Spiritual growth is about change

[Revolution]

Spiritual growth is about change

Honestly, too often on these forums I see people insisting on being "RIGHT". But what I question is not so much their belief or standpoint ... but their emotional attachment to their current belief system. What that suggests to me is that they are afraid - afraid to let go...

Sigh.... No doubt they have seen life the hard way... and now they know better (or at least they think they do) and they will be darned if they're going to change their minds. But maybe, just maybe that is exactly what they need to do in order to evolve further. Maybe all their opinions and world-views are what is keeping them glued to their egos.

I offer the following not to condemn or to preach - but as a re-minder:

The fool thinks himself to be wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.

~ William Shakespeare

... when I was younger I didn't really appreciate that one so much because it sounded a bit self-depreciating ... but now I believe its not so much about thinking that you're foolish but rather, more about the willingness to suspend judgement and be open to change as you grow and evolve.

And one for those who seek to impress others...

The self-confidence of the warrior is not the self-confidence of the average man. The average man seeks certainty in the eyes of the onlooker and calls that self-confidence. The warrior seeks impecability in his own eyes and calls that humbleness. The average man is hooked to his fellow men, while the warrior is hooked only to infinity.

~ Carlos Castaneda

Now, now, before you get all mad...

I understand that alot of people HATE to see quotes and the like... and I will assure you that I myself have outgrown fundamentalist religion. However, I still see alot of value from MANY religions and MANY philosophies. The wise - in my humble opinion - listen to ALL people and then find their truth using their own inner compass. Consider the possiblility that even though a particular teacher or source of wisdom may be imperfect - perhaps they are telling you EXACTLY what you need to hear/learn/master at the time.

... In other words focus on the message - not the messenger - because none are perfect and life is here to guide/inform you using MANY devices.

Peace and love.

[SpaceGuru]

I agree with you fully. I see too much fundamentalism on all sides on this site.

[Acting Like Godot]

What you see is always a reflection of what you are.

[marinik]

So you consider yourself wise and want to humbly share it with us the scared ones?

[JMononoetoe]

I don't know, Revolution. So far I've only found people that apply to your post in the Health & Fitness section. Vegetarians this, soy that... No, vegetarians that, and soy this!.. You this, you that! I keel youu!!! With soy!@#% *thread lock*

*ahem*

I seriously haven't seen much fundamentalism here, except from those that are bound too much to their set of beliefs. I guess it's a matter of perception. I haven't seen much people here that claim to know it all, except for those who desperately want to prove a point, whatever the point is.

You should always consider the messenger And the receiver, for otherwise a message is inert. Before a messenger can send a message, he/she must receive it. In the receiving of the message, the message will be interpreted. Then they must send it to others, a process in which the interpreted and coloured message is sent to others, who also interpret it.
Sure. You could say nobody's perfect, but why would you want to be? You can always strive for perfection, but you will never be "perfect" (even though that's a misconception). That's what makes life so amazing! It's also the reason why it's not an excuse at all

Like I said though... It all is a matter of perception. If you perceive fundamentalism And you perceive resistance (anger, irritation, the need to post about how wrong it is) this must mean that there is also fundamentalism in you. This is only logical, for otherwise you would not experience resistance.

Sure. I perceive fundamentalism every now and then, and some people are indeed very wanting to be right. I wouldn't worry about it too much, they will learn eventually, whether it is in this life or another.

No need to bother. At all.

[wolfgang]

Originally Posted by Revolution

Spiritual growth is about change

Honestly, too often on these forums I see people insisting on being "RIGHT". But what I question is not so much their belief or standpoint ... but their emotional attachment to their current belief system. What that suggests to me is that they are afraid - afraid to let go...

What changes with spiritual growth? Why is it change, in your view? What makes that "right"? Is this also something to let go of?

I am not sure what spiritual growth is about. Realization? Not being habitual? Being harmonious and joyful? Surrendering and accepting? Or the most flexibly belief system you can allow? Or no grand absolute belief at all (which is also a belief - to belief it's better to not have beliefs)?

[aphorist]

If you think people are attached to their viewpoints and not able to change, then that's probably a reflection on yourself. I am just your projection, afterall.

[Andy4]

I just love this post,well done you've got guts,as in society,forums unfortunately are no different.Too many people creeping to so-called senior members,it makes my skin crawl but then again sheep get slaughtred,dont they.I just wish some of them would have a bit more dignity on the way out that's all.

Anyway,love the Shakespeare quote,dont apologise for it.here's one for you.

"I know that I'm intellegent because all that I know is that I know nothing." (Socrates)

If,in my humble oppinion I could offer you one peice of advice it would be this,stop appologising for the things you've never done.Have more belief,you speak well

Regards,Andy.

Wealthnuggets4u-Get Rich!-In All Areas Of Your Life.

[dice]

Originally Posted by Acting Like Godot

What you see is always a reflection of what you are.

love lvoe love love love love love it! My life makes sense. thanks.

[Strem2]

Originally Posted by Revolution

Spiritual growth is about change

....

Now, now, before you get all mad...

I understand that alot of people HATE to see quotes and the like... and I will assure you that I myself have outgrown fundamentalist religion.

Thanks, Revolution. I hadn't realized that people hate the quotes.... I was going to quote from <em>A Conversation with God</em> and say that Dice reminded me that every choice is a choice between love and fear....

[Revolution]

Originally Posted by Acting Like Godot

What you see is always a reflection of what you are.

Oh, really?

In that case I would suggest: speak for yourself - because obviously you just posted that as a means to express YOUR opinion of ME.

ALG, I personally don't have time for egoic-style debates. I define an egoic-style debate as a debate which involves people being overly concerned with beight "right" or "winning" or when people get so defensive or offended that they resort to NITPICKING, NAME CALLING, POINT SCORING, AND TAKING ISOLATED SEGMENTS OF A CONVERSATION OUT OF CONTEXT AND THEN USING THEM TO TRY TO FURTHER THEIR OWN AGENDA. That last one sound familiar?

On the other hand healthy debate where people are being mutually respectfull and actually making intelligent conversation - well thats fine.

PS: I can understand if you were a bit rattled by some of my previous posts but please try to remain calm. I posted those things for everybodys sake. Don't take it personally.

PPS: I've noticed that on at least one occasion you have spoken of how after your "deep" meditations you sometimes don't feel like doing all the manifestation/visualisation business. Well, isn't THAT interesting.

PPPS: And if your going to get upset then I can only have compassion for you Godot.

[Revolution]

Originally Posted by Strem2

Thanks, Revolution. I hadn't realized that people hate the quotes.... I was going to quote from <em>A Conversation with God</em> and say that Dice reminded me that every choice is a choice between love and fear....

Hmm, have you heard Lilly Allens song entitled The Fear?

[Revolution]

Originally Posted by aphorist

If you think people are attached to their viewpoints and not able to change, then that's probably a reflection on yourself. I am just your projection, afterall.

Hmm... interesting theory.

Ah, Sigh.

You know what? I'm kindof over these one liners that don't stand up to the light of reason or logic.

Put it this way, if everybody is a God then it makes sense that everyone and everything is a projection of eachother. But so what? God is the alpha, the omega - the up the down - the light the dark - the here the there... see what I'm saying here?

Maybe, (just maybe) it could be "true" to say that IN GENERAL the people in your life are a reflection of yourself... but just because I noticed how SOME people on this forum get defensive doesn't mean that you can extend that to make assumptions about all the people who I deal with in life.

[Revolution]

Originally Posted by marinik

So you consider yourself wise and want to humbly share it with us the scared ones?

Oh, Marinik, you are soo adorable. You know that?

[joelr]

Interesting the way this thread has played out. Those one liners sometimes pack a lot of wisdom!

[cylon]

The OP is an example (IMO) of someone seeing how they "used to be" in others, and using that as a platform to grow into something even better.

The emotional response from the poster, positive and negative, is a reflection of how much the message of the OP has been internalized.