A Book Review of the Bhagavad-Gita- As It Is- by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhativendanta Swami Prabhupada is this Swami's interpertation of the Bhagavad-Gita or what some refer to as a Hindu Bible.
Buckle your seat belt...this is a long post. If you make it to the end I'll consider you a True Seeker but I totally understand if you don't reach the end. *** To sum up this review in a few short sentences...I highly recommend reading this version of the Bhagavad-Gita. I find Swami Prabhupada to be very wise. He's a little blind in his devotion to his practice and the need for a teacher even though the Bhagavad-Gita specifcally says in one of it's later chapters that Krsna will personally teach the pure devotee himself negating the need for a teacher. That, however, is not a fault that I can judge because most are dedicated to the specific practice they are taught. Swami Prabhupada is very open minded and made many correlations with other religions that I made when reading through the Bhagavad-Gita. This is simple straight forward applicable instruction on how to cultivate God Consciousness in one's everyday life and through ordinary work instead of becoming a monk or something. You can buy this book on Amazon Used for $2.45...so why not? *** As you probably know I like to look at all religions and consider them. Whether I am reading about Asataru, Alchemy or the Kabbalah or Edgar Cacye's alternative views of the Bible I'm fascinated about other peoples perspectives on spirituality. The Hindus have written a wealth of spiritual material. This was my first foray into that area. I went into reading this book without expectation and without really knowing what it contained. I was really surprised by the information in the book. In many ways the Bhagavad-Gita validates conclusions that I had come to on my own based on a conglamorate of knowledge I had gleaned from many sources. This is, however, the purest form of the direct information I've gleaned distilled into the simplest language. The Bhagavad-Gita opens with a story and a setting similar to what you would read in a play. Arujna, a figher, is on a field with Krishna in a chariot. They have decided to fight Arujna's family members- his cousins, grandfather and the man who trained him how to fight- because they are not good rulers. However, Arujna believes that to fight his family and friends would be a wrongful act or sin and he states this to Krishna. Krisnha, however, is the divine personality and he reveals transcendental lessons to Arujna and the conversation between the two men is the main body of the text. He makes it clear that what everyone must accept is their personal role in what he wills and serve dutifully. Then he explains why and how this is done. There is a lot of information in the Bhgavad-Gita. I'm currently reading the actual text without the interpertation offered by Swami Prabhupada and I'm getting even more out of it without the distraction. Traditionally, the Bhagavad-Gita is said to have been written about 400BC to 200CE. So, it is possible it was written around the time of Jesus. There is the possibility that there was a influence of one on the other or vice a versa. I have over 28 markers in this 274 page book. There is so much in this book that is pertientent to my spiritual path! Swami Prabhupada believes Krishna is the Divine Personality that incorprates all people, gods, and things. This is stated by Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita. This is not much different from what people call Christ Consciousness or God Consciousness but that's a topic for another day. Swami Prabupada also explained that it is believed that Krishna descends upon the Earth whenever there is a time when religion has really been mucked up to teach humanity (which apparently happens about every 1000 years or so). I found this to be a fascinating concept. As usual, it's easier to quote from the text the concepts I think are the most powerful so here are a small fraction of the areas of this fascinating book. The purports are Swami Prabupada teachings on specific parts of the text. I admit I'm partially quoting this to refer to on later on my own for my YouTube videos or further meditation on specific lines. Excerpts From Chapter Two "A devotee of the Lord comes upon a dead man and two other men in conditions of bodily misery. Although the body is destined to be vanquested today or tomorrow, the soul is eternal; thus the devotee understands that there is no cause for lamentation.' (Description of a depiction based on Chapter 2: Line11) * "O Son of Kunti, the nonpermament appearance of heat and cold, happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance in of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and on must learn to talerate them without being disturbed."( Ch. 2 Line 14) * "The Vedas mainly deals with the subject of the three modes of material nature. Rise above these modes, O Arjunga. Be transcendental to all of them. Be free from all dualities and from all anxieties for gain and safety, and be established in the self." (Chapter 2 Line 45) * "Be steadfast in your duty, O Arujna, and abandon all attachment to success or failure. Such eveneness of mind is called yoga. O Dhananajaya, rid yourselfof all fruitive activities by devotional service, and surrender fully to that consciousness. Those who want to enjoy the rusults of their work are misers. A man engaged in devotional service rids himself of both good and bad actions even in this life. Therefore, strive for this yoga, O Arjuna, which is at the heart of all work. The wise, engaged in devotional service, take refuge in the Lord and free themselves from the cycle of birth and death by renouncing the fruits of action in the material world. In this way they can attain that state beyond all miseries. When your intelligence has passsed out of the dense forest of delusion, you will become indifferent to all that has been heard and all that is to be heard. (Chapter 2.48-52) * "The senses are so strong and impetuous, O Arujuna, that they forcibly carry away the mind even of a man of discrimination who is endeavoring to control them. One who restrains his senses and fixes his consciousness upon Me is known as a man of steady intelligence. While contemplating the objects of the sense, a person develops attachment for them, and from such attachment lust develops, and from lust anger arises.' Chapter 2: 60-62 Excerpts From Chapter Five "The Blessed Lord said: Renunciation of work and work in devotion are both good for liberation. But of the two, work in devotional service is better then renunciation of works." (Chapter 5:2) * "Only the ignorant speak of karma-yoga and devotional service as being different from the analytical study of the material world (sankhya). Those who are actually learned say that he who applies himself well to one of these paths achieves the results of both." (Chapter 5.4) One who knows that the position reached by means of renunciation can also be attained by devotional service, and who therefore sees that sankya and yoga are on the same level, see things as they are." (Chapter 5.5) Purport "The real purpose of philosophical research is to find the ultimate goal of life. Since the ultimate goal of life is self-realization, there is no difference between the conclusions reached by the two processes. By Sankya a philosophical research one comes to the conclusion that a living entity is not a part and parcel of the material world, but that he is a part and parcel of the supreme spirit whole. Consequently, the spirit soul has nothing to do with the material world; his actions must be in some relationship with the Supreme. When he acts in Krsna consiousness, he is actually in his consititutional position. In the first process of ankhya, one has to become detached from matter, and in the devotional yoga process one has to attach himself to the work of Krsna. Factually, both processes are the same, although superficially one process appears to be detachment and the other process appears to be attachment. Detachment from matter and attachment to Krsna are one and the same. One who can see this see things as they are. * "The steadily devoted soul attains unadulrated peace because he offers the results of all activities to Me; whereas a person who is not in harmony with the Divine, who is greedy for the fruits of their labor, becomes entangled." (Chapter 5.12) Purport The difference between a person in Krsna consciousness and a person in bodily consciousness is that the former is attached to Krishna, wheras the latter is attached to the results of his activites.The person who is attached to Krisna and works for Him only is certainly a liberated person, and such a person is not anxious for fruitive rewards. In the Bhagavatam, anxiety over the result of an activity is explained as being due to one's functioning within the concept of duality, that is, without knowedge of the Absolute Truth. Krshna is the Supreme Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead. In Krsna consciousness, there is no duality. All that exists is a product of Krsna's energy, and Krsna is all good. Thefore, activities in Krsna consciousness are on the absolute plane: they are trascendental and have no material effect. One is filled with peace in Krsna consciousness. One, who is, however, entangled in profit calculation for sense gratification cannot have that peace. This is the secret of Krsna consciousness- realization that there is no other existence besides Krsna is the platform of peace and fearlessness. * Part of A Purport The Fifth Chapter is a practical explaintion of Krsna consciousness, genrally known as Karma-yoga. The question of mental speculation as to how karma-yoga can give liberation is answered herewith. To work in Krsna conscousness is to work with the complete knowledge of the Lord as the predominatior. Such work is not different from Transcendental knowledge. Direct Krsna consciousness is bhakti-yoga, and jnana-yoga is a path leading to bhakti-yoga. Krsna consciousness means to work in full knoweldge of ones relationshp with the Supreme Absolute, and the perfection of this consciousness is in full knowledge of Krsna, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead. A pure soul is the etrnal servant of God as his fragmental part and parcel. He comes into contact with maya (illusion) due to the desire to lord it over maya, and that is the cause of his many sufferings. As long as he is in contact with matter, he has to execute work in terms of material nececssities. Krsna consciousness, however, brings one into spirtual life even while one is within the jurisdiction of matter, for it is an arousing of spiritual existence by practice in the material world. The more one is advanced, the more he is freed from the clutches of matter. There is no partiality of the Lord toward anyone. Everything depends on one's own practical performance of duties in Krsna consiousness in an effort to control the sense and conquer the influence of desire and anger. And, remaining in Krsna conscousness by controlling the above-mentioned passions, one remains factually in the transcendental stage, or brahma-nirvana. The eightfold yoga mysticism is -practiced in Krsna conscousness because the ultimate purpose is served....it is the hightest goal in life." Chapter Six Excerpts "The Supreme personality of Godhead said: One who is unattached to the fruits of his work and who works as he is obligated is in the renounced order of life, and he is the true mystic, not he who lights no fire and performs no work." (Chapter 6:1) * "For he who has conquered his mind, it is the best of friends: but for one who failed to do so, his very mind will be the greatest enemy. "For one who has conquered the mind, the Supersoul is already reached, for he has attained tranquility. To such a man happiness and distress, heat and cold, honor and dishonor are all the same. A person is said to be established in self-realization and is called a yogi (or mystic) when he is fully satisfied by virtue of aquired knoweldge and realization. Such a person is situated in transcendence and is self-controlled. He sees everything- whether pebbles, stones or gold- as the same." (Chapter 6:6-8) Chapter 9 Exceprts "O Dhananjaya, all this work cannot bind me. I am ever detached, seated as though neutral." Ch 9.9 Purport One should think, in this connection, that the Suprem Personality of Godhead has no engagement. In His spiritual world He is always enaged. In the Brahama-Samhita it is stated: "He is always involved in His eternal, blissful, spiritual activities, but He has nothing to do with material activities." Material activities are being carried on by His different potentcies. The Lord is always neutral in the material activities of the created world. This neutrality is explained here. He is sitting as if neutral...nor is He attached to the creation and annhilation of this world. The living entities take their different forms as species of life according to their past deeds, and the Lord does not interfer with that." Chapter 10 Excerpts "But what need is there, Arujuna, for all the detailed knowledge? With a single fragment of Myself I prevade and support this entire universe." Purport The Supreme Lord is represented throughout the entire material universe by His entering into all things as the Supersoul. The Lord here tells Arjuna that there is no point in understanding how things exist in seperate grandeur. He should see all things as existing due to Krsna's enterting them as Supersoul. From Brahma, the most gigantic material entity, on down to the smallest ant, all entities are existing because the Supreme Lord has entered into and is sustaining each. Worship of demigods is discouraged because even the greatest demigods, such as Brahma and Siva, represent only a part of the Supreme Lord's opulance. The Supreme Lord is asamaurdva, which means that no one is greater than or equal to Him. By studying the opulences of Krsna, one can come to understand why one should worship HIm. Pure devotees concentrate their minds in Krsna consciousness, in full devotional service, and so they worship He who sustains the entire cosmic manifestation by one fraction of His divine yogic power. Chapter 11 Excerpts "My dear Arujuna, anyone engaged in My pure devotional service, freed from the contaminations of previous activites and from mental speculation, and who is friendly to every living entity, certanly comes to me." Chapter 11.55) Part of A Purport Bhagavad-gita is a book directed to the conditioned souls, who are engaged in the material world with the purpose of lording it over nature and who do not know of the real, spiritual life. Bhagavad-gita is meant to sohw how one can understand his spirutal existence and his eternal relationship with the supreme spiritual personality and to teach how to go back home, back to Godhead. Now here is the verse which clearly explains the process by which one can attain sucecss in his spiritual activity: devotional service. So far as work is concerned, one should transfer his energy entirely to Krsna conscious activities, but one should not be attached to the result of the activity; it should be done only for him.... "A devotee is friendly to everyone. Therefore, it is said that he has no enemy. How is this? A devotee situated in Krsna consciousness knows that only devotional service to Krsna can relieve a person from all the problems of life. He has a personal experience of this, and therefore he wants to introduce this system, Krsna consciousness, into human society. There are may examples in history of devotees of the Lord who have risked their lives for the spreading of God consciousness. The favorite example is Lord Jesus Christ. he was crucified by the non-devotees, but he sacrficed his life only for spreading God consciousness. Of course, it would be superficial to understand that he was killed. Similarily, in India also there are many examples, such sa Haridasa Thakura. Why such risk? Beacuse they wanted to spread Krsna consciousness, and it is difficult. A Krsna conscious person knows that if a man is suffering, it is due to his forgetfulness of his eternal relationship with Krsna. Therefore, the highest benefit one can render to human society is to relieve ones neighbor from all material problems. In such a way, a pure devotee is engaged in the service of the Lord. Now, we can imagine how merciful Krsna is to those engaged in His service, risking everything for Him. Therefore, it is sure and certain that such persons must reach the supreme planet after leaving this body. In summary, the universal form of Krsna, which is a temporary manifestation, and the form of time, which devours everything, and even the form of Visnu, four-handed, have all been exhibited by Krsna. Thus Krsna is the origin of all of these manifestations...In the Brahma-samhita it is stated that those who are attached to the Symansudra form of Krsna by love and devotion can see Him always within the heart and cannot see anyting else. One should understand, therfore, that the puprort of the Eleventh Chapter is that the form of Krsna is essential and supreme." Excerpt From Chapter 12 For one who worshps Me, giving up all his activities uto Me and being devoted to Me without deviation, engaged in devotional service and always meditating upon Me, who has fixed his mind upon Me, O son of Prtha, for him I am the swift deliverer from the ocean of birth and death." Chapter 12.6-7 Excerpt From Chapter 13 "He is the source of light in all lumionus objects. He is beyond the darkness of matter and is unmanifested. He is knowledge. He is the object of knowledge, and he is the goal of knowledge. He is situated in everyones heart." Chapter 13.18 * "In this body there is another, a transcendental enjoyer, who is the Lord, the supreme proprieter, who exists as overseer and permitter, and wo is known as the Supersoul. One who undersatnd this philosophy of the material nature, the living entity, and the interaction of the modes of nature is sure to attain liberation. He will not take birth here again, regardless of his position. That Supersoul is perceived by some through meditation, by some thorugh the cultivation of knoweldge, and by others through working without fruitive desire. Again, there are those not conversant in spiritual knowledge who, by hearing from others, begin to worship the Supreme Person. because of their tendency to hear from authorities, they also transecend the path of birth and death."Chapter 13 23-26 * One who sees the Supersoul in every living being and equal everywhere does not degrade himself by his mind. Thus he approaches the transcendental destination. One who can see that all activities are done by the body, which is created of material nature, and that he himself does nothing, actually sees. When a sensible man ceases to see different identities due to different material bodies, he attains to the Brahman conception. Thus he sees that beings are expanded everywhere. Those with the vision of eternity can see that the soul is trascendental, eternal, and beyond the modes of nature. In spite of his contact with the material body, O Arjuna, he is not doing anything, nor is he entangled. Because of its subtle nature, the sky, although all-pervading, does not mix with anything. Similarly, the soul, situtated in Brahman vision, does not mix with the body, though situated in that body. O son of Bharata, as the sun alone illuminates all this universe, so does the living entity, one within the body, illuminate the entire body by consciousness. One who knowingly sees this difference between the body and owner of the body and can understand the process of liberation from this bondage attains to the supreme goal." (Chapter 13.29-35) Chapter 14 Excerpts "By becoming fixed in this knowledge, one can attain to the transcendental nature, like My own, and not to be born at the time of creation or disturbed at the time of dissolution. Purport The particular meaning of this verse is that after acquiring perfect transcendental knoweldge, one aquires qualitive equality with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, becoming free from the repetition of birth and death. One does not, however, lose his identity as an individual soul. It is understood from Vedic literature that the liberated soul who have reached the trascendental planets of the spiritual sky always look to the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, being ennaged in his Transcendental loving service. Even after libearation, such devotees do not lose their individual identities. * O sinless one, the mode of goodness, being purer than the others, is illuminating, and it frees one from all sinful reactions. Those situated in that mode develop knowledge and become conditioned by the sense of happiness. Purport The difficulty here is that when a living entity is situated in the mode of goodness, he becomes conditioned to feeling that he is advanced in knoweldge and is better than others. The best examples are the scientist and the phiolosopher. Each is very proud of his knowledge, and because he generally improves his living conditions, he feels a sort of material happiness. This sense of advanced happiness in condtioned life binds him to the mode of goodness of material nature. As such, he is attracted toward working in that way, he has to take some type of body in the modes of nature. There is no liklihood of liberation or of being transferred to the spiritual world. He may repeatedly become a philosopher, a scientist or a poet and repeatedly be involved in the same disadvantages of birth and death. But due to the illusion of the material energy, he thinks that sort of life is nice. Chapter 15 Excerpts "The living entites in this conditioned world are My fragmental parts, and they are eternal. But due to conditioned life, they are struggling very hard with the six senses, which include the mind." (Chapter 15.7) Purport In this verse, the identity of the living being is clearly mentioned. The living entites are fragmental parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord- eternally. They do not assume individuality in conditioned life and become one with the Supreme Lord in the liberated stated. Each is eternally fragmented. "There are two classes of beings, the fallible and the infallible. In the material world every entity is called fallible, and in the spiritual world eveyr entity is called infallible." Purport Here the Lord is giving, in summary, the contents of the Vendanta-sutra. He says that the living entiteies, who are innumerable, can be divided into two classes- the fallible and the infallible. The living entities are eternally seperated parts and parcels of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. When they are in contact with the material world, they are called jivabutah, and the Sanskirt words given here, sarvana bhutanai, mean that they are fallible. Those who are in oneness with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, however, are called infallible. Oneness means not that they have no individuality, but that there is no disunity. They are all agreeable to the purpose of the Lord. (Chapter 15.16) "Besides these two, there is the greatest living personality, the Lord Himself, who has entered into these worlds and is maintaining them. Because I am transcendental, beyond both the falible and the infalible , and because I am the greatest, I am celebrated both in the world and in the Vedas as the Supreme Person. Anyone who knows Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, without doubting, is to be understood as the knower of everything, and he therefore engages himself in full devotional service, O son of Bharata." Purport There are many philosophical speculations about the constitutional position of living entites and the Supreme Absolute Truth. Now, in this verse, the Supreme Personality of Godhead clearly explains that anyone who knows Lord Ksna as the Supreme Person is actually the knower of everything. The difference between a perfect knower and an imperfect knower is that the imperfect knower simply goes on speculating abou the Absolute Truth, but the perferct knower, without wasting his valuable time, engages directly in Krsna consciousness, the devotional service of the Supreme Lord. Throughout the whole of Bhagavad-gita, this fact is being stressed at every step. And yet there remain so many stubborn commentators on Bhagavad-gita who unnecessarily try to make the Supreme Absolute Truth and the living entites one and the same. Excerpts Chapter 17 "According to one's existence under the various modes of nature, one evolves a particular kind of faith. The living being is said to be of a particular faith according ot the modes he has acquired." Chapter 17.3 Purport Everyone has a particular type of faith, regardless of what he is. But his faith is considered good, passionate or ignorant according to the nature he has aquired. Therefore, according to his particular type of faith, he associates with certain persons. Now the real fact is that every living being, as stated in the Fifteenth Chapter, is origninally the fagmental part and parcel of the Supereme Lord. Therefore, he is originally transcendental to all the modes of material nature. But when he forgets his relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead and he comes into contact with his material nature in conditional life, he generates his own position by association with the different varieties of material nature. The resultant artificial faith and existence are only material. Although one may be conducted by some impression or conception of life, originally he is niguna, or transcendental. Therefore, one has to become cleansed of the material contamination that he has acquired in order to get back to his relationship with the Supreme Lord. That is the only path without fear: Krsna consciousness. If one is situated in Krsna consciousness, then his elevation to the perfectional stage is guranteed. * "Those who parch the material elements of the body, and the Supersoul within it, are to be known as demons." Chapter 17.6) "Charity given in an unpurified place, at an unpurfied time, to unsuitable persons, without proper attention and without respect is said to be in the mode of darkness." Chapter 17.22 Purport Contributions for indulgence in intoxication and gambling are not engcouraged here. That sort of contribution is in the mode of ignorance. Such chairty is not beneficial; rather, it encourages sinful persons. Similarily, if a person gives charity to a suitable person without respect and without attention, that sort of charity is also said to be in the mode of darkness. Chapter 18 Excerpts "Oh Arujuna, if one does everyting as a mater of duty and gives up attachment to the result of his work, his renunciation is said to be in the mode of goodness." Chapter 18.9 Purport Prescribed duites must be performed with this mentality. Everyone should act without attachment for the result and should not be associated with the modes of work. A man working in Krsna consciousness in a factory does not associate himself with the work of the factory, nor with the workers of the factory. He simply works for Krsna. And when he gives up the result for Krsna, his renunciation is said to be transcendental, or in the mode of goodness * "Those who do not hate any inauspicious work, who are not attached to auspicious work and who are situated in the mode of goodness have no doubts about work. It is not possible for an emodied soul to give up all activities. But he who renounces the results of activity is actually renounced. One who does not give up the fruits of his work achieves three kinds of results of death: auspicious, inauspicious and mixed. But those who are in the renounced order of life have no such results to suffer or enjoy. O mighty-armed one, according to Vedanta, there are five causes in the accomplishment of any kind of work. I shall now describe these to you. The place of action, the doer, the senses, the endeavor and ultimately the Supersoul- thes are the five factors of action." Chapter 18.10-14 Purport The instruments of our work are our senses. By those senses we act, or the soul acts, in various ways, and for each and every action there is a different endeavor. But all one's activities depend on the Supersoul, who is acting in Krsna consciousness, under the direction of the Supersoul situated in the heart, naturally is not bound by any activity he performs. Those in complete Krsna consciousness have no responsibility for their actions. Everything is dependent on the supreme will, the Supersoul, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. "One can understand the Supreme Personality as He is only by devotional service. And when one is in full consciousness of the Supreme Lord by such devotion, he can enter into the Kingdom of God." Chapter 18.55 "Give up all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall protect you from all sinful reactions. Therefore you have nothing to fear." Chapter 18.66 Purport It has been said that only one who has become free from all sinful reactions can take to the worship of Lord Krsna. Therefore one may think that unless he is free from all sinful reactions he cannot take to the surrendering process. In answer to such doubts it is here said that even if one is not free from all sinful reactions, simply by the process of surrendering to Sri Krsna he automatically becomes free from them. There is no need of strenuous effort to free oneself from sinful reactions. One should unhesitatingly accept Krsna as the supreme savior of all living entities. With faith and love, one should surrender unto Him. Devotional service to Krsna in full consciousness is the most confidential part of knowledge. This is the esesence of the whole study of the Bhagavad-gita. Conclusion Wow. So, if you made it through all of that congratulations. I thought this was fsacinating and thouroughly enjoyed going through all of my notemarked pages to see what I wanted to share on here and what I didn't want to share. Some of it, I felt, you need to read in the context of the work to really get an appreciation for it. What strikes me most is how these teachings are very much in the agreement with what Jesus the Christ taught. I've decided to read the books of Mark, Matthew, Luke and John in the same fashion as I read the Bhagavad Gita. Will there be obvious connections? The hopeful thing is that if people had the open minded approach to consider that Jesus/Krishan were the same being or acting as a "channel" for the One Creator who goes by many names (some might see that as an insult but whatever) we could really heal this world. Furthter, if people such as Muhammad could be messengers for that divine being instead of someone who embodied the Supreme Personality...that would be even better. With all my heart I wish people will one day consider that possibility. For me, this is a confirmation of conlusions I already came to before, as I've stated. That includes dreams where I was told it doesn't matter what's between this level of being and the one on which the One Creator exists. Others don't matter...all that matters is the Oneness with the One Creator. There are parts of this I will defintey meditate on in future posts. There is so much potential for healing on this planet.
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(I love this photo of my dog Apollo at the beach. To me his aura seems apparent!)
As I sat down to write this blog there were a lot of ideas I considered. I have already written most of the blogs that I want to share for the month of December. As we prepare to plunge into the last tumultious month of the year it's always interesting. This year I'm taking my own advice. I'm focusing on what I have and really entering a meditative state instead of the usual anxiety driven state that I usually enter during this month. I appreciate the fact that I can be an example to others during whatever you want to call the process..be it 'becoming', 'ascending', 'spiritual awakening', 'self realization' or 'self-actualization.' All of these are just labels for the same phenomenon. However, yesterday was very interesting and if I follow the signs for this week I realize that it's going to be a week of letting go of old patterns. This week I will be standing in my own authenticity. The Series Of Synchronistic Events Every week I watch Colette Baron-Reid's oracle card reading for the week. I love watching hers because she describes it as a weather report and not a prediction. She pulled the following cards: Round and Round, Chaos and Conflict, Clean it Up, and The Tribe. Then, as she encourages people to do she asked us to pull a card from one of her decks that we own. I own the Wisdom of Avalon Deck by Collette Baron-Reid. Boy, oh boy was I surprise when I pulled the Disruption card. The Card Reads: "This marker warns of a shaky foundation placed on a fault line. At best, this reminds you that shake-ups are neccesary when you need a wake up call. It's a warning for you to be diligent and alert when making decisions. This can also portend a toppling of plans or ideas. or a total destruction of something hard won, worked for, or desired Be reminded that the way of the God/Goddess is one of mystery and chaos, and chaos is the ultimate cleanser. Disruption brings delays and upsets that have a hidden gift of opportunity within them. This is the time to rethink, rebuild, and refortify that which was previously unstable, or it allows you to begin anew. Without this gift, you wouldn't be adequately supported later on, when you'll need it most The greater message reminds you that, in life, all people, places, concepts, are but fleeting on the path to wholeness. Only Spirit is stable and eternal. Such is the Wisdom of Avalon." I know this week is going to be a disruption to my normal schedule. I'm mostly opening which I'm not really looking forward to...I love sleeping in and have been spoiled for the last week by being able to sleep in. I will also be working at a store that I don't normally work at which is always interesting because it takes me out of my comfortable routine. What's interseting is that I pulled a card to clarify and I received Hawk: "When Hawk appears, expect a message to be delivered to you to aid you in your quest. Perhaps a telephone call from a friend will help you solve a mystery, or a chance meeting with someone may solve a riddle. You may literally see writing on a wall or overhear a conversation between strangers that reveals your own answers unexpectedly. You will know it when it happens. Be open to messages from others, and be aware of omens, and signs in nature. The world is constantly attempting to communicate with us, but we human beings have forggoten how to listen. So, remember who you are- an intrinsic part of the Great Mystery of life. Listen and learn. This is the gift of Hawk as he soars int your life from Avalon's skies." My Current Dreams This very much ties in with some interesting dreams I've been having involving water and breaking a boundary. Water always represents the subconscious which is always in tune with spirit. 11/27/17- Dreamt I was in a boat and I had to pierce a bubble that created a false world that I had made. I pierced the bubble and a wave of water washed through the town I'd been in. I saw Angel, my dog, swimming along but she was being sucked into a drain. I pulled her out of the water into my boat, she shook herself dry and sat down. 11/26/17- I dreamt that I was swimming in the ocean but didn't realize it. I held a sword and swam upward. The tip of the sword pierced the top of the ocean first and then I emerged from it sucking in air as I looked around in amazement unsure how I had ended up in the ocean in the first place. 11/24/17- I dreamt I was with two siblings. They wanted to save their brother. We went to a table where their brother was minitaure in size. Maybe two inches tall. He was in a fake graveyard with these fake beings like ghosts that he thought was his tribe including his dead parents. He yelled at his brother and sister that they had abandoned their ways but it was clear he was under the enchantment. The beings he thought were family and friends of the past were just random spirits posing to keep him trapped. We were trying to find a way to end the enchantment. 11/23/17- A dream where I was visualizing a cup with dirty water. A voice told me that I just needed to will the vessel to be clean and it would be...all that was needed was will. Nothing else. The process didn't need to be complicated. 11/22/17- A dream about a baby. I had to solve a riddle so that it would live. Meditation Well, that's the latest batch of dreams. The theme is clear about having to cross some sort of boundary in order to progress on my spiritual path. The baby is more likely what many call the spiritual self. I have backslid a little when it comes to seeing the One Creator/Christ in others. I have been a little petty in the last month and reacting from a very base emotional level. My husband and I are currently trying to get pregnant. I promised him I would give trying to have children myself one more good try. That brings back a lot of emotional baggage I thought was healed. I know, if I do or do not get pregnant, it will be a very transformative healing process. We just started trying this month, and though I thought I was pregnant it just turned out to be raging hormones that were unbalancedafter a year of being off of birth control. I was extremely disappointed becauses I'm so ready to have a definitive answer regarding if I will ever give birth to a child in this life. Naturally, this is bringing a lot of unhealed emotions to the surface from the experience I had with my daughter Lilith-Ann who was born prematurely and I had to decide to take off of life support. I have found it way to easy to slide back into old emotional patterns regarding this situation. When I found out I barely missed working enough hours in October to have insurance in December (when I might have gone on disability if I had gotten pregnant right away) I freaked out. Now, it wasn't as bad as it would have been three to four years ago but it was more then I thought I was capable of experiencing after this years spiritual development. The new baby that I have to solve a riddle to save really seems to suggest that it's this new spiritual approach I've cultivated this year. Choosing to have a baby will test the peace that I have attained and the emotional stabiity that I thought I had achieved. On one level, that peace has remained strong throughout this rocky start to the experience of trying to get pregnant. When faced with the idea that I will not have insurance for at least part of the experience I realized that's okay. I'll survive regardless. We might have to dig deep and work hard to put ourselves back into a good financial position after the child is born but that shouldn't discourage me from trying to have a child. There isn't much I can do with the conditions that I find myself in and, as always, I know the world will continue to turn and everything will work itself out if there are kinks in the process. I cannot, however, account for the hormones that leave me a bit unbalanced. Being a woman can be tough. The only solution I can imagine is to extend my meditation time and perhaps rise early enough to where I can meditate at the start of the day to get into the right peaceful place to approach my day. Why Am I Sharing This? I think it's important to share this part of the path with others. I think all of us struggle and even reach plateaus where it's very tempting to go back to the old conitioned ways of doing things. This is especially true when faced with really difficult challenges in life. I've thought about going back and clearing out blogs that reveal when I was really off balance. When I was really into conspiracy theories and exploring the concept of Armageddon and all of that. However, I think that's an important part of my journey and, although now I don't believe exactly what I say in some of those older posts, I think it might help others to see that my Path is not always easy or straight forward. When it comes to heading into this new experience of trying to get pregnant again and hopefully having a child...I think of Joseph Campbells Hero's Journey. As he states, in a good life we are constantly embarking and finishing that cycle. Each time we go on the Hero's Journey we learn a bit more about ourselves. Already, in this life I feel I've lived the equivalent of four or five lifetimes. It's a constant cycle of completion and reinvention. I know that I am at the cusp of such an event right now. Next year will bring a new stage in my life, , a new state of being and a new set of circumstances. I'm purging the cycle that occured in the last three years and moving on to the next chapter in my life. Right now, the page are blank and filled with potential. This is my favorite state, when things are still just pure potential and pure possibility with no indication of what may or may not happen so I intend to enjoy this moment. Conclusion There are old beliefs and behavorial patterns that I'm working on releasing right now. They are very deep because they come from a very trauamatic time in my life. Perhaps, this is a week where that challenge is met and overcome. I certainly have developed a pattern regarding this situation. The call to remain authentic during the circumstances is very clear. The way forward, it seems, is to ground myself in god-consciousness and approach the situation from that loving perspective. Extra meditation to keep myself grounded and balanced is defintely my goal for this month. Not slipping into a pessimistic state of mind and releasing negative expecations that surround the Christmas subject is my goal. Time spent working on my gratitude journal will also be well spent. A month of reflection on this past year and the cycle that's ending that started in 2013/2014 is defintely welcome in my experience. I enjoy times of reflection and digging into an experience to find what gold I uncovered. Especially, under such challenging circumstances. I love entering into a meditative, reflective and almst hermet like state to appreciate what I've experienced, learned and what I can apply to the scope of my life going forward. I love when synchronicity occurse and the path forward becomes a little bit more clear.
I was extremely busy this week and didn't have time to focus on the next Maslow's Hieararchy of Needs vidoe. At first, I contempalted doing the concept I had in my head for this video as a Traveler's Notes but I wanted to do another personal video for my channel.
So, I decided to do a Vlot video instead. I think I'll probably do occasional blogs becuase I know people actually like seeing a person. I think it's important to get the energy from the person who's doing the videos and so I understand why people would want to see who's behind the video. I also love the concept of focusing on what we do have this holiday season instead of our wish list. The size of the turkey on the table and the amount of presents under the treet do not matter at the end of they day. The season is about being thankful and looking forward to the future with an open heart. I hope that this challenge that I introduce is a practice people pick up because I think that change of focus is badly needed for most people. There is a reason so many commit suicide or pass away during the holiday season. Next week, I'll be covering the Esteem portion of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs which is really exciting and I might need to break it into two videos because there is so much information. I hope your Thanksgiving was fantastic! I don't pick up many books, these days, that are outside of spiritual concepts and I haven't read a young adult novel since I was in my teens. A friend of mine let me borrow her copy saying she highly recommended this book and I gave it a go.
I was really skeptical that I could be drawn in but if anything has that potential it is the Star Wars series because it is so very much alive in my imagination. I read this book in four days. I couldn't put this book down. Yes, it's very much geared towards young adults. Yet, there was an amazing depth to this book I didn't think would be there. I'll share one quote from the book that really surprsied me. This is from page 404 near the end: "Sitting cross-legged on the ground, Breha studied her daughter as she spoke, "We look at our challengees- at our lessons- as things we master in order to achieve our goals. But the most important lessons in life sometimes have to do with what happens when we fail. How do we know when to surrender and walk away? How do we judge our own part in our failures? Is it something to learn from, or just bad luck? And how do we pick ourselves up again afterward?" There were hints at the new movie coming out this year but nothing blatant. I highly recommend Claudia Gray's Star Wars Leia Princess of Alderaan. Alll the major outlets including Target sells this book so it should be easy for you to get your hands on. My view of Christianity has really changed and grown over the last three years.
I admit I have an open mind and I will consider all religions that reflect what I read in the bible of Jesus's words. As I delved more into finding out if there was a more universal religion that underlies all religion it called my attention to th enegative influence of Rome on developing Christianity. The Roman Dogma is all that prevents Christans from believing in a more expansive and inclusive perspective of other religions. Indeed, both Islam, which as been called the enemy of Chrisitanity in some main stream media and the Hindu religion recognize Jesus as a messenger of God. The problem comes when there is the insistance that Jesus was a God or is a part of God or a sort of Demi-god. As I thought about it the logic that Rome forged Christianity into their own image becomes blatant. The how and why the depiction of Jesus' life was so distorted is obvious. This distorted view has given rise to all sorts of terrible consequences. War being the most obvious. The second is that people who only study dogma go so far as to claim that Jesus was a myth. There is an wikipedia page that sums all of it up: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_myth_theory. Further, royalty in other countries, just like the Pope, defend their positions as king and queen as being divinely given through bloodlines that lead back to Jesus' family. I'm just going to sum up important aspects of the dogma that Roman obvoiusly twisted tohey their own advantage so that they can have Power. Rome Wanted Only One Religion Even before Jesus' death this was the tradition of the Roman Empire. There goal was to have one world religion so that everyone would worship their government. That would give their government unwavering authority over all human kind. That's why when they took over Israel they placed a statue of Zeus in the Temple of Jerusalem. To them, as a people, all religions were the same religion. They believed in a universal religion but most importantly their Caesar was called their savior. The Caesar was considered a Savior because he stamped out chaos by uniting all of the nations. (http://christianmonthlystandard.com/index.php/savior-in-the-roman-world/). The Caesar was also a supposed Demi-God of partly human and partly Godly birth. Rome, then, already had a propensity towards developing a singular relgion to rule the world. The problem was that their pantheon just wasn't universally accepted absolutely rejected in Israel. This has lead to some people arguing that Rome invented Jesus Christ in order to placate the rebelious local groups. Throw Out Paul's Epistles Someone once told me t it is Paul who explains the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I have never liked Paul (I'll leave out a past life memory where I was try to convince people that what Jesus taught was already being misrepresented). You can read about that here: https://bridgetkorns.weebly.com/blog/category/past-lives The problem is that Paul never met Jesus. He was a 'convert.' The story is he encountered the risen Christ on the road and became a believer. I believe Peter had his own political purposes for spreading Christianity and he was crafty in the ways of man which landed him the role of leading the eaerly church. When you track down the history of it the early church was initially turned over to Jesus older half brother (son of Joseph but not of Mary). He was the one that Jesus left his followers to but there was debate within the early church to let this outsider, Paul, come in and start to accepting non-jewish followers. Before long Paul was in charge of the fledgling church. There is a little problem with this, however, because (especially with the Romans) outside believers brought their own beliefs to the religion. Paul never met Jesus. He may have been taught some of the secret teachings from the disciples but he looked at all of it through a Roman lense. Roman's had a very different view of God from the Jewish people and there is no indication that Paul attempted to learn Jewish mysticisim. Instead, he approach the religion as he had been taught. That meant Jesus had to be a demi-god, God was more like Zeus, the Holy Spirit was Mercury and the Devil was more like Pluto who is based on the Greek Hades. So, what he created was very much a Roman religion. The Various Roman Councils When Rome was failing as an Empire and decided to make Christianity their main relligion what was considered 'acceptable' was debated in councils. That means it didn't come from the first church. They didn't go back to the source. They debated and decided what they wanted it to mean for political reasons. They left out the gospels that didn't mesh with their Roman point of view. They then sent out word that all Gospels that were not approved of by them were to be destroyed. Valuable information was lost, possibly older manuscripts then those of the approved books, and the Roman's complete control over the religion and what it stood for was established. They also banned common people from reading the approved bible by reserving it only for the Clergy. Ultimately, these men were gathering to discuss the best way to save their Empire. The best way for them to save the Empire was to place heavy emphasis on the importance of submission to authority. They managed this through fear and guilt. They told people that if they did not get right with church authorities that they would be condemned to eternal suffering. They made the most important symbol of their church the torture, starved Jesus on his crucifix the central focus and told people it was their fault he died in this way to have their sins forgiven. However, there is no indication in Matthew, Mark, John, or Luke that Jesus was starving at the time of his crucifixion. In Jewish tradition the Devil/Satan was actually a term for the sinful imuplses of man. The devil was a part of the human psych similar to what is now called the ego or in Hindu sense gratification. With the addition of Roman opinion and point of view on the matter the Devil become personified and we just ended up with a version of Pluto/Hades. Thus, a trio pantheon of the Gods was introduced: God the Father (Zeus), God the Son (Apollo), and the Devil (Pluto/Hades). Then there is the Holy Spirit which isn't really explained. In fact if you look up Holy Spirit Catholic Belief and you end up with google saying this: "For the majority of Christian denominations, the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost is the third person (hypostasis) of the Trinity: the Triune God manifested as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; each person itself being God." In general Christianity became the same Roman religion with fewer players. This conveinantly took the introspective religion of Judaisim and made it about forces that existed outside of the human being. God is a punishing god that will destroy most of humanity for their sinful ways. The Devil, the evil God equal to the first, tempts man into sinning. Jesus, the good God and Son of the vengeful God, must save the people by protecting them from his fahter and the Devil because people can't save themselvs. The only way to show devoition to Jesus for people to save them is to go to church and support the Pope who inherited his divinity from the spiritual lineage of Christ. In fact, just as the Caesars before the Pope's rule claimed to be demi-gods and thus have the divine right to rule due to their heritage...the Pope is considered the only divine ruler because he inherits the status of Jesus. One look at the Pope in all his regaila and one look at Jesus on the Cross makes me wonder how exaclty people can believe the Pope is the spiritual descendant of Jesus or that the Pope could act on Jesus's authority. Christianity as Psychological Warfare? I do agree that Rome was the first to use psychological warfare. By casting out the books that emphasized Oneness and the idea of reincarnation they removed the heart of the teachings of Jesus. Of course, they couldn't comletely remove them from the bible without modifying it too much. So, there are traces such as Jesus's referral to John the Bapitist as the rincarnation of Elijah and the disciples asking if the blind man's parents had sinned or he had sinned before being born (9:1-12) and the reference where Jesus, in John 10:30, says, "I and the father are One." Further, they had all texts that were not acceptable for their political goals burned. The only way we have the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Truth are from caches of scrolls that were hidden by the devout. Even further, they banned the church goers from reading the bible themselves because they could not completely eradicate and change the words in the accepted books or the followers would notice. They also introduced the concept that the people must be submissive to others and the government in order to receive riches in the afterlife. They completely removed the concept of self-responsibility. By making all of the 'Gods' of the bible, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirt and the Devil outside influences they discouraged self-introspection. They also created the chaste ruling class of Priests and Nuns which have absolutely no basis in the bible what-so-ever. Jesus never said that procreating was ungodly and Rabbis have always been able to get married because pro-creation was considered a commandment. The introduction of chastity to the religion was a purely Roman Catholic invention. Only the ruling class and the Pope, in this belief system, were deemed worthy of enlightenment or knowing God. They firmly placed themselves between the people and the concept of Enlightenment. In the tradition of the Roman Catholic church a normal practioner cannot know or be forgiven by God without the chruch. The Church, and therefore Rome, became the only way and means through which people could become right with God. Of course, that meant paying Rome taxes. The Kings and Queens were appointed and given divine authority through Rome. All in all, what Christianity became thanks to the Romans was psychological warfare that scared people into being good tax paying citizens. Conclusion In our age people are looking at the historical context of the bible. Many are trying to get back to what Jesus actually taught and not the bloated creation it became at the hands of the Roman Empire with it's dogma. The Roman Empire clearly wanted to last forever (and in a way it has) through the worship of the Pope. The people who empower such dogma are those who fail to read the bible themselves, fail to take self-responsiblity for their spiritual development and continue to want to be lead by others. In order to really understand the poisonous teaching that many who call themselves Christians teach you just have to look at Rome. Knowing how Rome influenced the bible and dogma is important. For peace on Earth Christians need to give up the idea that Jesus was the Son of God and was thefore a God of his own. In fact, ther eare 28 biblical passages that say there is only One God. Not three our four. One God. You can read these for yourself here: "http://mit.irr.org/28-biblical-passages-which-explicitly-teach-there-only-one-god. Jesus specifically says that the most important commandment is to know, "The Lord our God is One," Mark 12:29. Therein lies the fallacy of the Trinity that the Catholic church proposes. Jesus was a messanger and he never said he had more powers then any other human being, " Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things then these, because I am going to the Father." John 14:12-14. To me it's no wonder that the Roman Catholic Church banned their people from reading the bible. They were mis-representing it and exploiting believers in every way and would not have had any authority had they not. They were cunning in changing the religion over a span of a hundred years into the supersitious nonsese that it became. I personally throw out all of Pauls interpertations. I don't even consider them even slighltly important. He is somewhat honest but, agian, it's tainted. Jesus's recorded words stand on their own and make total sense without additional interpertation needed. Also, knowing that Christians were persecuted in that time we have to take into account written information from that period whether it was by Paul or in Revelation were coded for believers only to fool the Roman's at that time. Knowing the history of the bible and how it was developed is important. Knowing the history of the church and how dogma was invented is even more important. To have the discernment to know what part of "Christian" tradition's is which is paramount to a true seeker. Also, knowing and understanding Jewish traditions and teachings really reveal the true meaninig of what Jesus said and believed. There is ony One God. Not God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, and the Devil. ONE. The only battle for good and evil that exists is within the human soul. That is the the divine Unity of the Christ within and the selfish sense gratification of the Ego/Devil. Only you can decide what wins within you. Do you choose the aspect of you that is part of the unity of the One Creator or do you choose the seflish Ego/Devil within yourself?
This video, to me, was common sense.
However, I see this video as a great accomplishment in self-expression at the same time. This is distillment of knoweldge that I have gained over the last ten years. Now, had I not been on the path that I have walked I'm sure I wouldn't know half of this and it's not something I consider obvious. Belonging To A Group Is Not The Answer As I show in the video Groups are not the way to find Love & Belonging. Group Think pervades and that mentality is extremely deterimental. As the Standford Prison Experiment, the Milgram Experiment and the Asche Conformity Experiment shows...in groups and with authority figures people lose all sense of moral responsibility. Is it any wonder why so many "protests" turn violent? A mob is a mob no matter what they call themselves and whether they are trying to kill Frankenstein or destroy a politicians career. Healing Self-Rejection In the end, Love and Belonging comes from within the individual. I know most people reject what they consider 'themselves' or have a feeling of unworthiness. That's why a person needs to turn within and explore who/what they are and define it in some way as different from other people. Knowing that it's perfectly okay to be different and that 'normal' is an exteremely flexible subjective term that means something different to every person...should be common knowledge. At this point, the most important part should be defining likes and dislikes of the individual. Different Levels Require Different States Of Being Now, when we get to the top of the pyramid, Self-Actualization, I'll talk about Oneness and how in meditation you discover that you are not your thoughts. That, however, is too advanced for someone at this level. Just as I wouldn't expect someone who is starving to be thinking about their likes and dislikes I wouldn't suggest that someone who isn't even aquaintend with themselves to start meditating. In fact, at this point I would discourage meditation. If you do not feel loved or a sense of belonging the last thing you need to do is start meditating. Meditation only amplifies the state of mind you are in so you will just become more aware of your sense of lack. Instead, it's better to start journaling. I strong sense of identity, likes and dislikes need to be formed...in many ways you are creating your ego at this state. I am this, I am not that...I have this accompishment but I don't want that one. This level and this step in the process cannot be skipped without devastating consequences. Someone who tries to go from this state to that of Self-Actualization will completely confused. Enemeshed Relationships The people who have the hardest time with this level are those who are in Enmeshed Relationships with their parents. They never reached the point of rebellion and seperation with the parents. This phase occurs twice within childhood- Once at the age of two and again in the teenage years. This seperation is extremely important because it requires the child to identify their needs and wants as different from the parents. When this seperation doesn't occur the nees and wants of the child are often repressed while the needs/wants of the parents take dominance. The child does not have an identity that is seperate from their parents. In fact, a child will psychologically 'own' anthing that happens to their parent as their issues. This is doubly burdening and depressing because that child (even if they are in their forties) can do nothing to change or help the parents situation. Only the parent can do that and so the child is left in a psychological state of limbo resulting in a lot of resentment. Simply put, this is horribly unhealthy. People trapped in the Enmeshed state with their parents will often form enmeshed relationships with other people. They might wonder why their love life doesn't take off...and it's because enmeshed people will only attracted enmeshed relationships. Again, the resentment will build and the unidividualized person will leave the relationship blaming the other person for being too narccistic and suffocating. Spiritual Mission I've explained before that Edgar Cacye stated that the purpose of experiencing life here on Earth is to, "Know theyself, as yourself and yet one with the Creator." In Group Think you don't have a sense of self. You don't know yourself because you're just an anonymous gear in the big group machine absolved or responsibility. In Enmeshed relationships you don't hae a sense of self because you cannot define the boundary between the people love and yourself. There is no seperation there and no boundaries. A hungry man must have food to eat in order to reach the Safety level of Maslow's Hiearchy of Needs... A person who doesn't feel safe and is always running from danger must have a safe place to rest his head to reach the Love and Belonging level of Maslow's Hiearchy of Needs... A person who doesn't filled loved or that they Belong must turn within and learn to love themselves or they won't reach the next level of Esteem. This is the reason why the schools idea to teach self-esteem failed so horribly. They were skipping major steps in the process. Groups cannot provide Love and Belonging and a sense of identity. That's why so many in the latest generation simply cannot think outside of the group they identify with and have such suffering when confronted with something they consider 'different.' The very idea of different threatens their self-proclaimed group identity. How Did I Reach This Point? Oh, there have been many cycles of failed attempts. First, I've never been able to associate with a group completely. There are always people who I think are absolutely ignorant and they usually end up as leaders. I've always been a loaner striking out and doing my own thing. Even as a teenager, as I was discussing with my best friend Jennifer, I never plaid truth or dare because- quite, honestly- I had no interest in telling other people scandalous truths or dares that they could use against me. I never really fell for group peer pressure. My writing really helped me. While writing I created a charecter, not based on me, that I thought was really strong and I started to emulate the charecter that I had created. I literally transformed myself into that charecter bit by bit. Her name was Talonea. I created a charecter in the Final Fanasy Online Game with that name. I still have a gmail account in that name. I also returned to college and earned my three degrees. All of this gave me a sense of identity. I could say I was the Starbucks Barrista that was going to college and that's something our society absolutely admires in every way. Being a Barrista and going to college is highly respected in our society for reasons I can't fanthom. This all contributed to what I thought was the state of self-actualization at the time. However, I've discovered that was only this level of Love and Belonging. This is when I met what I consider my tribe. I still have strong ties to everyone I worked with back then. I love tracking them in their various courses after the 'bucks. My family, my tribe, is all over the country and many of them are still at the 'bucks or returned to it as I did...but that is a tale for another level. However, I did remain enmeshed with my mother. I also went on to create an enmeshed marriage that has since been recalibrated. So, I am not hypocrite here. Everything contained in this blog is 100% what I myself have gone through. That's why I understand it so intimately and understand the people stuck at thish level so well...because I've been there and done that. That level of understanding is what psychologists lack because they usually aren't interested in self-development or self-undrestasnding...they're still looking 'out there' for answers. Again, I thought this stage was self-actualization when I reached it back in 2007. Instead, I would call this state of achieving identity and wholeness of self. This is the part where you learn to, "Know yourself as yourself." Here, a person needs to create their identity. Even if you borrow it from a ficitional charecter and emulate that charecter to whatever degree you wish...you become the person you can admire and love. The part about being One with the One Creator will not come until you complete this stage. How can you come to know the One Creator if you cannot tell the difference between the One Creator and yourself?
Boy was I disappointed by this movie.
I was interested in seeing this movie because I'm a big fan of the original series that Stephen King wrote. As a King fan I'm more interested in the psychology behind his books then I am the horror part of it. I love to peer within Stephen King's mind and see where it wonders. There are some really good tidbits. For example, in Salem's Lot (my favorite book) the symbols that can be used to fight off vampires can be ordinary objects. To be a talisman of protection one just merely believe in the idea that the talisman is capable of fending off evil. For people who are fans of his horror the Dark Tower is a strange mix of things. That's another reason I never believed a movie could be done. I don't see it as appealing to a wide audiance. When I first heard they were going to do a movie my thought was that it couldn't be done. Then I understood that this is the sequel to the series...it's not really a part of the series at all but I really didn't understand what that meant until I watched the movie. Eddie and Susannah are not in the movie at all while they were main charecters in the Dark Tower series Having now seen the movie I understand what they mean by the movie being a sequel. **Spoilers** If you read the Dark Tower series you know at the end Rowland did reach the Dark Tower. He climbed the stairs and confronted the Magician inside the Dark Tower. Upon killing the Magician Rowland reset the entire cycle. Turns out that there must always be a Magician and a Gunslinger struggling against one another. If one gets killed it just resets the entire cycle...or age or whatever you want to call it. This movie, then, happens after that reset. Jake, of course, is in New York as he was before...and Susannah and Eddie never go to the Gunslinger's World. They are never 'drawn.' That was a brilliant idea. Sadly, the movie completely falls flat. First off, that they kill the Magician in the first movie and don't suggest he survived made me roll my eyes. That's like killing off Darth Maul in the very first prequel of Star Wars. Of course, it's worse because Matthew McConaughy did a wonderful job of depicting an interesting Man In Black. Not to mention it really ruins the entire crescendo of the final Dark Tower book that states the Magician and the Man In Black must always exist...killing the Magician should have reset all of the worlds...and it compeltley negates the theory behind the movie being a sequeal and the missing charecters. I was never drawn into Jake's world. The kid just wasn't relateable. He really came off with a sort of Sixth Sense type feel which feels overplayed in movies. I never really related to Rowland either and, while I was getting that he was going off that righteous bad ass feel of Clint Eastwoods in "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly..." which was exactly what Stephen King modeled Rowland after...there was just something off. I don't blame the actor, I think it's because the movie was too PG13 and really missed the gut wrenching agony that the Magician put Rowland through...there was a long relationship hinted at there that might have been portrayed through bleak flashbacks or something...but it was a total missed opportunity. This would have been a compelling television series but a movie just didn't fit. The director sucked. The script, sadly, just wasn't movie quality. The entire movie felt flat. There were points in the movie where there should have been emotional connection but all of the charecter's were so one dimensional it was hard to care when they died. Even charecters that you would think you should be connecting with...it just wasn't there. I was more upset when the Man in Black died then I was when Jake's mother died. There was a moment I was hoping that the movie would take a fresh turn but it didn't. I really hoped that at the end the Dark Tower would fall. That would have drawn me in...but that happened very late in the movie...to the point where if that's when things got interesting it would have had to of been a three or four hour movie. Instead, we got an ending where Jake and the Gunslinger go back to the Gunslingers world. Overall, I was very disappointed by this movie. This was the first stab at creating this world and hopefully someone will give it another go. The idea was brilliant and it could have worked if the story was better or the director was better. The director, on this one, just didn't seem to have the vision. This movie was on the edge of becoming amazing, it had all of the elements and a little better execution could have gotten it there...but that didn't happen. Instead, this feels like a made for television movie that's meant to launch a series. Just as my favorite reviewer, Chris Struckman, said. If they had gone with a standalone movie with the potential of a sequel it could have been great...but they shouldn't have killed off their villian so easily and the ending was just way too campy. There are deeper riches in the Stephen King universe and the Dark Tower stories. Hopefully, in the future someone else will take a stab at it and do a better job. I've come to realize that I have reached an odd pinnacle on my Path.
I didn't intend to end up where I am...I could not have conceived of where I am. I have this unshakable confidence that I didn't know was possible and a quite mind. I still have strong emotional reactions, that's part of being human, but they are small now. I realize what they mean, examine the situation they revolve around and make a choice. I am no longer controlled by thoughts of ear or doubt. I know, regardless I will survive. There will be a nother sunset and another sunrise. I know I had Four major goals on my quest. 1. To obtain the knowingness that Jesus eluded to in the Bible (and yes, he said people could obtain it...in fact in John 14:12 he said, "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the father." 2. To obtain faith. Which I admit I did not have even when I was baptised and really only grew into having the last two years. I really had no deep trust in the Universal Forces until I reall understood what Oneness meant. Once I realized that I've had an unshakable faith and no fear. 3. To obtain peace. In my prior state of being I can't say I knew peace. I was never really entirely comfortable. I never really felt safe. There is a really good reason why Safety is on the second tier of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. 4. Awaken Within The Dream (I didn't even know what this meant for a long time). Now, I can say that these were the major themes in my life. Now that I've obtained them I'm note really sure what I'm supposed to do...just as when I realized Oneness I was shocked the world still turned, I still woke up for work and I still went about my ordinary life. I'm not sure what I thought would occur at this point. I can say it's defintely not what ended up happening. There is one pecular difference about my every day life now as opposed to before 2014...but I'll get to that in the conclusion. Knowingness I think it's kind of rare that I read the bible and wanted to obtain the Knowingness Jesus had. I haven't run into any Christian who has professed that desire. Sadly, I fear most of them would think it's blasphemy despite my favorite bible quote Matthew 11:28-11:30. However, I've run into very few Christians who've read, let alone studied in depth, the bible. I kind of take it for granted that I read the bible cover to cover when I was a teenager and continue to pick it up and review certain passages. Or that I read alternative views from the ideas agreed upon by Rome that are still taught ini the majority of churchs (more on that in my next blog). In fact, I've come to the realization most people want to be saved by something outside of themselves. They don't want to heal themselves. They don't want to find the answers within. They don't want to do the work neccesary. Life is so much easier if someone is willing to do it for you. In fact, Jesus never claimed to heal people. Instead, over and over again he told people that their own faith healed them. Mark 5:34, Luke 17:19, Mark 10:52 and Luke 5:70. This is very similar to the placebo effect in science. Because people believe so strongly that a drug will cure them they can be given a sugar pill and it will cure them 70% of the time. People believed so strongly that Jesus could heal them that they were healed without him having to do anything. Jesus knew that it wasn't him that healed those people but their faith/belief. Faith Now, this was really something I couldn't grasp for most of my life. Sure, there was belief but not faith. To be honest, when other people talked about faith I really didn't think they had it...I could see right through them. I can't think o fmany people who have faith. Now, you could say this has to do with my ability to 'read' people. I think that might be partly true but I think everyone can tell when someone doesn't really believe what they say. Often times, it's their actions that betray them. I really didn't gain Faith until I understood Oneness. That state of Oneness, as I have explained before, negates Fear completely. There is nothing to fear because a part of me will always exist. However, I do admit that it takes a certain amount of bravery to realize this and let go of personality/ identity/ego. The idea that we are a fragment of a reflection of a divine personality can feel threatening. The reason it's threatening is because we have such a strong sense of self- the ego- and the idea that our current personality/incarnation is just as temporary as the dandelions in our grass...well, one might feel that belief is fatal. However, you learn it's anything but...and if you're open to the possibility you slowly integrate it into your life. That faith that all of this experience of Bridget Korns is valuable and that it will never be forgotten by the One Creator allows me to look at this entertaining creation in a very different way...and to have faith because this body is destined to perish in some way...but the memories and experiences will not. I cannot describe this to anyone. The glimpse I caught of this was with my past life regressions. I was able to get the flavor of being those other version of myself...and understand the essence at the core of those experience lives eternally. The fact I can look at my life as Ana in the Eastern US, the life as the Muslim Bedouin, the life as the English hat maker, the life as the orphan turned Nun in Jerusalem and the life of a Egyptian girl...and know they are me and yet in a different form..that's the only way I can comprehend the One Creator or "Divine Personality" as the Hindus call it. Like an actress who plays different roles in movies...those charecters isn't the actress. But within that, within that realization, I can grasp the bigger picture and have an unwavering faith. Not a faith that I will get everything I want...no that desire completely disapperes. At my core I am everything and I have had everything at some point in my experience. Yes, I do like to buy little trinkets but do so more for amusement then I do out of some desire that I must have it. Peace The deep peace I feel in my soul even when looking at chaos and the sadness of some people's plight is not something I could dream being possible. All of it comes with the shifts in perspective that I've undergone. I know, thinking that I could forgive a murderer is extreme. I thought it was extreme when I felt that shift in my heart. What the heck right? Well, I know now that person is locked in a deep trap of the mind. They are so stuck within Ego they can't think of way out. They didn't have anyone that could help them to see the light. They missed their opportunity in this life to do things right. They might, with time be able to recover. They might be able to redeem themselves in this life somehow...but to make that *HUGE* mistake of killing another person...that says they are deeply at war within themselves. When someone kills another it's a way of killing themselves...it has hardly anything to do with the victim. That's sad. That's the saddest state that a human being...that a soul...can reach. I read something interesting int the Bhavavad-Gita the other day. The person who provides information and explaination of the different verses, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhativedanta Swami Prahhupada, stated that it was far better to kill a murder so that he repays his sin in the current then life to have to experience it in the next life. Wow! Talk about long vision regarding mercy! I know deep down there are reasons for everything. Often simple reasons. I know that humanity is like a Gordian Knot. Each of us are seeking to untie it. We chase strands but we only have parts of the truth. Our psyches are tied in these knots and we are trying desperately to unwinde our minds and all of the conditioning of society. We are told we must care about so many things that mean so very little. Until each of shares our strand of our knowledge the full possibility of the entire story cannot be known. However, I also know that I'm just a fragment. I know that there is an intact Divine Personality that does know the purpose and that there is always order even in apparent chaos. There is an order in that Divine Personality...it's just all of us little shards that need to sort ourselves out...find our places in the mirror so we can see the full shape of it. I also know I've gone through terrible things in past lives. I know tomorrow comes regardless... That's where seeing things in life as Opportunities and not Obstacles comes in handy. Each thing we might see as a stumbling block came to us from our Higher Self as a form of learning experience. We can choose to learn from the experience or we can choose to be insane and repeat the same pattern of behavior and experience it again. All of it depends on our Interpretation and our ability to read the terrain of our own inner psyche. All of it depends on whether we see the struggle as a learning experienice or just unfair. Also knowing that everything is a temporary experience is extremely handy. Also, the concept of Soul Contracts is helpful. That most of the hardships people face is chosen by them to learn from. Even if it's a very bad experience, such as when I lost my daughter...such traumatic experiences can lead to the most fruitful lessons. So, yes, they are absolutely worth it and our souls absolutely know it. I would deny such suffering to no one since there is so much potential growth in the healing. Awakening In The Dream This is an abstract concept. Yet, more and more people are talking about the Awakening. To be awake in the dream is to know that this is the dream of the Divine Personality...or Adam. I think this is an important concept most don't see..it's buried, as I said in some Sources. THe Jewish Kabbalah, the Edgar Cacye Material, the Ra Material, and A Course In Miracles. I view life from a different perspective now that I know I will continue on...not as Bridget but as the essence of the sum of all the experiences that I have had. It's a bit like a video game. I know that people agree to have the experiences they are having much as they agree to experience the video game when they buy it at the store. Messed up stories might exist in those games, but they agree to that story because it's entertaining, fun and the learn from it. Each is working on their own lessons. I cannot nor should I have any say in what they do or do not experience. Any good psycholgist knows only people who are feeling acute pain really choose to change. So, it's childish and it dishonors human suffering to say we want an easy world where everything is given to us. I've found the most beautiful riches that I possess in the darkest night of my soul. I've found everything I gained that was tough was absolutely worth it. The journey, more then the goal was worth it. In fact, much of our literature and movies depict exactly that. Humanity, it seems believes that we would like to think that when we lose everything or everything is on the line that we can rise to the pinnacle of our abilites..unless of course we let it cripple us into a victim where we want revenge the rest of our lives. I am no Social Warrior and I discourage people from being such a thing. To try and force your perspectives on another person is just plain immoral. There is a lack of empathy and understanding in such an approach...yes, sometimes people make mistakes but sometimes you have to fail in order to learn a lesson. In fact, I value mastering something that took a lot of trys...such as solving a puzzle in a video game far more then I value something I can do effortlessly. I will remeber the puzzle that took a lot of trys and what it felt like to succeed...but I'll take for granted what I was given effortlessly. Conclusion I didn't expect to obtain the four things I listed. I have no idea where to go from here. I sit at peace and I look at a world of fear. Yet, the people love their fear. They love their boogymen. They love the idea something outside of them brings bad or good luck. They love their teachers who say they do not need to do anything themselves but just follow and pay the people who seem to be wiser or more spiritual for information. They love their demons. They love the concept of a Dark Army and an Army of Light. Never realizing that's a projection of the battle of Darkens and Light within them. Recently, I was watching a positive and uplifting YouTube video... it had a few thousand views. On the side bar there was a recommendation for a video about A Demon Army that lives within Earth. It had thirty thousand views. I don't think any video of my positive uplifting channels have so many views...even if I combine several of the videos. I sat stunned for a moment. Saddened really. I felt the same thing talking to someone I know recently. She was told by a healer she could learn to heal herself. But she didn't want to...just as she's not interested in my teachings or what I have learned. She's only interested in talismans that wil bring her good luck, fortune, and protection for bad people/events. I feel like Diana at the end of Wonder Woman after killing Aries. She realized it changed nothing. I've changed, I know. I feel apart from the world and capable of seeing a bigger picture from multiple perspectives. I can see several scenarios playing out on different levels stemming from similar issues. I have a deep inner peace that is utterly unshakable. Yet, I also know that's a gift many don't want to receive. I also know that it's unlikely I will make much of a dent on those scenarios. That the people engaged in them are in a hopeless loop of behavior...and in order to break those they need new fresh perspectives that at this time they do not want. So, I watch from my place in this world. Curious as to what role I am to play or if my Higher Self has chosen much of a role for me to play. Is this the end of my spiritual journey? Perhaps, I came here only to gain those four things. I have no sense of desire anymore. I am at peace and I have faith. A deep silence has settled on my soul. I'm not suer what will come next. I have no expectations. I have no real goals. I just intend to experience fully whatever may come. To know that I am here because for some reason, my Higher Self really wants to be here at this time, and to continue to enjoy the food I eat and the experience I have to the fullest of my ability. No hoarding, no regrets...simply being and appreciating the moment fully.
This weeks video kind of hits home for me.
I can think of a lot of people who allow fear to control them. Fear is something that everyone has to some degree on this planet. As I explain in the video, the number one cause of fear is the fear of death. If you are able, through faith and bellief systems, able to not only make peace with death but overcome it...you find a form of freedom and release that I can't even describe. I think I came to this point most recently when I realized Oneness. I touch upon this a little bit at the end of the video. Releasing all of this fear is a heck of a process. I'm not sure that most people are capable of obtaining this int heir life time. I'm not even sure how I achieved this point in my path. As I said, once you come to the realization that we are all One...that this is just the experience of One being experiencing itself (which I call the One Creator so it's not confused with the ordinary gods so many people talk about)...you realize you cannot be destroyed. You cannot die. I used to look at death from the perspective that if I cease to exist at least I won't be suffering or in pain any longer. So, it's kind of a win from that angle. There would be no you to experience nothingness so...how is that awful? Looking at it from the perspective of Oneness is totally different. Since I choose to believe as my truth at this time in a One Creator...nothing ever leaves the One Creator. The One Creator is limitless and timeless. Since I am a part of that limitless and timeless being I therefore exist forever...even if it is just the faintest memory within the One Creator's mind that is enough for me. That is the fun of the concept of the One Creator/All-That-Is...it can be both this and that. The One Creator can be this avatar that sits here writing this now. At the same time the One Creator is you, the person who is reading this right now...and the One Creator is the living consciousness of aware of all of itself right now in a different plane of existence. Yes, it's a bit of mind bending concept but completely freeing. What do I need to fear? Why do I need protection? Ultimately, and I do apologize for those that will be offended, the need for talisman and protection really indicates at lack of faith in whatever you profess to believe in. Unless you believe the darkness can win, that Satan is equal or more powerful then the God...why would you need protection if you seek and believe in that God? With the concept of the One Creator and Oneness...that's not needed. The concept of Satan doesn't exist. Instead it's more like when I do readings on people. There is the conscious light aspect and the darkness that is all of the repressed emotions, feelings or thoughts. The unhealed portion. When I look at a Yin and Yang symbol or anything that portrays both light and darkness that is what I see...I see the light of the consciousness and the darkness of repressed emotions. Of course, by talking only of this plane of existence and the One Creator I'm leaving out one important aspect. At least part of us is the Oversoul that is referred to as Adam. That is a fascinating concept in and of itself and Jesus (as the soul known as Adam) would be the embodiment of that Oversoul. That's a whole other concept, however, that I'll meditate on later. For now, this is a different way of looking at safety. For me the solution isn't buying a gun. The solution isn't getting homeowners insurance. The solution and simply coming to a series of realizations until you realize there is nothing to fear...because nothing in creation is fearful unless you identify yourself as simply a human body. Since I've been running into Errors on Weebly regarding pictures here is a link to the poster: http://www.joblo.com/movie-posters/2017/thor-ragnarok
I highly recommend going out and seeing this movie. This movie was amazing. Not only did I find myself laughing out loud during the movie, which is not normal for me but it had a really surprising ending. Loki wasn't really in this movie as much as I expected. A lot of the story takes place on a the planet where Thor finds himself after being thrown out of the bi-frost. The part where his hair is cut was just absolutely brilliant. I can't think of anything to complain about in this movie. Despite cutting Thor's hair and taking away his hammer his charecter became far more developed then they had made him in the previous movies. I loved Dr. Strange's role in this movie, Benedict Cumberbatch did an amazing job. Tessa Thompson did an amazing job playing a Valkyrie in the movie. Her performance was very well done and she was very funny. As always Chrishemnsworth was fantastic at Thor. He really brought it all to the table. I found Mark Ruffalo's portrayal of Banner in this movie particularly effective. He brought to that charecter something that wasn't there in the previous movies. I can't really put my finger on what it was exactly but it was very moving. I really can't wait to see where the arc of that charecter goes. Marvel is saying that this is starting a charecter arch that will go through Avengeres Infinity War # 2 (they haven't announced the official film title being that it will reveal what happens in the first movie). I can't even say how amazed I am that they are bring so much depth to the Hulk charecter in these movies. I loved, loved, loved Cate Blanchett as Hela! I was surprised that they would bring so much depth to the charecter so fast. I felt for that charecter throughout the movie which was awesome. The fact they made her pretty much unstoppable makes me hope she will show up for the Infnity Wars as she's supposed to be Thanos main reason for going after the Infinty Gauntlet. Overall, this movie is right up there with my favorites. I can't say it's at the top because there really isn't an underlying theme of the movie is that great. Yes, for the most part this is a major filer portion. Yet, there are major events and huge amounts of charecter development for Thor. The entire movie is very entertaining and hilarious. This is just a good fun romp that I can watch over and over gain like Deadpool. |
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Brave Soul! May Your Journey On The Path Of The Seeker Bring You Joy and Peace! I'm currently posting every Saturday. With a new addition the family I have pre-scheduled most posts through December 2022. Full Moon Posts will contain up-to-date content when I can get to them. Thank you so much for your support and understanding! This is a place where you can encounter new spiritual ideas that have helped me develop as an Individual On The Path of the Seeker. Take or Leave this information as you see fit. Archives
April 2024
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