An "Idiot's Guide to Self-Realization", (or), How To Overcome Intellectualism.

[Ming the Merciful]

There is no conflict in between mind, body and the spirit. Each of them must be sufficiently developed, connected enough and must be used enough to make any spiritual advancement.

Most of the conversations here are Intellectual

A lot of the conversations here try to discover the mysteries of existence. Not uncover the secret zen of 'just being'. That kind of being is specific to every person and it is questionable that it can be taught.

There is the additional complication that this planet's social/individual distortions being too complicated, in relation to self and other selves - as Ra mentions. This necessitates looking at things with a sharp clear mind. For, you see, there are even people who believe in two contradictory things at the same time and propose them in two parts of the same sentence, seeing no problem with doing that. Without even getting into the immense mess of lies and disinformation that is propagated for profit or belief.

So, even to untangle the mess of the societal complex at its surface and look at things from a simpler perspective of entities' interactions based on fundamental motives, noticeable understanding is needed.

Of course, one can spend many lifetimes without paying attention and then suddenly one day during one incarnation everything may fall into place. But that's not an efficient way to do things. Only efficient for the entity which is very suitable for that kind of path.

And the society is passing through a very difficult time in which people are distressed, needing food, housing, healthcare - the very basic needs. Those wont get solved via zen and 'being'. For even reaching for middle chakras, lower chakras must be safe and functioning.

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Moreover - some of us want to be looking through the window and taking in all the sights during our journey. Not looking towards the seat in the front and suddenly waking up at the destination.

In my experience, 'being' is not in any way counter productive towards dealing with the very visceral experiences of pain and fear that others experience due to food, shelter, and health insecurity. Nor do I think it's not a valid avenue for consideration of these issues. 'Just being' does not mean one just melts into the chair and some blank space upon an empty wall and become a useless vegetable which is blind to the needs of others. I find that when I am able to trust myself enough to release my attachment to my own intellectualization, that 'just being' offers the opportunity to look upon the insecurities and the fears and the pains of the world with a creative openness and in concert with the intellect. In so doing, there is the ability to address these issues in flexible ways so that others may indeed be fed, feel safe, and be healthy.

When you are in "Still Mind", it is not a "Vegetable State". If anything, you are more alive because of Raised Awareness. The "Art of Just Being". Knowing yourself. It is impossible to illustrate to you, unless you experience it yourself. The average person is in a state of Intellectual Awareness, and is totally unaware of Intuitive Mind. The Intuitive Mind is only functional when Intellectual Mind is still. Also within Intuitive Mind, you become aware of Subconscious Mind. You can hear the thought, (before the thought).That too can be guided. In Meditation there a term called "Samadhi", where all three phases of the Mind are still. Total Bliss. I am not here to convert you, (but), can you imagine what it is like to have total stillness within yourself? That can only be experienced alone. I have practiced Zen Meditation for thirty years, and there is a point where, (through training), and practice you can control the different aspect of Mind. It has gotten to the point where I can switch-on or switch-off Still Mind as I want it. If there is nothing to think about. Stop thinking. There is no need for endless thoughts, when there is nothing important to think about. Mind be still. I actually use Still Mind as my Vehicle for Meditation, (instead of Mantras), because it is a better Vehicle. Instant Stillness.