Hello. I joined this forum to not only learn from all of you, but to show you all something that I stumbled upon. I've spent a lot of time seeking the truth of life and death, and was led to this website last month.
http://www.truthcontest.com (http://www.truthcontest.com)
Click on "The Present" or "The Present (with religion)" if you're into religion.
Open the file in Word, and click Read Only.
I attached "The Present" in XML format for those of you who cannot open the book in Word.
The writing is not perfect, but the content is what matters. The truth lies within. Don't trust the author, check the ideas for yourself in reality. This book bends down the branch, but you have to pick the fruit.
The content is in a progressive order so start by reading the first ten pages or so. The website itself is a contest to help spread the truth about life and death to the world. If you know the truth, please submit an entry.
All I'm asking is that you take a look at the book. I'd love to start a discussion about the topics in this book on this forum. I seek to share with you as well as learn from your insights.
Thank you very much, and I hope this book helps you grow spiritually like it did for me.
I'll introduce myself, so that you know this is not spam.
Hello friends. I'm a truth seeker who wants to learn from you, as I am always seeking the truth. I am in a love affair with life, in and of itself; it is a love that never dies. Life is completely fulfilling, and I will always have everything I've ever wanted. I consider myself a spiritual being, one who sees himself in everyone, and therefore loves everyone. I consider myself a psychonaut, one who has seen beyond himself and learned a great deal from psychedelics. I am here to share with you what I have found on my path to seek the truth.
Some of my hobbies include playing guitar (rhythm, acoustic), singing, and performing. I gain most of my inspiration from The Beatles. I connect with lyrics; I become music. I also practice yoga and I enjoy riding my bike (weather permitting).
I am here to spread my love unconditionally, and I hope you all can learn from me as I seek to learn from you.
I look forward to seeking, spreading, and defining the truth of life with you all.
Greetings, JT.
I attempted ot follow the link and found that the entries must first be downloaded. (I can't just click and read.) I'm not sure I can even open the documents once they arrive on my desk top. Not too user friendly, imo.
lw
Greetings to you also, laughingwillow.
Yes, the files must be downloaded because of their size. Let me know if you cannot open the document in your word processing software. If it calls for a password, just hit read only. Hope that helps. =)
Hi Jethro. Very ambitious project there, and I applaud the effort and time it must have taken. Now, do you invite honest feedback?
I read a chunk of the material, scanned a lot, and I decided to not go further today. It's very didactic, don't you agree?
I assume you know what to expect from a forum as diverse, opinionated, passionate, and unconventional as this one, right? :e_wink:
Btw, have you thought about posting in Lycaeum?
I welcome any honest feedback. I learn from all feedback.
I see the book as didactic, but more of a call to action. This book attempts to describe the meaning of the concept of the truth, and is new/different, like every individual interpretation of the concept of truth. I feel that all interpretations are interpretations of the same ultimate truth, which is the same for everyone made of life, although perception of the concept differs. This book is didactic in the sense that it tries to "show you the way."
I do know what to expect and I look forward to your feedback with and open mind and open heart. I participate in a lot of forums but this one is equally as important as others, and I am ready and willing to participate fully.
I submitted a letter to Lycaeum, I am waiting admin approval. =)
Unfortunately I don't have microsoft word on this mac, so I can't open the files. :bnope: l
w
Ain't this something! :bfrown:
A person finally comes around with a glass of water from the well of truth and my straw won't fit the damned hole in the lid... :bnope:
You got a sippy-cup version of the truth, mon? :bgeek:
lw
QuoteThe resource cannot be displayed
The page you are looking for cannot be opened by your browser because
it has a file name extension that your browser does not accept.
Please try the following:
Change the Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) or security
settings of your browser to accept the file name extension of the
requested page. Note that your browser might currently be
configured in a highly secure mode that protects your computer.
Please read the Help for your browser before changing any settings.
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requested page.
Internet Information Services (IIS)
It's a .doc file. I'm
pretty sure that the truth cannot be
contained and encoded in proprietary formats.
Now, if it were XML....
I will contact the author and get him to save it in a universal format.
I'll be sure to let you know when it is ready. =)
Well, as long as I can't read your truth, I'm going to post a few of my own........
We'll start with the difficult ones. (At least for me.)
truth #1: Its easier for a person to find fault in others than it is to recognize one's own shortcomings.
truth #2: Fear is to be feared until fear is recognized and conquered. Then pride is to be feared.
truth #3:Giving = receiving. (Those who believe it is better to give than receive inhabit an unbalanced universe.)
lw
Interesting input, lw.
The first truth you mention is entirely based on the individual, in my opinion.
However, the other two ring home with me entirely.
Truth #2
There are two ways individuals can get on the path of truth seeking. Through fear, or through love. The way of love is a truth seeker showing the way for others. Fear is manifested in the mind, and once the mind-made fear is conquered, one can truly see the narrow path of truth seeking. You overcome fear when you accept that you will die, in the most unpleasant fashion possible. After you conquer your fear and set out on the path of truth seeking, you must never believe that you "know" the truth. Pride is an ego trip, an illusion of the mind. Nobody knows anything, everyone is guessing. Pride throws you off the path of truth seeking. There is always more to learn, seek eternally.
Truth #3
Understanding the perfect balance of life/nature is the first step to becoming a spiritual being. Spiritual beings see themselves in everyone; therefore, they always treat others the way they want to be treated. They give love unconditionally. My signature says "...and in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make." (Last line recorded by The Beatles on Abbey Road) Giving = Receiving. The most fulfilling thing for a spiritual being to do is to help others. Spiritual beings understand the balance of the universe; they realize that giving is receiving. Giving benefits spiritual beings, because they are fulfilled by life when giving. By understanding the balance and receiving fulfillment, spiritual beings inhabit an unbalanced universe. Every aspect of life is fulfilling. It is all part of whole life, spiritual beings reside in the center of the physical balance of the universe, while giving all their love.
I tried to upload the files in XML format but the request did not go through (even after 30 minutes of waiting). I will keep trying, and I will let you know when they are available. =)
How does fear set one on the path of seeking truth? I've always viewed it as more of a deterrent.
Quick, tell me. I'm afraid curiosity is killing this cat...... :e_biggrin:
lw
Fear seems like a deterrent until you overcome it. When you see fear as an illusion of the mind, you have no fear to seek things out for yourself as opposed to trusting other minds, or myths, without checking them for yourself. You must see fear for what it really is; the most powerful illusion of the mind.
I am going to save these files in XML format and upload them into a zip file on sendspace, I'll post the link in the next half hour.
Well, here are the files in XML format on sendspace in a zip file. I don't know how it will work for you, because I use microsoft word. If it doesn't open correctly, maybe we can try a different file format that will open in your software.
http://www.sendspace.com/file/m3d0w7 (http://www.sendspace.com/file/m3d0w7)
Fear is a deterrent until overcome, imo.
But you say fear and love are the two ways to get on the path toward truth-seeking.
I'm not sure how fear gets one on the path mentioned through fear unless its in the context of the related adrenaline rush. :cool2
lw
QuoteI'm not sure how fear gets one on the path mentioned through fear unless its in the context of the related adrenaline rush.
Well, I guess the best way to describe how is to describe how it happened for me. I was put on the path of truth seeking through my own fear. The battle within my mind. I'll give a short story without extreme detail.
Spiritually reborn through psychedelics, found peace of mind in just being. Thought i was completely enlightened.
Some time later, had an "epiphany" while staring at a giant cross that overlooks my campus.
Began to fear judgment. Began to fear sinning. Read about the seven deadly sins, started fearing them in my mind.
I felt I was being tested constantly. I feared my future. I feared God.
I didn't stop at just accepting a life of fear, it didn't seem right. I wanted to check things for myself.
I began to worry immensely, feeling like I had made many big mistakes in the past. I almost started going to church to make up for my sins. Just before I had all but given in to my fear of judgment, came across "The Present." It brought much realization to my life, especially relating to past experiences. I saw my fear for what it is, a creation of the mind. There is only one battle. The battle inside yourself. I overcame my fear through much trouble, the mind did everything it could to attempt to trick me.
By allowing the truth to manifest in my subconscious, I realized my true path. I was never fully enlightened, and never will be. My fear proved that was true. "The Present" helped me overcome my fear. The truth became self-evident to me (through much realization), and I have been fighting off the mind's illusions with the sword of truth. It's getting better all the time; the mind's influence is disappearing. I am on the path of truth seeking, for eternity. These forums help the truth manifest in my consciousness by elaborating on the truth. Every post helps.
Maybe my personal testimony will clarify the way fear can put you on the path of truth seeking.
Love is the other way, the more favorable way.
Love is what I'm giving to you.
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
As far as seeking truth, what about curiosity and the human drive to go further? Neither love nor fear would seem to be blazing that path.
Is it not possible you were truly curious and managed to overcome your fears in the process of walking your path? (See my first truth above.)
lw
A very interesting point, lw.
I've never really thought about it that way. I think that drive to progress is part of our subconscious mind, our intuition. It can be hidden away by our conscious mind by illusions of fear. I cannot deny that it might have been possible that curiosity helped me manage to overcome my fears. However, I am now even more curious than I was before overcoming my fears. Now that the illusion of fear has dissipated, my intuitive unconscious will to progress further and learn from others is driving me down my path of seeking the truth.
As the conscious mind disappears, the past and the future disappear. I am on the path of truth seeking, and the truth is always in the present moment. I live in the present; constantly amazed by my surroundings. The curiosity to learn seems to grow every moment, as life becomes more mysterious with each new day.
Can you explain how your most recent post relates to your first truth? I couldn't easily draw a connection.
You now admit that curiosity may have been a driving factor in your growth. However, up until I made my last post, you were quite certain that fear was the motivating force.
I contend we humans have a blind spot in our perception. And that blind spot (an inability to see oneself objectively) must be dealt with on this path, imo.
Music, lyrics and active sacraments are also important to me on my path. However, consuming a sacrament and listening to recorded music is a far cry from the experience of live music, the sacrament and 10,000 of your closest friends going up at the same time.
lw
I feel that curiosity is somewhat of a driving factor in all human growth. However, fear clouds this drive, and sometimes completely hides it. Fear was the motivating force for me to overcome my mind and let curiosity flow endlessly. I am now overflowing with curiosity to seek the truth, and there is no fear to cloud the drive.
I see what you mean. We must see ourselves in the big picture of life. It is a vital step to accepting the truth.
Were you able to open "The Present?"
Still no luck in opening The Present.
lw
Maybe you could post a few relevant pages?
Thanks.
lw
I think that "the Present", as a personal statement of the individual who wrote it, was a worthwhile effort for that individual; but only if it was recognized as a beginning place for a search for truth that never ends. It might also be a starting place for other people of a similar type; especially those looking for someone to give them a clue or two that they haven't discovered elsewhere.
Discursively, we may only approximate what is the Truth. I tried to put that idea in a haiku:
"Truth is in silence!"
Please ignore what I just said
(Truth is in silence)
Another problem I have with someone writing to expound "the truth" is the whole notion that one person can "tell" another person what it is. Truth must be assimilated holistically - mind, body (feeling), spirit; and in finite beings, there are limits to how much can be assimilated.
A true teacher of Truth will never say he has it. He or she will lead the seeker to the essential attitude of knowing he doesn't know, and then shining a light on ways and means that lead out of not knowing. But the work has to be done by the seeker. And this work is never finished.
What seems to be missing from "The Present" are hints that it is a shabby cloth covering a crown of many jewels. What's missing is nuance, humor, poetry!
Truth is not relative. It is perfect, and it is infinite. We only approach it relatively, and all our finite notions about it are incomplete and partial. Yet, we must have it, some of us, and so onward to infinity!
The quest for the truth is never-ending, one must always seek.
The author never says he "knows" the truth; he says it is self-evident for him in the present.
Some direct quotes from the book, as requested:
"Hammer or nail: In the past, you had to choose between being the hammer or the nail. Naturally, most people would choose to be the hammer, even if the beast was holding it, especially if the beast was holding it. Just recently, science has offered people another choice, but it is cold and incomplete. Science and religion have been the only two choices people have had, so they had to choose one, even though neither gives people the ultimate truth they are seeking.
New choice: This book offers a third option for the first time. It is new revelations of the truth that are a combination of science, religion, art, philosophy, past and present, common sense and everything else that reveals the truth. With the new truth, you do not have to be the hammer or the nail; you can be something much more and get rid of the hammer and nail altogether.
Everyone can be right: For the first time people have a third choice that incorporates the others. A choice that does not require them to give up their current belief system. It says everyone is right, if you know how to see the truth. It has to be the way, because any other way would cause conflict not peace.
It also makes sense and gives people a complete picture of the ultimate truth. You do not have to give up religion and science to embrace the third way, you get into them more. You just get into everything more. The present encompasses everything.
It is all true. If you know what the truth is, you can see it in everything."
The main purpose of this book is this:
"This book is not a good read. It is not meant to entertain you. It is meant to transform you from a unfulfilled mortal animal, into a fulfilled immortal spiritual being. If you want to be entertained, read a good work of fiction."
It does not reveal the truth; it attempts to help one find it within themselves. It should be "recognized as a beginning place for a search for truth that never ends."
"New choice: This book offers a third option for the first time. It is new revelations of the truth that are a combination of science, religion, art, philosophy, past and present, common sense and everything else that reveals the truth. With the new truth, you do not have to be the hammer or the nail; you can be something much more and get rid of the hammer and nail altogether."
...for the first time? C'mon now, there is nothing new in "The Present" that hasn't been "said" by many, in many ways, over a long period of time. Calling it revelatory is your personal view, unless you can point out to me what part of it is.
Quote...for the first time? C'mon now, there is nothing new in "The Present" that hasn't been "said" by many, in many ways, over a long period of time. Calling it revelatory is your personal view, unless you can point out to me what part of it is.
Well, "The Present" takes all those things that have been said many, many times in many different ways, and brings them all together. It reveals that all of the past prophets were essentially saying the same thing. The whole book is new; it seeks unity. Although the author may be touching on the same subjects that have been touched on over a long period of time, he seeks to bring them all together to eliminate the mind's illusion of separation by showing us what is 'most likely to be' true beyond a reasonable doubt (using evidence and logic), and what is a myth (un-true).
You offer some great input, kosmo. I'm curious to read your opinions regarding "The Present." =)
Hey, jt.
I'm still a little unclear about a couple of things......
You posted early on that you stumbled onto a website a few months back that changed your life. I went to the site and could not open the files. You told me that you would talk to the website owner to see if anything could be tweaked to allow for universal viewing. Correct?
I'm also getting the impression that you are the author of the material that you stumbled upon a few months ago that changed your life. :bconf:
lw
I did talk to the author, and these were his words regarding reformatting the content:
"That has not been a big problem because most of the world can open Microsoft word. Everyone can open it if I save in text format but then there are not drawings and pictures that are needed, also I cannot work on it in any other form and I work on it everyday.
I do not know what .xml is or how to work with it. I am not very computer savvy. You just have to tell people to find a computer that has word. I do not want to complicate my life, for just a small percent of people if I do not have too."
Like I said, if you can provide me with your e-mail and a desired format I can try to send it to you myself. If you have any other suggestions, I'll can do what I can to help you receive the book.
I am not the author of "The Present."
So, you aren't the author of the work in question? I guess I'll pass on the offer of enlightenment, as I'd prefer not go give my email addy to strangers. Btw, I'm part of that tiny fraction of the world that doesn't have microsoft word on my machine.
lw
I consider all postings that purport to teach the truth as thought experiments. It is impossible, practically speaking, to know the intent and even the veracity of those who create such sweeping explorations that I don't even try.
The words speak for themselves, the ideas have a momentum, and we can discuss it in good faith that it is meant to be taken seriously.
I will probably have some comments at some point, and hopefully, so will others.
A very positive attitude kosmo. An open mind and being honest with yourself are necessary to read this book.
laughingwillow, if you do not want to give out your e-mail address, you can always make an anonymous e-mail. I use gmail for that purpose. I would really like to hear your opinions about this book; I'm sure you would offer some great opinions that we can all learn from.
I don't think my email addy will help. I don't have microsoft word on this machine.
lw
lw, a public library will likely give you access to this site and the paper.
Got on a machine this morning that would let me view the Present.....
On some levels, I appreciate the effort. On other levels, it falls short, imo. Fro instance, I think the material would make good reading for the general public who doesn't think much about the topic at hand. But for this community in general , and myself in particular, I feel the read is a shallow and superficial 250 + pages of assorted historical quotes coupled with a person's desire and attempt to explain the inexplicable. I could see it helping to point some folks in the right direction, but the truth, at least on levels that interest me probably can't be defined so easily with words. (Maybe not at all.)
As far as the spiritual connection to music in general and the Beatles in particular, again, I find the work to be shallow. Lyrics, verse and music have been used to transcend every day reality for eons. The beatles didn't invent this. And while I do find much wisdom in their lyrics, again, the real spiritual treat for me exists as live musical performances, preferably under the influence of one of the active sacraments.
As far as the beatles earlier work being more spiritual, as opined on the work in question, I disagree. I say the band's musicianship and song writing abilities evolved over time, as one would expect. While their older compositions on love might have been more overt (to the point of teenage girls readily getting into that frenzied groove, their later work was more obscure, and interesting on levels not readily associated with their early sound. Evolution number nine, if you will.
lw
Irie,
Jethro thanks so much......
Absolutely brilliant......
Scanned through about half of it before having to go out ...but from what I read someone has done a excellent & concise job in collating all that info.....
I like the idea that the old saying so be "I don't think therefore I am"!
Agreed with 90% of what I read....the other 10% maybe my misinterpretation....
I'll be sure to spread the info....
Big Respect
Z
Irie,
Just read the beatles bit........was a bit reluctant to accept it at first...
But then I can see where you're coming from.
I believe that most great music maybe channeled & realized that you are just using the beatles as an example.
Not sure if I'm ready to idolize them....?
Yes it's true that there was a real change that occurred in '64....
I have been pondering on harmonics, colors and vibrations as energy & their uses.
Listening to Yesterday again does bring in new insights....listen to the cello's harmonics.
I'm sure a lot of the early Bowie have similar messages hidden within....but I've always suspected Bowie of knowing about them!?......"Man who fell to Earth"....!....Have you re-watched any of the old rock movies..."Tommy"....I wonder if there are any subliminal messages in the "Monkeys"???Wouldn't surprise me! Not sure they were taking enough LSD though?
I wonder if it has anything to do with the use of LSD at the time.......most music seemed to lose it's soul by the early eighties....??
Respect
Z
Zaka brings up a good point concerning the use of active sacrament (LSD) during the decade of the Beatles.
To ignore that aspect of the message found in the Beatle's music is similar to the use of symbolic sacrament in modern church services rather than the active, imo. On a continuum between spiritual milk and meat, I would put the referenced work in the "soft food" category. And for that reason, I see the target audience as those looking to be weaned from the spiritual milk diet provided by the teat of the Church rather than the folks around these parts who have much experience with the solid spiritual nutrition mentioned above.
ps: I got a chuckle out of the description of footage of a Beatles concert where the author calls the male members of the audience conservative squares while the hysterical females were getting the beamed message of love. That was simply the look of the day, imo, coupled with the expressions caught on film of those not able to hear jack-shit from the stage due to the mass hysteria caused by the band's mere presence on stage. Later, sound systems were developed that actually allowed everyone to hear the music.
lw
I'm an old coot that took a lot of acid in the '60's, and I still Lu-uv the Beatles.
I really love the solo work of Lennon and Harrison. "The Dream is Over", baby...Everything is clearer in my world.
"All Things Must Pass" is an epic album. Gushing with divine realization. "Until you realize the art of dying." :smoke:3
So I haven't read the article you offer, but I love the Beatles too, like you.
Don't have Word, like LW and a percentage of the rest. Can you summarize the Beatles part of the doc?
den: I doubt your pleas will be addressed.
I also get the impression that the author lacks experience with the active sacrament you mentioned above. And because of that, I'm having a tough time figuring out why the work in question has been brought before this particular community.....
lw
A little off-topic, but Word documents can be opened in Open Office and exported into PDF. PDF, while not an open standard, is much better for distributing documents which are to be read, not edited.
And it's entirely free.
Thanks, amam. I was actually wondering about pdf files in this case just yesterday.
lw
quote from initial post: ....I hope this book helps you grow spiritually like it did for me.
Reading the quote above may give one the impression that READING the linked material helped the guy who started this thread to grow spiritually. However, after reading at the Lycaeum, its become clear that the fellow who started this thread also WROTE the book in question.
Please understand that a third party reading another's work, finding finding it enlightening and posting for others to read is not the same as an author claiming a book he wrote will enlighten others as it enlightened him to write it. That is just plain disingenuous, imo.
lw
One more question, Jethro...
You quote Joseph Campbell in your linked work in an effort ot define the truth, yet also appear to have a disdain for mythology. As Joseph Campbell was the ultimate researcher/proponent on the contribution of mythology in the evolution of mankind, I'm wondering how you reconcile those seemingly polar-opposite positions?
lw
Aye, I'm very sorry that I have not been keeping up with this conversation. I have been quite busy, and this website has been giving me problems over the past few weeks. It seems to be working now.
I'll gladly respond to all the posts in the next few days. You have all had some very interesting input. :idea:
Peace
Quote from: "kosmo"
...for the first time? C'mon now, there is nothing new in "The Present" that hasn't been "said" by many, in many ways, over a long period of time. Calling it revelatory is your personal view, unless you can point out to me what part of it is.
Specifically, I'd say this book is revelatory in the sense that it deals with our situation as a human race right now. The more recent the work is, the closer it is to our current level of awareness. It sort of combines the "old" things that have been said many times with the "new," or our present situation.
I'll mention a few things that I specifically found new and revelatory. In the version (without religion), The Beatles section was very new to me, and one of those things that clicked right away, because I love The Beatles and have been familiar with their music and their message for a long time. This section helped me enjoy and listen to The Beatles in a whole new way. The version (with religion) is revelatory to me, because I have never seen the Bible interpreted in that way. It made a great deal of sense.
Zaka, I am glad the book is resonating with you.
Quote from: "laughingwillow"quote from initial post: ....I hope this book helps you grow spiritually like it did for me.
Reading the quote above may give one the impression that READING the linked material helped the guy who started this thread to grow spiritually. However, after reading at the Lycaeum, its become clear that the fellow who started this thread also WROTE the book in question.
Please understand that a third party reading another's work, finding finding it enlightening and posting for others to read is not the same as an author claiming a book he wrote will enlighten others as it enlightened him to write it. That is just plain disingenuous, imo.
I did not write "The Present(s)." What brought you to this conclusion?
I have an entry up on the Truth Contest called: Buddha's Fire Sermon.
Quote from: "laughingwillow"One more question, Jethro...
You quote Joseph Campbell in your linked work in an effort ot define the truth, yet also appear to have a disdain for mythology. As Joseph Campbell was the ultimate researcher/proponent on the contribution of mythology in the evolution of mankind, I'm wondering how you reconcile those seemingly polar-opposite positions?
It is finding the middle ground between science and religion. Neither have the whole truth, but together we can begin to see. It is making the two one.
Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind. - Albert Einstein
Quote from: "laughingwillow"I also get the impression that the author lacks experience with the active sacrament you mentioned above. And because of that, I'm having a tough time figuring out why the work in question has been brought before this particular community.....
I have experience with the active sacrament mentioned above, among many others. Salvia is one of the greatest teachers I have had. I brought this work before this community because I knew I would find curious, open-minds, with a desire to seek truth.
Quote from: "Zaka"I believe that most great music maybe channeled & realized that you are just using the beatles as an example.
Not sure if I'm ready to idolize them....?
Yes it's true that there was a real change that occurred in '64....
Aye. If there is one thing we have learned, it is that idolizing figures is not worthwhile. Idolize the teachings, the lyrics, the truths. The Beatles had much inspiration pass through them in the form of sugarcoated truth through beautiful music. My my, I love The Beatles. Nothing like a little help from my friends.
I was open minded enough to take the time to locate a machine capable of running microsoft and then reading the material in question. The op is using the term "the truth" as if the author of the piece in question has a monopoly on that commodity. I see many of the truths presented as simply quotes from various authors backed up by the writer's OPINIONS on the pieces quoted. Big deal. And I'm still not convinced that the op isn't also the author of the piece in question, which makes the situation all that much more bizarre, imo.
Here is a truth for you..... "While the Tao cannot be expressed, it can be known, and its principles can be followed."
lw
Yes, all The Present is, is an attempt to explain absolute truth with conventional truth. That's all we can do.
Don't you agree that we should try to use skillful means to lead others along their paths?
"The Present" may or may not suffice; I personally think it does, and that is why I provided the link. Regardless, more entries will be submitted and ultimately confined into one entry that is the most understandable, and the most complete. It will be written by everyone, and no-one, just as the collective unconscious/universal mind/Holy Spirit is everyone and no-one.
If you are interested in helping others along the path, and you think that the current entries are not worth showing others, then you should submit your own entry.
I submitted my own last week. It's called "Buddha's Fire Sermon."
The OP was me, not the author of the work in question. I wasn't clear on how to present the material at the time, and I assure you, I have learned much since the OP. In giving my love, all I can do is seek and learn.
Quote from: "Jethro Tull"Yes, all The Present is, is an attempt to explain absolute truth with conventional truth. That's all we can do.
Do you think so? I'm not entirely sure.
There are directions of travel which are orthogonal to those of truth and explanation, and it seems to me that one of the things we can do is follow those paths -- in fact, I'd say it is an ethical imperative. I'm all for skillful means and I
love thought and explication (in fact, I'm often beaten up for loving them too much), and insofar as explanations can open people up to the possibility of these orthogonal directions I think they're great. But I think the explanations are not all we can do, and in some way they are secondary. The first thing to do is travel down those paths.
I'm not criticizing the author's work, efforts, or intentions. While they don't resonate with me they may with some, and that could be a good thing. My take on LW's discomfort (and, speaking for him, I could be wrong) isn't so much with the product, but with what you think has been accomplished.
The Present is but one story out of an infinity that can be told, and the fact that it doesn't resonate with any particular person doesn't mean that said person is close-minded. He or she may just resonate better with different stories.
Thanks or the clarifications, jt.
And thank you, anon, for putting into words that which eluded my ability to explain clearly.
lw
Quote from: "Amomynous"insofar as explanations can open people up to the possibility of these orthogonal directions I think they're great. But I think the explanations are not all we can do, and in some way they are secondary. The first thing to do is travel down those paths.
Wonderful post, Amom.
The first thing to do is to travel down the paths. Showing others to the path can help them along so that they may follow the paths, as the paths are for our steps alone. I have personally gained great insight from
The Present, and some others that I have showed it to are starting to wake up. Thus, I find the effort worthwhile.
You are right, this work is one of infinity, but from what I see, this book tells it how it is in a way where people in this day and age can understand it. It is an effort to gather evidence and explain what it shows. It will not work for everyone, and that is why there is a contest. If someone thinks they can do better, they should submit an entry.
My goal of sharing this work and this contest with open-minds like the ones in this community is to spread awareness, and possibly find some others who want to show their compassion by helping others along the path. Maybe we will find a more effective way than the contest?
If not now, when? If not us, who?
Namaste
Btw, I do listen to the beatles on a regular basis. (This morning its the White Album.) However, I believe there was a profound change in the Beatles music after they were introduced to the active sacrament.
Imo, the evolution of personal consciousness brought on by the consumption of an active sacrament is clearly audible in the music of the Beatles from about the time Rubber Soul was released. And for that reason, any discussion of ultimate truth, especially using the Beatles as an example, is incomplete without expounding on the "true" catalyst of their evolution as humans and musicians, imo.
"The Present," concentrates on truth as it pertains to the Beatles before they discovered psychedelics, and ignores the quantum leap of understanding the boys from Liverpool undoubtedly experienced with the help of active sacrament, imo.
You want to save the world? A mental picture is worth a thousand words, brah.....
lw
Actually, there is an extensive section about drugs in The Present starting on page 141.
Further reading leads you to a section about psychedelic drugs on page 144.
Check out the section from roughly page 141-145 and let me know what you think, especially about the commentary on drugs like LSD which bring us into the present.
And yes, Rubber Soul and onward is my favorite period of The Beatles music. :)
My favorite Beatles era is 1962-1970!!!!!
With or without LSD their music is a revelation, a gift from the universe and will live forever.
200 songs recorded= 200 timeless gems, they are the Beethovens, Bachs, Mozarts of my generation.
So, I took the time to get on another machine and go back and check out the parts you mentioned above.
The author appears to know the mind of Albert Hoffmann, but I find confusion and ignorance in the authors comments. The author has no patent on the truth, imo. While reading "the present," I get my monthly fill of pop culture references in a few short paragraphs and little else. I'm glad to see you have connected with this particular works. Unfortunately it rings few bells for me.
There is more truth one can learn from life through the simple act of cutting a live flower and watching it wither and die. (I personally have a tough time killing plants.)
lw
Back to the topic at hand......
The book you are quoting from mentions fear in connection with psychedelic substances and then explains how fear distorts the understanding of truth and therefore should be shunned.
I disagree. The psychedelic substances mentioned are holy sacraments to me and fear in this context is something to overcome, not something to be avoided.
lw
Quote from: "laughingwillow"I disagree. The psychedelic substances mentioned are holy sacraments to me and fear in this context is something to overcome, not something to be avoided. lw
What he said. If anything "negative" comes up in a session -- fear, negativity, confusion, discomfort of any kind -- it has to be processed. For me, personally, this more-or-less
defines the serious use of psychedelic medicines. I'm not saying that people
need to use them seriously -- if they just want to party of have fun that's OK by me -- but you get out of it what you put into it, and there are things in life that they can help you experience that you're not going to experience unless you put in some hard work.
I had a very deep session a few weeks ago, and I'm still processing the lessons today. It wasn't fear, really -- fear isn't my thing -- but we all have things we need to work through.
This is not to say that the plants can't be used in the simple, pure experiential worship of the divine; I think that's one of their highest uses. But even if your intention is to simply sit in the presence of the truth, if something comes up you have to process it. To do otherwise is to ignore our relative, personal truths. As for the appropriate way of "processing," that's something that we each need to come up with for ourselves. I have a fairly clear understanding that works for me, but other people may do things differently.
Right on, amom.
Btw, paranoia seems to be a by-product of the lsd experience. Consuming this specific sacrament over an extended period of time with large groups of like minded pranksters has been known to do strange things to people. However, that paranoia is to be acknowledged and overcome, imo. Otherwise, one may be left with feelings and conclusions such as the author of the book in question appears to embrace.
I'd like to hear a little more about that mondo-session you experienced awhile back. Please?
lw
.... This morning I flashed on a reoccurring theme of past shows that were "difficult" for me to handle. In many instances, I became afraid that I was about to glean information/knowledge that would forever change my world. Almost like a potential loss of innocence. A feeling that I was about to cross a bridge that was for one way traffic only. An egotistical belief that once I crossed a threshold many more would follow and we there would be no looking back.......
At that point, I would think of affairs that needed to be to put in order and karmic obligations to meet before that flight of universal consciousness was possible for me to experience. Meanwhile, I got the feeling that mission control was tiring of the false starts and delays...
lw
Quote from: "Amomynous"I'm not criticizing the author's work, efforts, or intentions. While they don't resonate with me they may with some, and that could be a good thing. My take on LW's discomfort (and, speaking for him, I could be wrong) isn't so much with the product, but with what you think has been accomplished. The Present is but one story out of an infinity that can be told, and the fact that it doesn't resonate with any particular person doesn't mean that said person is close-minded. He or she may just resonate better with different stories.
Quote from: "laughingwillow"The author appears to know the mind of Albert Hoffmann, but I find confusion and ignorance in the authors comments. The author has no patent on the truth, imo. While reading "the present," I get my monthly fill of pop culture references in a few short paragraphs and little else. I'm glad to see you have connected with this particular works. Unfortunately it rings few bells for me.
I agree with both of you entirely.
Page 262 of The Present
-----
This time the truth is not dependent on a single leader. In the past, a lowlife could kill a prophet and stop the truth from getting out, but not now.
This book is just the spark that will get people talking about the real truth. I am just a guy with a match that is trying to start a truth fire.
Tuned in: I am just a tuned in guy, throwing out things I can see, that no one else seems to see.
When others start to see them, people will come together and better define the truth. We will see the issues clearly for the first time and the solutions to our problems; we will then solve them as fast as is possible.-----
Pages 262-263
-----
Write a book: As Paul Simon says in the song, "Slip Sliding Away", the closer you get to the truth, the more you slip slide away from it. The truth makes you feel better, so you start doing better in life and are distracted from the truth. It is usually nothing heavy or earth shaking, it is just people lose interest and go off into something else. People slip slide away from it without even noticing they are doing it. That is why it helps to write your own book to stay on track.
The only thing we all have in common is that we play tricks in order to force ourselves to abandon the quest. The counter-measure is to persist in spite of all the barriers and disappointments. Carlos Castaneda
Just start writing what you think the ultimate truth is and why. Work on it a little everyday and it will grow and so will your understanding of the truth. It keeps you on the spiritual path, so it is important and everyone should do it.
What you know: Your book will tell you what you know you know, so you will just concentrate on and research, what you know you do not know.
Your book will evolve and change as you evolve and change.
It is like working on a clay sculpture. You add a little here, take a little there, until it begins to reveal the ultimate truth in a way that you understand it perfectly.
I received the revelations in this book one or two sentences at a time or one idea at a time. One thing would just lead to another and it just built into this book. Most of the time I will get just a little change to something I have already written. I would just write the ideas I received on a note pad until I got a few pages and then I would turn on my laptop and add them to this book.
The next best things to knowing the ultimate truth, is seeking it.
Writing a book keeps you seeking and organized in your search. It leads directly to God/life. Doing it on a computer makes it easy. It would have been difficult in the past, but now you can delete and add stuff easy and you can watch TV while you do it. When it gets complete enough just send it to the contest and the judges will help you refine it.
Judges: Everyone that makes an entry becomes a judge, so by competing with the other entries, the entries keep getting better. I think someone is going to say what I say in this book a lot better than I do. I am not a writer and just wrote this to get the ball rolling. I expect this first try at it, just to inspire other people that will do it better, maybe you will.-----
Here is my take on it. "The Present" may or may not suffice; I personally think it does, and that is why I provided the link. Regardless, more entries will be submitted and ultimately confined into one entry that is the most understandable, and the most complete. It will be written by everyone, and no-one, just as the collective unconscious/universal mind/Holy Spirit is everyone and no-one.
The Present is just a spark, we are the kindling, and the internet is the oxygen that fuels the fire. Now is the perfect time to spread the truth, because we can reach the masses in the blink of an eye.
Here's a little "truth for you, mon...
The first line of the tao teh ching as translated by Hua-Ching Ni....
Tao, the subtle reality of the universe cannot be described.
That which can be described in words
is merely a conception of the mind.
Although names and descriptions have been applied to it,
the subtle reality is beyond description.
Chapter/Verse 33...
One who knows others is clever.
One who knows himself has insight.
One who overcomes others is forceful.
One who overcomes himself is truly strong.
One who knows he has enough is rich,
One who does not divert his mind from
the realization of integral virtue is wisely willful
One who preserves his natural integrity will endure.
One who embraces the subtle essence dies
yet does not perish
and thus enjoys true immortality...
I don't see the internet as the vehicle to communicate the ultimate truth. But that's just my opinion. The ultimate truth comes from inside, imo. The truth is, I have more questions than answers and tend to shy away from those claiming to be spreading the "truth" for mass consumption.
lw
I run from those with more answers than questions
Like they called Ken Kesey the man with questions for all the answers
Quote from: "JRL"I run from those with more answers than questions
Like they called Ken Kesey the man with questions for all the answers
:smoke:3 Keep runing bro, and make sure 'ya don't get flattened by that outta control bus driven by that crazy Kerouac fella fella :e_wink:
Quote from: "laughingwillow"Here's a little "truth for you, mon...
The first line of the tao teh ching as translated by Hua-Ching Ni....
The Tao Te Ching is excellent.
Currently, I'm re-reading Gilban's "The Prophet," one of my favorites.
QuoteI don't see the internet as the vehicle to communicate the ultimate truth. But that's just my opinion. The ultimate truth comes from inside, imo. The truth is, I have more questions than answers and tend to shy away from those claiming to be spreading the "truth" for mass consumption.
I hear ya, and I'm not here to rock your boat. Just trying to get some thoughts about this. I think the internet is the perfect way to communicate and spread the ultimate truth, at the very least to help others get on the path of truth seeking. Even 100 years ago, prophets would be killed for saying these things, but with the internet, it is anonymous, simple, and less confronting, IMO of course.
QuoteI run from those with more answers than questions
Like they called Ken Kesey the man with questions for all the answers
Yes friends, I am full of questions too. Life is magical and mysterious, always new and surprising. The magical mystery tour is waiting to take you away, dying to take you away. Although The Present is full of assertions and "answers," I think it is worth showing to people, so I thought I'd share it with you to know your thoughts and learn from you.
i think what's being said here is that there is no 'ultimate truth', rather only people's opinions of it.
dust in the wind
And voila! Just like that, sistah-j cuts to the heart of the matter at hand and gets my vote for the bestest, most concise explaimation of the ultimate truth.
lw
Quote from: "judih"i think what's being said here is that there is no 'ultimate truth', rather only people's opinions of it.
dust in the wind
But are we not all trying to pose opinions of that which applies to all of us? A universal message? An ultimate truth that unites all beings?
"Truth is neither holy nor unholy. Truth is neither love nor hate. Truth is neither pure nor impure. Truth is neither simple nor complex. Truth is neither heaven nor hell. Truth is neither moral nor immoral. Truth is neither of the God nor of the devil. Truth is neither virtue nor vice. Truth is neither birth nor death. Truth is neither in the religion nor without religion. Truth is as the outside water flowing, it has no resting place. Truth is life."
-Jiddu Krishnamurti
Truth is life, and it is found in the present. 8)
I don't think the two are necessarily incompatible. There could be an ultimate Truth... but still, all we would have would be personal experiences and opinions about it...
The way I read it, the linked author has assembled a collection of quotes by famous people along with personal takes on pop culture that has been presented as the ultimate truth and accepted by the author of this thread as such. To me, the piece reads like something that was put together little by little, as each idea and inspiration came to the author. Sort of like a journey into the person's unconscious train of thought. Imo, there is no coherency of theme nor idea. Its a random collection of thoughts and theories to me. I make no connection with the piece what so ever. Then I read a quote by the linked author above that seems to verify the fact that the author did indeed write the piece in bits and pieces, just as it reads to me.
No offense, but the detail I find the oddest is the fact that the author of this thread feels like he has discovered the "ultimate truth" by reading the linked piece. (Supposedly written by a third party.)
What isn't addressed, however, is the idea/theory that those unrelated quotes and suppositions happen to trigger an understanding in the author due to his/her particular life experiences. And each individual has their own, unique set of personal locks that are manipulated by knowledge that is accumulated over a lifetime of experience.
I think its as unrealistic to expect to find the ultimate truth on the web pages of the internet as it is to find the ultimate truth on the shelves of a bookstore.
lw
'ultimate' implies finite. For if the universe is infinite, then there'll always be one more 'truth' just after the last one. Unless by 'truth' one rolls everythingness into one huge, incomprehensible abstraction that is simply labelled 'truth'.
i agree with l-w's summation - that in dealing with quote after epiphany that leads to one person's deeper comprehension, then it is personal 'truth', considered ultimate for that split second, but probably still in the process of morphing as days grow into years and one's experiences spiral and deepen.
what is truth? a million different facets of something unpronounceable.
One huge lie detector could nullify that 'truth' - or even a sudden trauma could reverse all previously held truths.
I know people who travelled India, Nepal and further, only to come home to embrace religion, needing to have someone else interpret life and offer a single true answer. Does one need the 'ultimate truth' to get up in the morning? Or is it better to be delighted each day upon the sighting of a sudden goose in a field or a lone red anemone growing in a desert dune?
i like my truths non-ultimate