Hope, fear and the future

[genero81]

I think there is something within us that gathers up, records and organizes our thoughts and experiences—every time we look at the sky or move a blade of grass or run our hand over the hair of a sleeping child. We continually accumulate tidbits of information that nudge our being into being. That we are capable of collecting, experiencing, knowing—with the ability to utilize what we know—becomes a canvas that depicts the ever-changing essence of a growing self in relation to all that is ‘not self’ or ‘not yet self.’

Perhaps we find layers upon layers to be uncovered, discovered. Maybe we await a definition, an accumulation of information, experiences, choices that seem unrelated until something connects and something jogs into place or becomes an element of our ‘self,’ now incorporated and alive.

That we are able to define, and more often redefine, aspects of ourselves gives hope and purpose to whatever this life process is and whatever we may become because of it. Perhaps something/someone/someday will benefit from all our efforts, and the grand mosaic of our individual experiences will connect in ways we can’t imagine, but even if not, it is THE experience we have chosen, a lesser one we cannot and should not accept.

Thank you for that! I can definitely relate because I've experienced what you so eloquently describe on more than one occasion. But I never thought about it on a larger scale involving others. Something definitely worth pondering.

 

[Trobar]

Quote from Windmill Knight

I just wish that what we do and the choices we have made had some clear effect on the world at large and don't turn out to be just for the benefit of a few of us (those of us who have obviously benefited from the shared knowledge and experiences), like the Cs have suggested many times (that this group is somehow important in the bigger picture). Otherwise what would be the point? And I reply to myself that whatever the effect is, it's probably not something that we are going to see on this lifetime, that it will be for future generations. So, faith is what keeps me: in that this is meaningful even if we don't see it.

Windmill Knight, your words encouraged me to share probably the most wonder - ful moment I have experienced in many years. This moment was so significant for me, that I felt driven to share it with my children. I was very specifically thinking about what you wrote "I just wish that what we do and the choices we have made had some clear effect on the world at large".

In my wondering and questioning, it suddenly hit me that at every location that I perceive as a "moment in time" I will NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN. Even as I sit here typing these words, many of these perceived moments have occurred and at each one I WAS NEVER THE SAME AGAIN. Gosh, this is so difficult to explain here. I understood that every thought, every feeling, every action taken serves as a catalyst to change me and therefore change all that is. I understood that this "I" never being the same again was very large and included everything that has ever been, is and will ever be. I understood that 'all that is' will never be the same again in the ever-present 'now' and so I propose for your consideration that what we do and the choices we have made/make/will make have a clear effect on the world at large. The key word being "clear" (as in clarity). We do not live in isolation. We experience face to face encounters as well as cyber space encounters with others and when we do, a simultaneous and reciprocal catalytic event occurs.

I have adopted the thought "I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN" as a sort of mantra that I reach for every time and any time I question reality.

Let me close this by typing that in the stage version of Don Quixote the local priest sings a song called "To Each His Dulcinea", in which he reflects that although Dulcinea does not exist, the idea of her is what keeps Don Quixote alive and on his quest. May your quest be filled with clarity and your hope be everlasting.

mod: fixed quote box

 

[Trobar]

I think there is something within us that gathers up, records and organizes our thoughts and experiences—every time we look at the sky or move a blade of grass or run our hand over the hair of a sleeping child. We continually accumulate tidbits of information that nudge our being into being. That we are capable of collecting, experiencing, knowing—with the ability to utilize what we know—becomes a canvas that depicts the ever-changing essence of a growing self in relation to all that is ‘not self’ or ‘not yet self.’

Perhaps we find layers upon layers to be uncovered, discovered. Maybe we await a definition, an accumulation of information, experiences, choices that seem unrelated until something connects and something jogs into place or becomes an element of our ‘self,’ now incorporated and alive.

That we are able to define, and more often redefine, aspects of ourselves gives hope and purpose to whatever this life process is and whatever we may become because of it. Perhaps something/someone/someday will benefit from all our efforts, and the grand mosaic of our individual experiences will connect in ways we can’t imagine, but even if not, it is THE experience we have chosen, a lesser one we cannot and should not accept.

Wherever this takes us, whatever the future brings, we can stand together and face whatever is to come knowing our hearts create connections, our minds are free and our aim is truth and understanding. If this is all there is, then it is more than enough to bind us to this discipline and give us the courage to face our unknowns both within and without. For all of this, and all of you, I am truly grateful.

WOW! KJN!
Thank you so very much for taking the time to put your thoughts into these lovely words.

When I read your post, I was, and still am very moved by them.

 

[Buddy]

And I think that the best way to thank her is to try to follow her steps and to watch her back.

Exactly. I've never had much money or time to give, but with an autodidactic background in philosophical studies when I first became aware of this work, I've been one of the active philosophical guardians of the Experiment ever since I came to an understanding of it. I usually jumped in to help when an attack came from that angle. Now, I'm at the other end, looking at assumptions, premises and noting the source of any attack coming from the ground level where we can often see artificial boundaries created from logical inversions (me vs not me).

To me, there never "had to be" any C's for this Project to be worthwhile. The sources used for investigations in every subject area are, and always have been, top-notch, representing the best information in their fields. As just one example, there's not much discussion of Antonio Damasio's stand-alone neuroscience work anywhere on the forum, but he did excellent work and references to it can be found in The Wave where appropriate. To expand the point here, Damasio has a concept of a low level neural correlate of the physical body as a pattern held in the back of the brain or the hindbrain. Changes in the body are said to be mapped into that, and changes there are reflected back in the body. This is what I mean in comments referring to a "thought body" and may even be a basis for some esoteric claims.

Point being that if anyone who reads The Wave and looks into Laura's sources, can easily confirm what's being written for themselves.

Anyway, bottom line is that Laura's work is excellent in quality. Her honest intentions are syntactically, linguistically, and logically obvious and so the writings naturally resist attack on their own merits. In fact, one of Laura's accusers once complained about her, called her some name and referred to her articles as "endlessly perfect." Laura's response was another "endlessly perfect" article that, not only neutralized the guy's accusation, but showed that it applied to HIM. Perfect. I couldn't help but laugh. :)

 

[Windmill knight]

In my wondering and questioning, it suddenly hit me that at every location that I perceive as a "moment in time" I will NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN. Even as I sit here typing these words, many of these perceived moments have occurred and at each one I WAS NEVER THE SAME AGAIN. Gosh, this is so difficult to explain here. I understood that every thought, every feeling, every action taken serves as a catalyst to change me and therefore change all that is. I understood that this "I" never being the same again was very large and included everything that has ever been, is and will ever be. I understood that 'all that is' will never be the same again in the ever-present 'now' and so I propose for your consideration that what we do and the choices we have made/make/will make have a clear effect on the world at large. The key word being "clear" (as in clarity). We do not live in isolation. We experience face to face encounters as well as cyber space encounters with others and when we do, a simultaneous and reciprocal catalytic event occurs.

I have adopted the thought "I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN" as a sort of mantra that I reach for every time and any time I question reality.

Let me close this by typing that in the stage version of Don Quixote the local priest sings a song called "To Each His Dulcinea", in which he reflects that although Dulcinea does not exist, the idea of her is what keeps Don Quixote alive and on his quest. May your quest be filled with clarity and your hope be everlasting.

That's an encouraging thought trobar, thanks. Interestingly, my avatar name is a reference to Don Quixote.

And thinking of 'Dulcinea', I wanted to expand a little on the idea of faith (I said faith kept me going). For me, faith is not so much about belief, but about choosing or 'placing a bet' on something to fight for in spite of the uncertainty that will always be with us. It is faith because you take a leap into the unknown in full knowledge that there is no guarantee that you will land safely. It's an adventurous and 'warriorlike' thing and it has nothing to do with dogma.

A lot has been said already very beautifully. One thing that gives me hope is to see that the spark of humanity, weak as it is, stubbornly refuses to die. It's still there, like in the ying-yang symbol. Sometimes I share a smile with some people that I feel connected with - for example people I'm loosely associated with due to leisure activities -, and a warm feeling of love overcomes me that almost makes me want to cry. Somehow, there is something shared in those moments, kind of a silent understanding on a deeper level: "We may have different ages, a totally different background, but I feel it too. There is hope. Things will get better, all those idiots can run around trying to make us feel miserable, but they won't crush us. They won't crush the spark." These are seldom the people "in charge", usually they are just normal people doing what they do.

I get a similar feeling quite often too, luc. Except that in my case, sometimes it is not about the hope this inspires (which I do get, like when you discover great insights or creativity coming from someone you didn't expect). Sometimes, seeing the inner beauty of people causes me concern, because they are the ones who suffer and who will suffer, and I would like to share with them all that we have learned here, so that their lives will be better protected and more fulfilling and meaningful, but I can't for obvious reasons. I just feel that it is so unfair that people who are essentially good are metaphorically (and sometimes quite literally) 'taken to the slaughterhouse' just because they didn't know any better. I would also like to connect on deeper levels with many of them, but again there's a limit to that.

So this is why I said I would like to see clearly that we are somehow doing something good for them out there; not just for a handful of us in this forum. But such is life: free will, lessons, the balance of nature and all that.

 

[sitting]

Those insights are, in fact, Laura's insights, that the rest of us have been fortunate enough to stumble across and hugely benefit from.

I would go a step further. Those insights do not even begin to reflect the true breath of her knowledge.

Now allow me to go onto the 2nd part of your remark.

I truly believe that in the deepest sense, we don't really stumble onto relationships -- especially the really important ones. There's always a karmic link ... from prior encounters. The present life merely a reflection of lessons (not learned) renewed. Another try if you will.

Take your case for example. I think you (the soul self) and Laura's probably go waaayyy back. You did not simply stumble upon her. Ditto you and Anna. Not to mention the other big significant one ... Laura and Ark. Intense relationships in the present life tend to have histories prior.

In my own case, I do not think it was pure coincidence that I came upon Laura's work. My inner sense tells me it was meant to be. That somehow I was destined to play a small bit in the magnum opus that is her life.

And I embrace this small part with eagerness, sincerity, and love.

FWIW.

 

[Mal7]

I think hope and fear are perhaps both good things in moderation. They are both kinds of emotional attitudes, that we should recognize and be the master of, rather than letting them master us.

Too little hope: Refusal to try anything. Everything is pointless. Nothing will make a difference. It's hopeless.
Too much hope: Everything will be fine - no need to do anything, no need to pay attention. Everything is roses. The new age of enlightenment is just around the corner.

Too little fear: In the physical sense, things like a fear of heights or a fear of burning down the house stop us from doing risky things like falling off cliffs or leaving a pan of oil cooking unattended on the stove. Having no fear could lead to a false sense of grandiosity, and neglecting the details of cause and effect. It could lead to ego-inflation, thoughts such as I am invincible, I will win, nothing can stop me.
Too much fear: Paralysis. Withdrawal. Unable to do anything.

 

[Buddy]

I agree with Mal7. Hope and fear can be used intelligently to help us proceed with caution, I think.

I'd like to add one more angle to this discussion. It's certainly not even all about knowledge and insights, even though I know no one is suggesting that. Gathering knowledge from everywhere, separating fact from fiction, crunching the facts to obtain insight...all that is a small part of Laura's value to humanity, I think. If she had stopped there, who would know her and where would some people be today?

No, to me, the best part of all this is taking that knowledge, putting it "out there"; putting self "out there", suffering the slings and arrows, feeling the pain, learning how the attacks work and rebounding from that. Knowledge is part of it, but putting it out there and surviving this act is how we all grow, thus the lessons in the Knowledge and Being videos apply, IMO. So, it's not all about whether one's theories are correct. In a sense, it's about learning how to survive.

Resilience - learning it and teaching it - is also an important key to unlocking more value from all this, IMO. It can only be learned by example.

 

[herondancer]

Those insights are, in fact, Laura's insights, that the rest of us have been fortunate enough to stumble across and hugely benefit from.

I would go a step further. Those insights do not even begin to reflect the true breath of her knowledge.

Now allow me to go onto the 2nd part of your remark.

I truly believe that in the deepest sense, we don't really stumble onto relationships -- especially the really important ones. There's always a karmic link ... from prior encounters. The present life merely a reflection of lessons (not learned) renewed. Another try if you will.

Take your case for example. I think you (the soul self) and Laura's probably go waaayyy back. You did not simply stumble upon her. Ditto you and Anna. Not to mention the other big significant one ... Laura and Ark. Intense relationships in the present life tend to have histories prior.

In my own case, I do not think it was pure coincidence that I came upon Laura's work. My inner sense tells me it was meant to be. That somehow I was destined to play a small bit in the magnum opus that is her life.

And I embrace this small part with eagerness, sincerity, and love.

FWIW.

I would agree with this. Finding Laura and her amazing work came as an answer to a request/prayer to the Universe to find my 'true soul group'. It was made on a New Year's Eve many years ago, and six weeks (very esoteric) later I clicked on a short link on a new age site. I've never looked back. The quality of the material was beyond anything I'd read, both in its logic and clarity. I'm light years away from grokking it all, but what I do understand is priceless.

We are all playing our parts, and I try to do that without worrying about the grand scheme. The Universe will take care of it.

 

[bjorb]

[quote author= Buddy]I agree with Mal7. Hope and fear can be used intelligently to help us proceed with caution, I think.[/quote]

I agree also but that’s also part of objective observation and about responding appropriate


If possible try to imagine another kind of hope. The kind that see realities as it. The lessons within. And the hope that everything follows suit as it should. Not assuming that it will, but just hope.

Without attachments or anticipation. Without Ego.

Isn’t it so that when we hope and we are left disappointed we immediately reflect this on our ''miserable life'' Making it about us. We can make hope all about us.

What I mean there can be a whole lot attachment and anticipation going on with hope

YCYOR isn’t real like its portrayed in the New Age circles of course. But it could in a way if you are synch with creation? And having Hope in the right way may be helpfull in that part.

- Anyhow, I don't know.

 

[Alana]

We are all playing our parts, and I try to do that without worrying about the grand scheme. The Universe will take care of it.

Both points are so true. On one hand, who am I to determine how the universe should deal with the reality as it unfolds on this planet? But then again, I am here, a tiny part of it all, so maybe the universe is only waiting for me to do/be my best? And I have spend years and years not knowing what this possible best was, and it was a meaningless life. I have traveled, I met lots of different people, I learned stuff... but it was not a fulfilling life. Until I came across Laura's work.

And yes, it all seems so bleak to me sometimes too. Not only is the world totally crazy, but this is what I have to work with? This self as I am? Seriously universe? So I have to remind myself again and again that there has been personal progress, that the formula that Laura initiated herself for us all works. So many lives saved from an existence in ignorance, loneliness, aimlessness. Sure, I am still perfectly capable of ruining my life and hurting people around me, but it might be a little more difficult today than it was all these years ago. And I know that whatever fortune I have in life, whatever skill I developed or discovered, whatever talent or goodness was uncovered or born in me, all the knowledge I have collected to help me understand myself and our world, what little I have to give, it is all because I found Laura's work.

So, again and again and again, however many times the reality around me or my own self despairs me, it's the kind of stuff you wrote in this thread and all of you, that keep me going on. The little me in all these is useful because she is not alone. And all our parts together are one big body who is strong and capable and can do way more than each part on its own can. In a way, we carry and are carried by each other, even in our deep moments of despair and hopelessness. So thank you all, thank you Laura

 

[Gaby]

The quality of the material was beyond anything I'd read, both in its logic and clarity. I'm light years away from grokking it all, but what I do understand is priceless.

We are all playing our parts, and I try to do that without worrying about the grand scheme. The Universe will take care of it.

I think it is an understatement to say that Laura's work is unique in inspiring and transforming people from all sorts of backgrounds and from all corners of the world, even hard nut cases... In that sense, Laura is the best Nutcracker :D

I first read The Wave during the first months of 2004. I finished re-reading The Wave just this last weekend after some 3 years of making my way through it in the middle of several experiences and pauses. I second what herondancer says, what I do understand is priceless.

For years I have read the recommended top reading and all sorts of resources, nothing has resonated so deeply nor was so clear as Laura's take on stuff. This ability to touch deeply people's lives is an invaluable gift.

I'm thankful for Laura who didn't gave up despite all the odds and the Universe for protecting her. I'm also thankful for everyone else that followed

 

[luc]

I get a similar feeling quite often too, luc. Except that in my case, sometimes it is not about the hope this inspires (which I do get, like when you discover great insights or creativity coming from someone you didn't expect). Sometimes, seeing the inner beauty of people causes me concern, because they are the ones who suffer and who will suffer, and I would like to share with them all that we have learned here, so that their lives will be better protected and more fulfilling and meaningful, but I can't for obvious reasons. I just feel that it is so unfair that people who are essentially good are metaphorically (and sometimes quite literally) 'taken to the slaughterhouse' just because they didn't know any better. I would also like to connect on deeper levels with many of them, but again there's a limit to that.

So this is why I said I would like to see clearly that we are somehow doing something good for them out there; not just for a handful of us in this forum. But such is life: free will, lessons, the balance of nature and all that.

Thanks Windmill knight, this is my hope too. And in a more direct way, I hope that the mere act of acknowledging those good people out there, even with just a smile, may mean something. Because you're totally right, it is so heart-wrenching to see the good people suffering the most, realizing that we can't really do anything for them. In the spirit of this thread, I wanted to highlight the positive side in my post, because Laura's amazing work doesn't only enable us to see the horror of the situation (necessary as it is), it also enables us to see positive things - I at least was never able to perceive such simple goodness in people before 'thanks' to my programs, I just saw weakness (my own fears of being weak projected probably) and wanted to become more like the cool guys, those 'in charge'. Nearly ruined my life. So I'm thankful for everything - seeing the horror in myself and the world, because it changed me, which enabled me to see the good, weak as it is... Hope this makes sense.

 

[beherenow]

Hi, everyone. Thank you all for this thread, it is quite amazing..and inspiring. A special thanks to Laura, and so many others, for her/their comments. Its so good to know that this path we are on has been traveled by others who are so willing to freely share and help...its truly a state of grace that enables one to have the ability to "give to all who sincerely ask".

from sitting;

I truly believe that in the deepest sense, we don't really stumble onto relationships -- especially the really important ones. There's always a karmic link ... from prior encounters. The present life merely a reflection of lessons (not learned) renewed. Another try if you will.

I agree...my own experience in finding this place was way beyond "stumbling upon" or even "serendipitous" . The only word that seems to fit ( and again, like the word "hope", i often don't like the way it gets used..) is destiny. I somehow found this place only a few months after i got an internet connection. That in turn, greatly helped in avoiding many many dead end rabbit holes. It was only after being here and reading ( for a couple years!) the material and threads, that i came to realize how many traps i had inadvertently sidestepped...hence the feeling of "destiny"....as sitting said, "a prior karmic link" that appears to have cleared the way in ending up right where i needed to be...also, if " The present life is merely a reflection of lessons (not learned) renewed."...is true, i must have been a much bigger bonehead than now, in my past life...if i had one. (i also think that's why a regression makes me uncomfortable, FWIW.)

The major revelation/realization in reading this and the "Soul, genes and karma" thread is this; My feelings of "hopelessness", and the ensuing desire to just eliminate the word, are actually rooted in a deep unrecognized and un-conscience ( until about an hour ago ) narcissism. i.e.... Since I can't fix myself, and I can't change the world, then dash it all!...or, IOW..."if i can't fix it, no one can, so y'all just give up on that silly idea of "hope".".....man, what an IDIOT!....I hope you all can accept my sincere apology for suggesting such a self-absorbed idea...

...and now, once again, i feel myself falling into that old, post-realization self-loathing, "why wouldn't/ couldn't/ didn't/ i see that"?!?..you FOOL!", program...(which is also looking rather narcissistic, like I'm so "spechul" i should know better, gawd.. )...i SO need to remember this;

..."We are all playing our parts, and I try to do that without worrying about the grand scheme. The Universe will take care of it."

thank you for that, Herodancer , and thank you all... ,Dave

 

[Mal7]

"...life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." - That seems rather hedonistic and STS, an attitude that is imprinted on our epigenetics, especially in the west.

I think "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" actually makes a pretty good rough set of values. "Happiness" can be defined more broadly as something like "wellbeing" or "eudaemonia" rather than "pleasure" or "instant gratification".

It would depend on the situation, e.g. is it being used hypocritically, or as a cover story? If George W. Bush says he is bringing freedom to Iraq, that doesn't mean freedom is a bad thing, it means Bush is a hypocrite.

One advantageous of the formulation is that it is not particularly specific, e.g. it doesn't say "and everyone must worship a god named such-and-such". While liberty may seem like an individualistic goal, it can also be taken to mean that the liberty of all individuals should be valued, so that one shouldn't go about increasing one's own personal liberty by making others into slaves.

What would be the opposite set of goals, "death, captivity, and the pursuit of misery"? That formulation sounds a lot worse, although it seems to fit the direction of many US policies.