Jeff

The Tao Te Ching explains this one very well. From the beginning of chapter 28... Know the strength of man, But keep a woman's care! Be the stream of the universe! Being the stream of the universe, Ever true and unswerving, Become as a little child once more. Know the white, But keep the black! Be an example to the world! Being an example to the world, Ever true and unwavering, Return to the infinite. ...

It depends on the relative context of the discussion. As we will see in the coming verse 50... 50. Jesus said, "If they say to you, 'Where have you come from?' say to them, 'We have come from the light, from the place where the light came into being by itself, established [itself], and appeared in their image.' If they say to you, 'Is it you?' say, 'We are its children, and we are the chosen of the living Father.' If they ask you, 'What is the evidence of your Father in you?' say to them, 'It is motion and rest.'" The last part about motion and rest is what I sort of describing. The "rest" is the perfect clarity. The "motion" is the Holy Spirit aspect that I was describing. Ultimately, motion and rest are really the same thing in the father, but when you break it down to something like the trinity, they are described as separate aspects.

Very sad. A lot of energetic stuff can unfold during something like a ten day retreat. It is critical to have qualified teachers who can help deal with such things.

Similar to what Apech has said above, but I would describe it a little differently. The "father" is perfect clarity and there is nothing to be "hit" and hence everything is kind of automatically forgiven. The "Holy Spirit" is the motion and energy of all that exists. Kind of the flow of the Dao. Blaspheme in this case would be like going against that flow and motion, or fighting against the natural order. It is one's attachment that causes you to fight against the flow, and as Buddha taught, this leads to suffering (or as the TTC says - the Dao is ruthless...). The son is one who is "one with the father", and hence has the natural clarity to always forgive all.

Loving the tree and hating the fruit is about loving the ritual and process, but not the truth. Loving the fruit, but hating the tree is a statement about those who love to sort of "draft" in the presence of a master/guru, but don't ever actually do the underlying work to clear the issues and fears they have. These are the types of people who kind of go insane/crazy when their guru dies. It is kind of like drug addicts who can no longer get their fix.

I think it is more than that. I think he is saying that people tend to love the process and associated ritual, but don't really notice and are not really willing to surrender to the real thing. Everyone wants everything in a nice box that they can control, not the actual fruit itself.

From your post, this is the part about what I meant about no more dreams as one is beyond be affected by subconscious mental activity that affect and create dreams... This eighth bhūmi is called ‘Immovable’, because bodhisattvas who have reached this stage cannot be moved by discerning or non-discerning perceptions.

One can always still fall back until they have reached the 8th. Such falling back is based upon issues and fears that have not yet been seen through and released. Those same issues and fears are the subconscious basis for dreams.

Yes, that is what i meant, no more dreams at the 8th.

No, there are still dreams until the 8th bhumi. Just means that one is always a helpful/nice person in the dreams. No more negative attacks on other.

I think you raise a very good point. It often seems like we start to develop almost a spiritual ego as we continue on the path. Often can come with almost a righteous belief that our method/path is the best, and often feel the need/desire to be a teacher.

You have described it incredibly well. Thank you for the gift. Your crown is now engaged. Sort of like connected to the Divine. Nearing a new and totally new beginning...

What would you like to clear up? Regards, Jeff

While I am not a big fan of the Gospel of Judas, I would be happy to discuss it with you. But it should be remembered that this document was supposedly written fairly late compared to many other gospels (somewhere between 130-180 AD). Additionally, it the early church there was an ongoing debate related to the nature of Jesus's divinity. This document would be described as part the gnostic (non-divinity) group of texts. But some of the aspects are interesting and fit well relative to some of the Muslim stories of Jesus.

There seem to be some interest in discussing energy shielding with the issues & limitations as a followup to the energy in the chatroom thread, so I thought I would start such a thread. To try give a basic primer on how it works... Everyone has a relative depth (or depending on your view, height) in "consciousness". As one starts to spiritually expand/open, they begin to experience things like energy flows and astral activity, noticing that they are broadly connected to the people, beings and the world around them. Some of these experiences can be challenging for many on a variety of fronts, so building energy shields to block these flows is very common. With shielding, it may be helpful to think of it like this... Assume you are a 6' tall person (level in consciousness) and other people are shooting at you. Since shielding is a conscious mental intent, you can only build a wall as big as you can reach, so effectively your wall is also 6 ft tall. Now if stuff is coming from the ambient ground or the person who is shooting at you is shorter than you than you are largely protected (this is what many healers do to avoid backwash from their healing). But, there are multiple ways in which this can break down... First, a taller person can see over your fence, has a better angle and still shoot you. Now in most cases this is highly unlikely as taller people are usually more advanced and don't shoot other people, as they respect everyone's space. This is also true of most higher beings. Second, and most common is that we can only build a successful fence where one has the mental clarity to establish it in the first place. So you may be able to build a fence that is 6' tall, but you could have deep fear/issue at the 3' level and so you don't notice the giant gaping hole you have in your fence. Additionally, since you are spending all of the mental energy to build a fence in the first place, all of the beings capable of noticing fences (energy structures) come to check out your fence. And some beings love to look for and attach to those big gaping holes. The third example is the subconscious one that I mentioned in the other thread. Some people are consciously 6' tall, but subconsciously perceive and send stuff, and hence are really more like 9' tall (but don't know it). So they build a fence that is only 6' tall and anyone even at lower heights can see them with the right angle and hit them. Also, I should say that all that I have described is based upon extensive practical experience and not just some book theory. Feel free to comment, criticise or ask questions...

Hi sketchbook, This is because you have reached the stage where you are starting to connect (and feel) energetically your surroundings. But, at the moment you are more subconsciously focused on the "receptive" side of the energy flows. The emotional impact is greater as you are sensing all of the surrounding energies and it resonates with some of your deeper issues and fears. Maybe think of it like have greatly expanded the range of your "pendulum", but it is kind of stuck on one side. Another way to think of it is that you are receiving more outside energies, but not also letting them go/flow through (transmitting). Best, Jeff

But it is still distracting to the thread when others read it. Sometimes it is helpful to send a pm with a request to stop doing it as it is disrupting to the thread.

Thanks for your response. Guess we just see it differently.

I think all such discussions are very challenging. As everyone naturally becomes there own "clouded lens" of any channeling/transfer of energy. Even though people think they are in a clear or quiet mind state when sending energy, there is still always ongoing subconscious issues and fears affecting the flow. Additionally, all such healing is really a two way flow of transmission and acceptance, with the acceptance of the recipient being far more important relative to the healing.

Thanks.

Yes, thanks. Word correct can sometimes be a pain...

Some comments for chapter 15... The old masters knew what they were deeply connected to the Dao. The depth of there knowledge and connection was beyond what is noticeable by others. Because of this, all we can do is watch and pay attention their actions. Watch with total focus and be completely alert. Watch without getting caught up with your own attachments and prejudices. Simply be open (sort of like full body listening). Letting the activity (mud) of the mind settle quietly. Realizing the Tao is not a goal to reach, not a desire to fulfill, it is simply completely residing.

Here is my view on Chapter 14... The light of the "One" (not Dao here) cannot be seen. It is beyond form. The light cannot be heard (is not the high pitched sound that some hear). The light cannot be held (locked into form, as that would be energy). The light is undefinable. There is nothing "higher" that can exist. There is nothing "lower" or less formless. And it is all a continual spectrum. It emerges from the Dao, and is the formless motion of the Dao. It is undefinable and beyond "mind". Trying to chase it is hopeless as mind has no end. Simply stay present and "reside" in the moment. Knowing this is the essence of realizing the Tao.

Here is my view on this one... Do not get caught up with and attached to how others see you. Simply living your life, you will naturally start to attach to things. Surrender to the loving flow of it, rather than trying to fight and hold on to it. Eventually loving the whole world and not just individual things that you attach to.

I mean that the description was from a specific perspective and in my view not a universal view. I know because I get around and also have some past experience. Best, Jeff