12-29-2013, 08:17 PM
Ra makes it clear that we can learn quickly, or that we can learn slowly, and that there are various ways to empower (accelerate) our progress if that's what we want.
they also make it quite clear that the main determining factor in speed of learning (the 'rate of progress') is the application of the Will; ultimately, how much we really and truly want to learn. We can make a pretense of wanting to learn, and underlying that pretense is an unwillingness to make deep and concrete changes to our life, and to acknowledge the depth of the inner imbalances. The Will, when correctly applied, can act like a sword cutting through our own self-deceptions and self-deceit, the little stories we tell ourselves to make ourselves feel better, rather than drilling deep into the painful experiences and willing to extract the 'light' (that is, understanding) from the experiences being offered.
in addition to the passages on how to empower one's progress that they communicated explicitly, there are a few other things that seemed to be implied, or that I've found useful in progressing my own learning. I'll explain some of these in the following:
- -
1) Recognition of Catalyst: this seems to be quite a big one. For the most part, when 'things' or 'experiences' happen to us, we remain in the mindset of treating it as 'external' and not as a true reflection (the mirror) back onto us. Ie, one could lose one's job, and retain the bitterness towards the company that they fired you/let you go, or they didn't appreciate you etc. In truth, there may be many reasons for losing one's job, and some of them may point to the opening up of one's life experience into more satisfying endeavours. And yet, if one treats the experience of losing one's job as this external event that is difficult and only a negative, the possible catalyst that is offering a new opporunity to experience life/work in a different way is not being recognised. That is a very direct example; others would include a gf/bf breaking up with you out of the blue, and not recognising the opportunity (catalyst) for learning something about oneself, etc etc.
- -
2) Skills to Process Catalyst: this is quite a biggie, and one that involves quite some self-discipline and the desire to understand. Once the catalyst is recognised, what do I do with it? It's like a big steaming mess in my brain, causing all sorts of confusion and disruption, how do I 'fix it'?
this is where the psychological tools come into play. This is about the self being willing to ask probing and uncomfortable questions. This is about the willingness to face the self, and to see the misunderstandings/misinterpretations that one may have had, and some of those misunderstandings/misinterpretations may go way back in time, and even reflect distorted biases accumulated in another lifetime. (karma)
journaling is quite helpful here: just pour out your stream of consciousness, totally unregulated into a gmail draft, and afterwards, after maybe screenfuls of pages, you will start to see some threads of patterns to the disfigured and confused thoughts. What is underlying this? What is the root emotion? where is the projection against the other person? (ie criticism, condemnation, judgemental attitude). This is the data which one can use to analyse and see what the catalyst is pointing to deep inside the self.
- -
3) Increasing Sensitivity to Catalyst: once you start getting a bit more skillful at processing catalyst, you will actually find yourself quite hungry for more, and wanting to uncover more and more inner distortions/inner balances. It is the drive towards a greater purity of self, because, much like a messy room that you've been avoiding cleaning for too long, the 'right' thing to do is to take responsibility for one's thoughts and one's actions, and correct any ill effects that it has on you and others. This is due consideration.
the increasing sensitivity to catalyst shows itself as being able to register when disharmonious thought patterns start playing in the mind. This is not as easy as it sounds, as from years of growing up with an untrained mind (our society's default) we have a tolerance of wayward mental fantasies and imaginings, not realising that all these thought patterns are quite symbolic, and very much indicative of inner needs being played out in an imaginative space; those inner needs being things that can usefully be addressed in consciousness, rather than being left as just 'fantasies' or 'idle thoughts'. (in truth, there are no 'idle thoughts'; all thoughts have an origination and a causation; it is a fallacy to think that the mind 'wanders' with no purpose.)
I think most will recognise what I mean by these fantasy/daydream scenarios. They will often repeat in the same way. But there is a meaning behind them, and when recognised for what they are, can be extremely helpful in pointing out the more subtle imbalances, imbalances which can be corrected before they take on the guise of a life event or physical feedback.
we can learn from catalyst when it is more 'ethereal' or a finger pointing to the moon ... or we can learn from catalyst when it is a 'large board to the forehead' and a 'neighbour screaming in your face to turn the music down'. If we are self-aware enough, there is absolutely no need at all to experience the greater sufferings in life, if there is a willingness to learn from the lighter sufferings. And we all suffer - as there is none but the being who dwells in unity who does not experience fluctuations of pain, annoyance, mild frustration, self doubt, or minor anxiety when it comes to living one's life: it's part of the territory (and exquisite gift) of choosing a third density incarnation in mind and body. Here is the 'small candle' of limited consciousness by which imbalances may be addressed, by whatever catalyst we deem 'strong enough' to get our attention. If we pay attention (ie become sensitive enough) that catalyst needs only be gentle, and the wafting of a light breeze across a willing and receptive mind.
- -
anyway, these are some of the things that I've very much brought into greater practice during the last 2 years, when I've had the privilege of being able to interact and participate on these forums.
put into willing practice, it can truly be like putting the self through a thorough carwash; and one comes out the other side with bubbles in one's hair, but somewhat gleaming under the light of the sun.
our time here is precious - we can learn faster or we can learn slower. The choice is always with us.
namaste,
plenum
they also make it quite clear that the main determining factor in speed of learning (the 'rate of progress') is the application of the Will; ultimately, how much we really and truly want to learn. We can make a pretense of wanting to learn, and underlying that pretense is an unwillingness to make deep and concrete changes to our life, and to acknowledge the depth of the inner imbalances. The Will, when correctly applied, can act like a sword cutting through our own self-deceptions and self-deceit, the little stories we tell ourselves to make ourselves feel better, rather than drilling deep into the painful experiences and willing to extract the 'light' (that is, understanding) from the experiences being offered.
in addition to the passages on how to empower one's progress that they communicated explicitly, there are a few other things that seemed to be implied, or that I've found useful in progressing my own learning. I'll explain some of these in the following:
- -
1) Recognition of Catalyst: this seems to be quite a big one. For the most part, when 'things' or 'experiences' happen to us, we remain in the mindset of treating it as 'external' and not as a true reflection (the mirror) back onto us. Ie, one could lose one's job, and retain the bitterness towards the company that they fired you/let you go, or they didn't appreciate you etc. In truth, there may be many reasons for losing one's job, and some of them may point to the opening up of one's life experience into more satisfying endeavours. And yet, if one treats the experience of losing one's job as this external event that is difficult and only a negative, the possible catalyst that is offering a new opporunity to experience life/work in a different way is not being recognised. That is a very direct example; others would include a gf/bf breaking up with you out of the blue, and not recognising the opportunity (catalyst) for learning something about oneself, etc etc.
- -
2) Skills to Process Catalyst: this is quite a biggie, and one that involves quite some self-discipline and the desire to understand. Once the catalyst is recognised, what do I do with it? It's like a big steaming mess in my brain, causing all sorts of confusion and disruption, how do I 'fix it'?
this is where the psychological tools come into play. This is about the self being willing to ask probing and uncomfortable questions. This is about the willingness to face the self, and to see the misunderstandings/misinterpretations that one may have had, and some of those misunderstandings/misinterpretations may go way back in time, and even reflect distorted biases accumulated in another lifetime. (karma)
journaling is quite helpful here: just pour out your stream of consciousness, totally unregulated into a gmail draft, and afterwards, after maybe screenfuls of pages, you will start to see some threads of patterns to the disfigured and confused thoughts. What is underlying this? What is the root emotion? where is the projection against the other person? (ie criticism, condemnation, judgemental attitude). This is the data which one can use to analyse and see what the catalyst is pointing to deep inside the self.
- -
3) Increasing Sensitivity to Catalyst: once you start getting a bit more skillful at processing catalyst, you will actually find yourself quite hungry for more, and wanting to uncover more and more inner distortions/inner balances. It is the drive towards a greater purity of self, because, much like a messy room that you've been avoiding cleaning for too long, the 'right' thing to do is to take responsibility for one's thoughts and one's actions, and correct any ill effects that it has on you and others. This is due consideration.
the increasing sensitivity to catalyst shows itself as being able to register when disharmonious thought patterns start playing in the mind. This is not as easy as it sounds, as from years of growing up with an untrained mind (our society's default) we have a tolerance of wayward mental fantasies and imaginings, not realising that all these thought patterns are quite symbolic, and very much indicative of inner needs being played out in an imaginative space; those inner needs being things that can usefully be addressed in consciousness, rather than being left as just 'fantasies' or 'idle thoughts'. (in truth, there are no 'idle thoughts'; all thoughts have an origination and a causation; it is a fallacy to think that the mind 'wanders' with no purpose.)
I think most will recognise what I mean by these fantasy/daydream scenarios. They will often repeat in the same way. But there is a meaning behind them, and when recognised for what they are, can be extremely helpful in pointing out the more subtle imbalances, imbalances which can be corrected before they take on the guise of a life event or physical feedback.
we can learn from catalyst when it is more 'ethereal' or a finger pointing to the moon ... or we can learn from catalyst when it is a 'large board to the forehead' and a 'neighbour screaming in your face to turn the music down'. If we are self-aware enough, there is absolutely no need at all to experience the greater sufferings in life, if there is a willingness to learn from the lighter sufferings. And we all suffer - as there is none but the being who dwells in unity who does not experience fluctuations of pain, annoyance, mild frustration, self doubt, or minor anxiety when it comes to living one's life: it's part of the territory (and exquisite gift) of choosing a third density incarnation in mind and body. Here is the 'small candle' of limited consciousness by which imbalances may be addressed, by whatever catalyst we deem 'strong enough' to get our attention. If we pay attention (ie become sensitive enough) that catalyst needs only be gentle, and the wafting of a light breeze across a willing and receptive mind.
- -
anyway, these are some of the things that I've very much brought into greater practice during the last 2 years, when I've had the privilege of being able to interact and participate on these forums.
put into willing practice, it can truly be like putting the self through a thorough carwash; and one comes out the other side with bubbles in one's hair, but somewhat gleaming under the light of the sun.
our time here is precious - we can learn faster or we can learn slower. The choice is always with us.
namaste,
plenum