Busting Loose from The Money Game

[yossarian]

Angela mentioned this book a few months ago, and yesterday it arrived in my mailbox! Huzzah! How did that happen?

Anyway I'm nearly finished, and so far it's a wonderful distillation on the concept of reality as pure illusion, and also how to relate to a reality that is pure illusion, something which is often left out of other teachings. We know from a million sources, and personal experience, that the world conspires with us in mind, and that the world is extremely self-centered. But it's not often that we see clearly how to relate to that world, to that concept.

Sure, the pain is an illusion, but it still hurts, right?

To me this is a really solid and complete Western version of the essential nature of what I would call Vipassana Meditation, which is the core of Buddhism, the real workhorse. Be conscious of your discomfort, go into that discomfort, see it as the illusion that it is and reclaim your power from it, expanding more and more into infinite joy and abundance.

The downside of importing Eastern teachings is that even when you spend a lot of time on them, they are still foreign and strange and can be hard to really integrate into Western culture. That is why I love this book.

I feel like I've been in Phase 2 for awhile now and The Process is bound to springboard me forward.

I'd love to hear about some of the experiences you Phase 2ers out there have had reclaiming Eggs.

The metaphysical traditions I'm familiar with call it "grist for the mill". The concept of Phase 1 and Phase 2 is something I've read from many sources, but they don't put it nearly as well as this guy does.

You spend a lot of your life feeling pain and becoming convinced that you are separated, then at a certain point the Adept learns that all pain is grist for the mill of personal growth and evolution.

Anyone else here reading, or has read, this book?

[Nneka]

It's on the list. A friend of mine recommended it.

To deal with the illusion, have you tried Byron Katie's Work. The illusion disintegrates with ease and grace.

[Dan.Linehan]

I haven't read it -- but it sounds interesting; I'll add into the queue! How does the book say to relate to the illusion?

[Excellent Lodestar]

I own the book. It's meaning to me has kind of evolved as time has gone on. I see it as "poor mans Advaita"...not that that's bad. Robert reaches an audience that perhaps Advaita doesn't.

The Books terminology is a little hokey for my tastes; irrevelant.

I'd just as soon read "I am that" and skip all the terminology.


Anyway, there's a new Documentary called "leap" featuring interviews with people who feel the world is an Illusion. Robert has some time in that film.
clips:
YouTube - Robert Scheinfeld in Leap! The Documentary #3

[Angela]

The first "egg" I reclaimed my power from was a crick in my neck. The book doesn't specifically talk about physical discomfort, it seems to refer more to reclaiming power from emotional discomfort, but! After my first run-through, the pain in my neck disappeared. It also worked with menstrual cramps. Yay!

That's the easy stuff, though -- parlor tricks! The real fun has been with reclaiming power in mental and emotional unease. I have been transformed into a Sorceress. The big stuff for me has been in my romantic relationship -- recognizing and reclaiming all the power I've invested in creating insanity like "betrayal", "jealousy", "insecurity", and nonsense like that.

The thing I found most interesting about this book is that, like Yossarian it sounds like, everything in the book (except the reclamation process) all came together for me in a shift in perspective, and THEN the book arrived at my door the very next day, delivered unbidden by my boyfriend who had been given it by another pal whom I have never met, who told him he absolutely had to read it. spooky.


Yossarian, my intuition tells me that this may set off what I call the Tasmanian Devil Syndrome (TDS) -- in which there will be an outraged protest about possibility, feasibility, scamability, gullibility. It should be fun!

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan

I haven't read it -- but it sounds interesting; I'll add into the queue. How does the book say to relate to the illusion?

It's worth reading, Dan, but basically: your consciousness created everything in the human game for the express purpose of hiding from yourself the infinite power that is you, so that you could have the fun of expanding more and more into being that infinite power. (Steve has said much the same thing in days gone by, but it must have entered my brain without my noticing and taken root later.) By recognizing how to dismantle the illusion and revealing to yourself the magnificent joy and abundance that is your true essence (reclaiming your power), and letting go of your conviction that your problems are really problems, you are just giving yourself a super-boost in the game -- going into Phase II of the human game -- like getting yourself a really, really good Scrabble dictionary.

It's not so much about money as it is about living a life that you are absolutely, head-over-heels in love with, regardless of your circumstances.

You don't have to take a course or pay exhorbitant amounts of money to get there, either, although the author certainly gives you the opportunity to! It's all available just in the book.

[yossarian]

Yeah, the concept of illusion is something I've been working with for the last year especially. As time goes on it gets more and more refined, and this book is great because it puts everything into cute little phrases and words.

The Books terminology is a little hokey for my tastes; irrevelant.

This is sort of my favorite part. I know lots of Pali words that the Buddhists have for this stuff, and I know a few Sanskrit and Hindi words, and there is the Western Occultism words, and the New Age words, and the Christian words.

But I like Robert's words a lot better!

There is really nothing new under the sun. But it's a lot more fun to say "I'm off on an Egg Hunt!" than it is to say, "I have to make full use of this catalyst!" or to say anitcha and maya and sankhara and karma. Blech

The other thing is that old words hold a lot of our limited beliefs in them because we learned the words in the context of limiting beliefs.

Infinity is infinite. You can't say infinity and then not act like it's infinite. If things are infinite and you are an omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent God, how can there be anything but joy and expansion and abundance? Why do we pretend we need to make affirmations and LoA and we need hard work and self-discipline and all the other things we've all read about.. why do we pretend we need these and then in the same breath talk about infinity?

We don't need to tell God anything because God is omniscient. We don't need to affirm anything because we are omnipotent. Why think and plan and stress and struggle when you're the one infinite creator who has created everything and can change anything at the drop of a hat?

Our only "work" (if we have to use the term "work") is to enjoy ourselves and have fun, and this isn't work this is pretty much the opposite of work.

We take the world so seriously and strive so adamantly, and that itself is the problem! But it's really NOT a problem, it's an EGG!

[Excellent Lodestar]

Originally Posted by yossarian

The other thing is that old words hold a lot of our limited beliefs in them because we learned the words in the context of limiting beliefs.

Why do we pretend we need to make affirmations and LoA and we need hard work and self-discipline and all the other things we've all read about.. why do we pretend we need these and then in the same breath talk about infinity?

That's an Important point; how we learned words in a limiting context. Of course, ultimately, ALL Language is limiting especially in the context of this subject.

I think we still "buy into" Affirmations,Visualizations etc, because a part of us either
A) LIKES this phase 1 game (even with all it's Drama...)
B) Is afraid of what would REALLY happen if we "let go" (I think the answer for me is that my sweet ego would have to die, and that reality is unimaginable perhaps)

I currently use these teachings the way Byron Katie uses the work: Only when I experience Stressful thoughts do I need the Busting Loose truth. When I'm feeling good, well...I'm feeling good, so what's the problem?
So these days,I go in and out of Phase 1 & 2, walking between worlds....for now, that works for me, until it doesn't

Peace,

Lodestar

[Dharma]

Originally Posted by yossarian

Anyone else here reading, or has read, this book?

I've read it and I highly recommend it. If you also read Tolle you'll start becoming dangerous.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Excellent Lodestar

Only when I experience Stressful thoughts do I need the Busting Loose truth. When I'm feeling good, well...I'm feeling good, so what's the problem?
So these days,I go in and out of Phase 1 & 2, walking between worlds....for now, that works for me, until it doesn't

Hey, Lodestar --- I remember a bit where he's talking about that: "why would you want to reclaim your power from a beautiful sunset?" It only makes sense to reclaim your power from an egg of discomfort, and enjoy the eggs you enjoy. So it sounds like you're pretty much in Phase II!

[yossarian]

What's been really amazing for me in the last month is that Busting Loose wasn't the only book that appeared in my mailbox. I also got one called "Infinite Supply" by Joel Goldsmith, which is about the exact same topic and uses the same processes but it's all from a Christian slant.

I didn't REALLY know what these books would be about before I 1-clicked them on amazon (and I order many books) but somehow these two are the ones I read, and they both are so wonderful and are on the identical topic. I've spent years learning about metaphysics and theology and physics and math and other sciences, but the biggest changes have come from extremely simple little techniques. Doing the Power of Now and Vipassana Meditation (don't let the name fool you, it's just the same thing Eckhart teaches, super simple) changed my life in a hurry way back when, then more recently Goldsmith's approach to God changed my life instantly, and then now Busting Loose has deepened Goldsmith's approach and multiplied the joy I found in it.

That is like 500 words of text which did more for me than the hundreds of thousands of words that led up to it. But I suppose part of the Human Game is to learn first hand that seekers don't become finders That Phase 1 is an exercise in exhaustion

[Nneka]

Originally Posted by yossarian

Yeah, the concept of illusion is something I've been working with for the last year especially. As time goes on it gets more and more refined, and this book is great because it puts everything into cute little phrases and words.



This is sort of my favorite part. I know lots of Pali words that the Buddhists have for this stuff, and I know a few Sanskrit and Hindi words, and there is the Western Occultism words, and the New Age words, and the Christian words.

But I like Robert's words a lot better!

There is really nothing new under the sun. But it's a lot more fun to say "I'm off on an Egg Hunt!" than it is to say, "I have to make full use of this catalyst!" or to say anitcha and maya and sankhara and karma. Blech

The other thing is that old words hold a lot of our limited beliefs in them because we learned the words in the context of limiting beliefs.

Infinity is infinite. You can't say infinity and then not act like it's infinite. If things are infinite and you are an omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent God, how can there be anything but joy and expansion and abundance? Why do we pretend we need to make affirmations and LoA and we need hard work and self-discipline and all the other things we've all read about.. why do we pretend we need these and then in the same breath talk about infinity?

We don't need to tell God anything because God is omniscient. We don't need to affirm anything because we are omnipotent. Why think and plan and stress and struggle when you're the one infinite creator who has created everything and can change anything at the drop of a hat?

Our only "work" (if we have to use the term "work") is to enjoy ourselves and have fun, and this isn't work this is pretty much the opposite of work.

We take the world so seriously and strive so adamantly, and that itself is the problem! But it's really NOT a problem, it's an EGG!

Yossarian, you've convinced me!!!

[Excellent Lodestar]

Originally Posted by Angela

Hey, Lodestar --- I remember a bit where he's talking about that: "why would you want to reclaim your power from a beautiful sunset?" It only makes sense to reclaim your power from an egg of discomfort, and enjoy the eggs you enjoy. So it sounds like you're pretty much in Phase II!

Oh yeah, I remember that paragraph...pg 198? Yes?

The Thing about phase two is the Loneliness I experience sometimes- since, I'm the only one here,right?
still, I think once you've "crossed" there's really no going back; not really. You can "pretend" you believe all this--that the "world" is real,but deep down you know you're just jiving yourself, albeit enjoying the ride....since I read Busting loose, I've been fearless in a strange way.

I quit my job last week---without a net. Let's see how phase 2 I am now! Oddly, I'm not scared...I won't say I'm Thrilled about it either, but If this would have happened before BL, I'd have been freaking out right now.

That's one take away I got from BL: That ultimately, nothing can hurt us, ever.(just like the Plastic bag scene at the end Of "American Beauty")
Perfect

Peace,
Lodestar

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Excellent Lodestar

I've been fearless in a strange way.

I quit my job last week---without a net. Let's see how phase 2 I am now!

I know what you mean by that weird fearlessness. I've been job-free for two months now -- and I am incredibly joyful. I also think my experience of job-freedom would be very different if I hadn't had my shift.

Have you guys experienced the oddness of creating avatars who are believing their problems are problems? It has been making me laugh so much, but I'm laughing with my characters, not at them. It's not so easy for them to tell the difference!

Danger Man made me laugh, too, when I freaked out a little in the middle of my 6-week extreme makeover because I wasn't satisfied with the numbers on my scale. Danger Man let me stress out a bit and then said, "is this a problem or a game?" I nearly fell out of my chair. It was perfect.

By the way, I'm experiencing quite the opposite of loneliness -- I've been feeling oneliness. All of my avatars are just as "real" as "I" am -- and you know how real "I" am! I feel much more connected to others now -- and any last vestiges I might have had of shyness or reluctance to talk to strangers has completely and totally vanished. I feel like one of those computer game characters who look like Angelina Jolie -- all muscle and sinew and boldness, you know what I mean? It helps that my first Phase II game has been physical strength, suppleness and vitality.

Have you distinguished a Phase II game for yourself?

[yossarian]

Joel Goldsmith likes to paraphrase Jesus and say, "Nothing can have power over me unless it comes from the Father" and since The Father is omniscient, He knows exactly what we need.

It's a real trip to stop trying to act like Jesus and to start being Jesus. I guess I'm sort of a Jesus-loving guy so this is my particular proclivity

[Angela]

Originally Posted by yossarian

JIt's a real trip to stop trying to act like Jesus and to start being Jesus. I guess I'm sort of a Jesus-loving guy so this is my particular proclivity

So, What Would Yossarian Do? Are you inspired to provide for others what in the old days Jesus has provided for you? Or something?

[yossarian]

Originally Posted by Angela

So, What Would Yossarian Do? Are you inspired to provide for others what in the old days Jesus has provided for you? Or something?

I'm just inspired by Jesus' example and the language he used. I've studied like every religion and belief system that I could get my hands on and for some reason the Jesus Myth seems to hold a powerful charge. I recognize clearly that the truth is the same for all teachings, even often for totally atheistic teachings, and so it becomes a question of preference and of the unique tastes that people have.

It's fascinating how changing the language can change the experience. Same concept, different language, and you can get a totally different charge.

"The Father" is the word Jesus used for the Expanded Self

[Angela]

Originally Posted by yossarian

I'm just inspired by Jesus' example and the language he used. I've studied like every religion and belief system that I could get my hands on and for some reason the Jesus Myth seems to hold a powerful charge. I recognize clearly that the truth is the same for all teachings, even often for totally atheistic teachings, and so it becomes a question of preference and of the unique tastes that people have.

It's fascinating how changing the language can change the experience. Same concept, different language, and you can get a totally different charge.

"The Father" is the word Jesus used for the Expanded Self

Hmmm. I might start calling my Expanded Self "The Mother." Or maybe, "The Empress."

[carenkh]

Originally Posted by Angela

Hmmm. I might start calling my Expanded Self "The Mother." Or maybe, "The Empress."

Warrior Princess

[Angela]

Originally Posted by carenkh

Warrior Princess

I think that would be Rose of Cairo's Expanded Self!

[yossarian]