Split forum in consciousness level

[Adelina]

Anyone else come here for intellectual exchange,
but find the temporarily lower consciousness 'help me' messages a bit distracting?

It would be nice to have a positive, growth oriented section of the forum,
separate from the therapy section.

[Angela]

Well, everybody is exactly where they are, and we're all ready for what we're ready for, and we're all participating in personal growth together, whether we're having an intellectual exchange or helping each other through a crisis. I've gotten tremendous fun and value from all the different kinds of posts on this forum, including (especially!) the ones that bug me.

There's only one level, and that's that we're all in this together.

At least, that's how I see it.

[Adelina]

I mean, its kind of like reading the newspaper. You sometimes have to filter through the negative stuff that's not relevant to you, to get to the sunday special and fun section and crossword puzzle. Ya know?

We should be able to specialize the exchanges enough on here, so that those in a negative state seeking help have their place, and the intellectual exchange in another, without having to mix the two (just feels very staticky looking through the posting list right now).

Maybe there can be a separate 'help me' section.

[jawillie]

I get what you are saying, but if you start to break it down, where would the lines be? So, I tend to agree with Angela on this one.

Besides, I have actually had a lot of growth from exchanges with people here.

I think there is a frustration when some aren't familiar with living consciously, or what that means as then they don't get a word you are saying, but then it just means learning how to talk in a way that makes sense to everyone.

But... do *I* know what that means, anyway? I am learning "not really"... as soon as I think I have it all figured out, I am shot down back to my place.. lol. So, I am learning to shrug my shoulders and admit, "I know nothing." I am just doing my best as is everyone else.

And it is a good opportunity to remember that what you judge in another you condemn in yourself. What you see in the world is a reflection of yourself. Those words take on powerful meaning for me.

We all need to learn compassion and acceptance.

BUT... I totally get what you are saying and I admit there are times I find myself wishing, "I wish there was an "Awakened or Trying to Awaken" forum!

[Angela]

Originally Posted by jawillie

"I wish there was an "Awakened or Trying to Awaken" forum!

That reminds of what happens in my intermediate/advanced beach volleyball class.

Everybody shows up and places themselves on the "Advanced" court, except for a very few who go to "Intermediate" either because they rate their skills lower or because they prefer the uncrowded court. The instructor watches everyone warm up and sizes up their skill, and then she makes almost everybody switch. Often she'll put someone who is really good over in the not-so-skilled group to assist, inspire, and motivate. Sometimes she'll promote a less skilled player to the Advanced group to help the better players be more aware and giving partners.

Some people laugh when they get reassigned, and some people get really mad and never come back.

[pianoperformer]

Yeah I agree with Angela. There's a bit of a sense of superiority if there are people going to some awakened only board, putting themselves on a higher level than others. Everyone is on a different part of the path, and we all need help with various things no matter how far along we are.

[Savage]

I've heard a few requests for something like this since the forums launched. At first glance it seems like an interesting idea to have different subforums for different levels of consciousness, but I have a hard time seeing it work well in practice.

Imagine what the moderation would look like:

"Sorry, you don't belong here. This forum is for people who are at the level of acceptance, and it's obvious that you aren't nearly accepting enough to participate here... but that's okay because we can all accept that about you. Why doncha go back and hang out in the Pride forum until you're ready for this level?"

[Angela]

To carry my volleyball analogy a bit further, this guy once showed up who only wanted to hit -- he had no interest in learning to set or serve (which tickles me, as an analogy ). Everyone sort of hated him and no one wanted to drill with him, but he also provided a perfect opportunity for us to each deal with it in our particular way.

He got blisteringly angry when informed that he had to practice all the skills, not just spiking, to be in the class; and he stormed off to the other courts to complain about what selfish idiots we all were, especially the instructor.

doesn't that sound familiar? I think the moderators will recognize the phenomenon.

[Adelina]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Imagine what the moderation would look like:

"Sorry, you don't belong here. This forum is for people who are at the level of acceptance, and it's obvious that you aren't nearly accepting enough to participate here... but that's okay because we can all accept that about you. Why doncha go back and hang out in the Pride forum until you're ready for this level?"

Haha! The forums would turn into a consciousness school. Eventually we'll all be enlightened.

But perhaps this can be simplified by offering a 'help' or therapy section, with option to turn it off for those who are here for intellectual exchange.

[Jarrod]

By helping others, I help others. That is enough in itself.

By helping others I also learn and grow myself. That is all I could ask for.

I think it's a lot easier for people with 'lower' consciousness to reach 'higher' levels if the people with 'higher' levels try to help. Which 'raises' everyone in the long run.