gdp's Comments

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Yoga Demystified: The Six Big Ideas.

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:17:40 +0000

Simplified beautifully!

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Pornography. Masturbation. The Spiritual Story No One Wants to Tell.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:40:03 +0000

In this 4 1/2 minute video on Ted a psychologist sounds the alarm in "the demise of guys." It get at the problem. http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/zimchallenge.ht...

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Bhagavad Gita for a Fish.

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 02:44:53 +0000

Love it! While we're at it: A fish Swimming in the water That is thirsty is in serious need of psychological counseling! -Kabir

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Pornography. Masturbation. The Spiritual Story No One Wants to Tell.

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:40:36 +0000

Good point- let me research this to see that Berg/Kaballah suggest! No one wants clogged pipes!

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : What Jill Bolte Taylor Might be Telling Us about Samadhi, An Account of 2 Right-Brain Gurus, and a C

Sat, 16 Apr 2011 13:24:22 +0000

I agree. ACIM would say that all is illusion (dream) and, being our dream, it is exactly what we want, believe, value. The dream world we experience is determined exclusively by our choice of fear and love. From ACIM point of view, all science including physics, is just the dreamer examining the fabric of a dream and can only show us what we've wanted, believed, and valued. Nothing beyond that. ACIM: "There is no [material] world! This is the central lesson of the Course." So right brain, left brain equals a dream metaphor for love/fear and our struggle to chose what we want. But the "drop in the bucket" can be experienced here too, according to ACIM and tell us what we really are. Kabbalah describes the 1 percent world and the 99 percent world. Supports the drop in the bucket idea.

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : “I’ll Forgive You, You Miserable Bastard.” Forgiveness That Hurts or Works.

Sat, 9 Apr 2011 13:22:07 +0000

Another insight: What would it be like to complete forgiveness? Practically speaking, what would it feel like, through increasing insights, to no longer experience guilt or grievance? On one or several levels, would the boundaries that keep us separate, alone, isolated and lonely, just disappear? How might that feel?

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : “I’ll Forgive You, You Miserable Bastard.” Forgiveness That Hurts or Works.

Sat, 9 Apr 2011 01:55:03 +0000

Yes, I see that- Almost like nothing there to forgive, understanding, compassion is already there. No one is stuck in grievance, unforgiveness, or guilt. It's already done. (Assuming no one IS pretending!)

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : “I’ll Forgive You, You Miserable Bastard.” Forgiveness That Hurts or Works.

Sat, 9 Apr 2011 00:20:19 +0000

Not sure I understand. I'm not suggesting pretending- that is what ego does. ("The forgiver will attempt to let go of what “really” happened. But how can he? It really happened and no pledge to just let it go can change that...") I am suggesting that forgiveness comes through a spectrum of insights from understanding fearful motivation (self and others), understanding that everyone is afraid no matter how they appear, and even from possibly a non-dual experience. Insights are more likely to happen when the forgiver is willing to drop all judgment by allowing the possibility that "I don't really know." If there is justification, it is not likely the forgiver will be open to to be new insight. So ego, judgment, justification, keep the forgiver stuck, and often, believing that pretending is forgiveness. Are you suggesting that where everything is known, harm is done intentionally, new insight would not be helpful? Could you give an example?

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : “I’ll Forgive You, You Miserable Bastard.” Forgiveness That Hurts or Works.

Fri, 8 Apr 2011 15:26:24 +0000

I'm interested in the qualifiers. Love to learn more!

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Pornography. Masturbation. The Spiritual Story No One Wants to Tell.

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:19:57 +0000

Great point Jennifer- "the light that we achieve shines light on the dark..." And a free choice is not made out of fear or by avoiding the "fearful" but by bringing light to it. Light brings understanding and compassion which instantly clarifies...and there is no fear in that.

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : Pornography. Masturbation. The Spiritual Story No One Wants to Tell.

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:58:42 +0000

Jake, Thanks for your reply. 1) I read light and dark as love and fear. I believe that we are in charge of our experience here even if we don't realize it. I know that certain practices can bring the experience of fear or love. For example, practicing meditation, yoga, inquiry, giving and sharing helps me experience love, compassion and expansiveness beyond my ego self. Also when I practice defending and being obsessed with "me," I have experienced misplaced anger, misunderstanding, ignorance and violence. Even a sense of isolation and guilt. 2) The porn industry is not my focus here. 3) My own experience: Yes, I’ve tried Berg’s suggestions. My experience is that it works. If you’re interested in testing it out, give it a try! Men vs. Women: Berg says that women’s experience is different. On a simple physiological level, men and women’s response to orgasm is much different. Generally, while men experience a drop in energy (a refraction), women can remain in the heightened state near orgasm. You can read the Kabbalah’s take on women and sex in his book. This article is specifically about masturbation by men and how it might effect their ability to achieve deep spiritual states of Love and connection with their partner.

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : That A**hole is Really Your Guru.

Tue, 1 Feb 2011 06:04:10 +0000

To see him differently is forgivness. To see that he is afraid and doesn't know what to do, just like you and me, all of us. He will change form an a**hole into a scared child in your eyes if you are successful. He may still act in crazy ways and be difficult, but your huge opportunity for spiritual growth is to see what you see in him, what is at the core, his real fear, and investigate whether you have ever felt it yourself. Forgive it in you, and he will never scare you again. Understanding and compassion will replace fear, even if he's so out of control that they lock him up. compassion replaces hatred. There are 2 easy questions. it costs you nothing to try. You could gain a lot.

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : That A**hole is Really Your Guru.

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:04:40 +0000

Perfect!

elephant journal: Yoga, Sustainability, Politics, Spirituality. : That A**hole is Really Your Guru.

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 20:43:13 +0000

Giselle, an observation. Regarding a**holes, it does nothing to "note their good points" and not deal with exactly why "I still consider them a-holes..." You react to them from something within you. It has nothing to do with them. You, leaving "room within to secretly hope they will one day see themselves and reach their potential" does nothing. You'll wait a long time! Suggestion: Stop looking at their "good points." Look intensely at why they are an a-hole to you. Then, find the very same thing within yourself. And forgive you. If you are successful, the a**hole would miraculously disappear! Really what would happen is the a-hole in you would finally be forgiven and you would not project it on innocent bystanders anymore.