Out-of-Body-Dude, I like your sensible approach and personal discipline. I expect you will achieve more than you think you will. 

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    Hi again Dude, i was speaking to the above mostly, and yes you did not outright say that you thought such individuals were less developed etc, but it did sound like you were implying/insinuating this. 

   A human whom is completely direct and sincere all, or even most of the time, is a rare being indeed, and with most (i've learned the hard way), you have to read between the lines to some extent to see what they are really saying, because people often imply, insinuate, or indirectly approach things as well. You can also see this often when talking to people in person, their lips might say one thing, but their body language or other non verbal communication says differently. 

    But, if i read too much into it, then "my bad". It sounds like you weren't trying to imply or insinuate that at all?

  Either way, i believe that post contains helpful information, so even if it wasn't directly speaking to what you were saying, it wasn't a complete waste of time. 

  Regarding your recent post and the first paragraph (which i do very much agree with in general), then why call the process "purification of the mind"?  If you call it only one thing, or think of it mostly in a certain way or even with just a certain label, then it can lock one into more rigid and belief system oriented way of thinking of things. 

  When i do have to label the process to communicate to others, i prefer to say "grow in/attune to Love", because it puts all the emphasis on the reality, on the solution (and in a bigger picture way, since Love is the ultimate, and the alpha and omega so to speak). 

  This semantic difference doesn't seem like a big deal on the surface, but as i hinted before, it can make a difference to the subconscious layer of self over time. 

  When i was involved with a certain "spiritual" course, that course talked A LOT about ego, separation, etc. I found myself focusing a lot on the problem, rather than the solution when i was reading it.  I started to see the big ego monster everywhere, all the time.  It became over much a focus. (my sense is that it was designed this way on purpose).

Granted, this is partly because of how that course was specifically designed and set up to bore the conscious mind by repetition and rhythm.  But similar can happen when self thinks to self a lot over time, "I need to purify the mind." or generally says, "it's all about purification of the mind".  That can eventually influence the subconscious more than one realizes. 

   To be honest and very direct Vincent--last time i remember you were active here, i remember you talking about going to a 10 day (?) meditation retreat, more specifically a Vipassana Buddhist meditation retreat. 

  My sense is that you may have been strongly influenced by this, perhaps more than you consciously realize. I also believe it's possible that while this belief system has a number of helpful and accurate things involved, that it may also have some inaccurate or limiting aspects too. 

   I don't know if this is true or not about this approach, but wikipedia says of this practice, "A synonym for "Vipassanā" is paccakkha (Pāli; Sanskrit: pratyakṣa), "before the eyes," which refers to direct experiential perception. Thus, the type of seeing denoted by "vipassanā" is that of direct perception, as opposed to knowledge derived from reasoning or argument." 

   I don't believe that perception can be cut into black and white like this.  For example, reasoning is not always just about the logical, analytical so called "left brain" side of us (saying more metaphorically than literally), but "reasoning" can involve deeper things like intuition too.

  Eastern belief systems in general are a bit too polarized to the Yin side of consciousness, i have noted time and time again. 

I was not insinuating or implying anything about any members here.  I was actually thinking about certain individuals over at another forum when I mentioned what you quoted.  I believe you are wise and you appear to have a good degree of spiritual development.  Sorry for the confusion.

Regarding the term "purification," as I've said, it's just as much about developing pure and wholesome qualities like love, compassion, tranquility, etc, as it is about removing hinderances.  I fail to see the limitations or downfall of placing upmost importance in this.

I believe there is much wisdom in Buddhist teachings, although I am not limited by them; that is, my beliefs and experiences reach beyond the borders of Buddhism.

I did not attend that ten day Vipassana retreat (I went to Brazil instead), nor do I practice the vipassana style of meditation.  But that's a good memory you have!  That was at least 3 years ago.

Anyway, much respect to you and blessings of goodwill.  Take care.

  A quick metaphor relating to what i was trying to convey earlier. 

  If you wanted to purify the body, you could do it in two ways. 

  You could do a pure fast, and not take in any food, and this would lead to the body becoming more purified. 

  You could also put the emphasis on eating/intaking that which is naturally purifying in nature in general, such as many non starchy and especially dark, leafy vegetables, certain fruits (like lemons), and some seeds (like chia). 

  One's consistent diet can be a purifying diet in general, so that there is little need for the more extreme and focused purification such as a pure fast (which is so consciously focused on purification) can also accomplish. 

  In my experience, with both the body and the mind (or rather consciousness), both at times become necessary, but i've found that it's most fruitful to put the most consistent emphasis on consistently "eating" (intaking) that which is naturally purifying in essence.  For the consciousness, this is Love.  For the body, this may be certain foods, mostly those of a vegan nature.

  If one relies on the more extreme fasts, then one has to be careful to not indulge over much of extreme junk food.  But if one consistently eats that which is purifying and vitality facilitating, then an occasional indulgence will not imbalance the body much.

  Anyways, i thought it an apt metaphor for life and spiritual growth in general.

  We don't need to go to extremes to be "spiritual" people and to grow spiritually, in fact, it is my thought that many of us who are consciously spiritually minded and oriented, should focus less on "trying" to be spiritual by certain activities or not, and just spontaneously live with certain positive intentions and ideals. Speak and do as the Spirit moves you.

  This was the big difference between Yohanan (John the Baptist) and Yeshua. Both were unusually spiritually intune and developed individuals.  But Yohanan was much more the Essene than Yeshua. He was more concerned with certain rules and methods, whereas Yeshua lived more spontaneously and in response to inner guidance. This is why there was such a wide spectrum of interaction with others, whereas Yohanan was more fixed in expression and interaction with others.  Those born under strong Fixed signs, at times need to watch for this tendency.


  In the past i've gotten overly caught up in overly trying to be spiritual, and becoming attached to a certain image of same, and basically repressed aspects of self and later realized that it's OK to be "human" to some extent, because that's the nature of the body baggage and which doesn't directly relate to what and how my consciousness is free of the body. Basically, i've relaxed a bit.

   But yes, i do think it's worthwhile to try to pattern the body after the consciousness, but it's pragmatic to realize that the body will not and cannot fully follow. 

Out-of-body-Dude, I expect you well realise this, but I’ll throw it out there in my own words anyway, as encouragement, and for anyone who might find it helpful:

Thought encompasses, underpins and leads to everything a man can do and achieve. A man can do nothing worthwhile without thinking to do so; can accomplish nothing good without thinking to accomplish it.

Energy follows thought. Everything follows thought; and thought precedes everything.

Even emotions follow thought. Sentiments follow thought. Desires follow thought. We cannot have an emotional reaction of any sort to anything, without first being aware of that thing with mind. And how we think dictates how we feel emotionally. And we cannot control our emotions without first controlling thought, for it is via thought that emotion is controlled.

Our conduct too, deliberate, inclined and reflexive, is directed and enabled by what we think.

Even the heart is directed by the head, for although the open heart purifies and opens up the mind, no one can direct, wield or benefit from the heart without thinking to do so.

The most potent minds are the clearest minds, the most transparent. Honesty is clarity, transparency, the ability to see things as they are.

Truth is how things are, and honesty is the medium of truth, and is the means by which men know the truth.

Honesty is not developed by valuing honesty as a quality of character, but by valuing truth. Value truth above all else, before we even know what truth is, and whatever the truth might be, exercise pure awareness – observation without preference, then honesty – the ability to see things as they are – will follow.

From there, all the potent qualities of mind can be more easily exercised and developed – intelligence and intellect are widened and refined, the ability to reason, wield logic and analyse is sharpened. In time and with process, one’s knowledge becomes ordered in the head in the same way as facts are ordered in reality.
    
The heart, of course, is the ultimate and only real measure of a man. The other centres, regardless of their condition, count for nothing in the final measurement in comparison with the heart.
 
Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”
Even so, we do so from our position of control and governance, which is in the head.

Clear the mind with honesty; clear the heart with love.


PS. We are each our own conductor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy5f87-kI8c

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Justin, So who is Ashaneen and Talo? ..And how do they connect with Robert Monroe's past life(in your opinion,) and Bruce Moen's present/past one?..Show proof!?. Gman

recoverer wrote on Sep 27^th, 2015 at 3:41pm:


  Yes, i've noticed that while i can sort of meditate while doing various activities, it never compares to the really deep and still meditation i do when i lay down and tune out the world.  I don't believe this is due to belief, but more the way the body is wired.  This probably can be overcome to some extent (a greater extent than i have currently), but probably not completely. 

   There was a younger woman that asked spiritual questions of Cayce's guidance. She was spiritually minded, but didn't prefer to do sitting or laying still meditating, but more so tried to do meditation when more active.

   She was told it was important to engage more in the deeper, more still meditation despite her preferences. 

  I believe one of my main lacks or issues i need to work on, is not devoting enough time, in a consistent sense to this deeper/still meditation.   

  I somewhat recently became friends with a spiritually minded person who has had some experiences with Yeshua.  I wrote him about some of the techniques/methods that i use for meditation.  He said they helped and after he first tried it, he had a profound, detailed dream.  Most of the dream was about him and his life, but towards the end, it seemed he may have received a message for me. 

  This is what he got when talking about observing a friend in the dream, "I look directly into his eyes. He has three of them. His third eye is located in the middle of the regular two, right above the bridge of the nose smack dab on the lower forehead. His eyes are large, a bit mismatched and asymmetrical, and they look very catlike and Egyptian.

They look sort of alien. I think to myself something along the lines of “wow, his third eye is open, but it’s sort of blind or something. How could this be?” He looks like he sees with great depth, but not with much clarity, and it also looks like his particular eyes aren't really capable of too much intimacy. They are sort of opaque, sort of glazed over and yet somehow very keen and definitely very, very strong. His are the eyes of a warrior. I feel love for him. He is my friend. He is my ally, and I like being around him, but it looks like he might be a little distant."

     The lack of clarity, and "asymmetrical" and a bit mismatched (aka imbalanced) eyes is most due to the fact that i'm not meditating regularly and consistently in that deeper, more still way.  It's something i know i should do, but am struggling with.  The few periods where i have, i definitely felt more intune, balanced, centered and connected than i normally do (though normally i tend to feel pretty positive, content, and/or happy most of the time). 

Justin, I agree that extremes are probably not necessary.  A balanced approach is likely the wisest path.

Recoverer,  I find that when I am not "tuned-in," my mind is often off wandering about to the benefit of no one and my body usually becomes a bit tense.  I am an english teacher, and I try to tune-in during class, although sometimes I get too heavily in tune and my students think that I am on drugs haha.  I think partial meditative-states, like as we drive or work, are just wonderful.  I like to listen to buddhist discourses by my favorite teachers as I drive-itate.


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Haha. Yes, it seems I am quite limited by my "unhinderances." 

I don't want to get too off-topic, but since you asked, here are a few of my latest AE projects, although the most recent one was over a year ago I think.  My creativity has been channelled almost solely into my book, which is now finished. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70zyQ4zMbjk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kc1wDCtXhOE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bcT8mk-wyQ

No offense intended with the last video.  Just having a little fun, more as a satire on the official story.