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| | Spiritual Gifts and Personal WellbeingPage 1 of 2 (1, 2) | I used to have dreams and visions and all sorts of "spiritual experiences". I found them too intense and asked them to stop. Now, several years later, I am very very ill with chronic fatigue. Sometimes I wonder if I need to invite the "flow" again. But it is a question in my mind, the real purpose of spiritual gifts. There seem to be a lot of disadvantages in engaging in spiritual gifts:
There can be a lot of ego involved. ("Look how special I am, I had a dream predicting the future.")
Most teachers of powerful spiritual practices warn to take it slowly, or you "fry your circuits".
Many teachers warn of the dark side, so if you're engaged in spiritual gifts you have a lot of discernment to do.
If you have a psychiatrist, and you invite dreams, vision, and visitations, you either have to keep it to yourself or be pressured to take harmful drugs.
This world doesn't seem to support being in really elevated states of light, and usually you crash down HARD. (And no, I'm not bi-polar.) My paradigm is that we are all working to increase our light, or the frequency of our vibrations. It seems to me that when we work hard at service and refining our thoughts and seeing everyone as a child of God, then we increase our frequencies slowly. When we get an infusion of light from an outside source, it's kind of like a free boost and we have an "other worldly" experience. But if we haven't earned this level of vibration, we can't maintain it and we come crashing back down to our normal state.
On a really practical level, it's just frustrating that if I open the valve and let Life Energy flow, then it is like opening a flood gate. If I ask for dreams, not only do I get them, but they take over my life. They ring and resonate all day and I'm spaced out. It takes all morning to write them down, and they just become more, and more, and more.
So -- why engage "spiritual gifts"?
God needs me to be his hands or his messenger?
It's just the nature of reality and you can't be healthy unless you let Life energy flow?
It's a bi-product of getting closer to God, so you just have to live with it?
And -- how do you keep spiritual gifts under control? How do you keep them from taking over your life, making you not able to function normally?
Or -- should I just give up on functioning normally and dive headlong into finding my path as a psychic or some such thing?
As with any words, all readers will match up what I'm saying to their nearest personal experience, and respond from that place. Some will be relevant and some will not. But I have discovered some very wise souls on here and I feel Spirit strongly that I should ask here, now.
Namaste | |
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Posted: 7/30/2008 11:09:36 AM | Perhaps you should seek a spiritual adviser first, and keep asking for discernment.
I have (perhaps) experienced some spiritual things. My biggest problem was discernment; ie, trusting myself and my own ideas too much.
If the only purpose is the fulfillment of ego I would be wary.
It wouldn't hurt to do like St. Paul says; arm yourself with the sword of His Word.
- Must Need Have Bible - | |
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Posted: 7/30/2008 11:42:31 AM | OP, my thoughts on your questions are simple - for it seems you know most of your truth and answers....
but regarding what you're asking specifically -
I would ask Spirit, God, the light, source, energy, essence, whoever or whatever you 'pray to' -
I would ask for three things -
I would ask that the lessons be gentle.
I would ask for balance.
I would ask that everything received and offered be for the highest good of all.
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Posted: 7/30/2008 12:15:08 PM | Princess,
Always seek grounding. We can be of no use to those on earth if our heads are always in the clouds. Daily, get physical. Ground youself. Be grateful for your enlightenment, but always try to find a way to incorporate this into your everyday life. I believe our gifts are to be shared. I, peronally, can see auras. Sometimes it helps to diagnose someone. Other times, it is just fun for people to know what "color" they are today. But, I cannot be thinking I am someone special. Anyone an see auras. It is merely training your eye, I believe.
Almost sounds to me like you had a Spontaneous Kundalini Awakening. This can leave you very vulnerable. Perhaps you should check out some websites on this.
Sherry | |
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Posted: 7/31/2008 6:44:56 AM | Dear OP, reading your original post again and realizing it is a plea from your heart and soul asking for help, I thought perhaps I'll try and expand on my post from earlier. (and expand I did...sorry it got so long! :) What I hear from you, essentially, is you are torn between allowing your connection with Spirit, or God to flow, but fear of what happened in the past is stopping you. This is why I thought of three basic guides earlier that might help.
Asking that the lessons be gentle was referring to in the past it took over completely and consumed you - your visions, your dreams, that connection with other realms. And it can do this - that is why Whitefether I believe urged you to do all you can to stay grounded, for it is all too easy to get swept up into the ethers with these energies....as you know. And you can also ask that it not carry you in a whirlwind of energy and visions and dreams, but perhaps more a calm or calmly moving brook, or stream....a gentle breeze of spirit coming through. Lighten it purposefully with your own intention.
How to stay grounded? Well, I personally find African dance incredibly grounding, but also drumming is so centering, playing any instrument that requires breathing (like the flute, or recorder) I find also helps ground......in fact you don't need the instrument at all, really, but make sure you are doing daily, hourly if you need, take a few minutes to stop and center by doing some slow, deep (but not straining), conscious breathing and really put your focus in your diaphragm and lower belly as you breath.....this is one of the simplest and most accessible ways to keep centered and grounded - in all things, not just if you are opening up to receive from Spirit. Many find meditation incredibly grounding - for me, anything that takes your full focus will naturally ground you....giving a spiritual massage is another way - putting your full attention on another.....it's that concentrating that seems so centering (imo). Most artistic pursuits will do it also - and keep you connected with spirit - art, singing, dancing, playing music, as well as working with the land such as gardening, or building....etc.
Asking for balance was partly with the idea of asking that your energy be balanced within between body, heart, mind and spirit - so you don't get too into any one center and knock your energetic internal balance out of sync - what happens when we obsess or stress, as we know - we can feel our inbalance then.
You can break it down and ask for balance energetically in your body (chakras and in general), paying special attention to your lower chakras to make sure you are rooted to the earth - deeply rooted and allowing as much energy to flow to and from you from below as you are from above.....maybe even more, but grounding exercises and breathing practices will help this, especially if you are visualizing and feeling your connection with the earth with every step you take.
You can ask for balance in your heart - to allow love to flow within and 'without'...so you're conscious of manifesting love and putting love into your practice, rather than fear. Also to remember, love is our divine nature - we are love.
You can ask for balance in your mind - now this is obviously an essential area in regards to your concerns and questions. If you are opening yourself up to the energy of 'the ether' (one way to put it), the mind and the top chakra that allows spiritual energy and life energy in from above are so close to each other that we all know that feeling of being 'in the clouds', of being in that state that is an amazingly 'high' feeling, but just is not possible to function and take care of ourselves or others in terms of the practical needs of life. If we were all in monastaries, or in retreats all the time, or medicine men and women, that would be different.....but we are living our western lives and so our 'visions' and dreams, our moments of connection with the divine somehow has to be balanced and tempered perhaps is another word, so we can do it all - be the spiritual beings we are, and also take care of what needs taking care of in our lives.
Asking for balance to keep it all in balance I think is a great tool that helps us not close down any part of ourselves that is our essential nature, but also to keep us grounded enough to keep all things balanced in us and our lives.
Another great help I found was I was blessed to find a community of spiritual and creative people and this has helped me be who I am spiritually, but with a community to lean on, should I need, as they have me to lean on too, should anyone need.
Not doing this work alone is a great help, as I think most will tell you.
And that brings me to my last 'prayer' I suggested before - you know in your heart if you are coming from a place of light. I have never known anyone to truly be working with the dark energies to promote evil and I have been in spiritual circles a long time of various natures. All I know is if I am sure my heart is wishing that any blessing be offered for the highest good of all, for everyone (on the planet and all beings, here and 'out there'), then I am taking responsibility for myself and then for some reason I seem to find others that also are coming from this true place of 'right' intention.
I think one more point to make, perhaps, is the word 'trust'. Trust your instincts, OP. Yes, we've all (I imagine) had moments and times when we've opened too much and the consequences have always resulted in having to close down.
I think with maturity and trust, I found I could open and function - and learned to open enough to know and be in the magic, but also not enough as to lose my balance and connection with the earth. We are channels for both - energy from above, and energy from below. Learn to be both, balance both and then you will be able to be all that you are. I hope some of this helps...take what you can use, if any, and ignore what does not resonate as truth for you. | |
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Posted: 7/31/2008 8:27:33 AM | Great advice, WeAre1 and everyone! Thanks for your time and wisdom.
I think the main reason I shut down these "spiritual experiences" several years back is that I saw that there was a lot of ego in it for me, and I wanted to run the other way from that! There was a lot of trying to find my path of financial wellbeing, and wanting it to be something "spiritual" for ego reasons.
I also find that while I can receive all sorts of important messages in my sleep, what I need more than anything in the world is peaceful, restful sleep. It's hard for me to get.
I met Amma, ("The Hugging Saint" from India). She really focuses on teaching selfless service. As I saw her serve in some super-human ways (she doesn't eat, sleep, or go to the bathroom, but a fraction of what would be considered normal human needs), I was touched, and I suddenly realized that dreams and visions and astute and well articulated observations about subtle truths did not make me a "spiritual" person. I never did anything to serve anyone else. I was totally self absorbed, always looking for attention and validation from men, and pretty darn irritable and critical of everyone.
It's like, just because I can visit spiritual college and understand what is being said on some pretty deep levels, I still skipped kindergarten and I am not grounded in the basics.
Kindergarten (the essentials) are service and humility. In other words, the surrender of self-absorption and ego in a profound way. I think we all work on this forever, but there is a quantum leap where recognition and renunciation of the ego catapults you into a whole different existence.
Anyway, my long term debilitating illness has been a blessing, as I've had to give up my feeling of being "special". I do have a lot of qualities and talents that are often admired enthusiastically, so my lack of ability to work or do much of anything has balanced that out. I've had to let of all aspiration. And my physical health gives me instant, daily feedback about how well I'm doing the basics -- sleeping, eating, moving my body, fresh air, deep breathing. I find keeping up with these things INCREDIBLY HARD. So, my body has arranged it so that they have become INCREDIBLY NECESSARY.
In light of y'all's messages about grounding, I can see this as a perfect unfolding of a spiritual lesson that I really really needed help with. Grounding, Grounding, Grounding.
Blessings and Love to you all. Thank you. | |
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Posted: 7/31/2008 9:23:47 AM | Oh, paradoxicalprincess (what a name!), thank you so much for your honesty and wisdom and your self-observation. Ego is so clever, it will disguise itself as essence and Spirit, doesn't it? Some say one way to get a break from is it can get shattered with a huge crisis....life threatening degree of crisis...and I suspect it can re-develop too....or perhaps like so many things, there are layers to its existance...and maybe it is a slowly realizing how to detach and see it without judgement, but with understanding.....maybe like your illness and seeing it a diving board into more awareness, despite the pain it causes you. Wishing you strength and healing on your journey. | |
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Posted: 7/31/2008 11:10:29 AM | ParadoxicalPrincess ---- I think you have been given a wealth of great concepts for you to employ in grounding ... and in dealing with your situation as a whole, by Whitefether, Weare1 & a couple of others on here. If I may, I would like to add a few more possibilities for you.
Sleeping :--- I too, have physical problems that can affect my quality of sleep at times, so I empathize & identify with you completely. I have found that people who have come "in touch" with these "gifts", like ourselves, have to in some way, re-organize their way of doing things (diet; sleep; etc.) Cold liquids are really not a great idea for anybody, as they prevent good digestion, and this also affects their quality of sleep (dreams included). I would suggest getting used to NOT drinking cold liquids & developing an appreciation for a couple of very warm cups of water, before bedtime (other times of the day, as well). Water is a "conduit" of a lot of different things. This WARMTH helps with relaxation of the body's organs, helps you with heat extremes (by allowing better perspiration... which allows the body to cool down much faster & longer, than cold liquids do) AND it somehow "gently" takes you into a meditative & dream state. Also, any physical pain will only be escalated with cold foods & drinks (yes... just my opinion here, please don't jump on my words people..ha!). But..., I do this myself & for others, and it does work. Sleep is VERY important for people with great pain!
Shutting off Contact:- As you mentioned in one of your posts above, you saw a spiritual person who abstained from eating & drinking. Abstinence of food, drink (and sleep!) will only ESCALATE Spirit contact. Getting (a minimum) of eight hours sleep every night, good balanced meals... (lots of fresh vegetables & fruits!) and doing what exercise that is possible for you in your condition (please feel to share your condition and/or tell what your symptoms are, if you feel inclined to) ... will all help you with being able to have grounding, .... & in helping you to control when/where & who you wish contact with.
These are all just suggestions for you. Please feel free to take what you relate to & discard the rest. You have to find what works best for YOU. We are all one, but we are also all unique in what works best for us on our pathway. I will tell you one more thing though. Whitefether was right, in suggesting that you are going through some kind of transition right now, and MANY people who do healing work are often "wounded healers" themselves. Welcome!  | |
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Posted: 7/31/2008 11:57:07 AM | Princess,
You brought up a subject that is very, very interesting and bothersome also for me. It is the ego. I remember when I first started studying shamanism, I wanted to be a healer. But, I talked to one particular shaman I know well about the ego part of shamanism. At what point can we sustain that humility that is needed for Spirit to work through us. When I first started, as soon as I returned from trance, I would think "OhWow! Look what I did!!! Look at me!!" LOL! And, even knowing it was spirit and not me, I still had a hard time with the concept that I, myself, was not special. That my gifts were not something that made me special. That any and all receive these gifts. And I know this is a truth. But, anytime I start thinking that I am "all that", I lose my connection. I lose my ability to accept and give the healing of another. Perhaps I am just way more ego based than many, but this is always something that I watch for. I ran into it recently. Oh, Gee. Look at me. Aren't I special? Very bad stuff. And very hard to learn humility over and over. But, it is necessary. Thank you for your honesty.
Sherry | |
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Posted: 7/31/2008 12:46:19 PM | ^^yes, whitefether, I agree, except maybe the idea of judging ego so negatively - we know it is bad and yet judegements of good and bad and right and wrong are not necessarily the way things really are....for they are subjective judgements, which do not come from Spirit (in my opinion), but from ego....more ego. It's why I say it's so deceiving and yet understanding how it plays out in us seems to be a huge part of the lesson of being here.
As with you, I have always felt it's wrong to claim to be this or that... healings happen and being guided, yes, but there is a point where humility must enter.....a sense of modesty...of embarrassement to claim to be anything 'special'. 
EDIT to annasthasia, below - Why, anna, are you feeling you don't want to receive any more messages? Please don't judge yourself, overly positively, or negatively.....why are you feeling finding feathers as negative? They are small tokens, just small tokens and little reminders. You can control how deeply you feel something....you really can. I know when it's been closed down completely in me, I have been unhappy...that's all I know. And that's why I ask you why you wish for that to happen? | |
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Posted: 7/31/2008 12:53:17 PM | Good point Whitefether...
Does anyone have a way to just ask the "spirits" to just go and find someone else that can actually do justice to all these "gifts"... I can only speak for myself but I do not want them, never did really...
I just want to try and live a good life and help when I can and try to "protect" myself in some way emotionally... I must learn to detach myself...
I have no clue as to what to do with these "gifts" or how can I say... I try and respectfully ask "them" to just find someone who can make a difference. I am a mere mortal with only mortal abilities...
Just today... trying to stay focused and basically keeping physically busy... I was cleaning my garage... It is huge... roughly a thousand square feet and I have to prepare the space for the 10 cords of wood that need to be stacked soon... Anyway... feeling actually pretty good, all dirty and sweaty... Lo and behold, I found an other small feather, roughly the same size as the one I found in my sewing kit... I just started crying...
I just asked them to leave me alone... Then, out of nowhere again my cats started doing their meowing and meowing all over again... No... I do not want to go there... Not now, not ever...
I am going to my aerobics class tonight and tomorrow I will force my body to excercise by cording wood... I need to stay grounded... I am soooo grateful for this advice and I still want those "good spirits" to find someone else to give their gifts to.
I soooooo do not want this...
Anyway.... Any advice on how to ask them to find someone else who is receptive and can follow the right path with this?...
Hope it does not sound so strange...
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Posted: 7/31/2008 1:43:42 PM | Anna, I am seriously worried for you. I will say many prayers Hang in there and don't make youself physically ill. Grounding is good. Wearing yourself to a frazzle is not good. I will get back to you.
Sherry | |
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Posted: 7/31/2008 4:23:30 PM | Platojag,
Thank you for your thoughts. Interesting.
I wasn't sure if it was clear that the Amma I saw was a real person, alive right now, not a vision.
The warm liquid thing is something I've heard a lot but not really tried. Are you into Ayerved? | |
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Posted: 7/31/2008 5:05:10 PM | Weare1 and Whitefeather,
On Ego:
Great reminder, Weare1, that ego isn't all bad. It has purpose just like everything else. It helps us protect ourselves and have boundaries, it is a guardian for our wellbeing. It motivates us toward goals, and gives us a sense of coherence. I'm sure I've heard better ideas about the good purposes of ego, but this is what comes to mind right now.
To practice not engaging ego, I have some cards I made for myself that give me little exercises to try. Like, what happens if I don't talk about myself AT ALL for a whole day? How about if today, I just listen? Or, I might practice noticing every minute little thought about doing anything for any kind of attention.
Like, say if I have a crush on a guy and I find myself thinking about him as I select something to wear for the day... I catch myself and then wear something else. Dressing extremely modestly is a fun exercise. When I live in a big city I might dress like a homeless person or pretend to be deaf just to play with how I perceive things and how people treat me and how I feel about that.
I really love St. Therese of Lisuix (sp). There are several St. Thereses, but she's the one known for "The Little Way". Her path was extreme humility and aloneness and being only known to God. It's not the way for everyone, but she explored that human possibility and she has some beautiful writings (that were published after she died, lest she feel proud).
I find, though, that being a spiritual healer or an artist, one has to deal both with ones own ego AND what other people project onto us. As a performing artist, many people come and express deep longings of their own, related to artistic endeavors. They often plead with me to do what they wished they had done when they were younger.
When people ask what I do, because I don't have a job, I just say I'm a singer. I've probably spent more time in my life performing than any other kind of work. People sit up and get really interested then. I see the longing in their eyes as they ask me how I've done it. (They are imagining that I make a living singing.) It's not just that everyone wants to know how to make a living as an artist. There's something very ROMANTIC about being an artist, or a "spiritual person", or a healer.
So, in our quest to not let ego separate us from "the Flow", (in other words, in our quest to stay out of the way and let Spirit work through us), I notice that we have to not only fight the ego urge ourselves, but we have to resist the "Woo! You're COOL!" vibe from others. Sometimes I refrain from mentioning that I sing at all, because it becomes such a conversation piece.
I notice that Christians say, "I give the Glory to God". Others say, "I didn't do anything, it's just Spirit." When someone tells me what a good job I did singing, it almost seems to contrived too say, "Oh, I didn't do anything, it was just Spirit moving through me!" Now I'm making a show of being humble! I try to just say that I'm glad they enjoyed it or that I'm so lucky that I can just have fun and do what brings me closer to Spirit and other people seem to enjoy it! Or I tell them that I appreciate the energy they brought to the room, too.
I'm just rambling, but this talk about ego reminds me of this problem--that some professions (like healer or musician) bring with them the constant temptation of ego from outside ourselves! Can you imagine, say, being a Native American Elder? Talk about a romantic figure in our culture! A person would have to constantly let other people's longings and infatuations just roll of the back.
Oh, oh, and then there's the part about how since people want to be like you, they want you to recognize you are special. It's like when you get an astrology reading and you secretly hope the astrologer will say, "Wow, you are a REALLY SPIRITUAL PERSON!" Or when you see a guru that is thought to be able to read minds, you sit there and fantasize that he can see YOU in the crowd, and he can see how especially AWAKE and WISE you are.
Well, the more "spiritual" we get, the more people do that to us, too. They want us to recognize them and validate them as special. I've had people come up to me after a singing performance and just start singing to show me their stuff, keeping a line full of people waiting! Indeed, when I hear a fabulous singer, part of me wants to raise my hand and say "I sing too! I sing too! SEE me! KNOW me!"
This longing to be seen seems like a natural part of being "one being with many faces". We are indeed so much more than we appear. I think it's a homing instinct, propelling us to seek oneness. (There's a Catholic book called The Holy Longing that talks about this.) It is not bad. It just needs to be recognized for what it is and channeled properly.
St. Theres's way was to never do anything to call any attention to herself. I think there must be a way to be active and helpful and even enlightened and pouring out light to others, without getting snagged by all this ego stuff.
I think it must have something to do with admitting to myself that I LOVE to be "seen", and yet at the same time, taking all that joy and love and truth and turning it right back around to truly behold and serve others.
Sometimes I try not to talk too much, by taking every impulse to talk and turning it around into a question to ask someone else. Perhaps when people treat me as "special", I can shine that right back on them and express pleasure in their gifts, and pleasure in the existence of these gifts, pleasure in the Giver of Gifts.
OK, so I'm writing way too long, but it's been a long time since I've thought about stuff like this....thanks for inspiring and enlivening me! | |
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Posted: 7/31/2008 5:17:12 PM | Annasthasia,
Do you feel put upon by finding these things? Do you feel like you are being asked to do something that you cannot do? Or does it just freak you out?
I used to feel and hear people and animals come into my room and sit on my bed. I would actually roll over with the weight of them sitting on the bed.
I didn't feel that it was a negative thing, but I just didn't want to have to wonder what it was. Seeing and hearing things and having a feeling that I can't move, especially while just falling asleep or just waking up is a symptom of narcolepsy (a sleep disorder). It is also a symptom of schizophrenia. It could also be demons (especially given my feeling paralized like I couldn't open my eyes to find out why my "roommate" would be just sitting there and not asking me to wake up!) Or, it could have been angels watching over me.
I just said an earnest prayer, asking that the visitations stop. I told them that if they were lost, they needed to go toward the light and go on to their next stage of evolution, that they would be happier there. If they were angels or helpful beings, they were welcome to do their job and I appreciated them, but being aware of them disturbed me and I'd rather focus on Earthy things, thank you. That was the end of that!
Feel free to share more. | |
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Posted: 7/31/2008 5:27:31 PM | ^^what a joy to see your excitement! and also your honesty - yes, when one performs it is hard...one needs confidence to do it and be in the spotlight, literally, but also one needs humility to be human....it's learning to balance that I think is part of the challenge of performers - performers that are walking a spiritual path, as so many are!
and just wish to add, quickly - yes, Amma is very much a real person. My dearest friend and african dance teacher and her husband both met when with her, for they have been followers of Amma for years and they met at one of her visits here and they fell in love and were married also, also at one of her gatherings on one of her visits here....and they just got back from being with her the last two weeks here in MA. I almost went, but did not realize all were welcome, for some reason. next year. she is known for her hugs, my dear friend says.  | |
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Posted: 7/31/2008 5:36:42 PM | Amma's hugs are pretty intense! I felt that I was literally being scanned with a light scanner and infused with light! Everyone has a different story. Even if you don't believe she has any out of the ordinary abilities, just seeing her pour out her love to thousands of people, tirelessly, is very moving.
She does welcome everyone! In fact, if you ask her for a mantra so that you can practice mantra meditation, she will ask you which being you have an affinity with. If you are a Christian, she will give you a mantra about Jesus.
Mantra means "Transcending the mind". Usually a mantra is a name of God.
Amma is happy to support you in your spiritual health and your relationship with God however it currently is.
She won a humanitarian award and when asked what she had to say about her devotees thinking of her as God, she said something like, "If it is useful to them to think of me in that way, that is fine. My desire is to serve God, and when I serve them and look at their faces, I am looking at my God."
My best girlfriend also met and married her husband at Amma gatherings.
Thank you so much for reading my words, Weare1! | |
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Posted: 7/31/2008 6:08:36 PM | ^^can't help but say two things - one, I'm obviously addicted to some forum threads on some days...on my days off most often..so don't be silly thanking me for reading your posts!
and second, upon hearing your girlfriend also met her husband-to-be at an Amma gathering (not surprisingly with all the love flowing, seriously), I ask myself,
'well, what are we doing here then?!'
oh, whitefether, almost forgot again to say the point you made about when one's in ego, that the door to spirit closes.... I so agree! it's almost like a guage for me to see where I'm at, just in case it's not clear.....just in case my ego is being sneaky and trying to get some attention, which sometimes for sure it is getting plenty! :) | |
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Posted: 7/31/2008 8:30:41 PM | Great Post, Princess! And I know exactly what you are talking about! Well, maybe not exactly, LOL, as I am not a singer or a healer. But, I did participate in a particular ceremony that is considered very sacred and I said this on one of the threads and it was not a good thing to do. And I knew better. I just temporarily forgot. But, it is like ringing one's own bell. And then, people look at you differently. Either they think you are really something or they are jealous. It is very difficult, and I know better. But, my ego was out there, I guess, and it just popped out my mouth. Now I have had a good new lesson in humility! LOL! So it goes! I am okay with it now, but I need to learn to keep my mouth shut sometimes . It is not something that "I" did, but something that I was allowed to do and I am most grateful. Okay, my son is staring at me and wants the computer back, so I will finish this later. This is turning in to a very good thread, Thank you
Sherry | |
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Posted: 7/31/2008 10:32:25 PM | Weare1, Ha ha, I was going to say the same thing! What are we doing here?! I'm going to see Amma next time she's in town!
LOL, Whitefether. I read that discussion on the other thread. It seems to me that there are not necessarily things to say or not say, but it's all about noticing your own intention. It seems like an honest desire to share profound experiences with people who will understand is a natural and good thing! But, then, I'm known for saying too much!
If we really want to get twisted around, then there's the times when I say something that I KNOW will make people think I'm bragging, but I've checked in with myself and I have some other reason to speak, and I speak it IN SPITE of other people's judgments that I have too much ego! So, I'm breaking down my ego by letting them think I have ego! Ha HA!
Like for example, in my last long post I stopped and wondered if I should include that part about people singing to me even thought there is a long line of people waiting for me...hmmm, that sounds like I'm making up reasons to mention that people have stood in long lines to see me.... hmmm.  But, oh well, it was a once or twice experience that I had feelings about and it felt good to me to share my feelings and thoughts about that thing I experienced.
So, as with everything, you can have so many layers that it all folds in on itself and up becomes down and down becomes up, and then flip flops, and flip flops again. 
When I start to get a headache, then I decide that it doesn't even matter to discern every nuance of what's going on! (As fun as it is.) Life is good. I have good intentions.
I tend to think a lot, have new insights, put some effort into changing my habits, then get tired and let it go. Then I wake up several months later and I notice that I've changed. We have lots of help in our growth. 
There's a phrase that comes to mind that I heard in a Church of Conscious Harmony service once.... "Give your consent, on the deepest level, to the workings of the Spirit within."
That one phrase resonates with me so much. I always feel, "Ahhh. I remember. Good."
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| Spiritual Gifts and Personal Wellbeing
Posted: 8/1/2008 12:03:42 AM | I am going to be like annasthasia, and want to track this thread.
I already know that these ladies and gents are great 'spiritual advisers,' so I want to read it all later.
Someday I might figure out the meaning of Namaste, but for now I will just say:
May the spirits bless you. | |
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| Spiritual Gifts and Personal Wellbeing
Posted: 8/1/2008 12:32:10 AM | | If I may be so bold as to chime in from seemingly nowhere, I love this thread and had some thoughts to share. Our ego's really seem essential in the dance of life. They are neither good nor bad lest we think so. IMHO, it is when we "forget" that the ego is suddenly in charge that we can get lost in the dream of living. Reality checks bring us back to awareness but only if we've been graced with the insights to understand the difference in the frst place. Many if not most good folk, unfortunately live their entire lives in the dark. Run by their ego's and the consequent condition's of pride, vanity, anxiety and regret. Those who've posted the past several additions to this thread obviously have ascended above the ego and now experience what I call "the dance". If we could live our lives purely in the ego-less state, we wouldn't even have a desire to post our thoughts here, would we? Isn't our desire to be heard based on some degree of ego? I think so but I embrace this with love and light and see it as a form of healing to those with eyes to see and ears to hear. It is not unconscious ego as much as harnessed ego's at work in the world of physical interaction. Does this make sense? And as I read where you mentioned spirit working through these artists and healers it reminded me of my own healing arts practice. If you think about this, as bodies we are in the world but as awareness, the world exists in us. Perhaps this relates to the flip/flop described earlier in our ego's dance. But as awareness, spirit is unrestricted as it interacts with our vessels/ body temples. As egos kick in, I think the flow of spirit gets restricted.... Anyway, I love your thoughts and insights. Now back to our regularly scheduled program............ | |
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Good idea for a thread... I do not have anything to add, I just want to be able to see the posts...