Michelle Casto's Post

What's Your Favorite Samsara?

Michelle Casto | 09.07.08 | 10:57 AM |

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Samsara or Gaia Lure?
Gaia lure from Greek mythology and Samsara are two words for the same thing, namely attachment
to the world of phenomena.

Rinposhe has this commentary:
Our lives seem to live us, to possess their own bizarre momentum, to carry us away; in the end we
feel we have no choice or control over them. Of course we feel bad about this sometimes, we have
nightmares and wake up in sweat, wondering: What am I doing with my life? But our fear only last
until breakfast time, out comes the briefcase, and back we go to where we started. [...]

Sometimes I think that the greatest achievement of modern culture is its brilliant selling of samsara and its barren distractions. Modern society seems to me a celebration of all the things that lead away from the
truth, make truth hard to live for, and discourage people from even believing that it exists. And to
think that all this spring from a civilisation that claims to adore life, but actually starves it of any
real meaning, that endlessly speaks of making people happy, but in fact blocks their way to the
source of real joy.
---Sogyal Rinposche: The Tibetan
Book of Living and Dying p. 20

Often, the illusion of Work and being productive drains the soul out of most of us. That is why most people are still asleep, they are too busy to look within and have a soul connection. What do you think?

In bright light, Michelle

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Member Comments:

All gone . . . :-)

Submitted by Bob Johnston on September 9, 2008 - 8:45am.

Hi Michelle,

Great question.

I'm delighted to say my attachments to temporal phenomena have all been transcended and I now own, include, and manage them as options in my repertoire of choices.

With freedom, empathy, understanding, integral health, and joy!

Bob

Submitted by Butterfly-Bee on September 13, 2008 - 6:33pm.

Unencumbered
Hi Bob,
Are you attached to trancendance?
Love,
Barbara

The World of the "Blog"

Submitted by Mary Jane Mohring on September 9, 2008 - 10:52am.

Bob, it sounds like you are in the permanent state of Nirvana. I can't imagine that is this true, because I see you addressing most Blogs with total involvement. The length and depth of your Blogs is at least a part time job. Each new Blog seems to have the pull for you that makes you find the need to respond. We are all very happy about this because it must take a lot of time and effort. You are very active in IONS. This also, is a very loving and giving activity and presents you with new people bringing new interests. Your temporal phenomena is hopefully not stagnant. Your attachment to them is now transcended. Are you saying you can choose when you want to be involved with life as it presents itself? I am not striving toward that goal. Every human being is the "choice maker" and the "priority setter". Sometimes, the choices are not easy.

I am able to view the good and the bad as "life unfolding". I put no limitations on the reality that is reaching me. We must make choices before we can set priorities. The magnitude of a man's "Peace" is in the wisdom of his priority. The power of priority is the divine momentum of individual enlightenment and accomplishment. Isn't that what it is all about, Bob? We are all in the process of "Prioritizing". In the mean while, life goes on and we each live with our priorities. We need not fear the unknown if we can but accept the known. "Accepting" is "allowing" and sometimes things happen that unbelievably change the course of our lives. I definitely am involved and I realize I only get to chose, sometimes.

Are we on the same page? Any words of wisdom for us here? We sincerely appreciate your input. Love and Light
As always,
Jane

Same page?

Submitted by Bob Johnston on September 9, 2008 - 2:57pm.

Dear Jane,

Thank you for your feedback and questions. I've answered the latter to the best of my empathy and ability but I leave it to you to answer your question, "Are we on the same page?"

As you can see I have interjected my responses at various places throughout a copy of your blog.

MJL: Bob, it sounds like you are in the permanent state of Nirvana.

BJ: Once I transcended Christianity I determined I would not fall into the Procrustean trap of some other earthly teacher's doctrine and their labels for states of consciousness, ancient or current. So I don't use terms like "Nirvana". Rather, I have, with my soul guide OM developed my own. We call my freest state of consciousness ' oneness with pure, window-glass-clear, timeless awareness in which there are no attachments, identifications, addictions, habits, or hang-ups relative to temporal feelings, thoughts, intuitions, attitudes, motives, intentions, processes, systems, behaviors or material possessions.' It is my soul 'seat' of cocreative self-management from which I freely cocreate with out Source any feeling, thought, attitude, etc. I want. In this 'place' of conscious awareness there is, philosophically speaking, no right or wrong except what is healthful or unhealthful. I have chosen the integrally healthful path.

MJL: I can't imagine that is this true, because I see you addressing most Blogs with total involvement. The length and depth of your Blogs is at least a part time job. Each new Blog seems to have the pull for you that makes you find the need to respond. We are all very happy about this because it must take a lot of time and effort.

BJ: I do address most blogs with total involvement because I have chosen to. You may not be aware of my professional background so I'll give you a brief introduction. I have been totally involved since 1966 in the individual self-management, leader-manager, and organization transformation field. So for over forty years I have been a designer, developer, and facilitator of transformation and development experiential workshops for a wide variety of organizations, but principally healthcare, academic, and Fortune 500 types. I have a gift for designing experiential one, two, three, and four-dimensional maps of consciousness which about 98% just loved. While I did a lot of writing -- 31 textbooks and workbooks for clients, 75 articles, and over 40 presentations to professional conferences -- I also accumulated oodles and oodles of materials -- written and graphic -- which didn't/don't lend themselves well, because of irregular sizes, etc., to publishing in book form. So when I retired I looked around for a venue which would make a reasonably good distribution place. That venue has turned out to be SIA. So, in nutshell, that's why I appear to be spending a lot of time on my blogs and shares and responses to others. I'm simply sharing my previously generated maps of consciousness with others who might be able to use them in their own endeavors at no cost to them. It's time for me to give back much of the bounty I've received over the years.

MJL: You are very active in IONS. This also, is a very loving and giving activity and presents you with new people bringing new interests. Your temporal phenomena is hopefully not stagnant. Your attachment to them is now transcended.

BJ: No way for my temporal phenomena to go stagnant. Every social situation poses a new temporal challenge and my brain's dendrites continue growing.

MJL: Are you saying you can choose when you want to be involved with life as it presents itself?

BJ: Yes.

MJL: I am not striving toward that goal. Every human being is the "choice maker" and the "priority setter". Sometimes, the choices are not easy.

BJ: I agree. Another option I use, I line up my full range of existentially available options then decide on my priorities.

MJL: I am able to view the good and the bad as "life unfolding". I put no limitations on the reality that is reaching me.

BJ: Basically, I do that too.

MJL: We must make choices before we can set priorities. The magnitude of a man's "Peace" is in the wisdom of his priority.

BJ: I have come to see integral health -- individual, social, and ecosystem -- in lieu of Peace as my measure of wise priority because, to me, peace is contingent on one's state of transtemporal and temporal health. For example, studies of convicts show a high positive correlation between low serotonin levels (unhealthy) and high levels of depression and violence in their social relationships (unhealthy). That isn't to say these convicts could not find peace through transcending their attachments, etc. but it makes it such long process. Actually a combination of healthful nutrition, exercise, disidentification with attachments, and meditation would be most facilitative in terms of time and effectiveness.

MJL: The power of priority is the divine momentum of individual enlightenment and accomplishment. Isn't that what it is all about, Bob?

BJ: I have come to see that we each have come into our respective incarnations with soul development plans which may call for having various and sundry experiences for soul growth purposes. If that is what you mean by "the divine momentum of individual enlightenment and accomplishment" I would agree.

MJL: We are all in the process of "Prioritizing". In the mean while, life goes on and we each live with our priorities. We need not fear the unknown if we can but accept the known.

BJ: I have no fear of the unknown because I have come to see there is nothing whatsoever to fear.

MJL: "Accepting" is "allowing" and sometimes things happen that unbelievably change the course of our lives. I definitely am involved and I realize I only get to chose, sometimes.

BJ: I have come to see that when I am fully conscious I always get to, in fact have the responsibility to, choose my responses to whatever comes.

MJL: Are we on the same page? Any words of wisdom for us here? We sincerely appreciate your input. Love and Light
As always,
Jane

BJ: I feel/think that every individual soul has to choose whatever standard they want for wisdom. The option I have chosen, as I described earlier in this response, is what I have experienced as freest state of consciousness, ' oneness with pure, window-glass-clear, timeless awareness in which there are no attachments, identifications, addictions, habits, or hang-ups relative to temporal feelings, thoughts, intuitions, attitudes, motives, intentions, processes, systems, behaviors or material possessions.' It is my soul 'seat' of cocreative self-management from which I freely cocreate with out Source any healthful feeling, thought, attitude, etc. I want. In this 'place' of conscious awareness there is, philosophically speaking, no right or wrong except what is healthful or unhealthful. I have chosen the integrally healthful path, the precursor to peace and joy.

I'll be glad, Jane, to discuss my responses further.

With freedom, empathy, understanding, integral health, and joy,

Bob

Thank you Bob for a great reply!

Submitted by Mary Jane Mohring on September 9, 2008 - 4:06pm.

I think your thoughtful replies are such delights. Your knowledge, time, and effort is much appreciated. Love and Light.
As always,
Jane

It must be wonderful to live in that space

Submitted by Michelle Casto on September 9, 2008 - 10:49am.

Bob

Truly, you must enjoy that reality....what is the biggest shift that you made in order to create that?

Shine On,
Dr. Michelle
The Soul Coach, Speaker, Author, & Modern Philosopher

Discover What is Next For Your Soul's Evolution......

Soul Coaching http://www.brightlightcoach.com
Personal Transformation http://www.smartlifechanges

Biggest shift

Submitted by Bob Johnston on September 9, 2008 - 3:05pm.

Dear Michelle,

Thank you for your comment and question.

This state of consciousness is ineffably healthful and joyful. While there were many watershed shifts along the way, I have to say that the one I described in my recent blog "Who will manage the dark house?" http://www.shiftinaction.com/node/7290 is the "biggest" of all.

I'll be glad to discuss any aspect of interest to you.

With freedom, empathy, understanding, integral health, and joy!

Bob

Bad Stress, Good Stress.

Submitted by Mary Jane Mohring on September 8, 2008 - 3:41am.

It has always seemed that I was born with more energy than should have been given to me. I never planned my life. I seemed to have looked for opportunities to "fill in the obvious gaps." This gave me an exciting life! It has involved acquiring a confidently unique approach and philosophy of life. It has never failed me but it has opened doors to challenges and accomplishments each and every day. My motto is: "Never be afraid to be last and then you won't be afraid to be first." I have been both but I always felt the need had been seen and filled. I watch so many people trying to fill a need that does not exist. We should not have to create the "need". There are enough of those to go around.

I am in a new and very large city. I have been chronologically enhanced by 71 years. I am in a very beautiful area and I live on the 11th floor of a 22 story building. I believe I now know how the cliff dweller American Indians felt. My husband is a city man at heart and he purchased this condominium for us and it is a great place to live. The view is beautiful and within the building there is a large pool, a sauna, an exercise room, a movie library and a pretty good sized book library. I should or could be content if I never went outside. I can even get my food delivered. That is ridiculous! There is a world out there! I need more interruptions!

The question was, how do I find a need. Who "needs" a 71 year old, who is in excellent health and is wanting to give but not wanting to create status or be absorbed. I have actually found four opportunities. I can take my choice. I believe I am going to give my time to Restorative Justice. It is a unique program that addresses first time offenders and offenders who are charged with minor crimes. The program has a great track record and offers wonderful dedicated people to work with. Wish me smooth sailing.

The real meaning in my life always came as interruptions. Interruptions always bring unique problem solving and they introduce interesting people into my life. To me an interruption is any new concept, question, person or conversation. My husband was an interruption. My children were interruptions. My choice of employment was a tremendous interruption in my life. What is your biggest "interruption"? Success is really all about how we view and handle the interruptions, not how we handle the mundane. Sometimes we have to seek them. If you are not having any, think about it. Is that good or bad? They can be good or bad stress, it all depends on how you look at it, or if you are lucky, how you look at "them". Love and light.
As always,
Jane

Accidental Destiny

Submitted by Michelle Casto on September 8, 2008 - 6:29am.

Jane

Amazing, sounds like you have experienced what I call, accidental destiny, allowing the life you were meant to live to lead you. Seems to me that is where the juice is, "when you least expect it" the thing, person or situation that you need comes in. I believe, however, that many people have "bad samsaras/distractions/stress" and therefore cannot see the destiny or interruptions as you have experienced it, that comes in their path, often because their nose is to the grindstone of life trying to make a life VS LIVING A LIFE.

Excellent, I see you serving and sharing your wonderful wise woman wisdom......took a look at your sparks theory, smart stuff!

Sometimes Yes, Sometimes No

Submitted by Butterfly-Bee on September 7, 2008 - 5:20pm.

Unencumbered
Hi Michelle,
I think many people are asleep because they have no desire to wake up.
Others are awake and recognize a soul connection and still are drained because their lives are out of balance due to the briefcase that is glued to the hand with tenacious crazy glue. Still others try to follow their bliss and find responsibility to self and others prohibit it. More and more it seems the only nonattachment to be had begins with selling most of one's things, and wandering off into the woods, or into a cave.
Barbara

Good insights......it's hard easy to be a monk, on a hill

Submitted by Michelle Casto on September 7, 2008 - 5:54pm.

Guess that is why they always say that it is easier to be spiritual "away" from the woridly distractions...and yet they also say, before enlightenment, the laundry, after enlightenment, the laundry. To do what we do with mindfulness (even when we do not really want to do it (i.e the briefcase) that is the sign of a true MASTER.

good to hear from you!

Shine On,
Dr. Michelle
The Soul Coach, Speaker, Author, & Modern Philosopher

Ah, Laundry

Submitted by Butterfly-Bee on September 8, 2008 - 1:00am.

Unencumbered
Michelle,
Concretely, not metaphorically, laundry makes sense. You just wash it. It is plain work. While insanity might be attached to it through the advertising of detergent companies, on a day to day level, it is plain and simple. Laundry is rather like chopping wood and carrying water.
Barbara