Alexander's Blog

[Jhanananda]

You are welcome, Alexander.

[Alexander]

Well, the universe is strange. My partner in a class I'm taking is named "Lauren Brown," the same name as the Lauren mentioned above. At first I thought I was imagining it. But, she has the same name, first and last. Even if she was just in the course, it's a 1/17 chance to be paired, then the added statistic of the same first and last name. So, that is pretty improbable. It's been strange to send emails back and forth to a "Lauren Brown," when I expected I'd be doing that with another one.

1. I was thinking of these quotes today. They made me think about teleology: that events have a "purpose" or "end" to them. What John of the Cross said was powerful. As it personifies God, and makes him into the mover of a person’s life, choosing what will happen, or not happen. If you think about it, it is so statistically impossible for a person to make it this far in the spirit. So, it makes you think that this was not by accident: and that, also, many other things in life are also not by accident. If you start to reason in this way, so many experiences become more meaningful or redeemable.

Recalling teleology, I don't know what this means. I am so confused about everything. I used to believe in fate, and it made me so hopeful in life. But, I question everything now. If this is fate, what is its purpose? Is it to insult me? To give me one ironic experience of "Lauren" as the other experience concluded unhappily? Certainly, I am not contacting the former girl again. At this point I just want to evacuate myself of all this, and submit...

I remained, lost in oblivion;
My face I reclined on the Beloved.
All ceased and I abandoned myself,
Leaving my cares forgotten among the lilies.

[Jhanananda]

As you most probably know, Alexander, I do not happen to believe in a god who arranges the physical universe just for one devotee.  On the other hand, when we encounter strange "coincidences" such as the one you described, we certainly have to ask the question "Why?"

The problem with believing in a benevolent creator god, who arranges the physical universe just for one devotee, is we would have to accept that Jesus, and all of the other marginalized mystics of the world, must have been demons in disguise, so the heard is justified in continuing their persecution of mystics.

Like the quote you selected from John of the Cross, I spent decades imagining that I lay my head upon the lap of the Lord when I rested for the night.  It gave me great comfort.  For the last few decades I have also rested in the comfort of accepting that this rest might be my last, which I am sure the reference in the poem to lilies refers.

[rougeleader115]

So what is the idea behind a godhead? Is this more like an impersonal source of creation?

Rougeleader

[Cal]

I'd have to agree with Jhananada, Alexander. I dont think this coincidence was orchestrated to torment you, as it certainly might. However, fate would have dictated that it would happen. I hate to say it friend, but it may be just what you need. That reminder to push you further within. The heartache that one feels when losing a close companion, the regrets, the pain and discomfort, its all fuel to a spiritual life.

There was so much pain from your post Alexander, im so sorry.

[Cal]

The problem with believing in a benevolent creator god, who arranges the physical universe just for one devotee, is we would have to accept that Jesus, and all of the other marginalized mystics of the world, must have been demons in disguise, so the heard is justified in continuing their persecution of mystics.

But this is the case. The perception of man when these mystics lived was that these mystics were indeed demons. Although this is something that has been orchestrated by man, "fate" would have known it to happen. I don't believe we can alter our course, if I did, I could not live in the moment and simply accept what is. I want to say it was the acceptance of fate that ultimately led me to the spiritual path to begin with.

Is it not plausible that there is some grand "history" book written somewhere that tells the story of all existence, and how it happened? And if we accept that there is, would it not have been the plan of god that mystics be persecuted? How do we separate this?

Or is it simply that the persecution of man and mystic is what leads to god? Jhananada, have you ever met anyone that had any level of attainment without a history of sorrow and grief, pain and suffering? This is why I say this world is hell. Either one is too ignorant and self absorbed to see that life is only sorrow and grief, or theyre fully aware of the facts of its impermanence, and work towards spiritual liberation from it. Is this only in this plane of existence?

I dont need the answer to that last question, perhaps I am intellectualizing too much.

[Alexander]

I'd have to agree with Jhananada, Alexander. I dont think this coincidence was orchestrated to torment you, as it certainly might. However, fate would have dictated that it would happen. I hate to say it friend, but it may be just what you need. That reminder to push you further within. The heartache that one feels when losing a close companion, the regrets, the pain and discomfort, its all fuel to a spiritual life.

There was so much pain from your post Alexander, im so sorry.

Thanks, Cal, that is the way I attempt to understand it. Even in a world without a personal God, I have always believed in fate: with fate as the inescapable impersonal consequences of one's karmas. So, if someone is "fated" to be liberated, then it follows these tribulations would come to facilitate that. That is how I try to understand it, anyway. The human half of me certainly doesn't agree.

[Jhanananda]

So what is the idea behind a godhead? Is this more like an impersonal source of creation?

Rougeleader

Not all religions postulate a creator; however, what typifies religion is it offers fantastic explanations for phenomena that might be better explained through the laws of the sciences; whereas, science offers plausible explanations for observable phenomena.  Neither method necessarily excludes the other.

In my experience there is a godhead, but no religion has successfully described what I experienced as a godhead.  In stead of explaining what god is, I prefer to show/lead people to the godhead. so that it can be experienced directly.

I want to say it was the acceptance of fate that ultimately led me to the spiritual path to begin with.

Every genuine mystic describes something like what you are saying here.  I find just letting go, surrendering, submitting, etc. just makes the spiritual awakening happen.  However, I do not feel that we need to explain the universe.  It just is.

Is it not plausible that there is some grand "history" book written somewhere that tells the story of all existence, and how it happened? And if we accept that there is, would it not have been the plan of god that mystics be persecuted? How do we separate this?

Or is it simply that the persecution of man and mystic is what leads to god?

Jhananada, have you ever met anyone that had any level of attainment without a history of sorrow and grief, pain and suffering? This is why I say this world is hell. Either one is too ignorant and self absorbed to see that life is only sorrow and grief, or theyre fully aware of the facts of its impermanence, and work towards spiritual liberation from it. Is this only in this plane of existence?

I dont need the answer to that last question, perhaps I am intellectualizing too much.

This is how I take it.  This is hell, but most people do not know it, and if we violate the belief systems of anyone in hell, then they are going to become violent.  However, how does one lead the demons out of hell, except by taking them by the hand, and showing them the way?  Unfortunately they are inclined to drag their savior down for it.

Yes, there are countless planes of existence, but they are not physical.  They are nonphysical, spiritual.

[Alexander]

Yes, there are countless planes of existence, but they are not physical.  They are nonphysical, spiritual.

I know you've been saying this forever, Jhanananda, but it is always great to hear. I can't imagine the liberation that comes from being able to navigate all those planes.

[Jhanananda]

It is all part of the journey within.

[Alexander]

Not only did Socrates and Teresa of Avila reference an inner voice, but also:

11. He who has been granted such a state [of perfection], while still in the flesh, always has God dwelling within him as his Guide in all his words, deeds and thoughts. Therefore, through illumination he apprehends the Lord’s will as a sort of inner voice. He is above all human instruction and says: When shall I come and appear before the face of God? For I can no longer bear the force of love; I long for the immortal beauty which Thou hast given me in exchange for this clay.

[Jhanananda]

Thank-you, Alexander.  I take the quote to mean, when one has the charisms with one all of the time, then one "has God dwelling within him as his Guide in all his words, deeds and thoughts."

[Alexander]

One of the many martyrdoms of the mystic is misunderstanding.

Pain, therefore, the mystics always welcome and often court: sometimes in the crudely physical form which Suso describes so vividly and horribly in the sixteenth chapter of his Life, more frequently in those refinements of torture which a sensitive spirit can extract from loneliness, injustice, misunderstanding—above all, from deliberate contact with the repulsive accidents of life.

Something that interested me in Jeffrey was the following.

Hi Matthew, I have had my own dealings with Mr. Brooks. I was once part of his yahoo group(s). It was during the time I was learning about the jhanas. It wasn't long before I realized I was learning from an egotistic self-deluded man who is trying to re-invent buddhism according to his own ideas. I soon walked away. Having read his "critiques" of other teacher's jhanas, I'd soon realized Jeff Brooks has no real idea of what a "True One-pointed" Absorption is. You can read them yourself. He discredits EVERY OTHER jhana teacher in the world.

This reaction reminded me of how historic spiritual teachers have been responded to, if they tried to "go public."

The amount of irony in the post above reminds me of my own experiences of irony.

2. I was thinking, recently, of a couple people who entered my orbit, and who I saw spiritual potential in, but who rejected me or refused to keep in contact with me. These were Heather, who I knew back in high school; and Thomas, who I tried to connect with in college. I thought at both times I had had good judgment about finding people who would be interested in "getting out of here." And - while I don't want to say I have a "golden ticket" out of this place - I was assailed with the irony of how these two people - and now Lauren as well - chose in their ignorance not to escape from this world with me.

When confronted with others' foolishness, the best remedy is to be magnanimous, long suffering, and patient.

8. Let us pay close attention to ourselves so that we are not deceived into thinking that we are following the strait and narrow way when in actual fact we are keeping to the wide and broad way. The following will show you what the narrow way means... the purifying draught of dishonour, sneers, derision, insults, the cutting out of one’s own will, patience in annoyances, unmurmuring endurance of scorn, disregard of insults, and the habit, when wronged, of bearing it sturdily; when slandered, of not being indignant; when humiliated, not to be angry; when condemned, to be humble. Blessed are they who follow the way we have just described, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

[Cal]

One of the many martyrdoms of the mystic is misunderstanding.

Pain, therefore, the mystics always welcome and often court: sometimes in the crudely physical form which Suso describes so vividly and horribly in the sixteenth chapter of his Life, more frequently in those refinements of torture which a sensitive spirit can extract from loneliness, injustice, misunderstanding—above all, from deliberate contact with the repulsive accidents of life.

Something that interested me in Jeffrey was the following.

Hi Matthew, I have had my own dealings with Mr. Brooks. I was once part of his yahoo group(s). It was during the time I was learning about the jhanas. It wasn't long before I realized I was learning from an egotistic self-deluded man who is trying to re-invent buddhism according to his own ideas. I soon walked away. Having read his "critiques" of other teacher's jhanas, I'd soon realized Jeff Brooks has no real idea of what a "True One-pointed" Absorption is. You can read them yourself. He discredits EVERY OTHER jhana teacher in the world.

This reaction reminded me of how historic spiritual teachers have been responded to, if they tried to "go public."

The amount of irony in the post above reminds me of my own experiences of irony.

2. I was thinking, recently, of a couple people who entered my orbit, and who I saw spiritual potential in, but who rejected me or refused to keep in contact with me. These were Heather, who I knew back in high school; and Thomas, who I tried to connect with in college. I thought at both times I had had good judgment about finding people who would be interested in "getting out of here." And - while I don't want to say I have a "golden ticket" out of this place - I was assailed with the irony of how these two people - and now Lauren as well - chose in their ignorance not to escape from this world with me.

When confronted with others' foolishness, the best remedy is to be magnanimous, long suffering, and patient.

8. Let us pay close attention to ourselves so that we are not deceived into thinking that we are following the strait and narrow way when in actual fact we are keeping to the wide and broad way. The following will show you what the narrow way means... the purifying draught of dishonour, sneers, derision, insults, the cutting out of one’s own will, patience in annoyances, unmurmuring endurance of scorn, disregard of insults, and the habit, when wronged, of bearing it sturdily; when slandered, of not being indignant; when humiliated, not to be angry; when condemned, to be humble. Blessed are they who follow the way we have just described, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

I stumbled across and old "chat room" the other day and attempted to engage with the people there. I wondered if I could reach out to them. There was probably 15 people or more involved. I engaged them with critical thinking, and it seemed for a moment that it got through to them. But what I ended up realizing is that there is a bombardment of outside influence that each individual is subjected to, of their own choosing, that one could not process meaningful information unless removed. Most of them attempted to answer with science, but when I led them to a point science could no longer answer for, they dropped the thought and went back to the "familiar".

Having read his "critiques" of other teacher's jhanas, I'd soon realized Jeff Brooks has no real idea of what a "True One-pointed" Absorption is. You can read them yourself. He discredits EVERY OTHER jhana teacher in the world.

Yes, and its quite funny how he does LOL

[Alexander]

I agree, Cal, it reminds me of Socrates when he went around Athens discrediting everyone. He made the people so angry they murdered him; however, his students saw the humor.