"A clear light state." That's interesting rob. Sometimes, but very rarely a person can have what is know as a spontaneous awakening, sudden enlightenment or self realisation. I'm sure you're aware of this. I've only met one person who this has happened to. His name was Russel Williams. Sadly not with us anymore, he left us last year at the age of 96, but he always said he won't be coming back this time. Russel's life was nothing short of extraordinary, even before his awakening he new he had a task to fulfil. His enlightening happened in 1955. Unaware of what had happened to him, he wandered round for two years thinking he had gone mad, something the various clergy he sought advice from confirmed. It wasn't until he met a Buddhist monk in London in the late fifties who explained exactly what had happenew to him that he was able to piece it together. It was suggested by a woman, a friend of the monk, that he could travel back with her to the Manchester Buddhist Society, a small house in a suburb of Manchester. He was there right up to his passing last year at the age of 96. During that time he gave teachings twice a week from the house. He even became the director of the Manchester Buddhist Society in the seventies, even though he stated many times he wasn't a Buddhist, such was his influence on all who met him. He always refused to give his teachings anywhere other than the small house that was, and still is the Manchester Buddhist Centre. I found out about him about four years ago and since then I've had the great fortune to spend many hours in his amazing presence. He was eventually talked into writing a book, something he had shunned away from for many years, which explains why very few people have ever heard of him. The book was published about three years ago, the title of which is..Not I, Not Other Than I. Below is a link to an interview withe Steve Taylor who talked him into and Co wrote the book. I'm sure you'll find it interesting. I'll also post a link of an interview with Russel not long before he left us.
Think I might have to go over to the 'ego' thread now.
But seriously, I'm still in touch with Gary, I have an open invitation to stay there for while, it might just happen, and you're not too far away. It's getting on for ten years since I last met him and almost twenty years since we first met in Connecticut.
If it's love or fear, choose love. Where fear prevails, love is not. But given the hold that the power of fear can have, the move to love is quite a challenge. Like I've said before on a different thread, only when one faces ones fears, can they find the empowerment which will make possible the love of (the Other) others. More often than not we have to sacrifice a part of ourselves, but that can lift us out of our ego-bound consciousness. The willingness to sacrifice for the well being of another is transformative and paves the way for overcoming the fears that can bind us to the past and limits our growth.
Recognising the power of the ego, (it could be called self examination) and it's, at times, many self destructive forces upon the soul (psyche,) is at least providing a path towards a realisation of the true self and possibly a seismic shift away from the ego-self.
As in its autonomy it goes about, feeding obsessions, addictions, multiple complexes and projecting them to the outside world, unconsciously burdening others, while at the same time complaining about their oppression.
I said on here a few weeks ago that a 'soft' option was looking more and more likely. It still seems to be moving that way, although I use the word 'moving' rather loosely. I think if the only option is May's deal or no deal, the details of both should be made clear to the British public who could then make a choice do go ahead or scrap the whole idea, with full knowledge of the real ramifications of leaving the EU. I say this because, imo, and many others, the original Brexit that the 'small' majority voted for, was indeed, a unicorn, people were fooled into thinking it was in fact obtainable A long term extention to article 50 would surely be granted for this to take place.
bodleing2 Forum Posts (6,132)
Think I might have to go over to the 'ego' thread now.
... 
RE: EGO - How comfortable are You with it?
"A clear light state." That's interesting rob.Sometimes, but very rarely a person can have what is know as a spontaneous awakening, sudden enlightenment or self realisation.
I'm sure you're aware of this.
I've only met one person who this has happened to. His name was Russel Williams.
Sadly not with us anymore, he left us last year at the age of 96, but he always said he won't be coming back this time.
Russel's life was nothing short of extraordinary, even before his awakening he new he had a task to fulfil.
His enlightening happened in 1955. Unaware of what had happened to him, he wandered round for two years thinking he had gone mad, something the various clergy he sought advice from confirmed.
It wasn't until he met a Buddhist monk in London in the late fifties who explained exactly what had happenew to him that he was able to piece it together.
It was suggested by a woman, a friend of the monk, that he could travel back with her to the Manchester Buddhist Society, a small house in a suburb of Manchester.
He was there right up to his passing last year at the age of 96. During that time he gave teachings twice a week from the house. He even became the director of the Manchester Buddhist Society in the seventies, even though he stated many times he wasn't a Buddhist, such was his influence on all who met him.
He always refused to give his teachings anywhere other than the small house that was, and still is the Manchester Buddhist Centre.
I found out about him about four years ago and since then I've had the great fortune to spend many hours in his amazing presence.
He was eventually talked into writing a book, something he had shunned away from for many years, which explains why very few people have ever heard of him.
The book was published about three years ago, the title of which is..Not I, Not Other Than I.
Below is a link to an interview withe Steve Taylor who talked him into and Co wrote the book. I'm sure you'll find it interesting. I'll also post a link of an interview with Russel not long before he left us.
Not I, Not Other Than I.
Russel Williams, Looking Through The Horses Eyes.