--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, medit8ionsociety
<no_reply@y...> wrote:
> Well, today I became a Grandpop for the
> first time. My daughter Aliyah gave
> birth to a beautiful little girl (whose
> picture I have posted in our photo section
> in the Baby Jordan file). She's 5 lb 4 oz,
> 19 inches long, and has filled me and our
> whole family with a 10 ton, mile high feeling
> of joy. Please join me in raising a cyber
> glass of champagne as I rejoice in this great
> blessing.
> Peace and blessings,
> Bob

You are a lucky man dear Bob Rose.  You know how to notice it all.

Love
Bobby G.

http://www.the-covenant.net/00Animating%20Consciousness.htm

 

 

Bob had earlier posted this.

In it's new avataar, lots of changes, inlcuding an accompnaying sound track which is a combination of various Mantras, along with the chant Allah-hu Akbar.

 

Unfortunately the accompanying sound track seems to be working well only when downloaded with a broad-band connectivity.

 

The transfer speeds in a dial-up connection, does not seem to be adequate enough.

 

If the downloaded sound-track is not clearly audible or works in starts and fits, suggest switch off the speakers and view the visuals only.

 

 

 

 

To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
meditationsocietyofamerica-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com



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--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, medit8ionsociety
<no_reply@y...> wrote:
> Well, today I became a Grandpop for the
> first time.

Did you say Grandbob? Cool!

Congratulations, Grandbob...

Nina

----- Original Message -----

From: jodyrrr

To: meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2003 8:35 PM

Subject: [Meditation Society of America] Re: Dealing With Life Meditations/Eglaelin

--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "Terry Wall" <terryw@i...>
wrote:

> I, too, am a mountain climber, and what I most notice is that it provides an ideal
> exercise for one-pointed mindfulness. One may never lose focus.

And that, I contend, is comfortable for you.  That is, while you may endure much
hardship on the way up, the payoff is such that all that hardship was worth it;
as you were able to extract the comfort you sought thru the activity.

--jody.

>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: alienprobemaster
>   To: meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com
>   Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2003 10:30 PM
>   Subject: [Meditation Society of America] Re: Dealing With Life Meditations/Eglaelin
>
>
>   I asked a Mountain Climber wich has treveled the world to climb
>   verious mountains, she lives here in my town, she likes to come to my
>   internet cafe and send of e-mails. So I asked her:
>
>   "Now tell me, wat do you actual gain out of the experience to climb
>   al these mountains, is all mountains not the same as the other"
>
>   Uuu no, it is not only about the experience of climbing mountains but
>   also the Freedom that you get out of it.
>
>   "Ok, this is getting interesting, tell me if I flash the word "Death"
>   or "Hurt" to you, how does it evect your experience and freedom by
>   climbing a mountain"
>
>   Many asked me that one, I will say that every moment I undure,
>   including pain and also a posible near death experience, I just love
>   it, it makes me feel more complete aaaa wats the word for it ...
>
>   "You meen capable of doing something with the leest possible
>   issitance from stuff as technology while still at risk of you well
>   being, that is called challenged"
>
>   Yea thats the word.
>
>   "Hehe, I see you suffer with your English a bit I know you are
>   Afrikaans, how so when you have travel world wide and met so many
>   people."
>
>   It is more in the fact of who I travel with than who I meet, usually
>   my husband does all the talking.
>
>   "You say you travel in a party, tell me more how it feels to be at
>   this freedom when people does it with you"
>
>   O it is just great to know that there is atleast some1 in the world
>   who has the same interest.
>
>   "Mmmm, because of the interest that the hole party has, can you
>   define that you trust them more, like I say, to you climbing a
>   mountain is chop chop work with other people, to me it is more like
>   following a person into hell"
>
>   It is not that some1 asked me to do it, but yes I can say that it
>   does have a evect to my trust when I even climb with a total stranger
>   or professional.
>
>   "Is that a positive trust or negetive trust, do you feel more freedom
>   when you for instance chat with some1 that also shares same interest."
>
>   Positive trust ofcoarse. Well not really more freedom from just
>   chating with some1, I think it is like gaining more respect for that
>   person, but it does reach it's top point when we actually climbed
>   some big mountain.
>
>   "Aaaaa so I see that even comen interest has an evect on trust, now
>   my last question is, wat is actually trigering this feel of freedom,
>   is it more like to just eskape every day live."
>
>   Ya, for all the time that I worked so hard, both at my job, aerning
>   money, children and everything, and all this just to go over seas to
>   climb a mountain.
>
>   "Ok, thanx for the time to chat with you, I now understand your
>   insight of freedom, and o dont worry about your PC time, I will reset
>   it for you"
>
>   So now we can see that not only experience drives a person to do the
>   unspeakable to get to comfort and luxury, but also Freedom, the
>   curious mind and stress itself. Amazing, is'nt it ?
>
>   State of Mind Now: To be, or not to be, that is the question.
>
>   >--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "Eglaelin"
>   ><eglaelin@y...>
>   >wrote:
>   > Greetings and Felicitation,
>   >
>   > I have been contemplating your comments below for several days. Here
>   > is thought, or two, about this subject.
>   >
>   > Humans are the only creature (that we know of) whom deliberately
>   seek
>   > out uncomfortable circumstances for the experience. Have you ever
>   > heard of an animal going without food when food was available. Yet,
>   > human beings will deliberately fast when plenty of food is present.
>   > Why? For the experience. Does any animal climb to the top of Mt.
>   > Everest just for the experience of doing so. How about living in
>   > extreme cold, or space, just for the experience? The list of
>   > activities could go on and on. Maybe this is one of the defining
>   > differences between animals and humans. Just a thought.
>
>   >I would contend that there is comfort to be found in these
>   >experiences, and that's why we do them.
>
>   >That is, we will endure much discomfort in our search for
>   >more novel kinds of comfort, such as having been to the
>   >top of the world, etc.
>   >
>   >The difference between animals and humans isn't that humans
>   >seek discomfort where animals won't, it's that humans have
>   >developed a taste for more exotic kinds of comfor,t for which
>   >they are willing to endure various levels of discomfort to
>   >achieve.
>
>   >--jody.
>
>   >
>   > --- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "jodyrrr"
>   > <jodyrrr@y...> wrote:
>   >
>   > > The single and solitary goal of all life is to seek
>   > > comfort. Pleasure equals comfort for many forms of
>   > > life. You are seeking to be ethical. For the moment
>   > > that is your comfort.
>   > >
>   > > I submit to you that *each and every* thing that you
>   > > do serves your own personal comfort. You cannot escape
>   > > your own comfort seeking. Even if you put a gun to your
>   > > head and pull the trigger, it was because you sought some
>   > > comfort in it, even if it was only to attempt to contradict what
>   > > I've written above.
>
>
>         Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
>               ADVERTISEMENT
>                
>       
>       
>
>   To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
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>
>
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--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "Terry Wall" <terryw@i...>
wrote:
> It is interesting that you choose the word "comfort." Others have chosen words
like
pleasure, happiness, enlightenment, unity, heaven, accomplishment, whatever.
What
is it about "comfort" that makes it so special for you?

It's not about being special for me.  I contend that all life strives for
comfort, and that all behavior can be ascribed to comfort seeking.

Pleasure and happiness are just forms of comfort.  People strive for
enlightenment, but what they are really seeking is comfort.

--jody.

>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: jodyrrr
>   To: meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com
>   Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2003 8:35 PM
>   Subject: [Meditation Society of America] Re: Dealing With Life
Meditations/Eglaelin
>
>
>   --- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "Terry Wall"
<terryw@i...>
>   wrote:
>
>   > I, too, am a mountain climber, and what I most notice is that it provides
an ideal
>   > exercise for one-pointed mindfulness. One may never lose focus.
>
>   And that, I contend, is comfortable for you.  That is, while you may endure
much
>   hardship on the way up, the payoff is such that all that hardship was worth
it;
>   as you were able to extract the comfort you sought thru the activity.
>
>   --jody.
>
>   >   ----- Original Message -----
>   >   From: alienprobemaster
>   >   To: meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com
>   >   Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2003 10:30 PM
>   >   Subject: [Meditation Society of America] Re: Dealing With Life
Meditations/
Eglaelin
>   >
>   >
>   >   I asked a Mountain Climber wich has treveled the world to climb
>   >   verious mountains, she lives here in my town, she likes to come to my
>   >   internet cafe and send of e-mails. So I asked her:
>   >
>   >   "Now tell me, wat do you actual gain out of the experience to climb
>   >   al these mountains, is all mountains not the same as the other"
>   >
>   >   Uuu no, it is not only about the experience of climbing mountains but
>   >   also the Freedom that you get out of it.
>   >
>   >   "Ok, this is getting interesting, tell me if I flash the word "Death"
>   >   or "Hurt" to you, how does it evect your experience and freedom by
>   >   climbing a mountain"
>   >
>   >   Many asked me that one, I will say that every moment I undure,
>   >   including pain and also a posible near death experience, I just love
>   >   it, it makes me feel more complete aaaa wats the word for it ...
>   >
>   >   "You meen capable of doing something with the leest possible
>   >   issitance from stuff as technology while still at risk of you well
>   >   being, that is called challenged"
>   >
>   >   Yea thats the word.
>   >
>   >   "Hehe, I see you suffer with your English a bit I know you are
>   >   Afrikaans, how so when you have travel world wide and met so many
>   >   people."
>   >
>   >   It is more in the fact of who I travel with than who I meet, usually
>   >   my husband does all the talking.
>   >
>   >   "You say you travel in a party, tell me more how it feels to be at
>   >   this freedom when people does it with you"
>   >
>   >   O it is just great to know that there is atleast some1 in the world
>   >   who has the same interest.
>   >
>   >   "Mmmm, because of the interest that the hole party has, can you
>   >   define that you trust them more, like I say, to you climbing a
>   >   mountain is chop chop work with other people, to me it is more like
>   >   following a person into hell"
>   >
>   >   It is not that some1 asked me to do it, but yes I can say that it
>   >   does have a evect to my trust when I even climb with a total stranger
>   >   or professional.
>   >
>   >   "Is that a positive trust or negetive trust, do you feel more freedom
>   >   when you for instance chat with some1 that also shares same interest."
>   >
>   >   Positive trust ofcoarse. Well not really more freedom from just
>   >   chating with some1, I think it is like gaining more respect for that
>   >   person, but it does reach it's top point when we actually climbed
>   >   some big mountain.
>   >
>   >   "Aaaaa so I see that even comen interest has an evect on trust, now
>   >   my last question is, wat is actually trigering this feel of freedom,
>   >   is it more like to just eskape every day live."
>   >
>   >   Ya, for all the time that I worked so hard, both at my job, aerning
>   >   money, children and everything, and all this just to go over seas to
>   >   climb a mountain.
>   >
>   >   "Ok, thanx for the time to chat with you, I now understand your
>   >   insight of freedom, and o dont worry about your PC time, I will reset
>   >   it for you"
>   >
>   >   So now we can see that not only experience drives a person to do the
>   >   unspeakable to get to comfort and luxury, but also Freedom, the
>   >   curious mind and stress itself. Amazing, is'nt it ?
>   >
>   >   State of Mind Now: To be, or not to be, that is the question.
>   >
>   >   >--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "Eglaelin"
>   >   ><eglaelin@y...>
>   >   >wrote:
>   >   > Greetings and Felicitation,
>   >   >
>   >   > I have been contemplating your comments below for several days. Here
>   >   > is thought, or two, about this subject.
>   >   >
>   >   > Humans are the only creature (that we know of) whom deliberately
>   >   seek
>   >   > out uncomfortable circumstances for the experience. Have you ever
>   >   > heard of an animal going without food when food was available. Yet,
>   >   > human beings will deliberately fast when plenty of food is present.
>   >   > Why? For the experience. Does any animal climb to the top of Mt.
>   >   > Everest just for the experience of doing so. How about living in
>   >   > extreme cold, or space, just for the experience? The list of
>   >   > activities could go on and on. Maybe this is one of the defining
>   >   > differences between animals and humans. Just a thought.
>   >
>   >   >I would contend that there is comfort to be found in these
>   >   >experiences, and that's why we do them.
>   >
>   >   >That is, we will endure much discomfort in our search for
>   >   >more novel kinds of comfort, such as having been to the
>   >   >top of the world, etc.
>   >   >
>   >   >The difference between animals and humans isn't that humans
>   >   >seek discomfort where animals won't, it's that humans have
>   >   >developed a taste for more exotic kinds of comfor,t for which
>   >   >they are willing to endure various levels of discomfort to
>   >   >achieve.
>   >
>   >   >--jody.
>   >
>   >   >
>   >   > --- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "jodyrrr"
>   >   > <jodyrrr@y...> wrote:
>   >   >
>   >   > > The single and solitary goal of all life is to seek
>   >   > > comfort. Pleasure equals comfort for many forms of
>   >   > > life. You are seeking to be ethical. For the moment
>   >   > > that is your comfort.
>   >   > >
>   >   > > I submit to you that *each and every* thing that you
>   >   > > do serves your own personal comfort. You cannot escape
>   >   > > your own comfort seeking. Even if you put a gun to your
>   >   > > head and pull the trigger, it was because you sought some
>   >   > > comfort in it, even if it was only to attempt to contradict what
>   >   > > I've written above.
>   >
>   >
>   >         Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
>   >               ADVERTISEMENT
>   >
>   >
>   >
>   >
>   >   To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>   >   meditationsocietyofamerica-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>   >
>   >
>   >
>   >   Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
>
>
>         Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
>               ADVERTISEMENT
>
>
>
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>   To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
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----- Original Message -----

From: medit8ionsociety

To: meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2003 9:37 PM

Subject: [Meditation Society of America] Jordan Rose Salotti

Well, today I became a Grandpop for the
first time. My daughter Aliyah gave
birth to a beautiful little girl (whose
picture I have posted in our photo section
in the Baby Jordan file). She's 5 lb 4 oz,
19 inches long, and has filled me and our
whole family with a 10 ton, mile high feeling
of joy. Please join me in raising a cyber
glass of champagne as I rejoice in this great
blessing.
Peace and blessings,
Bob




To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
meditationsocietyofamerica-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

----- Original Message -----

From: Jason Fishman

To: meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 04:20 AM

Subject: Re: [Meditation Society of America] Animating Consciousness

Hi Sandeep,

 

Thanks for the share! Are you using Flash to create these animations? I was curious as to the tools used, now and prior, if any.

 

Peace and Love

Sandeep <sandeepc@...> wrote:

http://www.the-covenant.net/00Animating%20Consciousness.htm

 

 

Bob had earlier posted this.

In it's new avataar, lots of changes, inlcuding an accompnaying sound track which is a combination of various Mantras, along with the chant Allah-hu Akbar.

 

Unfortunately the accompanying sound track seems to be working well only when downloaded with a broad-band connectivity.

 

The transfer speeds in a dial-up connection, does not seem to be adequate enough.

 

If the downloaded sound-track is not clearly audible or works in starts and fits, suggest switch off the speakers and view the visuals only.

 

 

 

 

To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
meditationsocietyofamerica-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

---

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Hi Everyone:

It occurred to me in meditation today that current events are just
that despite the time lag for impressions of the world to be logged
into the brain and perception to occur.

When I see a dog the dog is no longer in exactly the place it was
because it takes some small time for the impression to form in the
mind's eye.  But that does not keep the impression of what is current
from being current because the world is just a relative phenomenon
anyway.

It is the consciousness of that world, illusion or not, that is
current and can be nothing else.

When it is an impression from the mind like a thought, there is no
feeling of currency associated with it.  The feeling of currency is
associated with the thought of "I am".

But the currency is shortlived in the attention.  The mind does not
hold its impression of the current for long.  That is why practice is
reccommended.  The ability to hold the mind on one object increases
with practice.

It is interesting to note that the word current also means a movement
of energy.  A person's current is simultaneously their spirit and the
present moment.

Love
Bobby G.

Your beautiful messages of good wishes
and love have touched our family's hearts
very deeply. You are all so kind. It's
added a blessing to our blessing.
Thank you.
Bob

--- jodyrrr <jodyrrr@...> wrote:
> --- In
> meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com,
> "Terry Wall" <terryw@i...>
> wrote:
> > It is interesting that you choose the word
> "comfort." Others have chosen words like
> pleasure, happiness, enlightenment, unity,
> heaven, accomplishment, whatever. What
> is it about "comfort" that makes it so special
> for you?
>
> It's not about being special for me.  I contend
> that all life strives for
> comfort, and that all behavior can be ascribed
> to comfort seeking.
>
> Pleasure and happiness are just forms of
> comfort.  People strive for
> enlightenment, but what they are really seeking
> is comfort.
>
> --jody.
I think you have simply chosen a word that has
less emotional impact for you. Comfort is a less
'powerful' word than happiness or pleasure. For
Example:
Comfort: Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French
conforter, from Late Latin confortare to
strengthen greatly, from Latin com- + fortis
strong Date: 13th century
1 : to give strength and hope to : CHEER
2 : to ease the grief or trouble of

OR

Function: noun
Date: 13th century
1 : strengthening aid: a : ASSISTANCE, SUPPORT
<accused of giving aid and comfort to the enemy>
b : consolation in time of trouble or worry :
SOLACE
2 a : a feeling of relief or encouragement b :
contented well-being
3 : a satisfying or enjoyable experience
4 : one that gives or brings comfort

Happiness:

Function: noun
Date: 15th century
1 obsolete : good fortune : PROSPERITY
2 a : a state of well-being and contentment : JOY
b : a pleasurable or satisfying experience

These are 'just' dictionary results. Personally,
I will use the word happiness. I think maybe the
reason that comfort sounds better for you is that
it seems less like a striving instead of a
seeking of the status. IMO, comfort is a word
that seems to represent complacency instead of
being active.


=====
Peace On Your Path,
Eglaelin

They (Hellenic Philosphers) saw the philosopher as a compassionate physician
whose arts could heal many pervasive types of human suffering. They practiced
philosophy not as a detached intellectual technique dedicated to the display of
cleverness but as an immersed and worldly art of grappling with human misery.

__________________________________
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--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, medit8ionsociety
<no_reply@y...> wrote:
> Well, today I became a Grandpop for the
> first time. My daughter Aliyah gave
> birth to a beautiful little girl (whose
> picture I have posted in our photo section
> in the Baby Jordan file). She's 5 lb 4 oz,
> 19 inches long, and has filled me and our
> whole family with a 10 ton, mile high feeling
> of joy. Please join me in raising a cyber
> glass of champagne as I rejoice in this great
> blessing.
> Peace and blessings,
> Bob



Dear Bob and family,


Felicitazione e tanti auguri!

Congratulations and best wishes

....rock-a-bye sweet baby Jordan

blessings,

Freyja

--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, Eglaelin <eglaelin@y...>
wrote:

[snip]

> These are 'just' dictionary results. Personally,
> I will use the word happiness. I think maybe the
> reason that comfort sounds better for you is that
> it seems less like a striving instead of a
> seeking of the status. IMO, comfort is a word
> that seems to represent complacency instead of
> being active.

You guys are reading me wrong.  I'm using the word
comfort because it's the best description of the goal
of all life.

All live strives for comfort.  Comfort can be found in
happiness, security, being sated, pleasure, etc.  Everything
life does is a search for comfort.  All behavior boils
down to this one thing.

I will contend that over 99% of those seeking enlightenment
are really only seeking the comfort they believe it will
bring.  The operative term here is "believe."

Comfort is the light that life follows at all times, just as a
plant's phototropism causes it to follow the sun.

The sun represents comfort for the plant.  It brings
food and vigor, and security that the seeds will be made.

It's all about comfort folks.  Every single thing that we do.

There is no escape.

--jody.

--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "jodyrrr"
<jodyrrr@y...> wrote:
> --- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, Eglaelin
<eglaelin@y...> wrote:
>
> [snip]
>
> > These are 'just' dictionary results. Personally,
> > I will use the word happiness. I think maybe the
> > reason that comfort sounds better for you is that
> > it seems less like a striving instead of a
> > seeking of the status. IMO, comfort is a word
> > that seems to represent complacency instead of
> > being active.
>
> You guys are reading me wrong.  I'm using the word
> comfort because it's the best description of the goal
> of all life.
>

jody, when I read your posts,
I related your use of the word comfort
and the context in which you used it,
to:
How can I survive better?
The on-going quest to survive
in the best possible way, which has
to be better than what I got right now!


> All live strives for comfort.  Comfort can be found in
> happiness, security, being sated, pleasure, etc.  Everything
> life does is a search for comfort.  All behavior boils
> down to this one thing.
>
> I will contend that over 99% of those seeking enlightenment
> are really only seeking the comfort they believe it will
> bring.  The operative term here is "believe."
>
> Comfort is the light that life follows at all times, just as a
> plant's phototropism causes it to follow the sun.
>
> The sun represents comfort for the plant.  It brings
> food and vigor, and security that the seeds will be made.
>
> It's all about comfort folks.  Every single thing that we do.
>
> There is no escape.
>

Seeking enlightenment is another, more sophisticated form
of looking for what they believe will be a better way to exist.

Well, everyone is looking for the pot o' gold at the
end of the rainbow.

You know why they call it the American "dream", don't you?

Because it only happens when you're asleep.

;-)

freyja

> --jody.

Warm loving wishes for the new baby!  Being a
grandparent is a wonderful gift.  I rejoice in your
happiness and send you blessings of love for all!
Be blessed with the now and love of Jordan!
Peaceful thoughts and prayers,
TW


=====
"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave
a trail." Ralph Waldo Emerson



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http://companion.yahoo.com/

--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "carolina112900"
<freyjartist@a...> wrote:
> --- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "jodyrrr"
> <jodyrrr@y...> wrote:
> > --- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, Eglaelin
> <eglaelin@y...> wrote:
> >
> > [snip]
> >
> > > These are 'just' dictionary results. Personally,
> > > I will use the word happiness. I think maybe the
> > > reason that comfort sounds better for you is that
> > > it seems less like a striving instead of a
> > > seeking of the status. IMO, comfort is a word
> > > that seems to represent complacency instead of
> > > being active.
> >
> > You guys are reading me wrong.  I'm using the word
> > comfort because it's the best description of the goal
> > of all life.
> >
>
> jody, when I read your posts,
> I related your use of the word comfort
> and the context in which you used it,
> to:
> How can I survive better?
> The on-going quest to survive
> in the best possible way, which has
> to be better than what I got right now!

Exactly!!

> > All live strives for comfort.  Comfort can be found in
> > happiness, security, being sated, pleasure, etc.  Everything
> > life does is a search for comfort.  All behavior boils
> > down to this one thing.
> >
> > I will contend that over 99% of those seeking enlightenment
> > are really only seeking the comfort they believe it will
> > bring.  The operative term here is "believe."
> >
> > Comfort is the light that life follows at all times, just as a
> > plant's phototropism causes it to follow the sun.
> >
> > The sun represents comfort for the plant.  It brings
> > food and vigor, and security that the seeds will be made.
> >
> > It's all about comfort folks.  Every single thing that we do.
> >
> > There is no escape.
> >
>
> Seeking enlightenment is another, more sophisticated form
> of looking for what they believe will be a better way to exist.

Right, comfort being sought via enlightenment, or to be more
accurate, what enlightenment is thought to be by those who
are seeking it.

> Well, everyone is looking for the pot o' gold at the
> end of the rainbow.
>
> You know why they call it the American "dream", don't you?
>
> Because it only happens when you're asleep.
>
> ;-)
>
> freyja
>
> > --jody.

The American dream is biologically determined by life's
ceaseless drive to find more comfort.

--jody.

--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "jodyrrr"
<jodyrrr@y...> wrote:
> You guys are reading me wrong.  I'm using the word
> comfort because it's the best description of the goal
> of all life.
>
> All live strives for comfort.  Comfort can be found in
> happiness, security, being sated, pleasure, etc.  Everything
> life does is a search for comfort.  All behavior boils
> down to this one thing.

Let's try an experiment. Conduct a survey with a hundred people. Ask
them a simple question -- Would you rather be comfortable or happy?



>
> I will contend that over 99% of those seeking enlightenment
> are really only seeking the comfort they believe it will
> bring.  The operative term here is "believe."
>
> Comfort is the light that life follows at all times, just as a
> plant's phototropism causes it to follow the sun.
>
> The sun represents comfort for the plant.  It brings
> food and vigor, and security that the seeds will be made.
>
> It's all about comfort folks.  Every single thing that we do.
>
> There is no escape.
>
It still sounds like you are choosing to use the word 'comfort'
instead of 'happiness,' or 'joy' or even 'enlightenment.' Lets try a
corresponding quote from my favorite person to see how it compares:

"I believe that the very purpose of life is to be happy. From the
very core of our being, we desire contentment. In my own limited
experience I have found that the more we care for the happiness of
others, the greater is our own sense of well-being. Cultivating a
close, warmhearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at
ease. It helps remove whatever fears or insecurities we may have and
gives us the strength to cope with any obstacles we encounter. It is
the principal source of success in life. Since we are not solely
material creatures, it is a mistake to place all our hopes for
happiness on external development alone. The key is to develop inner
peace."

You say all beings seek comfort. The Dalai Lama says all beings seek
happiness. A Utilitarian will say all beings seek pleasure. The only
difference between the terms used relates to level of applicability.
> --jody.

Peace On Your Path,
Eglaelin

--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "Eglaelin" <eglaelin@y...>
wrote:
> --- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "jodyrrr"
> <jodyrrr@y...> wrote:
> > You guys are reading me wrong. I'm using the word
> > comfort because it's the best description of the goal
> > of all life.
> >
> > All live strives for comfort. Comfort can be found in
> > happiness, security, being sated, pleasure, etc. Everything
> > life does is a search for comfort. All behavior boils
> > down to this one thing.
>
> Let's try an experiment. Conduct a survey with a hundred people. Ask
> them a simple question -- Would you rather be comfortable or happy?

Comfort *is* happiness, pleasure, good times, security, being stuffed
with food, cuddling, whatever makes you feel ok, that is comfort.

> > I will contend that over 99% of those seeking enlightenment
> > are really only seeking the comfort they believe it will
> > bring. The operative term here is "believe."
> >
> > Comfort is the light that life follows at all times, just as a
> > plant's phototropism causes it to follow the sun.
> >
> > The sun represents comfort for the plant. It brings
> > food and vigor, and security that the seeds will be made.
> >
> > It's all about comfort folks. Every single thing that we do.
> >
> > There is no escape.
> >
> It still sounds like you are choosing to use the word 'comfort'
> instead of 'happiness,' or 'joy' or even 'enlightenment.' Lets try a
> corresponding quote from my favorite person to see how it compares:
>
> "I believe that the very purpose of life is to be happy. From the
> very core of our being, we desire contentment. In my own limited
> experience I have found that the more we care for the happiness of
> others, the greater is our own sense of well-being. Cultivating a
> close, warmhearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at
> ease. It helps remove whatever fears or insecurities we may have and
> gives us the strength to cope with any obstacles we encounter. It is
> the principal source of success in life. Since we are not solely
> material creatures, it is a mistake to place all our hopes for
> happiness on external development alone. The key is to develop inner
> peace."
>
> You say all beings seek comfort. The Dalai Lama says all beings seek
> happiness. A Utilitarian will say all beings seek pleasure. The only
> difference between the terms used relates to level of applicability.

That makes my point. The Dalai Lama says all beings seek
happiness. What the Dalai Lama is calling happiness, I'm calling
comfort. I feel that term is more inclusive. Happiness, joy, etc.
are emotions. Comfort is a state of being. Everything is taken
care of, on all the levels we live as individuals. What I'm saying
is that this is the motivation behind *everything* we do, including
and especially the motivation to find enlightenment.

Our search for enlightenment is really just seeking comfort (or
happiness if you prefer the term). We come to some conclusions
as to what enlightenment is and what it will do for us, then we
go try to find it in the hope that we'll realize our expectations
about it.

There is a kind of comfort that comes with awakening, but it has
absolutely nothing to do with how it makes us feel.

The comfort that is available with awakening is the simply the
understanding that the one who would be comfortable simply
does not exist.

--jody.

--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "jodyrrr"
<jodyrrr@y...> wrote:
> --- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, Eglaelin
<eglaelin@y...> wrote:
>
> [snip]
>
> > These are 'just' dictionary results. Personally,
> > I will use the word happiness. I think maybe the
> > reason that comfort sounds better for you is that
> > it seems less like a striving instead of a
> > seeking of the status. IMO, comfort is a word
> > that seems to represent complacency instead of
> > being active.
>
> You guys are reading me wrong.  I'm using the word
> comfort because it's the best description of the goal
> of all life.
>
> All live strives for comfort.  Comfort can be found in
> happiness, security, being sated, pleasure, etc.  Everything
> life does is a search for comfort.  All behavior boils
> down to this one thing.
>
> I will contend that over 99% of those seeking enlightenment
> are really only seeking the comfort they believe it will
> bring.  The operative term here is "believe."
>
> Comfort is the light that life follows at all times, just as a
> plant's phototropism causes it to follow the sun.
>
> The sun represents comfort for the plant.  It brings
> food and vigor, and security that the seeds will be made.
>
> It's all about comfort folks.  Every single thing that we do.
>
> There is no escape.
>
> --jody.

You are right, Jody. Life naturally gravitates towards comfort. But
people often don't. Maybe, people are just trying to unlearn how to
be unnatural.

--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "Onniko" <onniko@y...> wrote:
> --- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "jodyrrr"
> <jodyrrr@y...> wrote:

[snip]

> You are right, Jody. Life naturally gravitates towards comfort. But
> people often don't. Maybe, people are just trying to unlearn how to
> be unnatural.

Exactly Onnikoji!

Culture sets up little gates and tolls in our lives' flow toward comfort.
Some of these gates may be necessary in certain circumstances, many
more are definitely not.

The problem is that these gates become hooks for identity.  We become
the problems we perceive ourselves to have.  Unlearning that identity
seems to be the main action of spiritual practice when it happens well
imo.

--jody.

Mullah Nasrudin got pulled over by a state trooper for
speeding, and in a violent demeaning way, the trooper
started to lecture him about his speed, and in general
began to throw his weight around trying to make Nasrudin
fearful and uncomfortable.

Finally, the trooper got around to writing out the
ticket, and as he was doing that he kept swatting at
some flies that were buzzing around his head.

Nasrudin said, "Having some problems with circle flies
there, are you?"
The trooper stopped writing the ticket and said- "Well
yeah, if that's what they are-I never heard of circle
flies."

So Nasrudin says -"Well, circle flies are pretty common
around here. See, they're called circle flies because
they're almost always found circling around the back
end of a horse."

The trooper says, "Oh," and goes back to writing the
ticket. Then after a minute he stops and says threateningly,
"Hey...wait a minute, are you trying to call me a horse's ass?"

Nasrudin says, "Oh no, officer. I have too much
respect for law enforcement and police officers to even
think about calling you a horse's ass."

The trooper says, "Well, that's a good thing," and goes
back to writing the ticket.

After a long pause, Nasrudin says, "But it's pretty
hard to fool the flies though."

--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "carolina112900"
<freyjartist@a...> wrote:
> --- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, "jodyrrr"
> <jodyrrr@y...> wrote:
> > --- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, Eglaelin
> <eglaelin@y...> wrote:
> >
> > [snip]
> >
> > > These are 'just' dictionary results. Personally,
> > > I will use the word happiness. I think maybe the
> > > reason that comfort sounds better for you is that
> > > it seems less like a striving instead of a
> > > seeking of the status. IMO, comfort is a word
> > > that seems to represent complacency instead of
> > > being active.
> >
> > You guys are reading me wrong.  I'm using the word
> > comfort because it's the best description of the goal
> > of all life.
> >
>
> jody, when I read your posts,
> I related your use of the word comfort
> and the context in which you used it,
> to:
> How can I survive better?
> The on-going quest to survive
> in the best possible way, which has
> to be better than what I got right now!

Exactly!!

> > All live strives for comfort.  Comfort can be found in
> > happiness, security, being sated, pleasure, etc.  Everything
> > life does is a search for comfort.  All behavior boils
> > down to this one thing.
> >
> > I will contend that over 99% of those seeking enlightenment
> > are really only seeking the comfort they believe it will
> > bring.  The operative term here is "believe."
> >
> > Comfort is the light that life follows at all times, just as a
> > plant's phototropism causes it to follow the sun.
> >
> > The sun represents comfort for the plant.  It brings
> > food and vigor, and security that the seeds will be made.
> >
> > It's all about comfort folks.  Every single thing that we do.
> >
> > There is no escape.
> >
>
> Seeking enlightenment is another, more sophisticated form
> of looking for what they believe will be a better way to exist.

Right, comfort being sought via enlightenment, or to be more
accurate, what enlightenment is thought to be by those who
are seeking it.

> Well, everyone is looking for the pot o' gold at the
> end of the rainbow.
>
> You know why they call it the American "dream", don't you?
>
> Because it only happens when you're asleep.
>
> ;-)
>
> freyja
>
> > --jody.

The American dream is biologically determined by life's
ceaseless drive to find more comfort.

--jody.



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meditationsocietyofamerica-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com



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Tony recently restarted his Meditation Journaling and was kind enough
to share a few samples with us. This tradition is actually very old
and wide spread. Benjamin Franklin kept a self-correcting journal, and
the great Sri Swami Sivananda pointed to keeping a journal as a very
beneficial means of self-inquiry. Here is one form he suggested using,
and that he had his disciples all over the world send him for his
analysis. Perhaps this may be a helpful tool for you:

Spiritual Diary
Month : ________________
Questions

Date


1. When did you get up from bed ?


2. How many hours did you sleep ?


3. How many Malas of Japa ?


4. How long in Kirtan ?


5. How many Pranayamas ?


6. How long did you perform Asanas ?


7. How long did you meditate in one Asana?


8. How many Gita Slokas did you read or get by heart ?


9. How long in the company of the wise (Satsanga) ?


10. How many hours did you observe Mouna ?


11. How long in disinterested selfless service ?


12. How much did you give in charity ?


13. How many Mantras you wrote ?


14. How long did you practice physical exercise ?


15. How many lies did you tell and with what self-punishment ?


16. How many times and how long of anger and with what self-punishment ?


17. How many hours you spent in useless company ?


18. How many times you failed in Brahmacharya ?


19. How long in study of religious books ?


20. How many times you failed in the control of evil habits and with
what self-punishment ?


21. How long you concentrated on your Ishta Devata (Saguna or Nirguna
Dhyana) ?


22. How many days did you observe fast and vigil ?


23. Were you regular in your meditation ?


24. What virtue are you developing ?


25. What evil quality are you trying to eradicate ?


26. What Indriya is troubling you most ?


27. When did you go to bed ?

----- Original Message -----

From: Swami-G

To: meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 8:01 PM

Subject: [Meditation Society of America] Re: Jordan Rose Salotti

--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com,
medit8ionsociety <no_reply@y...> wrote:
> Well, today I became a Grandpop for the
> first time. My daughter Aliyah gave
> birth to a beautiful little girl (whose
> picture I have posted in our photo section
> in the Baby Jordan file). She's 5 lb 4 oz,
> 19 inches long, and has filled me and our
> whole family with a 10 ton, mile high feeling
> of joy. Please join me in raising a cyber
> glass of champagne as I rejoice in this great
> blessing.
> Peace and blessings,
> Bob

sg:      belated congratulations.....



To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
meditationsocietyofamerica-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

Hi again,
I just got a personal Email from someone I feel is worthy of respect
and listening to, who pointed to the Advaita-like position that there
are no "levels" of consciousness (IE: mocking "...the idea that some
"yous" are more "conscious",..."). Well, to me there is no inaccuracy
with that , but it occured to me that this isn't at all incongrous
with journaling, as typified by the Swami Sivananda(who was a
Vedantan/Advaitan himself) method below, because if you look at it, it
really is a method of looking at "Who am I".
Just a thought (and you know how much trouble they can get you in:-)
Bob
medit8ionsociety <no_reply@y...> wrote:
> Tony recently restarted his Meditation Journaling and was kind enough
> to share a few samples with us. This tradition is actually very old
> and wide spread. Benjamin Franklin kept a self-correcting journal, and
> the great Sri Swami Sivananda pointed to keeping a journal as a very
> beneficial means of self-inquiry. Here is one form he suggested using,
> and that he had his disciples all over the world send him for his
> analysis. Perhaps this may be a helpful tool for you:
>
> Spiritual Diary
> Month : ________________
> Questions
>
> Date
>
>
> 1. When did you get up from bed ?
>
>
> 2. How many hours did you sleep ?
>
>
> 3. How many Malas of Japa ?
>
>
> 4. How long in Kirtan ?
>
>
> 5. How many Pranayamas ?
>
>
> 6. How long did you perform Asanas ?
>
>
> 7. How long did you meditate in one Asana?
>
>
> 8. How many Gita Slokas did you read or get by heart ?
>
>
> 9. How long in the company of the wise (Satsanga) ?
>
>
> 10. How many hours did you observe Mouna ?
>
>
> 11. How long in disinterested selfless service ?
>
>
> 12. How much did you give in charity ?
>
>
> 13. How many Mantras you wrote ?
>
>
> 14. How long did you practice physical exercise ?
>
>
> 15. How many lies did you tell and with what self-punishment ?
>
>
> 16. How many times and how long of anger and with what
self-punishment ?
>
>
> 17. How many hours you spent in useless company ?
>
>
> 18. How many times you failed in Brahmacharya ?
>
>
> 19. How long in study of religious books ?
>
>
> 20. How many times you failed in the control of evil habits and with
> what self-punishment ?
>
>
> 21. How long you concentrated on your Ishta Devata (Saguna or Nirguna
> Dhyana) ?
>
>
> 22. How many days did you observe fast and vigil ?
>
>
> 23. Were you regular in your meditation ?
>
>
> 24. What virtue are you developing ?
>
>
> 25. What evil quality are you trying to eradicate ?
>
>
> 26. What Indriya is troubling you most ?
>
>
> 27. When did you go to bed ?

Far be it from me to want
to start any trouble, but...

Why would we (everyone) be
compelled to seek comfort
if it can not be found?

Is it a cosmic joke?

Comfortably,

Jeff


--
Jeff Belyea, Partner
SuiteOne Design Group
144 Fore Street
Portland, Maine 04112
207-879-0311/Fax 879-0314
http://www.suiteonedesign.com

Do you have a goal in mind?
http://www.mindgoal.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/naturalenlightenment/

--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, medit8ionsociety
<no_reply@y...> wrote:

> Hi again,
> I just got a personal Email from someone I feel is worthy of
> respect and listening to, who pointed to the Advaita-like position
> that there are no "levels" of consciousness (IE: mocking "...the
> idea that some "yous" are more "conscious",..."). Well, to me
> there is no inaccuracy with that , but it occured to me that this
> isn't at all incongrous with journaling,


Nothing is incongruous with consciousness.
Even a misapprehension of what is, is, what is.
The most insidious being the thought that a particular apprehension
is more "right" than a specific misapprehension.



> as typified by the Swami
> Sivananda(who was a Vedantan/Advaitan himself) method below,
> because if you look at it, it really is a method of looking
> at "Who am I".  Just a thought (and you know how much trouble
> they can get you in:-)


Only if they are believed. ;-)


~andy

--- In meditationsocietyofamerica@yahoogroups.com, Jeff Belyea
<jeff@s...> wrote:

> Far be it from me to want
> to start any trouble, but...

> Why would we (everyone) be
> compelled to seek comfort
> if it can not be found?
>
> Is it a cosmic joke?



Jeff...who suggests that comfort is not available?


~ andy

p.s. There are probably lots of cosmic jokes! :-))))

Hi Andy -

You're right about there
probably being lots of
cosmic jokes. Judi Rhodes
just responded to my last
post from off-site. You
got a sence of humor to
survive in this cosmos.

My comments were in response
to a section of Jody's earlier
post that I picke up on a quick
scan of the digest:

"The comfort that is available with awakening is the simply the
understanding that the one who would be comfortable simply
does not exist."

--jody.

Jeff



>
> Jeff...who suggests that comfort is not available?
>
>
> ~ andy
>
> p.s. There are probably lots of cosmic jokes! :-))))