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.