http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ Collection of Thoughts Tag: friend en Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:49:22 +0000 http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/1135#post-23383 Sat, 12 Apr 2008 22:58:51 +0000 BroDan 23383@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>superb !</p> <p>Totally with you that whole post.</p> <p>I do accept him exactly as he is and would not wish him to change, what makes Marky is Marky.</p> <p>I am finding it hard to judge quite how far down the line he has got him self with dependency on drink so am not sure how to go about this.</p> <p>I am going to print this whole thread out and get him to read it and go from there, equally if he's a true frind in return he'll see I'm simply trying to understand him better so I can yet be an ever better friend.</p> <p>If not then that's that. </p> <p>As we all know you can't change any one or expect them to change for you, people are people and to accept each other for how ever we are with out question I believe is very much the central part of being truly happy and happy I am !</p> <p>Thanks guys,</p> <p>you've been brilliant !</p> <p>Dan </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/1135#post-23359 Sat, 12 Apr 2008 18:21:02 +0000 Star 23359@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>whether or not one is or is not an alcoholic is for themselves to decide. the 'idea' of what an alcoholic is 'suppose' to be, needs to be looked at.</p> <p>some carry this self-destruction behaviour into death itself and never get help;<br /> some lose everything they have and live the life of a bum;<br /> some come through the doors of AA because of legal troubles and judges that court order them there;<br /> some are so young, that you would think 'how in the world could they possibly have any problems'?<br /> some come because of their spouses, their family, or their friends.<br /> and, some come, because they are tired of alcohol controling their lives, and they want help.</p> <p>you do not have to lose everything to realize that you have a problem with alcohol.</p> <p>the fact is, that being an alcoholic simply means that one has lost control of their drinking. it is a progressive distruptive behaviour, and is less about how much one drinks, and more about how one is changed by drinking.</p> <p>i have an allergy to alcohol. when i drink i am not myself. when i drink i do not want to stop, cannot stop, because my body and mind react differently when alcohol is introduced into it. this is a proven scientific fact. </p> <p>believe you me, for years i tried to 'drink successfully'. i would even change what i was drinking, limit myself to whatever, and pat myself on the back when i was able to walk away...but the irony was that there was always a time, when i was not able to walk away, and i had no idea or choice as to when that would happen or not.</p> <p>alcoholism is less about the drinking, and more about one's behaviour. just because your friend gets up and goes to work every day does not mean he is not an alcoholic, nor does it mean that he is...</p> <p>if drinking is causing problems with his behaviour and his relationships with others, then that should be looked at.</p> <p>it is really not helpful to tell someone with a drinking problem that they just need to change the way they are acting, or drink differently, or act differently when they are drinking...at this point control of that may be lost. </p> <p>depending on how bad his addiction has become, he may now not be able to stop on his own. </p> <p>i would suggest getting a Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous for him...and yourself...READ IT! back then, when it was written, there was not much understanding or compassion where this was concerned. now is an entirely different situation. there is help everywhere...</p> <p>and again, you are enabling him. all you want is for him to change and be what you want him to be...what he use to be...you want him to be the fun person that does not have this problem of behaviour when he drinks...that is something YOU should look at, which is totally about you and NOT about him at all. it would also seem that when he did try and go for help, you encouraged him in the other way...i cannot tell you how many of my so-called 'well meaning friends and relatives' did the very same thing.</p> <p>they expected me to be the fun-loving, full of energy, could and would do anything they asked kind of drinker that i was in the beginning...this dis-ease is a progressive one that not only destroys the body, but also the mind...and energies. however, since they did not know this, they would actually encourage me to 'just drink a couple'...'drink normally'...and this led to them trying to control my drinking, and then my behaviour after i had been drinking...which led to frustration and a sense of helplessness and hopelessness, and eventually, because i was so far gone, it led to them 'giving up' on me.</p> <p>i can remember my children actually becoming jealous at one point of the meetings and the friends i was making in AA. i was no longer so easily manipulated by them, and was finally being a responsible parent, and my daughter even screamed in my face that she wished i would go back to drinking...that was in 1990 i think, and i eventually did, trying to control my drinking, and it seemed to work for a while, but soon the blackouts came, and the craziness, the drugs, hospitals, plenty of doctors, and jail...</p> <p>hopefully, your friend will not have to go all the way down the dark and dreary and deathly road of alcoholism before getting some help. and remember, if you are really a friend, you will be responsible for you, and allow him to be responsible for him...</p> <p>at one point, i had allowed my mom to almost 'enable' me to death...</p> <p>we call it love and concern, but actually, and truthfully, we just want whoever it is that is not acting the way we want them to, to straighten up and do what we want, or act the way we think they should. in reality, whether or not he stops drinking, or continues...is his decision and beyond your control...the only part you play in this, is whether are not to play a part at all...and you can either be part of the problem, or part of the solution.</p> <p>always, star. </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/1135#post-23358 Sat, 12 Apr 2008 13:24:45 +0000 starion 23358@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>Star is right. If he is your friend, either you intervene with family and friends, get him to sober up, or walk away. And all of you tell him you will walk away if he<br /> doesn't because you will not enable him. </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/1135#post-23357 Sat, 12 Apr 2008 13:22:06 +0000 starion 23357@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>Is he an alcoholic???? I had a friend whose husband used to get hammered only every third weekend or so. Other than that he was a responsible, upright citizen, he worked,<br /> he took care of his family, he was a loving man. But on that third week, he'd get so<br /> bad, that it took a week for him to sober up, during which he lost money, time, cars, had accidents, was irresponsible and lost. HE WAS AN ALCOHOLIC!!!!!!!!!!<br /> I met a long term alcoholic, years and years of it, whose brittle bones and starved appearance was pitiable. I couldn't stop him, advise him, help him. He wanted to die and<br /> begged me for the means... the chap had an IQ of 189, was a high school teacher, could<br /> speak six languages, a brilliant man... who had a problem he couldn't stop!!! I gave him a care package; three months of food and nutrition, and he sold it all for one drink. I had to walk away; hanging with him was killing me!!!!!!!! </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/1135#post-23355 Sat, 12 Apr 2008 10:13:20 +0000 BroDan 23355@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>Hi Star !</p> <p>Hi Mary !</p> <p>Thanks so much for your insight, I just love this forum, it's the forum I now with my life seeming to pan out nicely find my my self posting in it here less and less often but every time I do I get to talk to amazing individuals like you guys, you've made my day just posting back.</p> <p>I don't know, I'm actually quite tear full, I don't know what the moving emotion's about but I have very much learned not to label it and I just feel what ever it is that I do now.</p> <p>My friend I spoke of in my first post is called 'Mark' or as I like to call him 'Marky'.</p> <p>About a year ago he realised that he would live for the week ends to go out and drink like a goldfish and party, he also realised how it would spin his whole week and that only by the following Thursday would he be back to him self. So he announced him self to me as an 'alcoholic'. The prospect of him being an alcoholic really freaked him out and he went to the shop on a Saturday morning bought 4 cans of beer, got back home, sat in the garden and drank 3 of them. </p> <p>He in my eyes was making something worse out of something than it was and was in panic. So he then got in car and drove over to see some one who's an x-alcoholic to get his view and from what his x-alcoholic friend said he then very much felt he was an alcoholic.</p> <p>I then spoke to him and just told him that he was making a mountain out of a mole hill and that he was creating a panic situation that he then felt the need to drink away. Since then he went back to pretty much how he was before and that was to drink like a Goldfish on the week ends, the thing is he's been like that for years and maybe drinks a few in an evening when it's sunny.</p> <p>To me it's (not having experience of being an alcoholic but having taken drugs as my path in the past to find my self) don't really see him as an alcoholic, he's become quite responsible in moving in to a small flat that he can afford, he turn's up for work and quite enjoys his work as well so can some one that's had such a pattern for years be seen as an alcoholic ?</p> <p>Don't get me wrong, Marky likes a drink !!! I could never drink like he does and over the last week I have a feeling that he has had a drink pretty much every day but never so much that he's decided not to go to work the next day. Also the reason why I fell out with him last night was because even after I got him in to the club for free (I'm a Dj), got him a few drinks vouchers, introduced him to some really nice people that bought him drinks he turned to me when I used my last voucher to get a drink and said to me, "why did you reply to the bar man that didn't need anything else?? Why didn't you even try and get me another drink with the voucher??". So things just fell apart at that point and he a little later gave me the gesture as if to push me a side with his hand and walked off in to the club so I just left and went home, it was at that point that I wrote the first post asking for help.</p> <p>Where doe's the boundary between being an alcoholic and not being one lie ?</p> <p>I mean, I enjoy a few drinks on the odd evening to relax, say 3 bottles as the most and maybe 4 pints on a night out, I admittedly love the first 2 drinks and love a cigarette with them at the same time but never like to drink much more than that. </p> <p>Saying that, If I'm tired on a night where I'm not working the next day I would leave the beer in the fridge and just go to bed.</p> <p>Am I possibly an alcoholic ?</p> <p>Thanks for your insight guys,</p> <p>Dan </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/1135#post-23354 Sat, 12 Apr 2008 06:37:23 +0000 Mary 23354@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>"The fact that they enjoy alcohol over your friendship..."</p> <p>I overlooked this important detail of your circumstance. I say Ditto the good advice that Star gave you . </p> <p>Whenever alcohol addiction is involved, you have a third party vying for your friend's attention. </p> <p>Hmmmm. Without the outside help of an intervention or outside therapy/ AA/ rehabilitation program, you may well be facing a losing battle. If you find the alcohol is taking more of a center stage in your friendship , and even affecting your own thinking and life, I suggest Alanon also..</p> <p>BTDT with all this myself , Brodan. You have some tough choices to make. </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/1135#post-23353 Sat, 12 Apr 2008 05:32:44 +0000 Star 23353@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>Dan, it sounds like this person may have a problem with alcohol, since you mentioned that it was involved. i speak from experience, that i was the life of the party and lots of fun in the beginning, until my best friend, alcohol began taking over, and addiction took hold...then i could be a real ass, and eventually, that and drugs cost me many a friendship, and eventually lost me more than just relationships. mainly because when i was full of either or both, i didn't give a shit about anything except how i was going to get some more. if you could help me with that, you were my friend, if you couldn't, i would tell you to fuck off...and usually i did not remember my insane behaviour the next day, or if i did, i would just quieten those memories with more drugs and alcohol. </p> <p>if you really see his problem with alcohol as a problem, and you really are his friend, you will stop enabling him, and maybe do an intervention with his family and professionals from a rehabilitation facility, so that not only can you save your friendship, you might very well save his life, and others. at the very least, you can have a 'sit down' with him, when he is not drinking, and be honest about what is going on and how you feel about it. if he does have a problem, i can guarantee that it will only get worse by doing nothing. it is hard enough to get along with a sober drunk, but getting along, or having any kind of 'healthy' relationship with one that is active in addiction, is insanity...there are plenty of AA meetings all over the place; if the intervention seems too extreme at this point, you might get the phone book out, and call your central office, and find a meeting for him to attend. they should also have alanon meetings for you to attend, to address your issues of co-dependancy. </p> <p>if he accepts the help, then you can be there to support him, by getting help yourself to learn how be his friend without enabling him.</p> <p>if he refuses, then you are left with the choices Mary so accurately put before you.</p> <p>i wish you and your friend well, but please take this issue seriously...addiction is fatal, and not only destoys the user, but everyone around them. it can also be fatal, in more ways than one, for many.</p> <p>always, star. </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/1135#post-23351 Sat, 12 Apr 2008 04:33:34 +0000 Mary 23351@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>Brodan, </p> <p>The way I see it is you have two options.<br /> You can either accept your friend as he is or you can reject him and walk away. </p> <p>bottomline : you can not change him. Not the way he thinks or behaves today.</p> <p>That leaves you with what you feel now in his company. Whatever is was in the past or what you hope it can be, what is it now ? The only thing you can change is how you perceive him now. </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/1135#post-23349 Sat, 12 Apr 2008 03:10:35 +0000 BroDan 23349@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>Hi guys,</p> <p> (infinity rose, self seeker and chip and friends if your here then please help)</p> <p>Friends ?? . . . what do 'we' or 'I' or 'you' see a 'friend' as is the question I suppose . . .</p> <p>I have had many cross my path and thought they were friends, then I have had other cross my path that I was sure were my friends . . . </p> <p>Over the years experience of relieving my self of a being in pain in to a being of some what a being living with more inner peace I attracted what I thought where 'a' true friend, some one that would would be honest enough, trustworthy enough etc but that person tonight for the second time chose to 'manipulate' me to 'pinch' or 'grasp' what they felt would make them happy.</p> <p>I have confidence that the happiness I live in is closer to a truth full happiness than that of my friends but as we know you can't force some one to see what you believe, it is my my belief and not theirs how ever 'nearer the truth' I feel I am than they are.</p> <p>So what do you do when you feel that underneath all the difficult behaviour expressed by your friend is some one that when is them selves and not behaving from their conditioned mind is quite simple amazing and SO much more fun than any one else you know but, you find your self very often dealing with their conditioning rather than their amazing soul, over and over again ?</p> <p>Do you continue to accept them for who they are and the conditioning that divides you in friendship and just carry on the next day as if nothing happened after a disagreement ?</p> <p>The fact that they enjoy alcohol over your friendship, what do you do when they are disappointed that you didn't win them a drink from another associate you meet on a night out ???</p> <p>I'm stuck . . . do I give up on my best friend not seeing my point of view, that being that 'what can you want more than the here and now and what you have already' ??</p> <p>Or do I just stick with this guy as he is who he is ??</p> <p>I love the guy to bits, he really is my best friend but how much time should I need to spend in simply showing him how to respect me the same way I love and respect my self ?????</p> <p>it's amazing how on the other side of the world you can give me that knowledge I right now seek,</p> <p>Any insight . . . would be precious.</p> <p>Thanks guys.</p> <p>Dan </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/235/page/2#post-15251 Thu, 04 Oct 2007 16:39:41 +0000 SoulBrother 15251@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>There is Infinite Being, Creator, God, what ever you wish to phrase in all that is and all that is not. Just open your heart as well as your mind to this and evidence is abundant. We listen yet do not hear the voice which is sometimes felt more then heard. Many times and in many ways does God interact with us.<br /> We are God and God is us, and never shall the two be seperate. We may just be celestial forms in a terestrial body.<br /> remember one thing about prayer. It is the sponsoring thought that is listened to. The thought behind the thought as you would have it. God has given us the ability to be Masters of Our Fate, if we listen and learn not to blame God and others for our short comings.</p> <p>Namaste </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/235/page/2#post-14971 Sat, 29 Sep 2007 16:41:32 +0000 AsI 14971@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>There is no 'God; outside you. What is looking Now is what you are looking for-but you are not 'God'. What you will find is... </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/235/page/2#post-14935 Fri, 28 Sep 2007 23:20:08 +0000 selfseeker 14935@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>[Selfseeker, how about that you don't have authority over your fever.]</p> <p>You missed my point. I had no doubt that I had no authority over my fever. I thought that God had the authority &#38; he would help me if I chanted those sacred texts. After all, God is supposed to help when we pray, right ? This was in response to this forced faith : "GOD never betray us". </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/235/page/2#post-14911 Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:02:25 +0000 David 14911@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>Nosce te ipsum. </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/235/page/2#post-14895 Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:10:02 +0000 MINDANDHEART 14895@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>Selseeker, how about that you don't have authority over your fever.<br /> If you meet a strange man on the street and you ask him to wash your car, he wouldn't even listen to you.<br /> But if you tell one of your servants, wash my car, it gets washed immediately.<br /> Maybe something to think about. </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/235/page/2#post-14860 Fri, 28 Sep 2007 10:48:39 +0000 selfseeker 14860@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>[GOD is our true friends , because not like human that sometime betray and cheat us , GOD never betray us.]</p> <p>This must have been told to you by the priest. In my childhood, once I had fever &#38; my father told me that if I chant some holy texts again &#38; again, my fever will go. I did that with full devotion non-stop &#38; you know what .... my fever increased ! :lol: </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/235/page/2#post-14846 Fri, 28 Sep 2007 04:00:47 +0000 MINDANDHEART 14846@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>God for sure can be known, the son also can be known, the holy spirit can be known,<br /> The Holy trinity can be known too.<br /> But we have inherited the rejection of the truth long ago, even those who witnessed miracles found it hard accepting the truth as is.<br /> God is not a friend. but is more than that. </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/235#post-5243 Tue, 01 May 2007 22:44:57 +0000 knowself 5243@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>Jimi is so much better...</p> <p>I used to live in a room full of mirrors<br /> All I could see was me<br /> Then I take my spirit and I smash my mirrors<br /> And now the whole world is here for me to see<br /> Now Im searching for my love to be</p> <p>Seems the juice isn`t worth the squeeze in real life...Sooo see ya! </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/235#post-5242 Tue, 01 May 2007 22:19:10 +0000 knowself 5242@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>AsI you are love(d)... nothing I said was meant as ill or to cause harm. If it has please forgive!</p> <p> Know that there is only ONE TEACHER.... Toto! And you are no more or less than any other you will ever meet! </p> <p>Knowself to self....</p> <p>I live in a house full of mirrors<br /> And all I can see is me.<br /> If I take out my trusty ole hammer,<br /> Will then I really be free?</p> <p>Ad libed from Hendrix </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/235#post-5222 Tue, 01 May 2007 17:28:49 +0000 starlight 5222@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>till we meet again...dreamer...you will be missed...much love... </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/235#post-5219 Tue, 01 May 2007 17:23:27 +0000 AsI 5219@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>Then one must ask: is saying and believing the same thing? Again, it matters not. I merely clarified for myself. </p> <p>I have decided to take a break from the forum. I have found for myself through another what I didn't know before. Speaking for myself, I know I am not the teacher that some others are on here nor do I presume that I have anything to share beyond what I have already. The forum holds different meaning for each, so again, it does not imply anything. Breaks are good. All is good. I know that each will always find what they seek. Being IS Now, but 'the yellow brick road' leads me always to 'your door'.</p> <p>Blessings and happiness,<br /> Asi </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/235#post-5214 Tue, 01 May 2007 16:43:41 +0000 starlight 5214@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>who holds this belief? </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/235#post-5210 Tue, 01 May 2007 16:34:36 +0000 AsI 5210@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>"holding others high in ego's self-esteem...is to ensure their fall...and your disappointment...all ego games..."</p> <p>This statement can easily be misinterpreted. One can share thoughts and perceptions-all ego aside. You are also implying - ("if the edge of the clift appears...do not push another off of it...allow that one to make the jump themselves...we are but pointers") -that I am doing this to the other. That would put me 'above' the other and this was never the point I was making before or after the fact. Sharing does not have to be seen 'this' way. Such an 'enlightened' attitude (as the line presented)is exactly what I am speaking against, and it borders too closely to egotistical thinking for me to be not say something to it. </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/235#post-5204 Tue, 01 May 2007 16:00:44 +0000 starlight 5204@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>Grace and Guru</p> <p>I have not said that a Guru is not necessary. But a Guru need not always be in human form. First a person thinks that he is an inferior and that there is a superior, all-knowing, all powerful God who controls his own and the world's destiny and worships him or does Bhakti. When he reaches a certain stage and becomes fit for enlightenment, the same God whom he was worshipping comes as Guru and leads him on. That Guru comes only to tell him that ‘God is within yourself. Dive within and realize.’ God, Guru and the Self are the same</p> <p>The Bhagavan Sri (RM) </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/235#post-5203 Tue, 01 May 2007 15:59:21 +0000 starlight 5203@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>dreamer...the safety net of peace is very nice no? :)</p> <p>everyone is my teacher...</p> <p>if the edge of the clift appears...do not push another off of it...allow that one to make the jump themselves...we are but pointers...your path is not my path...true it is a pathless path...and different for each...</p> <p>holding others high in ego's self-esteem...is to ensure their fall...and your disappointment...all ego games... </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/235#post-5198 Tue, 01 May 2007 15:45:20 +0000 AsI 5198@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>It matters not really for myself. You are my dear friend, Knowself. I question simply as to why my sincerity was questioned in itself and compared to doubt. It can be unfortunate, at least in my opinion, that many settle for where they are at and end on the note of Being. Yes, Being, and the heaven of Now, but again, to presume that there is not more to know is like staying in a safety zone that is seen to be true and this is done without question. A full cup has no room for more-and there is more. Two of the greatest teachers that I have ever met just happen to be on this forum. However, individuals resist them because of their own egos. I have witnessed this repeatedly. I was one who did this myself, but I am glad that I stopped resisting and began to listen. I found that there is more to know and that what is learned is very real. To each their own though. To question the thoughts of another is healthy-but to question their sincerity may be a misperception. Anyway, blessings to you and thank-you for allowing me to say what I have. What I have found to be in myself is no less in you.</p> <p>Asi </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/235#post-5187 Tue, 01 May 2007 13:04:04 +0000 AsI 5187@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>So much for "sincerity". "Conditioning" is "conditioning" no matter what the source. (That's a value statement and only the ego-structure makes value statements.)</p> <p>"The mind doesnt know the mind." Such a statement can only come from one who believes this. What is the point of sharing if we each 'know it all'? What is the point of the forum then: To constantly agree with each other or to present ourselves as 'right'? New thoughts are simply called "conditioning". Judgements are made on "sincerity". Who wants the forum to repeat this "already know it" ego-stance? So, another must not be sincere to present new insights? "Doubt" is cast as weakness. And the pattern appears consistently across the board. So, why share insights at all? This in itself is an insight. That leaves the forum with no real purpose-at least for myself. If this were an isolated case, it would be different. Since I have no desire to change the thoughts of another then I will leave the circular ego-dance to itself. But, it is a question to everyone, and not just insight for myself. If you know it all, then why are you here? Intertainment? To reflect yourself? To hear yourself think? To save another? To prove yourself right, or to judge another as lacking sincerity simply by 'doubt'? So, one shares for no real reason except that one is 'right'. Yes, this seems 'sincere' indeed. If this is the best that anyone has to offer then this forum is the 'right' place to be. </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/235#post-5186 Tue, 01 May 2007 02:25:32 +0000 AsI 5186@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>So much so sincerity.. </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/235#post-5182 Tue, 01 May 2007 01:16:45 +0000 starlight 5182@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>knowy... :) </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/235#post-5179 Tue, 01 May 2007 01:04:27 +0000 knowself 5179@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our... "conscious contact"... with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry it out.</p> <p>:) </p> http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/topic/235#post-5178 Tue, 01 May 2007 00:52:57 +0000 starlight 5178@http://collectionofthoughts.com/bbpress/ <p>all of your recent posts have really been resonating with my understanding of self realization (for lack of a better term)...maybe it is that common bond that we share...but also, Ramana Marishna speaks of that state of peace...within...and the ability to see through the heart...without the mind...or at least that is what i have gotten from it...maybe because i am experiencing this state on a very regular basis...and i feel that coming from you also...i love Chuck C.'s new pair of glasses...even though AA encourages one to choose a god of their own understanding, Chuck verifies that he spoke to Bill W. concerning this god...and originally, this god of their understanding was in one and all...once peace has become a state of being...well, that is enough for this one... :)</p> <p>this is what RM has said on the matter...</p> <p>Self - Realization</p> <p>The state we call realization is simply being oneself, not knowing anything or becoming anything. If one has realized, he is that which alone is, and which alone has always been. He cannot describe that state. He can only be That. Of course, we loosely talk of Self-realization for want of a better term. </p> <p>That which is, is peace. All that we need do is to keep quiet. Peace is our real nature. We spoil it. What is required is that we cease to spoil it. </p>