Simple Seekers

A simple seeker decided it was time to try to teach her spirit guru about life in the world of physical reality.

“There is no physical reality.”

“It looks pretty real to me.”

“It’s an illusion.”

“As in a dream?”

“Yes and no.”

“Surely it is or it isn’t.”

“What?”

“A dream.”

“It is and it isn’t.”

“How can that be?”

“It is as a dream in that you are not directing it. But the illusion of so-called reality allows you to pretend that you’re directing it all.”

“But I do make choices.”

“Yes, from available options that you are aware of.”

“How could I possibly choose from options that I wasn’t aware of?”

“It’s too late.”

“For what?”

“It’s too late for you to choose from options that you might have, if you had been aware of them, when and while they were options.”

“Then how can there be any meaning to life?”

“There’s always meaning to life.”

“I mean, for me.”

“Why are you living?”

“I don’t know.”

“Yes.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that you have yet to choose a purpose.”

“How does one choose a purpose?”

“Which one?”

“This one, me.”

“Everyone chooses, every moment.”

“How?”

“By living.”

“Is living itself a purpose?”

“Yes.”

“Then we all have the same purpose?”

“Who?”

“Everyone living.”

“Yes and no.”

“It only begins with living?”

“No.”

“Please explain.”

“There is no beginning.”

………..

A simple seeker’s not to herself

Thinking back, I wonder why I was trying to teach Spirit anything. I should have known that I’d lose. What was I trying to teach him, anyway?”

“About life in the so-called world of physical reality.”

“If physical reality is an illusion …”

“And it is.”

“Then what purpose does it serve?”

“Does it serve a purpose?”

“Does it?”

“Yes.”

“Then what?”

“Physical experiences provide opportunities to develop skills, and practice understanding our interrelatedness with all other life forms.”

“What purpose does understanding have?”

“It determines how we interact with each other. But choosing is only a step toward understanding.”

“Understanding what?”

“Understanding that we are one.”

……………

A simple but sincere seeker of a higher level of spiritual development somehow came under the influence of a spiritual guru whose understanding of life seemed to be …

“What do you mean by seemed to be?”

“Perhaps I don’t yet know what the limits of my own understanding of life are.”

“How is it possible not to know your own limits?”

“Perhaps I’ve been socially conditioned to accept, and expect, less of myself and my capacity for thought than possibly exists.”

“Why would that have happened?”

“Not necessarily through the failure of anyone to teach me, unless …j”

“Unless what?”

“Parents and early childhood educators likely seek to serve the best interests of the community when teaching children what to think, and how to relate to their world.”

“Wouldn’t it be in the best interests of the community for children to be taught as much about life as they could understand?”

“Perhaps the natural, or conditioned, limits of parents and early childhood educators restricts what they can pass on to the younger generation in their care.”

“Yes, but there is always conscious intent to limit awareness in the minds of young children.”

“If so, that intentional limitation could have survival value.”

“For whom? Or what? How? And why?”

“Perhaps it’s as food.”

“In what way?”

“We feed babies with very soft foods that their bodies can digest, and only gradually introduce foods that require a more developed digestive system.”

“What has that to do with intentionally limiting a child’s intellectual development?”

“Teachers and parents can only teach what they know.”

“Or what they believe is safe for the children to know?”

“How could children be endangered by knowledge?”

“Perhaps not the children themselves.”

“Then whom? Or what?”

“Every society that exists can only maintain its present way of life by gently, or otherwise, enforcing rules on everyone within that society, including children.”

“But societies evolve and transcend, over time, as new ideas and new ways of living become available.”

“Yes, but as eager as young people, and some others, may be to adapt and change, there’s always repression of adaptation and change, by those who might lose their position of power within society.”

“That could be a healthy condition.”

“How so?”

“Survival needs of individual societies might depend upon, at least some control by leaders, teachers, and parents, of the degree and type of change that seems to be happening.”

“Yes, there are always reasons for suppression.”

“Is it necessarily suppression?”

“What else?”

“Suppression sounds so deliberate and intentional.”

“it is.”

“Could it not just be resistance to change that might threaten the existing rules of order or the society in question?”

“Or the power of those who benefit from the current rules.”

“That, of course, would be part of any dynamic between the past and the desired future.”

“Yes.”

“So, what’s the solution?”

“To what?”

“A peaceful transition from what was, to what might yet be.”

“Yes, there is no peaceful solution.”

“Winner takes all?”

“Yes.”

………….

A simple seeker’s note to herself

Thinking back on the concept of “winner takes all” solution to any differences between either individuals or groups, it’s something that I’ve always resisted. I seem to need a level playing field kind of ending to any problems between people.

“Life doesn’t usually work that way.”

“Why?”

“Conflicting visions of an ideal society can cause tensions between the opposing views, unless both sides choose synthesis.”

“Can’t there be accommodation, cooperation, and harmony as an alternative to synthesis?”

“Perhaps, as a short-term solution, but it wouldn’t last.”

“Why?”

“It would still be duality.”

“So what’s wrong with duality?”

“There’s no unity in duality.”

“Why do we need unity?”

“It’s the only reality.”

“What does that mean?”

“Either we’re all in this together or we’re not, and we are. Case closed.”

………..

A simple seeker was meditating on the concept of “As above – so below,” and how it might express itself in human society.

“Is there a human society?”

“Perhaps the sum total of all human societies could be considered as an all-inclusive human society.”

“Would the same principle ..?”

“Is it a principle?”

“It’s more than a principle. It’s a Law of Life.”

“How many laws of life are there?”

“There’s no limit to their number.”

“Is there a hierarchy within these rules of order?”

“Are they rules of order?”

“Are they?”

“Yes.”

“Then …?”

“As above – so below.”

“A common bond?”

“Yes.”

“What is the common bond?”

“Everyone possesses the same emotional and intellectual attributes as anyone else, but in varying degrees.”

“Then why is there, or seems to be, an above and a below?”

“And a somewhere in between?”

“Yes.”

“It’s necessarily so.”

“Why?”

“Birds of a feather flock together.”

“Sparrows and crows don’t associate with each other.”

“Exactly. They each form their own societies, but are, at the same time, birds.”

“The same species of life?”

“Yes.”

“Then, what about the human species?”

“What about it?”

“Language groups.”

“Yes, and separate cultures and communities develop within each language group.”

“Is it possible to integrate all language groups and then to assimilate them into one?”

“Why would you want to? And how would you do it without eliminating individual cultures?”

“Then co-existence is the solution?”

“To what?”

“Co-existence is its own solution?”

“How to co-exist with others who are, or seem to be, superior or lesser to us, in some respects?”

“Between groups or within groups?”

“The same principles would apply; the same laws of life apply.”

“Those above know they’re above, and those below …?”

“Yes.”

………….

A simple seeker’s note to herself

Thinking back on my discussion with Spirit about human and animal societies, what lesson of life was Spirit teaching me about similarities and correspondences between different species of life?

“What did you learn?”

“I learned that the same general laws, rules, or principles apply to all forms of life.”

“Wrong.”

“Wrong?”

“Yes.”

“Please explain.”

“As above – so below expresses some general correspondences between different levels of intelligence and/or life forms.”

“Is there any correspondence or common bond between you and me?”

“Both. We each share an interest in clear and simple spiritual philosophy. That’s the common bond.”

“And the correspondence is that we each understand it at a different level?”

“Yes.”

……………..

A simple seeker was deeply engrossed in reading “The Shadow’s Gift” by Robin Robertson, in which the author shares and discusses his personal experience with psychic mediums, while maintaining an open mind as to their authenticity.”

“What exactly would an open mind look like, in this instance.”

“Neither absolutely believing nor absolutely disbelieving, but keenly interested in understanding exactly what was happening.”

“Happening?”

“In terms of the subconscious activity of, or through, the channel or medium.”

“What’s the difference?”

“Between a channel and a medium?”

“Yes.”

“Perhaps, in essence they’re the same.”

“Then why did you mention both?”

“Are they not the same?”

“Yes.”

“Then, what’s the difference?”

“The difference is one of function.”

“Please explain.”

“A medium communicates between physical people and non-physical people.”

“And, a channel?”

“She serves a non-physical person or purpose.”

“She?”

“Yes, you.”

“Are you my shadow?”

“In a way, yes.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that we’re each incomplete without the other.”

“In what way?”

“I teach you, and you share my teaching with your blog readers.”

“There aren’t that many of them.”

“There will be.”

………….

A simple seeker’s note to herself

Thinking back to my discussion with Spirit, what did I learn about mediums and channels?

“Did you learn anything?”

“Yes.”

“Then what?”

“I learned that I seem to channel some of your teaching.”

“How?”

“As a radio transceiver.”

“What about a newscaster?”

“No.”

“How do they differ.”

“I seem to assimilate the essence of what you share with, or teach, me, but only as clearly as I can understand it. And then I share it with my Facebook friends, and with the Facebook groups that I’m a member of.”

“Do you know how many people pay any attention to what you post or comment?”

“No, but I’m learning so very much about life, from you, and I enjoy sharing what you teach me with my Facebook community. Also, I’m gaining experience, and learning from some posts and comments of others.”

“Yes. It’s a win-win situation.”

…………..

“Simple seeker, what is it that you claim to be seeking?”

“Why do you say claim?”

“How sure are you of what you’re seeking, if you’re seeking anything that you don’t already possess?”

“In which case …”

“Yes.”

“Does it matter?”

“Yes. We should know what it is that we don’t now possess, and yet seem to need to.”

“Perhaps …”

“Yes. Anything we might wish to have can be categorized under one general heading. …”

“Peace of mind?”

“Yes. And to the question that you’re almost ready to ask, the answer is yes. It is possible to possess peace of mind. Would you like it?”

“No.”

“Yes, a restless spirit, after my own heart.”

…………

A simple seeker’s note to herself

Thinking back on my discussion with Spirit, what did I learn about peace of mind?

“Perhaps you learned something about your own personality.”

“Such as?”

“Such as a seemingly predisposition toward conflict, or tension, as some might call disharmony.”

“I seem to resist peace of mind?”

“Yes.”

“Why would I resist peace of mind?”

“Yes. Why do you?”

“I do?”

“Yes.”

“Perhaps, …”

“Yes. We are energy beings, and energy flows.”

“And the comfort zone of each of us may be set at a unique level of motion?”

“Yes.”
…………..

A simple seeker was meditating on a confusing dream of being lost in traffic and intensive construction, on her way to church to celebrate a harvest festival. She could hear the service begin. A loud speaker was being used, and yet it didn’t seem to cause her to wonder why, even though it had never been part of any previous experience.

“Perhaps, during a dream, we’re unaware of any other previous experience.”

“Then why was I aware of where I was trying to go, to a church that I once attended?”

“Yes. There’s always a blend of the reality that we’re familiar with, and that which we are not.”

“Anyway, I was lost.”

“Were you alone.”

“No. I was with a friend. But I was not totally lost. I was aware of being close to our destination.”

“But something was different with the landscape?”

“Yes. Traffic was incredibly intensive, as was the density of new buildings under construction.”

“What happened next?”

“I was almost hit by an expensive looking car, attempting to make a left turn at an intersection. It was chasing after another car that had now sped away. I must have crossed the street before the car shrieked to a stop, close to me. What did it mean?”

“What did what mean?

“My dream.”

“What makes you think that it meant anything?”

“I know that it meant something.”

“How?”

“I experienced it.”

“What did you experience?”

“The possibly bad guys were very polite.”

“Would they have been polite to whomever they were chasing?”

“No. He’d likely be dead.”

“But you were impressed by their behavior toward you.”

“Yes. They were well-mannered, and seemed sincere.”

“And yet they might be killers.”

“Perhaps whomever they were chasing was the bad guy.”

“Are bad guys necessary?”

“It’s easier to think of conflicting sides as having opposite values.”

“Yes.”

………..

A simple seeker’s note to herself

Re bad guys: As Spirit seems to suggest, perhaps my ideas of good guys and bad guys are socially-conditioned attitudes. And yet, as a society, we seem to need to develop values of right and wrong.

“How?”

“From lived experience, I guess. But until we’re old enough and experienced enough to determine right from wrong, and/or good from bad, we seem to need guidance and limits to what is acceptable and what is not, for our own sake and for that of the community we live in.”

“Yes, and that’s how certain traditions develop over time, and in different communities, with the elders of the community accepting responsibility for guiding younger bodies and/or minds to develop healthy attitudes and ways of living, that seem to fit the needs of a particular society, at a particular time.”

“That makes sense, but why wouldn’t the wise elders of all societies have a similar idea of what was right and what was wrong?”

“They did, as ancient writings of all societies show.”

“If they were similar in the beginning, then how did they become so different, now?”

“They’re not much different, even now, except on the surface. People are basically the same, all over the world. They each and all need to feel safe and loved.”

……………

“Existence comes before essence.” Who said that?

“Likely an existentialist.”

A simple seeker was aware that her spirit teacher didn’t seem to approve of assigning names as credits. He kept reminding her that ideas come to us. We don’t go to them, nor do we create them from nothing. But then, what we do with them is our choice.

His position on this, and on some other matters, she thought, might be as a gentle, or not so gentle, put-down on her tendency to hero-worship.

“We don’t call our parents by their personal names.”

“That’s different.”

“How?”

“Calling your parents Mother and Father, or more casually, Mom and Dad, is a cultural tradition, and perhaps a step toward learning to respect authority and those who have earned it, one way or another. The Kabbalah has much in common with your own cultural traditions, in this respect.

The Tree of Life represents needed structure to our lives. We develop from the bottom up.The Tree helps us to focus on form before essence.”

“Why?”

“The letter of the law must be accepted and respected before attempting to understand the spirit of whatever law.”

“Even if whatever law seems to make no sense at all?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Laws represent order, and even if it’s time to change a law, one must attempt to understand what purpose it might have served at an earlier time.”

“Then, it should be accepted without necessarily approving of it?”

“Yes. Law as form, is both structure and a foundation, while essence has potential to expand and deepen, after the form is acknowledged and then, perhaps, adapted to meet changing circumstances.”

“I really am blessed to have you share your wisdom with me. But I’ve been developing some insights of my own, a deeper awareness of …”

“Humility?”

……

A simple seeker’s note to herself

Perhaps, sometimes I do get too sure of the truth of my own ideas, and I may need to learn to accept that there may be many more ways than one to see and/or understand any situation and/or idea. But, how to learn to see from different perspectives?

“You might try listening with intent to understand.”

“The problem with that advice is that I might decide that the other position has at least as much validity as my own.”

“Yes.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that you might then be able to reach a compromise or synthesis with differing opinions or ideas.”

“Yes. Thanks.”

“For what?”

“For helping me to understand that differences are negotiable, or they might be.”

“Yes.”

…..

A simple seeker was mourning for someone she had never met, at least not in person, during this lifetime. He was, to her, as a hero – a giant of a man. Even the trees around her hung heavy, as if to share her mood.

“We each come for a purpose, and when we’ve completed our chosen role …”

“I like that story, but …”

“It’s more than a story. But …?”

“If it was time to go …?”

“And it was.”

“Then, why did he have to …?”

“Perhaps that was part of the plan.”

“Whose plan?”

“His plan.”

“And we each …?”

“And we each ….”

“Do some of us choose to be bombed?”

“Not everyone who is.”

“Then, what …”

“We each choose, if we’ve developed the capacity to choose.”

“And the rest of us …?”

“A supporting cast of millions.”

“What purpose …?”

“To learn to develop your capacity to choose.”

“To choose what?”

“And where? when? how? and why?”

“And who?”

“Yes.”

……………….

A simple seeker’s note to herself

It still distresses me to think that some of us might actually choose to lead a seemingly meaningless life, or one full of dangers.

“What kind of dangers?”

“Any kind.”

“Any is vague and general. Be specific.”

“Why would someone choose to be trapped between warring armies, or between forest fires that seemed to be merging?”

“Is that where you are, now?”

“No. I was just using those scenarios as examples.”

“Why?”

“Why not?”

“Why not dare to come a little closer to home?”

“What does that mean?”

“What might it mean?”

“My personal situation?”

“Yes.”

“I’m not sure how to describe it.”

“Try.”

“Okay. Why would I have chosen to struggle with someone I can’t see?”

“Perhaps you didn’t trust your physical senses, and wanted to bypass them. Would I have had the same effect on your mind, if you could see me?”

“Perhaps not.”

“Yes.”

…………….

A simple seeker was mediating, and trying to clear her simple mind.

“If it’s that simple, then what’s the problem?”

“You seem intent on interrupting my thinking about not thinking.”

“Did I win, again?”

“Yes. I forgot what it was that I was trying to forget.”

“Then we both win.”

“It’s not as simple as that'”

“What’s the problem?”

“I’m supposed to let go of thinking, on my own.”

“Who told you that nonsense?”

“Why would it be nonsense?”

“Because it’s impossible.”

“Why?”

“When you, or anyone, sincerely meditates, then your sincerity attracts, as if it had put in a call to Higher help.”

“We each have an open line to Higher help?”

“Yes. It’s a Law of Life.”

…………..

A simple seeker’s note to herself

I wonder what an open line to Higher help really means.

“It means what I said it means.”

“Yes, but how does it work?”

“It’s a reward for effort.”

“Please explain.”

“When we have a problem that we’re trying to solve, no matter what kind of problem, if we do all that we can to solve it ourselves, and then just walk away from it, or do something else, then suddenly we may know the answer. We’ve prepared our mind to receive. We’ve opened the door between intellect and intuition, a higher level of understanding life’s problems.”

……………..