Salvijus

Don't confuse reverence, gratitude, love, appreciation, thankfulness for those who contribute to your life with something negative. If anything, it is the ego that would interpret those things that way. So... Less preaching more self-reflecting I would say.

If there was something that love could not embrace and forgive, then love would have a limit. And what has a limit is not of God. So in reality there's nothing that love could not accept or forgive, because that would simply be a limitation on God.

Although there is one side to sheepism that I could criticize for being fanatical, and unhealthy and stems from deep attachment. But I find it difficult to articulate it. Perhaps I would simply overlook that since no seeker is perfect and there needs to be some room left for people not to be perfect and wait for them to grow certain phases. There're interesting neuances in this topic.

It's impossible to compare practices given by a guru and those from a book. There is no book in the universe that could give you what a guru plants in a student energetically. So there's nothing to compare. And practices given by a guru are not the important part. It is the seed planted that is the important part, and the practices are there just to nurture that seed. And as the seed grows, transformation happens of a very profound levels. On book yoga you have no such seed to nurture. But it's still useful in a way. There are things you can achieve with it aswell. But it's impossible to compare these two forms of practice. The nature of practice is very different. Although there could be some common elements.

There is something worth saying about this groupthink, groupthink, sheep thing I keep hearing. Now if I understand it correctly, sheep thinking or group thinking simply means, somebody else is doing the thinking for you. It means you blindly accept what somebody else is saying because you trust them and you believe they know the answers. Now the question I would ask is. What's wrong in allowing someone you trust do the thinking for you? For example if I suck at muscle building, I may hire a coach and say, "tell me what to do and I'll follow your instructions without trying to figure out what's best myself". We do that with doctors also, we say just tell me how can I heal this or that and will simply follow it. Now there is always an option, to do things yourself, to use your own mind, to try to figure things out by yourself. And there is always an option to allow someone who you trust to tell what is the Way. And you know what, I don't see why one option is better than the other. Or why one option should be seen a bad thing. Especially the option of allowing someone you trust to do the thinking for you. In fact if you find the right guide, it will save you lots and lots of time when you're just a "sheep" so to speak. Because figuring some of the things in spirituality for yourself can take lifetimes whereas to follow it blindly takes no time. The only danger is that you could get scammed if you happen to give your trust to a faulty guide. But this danger is there even when you choose to listen to a doctor, or a weather caster, or automobile expert, gym coach, hiking guide, any teacher of any field that you choose to listen to, whenever you accept other experts thinking without doing the research yourself, know that you're a sheep. But the negative connotation should be removed actually. Because being a sheep might be the wisest thing you have ever done in your life, if you've chosen the right guide. Because who has the time to do everything yourself? In some area of your life you'll be lacking knowledge and you'll be forced to accept someone's opinion that you trust, and you will be a sheep. Hehe. Basic conclusion is this. Don't be so hard on sheeps. Because there is nobody in the world who is not a sheep on some level. And also being a sheep can be the wise thing to do

Forget the picture. Actually the "taste" method is the only answer. And your ability to discern/to taste ego from truth depends on your own level of development and growth in spirit. Where is my medal?

This is a test if somebody is really enlightened or not.

The same way you can tell if milk has gone bad or not. By taste. If something tastes like ego, then it's not god. Unless somebody would invent enlight-o-meter.

God realized one doesn't have to do anything really. Every atom in his body is singing peace and love and wisdom even if he does nothing. It's upto others to perceive it or not. And the ability to perceive who is who depends on their own development. Something like this maybe.

Maybe to tell a difference between someone stupid and someone wise, you need to be wise also. To tell the difference between someone pure and someone full of ego, you'd need to be pure yourself. To tell a difference between Aware person and unconscious one, you'd have to be one yourself. Maybe that's the answer.

It's something that vibrates in your body but it's not subtle. When it awakens and builds, it's very much not subtle at all. It can make your wholy body buzz from within. And it's something you can project out of your body aswell. Some people experience it from psychedelics but it's a wrong way to experience it because you're draining it and dispersing it rather than building it and condensing it in your body to than reach higher levels of energy and consciousness. If I had to show you chi then this would be the best demonstration. He also has a video on the importance of a system

It's worth mentioning also that there are many different types of transmissions with many different effects. That are designed to do mamy different things. To impact many different systems and energetic pathways or energy bodies. To download different energetic softwares. To plant different energetic seeds. To awaken this or that. For this purpose or that purpose. Accordingly transmissions are done, and also accordingly to what a guru has to offer. Accordingly systems are designed also, these systems become very rigid for a reason, because it is designed very consciously to a achieve a very precise outcome. You can't just start mixing random things in whatever way you like. And that's why it's so important to follow a genuine system/lineage that is authentic and not some scrap of different things And like this it goes...

It's rare to see someone so determined to do something so cringe.

Mmm. Can relate to this. Been in this situation myself. In my experience it can be quite torturous not to know where to go. I have a belief and also it is backed up with other scriptures and other material that confirm this, that we all belong to a certain group from birth and we have certain karmic connections to certain traditions much more so than to other traditions. The problem is with some people like myself is that they are very open minded and are able to appreciate the diverse expressions of spirituality and different traditions. And it's good. And it has its place and it is even beneficial to learn from them. But this confuses the hell out of them which direction to go. A simple visualization exercise you can do to know what your heart feels closest connection to. Ask yourself where would want to go after death, what heaven, in whose hands would I fully trust my life into. Would you like to fully surrender your life after death in the hands of Jesus, or Muhammed, or Shiva, or Krishna, or Lao tzu, or Buddha, or Durga, or this teacher or that teacher, or this goddess or that goddess etc. You will feel immediately that you feel a clear "no" to most of them. And when you find the one that you feel, "yea, I could fully give and trust my life into the hands of this being after death and be happy" that is your lineage. There could still be ego negotiating and debating if other paths are better and what not and not fully accepting it. But that's temporary. Eventually heart will settle where it is meant to settle and where it belongs. And you will see that restlessness and the desire to look anywhere else will vanish. You will feel like at home. Nothing wrong in exploring different paths tho. They all contribute nicely aswell to the spiritual progress.

If you were at the stage of where you can feel chi I could share with you what are the changes that could take place in the energy system, the kind channels that open up and begin to function and how it manifests in the body that otherwise wouldn't open up. I mean, it's wild... If I had to describe some of the initiations into Christ lineage that I went through then it would look like the last scene of Shrek where Fiora transforms and windows brake. Haha, don't take it literally of course. But it is like that in many ways. Even music is befitting here. One thing I want to say, without initiation even simple things like meditation or prayer does not work as it should. For example in Christianity initiation usually it is called baptism. These days I don't know if it's still alive but if it's done properly, that ritual is meant to open up your crown center, attune you to the gods rays of love and through that channel (called tian chi in Chinese literature) the pouring of light can happen into your heart. This opens up many messianic possiblities like clairvoyance, ability to heal, ability to read the soul of another, leave the body at will etc. You see... It can be life changing and that's why it is so significant. Without this attunement/empowerment/baptism/initiation, even if you mutter words all your life nothing significant is going to happen. The real practice of prayer is going to be missed entirely. It's the same with the kriya and every other spiritual path including zen. Also I thought I would share this book about African shamanism. It would give you a better understanding of the power of initiation, the significance of a lineage, and what wild things are possible out there in the world of spirituality. "Of Water and the Spirit: Ritual, Magic, and Initiation in the Life of an African Shaman" https://a.co/d/eGxTcHt

I've had a chance to receive initiations/transmissions from multiple sources. Yes there's a huge difference in my experience to the point I'm barely able to consider who are not initiated into anything spiritual at all. A bit like a joke to me they look. Even tho there was a time when I was doing things by myself uninitiated from the internet and I benefited from it. So it's a valid stage I guess. My belief is if you're genuine, your efforts will naturally lead to some place where you can receive an acceleration of some sort and take things to another level. And you look genuine so that's good:) Oh I see. There are actually ways to get initiated online even. The important part I think is to figure out where you belong to karmicly first and what you resonate with the most. And then finding the next step becomes very easy.

@Ayham oh I see. Most people don't stick to book yoga. That's why I was surprised. You should get initiated into something. There are many benefits to it. One of which is it helps to stick to the practice somehow. Some kind energtic support is given and sort of grace is there that has influence in that regard. Among with other benefits.

@Ayham impressive that you were able to stick to kriya for so long. Did you get any results? Can you feel chi yet?

Worst pick up strategy I've ever hear, lmao. The history of how Mormonism came to be is pretty interesting tho. Maybe you'll get some free cookies aswell. Nice.

Yes I agree. But the purpose of exploring different perspectives with an open mind is done exactly for the purpose of challenging our current understanding and gain deeper insight, wisdom, clarity into Truth of the matter. So. It's all good

I want to write something thought provoking. Neem karoli baba. A miracle worker, King and highly embodied being of love consciousness. Known to do supernatural things that defy logic. Died in a hospital with some diseases in the body. Master Chao Kok Sui. One of the greatest healers of all times, have healed dozens and dozens of patients of all kinds of diseases. The are cases where people from a wheel chair would start to walk after his interference. Had many health problems in the body himself and died prematurely because of it. J. Krishnamurti. A prophecied prodigy by the theosophical society. A messiah of God levels of love consciousness. Died with pancreas cancer. Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Known as a god of love with extraordinary spiritual capabilities, knowledge and perception. Died with cancer. Vivekananda. Another legend in spiritual circles. Died at 39 with many health problems. Ramana Maharshi. Died with cancer. These are some that I can think of of the top of my head. I feel confident somehow that if you did more research on this. You'd find an endless list of similar cases. Now why am I sharing this? I was hoping this would challenge people's perseption as to how many factiors there are in human health and how complex the whole thing is. Perhaps we don't know all the answers of what makes a person healthy. And what are all the laws (visible and invisible) that determine health that extend far beyond just 'overworking' or 'lack of self care' lol I like one perspective on this subject as I heard one sage express his thoughts on "why enlightened beings get sick" he sayed, "the body itself is a disease..." wow. Quite a powerful thought. I was thinking for myself recently about this subject. Perhaps not to get sick is a violation of physical laws itself. Once you're on earth, you're bound to get some dust, there's no escaping it. For what it's worth. Sadhguru we if discount his brain incident, is probably one of the most vibrant and healthy individuals out there exceeding many norms in what the body can do on a daily basis. So that is also an interesting piece of data if you think he wasn't taking care of himself enough that should challenge that view perhaps.

There are many possible interpretations of the situation. I still think the one i proposed could be valid. Not out of defense but out of exploration of what's out there. And what makes sense and what doesn't. That's why I enjoyed your take because on some level it sounds logical. But there is logic in what I wrote aswell. I hoped you'd be able to appreciate it...

I thought it was pretty good

Nice Now that is interesting and honest perspective to read. I feel inspired to propose a few ideas for contemplation tho. First. Is Sadhguru (or any enlightened being for that matter) in need of self love to begin with? Or physical wellbeing doesn't matter to him. Perhaps body is just an instrument to him to do certain work. So as long as it is functional it is good enough. So he patched up a few holes in the instrument here and there with painkillers and whatnot. And it's all good. Perhaps he doesn't take the deterioration of the body very seriously. Only to the extent it is needed to do the work he's doing. Just an alternative perspective for contemplation here.