What's your experience with "Book of Not Knowing"?

[waheed]

I had this book lying around for around 7 years now, but somehow couldn't really benefit from it. Suddenly one day I started reading it around 6 months ago and It felt like it was exactly what I needed to read, It makes so much sense that I wonder why I didn't spent more time on it for all these years.

It's often said that ultimate truth cannot be expressed which is true, but I didn't seen a book that gradually builds up and tries to express it as clearly as possible. I wonder what kind of state of mind Mr. Peter Ralston is to produce such a work. I mean most of enlightened people from Eastern traditions except Osho didn't took the trouble to go to such lengths. Another figure that comes to mind is J.Krishnamurti, i listen to him alot somehow at many occasions reading Ralston was like decoding the cryptic one liners form J.Krishnamurti. 

I wonder why men like him are so unknown and under rated. I'm well read and been reading stuff for over two decades (been through most of university level recommended readings in social sciences) but didn't encounter something so profound and ground breaking yet so unknown at the same time.

The purpose of writing this post is curiosity, what's your experience have been with this book or his work in general? I hope most of you won't allow his mannerisms or laughing to be a blocking condition, that would be childish if I may say so.  Sometimes people's personality can be a hurdle in truly interacting with them, however we should be interacting with actually what they have to say rather then what appears at surface level of emotions.

[Nilsi]

I don’t know.

[waheed]

1 hour ago, Nilsi said:

I don’t know.

I'm aiming for not knowing too. 

[hyruga]

Peter Ralston can write pretty well. He's a good orator and he also build things up well.

I also believe that he found peace and joy during his meditations. 

He also talks about enlightenment but some people said his concepts of enlightenment is best described as mid-tier enlightenment. And not full enlightenment.

Can't comment any further though unless you know more about enlightenment and consciousness than him.

[waheed]

I won't read too much into the comments of "mid-tier" enlightenment, those just block you from something very useful and offer nothing as an alternative too, I would love to find out content on raising consciousness that is better than what Ralston has produced. Is there any other book that takes you from 0 to as high as possible like the "Book of Not Knowing". I haven't seen any. 

Additionally, to be honest this levels of enlightenment thing that is discussed quite a lot doesn't make sense. It feels like the same status game played in enlightenment domain. "I'm more enlightened then you. I'm high status ".

Since I'm not enlightened so these are just concepts for me nothing more. 

[theleelajoker]

1 hour ago, waheed said:

I won't read too much into the comments of "mid-tier" enlightenment, those just block you from something very useful and offer nothing as an alternative too, I would love to find out content on raising consciousness that is better than what Ralston has produced. Is there any other book that takes you from 0 to as high as possible like the "Book of Not Knowing". I haven't seen any. 

Additionally, to be honest this levels of enlightenment thing that is discussed quite a lot doesn't make sense. It feels like the same status game played in enlightenment domain. "I'm more enlightened then you. I'm high status ".

Since I'm not enlightened so these are just concepts for me nothing more. 

Haha yeah this enlightened game 🎮 🤣

Or the "I understand reality better then you" competition 👀

Seems pretty big also on this forum, it's the spiritual version of comparing dick sizes. Tbh, it's not a surprise given how Leo talks about how he's more awake then anyone else. 

Personally I trend more towards Alan Watts perspective - "unconscious people are so deep into the game, you have to admire that" 😁

Although I play those games myself as well from time to time it's entertaining 😉 

Edited Sunday at 10:39 PM by theleelajoker

[waheed]

12 hours ago, theleelajoker said:

Seems pretty big also on this forum, it's the spiritual version of comparing dick sizes. Tbh, it's not a surprise given how Leo talks about how he's more awake then anyone else. 

You are right, I actually wrote about Leo but then removed from my post, since considering the good work that he has done we can give him some levy on this. This could very well be a marketing thing, how else an enlightened person who wants to have a competitive edge will promote himself?  It's a rough world out there. 

And at a deeper level he may convince himself that he is doing good (which he is), But Ironically it's quite similar logic to what suicide bombers use i.e. In the end it's for greater good, the logic of allowing for the necessary evil or necessary violence.

But on serious note, I simply don't know his reasons, It could be just a statement of truth for him, irrespective of it's use for me. But I do get it that it's a hinderance of experiencing the truth in my case.

Edited Monday at 11:22 AM by waheed

[theleelajoker]

7 hours ago, waheed said:

You are right, I actually wrote about Leo but then removed from my post, since considering the good work that he has done we can give him some levy on this. This could very well be a marketing thing, how else an enlightened person who wants to have a competitive edge will promote himself?  It's a rough world out there. 

And at a deeper level he may convince himself that he is doing good (which he is), But Ironically it's quite similar logic to what suicide bombers use i.e. In the end it's for greater good, the logic of allowing for the necessary evil or necessary violence.

But on serious note, I simply don't know his reasons, It could be just a statement of truth for him, irrespective of it's use for me. But I do get it that it's a hinderance of experiencing the truth in my case.

Yeah, I mean you could say that an enlightened person doesn't compare, or doesn't need to tell others how great he/she is, or the most awake etc right? 

Besides the world "enlightened" is a pretty arbitrary term and I don't trust anyone claiming anything re spiritual achievements without having direct experience with this person. 

It's  "show, don't talk".