It just occurred to me that others might be experiencing extreme restlessness or an obsessive energy at this point in time as well. We have made a habit of getting on our screens to better understand worldly affairs- going online for todays drama, or hopping on social media and scrolling through content we never really sought after with rapid succession... I think it's collectively at that point where that "polarization" effect is being produced(again). I seem to experience it in waves.
I realize I was once again falling into the trap, reading biased news links and obsessing over differences shared here with regards to political matters and attitudes towards world views. It was really draining my energy and creating such a tension around me.
It really is a distraction. And if some people want to be distracted that's okay. But I do see I need to reshape my focus if I want to have control over my well being. I become tired and irritable obsessing over crap and it can get to the point where you think it's intentionally trying to rob you of your peace.
I can either 1) read all these post about ukraine and russia, about AI and transhumanism, about depopulation and climate change, about social credit scores and corrupt governments, identity politics and slavery- and then respond to that...
or I can 2) get more involved in the immediate reality, meditate more- enjoy the things that actually interest me and cultivate the things I really wish to experience.
For example... I have ancient aliens on in the background and they are talking about remote viewing. This is far more enjoyable than reading some news link from yahoo news telling me republicans are the party of evil and censorship.
I have more of an interest in listening to the men from ancient aliens talking about harmonic resonance and communicating with higher dimensions than getting all angry at my friends and strangers for becoming so polarized by world affairs.
I remember that turning my laptop off 30 minutes before bed has really made a dramatic difference with my peace of mind.
I remember that meditating with absolutely no electronics in my face has really helped slow things down and allowed me to enjoy the intentional, non-reactionary state of mind...
And so I bump this thread once again- it may be that concessions need to take place(to let go of that obsessive and restless energy)... But most important is focus. It takes knowing what makes us happy and continuing to make the effort to experience, practicing something with intent- having a goal and hoping to achieve it- or do we sink back into mindless comforts, repeating behavioral patterns to the extent we've now allowed external influences to appease and control our animal minds... ?
I know that restless energy is at a all time high- not just because of how tense things are around the world and the dramatic changes we are all going through- but also in part because of how connected we are thanks to technology/rapid communications. And in part thanks to the psychology of creating users- manipulating a persons emotions for the sake of engagement and keeping people addicted to content for the sake of profit. These are all very real practices and its turned into a (unintentional?) weaponization against spiritual and mindful experience.
It's important to remember, if you know peace- or have tasted it, and to see whether or not we're once again falling in the trap of distractions(with all its wizardry) and surrendering our will to outside influence or are we actually happy with what we presently find ourselves engaged in?
Time to work.
I would like to thank Eric for the above quote. I think he has made some valid points. Endless distractions are a stumbling block in our spiritual lives. I also hope to hear more from him on subjects like Ancient Aliens… which is my favorite T.V. Program now showing.
“It's important to remember, if you know peace- or have tasted it, and to see whether or not we're once again falling in the trap of distractions(with all its wizardry) and surrendering our will to outside influence or are we actually happy with what we presently find ourselves engaged in?” ~Eric
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First of all I would like to wish everyone a blessed Memorial Day, on this day we honor those who have fought valiantly for the cause of truth and sanctity. Let us not forget the battle that Krishna counciled Arjuna to fight on the fields of kurukshetra.
Eric brings this point up above; “I have more of an interest in listening to the men from ancient aliens talking about harmonic resonance and communicating with higher dimensions than getting all angry at my friends and strangers for becoming so polarized by world affairs.”
Krishna mentioned this about anger; There are three gateways leading to hell - lust, anger and greed. One must give these up, for they lead to the degradation of the soul’ (shloka 16.21).
Sri Krishna, in His dialogue with Arjuna, has analysed the workings of anger. Most likely because often anger can be expressed in war and Arjuna was concerned about it as a an attempt to justify killing those he cared for. When asked as to what impels the man to commit sin, as if by force, even against his own will ; Krishna replied that the root cause of the problem was lust (excessive desire), which when unsatisfied, emerged as anger. It is the all-devouring and most sinful enemy of mankind (shlokas 3.36 and 3.37; Thus, a man's pure consciousness is covered by his eternal enemy in the form of lust, which is never satisfied and which burns like fire.) Lust has been called a constant enemy of the wise, because like fire, it has an insatiable appetite (shloka 3.39). It cannot be satisfied for long. It envelops wisdom, and gives rise to frustration and anger. This concept has further been elaborated in shloka 2.62 wherein it has been stated that thinking about sense objects produces attachment towards them. Attachment breeds desire, and non-fulfilment of desire leads to anger.* These causes of anger I now reflect on when I find myself frustrated and either on the verge of anger or manifesting anger. I have also witnessed anger manifested towards people and objects in myself and in friends and have attempted to understand it’s origin, how to avoid it and why it takes place.
I doubt that anyone would consider Memorial Day a distraction. Therefore I would like to commend and express our gratitude to ‘Republican’ President Lincoln for continuing to fight for the freedom of all people to come on our earth. And he did not represent a party of evil but rather equality and justice. As he and Krishna exemplified that peace does not come without a price. And this Memorial Day we are reminded of the many battles fought to have a peaceful existence in the face of other forces that have made our minds increasingly weakened and jostled by restless forces that would dominate our peaceful existence.
I still recall vividly telling Brother Turiyananda that “if you ( Brother Turiyananda) told me to go ( I pointed to the hill at Lake Shrine ) over the hill and there were soldiers on the other side shooting at those attempting to cross the crest of the hill I would do it.” He responded; “That is because the words I’m saying have soul force.” And so there are people that have acted as carvers of history that we honor today for there heroic leadership and sacrifice for a righteous cause.
* Anger Management in Bhagavad Gita
https://www.dailypioneer.com/2021/state-editions/anger-management-in-bhagavad-gita.htmlhttps://www.shortform.com/blog/krishna-arjuna-bhagavad-gita/
