abrakamowse

Nice... I would like to have thoughts. How do you have "your" thoughts? I just can't avoid thoughts from appearing, they keep coming and going and I can't control them.

Everything we say it's not right or completely right. We want to label things, but we don't really know it directly. The idea of the ego being a devil can be helpful for some, not so much for others. That idea points to the fact that we are not the ego, and thinking we are an ego is what brings wars, fights and confusion. Saying that the devil is the ego is a finger pointing to the moon, not the actual moon. :-)

A healthy ego is a non-ego

In my case was not to be so attached to material things, also to know that we are all one made me have less conflicts with other people. Accept a lot of situations that seems "stressful" but they are not in reality. And it opened me to investigate ideas that before I wouldn't even explore, be able to see a situation from a lot of different points of view. And that gave me an understanding of why others react differently to the same situation. Also it helped me to be more calm and aware.

@Wisebaxter I found this text online and I think that maybe it can help you too. We have no way to know how we will become enlightened. So, the only thing we can do is accept that and do whatever we are doing without having a "goal". If you make it a goal it won't happen, I think... Read this and let me know what you think. http://realizedone.com/post/one-of-ramana-maharshis-students-papaji-discuss/

Probably my response will make you more confused hahaha... because I am really also doing, not doing... What I am working more now is in accepting everything as is. Not questioning anything, everything that happens I accept it and I don't try to do nothing. I mean, it's impossible not to do anything, but what I mean is to try to "flow" the best I can with what is at the present moment. And always focused on "presence", instead of "me". Seeing everything from a more open perspective. I think that's what Ramana refers when he says "abide in yourself"... I think he refers to the true self. Not the idea of "I".

God is beyond the I am, the I am is the way to God, to the Absolute who is everything, so is nothing too, because nothing is part of everything.

I had an epiphany, I knew that God was everywhere and everything. It was mind blowing. Everything looked more "alive", even rocks and trees where aware or had life. I saw the connection among everything... it was amazing, but... it began to fade away. Those are just glimpses, don't search for them. If they happen, just say thanks and keep meditating and doing self inquiry... They can become a trap too...

The first veil to vanish is ignorance; and when that is gone, unskilful behavior goes; next desire ceases, selfishness ends, and all misery disappears. -- The Upanishads

I agree, but I think is a good "finger pointing to the moon"... it's not the moon, but... it makes people think, or at least "entertain" the idea that matter is not really matter. I know it's hard for them to accept that consciousness is the source, but that's because they "think" and believe that they are "the thinker of thoughts". It's too hard for them to see that there's no thinker and thoughts just appear in consciousness.

My direct experience is that I hit my head against a wall, I get hurt. So, matter is real and there's a world outside there.

That confused me too, every master says that and in reality I realized that by myself and I think that was a big part of why I was in a hospital with big depression, but that's another story. Think of the mind like a crutch. Right now is what supports our ego. We can avoid doing that. The thoughts that are more in alignment with the true self are the ones that can bring enlightenment to you. They are not real, because all thoughts are not real but.... some thoughts are closer to reality and some other thoughts are plain bad. Just try to follow your instincts, when enlightenment comes you will see that there's something inside you that guides you without having to think. You KNOW it's true and you don't need to "THINK" about it. Because you will KNOW, instead of "THINK" about it. That's your true self. At least that's what I discover in my actual level of understanding.

That will work! Lol

Reality shows can be scary for the true self... I recommend you to create a strong ego!

Watching the Kardashian's was a big help to break through the falsehood of awareness and see reality. I also recommend watching The jersey shore.

Cool. Namaste!!!

@cetus56 I know I am a person, but at an intelectual level. In reality I feel like I am God...

It's like trying to see your own eye, to taste your own tongue or to smell your nose.... I think that's an Alan Watts quote Also bite your own teeth

I follow the ideology of Western society, I only believe in matter and in reality which is made of matter. You can't go against that ideology because is true!