Being One - Architects of a New Dawn2024-03-29T07:53:01Zhttps://architectsofanewdawn.ning.com/forum/topics/being-one?commentId=2227378%3AComment%3A103293&feed=yes&xn_auth=no[Ron said: "If wars were foug…tag:architectsofanewdawn.ning.com,2009-08-10:2227378:Comment:1058422009-08-10T13:41:42.111ZRon Tocknellhttps://architectsofanewdawn.ning.com/profile/RonTocknell
[Ron said: "If wars were fought with music" ...well, they wouldn't be wars, would they? They'd be gigs..."<br />
<br />
I am copying that one into my favorite quotes page.]<br />
<br />
Ahah! <i>That's</i> where the "told ya..." came from!<br />
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I am truly honoured.
[Ron said: "If wars were fought with music" ...well, they wouldn't be wars, would they? They'd be gigs..."<br />
<br />
I am copying that one into my favorite quotes page.]<br />
<br />
Ahah! <i>That's</i> where the "told ya..." came from!<br />
<br />
I am truly honoured. Truth - what is truth? To me,…tag:architectsofanewdawn.ning.com,2009-08-10:2227378:Comment:1058382009-08-10T13:12:46.808ZRon Alexanderhttps://architectsofanewdawn.ning.com/profile/RonAlexander
Truth - what is truth? To me, Ron - truth has to be a whole body experience, and I have to be the one who experiences it.<br />
I have to feel it in my physical self. I have been a yoga teacher. I have studied Somatics in graduate school, and now as I have mentioned, Vipassana meditation is my newest practice. Here is more about Vipassana, and the eternal truths it deals with -<br />
<b><br />
"It is a process of <u>self</u>-purification by <u>self</u>-observation. One begins by observing the natural breath to…</b>
Truth - what is truth? To me, Ron - truth has to be a whole body experience, and I have to be the one who experiences it.<br />
I have to feel it in my physical self. I have been a yoga teacher. I have studied Somatics in graduate school, and now as I have mentioned, Vipassana meditation is my newest practice. Here is more about Vipassana, and the eternal truths it deals with -<br />
<b><br />
"It is a process of <u>self</u>-purification by <u>self</u>-observation. One begins by observing the natural breath to concentrate the mind. With a sharpened awareness one proceeds to observe the changing nature of body and mind, and experiences the <u>universal truths</u> of impermanence, suffering, & egolessness. This <u>truth-realization</u> by <u>direct</u>-experience is the process of purification. The entire path (Dhamma) is a universal remedy for universal problems, and has nothing to do with any organized religion or sectarianism. For this reason, it can be practiced freely by everyone, at any time, in any place, without conflict due to race, community, or religion, and it will prove equally beneficial to one and all."</b> from the tract "Vipassana Meditation" as taught by S.N. Goenka<br />
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The "<u>universal truths</u> of impermanence, suffering, & egolessness" have all been proven scientifically now which is important to me also as a trained scientist.<br />
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If you really want to see the results of Vipassana, I suggest renting or buying the documentary: "The Dhamma Brothers"<br />
It is about the ten day silent course being taken into the worst prison in Alabama and working only with convicted murderers. That documentary is why I went to take the course myself and hope to facilitate getting teachers into S.C. prisons, especially where my nephew will be residing for a few years now. Also, I have ordered a book called <u>Letters from the Dhamma Brothers.</u>It is about the same prisoners and what they are experiencing a few years down the line.<br />
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I proudly call myself a Dhamma Brother now! I am still struggling with my "monkey mind" during meditations, but I have had momentary hints of the calming inner peace as a result of the purification. and I have joyous expectations to experience the "aliveness" felt by older students like Jeanne here - see the<br />
"discussion Vipassanna" on the Meditation group here on AAOAND.<br />
'Thanks for inspiring serious helpful dialogue here, Ron No mistake, ron Ron said: "If wars were fough…tag:architectsofanewdawn.ning.com,2009-08-09:2227378:Comment:1055252009-08-09T14:40:03.442ZJeannehttps://architectsofanewdawn.ning.com/profile/Jeanne
Ron said: <i>"If wars were fought with music" ...well, they wouldn't be wars, would they? They'd be gigs..."</i><br />
<br />
I am copying that one into my favorite quotes page.
Ron said: <i>"If wars were fought with music" ...well, they wouldn't be wars, would they? They'd be gigs..."</i><br />
<br />
I am copying that one into my favorite quotes page. "If wars were fought with mus…tag:architectsofanewdawn.ning.com,2009-08-09:2227378:Comment:1054832009-08-09T10:01:24.977ZRon Tocknellhttps://architectsofanewdawn.ning.com/profile/RonTocknell
"If wars were fought with music" ...well, they wouldn't be <i>wars</i>, would they? They'd be gigs...<br />
<br />
<p style="text-align: left;"><img alt="" height="414" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2958318826?profile=original" width="468"></img></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img alt="" height="325" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2958318940?profile=original" width="380"></img></p>
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"Collaborative spirit is a force to be reckoned with for sure"<br />
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True but we must always be wary of this. The collaborative Spirit that brings about <i>revolution</i> tends to become a liability to the <i>reformation</i>. We need to keep a close eye on history and proceed with caution. If those who actually…
"If wars were fought with music" ...well, they wouldn't be <i>wars</i>, would they? They'd be gigs...<br />
<br />
<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2958318826?profile=original" alt="" width="468" height="414"/></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2958318940?profile=original" alt="" width="380" height="325"/></p>
<br />
"Collaborative spirit is a force to be reckoned with for sure"<br />
<br />
True but we must always be wary of this. The collaborative Spirit that brings about <i>revolution</i> tends to become a liability to the <i>reformation</i>. We need to keep a close eye on history and proceed with caution. If those who actually bring about the desired change then become the leaders, we could be in for another power trip. We don't really need leaders. We need coordinators. Wow...very, very interesting.…tag:architectsofanewdawn.ning.com,2009-08-09:2227378:Comment:1054262009-08-09T01:04:01.615ZBilly Gearhttps://architectsofanewdawn.ning.com/profile/BillyGear
Wow...very, very interesting. So, now you have me thinking here. You have a great mind Ron, as do the responders. What all are saying is a scary truth indeed. We probably aren't far from being numbers. Our identities are being ripped apart daily for sure. Corrupt governments, (ours included) are out of control in my opinion. Mods, rockers, greasers, etc. all had herd mentality for sure. But we do need to belong, we do need to choose to a certain degree. I think what I find compelling here is…
Wow...very, very interesting. So, now you have me thinking here. You have a great mind Ron, as do the responders. What all are saying is a scary truth indeed. We probably aren't far from being numbers. Our identities are being ripped apart daily for sure. Corrupt governments, (ours included) are out of control in my opinion. Mods, rockers, greasers, etc. all had herd mentality for sure. But we do need to belong, we do need to choose to a certain degree. I think what I find compelling here is the drive and spirit of those who join this group AOAND and at the very least what they are trying to put out. Collaborative spirit is a force to be reckoned with for sure. Will anything positive come out of it other than the comfort of knowing individually, that we are being heard? Don't know. Positive vibe? Yes, but does it mean anything beyond that? I know this, I like the spirit and input that I have witnessed in my short 2 days as a member. People like you make us think a bit beyond our statements. Kind words are a start. These are tough times we live in. Those of us who have lived through the 50's to the present have experienced more changes in society than at any other time. My hope, my dream, is that more thinking like this, more discussons like this, that engage us to respond based on people like you who speak fairly, honestly and with much wisdom obviously, is a great place to start.<br />
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"If Wars Were Fought With Music"<br />
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Thank you Ron,<br />
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Billy Gear [Maharaji opened his address…tag:architectsofanewdawn.ning.com,2009-08-08:2227378:Comment:1053452009-08-08T20:59:23.048ZRon Tocknellhttps://architectsofanewdawn.ning.com/profile/RonTocknell
[Maharaji opened his address by talking about human beings’ innate thirst for peace. “Even a long time ago,” he said, “when people wore their skin for clothes, you can imagine a man or a woman standing under the stars on a beautiful evening. And what do they ask? ‘Who am I? Why am I here?']<br />
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I think maybe the Maharaji is a bit of an old romantic on the quiet :o)<br />
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I'm not ready to rule out the possibility that we once <i>knew</i> who we were and the question 'why am I here?' was irrelevant.…
[Maharaji opened his address by talking about human beings’ innate thirst for peace. “Even a long time ago,” he said, “when people wore their skin for clothes, you can imagine a man or a woman standing under the stars on a beautiful evening. And what do they ask? ‘Who am I? Why am I here?']<br />
<br />
I think maybe the Maharaji is a bit of an old romantic on the quiet :o)<br />
<br />
I'm not ready to rule out the possibility that we once <i>knew</i> who we were and the question 'why am I here?' was irrelevant. Perhaps we have, over time, forgotten who we are and this void has been filled with the delusion that we have been 'put' here for a purpose above and beyond the purpose of an amoeba.<br />
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I am certainly in no position to say the Maharaji is wrong and I am right and I wouldn't dream of suggesting such a thing. I don't know if <i>either</i> of us are right and, quite frankly, I think that, too, is irrelevant. However, I can say with conviction that to consider myself of no more significance to the Great Scheme of Things than an amoeba is very liberating. I feel that we have an unhealthy fixation with a sense of <i>purpose</i>. Perhaps this simple message c…tag:architectsofanewdawn.ning.com,2009-08-08:2227378:Comment:1052812009-08-08T19:56:31.510ZCandice Wilmorehttps://architectsofanewdawn.ning.com/profile/CandiceWilmore
Perhaps this simple message can help here a bit:<br />
<br />
Maharaji opened his address by talking about human beings’ innate thirst for peace. “Even a long time ago,” he said, “when people wore their skin for clothes, you can imagine a man or a woman standing under the stars on a beautiful evening. And what do they ask? ‘Who am I? Why am I here?'<br />
<br />
“Now, fast forward,” he continued. “Here we are. Cell phones. Airplanes. Television. Blu-Ray. High definition, low definition. More books than you can…
Perhaps this simple message can help here a bit:<br />
<br />
Maharaji opened his address by talking about human beings’ innate thirst for peace. “Even a long time ago,” he said, “when people wore their skin for clothes, you can imagine a man or a woman standing under the stars on a beautiful evening. And what do they ask? ‘Who am I? Why am I here?'<br />
<br />
“Now, fast forward,” he continued. “Here we are. Cell phones. Airplanes. Television. Blu-Ray. High definition, low definition. More books than you can imagine. More religions and variations of religion than you can imagine. The Web, the information portal. And we still ask, 'Who am I? What am I? What am I doing here? What is the purpose of my life?'<br />
<br />
Read more: <a href="http://www.wopg.org/en/news/ontheroadwithmaharaji/157-event-in-ljubljana-slovenia#ixzz0Nch8ozkP">http://www.wopg.org/en/news/ontheroadwithmaharaji/157-event-in-ljubljana-slovenia#ixzz0Nch8ozkP</a> "I have come across Ho'oponop…tag:architectsofanewdawn.ning.com,2009-08-07:2227378:Comment:1046602009-08-07T02:53:37.632ZRon Alexanderhttps://architectsofanewdawn.ning.com/profile/RonAlexander
"I have come across Ho'oponopo but I can't claim to have studied it. Anne (my wife) has been studying it and she's talked to me about it. I quite like the concept of taking responsibility for all that we experience. It seems to me to be a very grown up philosophy. I think maybe I'll look at it closer and see what my heart soaks up."<br />
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Very adult response, Ron. Thanks, I am copying it and adding it to my Ho'oponopono wisdom, respectfully, ron
"I have come across Ho'oponopo but I can't claim to have studied it. Anne (my wife) has been studying it and she's talked to me about it. I quite like the concept of taking responsibility for all that we experience. It seems to me to be a very grown up philosophy. I think maybe I'll look at it closer and see what my heart soaks up."<br />
<br />
Very adult response, Ron. Thanks, I am copying it and adding it to my Ho'oponopono wisdom, respectfully, ron Yes. We do sometimes forget t…tag:architectsofanewdawn.ning.com,2009-08-07:2227378:Comment:1046292009-08-07T00:45:55.613ZRon Tocknellhttps://architectsofanewdawn.ning.com/profile/RonTocknell
Yes. We do sometimes forget that Buddha was not a Buddhist and Jesus was not a Christian. They stood alone and spoke their truths. We must draw what we can from these icons of wisdom but not be drawn into thinking that their truths must necessarily be <i>our</i> truths.<br />
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We get a little too hung up on <i>The Truth</i>. I don't just mean <i>a</i> truth like "I chopped down the cherry tree", but <i>The</i> Truth with a capital 'T'. As if there is a singular, definitive Truth. When we say we want…
Yes. We do sometimes forget that Buddha was not a Buddhist and Jesus was not a Christian. They stood alone and spoke their truths. We must draw what we can from these icons of wisdom but not be drawn into thinking that their truths must necessarily be <i>our</i> truths.<br />
<br />
We get a little too hung up on <i>The Truth</i>. I don't just mean <i>a</i> truth like "I chopped down the cherry tree", but <i>The</i> Truth with a capital 'T'. As if there is a singular, definitive Truth. When we say we want The Truth, we mostly mean that we want a lie. Not just <i>a</i> lie, but <i>The</i> Lie; the Lie that confirms our own beliefs and theories and sometimes our delusions. We want the Lie that confirms we've been <i>right</i> all along. For many of us, it's the only truth we'll accept.<br />
<br />
Truths reside in the heart and lies reside in the head. Apart from that, there's little difference between them, which is why we keep getting them confused.<br />
<br />
I have come across Ho'oponopo but I can't claim to have studied it. Anne (my wife) has been studying it and she's talked to me about it. I quite like the concept of taking responsibility for all that we experience. It seems to me to be a very grown up philosophy. I think maybe I'll look at it closer and see what my heart soaks up.<br />
<br />
"<b>I have a masters in Somatic Psychology, and I fill like I am getting a Ph.d.(not that I care at my age) studying Vipassana</b>."<br />
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Someone once told me (I think it was probably a quotation) that education is wasted on the young. I don't actually agree with that but I'm inclined to think that <i>youth</i> is wasted on <i>study</i>. Young people study in the same way they catch a bus... with the <i>destination</i> in mind; grades or a degree or whatever. When we get old, study becomes more like a cruise than a bus ride. The emphasis is on the journey. We study to absorb, understand and resolve. When young people study, they're looking for answers. When we old timers study, we're looking for new questions. Hi Ron, I, too, have rebelled…tag:architectsofanewdawn.ning.com,2009-08-06:2227378:Comment:1045802009-08-06T22:26:01.937ZRon Alexanderhttps://architectsofanewdawn.ning.com/profile/RonAlexander
Hi Ron, I, too, have rebelled against "new age" anything. When I helped start a speaker/workshop series a few years ago, I said please not something "New Thought" or "New Age", and so we came up with "Wisdom of the Ages."<br />
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My two favorite studies recently have been Vipassana meditation which was started by Gautama Buddha 2500 years ago or so. "...Buddha taught: an art of living. He never established or taught any religion, any 'ism'. He never instructed those who came to him to practice any…
Hi Ron, I, too, have rebelled against "new age" anything. When I helped start a speaker/workshop series a few years ago, I said please not something "New Thought" or "New Age", and so we came up with "Wisdom of the Ages."<br />
<br />
My two favorite studies recently have been Vipassana meditation which was started by Gautama Buddha 2500 years ago or so. "...Buddha taught: an art of living. He never established or taught any religion, any 'ism'. He never instructed those who came to him to practice any rituals, any empty formalities. Instead, he taught them just to observe nature as it is, by observing the reality inside. Out of ignorance we keep reacting in ways which harm ourselves and others. But when the wisdom arises-the wisdom of observing reality as it is-this habit of reacting falls away. When we cease to react blindly, then we are capable of real action-action proceeding from a balanced mind, a mind which sees and understands the truth. Such action can only be positive, creative, helpful to ourselves and to others." S.N. Goenka "The Art of Living: Vipassana Meditation".<br />
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The other ancient tradition I have studied which goes along with the "Loving Kindness" meditation taught by Buddha is called Ho'oponopo, and it was created by a "Kahuna" woman ("Morna", I think) a long time ago. I spread a video about it all over the groups, so look it up if you are inclined.<br />
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Ron (which means "Teacher of Wisdom" in one of the ancient languages - Hebrew possibly?), I come from a scientific background, and the wisdom I study and practice has to be verified scientifically and even rationally, and Quantum Physics verifies both of the above. I also come from the Somatic field, and Buddha's work is definitely body-based. I even call Vipassana Meditation "whole-body Consciousness Meditation and is partly pure "Sensory Awareness." I have a masters in Somatic Psychology, and I fill like I am getting a Ph.d.(not that I care at my age) studying Vipassana. I recently attended a ten day Silent Vipassana Meditation retreat which may be the best thing I have ever done. There is a "Discussion" Section under the banner of the Meditation group, if you are interested. No Mistake, ron<br />
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My teacher Byron Katie when heard "nemaste" as a greeting thought she was hearing "no mistake" which is perfect for this dialogue you have started.