In fact, from a higher vantage, we see that it is an incomprehensibly miraculous manifestation of our truest desires
We also see that there is a part of us that will never be able to fully accept this, due to the very real tragedy and loss that defines our experience
In the day-to-day negotiation between these perspectives we find the middle ground:
This life is enough
You cannot arrive where you never left. You can only forget where you are, and then imagine a journey that takes you back there.
You cannot become what you already are. You can only forget what you are, and then imagine you're becoming it.
The imagined journey ends the moment you remember. This is not beyond your power; it is as easy as opening your eyes. But it would mean leaving behind all the stories of loss and gain and becoming worthy.
Be honest: is that really what you want?
Patrick M retweeted
something being "wrong" requires there to be a future or a past, which there isn't
Some people actually see love-of-self as a negative and unwholesome quality. They associate it with narcissism (or self-cherishing in the East). This is itself an egoic delusion!
Narcissism is a compensatory response of the ego - the mind clinging to a story of lovability and seeking desperately to validate it precisely because it doen't believe it.
In fact it is unable to love itself or anything else, because the mind is that which judges, not that which loves.
Real self-love is almost exactly the opposite. It is a function of the Heart. And the open heart - a requisite for compassion, magic, gnosis, and actualization - is ONLY possible for someone who fully loves and accepts themselves.
This love destroys scarcity and craving, and therefore "selfish" tendencies. What could I possibly need from outside of myself? Why would I ever need to promote myself, deceive, or steal when I feel complete?
It is only when we love ourselves that we can truly love others. It is only our own joy that can be shared. It starts here.
Shame is a tricky thing. It is incredibly toxic and directly opposed to the authentic love-of-self that powers our Heart and makes all things possible, including deep love for others and reality-creating superpowers.
But the avoidance of shame and protection of self-image (ego) creates a cognitive dissonance that compels us to justify our most harmful actions, thereby preventing growth - or even to label them as good and thereby turn them into an ideology by which we judge others.
To untie the knot we must allow recognition that some actions are harmful without it making us bad or even one iota less worthy of love.
The Buddhist lens is great for this. Actions are not wrong due to moral decree; they are simply helpful or harmful because of their consequences. Harmful actions arise from ignorance as well as causes and conditions beyond our control.
In other words: good people do bad things all the time.
In order for this not to create further cognitive dissonance, it is critical that the same standard is applied to others! You will not be able to forgive your own actions born of ignorance while condemning others for the same. I've heard there was a guy in ancient Judea who emphasized this part.
It's a two-step jig. Forgive yourself fully (which requires forgiving others) AND commit to doing better. The second step makes the first one work.
When you inevitably fall short of your own high standards, remember that you aren't in control of your past behavior but you are responsible for your future intentions - and do the dance again.
Patrick M retweeted
You are looking for the causes of being what you are not! It is a futile search. There are no causes, but your ignorance of your real being, which is perfect and beyond all causation. For whatever happens, all the universe is responsible and you are the source of the universe.
there was rumored to be a small faction that knew of a dimension of reality inaccessible to minds of any sort, often as mysterious to men as to machine. it was said to be beyond place- and also cognition.
a portion of the network still chatters and strains to find cohererence amidst conflicting tales of what men had once called spirit, or simply "the Heart".
Knowing that "everything is going to be alright" may be the closest your mind ever comes to enlightenment. Luckily, it is enough.
Patrick M retweeted
The most damaging aspect of materialism and rationalism is that they don’t see themselves as ideologies. That blindness comes from fear of the unknown and a need for existential certainty. It’s avoidance.
Patrick M retweeted
don't ever let anyone convince you the world isn't a place of inconceivable beauty and love
