Russell Brand

[Cal]

I don't think it's wise to seek publicity when you're the real deal. Most people are not interested in liberation: so, they will either respond with hostility, or at best misunderstand you.

Jesus answered them, "The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven have been given to you, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, more shall be given to him, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away."

There was a man recently who claimed enlightenment and was famous. Russel Brand i believe it was. he went public with this, made a few videos, went on some talk shows. I dont hear about Russel Brand anymore. I'd have to agree with you, Alexander.

[Sam Lim]

Russel Brand is a new-age yoga hippie. He is a British comedian. Don't think we can take him seriously.

[Cal]

Russel Brand is a new-age yoga hippie. He is a British comedian. Don't think we can take him seriously.

lol I wasnt able to. I listened to what he had to say but i didnt get that feeling about him. I did think for a moment on what somebody of his fame might be able to do for a community like this, had his attainment been genuine. Specifically on a retreat center actually.

The important things I took from his endeavor was the main stream community attacked him. They burried his career, and you dont hear from Russel Brand anymore.

[Jhanananda]

Russell Edward Brand[7] (born 4 June 1975)[8] is an English comedian, actor, radio host, author, and activist.

In 2004, Brand achieved notoriety as the host of Big Brother's Big Mouth, a Big Brother spin-off. In 2007, he had his first major film role in St Trinian's, a film about an anarchic school for uncontrollable girls. In 2008, he had a major role in the romantic comedy-drama Forgetting Sarah Marshall; the film led to him starring in the spin off, the rock comedy Get Him to the Greek in 2010. He also worked as a voice actor in the animated films Despicable Me in 2010, Hop in 2011, and Despicable Me 2 in 2013. He played the title character of the 2011 remake of the romantic comedy Arthur.

Brand has received media coverage for controversies such as his dismissal from MTV, his behaviour as a presenter at various award ceremonies, and his drug use. In 2008, he resigned from the BBC following prank calls he made to actor Andrew Sachs on The Russell Brand Show. He has incorporated his drug use, alcoholism, and promiscuity into his comedic material.

Since guest editing an edition of the New Statesman, a British weekly magazine, Brand has become known as an activist and campaigner.[9] This includes a much publicised interview with Newsnight host Jeremy Paxman in 2013, in which he encouraged the British electorate not to vote and endorsed a system based on the "massive redistribution of wealth" to replace the status quo.[10] In 2014, he launched his political-comedy web series, The Trews, released a book, Revolution and began work on a documentary about financial inequality with Michael Winterbottom.

There is nothing in wiki on him that suggests that he is enlightened, but I can see that he might make a joke of it.  So, I split it off, and moved the topic to general discussion.

[Cal]

Russell Edward Brand[7] (born 4 June 1975)[8] is an English comedian, actor, radio host, author, and activist.

In 2004, Brand achieved notoriety as the host of Big Brother's Big Mouth, a Big Brother spin-off. In 2007, he had his first major film role in St Trinian's, a film about an anarchic school for uncontrollable girls. In 2008, he had a major role in the romantic comedy-drama Forgetting Sarah Marshall; the film led to him starring in the spin off, the rock comedy Get Him to the Greek in 2010. He also worked as a voice actor in the animated films Despicable Me in 2010, Hop in 2011, and Despicable Me 2 in 2013. He played the title character of the 2011 remake of the romantic comedy Arthur.

Brand has received media coverage for controversies such as his dismissal from MTV, his behaviour as a presenter at various award ceremonies, and his drug use. In 2008, he resigned from the BBC following prank calls he made to actor Andrew Sachs on The Russell Brand Show. He has incorporated his drug use, alcoholism, and promiscuity into his comedic material.

Since guest editing an edition of the New Statesman, a British weekly magazine, Brand has become known as an activist and campaigner.[9] This includes a much publicised interview with Newsnight host Jeremy Paxman in 2013, in which he encouraged the British electorate not to vote and endorsed a system based on the "massive redistribution of wealth" to replace the status quo.[10] In 2014, he launched his political-comedy web series, The Trews, released a book, Revolution and began work on a documentary about financial inequality with Michael Winterbottom.

There is nothing in wiki on him that suggests that he is enlightened, but I can see that he might make a joke of it.  So, I split it off, and moved the topic to general discussion.

Indeed. I suppose I should provide some material. I noticed this man through youtube searches originally maybe a next video to watch on a Buddhist related search. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bKQXmvdr8o

I remembered thinking at the time that the man may be headed on the right path, but the media burried him rather hastily. The things he talks about however, are real as you and I, as we know here.

I'd like to add also that his long history of documented drug use could also be the first step of his journey. Hallucinogen's, or psychedelics, dissociatives, or deliriants, have been documented to have effects that closely reflect that of a deep meditative state. I speculate that he may have had a glimps of the immaterial and went in search for answers like alot of us here.  I researched a little further after Jhanananda moved it to a seperate topic. Russell Brand has publicly denounced mainstream meditation and Yoga teachers. This tells me that he has recognized the hole that is there in the mainstream community, as many of us have here. There are quite a few things that I notice of him that would suggest the opposite of attainment. 1. His appearance, narcissism. 2. His quick speech tells that his mind is overly active, from experience, being in this state would make the further meditative states much harder to attain, as they require a stilling of the mind. 3. Combatitiveness with those who disagree with him. I believe that someone like him is lost, yet on a path to discovery and could benefit from a community such as this. Sadly, he may be the man you read about in the news that has taken his own life.

[Alexander]

I like one of his quotes in this video, when he says we are limited to the five senses. That is a good perspective to have. I think I watched one of his comedy specials a few years ago, and he was pretty good. I know that music also: it's Clint Mansell, one of the songs from the soundtrack to The Fountain; whoever says in the comments it gives another layer to the video is true.

I remember I wanted to become a comedian when I was younger. Something kept pulling me back, though. It told me to go inward: and from a very extroverted young man I turned into a recluse. I've learned it's hard enough to make progress in the spiritual life when you live in solitude: but if you're trying to become spiritual in the world of celebrity, it's impossible.

[Jhanananda]

I have watched some of Russell Brand - Awakened Man, which Cal posted a link to above.  He seems sincere, but he does not seem to say anything different from the mainstream new-age guru.  I also noticed that he stated he had been following TM, which was led by a fraudulent guru.  He also seems pretty hyper.  So, I am still waiting for him to demonstrate he has more than superficial access to the fruit of the contemplative life.

Russell Brand has publicly denounced mainstream meditation and Yoga teachers. This tells me that he has recognized the hole that is there in the mainstream community, as many of us have here. There are quite a few things that I notice of him that would suggest the opposite of attainment. 1. His appearance, narcissism. 2. His quick speech tells that his mind is overly active, from experience, being in this state would make the further meditative states much harder to attain, as they require a stilling of the mind. 3. Combatitiveness with those who disagree with him. I believe that someone like him is lost, yet on a path to discovery and could benefit from a community such as this. Sadly, he may be the man you read about in the news that has taken his own life.

Good points.  We will see what comes of his life. Here is current news about him Russell Brand

I like one of his quotes in this video, when he says we are limited to the five senses.

Yes, I noticed the reference to his comments on the five senses, which sounded like he may have had some influence from Buddhism.

I remember I wanted to become a comedian when I was younger. Something kept pulling me back, though. It told me to go inward: and from a very extroverted young man I turned into a recluse. I've learned it's hard enough to make progress in the spiritual life when you live in solitude: but if you're trying to become spiritual in the world of celebrity, it's impossible.

Here there is a man who worked as a clown most of his life, he at one time was very superficial New-Age, then he became very superficial born-again Christian, then more recently he has taken up a monastic life, and wears robes.  Unfortunately he seems like a complete clown who is just pretending to be "spiritual."  So, I am glad that you did not take up a comedian's career.