Busting Loose: Phase 1 & 2 same as ego vs. Higher Self

[OneEyedKing]

Ok, just finished Busting Loose from The Business Game by Robert Schienfeld and am now reading the free online version of The Most Rapid and Direct Means to Eternal Bliss (MRDMEB) and I was thinking that Phase 1 kind of sounds like the ego/false self that MRDMEB and others talk about, while Phase 2 sounds like the Higher Self.

Anyone familiar with Schienfeld and ego/Higher Self think that this is true or are they not compatible?

It seems that MRDMEB says that the ego is the 'I thought', but Schienfeld uses "I am the Power and Presence of God creating this" as part of his Process.

Also interested in hearing others' experiences reaing MRDMEB.

[taylor]

I've read both of those books.

Any self definition that's based on separation (a perceivable separate thing) is the ego. It's just a thought held in mind with no Reality/Oneness/Changelessness. You can't define or perceive or in any way limit your Self.

My take on Busting Loose was that Scheinfeld understood that the world is just an illusion in which you don't really have any free will, it's just orchestrated by the Expanded Self. And your attempts to get what you want in the world will never really work.

But his process was just one method among many spiritual techniques. His goal with his process was to let go of the illusion through looking at it from a different perspective and accepting things as they are. His verbal explanations seemed a bit cumbersome for quick/constant use and I don't use them personally. I just let go of what I'm holding in mind, which is almost always a silent process.

Michael Langford (the author of The Most Direct Means to Eternal Bliss) listed three processes. 1. Awareness Watching Awareness 2. Abandon/Release Method 3. Loving All

I see the Scheinfeld's process as just one way of many to try to accept everything or the Loving All method.

Since Phase 1 is all about trying to rearrange your illusory external world, and Phase 2 is all about letting go of the illusion altogether, to me, letting go, no matter what technique you're using is Phase 2 work.

I like Scheinfeld's book alright, but it's a little immature spiritually I think, though better than the far majority of what's out there that's trying to balance your chakras, raise kundalini, etc. For example Scheinfeld talks about playing the business game in Phase 2 for the fun of it and making new games to play for the sheer fun. He doesn't really talk about enlightenment specifically that I remember, and he still seems a bit geared towards improving the illusion, even though he also talks about letting it go. If you read someone like Langford or Nisargadatta who is actually enlightened, you'll notice that they put exactly zero value on playing games within the illusion or getting cool things happen to them within the world. That's because they've let go of those values, while Scheinfeld has some business game "residue" left to let go of.

As far as Langford's book goes. I'd say he's genuine and although rather harsh, his philosophy is probably exactly what people will eventually need to follow to actually end the ego. All of Nisargadatta's free time was devoted to watching the "I am", including refusing to have thoughts, before his ego fell away. Huang Po said he stopped all conceptual thought for his enlightenment to occur. David R. Hawkins said he did spiritual work constantly and eventually gave up all thinkingness for his enlightenment. I just don't think hardly anyone is ready for Langford's book because they're not ready for that kind of uncompromising commitment. I've been told I'm too far out there because I'm making it my sole aim in life to reach enlightenment (and it shows), and I recognize I still have a long way to go before I can implement the level of commitment Langford demands.

I read his book a couple times and tried to do his AWA practice for hours like he said but I had so much resistance that I abandoned it. I'm doing A Course in Miracles right now and will integrate more and more sit-down AWA-like meditation into my practice as I move in the direction of constant practice.

[OneEyedKing]

Thanks for the thoughtful response. Many good points.

[Wax Frog]

Originally Posted by taylor

That's because they've let go of those values, while Scheinfeld has some business game "residue" left to let go of.

Thanks, needed to see this! I had a bit of resistance to BL that this should help with...

[MotivateMyself]

I really liked Busting Loose and am beginning to wrap my head around the hologram and releasing the energy from the eggs but I keep butting my head against "what's the point of the game?". I really want to resolve this and yes, I could just sit with the discomfort but for me to do that I really need a solid reason for this game. If it's just for fun that is a huge let down for me and actually really bums me out. I feel like there is surely a bigger purpose and I am missing it. I would so appreciate any input on this. Thank you.

[Wax Frog]

I'm rather fond of the idea that it's like some sort of school or training ground...

[ChrisGinsburg]

Busting loose theories aside, even "normal" perspectives of life come down to the same motives. Whether it's for fun, learning or whatever you want it to be. To adopt what Schienfeld is explaining is just to accept that you have greater power than you previously thought. You can rearrange your priorities with greater ease and see what's really important to you. Just because something is an illusion does not mean it isn't real. That's an important distinction to understand. You can sit there endlessly affirming that what you're seeing is an illusion but it will persist nonetheless. It simply isn't as solid and unchangeable as you previously thought. The way that you perceive it is not it's true nature.

[Excellent Lodestar]

Originally Posted by taylor

I've read both of those books.
I like Scheinfeld's book alright, but it's a little immature spiritually I think, though better than the far majority of what's out there that's trying to balance your chakras, raise kundalini, etc. For example Scheinfeld talks about playing the business game in Phase 2 for the fun of it and making new games to play for the sheer fun.

He doesn't really talk about enlightenment specifically that I remember, and he still seems a bit geared towards improving the illusion, even though he also talks about letting it go. If you read someone like Langford or Nisargadatta who is actually enlightened, you'll notice that they put exactly zero value on playing games within the illusion or getting cool things happen to them within the world. That's because they've let go of those values, while Scheinfeld has some business game "residue" left to let go of.

This was my take on the Schienfeld v "enlightened" folk as well.While it IS a little immature, Scheinfeld reaches people who would probably never otherwise stumble on Advaita type understanding. So that's good...

[inri]

Originally Posted by ChrisGinsburg

Busting loose theories aside, even "normal" perspectives of life come down to the same motives. Whether it's for fun, learning or whatever you want it to be. To adopt what Schienfeld is explaining is just to accept that you have greater power than you previously thought. You can rearrange your priorities with greater ease and see what's really important to you. Just because something is an illusion does not mean it isn't real. That's an important distinction to understand. You can sit there endlessly affirming that what you're seeing is an illusion but it will persist nonetheless. It simply isn't as solid and unchangeable as you previously thought. The way that you perceive it is not it's true nature.

I like this. You make some really valid points. All of these techniques described by various teachers are really just another means of achieving an expanded perspective...a new level of awareness...a different vantage point through which to 'experience' physical life...and this is generally for the purpose of eliminating suffering and expanding the experience of peace and joy.





Whether we 'choose' to continue to play the 'business game', the 'I can create anything I want game' or the 'I can expand my awareness to the level that I no longer perceive as a singular 'self' as I am enlightened, and I'm therefore no longer part of the game', game...we will continue to BE an active participant WITHIN the game of physical life...so long as our consciousness remains anchored to and focused through a singular physical body, this must be so.

It's all merely varying levels of awareness and there are absolutely countless ways to achieve a more expanded vantage point of this physical experience. When it comes to vantage points I don't really see how any one could be superior or more mature than another...there is perfection in every stage we could ever find ourselves at.

When we move beyond a need to eschew ego in favor of egolessness and we therefore achieve an acceptance of all levels of awareness, then we've really 'got it' imo.

I personally like Scheinfeld's method..shows his creativity..... and although he is teaching his own technique, in my mind, it demonstrates how we can all come to our very own model of how reality and the universe operates.

Seems to me that ultimately, in coming to our own personal model of reality/the universe (rather than merely adopting the perspectives of others....eastern philosophies included) we can likely achieve far superior results.