10-5-2002

Spiritual Knowledge

The domain of spiritual knowledge consists of a seeming infinite number of worlds upon worlds, interlacing, intertwining and at times blending into each other seamlessly. Many of those worlds can be dazzling and exiting, so very different from the everyday experience that constitutes our daily life.

At times the information that is brought to us from tapping into these worlds is very exciting and exotic, to a point that we may forget to distinguish between information that is of Transformational Value and information that is actually devoid of Transformational Value.

What is Transformational Information?

Transformational Information is knowledge that is applicable in our daily life. For instance, direct instructions of spiritual techniques of prayer and meditation are basically of Transformational Value, but only if they do fit the specific needs of the individual. This means that a Sufi technique may work for one person, a Buddhist technique may work for another. Ultimately each of us will sense when Transformational Power is released by certain practices, as they will produce experience, seeing and understanding on a marrow level. But only a time of applied, sincere daily practice will demonstrate this and bring experience beyond belief or assumption. The proof is in the pudding, presumed we taste and eat it. While tastes differ, we know what tastes good to us.

Thus, techniques of meditation and prayer that can be practiced daily - contain Transformational Power that is set free as insight and experience that alters our being.
As important or perhaps even more important than techniques are the attitudes that we display in our daily lives. The attitudes that we display in our everyday life can be distinguished in a simple and general way: Our speech and action may arise either from a state of contraction or expansion. Thus, if we hear teachings that suggest that we practice compassion, kindness and generosity, this is Transformational Information that is aimed at our attitudes, at our speech and action. Putting this information into daily expression will bring Existential Transformation, to us and to others.

What is Spiritual Glamour?

Spiritual glamour is upheld by pursuing and disseminating information, that, even if true on a relative plane, does not change our lives in any way. There are many examples that come to my mind, but I am sure that by the time you reached the end of the last sentence, you had instant examples arising in your own mind, and for yourself you may have an instant glimpse of what I am talking about. As I am personally remaining mindful of the distinctions outlined above, certain bodies of knowledge simply fall away from my attention, as their existence is recognized as a mirage. I recognize that pursuing these bodies of knowledge may keep me busy and moving, but I will not end up in the green fields of substance. I will keep walking in the desert of life, while painfully believing that something meaningless is meaningful.

What is a Transformational Experience?

An event of Transformational Experience or a Stream of Transformational Experiences is brought about by the application of the above-mentioned practice of spiritual techniques and attitudes reaching critical mass. How long it takes for a practitioner to reach that point will differ according to background and intensity generated. Spending time with people who are more deeply anchored in Wisdom/Compassion Insight may also bring it about. This compares to the scientific discovery that a bell will start vibrating by itself if only another bell in the same room is rung. Hard to believe, yet scientifically proven to be true.

The scope of Transformational Experiences is immense, but all have one thing in common: They provide us with a deeper understanding of Who We Are, what our Relationship with the universe is in actuality. My own perception is that genuine Transformational Experience can come softly or it can be an explosion in our consciousness. Remember times when you had an AHA Experience. AHA Experiences come in different strengths and dosages, but what they have in common is that they clear doubts and confusion, and bring insight that provides certainty and with certainty comes peace. And insight, the privilege of certainty and peace will create a sense of spiritual nourishment. We experience being satisfied.

Dynamics of communication

As we enter into communication with others, often we will observe the presence of agendas that function as underlying currents seeking to influence the direction a conversation might take. Thus if we have a room with eight people, we can have the possibility of perhaps eight or more agendas present, ready to face off, ready to be injected by their carriers, because their carriers feel that it is important that the world needs the information they have. A mission is born.

As the presence of agendas grows in a room, the presence of the ability to listen to others diminishes. If I am capable of entering into a conversation without any agendas at all, my listening ability is activated and heightened, my being takes in what is present, rather than expending energy in the process of scouting out opportunities to insert my agenda. Also, instantly I feel a sense of expanding freedom inside myself. My attention is expanded to the whole of the situation, rather than being identified with the little slice of my agenda that I am waiting to feed others. Agendaless being is born.

Looking at the process of communication as an opportunity to practice letting go of agendas, I have observed the arising of an amazing phenomenon. Letting go of agendas creates the space for words to arise from much deeper recesses of being. Words may arise that carry more power, eloquence and impact than words within the context of the limited engineering of agenda-driven communication. It is as if agendaless being allows us to feel the group soul of a gathering and thus provides an opportunity to speak words that are relevant to the entire group, on an essential level, as opposed to being relevant to the speaker only. If I were to use computer language, I might say a program is selected and run that is of keen interest to the highest number of people possible. Agendaless being can access the common denominator of a group, and thus bring forth communication that may function as nourishment to a group.

Have you ever observed when a group of people gathers in a social context, say a party ---- right at the beginning the energy can be very fresh, very open. It is as if a subtle light emanates from the group. Then, as communication proceeds and agendas are introduced, the light gradually fades and dims.

As said above, with the expansion of agendaless being and communication the ability of listening is greatly enhanced. As our power of listening is expanded, as we are capable of providing the other with more and more undiluted listening, another amazing phenomenon arises: Our capacity for listening becomes a kind of nourishment.

Speaking about the domain of compassion

There forever exists the difference between things as they appear to be and things as they actually are. This gap forces me continually --- and I mean continually ---- to practice discernment and distinguish between the two. The outer world is forever engaged in this giant sale.."Buy appearances, cheapdiscount.90% off."

As I am continuing to speak and write about the possibilities of compassion in action, I have come to realize that on occasion I may be a pain to some people who read my stuff, because, basically I am looking at myself and I am asking myself: "Given my potential for compassion and kindness in action --- did utilize my potential? Am I using my life force is such a way as to bring beauty, wisdom and kindness to my environment and to this planet? As I am asking myself this question, I am simply extending the question to the person who reads this, which at this very moment in time . is you.

I have come to realize that this question that I share really may cause discomfort in some readers and that basically I am attempting to expand that feeling of discomfort until it reaches a point where that question becomes like a heat, something that acquires an overriding importance. Something to be dealt with. Thus, I realize this is a job that does not necessarily engender a lot of gratitude, rather it might at times simply engender the response of irritation.

I also realize that I cannot help myself. I speak the words that I speak, because they are inside my being, requesting to be released into the atmosphere. So I guess, I am doing what I have to do, without a great sense of having a choice. I can choose, however, to release the words without expectations, like opening a cage of doves and letting them fly without expectations of what they might do or where they might land. I am working on that. So, if you have a bird sitting on your shoulder, picking away at your ear, don't blame me. I released the birds because I had to. And perhaps they are just whispering something in your ear that is both true AND uncomfortable. Again, don't blame me. I am just a hapless victim of the forces of creativity that are moving through me and that, I admit, at times feel like gigantic tidal waves.

This invitation to engage in WisdomKindness in action can be like a fine needling. However, allow me to point out this. I feel that we live in a world where to live a life where we are quietly good, is simply no more enough. Why? Because right now there are many highly active currents on the planet that are most expressively destructive. And goodness, when not expressed, simply ends up in support of these same currents of destruction. Goodness that does not take a stance -- is simply a gesture of impotence. Goodness that does not express in action, may be just another word for complacency. Sleep. Hypnosis.

It does not take a rocket scientist to see that the world is flooded with suffering, and, what is worse, indifference to that suffering. It is said that the opposite of love is not hate --- it is indifference. I believe that to be true. Indifference and non-action are the attitudes that support forces that actively bring suffering.

Some people in the New Age may bring up the law of karma. Perhaps to justify indifference and inaction. In the end, the wrong that happens to somebody else, the suffering that happens to somebody else --- we are deeply connected to it and the world will never be a peaceful place unless each of us finds an active way to contribute to peace with actions that support the striving for peace.

There are also those voices that would suggest that we can only give true kindness if we are fully aware. Does it mean I have to be enlightened first before I can engage in acts of kindness? And everything prior to that is "idiot compassion?" Think again. Sometimes it takes very little to make a difference in somebody else's life. Beginning with a word of appreciation, a small present, or something that expresses "I care for you." Every day there exists a myriad of opportunities to contribute to WisdomCompassion .in action.

This is the bird for today and it is on your shoulder.

1-8-2002

This morning I was particularly uninspired by reading the news and I decided to search for "Positive News" on the net. To me delight I came up with quite a few sites created by people who are just as tired having to look at news created by people from the old paradigm.

So, please take a look at http://www.positivenews.com/
or search for similar sites. You may be amazed.


The following was a letter I originally sent to a friend. Then I thought it just might fit well right here in this column. Let me call the piece....

Brad Pitt - Bored?

Today I read about Bradd Pitt declaring that he was beginning to feel bored in his daily film work. I could think of several reasons why.

First, he is doing films that don't really create impact in the ways of introducing true positive values in viewers' lives. (That movie with Julia Roberts - what a bomb!)

I mean, there are movies that create real changes in people's minds. K-Pax was really great, in that respect. How could the actors not be deeply satisfied, creating such a movie?

And second, he must not be transforming the power and fame that he gains from his career. I mean, it is possible to "launder" - so to speak - .... the money and the power and turn it into something truly benevolent for others. In that case, he also would not feel bored. (You could do totally idiotic films and turn your resulting power and wealth into currents of compassion. I could live with that.)

I mean, how many innumerable hours have I spent looking at the computer over the years, following little numbers running across the screen? Talk about the potential for boredom!!! If I would not have a bigger picture in mind that serves transformative processes and is aimed at bringing a kind of tangible soothing to the planet, there is no way I could do what I am doing. You could not think of anything more dissatisfying than working the stock market just for your little self.

Just a thought to share my inner workings....

Andreas


Updated November 6, 2001