Author Topic: Old Introduction - Still Relevant  (Read 11766 times)

Jed McKenna

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Old Introduction - Still Relevant
« on: August 26, 2014, 03:03:18 am »
Dear Reader:

Welcome to my new forum. I will continue with the old one (jedmckenna.webs.com) for the foreseeable future, but I have received many complaints about the software. This one should prove more user friendly. I intend to moderate it. Things are going to change.

This new forum is going to be more along the lines of an online ashram or retreat if you will. The purpose of an ashram is to provide an environment wherein distractions are minimized and focus can be constantly held on the goal or guru. I don’t want the focus to be on me but rather on what I am pointing at, i.e., complete and utter seeing through the illusion of self and duality along with the accompanying Truth Realization (TR). I’m sure you will agree that’s a weighty (it just sounds weighty) and worthwhile (only while in the illusion) goal. Perhaps a little information on my approach is appropriate. 

While it has been often said that this is a ‘path’ there really is no path when looked back upon. However, there are various definable stages that one almost always passes through, or gets stuck in. These are easily discernible from a more advanced position on the path and invisible from the present position. This is where the stickiness occurs. In this ‘seeing’ lies one of the skills that a good teacher needs to posses.

You don’t get an MBA foisted on you when in grade school and it is highly unlikely that the rare event of TR is going to drop out of the sky and into your lap upon your first notion that you would like to know it. Indeed, should this happen it can be catastrophic. Tools, experience and human adulthood (HA) are all very practical prerequisites.

Something else happens quite often and that is a teacher will become realized (or… semi-realized) and attribute it to one technique. He/she may have done a dozen things up to that point, but these prior practices tend to be ignored. The teachings then focus on that final practice to the neglect of other contributing factors. Frequently these neglected previous steps where necessary along the way to HA and TR.

I was fortunate and disciplined with SA, but this doesn’t mean it will suit you. Some folks just can’t sit down and write. They can do other things which may be equally of value but require less ‘pushing the water uphill’. Whatever works works and I encourage practical task oriented disciplines. I have pretty extensive background in this and can suggest a number of useful alternative approaches as the situation calls for.

If you are ready to move into HA or further, I will gladly assist to the best of my ability, but not without some clear framework within which you and I will work. No rules and focus is easily distracted, so here they are… Forum Rules (I’m not big on rules, but here goes).

1.)   Posting of Vids, pictures of your dog, your favorite poem, movie and the like are not permitted unless cleared by me. Everything that goes on here is about your journey to HA and TR and nothing else. You can do these things on the old forum if so inclined.
2.)   Refrain from telling other participants where they are on their journey or what they are doing right or wrong. Other people’s business is their business and not yours. Most helping or assisting is cloaked hiding. You’ll never gain anything by hiding. If you must do this, do it on the old forum. Of course, once you are TR you may do whatever you wish, but you won’t be here.
3.)   A good teacher will meet the student where they are because that is all the student can grasp at the moment. This requires flexibility on the part of the teacher and I may sound contradictory from time to time. Once you become TR it will all make sense, but I would ask you to refrain from judging what is good for others. Once again, keep the focus on you.
4.)   If I feel you are dabbling and just not serious about TR, I will ask you to return to the old forum. If I suggest an assignment or exercise, I expect some measure of diligence in pursuing it.
5.)   This is more along the lines of a suggestion. There is a certain amount of positive energy that can build up and be used to ‘project’ one further. This energy dissipates directly in proportion to the degree that you share your journey with friends and relatives. While they may have good intentions, I can assure you it is best to keep all of these matters to yourself. It is your progress that is in focus and no one else’s. Once you are TR you can do whatever the heck you want, but you will be under no illusion that it makes any difference… it never did.
6.)  One other issue is SEX, DRUGS and CHOCOLATE, i.e., distractions and hiding. Do them if you want, but be very aware of what they do to you, take you off task. At a minimum, indulge in limited quantities.   

I’m going to try this… what was traditionally a topic we will one person’s personal journey and my responses. This will require considerably more time on my part and I will have to limit the number of members/topics. To be clear, no conventional topics, but only one dedicated forum member comprises a topic. Responses to a member’s post are not permitted. Their journey is none of your business. This will also contribute to the sense of focus.

Where I feel it will contribute to one’s progress, I will conduct Skype consultations. In addition, in the somewhat distant future I will be releasing the Navigator’s Series and it will only be made available to those who have achieved, at a minimum, HA. Once again, focus, focus, focus, then take a short break and focus some more.

Contact me directly at the.pasadena.project@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like to participate. Just remember, everything you hold dear will be put at risk but in the end you will give up nothing and get everything. Love ya, Jed.

« Last Edit: July 07, 2023, 12:43:34 am by Zara Songull »

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Reflow

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Re: Introduction
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2014, 04:46:22 am »
Put a link on webs to here?
Everybody knows that Nobody really knows.

Mischa

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Re: Introduction
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2014, 05:16:08 pm »
with this nice psychedelic pic., i fell pretty welcome here  ;D
Now, to get ready for a big bonfire.


claudia

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Re: Introduction
« Reply #3 on: October 24, 2014, 02:58:46 pm »
New here, thank you for the introduction and the explanations.  In agreement to all and looking forward to the unlocking of the next door.

Cheers!

Much love,


claudia

Susan

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Re: Introduction
« Reply #4 on: August 10, 2015, 10:41:33 pm »
Jed--I'm glad to know this forum is here, and to have an opportunity to interact with a favorite author. I've recommended the book series to many in the Zen community...have even lent out my copy of Damndest to several people, some of whom decided to buy it for themselves and some of whom said "That's not for me--I like Thitch Nhat Hahn or the Dalai Lama."
No problem with the rules. I'll introduce myself in a new thread & keep the length down.
Thanks, SK
Further...

david

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Re: Introduction
« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2016, 09:40:48 am »
I just read the introduction. Understood. With direct seeing and direct experiencing what is seen is that nothing is, nothing exists, even saying reading and writing that nothing exists isn't real either. There never was a person or anything and everything made created pondered thought about and mused upon is human invented. This is whats seen. Nothing apparently matters. I say this but there is an inkling of knowing that this is a "stage" to "ass through" as it were.
How to proceed.... 

david

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Re: Introduction
« Reply #6 on: August 15, 2016, 09:56:33 am »
This "place" of seeing -  direct seeing and direct experience, seeing that everything is "empty" and that nothing is really real. Been "here" for quite some "time" and even writing this reads a bit off because theres no such thing as time either and there is only this moment and this and this and this .....
It is like free falling without end.
Ok, its like everything has been obliterated and destroyed and yet, nope, no thats not true either because what is seen is that nothing ever was in the first place.
So here "I" am, the body writes these funny squiggles these empty pointing yet pointless words on this screen/no screen.
Nothing to do. Nothing ever was or will be. This is clearly obvious. It appears like an apocalyptic landscape. No people, no anything.....
It seems like destruction and yet nothing has been "destroyed" because nothing ever was in the first place.
What to do ......

A PlaN

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Re: Introduction
« Reply #7 on: September 06, 2016, 10:58:50 am »

 Buddhist is not Misericordia.
The real Buddha (Zen) is actually talking about the (true):
1: As long as a person does not find T / R, no matter how many good things he has done, he can not become "Buddha"
2: As long as a person find the T / R, regardless of whether he killed anyone or kicked puppy, he can become a "Buddha"
love ;)

Jed McKenna

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Re: Introduction
« Reply #8 on: October 07, 2016, 05:22:22 am »
Dear HV:

Please explain. I don't understand.

Thanks in advance.

Love ya, Jed

plutz

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Re: Introduction
« Reply #9 on: November 22, 2016, 06:55:40 pm »
thank you.

galactikcat

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Re: Introduction
« Reply #10 on: May 16, 2017, 06:34:28 pm »
Hello, I'm new here, having just finished reading the Spiritual Enlightenment Trilogy...I started out wanting to throw the first book across the room and now I'm here, willing to go the distance. I'm at the tip of the iceberg now, deleting and releasing beliefs and concepts as fast as they occur to me. It's daunting, but what a fresh and exciting feeling at the same time. My thought patterns feel fresher than they have in years of going around in circles (beautiful circles though!). Does anyone else feel giddy at the freedom of it? Yet there is the sensation of free-falling! Anyway, I'm glad this forum is here and look forward to reading about people's experiences in this brave new world.
Best,
GKitty

guest1364

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Re: Introduction
« Reply #11 on: June 06, 2017, 07:47:36 pm »
New to this forum, delighted to find it. I've finished both the The Enlightenment Trilogy and The Dreamstate Trilogy, as well as the new Jed Talks book. I guess I've a bit of catching up to do with all the posts here.