Emotionology

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Re: Emotionology

Postby Zamurito on Mon Jan 12, 2009 6:44 pm

~

Curious if Cult Whisperer or anyone else has read this book:

Stripping the Gurus
Sex, Violence, Abuse and Enlightenment
by Geoffrey D. Faulk

From what I've gleened so far, looks like an interesting read, apart from the specific gurus and their method of abuse. Some other interesting experiments and details in it as well.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/7326713/StrippingtheGurus

zam
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Re: Emotionology

Postby Gonzo on Tue Jan 13, 2009 1:45 pm

I'm beginning to become a bit paranoid. I was going to leave this topic alone, however, a few days ago, I got curious about the word "adept", since it has been used here as sort of a catch-all. The dictionary definition was inadequate, since the finer meaning really was "spiritual adept" which wasn't defined. Google search yielded some interesting results, one article in particular describing the evaluation of spiritual teachers. It was an interesting article, and I considered excerpting a few comments, or perhaps providing a link to it, then decided by doing so we might incur another brouhaha and my intent was not to start a fight. So, I let it go.

The topic continues, so this morning I did the same Google search. The article no longer exists...404 Page Note Found. Not only was that article missing, so too were the majority of other hits, all yielding 404's. I tried to be tricky, changed the search to "evaluatiing spiritual teachers" - more 404's, at which time I thought I had either a browser problem or a DSL problem. Not so. What's up with this?

What follows are my own notions about spiritual teachers.

First, is a spiritual teacher necessary? My only answer to that is, "Yes, if you think so."

Second, a true spiritual teacher does not charge. Not my rule. It's the rule.

Third. A true spiritual teacher is not in it for himself. That is, his identity is not defined by any label.

Fourth. A true spiritual teacher is unconcerned about critics.

Fifth. A true spiritual teacher lives his shit.

Sixth. In a face to face meeting, does he have substantial presence?

Seventh. Can he let you go?
Is that so?
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Re: Emotionology

Postby Red Heart on Tue Jan 13, 2009 6:07 pm

If I may add a coupla things that occured to me while reading
An adept:
Walks the talk, and does very little talking. The learning is by example
Is patient
Doesnt talk about students behind their backs (I had an herbal apprenticeship with a woman who jabbed all of us to the others...it was devastating to me and the other students)
Doesnt toot their own horn
Often uses the phrase "Is that so?"
Is patient and even tempered. One of my mentors lost their mind with me because of a question that I asked was taken out of context...I have lost all respect for this person.
Has conversations with students and is willing to be wrong. Is also willing to be right without rubbing the students nose in it...
Allows the student to fuck up...and figure their own way out...only intervene if there is something that will hurt the student. We learn by screwing up and unscrewing it.
Most importantly...gets to know the student as an equal, really, not just a weekend and boom done, a two way relationship.

Thats my wishlist, I will teach when I am a professor, my goal is to make each and every student a better scientist than me. IMHO should be the same with every type of teacher.
Galileo Galilei: "I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use."
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Re: Emotionology

Postby Gonzo on Tue Jan 13, 2009 6:25 pm

Maiveeta wrote:If I may add a coupla things that occured to me while reading
An adept:
Walks the talk, and does very little talking. The learning is by example
Is patient
Doesnt talk about students behind their backs (I had an herbal apprenticeship with a woman who jabbed all of us to the others...it was devastating to me and the other students)
Doesnt toot their own horn
Often uses the phrase "Is that so?"
Is patient and even tempered. One of my mentors lost their mind with me because of a question that I asked was taken out of context...I have lost all respect for this person.
Has conversations with students and is willing to be wrong. Is also willing to be right without rubbing the students nose in it...
Allows the student to fuck up...and figure their own way out...only intervene if there is something that will hurt the student. We learn by screwing up and unscrewing it.
Most importantly...gets to know the student as an equal, really, not just a weekend and boom done, a two way relationship.

Thats my wishlist, I will teach when I am a professor, my goal is to make each and every student a better scientist than me. IMHO should be the same with every type of teacher.

Heh. I cannot resist. Is that so?
Is that so?
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Re: Emotionology

Postby datura on Tue Jan 13, 2009 6:30 pm

If I can add, eighth - has mastered detachment.

Gonzo wrote:I'm beginning to become a bit paranoid. I was going to leave this topic alone, however, a few days ago, I got curious about the word "adept", since it has been used here as sort of a catch-all. The dictionary definition was inadequate, since the finer meaning really was "spiritual adept" which wasn't defined. Google search yielded some interesting results, one article in particular describing the evaluation of spiritual teachers. It was an interesting article, and I considered excerpting a few comments, or perhaps providing a link to it, then decided by doing so we might incur another brouhaha and my intent was not to start a fight. So, I let it go.

The topic continues, so this morning I did the same Google search. The article no longer exists...404 Page Note Found. Not only was that article missing, so too were the majority of other hits, all yielding 404's. I tried to be tricky, changed the search to "evaluatiing spiritual teachers" - more 404's, at which time I thought I had either a browser problem or a DSL problem. Not so. What's up with this?

What follows are my own notions about spiritual teachers.

First, is a spiritual teacher necessary? My only answer to that is, "Yes, if you think so."

Second, a true spiritual teacher does not charge. Not my rule. It's the rule.

Third. A true spiritual teacher is not in it for himself. That is, his identity is not defined by any label.

Fourth. A true spiritual teacher is unconcerned about critics.

Fifth. A true spiritual teacher lives his shit.

Sixth. In a face to face meeting, does he have substantial presence?

Seventh. Can he let you go?
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Re: Emotionology

Postby Zamurito on Tue Jan 13, 2009 8:41 pm

~

As the wag said, “The easiest way to prove a self-proclaimed ‘whatever’ a fool is to let him [or her] speak his [or her] mind.”

For the more they speak, the more they prove, to anyone not already under their authoritarian spells, that they are not even close to being what they claim to be.

This was demonstrated today. Obviously something I wrote yesterday touched off a torrent of immature and quite silly comments.

To paraphrase, as I was laughing to hard to really focus on it, “I have history and credibility! I have this, I have that! You don’t have shit!” Bla, bla, bla. Seemed like a lot of self-defining behavior to me. You know how it goes. “I have to put you down to raise myself up.”

The good news, though, is that none of these grandiose figures, playing unconvincingly at being whatever they claim to be, have any power whatsoever over anyone else other than what you, or I, would give to them. Without our obedient submission and credulous swallowing of their untenable claims and widespread exaggerations, they will dry up and blow away as if they had never existed. Put another way: They need us much more than we need them.

It should not take Superman to point out what the self proclaimed don Juan’s within these discussion groups have so clearly failed to put into practice for so long, messing up others’ lives in the process while congratulating themselves about their own supposedly shadow-less, “perfect” and non-dual enlightenments.

The quantity of woefully ignorant advice and self-serving misrepresentation dispensed by these lists ‘self-proclaimed’ individuals makes it impossible to ascribe any actual inherent wisdom or intelligence-guided compassion to anything put forth. The dismal lack of commitment to reality in situations where it does not flatter the ‘self-proclaimed’ figure should be another blatant red flag in that regard. It should further under-line the danger of subverting/surrendering one’s own judgment to the alleged “greater insight” of such individuals. For, bad advice from others is best resisted regardless of what one’s own flaws or present stage of psychological development may be.

If all of this seems too cynical, simply compare the behaviors we have seen on these discussion groups by the 'self proclaimed' with how any sensible and honest person would behave. Couldn’t you do better than every one of the self proclaimed figures in guiding other people’s evolution, regardless of whether the enlightenment claimed by each of these so-called sages is real or imagined? Even if your every hidden indiscretion was made public, wouldn’t you still come off looking like a better human being than any of these bozos?

Think about it.
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Re: Emotionology

Postby Zamurito on Wed Jan 14, 2009 8:48 pm

~

What about the followers in regard to the self-proclaimed?

Is it possible to get an 'honest opinion' from them? In the vast majority of cases, the loyal disciples who defend the “noble cause” are simply those who have not yet been sufficiently harmed by the self-proclaimed. Or, they have not yet gotten close enough to him or her and the inner circle long enough to comprehend what is really going on. (The main focus of this is usually stroking of the ego of the self-proclaimed.) Or, they are so close to the self-proclaimed, and in need of preserving that position, as to lose all perspective, having wholly set aside their ability to impartially evaluate his or her actions, as they must if they are to be “good followers.”

Rick Ross gives ten characteristics to look for in a safe group and/or leader. Those range from the encouraging of critical thinking and individual autonomy in the followers, to the acceptance by the leader of constructive criticism, to a democratic environment.

Good luck with finding any number of those characteristics in any groups around here though. For such a group begins, by definition, with a leader who is more “spiritually evolved” - i.e., who ostensibly sees truth more clearly - than the people around him. That is, s/he merits his or her position as leader not merely for having a greater, studied understanding of one or an-other set of holy scriptures, but rather for possessing a higher degree of enlightenment. :roll:

“Fortunately,” though, the eager aspirants around him and her can attain to that same height if they simply follow his or her teachings and instructions. Thus follows the role-playing, respect-hungering, and the understandable desire to distance oneself from anything that might interfere with one’s most-valued spiritual progress (e.g., Your Life.) And with the need to obediently endure anything which might accelerate the realization of one’s becoming “as great as” the leader himself is, as quickly as possible, it’s all downhill from there.

Look at yourself. Look at those around you. What are you doing? A recently departed member made an interesting comment. "If I come back here in a year, or two, or three, you'll be in the same position." Shit, I can see this, and I've only been around a year or two. (Here at YAW.) What grounds do I have to make these statements? Oh, I've been there. Experienced to the Max. Since you haven't made one iota of progress, isn't it time to question just a bit who and why you're following them??

Oh, but I get it. YOU are not following anyone, are you? The sad part is, that you are; staring at the finger pointing at the moon. The really really sad part is that these self proclaimers aren't even pointing at the moon, they're pointing at themselves (pat me on the back a bit more,) or off to la-la land.

Unfortunately, nine out of ten who read this have their eyes wide shut and this will be quickly dismissed.

z

P.S. How is la-la land, by the way? Oh wait, again, you are only staring at the self-proclaimer. Eh, from my experience, just like some old fuck who wrote about it two thousand years ago, the self-proclaimer is just in the way of my purty view.
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Re: Emotionology

Postby redspiderlily on Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:13 pm

Now you sound like River... "99.9 percent of all people have their eyes wide shut".

It may surprise you to know (though somehow I think not) that many can see, and not all of us are blind followers of a so-called Master. Something about following the scent of a faker, it's like garlic on a baby's breath. Peee eeew!
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Re: Emotionology

Postby Zamurito on Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:41 pm

~

~BlackCrow~ wrote:Now you sound like River... "99.9 percent of all people have their eyes wide shut".

It may surprise you to know (though somehow I think not) that many can see, and not all of us are blind followers of a so-called Master. Something about following the scent of a faker, it's like garlic on a baby's breath. Peee eeew!


You'd know all about following.

Typical reply.

Criticize all you'd like. Doesn't change your current situation.

Go back and burry your head.
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Re: Emotionology

Postby redspiderlily on Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:29 pm

Zamurito wrote:~

~BlackCrow~ wrote:Now you sound like River... "99.9 percent of all people have their eyes wide shut".

It may surprise you to know (though somehow I think not) that many can see, and not all of us are blind followers of a so-called Master. Something about following the scent of a faker, it's like garlic on a baby's breath. Peee eeew!


You'd know all about following.

Typical reply.

Criticize all you'd like. Doesn't change your current situation.

Go back and burry your head.


I'm not criticizing, I am commenting on your post.

Is there something we need to talk about Kris? Because I honestly do not know where any of this is coming from.

You have mentioned you think I am (or have been) gossiping. I do not feel this is true, it could be a rumour, god knows what the basis of that is. If it bothers you we can discuss it. Though why anything I say to or about anyone is of interest to you, I am not sure.

Also I am not sure of my "current situation" and why it needs changing.
I feel I am missing part of the equation here.... I am attempting to fill in blanks as best I can but am coming up short.

Also....
You feel I am following someone, we can discuss this as well. Assumedly you are speaking of Michael M, as he is the only one teacher I am in a close working relationship. You feel Michael is patting himself on the back.. that he is a self proclaimed Master?? What if he is? Why would that be of any concern to you?

What's the deal? I'd sincerely like to work this out so maybe we could get past the hostility and snyde comments.
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Re: Emotionology

Postby redspiderlily on Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:54 pm

On second thought, you know what, this is obviously something you need to work out, and probably has nothing whatsoever to do with me. So I'll leave you to do that. Good luck.
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Re: Emotionology

Postby Zamurito on Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:54 pm

~

Yea, the posts relate to some underlying issues. Whos issues?

No, there's nothing "We" need to work out, because this is not in regards to "Us."

This is the point most miss.

There is no "We," or "Us." (Well, there is, but...not the point I'm addressing.)

There is "Me." There is "You." ....and you, and you, and you...whomever You are ;)

This post is directed to Me, and You, and You and You......

You mention you are not aware of your current situation. Most are not.

This is what I'm getting at. This is not a 'Me vs You' discussion. Most everyone is taking this personally, as in, I'm out to bash someone, thus a re-action. No. Take this personal, not personally. Take it beyond the ego, and let us each take a True look at ourselves.

You mention Maher. How far do you have your head up his ass?

I mention Curtis. How far do I have my head up his ass?

Let's have a cup of tea and take a closer look at this...

z
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Re: Emotionology

Postby Zamurito on Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:56 pm

~

~BlackCrow~ wrote:On second thought, you know what, this is obviously something you need to work out, and probably has nothing whatsoever to do with me. So I'll leave you to do that. Good luck.


..and thus, the same.

Something "You" need to work out...not "Me."
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Re: Emotionology

Postby redspiderlily on Wed Jan 14, 2009 11:21 pm

A few days ago, I was watching a TV program "Canada's Worst Drivers". Silly show.

The driving instructor was attempting to teach these worst drivers how to be better.

They were trying to negotiate a turn, while going relatively quickly and were instructed to not hit the pilons on the shoulder. Many slammed on the brake and skidded into the corner, some slammed on the brake and kept going the other direction, straight off the road.

After the first test the instructor gave some hints as to how they could all safely and easily make the turn and stay on the road. "Look in the direction you want to go." He said.
"Look in the direction you want to go, don't look where you don't want to go."

All the participants passed the test when following this advice.
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Re: Emotionology

Postby datura on Thu Jan 15, 2009 2:53 am

Kris - you've got your head up your own damn ass - see the dark smelly shit? its your colon, your ass, your farts, your dirty crap.

You're raging over here by yourself, probably drunk, for no other reason than you have the urge to fight - as usual. And the core of it is, because you havent 'figured it out.' You know, 'it?'

John, chills with a beer and watches dragonflies. He tells it like it is, but doesnt come out here, like you, wagging his ass, sticking his head up - the man is a man and you are nothing but a manchild - whining and bitching like a dumbass who had his favorite Tonka Truck ran over. So you're not considered 'special' to anyone, or anything. You want to be special - need to be - but nothing you can squeeze your fat ass in, will say to kris, 'Hey kris, you're a special dude.'

Others may 'appear' to be content - but really, none of us are content. Not one, individual around here is that. Contentment is stasis - and stasis is death, but the rotten sort, going nowhere, root like plastic trees and then we do not grow. So we choose, via a controlled folly, to remain discontent - that way, ready for anything. But being still, shutting down ID - yes, absolutely. But im never content, saying Ive 'found it' or Ive 'arrived' or 'im enlightened.' I do that, its over, and I would turn arrogant. So I remain discontent, which is not the same as say, miserable, like your skanky little butt is, stomping his little feet hemming and hawing because he's not happy that hes not the center of the universe - cosmos dont revolve around him.

Its bottom line - the things we read, digest - we will never find The Book with all The Answers - they are reflective, pointers, wisdoms - but that is all they are and can ever be.

Well Ill quote michael maher, just to be a dick to you: "grow some hair on your balls and rip that paper veil!"

And add to that "You big dummy!"
Last edited by datura on Thu Jan 15, 2009 2:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
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