Personal Enlightenment:
“Enlightenment is real, and each one of us, whoever we are, can in the right circumstances and with the right training realise the nature of mind and so know in us what is deathless and eternally real. This is the promise of all mystical traditions in the world, and it is being fulfilled and is being fulfilled in countless thousands of human lives. There are enlightened masters still on the Earth. When you actually meet one, you will be shaken and moved in the depths of your heart and you will realise that all the words such as illumination and wisdom which you thought were only ideas, are in fact true.” Sogyal Rinpoche – Tibetan Lama
The problem of human existence is the development of egocentricity and the subsequent struggles endured by many to overcome it. Religion as an ideal aims to resolve or limit this egocentricity, but unfortunately, religion as understood and practised by many reinforces and confirms it. So why should this occur? It seems more likely due to intolerance of other religious views, lack of understanding and an almost literal interpretation of the relevant scriptures. Through social acculturation the individual loses their sense of the presence of God and his autonomous self-worth and sense of dignity. Instead, people acquire a self-image or idol whose worth is judged by external references, like wealth, achievement, and prestige. In their ignorance they inevitably become an object to themselves. This idol is insatiable. Because it is judged by comparison, it is always inferior, and because it is a creature of linear time, it fears its own mortality. The realisation of the ultimate futility of the egocentric position and a sense that greater satisfaction is possible motivates the individual to seek to transcend this egocentricity. The path to personal transcendence is neither intuitive, mystical, nor supernatural. One needs only to become observant during the affairs of daily life, and one will become acutely aware of the continual presence of egocentricity in oneself and in others. One will eventually realise the suffering it causes, and will naturally seek ways to become less egocentric. There are, of course, numerous evasions and deviations of this attempt at human spiritual transcendence, such as literary indulgence (Omar Khayyam), aesthetic works (Faust, creators, self-justification), and devotion to some ideal (Mahatma Ghandi – doing good – political, religious, and social). However, these evasions delay pursuit of real transcendence of the material plane. But human beings will never find any external justification for the human self. It really is connection with God or nothingness. This is the same as what the Zen Buddhists called “The Void” although mystics have identified it by various names and titles, its actuality evades all labels of titles. When one reduces egocentricity so that it ceases to be a controlling force in life, one realises that one’s fundamental loyalty is to the wholeness of things, which is experienced as a sense of uprightness within, and not subservience or worship to any temporal agency such as family, nation, race, humanity as a whole, or anything else. And religious matters that were once mere concepts, doctrines or cultural artefacts become matters of direct physical experience.
To be brief but obviously controversial, God does not “exist”. It is totally absurd to think of God as existing as does say a table or a shoe, as just another part of a finite or reductive Universe. GOD has being, but not “material existence” as we would automatically assume and in no such sense in that we “exist” as human beings. There is no change or transience in God since GOD is within us. God is best defined as “the essence of the universe.” And salvation is participation by the individual in the being (infinite life) of God. When a person does this, they give existence to God, that is, God exists in godliness, in Truth, Beauty & Goodness. So, if we must insist on thinking of God as existing, we should think of him as an adverb, a property or a quality of human action. But this type of manifestation is not God itself, but a consequence and expression of let us say, God’s voice or light working through us as for example in a stained-glass window or musical instrument. There is no evil independent of misdirected human will or endeavour. Earthquakes, for example, are bad but not evil, since there is no human will or action involved in their occurrence. In short, evil exists because man’s conscience ignores the voice of God and conceals the light of God in this world.
The true religion, and for that matter its cousin, the methods and means of real spiritual development, were lost to human beings sometime around 2,500 BC. It was replaced by a form of manipulative theocracy propagating sentimentality, blind belief, an assortment of bespoke superstitions, a variety of false doctrines, together with some reassuring philosophical platitudes, that were accepted wholesale by the contemporary civilisations and superficially imitated by its adherents. The leading propagandists of these advanced civilisations, the priests, kings and clergy hijacked and distorted true religion in order to control other human beings for purely selfish reasons and the message and meaning conveyed by spiritual masters soon became a tool in acquiring wealth and for self-aggrandisement. Consequently, true religion went underground, the secrets of the scriptures and the real methods of spiritual attainment were lost to all but a few earnest devotees.
This system employs or accepts there are 5 fundamental processes, the foundation of all our work namely:
Sexing
Venting
Centering
Grounding
Channelling
Aum
Meditation
Meditation is a natural biofeedback technique that recognises that there is a subtle energy or Primordial life force within the body that influences our state of mind, feelings, body and soul. If practised it can produce a feeling of Peace, Clarity of Mind, and can bring the physiological functions of the body back to normal health and well being.
Many meditation techniques taught are entirely practical, and once acquired as a formal discipline can be practised anywhere and at anytime by anyone regardless of sex, race or creed. It is the underlying or universal principle which was revealed by Spiritual Masters from whose teachings evolved various so-called religious faiths. In many of these scriptures references are made to this experience, which, despite various alterations, misinterpretations and omissions through history, are in essence descriptions of a common experiential link residing within all humanity. The basis of which remains unadulterated here as a teaching or spiritual path and in fact forms part of a dynamic spiritual process that integrates the personality and gives access to supra-personal power, wisdom and peace. It helps to connect the lower mind with the higher self, and rather than destroying the ego it develops it as a tool for the inner master of the self. The meditational techniques (Pranayama) are aligned with physical bodywork, (Asanas) and individual or particular advice is given on achieving some intellectual and emotional comprehension of this path and what in real terms it entails. As anyone who has ever practised meditation knows, they will invariably encounter obstacles and resistance against this type of “work” both from their environment and most certainly from within themselves. Therefore being forewarned is being suitably prepared for a path that though it promises a modicum of success in a relatively short space of time, nevertheless requires a certain amount of self-discipline, dedication and above all Personal Spirit. It is known in some circles as the “WAY OF THE WARRIOR!”
The Factory (Heart, Body, Mind):
However, alongside the idea that energy is in a state of change, the Russian mystic George Ivanovitch Gurdjieff also compared the human body to that of a factory which took in raw materials and then processed them into products. The essential raw materials of the factory were Air, Food/Water and Impressions received by the 5 senses and good or compatible combinations of these energies were considered crucial to good health, right action and overall spiritual development. Some people criticise Gurdjieff for reducing human beings to their mechanical functioning, however this form of objective observation of oneself and the striving to overcome the vagaries of human nature is a necessary prerequisite to understanding the mechanical or unconscious nature of oneself. Gurdjieff used the analogy of a “Factory” to describe how the 3 centres functioned within human beings. This factory had three floors, each floor had one manager and numerous workers at each level. These 3 managers could not communicate with each other directly and relied entirely on their secretary to pass on memos. Each of these floors housed the activities of the Body, Heart and Mind. There was also a receptionist – which symbolised the persona, and the secretary who dealt with communications and everyday duties – she represented a formative apparatus or ability not a centre as such. The role of the receptionist was to greet visitors and generally give them the false impression that everything that occurred within the factory was organised to their liking and proceeded as if on perfectly “greased wheels”. As each manager communicated in their own unique “language” the job of the secretary was to decode messages, decide who to send it to and translate that into a language that the next recipient would understand. This is a bit like sending encrypted emails really, so that each message was decoded, then re-encrypted and finally passed to the relevant managerial department. The channels of communication between these centres were like pipes and the diameter of these pipes tended to vary according to certain conditions like for example the weather, or temperature consequently the level of understanding between these centres or brains also varied. The secretary represented a specific apparatus in our mind, not a centre as such. She acted mechanically, and had numerous automated or standard procedures to fulfil, such as receiving messages or visitors, attaching labels to things, mailing reports, sorting through the manager’s diaries, and arranging meetings. At times however, the secretary became distracted, confused or simply negligent in her duties. Perhaps a situation arose in which she was uncertain or she was ignorant of the correct response, in these cases information might go astray or not quite be intelligible for one or other of the managers or centres. As simple as this analogy sounds, one should bear in mind that the interaction of these three centres, the involuntary responses, subconscious feelings and memory of an individual are extremely complex operations. Moreover, the languages required of each of these centres may not encompass every situation, the secretary may not have the right education or knowledge, she might spend too much time looking at herself in the mirror or have an extra half hour for lunch and so forth. In this set of circumstances it is easy to see why things may go drastically wrong both within human beings and in their relationship to each other.
The Ego or “Shadow Self”:
Whereas most conventional faiths will perpetuate some attempt to destroy the “Ego”, as it is so called, Buddhist and Hindu Tantra attempts to bring it under the control of the Higher Force or Divine Will. While orthodox religion surrounds everything with sentimentality, guilt and moral obligations, Tantrikas attempt to observe a universal, yet practical standpoint. They maintain that any attempt to destroy what is essentially a survival mechanism gone wrong will only end in personal self-defeat. However, in Tantrism and in other psycho-dynamic systems certain techniques have been employed to reduce the influence which the “Mind” or “Ego” can have over our experience of life. These methods are called “Klesha Smashing” by people in the know. Much of what we term today as gestalt and cognitive therapy owes a lot to this Tantric notion of confronting ones’ carefully hidden inadequacies.
The ego constantly seeks approval, gratification and consent and, will in many instances try to find that either within the group or from the teacher or guru themselves. Many people will therefore enter into a group situation without a thorough understanding of its implications. Some people consider that belonging to such and such a school or organisation entitles them to some kind of high status or that simply being there as a member that they have crossed the great abyss of ignorance. Paradoxically others may actually reject the group dynamic thinking or believing that they can learn all they need without any assistance or that the answer may be found in books or observance of mere doctrines. Some may even think that they have attained a modicum of understanding and can therefore instruct and lead others to the ineffable light of understanding. Others still will undergo pilgrimages, hardships and devote themselves fanatically to some cause and become prey to their own obsessions and delusions. Others may join groups in the hope that the consensus of thought and feeling will like a wave carry them unheeded and without dint of any personal effort or willpower to the goal. A number of people will seek refuge from the distress of karmic conditions that have imposed trials and tribulations on them. In effect true seekers are rare and the majority seek confirmation of their own desire nature and negative condition from those who are always eager to encourage it. Some may even attempt a form of bribery, corruption or emotional blackmail in the hope that their support and affirmation of some group or guru on condition that it may in turn give them all the material happiness they seek to be personally satisfied.
The Mortal Follies and Obstructions on the Highway to Self-Realisation
The Enemies of Self-Awareness are often expressed as Illusion, Delusion & Confusion:
- THE POISON FINGER:
Accusing others of faults which you secretly harbour yourself and hypocritically blaming them for your inadequacies. - SLEEPING ON THE JOB:
Failing “to be..to hear..to see..to touch..or to taste life fully and experience life as it is in the here and now. - THE PERRENIAL DISEASE – “TOMORROW”:
Putting off till tomorrow what you can do today. - THE RUBBER CRUTCH:
Misplaced faith in external circumstances, people or things. - THE DODGY BOW & ARROW:
Missing the point or target, relying only on a theoretical or philosophical understanding of the truth. - BLOWING BUBBLES:
Inflating ones’ ego, lying unconsciously to oneself and others. - THE SHIT-STICK AND THE HONEY TUBE:
Causing delays and interference or disrespect to others and immersing oneself for long periods in the world of self-pity or hedonistic self-indulgence.
Personal Blocks & How to deal with them.
Sometimes we think we are on the path when in actual fact we are really stuck in a rut or lying in a ditch. This is the time when we have to cut through the “Tanglewood Thicket”.
Often expressed as obsession, possession, aggression.
The 5 Ob-blocks.
The root causes of suffering are created by the Ego and tend to manifest as what are called “Ob-blocks” which are basic human tendencies which prohibit or interfere with human spiritual development. There are five in total, each associated with a certain physical and psychological condition.
- Ignorance – Lack of knowledge of any given thing.
(Solution: Acquiring Knowledge and Expertise in a particular field – Study) - Egotism – Overt Narcissism or obsession with the illusory self as an entity. You have become a self-created idol and this is not your true self. Externalise your energy and break free!
(Solution: Don’t sit there thinking, move into action). - Revulsion – Dislike of any given thing. I hate them, this or that.
(Solution: Deal positively with your own inadequacies, dislikes and prejudices) - Attraction – Enjoyment of any given thing, what do you really own in this world?
(Solution: Re-orientation of your desires) - Clinging to Life – Tired of living, inability to let go, afraid to move on or afraid of change.
(Solution: Surrender, Let Go! or you will fail to adapt to your Fate or Destiny?)
And Finally, Leave no Room for Doubt in Your Mind.
Expressed as a failure to Communicate, Validate & Eradicate.
The Horse and Cart analogy or “Who am I?”
A human being as a whole, together with all of his or her separate identities or personalities is identical to the individual aspects of a horse, a carriage and a coachman. The real or imagined self likewise is the passenger sat back in the coach. In the case of an enlightened or conscious “I” the passenger actually owns the carriage, in the case of an unenlightened person they are like a passer-by who temporarily hires the privilege or comfort of transportation. The body of a human being with all its motor reflexes corresponds to the coach, their feelings correspond to the horse, and their intellectual centre corresponds to the cabby or coachman who receives instructions from the passenger and then directs the horse to where they wish to go. In the case of the majority of human beings due largely to a poor or incomplete education the carriage is in a state of poor repair, the horse is ill-fed, poorly trained, decrepit and old, and the cabby is lazy, half-asleep, slightly deaf or possibly drunk. The general attitude or consciousness of the self or one’s individual will which corresponds to the passenger may vary considerably owing to its own personal spiritual training or evolution. Although the “cabby” has already undergone a period of education so that he is reasonably literate much of what he has learnt or acquired beyond his preparatory age is further supported by bits of information acquired from his close associates and his various passengers.
With these second-hand pieces of information therefore the average person considers themselves fairly competent in various matters of religion, philosophy, politics, and sociology. They like to argue with their equals, with their inferiors they attempt to instruct, and with their superiors they always adopt a somewhat servile, cap-in-hand attitude. However, one of his chief weaknesses is his indulgence in food, wine and the occasional sexual affair with the neighbouring cooks or house servants. In order to gratify themselves in these they may on occasion steal a portion of the money given him by their employer to feed their horse. They work hard only when under extreme duress, and appear accommodating in the hope that they might receive the occasional tip. Their desire for additional remuneration has taught them how best to exploit the people with whom they have dealings. Human beings become the means towards their own ends, they are not living entities in themselves. They are there to be used mercenarily. Therefore they have learnt how to employ cunning to solicit their sympathy, to flatter them, to superficially charm and generally give their customers positive strokes. But on any free moment they will slip away to a saloon bar and, over a glass of beer or wine, they may occupy their restless mind by reading the paper, nonchalantly daydream or attempt to chat aimlessly with anyone conveniently placed nearby on some senseless or trivial topic.
The horse on the other hand has received little or no education, it is completely “locked-in” within itself and its general attitude is one of complete comatose inertia. Usually, this poor creature is kept tied up or housed within a stable compound and feeds on the most basic of foods ie: straw. As a result it is more than ready to adhere itself to anyone who offers it the slightest caress, perhaps some tasty item of food or drink. It never initiates anything independent of its owner’s reckless wishes or whims, and it may on occasions be flogged for failing to obey. The horse moreover is subject to its most basic physical and sexual urges. At times it may even react suddenly and violently to some imagined fear.
The cart, which was designed to carry a variety of burdens is of necessity made of a variety of materials but of a very complex construction. The designers of this cart moreover had originally intended it for rough, winding country roads whereas now it is drawn over smooth, asphalt, straight city streets. For the cart to operate efficiently and without disruption it requires a regular supply of grease to all its moving parts. In the absence of any severe shocks the greasing fails to reach some of the components of the cart’s mechanism. Furthermore the cabby has little or no knowledge of its general maintenance but when a fault is detected he may consult with an “expert” who may suggest an overall, replacement or total removal of some of its parts. In some instances the replacement part may indeed cost more than a completely new carriage. In normal circumstances the cabby gossiping with his associates, while waiting for a fare, flirts with a passing maid and to all intents and purposes acquires an outer form confirmed by others of an amiable and happy existence.
Meanwhile the horse grows up largely ignored and ill-treated by its owners and the cabby. In many instances no attempt is made by the cabby at securing any rapport with the horse on whom so much depends for the safety and well-being of its passengers. Over the course of time the horse has acquired only a limited understanding of what is required of it and understands perhaps just three or four basic instructions, namely stop, go, turn left or right. It should be noted that the carriage is connected to the horse by means of the shafts, while the cabby only has some tenuous connection with the horse via the reins. The coach moreover has some connection with the thoroughfare by means of its wheels which transfer any shocks received from the endless journeys via strong springs attached to the undercarriage. The passenger likewise has only a fleeting means of communicating its desires from the interior of the carriage to the cabby sat on his pillion atop the coach. Inevitably much may transpire between the moment that the passenger enters the carriage shouting his instructions to the cabby, and the eventual arrival at any specified destination. However, if we were to extend this analogy further, and strictly speaking at times the cabby cannot make many of these instructions clear to the horse because the reins are made of materials which react to a variety of atmospheric phenomena. In effect sometimes the reins become wet, perhaps soft or ineffectual, at others they are dry and brittle and therefore in danger of breaking.
The Manifold Expression of
(The Law of Three)
“FAITH” * “HOPE” * “LOVE”
Love (Stars-Future) absence of which engenders – Conflict/Anger> fuelled by Envy, Fear & Hatred
Hope (Earth-Past) absence of which engenders – Entropy/Inertia> fuelled by Idleness, Hypocrisy, & Greed
Faith (Sun-Present) absence of which engenders – Delusion/Chaos> fuelled by Egotism, Ignorance, & Lust
Their interactions and manifestations are as follows:
Faith in Consciousness is FREEDOM.
• Utopia (Sun-Sulphur, Triangle) Emotional Expression – Creative Harmony (Aerobic)
Idealism – Generation, Faith, Freedom, Celestial Consciousness, (Feeling – Peaceful & Harmonious) Nature.
Faith in Feeling is Weakness.
Faith in Body is Stupidity.
Love of Consciousness evokes a COMMON UNITY.
• Cosma (Stars-Quicksilver, Circle) Conscience (Universal Evolutionary Law) – Change (Anabolic)
Progress – Destruction, Love, Innovation, Super-Celestial Consciousness, (Intellect – Meaningful Order) Language.
Love of Feeling evokes the opposite.
Love of Body depends on Polarity & Type.
Hope of consciousness is STRENGTH.
• Pragmata (Earth-Salt, Square) Physical Function – Structural Form (Metabolic)
Realism – Maintenance, Hope, Orthodoxy, Terrestrial Consciousness (Physicality – Productive & Useful) Technology.
Hope of Feeling is Slavery.
Hope of Body is Disease.
| The links to my current publications, on the Shakespeare Authorship Controversy; “Shakespeare’s Qaballah” and an anthology of poetry “Parthenogenesis” are as follows: |
https://www.amazon.com/dp/8182537193
https://www.cyberwit.net/publications/1721
Website: www.qudosacademy.org
