton, Wordsworth, did not live in a crowd, but descended into it from time to time as benefactors: and the wise instructor will press this point of securing to the young soul in the disposition of time and the arrangements of living, periods and habits of solitude."

-- from Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Conduct of Life"

That's great but what do we do down here in Australia? :)

From the Chopra Center:

Hi Everyone - here's an Official Notice of some great news!

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Dr. Deepak Chopra will appear on The Larry King Show Monday, June 26th CNN. Check your local listings for time! Set your VCR's to record! Have fun!

I just realized I made an error in my previous commemt. I meant it becomes easy to detach from your spiritual side and to focus on your ego. I have a problem with being easily influenced with objects outside of the Self.

I enjoy Deepak Chopra's books and his idea of being in touch with your true self, but it becomes so easy at times to detach from you ego and focus on your spirituality. I am trying to find my center. Any suggestions?

More of Buddhist quote of the moment -

"Shantideva...mentions specific instances when it is advisable to remain like a mindless piece of wood. We can do this when our mind is very distracted or when the thought arises to belittle, slander, or abuse others. If pride, haughtiness or the intention to find fault with others arises, we can also remain impassive until our deluded motivation fades. Feeling pretentious, thinking to deceive others and wishing to praise our own qualities, wealth, or possessions are all occasions when it is wise to pretend that we are made out of wood. Whenever we have the desire to blame others, speak harshly or cause disruption we should practice this technique of non-reaction. "

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Meaningful to Behold

I've always liked the Ashley Brilliant posts -- "colorful, to say the least"!

Has anyone read "The way of the wizard" It is probably true that "I am that I am" But how do you do your daily work. The stuff about detachment and indifference is confusing. If you have no attachment with your ego, how can you possibly START doing your work. I am sure when you do it, there is no problem. Bu there must be some sort of ego working in order to START any work. I guess this is absent with me. Have you people any comments about this? I would really appreciate this if you could help me with my thinking.

Ze shab bedaariye mun taa seher chashmash kujaa daanad?
Ki O shab taa seher kaaray bajuz khuftan nami daanad.

Hadi, I liked those colorful posts...they made me laugh! It is easy to identify the people around me who think like that, you know, geez, how to deal with success if I'm already having such a tough time with failure.

Yesterday, my youngest son started talking about dealing with power, what he would do if he were president. I was surprised that he would even voice such an ambition, it's not what he's into. Still, we got into a discussion about what his priorities would be and after a while he said, "I wouldn't know what to do with power...better not to have any."

Of course, he's 16 and has a whole lot of time to decide what he wants to do. However, I wondered how many people are reluctant to have "power," even when they could do so much good with it, because they fear what others would do to them. *just a thought*

Cathy, I'd like to hear what Hadi has to say about your comment...I think I've more or less gotten to the point where I go where life takes me, trusting (more or less) that there's a strong and right reason for going wherever it takes me.

The Bride of Christ

This latest thread about hermits and seclusion made me think about what I see as the big paradox of Life...it matters what we do and choose...and it doesn't! There are so many ways to go---withdrawing from the world, being involved; having intimate relationships, being celibate; the list goes on forever....I get confused quite often about what part I want to play in "creating" the world, how best to participate :-) Anyway, I think that probably the world needs all kinds...just as some people retreat for the "wrong" reasons, so too some people don't retreat for the "wrong" reasons that maybe should have....I like to think that it is all going as planned by us at our deeper levels, though not necessarily as we might think we wish ;-) Someone also posted about attraction and how if we loved people unconditionally, we would not really choose one "special" person...I have thought this myself, and figured it was why none of the big names--Jesus, Buddha etc..--are ever connected with a lover/a special someone. I have thought that our attractions are often a tangible replacement for the oneness with God that most of us don't recognize truly....but, I am also at a loss for how things would work if we didn't have these attractions--they add such spice to life! Enjoying the ideas...back to lurking! Cathy

I have many unrecognised talents,
But my faults have somehow succeeded in securing wide recognition.

Try if you can to believe that,
even when you’re not thinking about me,
I’m still here.

It’s well known that men and women are different,
But it keeps being rediscovered with great excitement.

I want to be closer to God
but I want him to make the first move.

One of my greatest talents is the ability to be misunderstood by large numbers of people.

After I’ve made myself perfect,
I’m going to work on you.

It’s hard enough for me to cope with failure ~
How could I ever handle success?

Courtesy of ASHLEY BRILLIANT.

Slow day.

The curvature of space-time is called gravity.
It is part of the dance, the process of creation.

The friction within space-time is electromagnetism,
which is heat, light, electricity, and energy.
It is also part of the dance ~~~
the process of creation.

Deepak Chopra
Everyday Imortality
www.chopra.com

~Friday, June 9, 2000 ~

Q: I have been told that this year would be a year of stagnation for me. Is it possible that even though I meditate and follow spiritual teachings it may be in life's plan to delay my growth for a year?

A: Always look for the opportunity in any situation no matter what. Sometimes, if there is a large blockage in our path, it is necessary to go sideways before we can go forward again. It's never that nothing is happening, things may just be happening in ways we didn't expect. Sometimes things seem to be going slow and at other times fast. Have patience, stay regular with your spiritual path and the growth will be there.

www.chopra.com

Scorpion When one identifies oneself with the scorpion, one is essentially saying "It is my nature to sting. This is how I am. I can qualify and often excuse my stinging because I was born this way." Those who come across the scorpion must always be "aware" and handle her with "kid gloves", lest she might harm them. They must approach with fear and caution. A human "being" will always forgive a scorpion her nature, and will take precautions not to disturb or threaten her. For this reason he cannot make his bed beside the scorpion’s nest, lest he should fall asleep and in his sleep, forget, and roll with unconscious familiarity into the nest. The stung is not unaccountable for the sting received.

And you are not a scorpion…

Crown/Harmony Books

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