Or am I speaking of a ‘personal me’ and what this ‘me’ seemingly thinks,
feels or experiences?
This post is in reply to a question from Anonymous, who was one of several to comment on the recent Grok-The-Talk interview. The question is repeated below:
Dearest Peter, Is it a pleasure, to live this life, knowing well that each of us would love to be remembered? Just asking.
Thank you for the question, Anonymous--although it's not crystal clear as to how you mean it. Here's a try:
The "perspective" here, and in much of spirituality, is that of Life Itself, One Self, Presence, Love--whatever term one wants to use. It really is not a life that "all of us" are living, but Life Itself that is living. So, from here, there really isn't such a thing as "each of us" who would love to be remembered.
It may now appear as if there are many separate bodies or "selves," but one no longer thinks in terms of separate bodies or separate selves as being REAL. It may appear that way, but it is only an appearance.
We are not "anti" anyone who may seem to have a desire to be remembered--but one might want to examine that desire more closely. Such feelings or desires may seem to arise, but one does not act on them or take them seriously, once it is clear that they are based on a false appearance or false notion.
A close look shows that there really are no other "selves" or "separate minds" or personalities out there to be remembered by!
The notion that there is a world of objects (including other bodies) "out there" separate from the mind, is just a dream-like illusion of the five senses (see chap 13 free here on the website). Further, exactly who or what is it that would want to be remembered?
Looking closely, it's really just a lot of thoughts or emotions that make it seem as if there were a "personal me" that wants to be remembered. But when looking closely at this "me," again, the "me" consists of merely some thoughts and feelings, and maybe some mental images. But there is NO SELF THERE, no conscious life or identity there. It's nothing more than a lot of life-less passing thoughts and feelings.
What's actually present is pure Life, Presence, sometimes also called Consciousness or Being. It does not know or think in terms of past or future, but only "experiences" NOW. So the whole issue of "being remembered" does not occur.
It is emphasized here that only the Present, pure Presence, is present--"always." As this Present-ness is all that really exists, It certainly doesn't want to be remembered, because Present-ness knows only Present-ness. It has no future in which It could be remembered! And utter Present-ness really leaves no others known as "we" who could be desiring such a thing either.
I hope that addresses the question--if not please let me know!
Thanks,
Peter
Greetings Peter,
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciation for a most beautiful Q&A! Such Sweet Clarity!
Hymns of Preclusive-ness
Julian
Excellent comments Peter.
ReplyDeleteI think 'people' are a little afraid to lose there so called individuality and being remembered is part of this.
I think you sum it up beautifully in the second to last paragraph.
'Whats actually present is pure Life,Presence...It does not know or think in terms of past or future,but only 'experiences' NOW. So the whole issue of 'being remembered' does not occur.
Thank you Ray and Julian--great to hear from you both!
ReplyDeleteLet me address a few things with this reply.
ReplyDelete"It may now appear as if there are many separate bodies . . ." Based upon the view put forth on this website, appear to "who", "where" and "when"?
"We are not "anti" anyone . . . "We"???
"Such feelings or desires may seem to arise, but one does not act on them or take them seriously, once it is clear that they are based on a false appearance or false notion." Arise for "who" and "when"? "Who finally sees clear or "who" bought into a false appearance or false notion"?
"A close look shows . . . " "Who" needs to take a close look and "when"?
"The notion that there is a world of objects (including other bodies) "out there" separate from the mind, is just a dream-like illusion…" "Who" buys into such a notion and "when"? Appear that way to "who" and "when"? Are you sure you want to say, "IS an illusion"? This implies an illusion IS.
"Looking closely, it's just a lot of thoughts or emotions that make ti seem . . . " "Who" needs to look closely? Who mistakenly takes these so-called thoughts and emotions as a "personal me"?
"What's actually present is pure Life, Presence. . . . "Who" is being informed here? "Who" doesn't already know? What do these words "life, consciousness, being, all, presence, now" mean and who says so?
"It is emphasized here that only the Present, pure Presence, is present . . . "Who" or "what" is "IT"? Peter, wouldn't you say, this Present-ness is existence instead of "this Present-ness is all that really exist" ?
"Who" would have a question and "when" would the answer come and "who" would receive it?
I'm not saying I disagree or agree with anything posted here.