2011.04.02 - Siddhartha Buddha

[yossarian]

This might be up for discussion in "Advanced Studies" on the nature of channeling, methods of discerning distortion in channeled material (there is already some), and the nature of the infinite one, contrasted in all such traditions.

The only problem I see with the personification of the Infinite is the reification of the idea of a self, as being 'apart' from the creator. We are, to an extent, 'broken off' from this source, being individuated, but however- the language we use speaks us, and so I feel it important to use language that reflects a closer conception of the infinite. Other perspectives are useful for coming to an understanding, of course, but I believe there can be agreement on such matters.

Utilizing such language (as Ra does eloquently throughout the material) not only gives us a new conception of cosmology, but also a new language to utilize (densities, 3D-4D, catalyst, etc). This has greatly increased the progression of many beings, has it not? I believe this progress in language, and how we describe phenomena to be incredibly important, if not the most important (besides experiential catalyst). What we work with here though, on this board, is words.

I completely agree. My time following Christianity and Hinduism basically confirmed what you're saying. The "personal humanized God" is a extremely powerful metaphor with extremely major pitfalls.

By equating God with a parent, it's like your physical psychology jumps completely on board and your entire being is united in devotion toward that parent, with little resistance from the body or mind. For me this produced powerful manifestation ability and veil-piercing insight. At the same time it affirms separation between The All-Being and The Self, and so it needs some kind of antidote.

These days I tend to be more of a "neti neti" guy since this is inline with my personality. The path of discernment seems to dissolve away my distortions but it also leaves me heartbroken, pining for the "other" that isn't there. Neti neti does have a devotional component, because it is a kind of heartbroken search for the true self, and so it is driven by devotion and faith, and I go around identifying each illusion and noting how it is not the true reality or the true self. It is not the All-Being. In this way Neti neti, for me, has been a way of balancing between the personal God and the All-Being.

The Buddhist approach is simpler and happier I guess, but maybe I want the drama of the search or something. "Neti neti" is not something I chose but rather something I discovered I was already doing.

The Buddha went around visiting all the religions and gurus looking for the Truth and the solution to suffering, until he realized it was nowhere/everywhere. When I said earlier that "neti neti" does seem to manifest in the Buddha's life, this is what I meant, and Q'uo mentioned it too. I am on a very similar search, but ironically this search does not motivate me to follow the straight and narrow moderate path that the Buddha prescribes. Rather, it motivates me to follow in his foolish footsteps and repeat the foolish mistakes he made. I think my true nature just loves the search itself.