The dark side of I AM.

[sky]

Originally Posted by Molearner

It sort of removes the idea that it is all about me…..

As do all the others

[sky]

Originally Posted by Honza

Well you know what they say about Kali....

God loves you regardless, warts and all

[Honza]

Originally Posted by sky123

God loves you regardless, warts and all

Very straightforward statement - however it is prone to being invalidated. Time and time again.

One of the reasons I prefer Christ is that He offers sanctuary. He is someone I can relate to. Life is full of danger, and dangerous characters. Christ is a pillar of strength and solidarity amongst it all.

I have approached other Gods only to find they lack warmth and humanity. I have been betrayed by close friends and celestial beings. It teaches me caution.

[Honza]

Having said that I also need to be aware that I may be creating this hardship for myself....

[Molearner]

Originally Posted by Honza

Having said that I also need to be aware that I may be creating this hardship for myself....

Honza,

I feel for you…indecision can allow is to vacillate between differing philosophies. It is difficult to serve multiple masters. The danger of this indecision IMO is that you might miss the depth of any of them. Many believe that all roads lead to God. If there is any truth to this maybe it is best to follow one map. At any rate….good luck to you……:)

[7luminaries]

Honza...I have been drawn to your threads since I just got on SF after a long absence and find myself in need of deep healing by means of forgiveness, acceptance and general compassion. Like so many of us, I know I've judged myself harshly and had a lot of suppressed grief and anger that hasn't been properly expressed. I haven't really had too much time for myself either, so...

First...I would say the God you resonate with is the God for you. It is all One, so it's all good.

The other item is...you are your heart centre and your inner child. You and they are just aspects of what many call your higher self. I would just say these are all aspects of your authetic self. Or, who you are at core. Not to blow your mind in a bad way...but this is also where all that is God-like resonates. There is only who and what you are, no matter when or where you are, right?

That is, when you express (or repress) deep emotions and judgments toward yourself...when speak to your higher self or your heart centre...good or bad, there is no distance between you and God or Jesus or whomever in that moment. So...and this is really not easy...being angry or unaccepting or harsh or unforgiving with yourself...is not intended for "God" or Jesus or whomever...but it amounts to the same thing because there is no distance in the heart centre.

That's the kicker. I was just so busy surviving that I ignored my pain for weeks or months & just endured the pain. But it's also "the same" to the universe and to the heart centre as me neglecting God & universe. OR as being angry at God, Jesus, universe, etc.

So as not to be too neglectful or too mean or hard on God & universe -- my guides, my close soul fam -- I had to just focus on my heart centre. On healing it and releasing my grief & anger. Out of duty and love, seriously, I was reminded to care for myself so my heart centre doesn't hurt others. What else motivates someone who has gone through the abnegation of the soul across lifetimes, LOL...it's the realisation that abnegation ultimately means you must remember to care for the soul on behalf of God & others, as well as for yourself. That these are all ultimately the same under One Spirit. However, me me me just isn't going to be a motivation for some of us, no matter what our amoral and utilitarian culture tells us. I don't find them to be overly helpful in relating to me as I am, at core. In my experience, that has never led the soul down the path of right alignment. For me, it's justice and balance in authentic love...me equally to others, and me equally for others, that resonates and empowers me for myself.

For me, it helps to realise I'm connected and that my state of being affects others so I need to own and care for it. So (unlike what we've been told) I'm not being selfish to focus on myself...rather I'm actually being selfish by ignoring my pain for too long, because it hurts me and also spills over in spirit. I wonder if this sort of perspective might help you too? The forgiveness & acceptance you give to yourself is work you do in service to God and others, equally to yourself.

I find it has helped me because it gives me permission to focus on myself (head of household, single mom, sole support, no time...etc) for what you might call selfless reasons, like care for and connection to others, the greater good, God & universe, etc. And...it reminds me that authentic love is caring for the self equally to others, and for others equally to the self. Here I particularly mean those others close to you &/or closely connected to you at the soul level, but it applies in any other sense as well.

Peace & blessings,
7L

[ajay00]

Originally Posted by Honza

I also wonder if I have annoyed the Hindu Gods by demeaning them. As I was learning about Hinduism and I AM I would often lash out at them. I still feel that the path of self realisation is not the true path. I disregard it in favour of Christ. I sense hostility from Hinduism....

You seem highly confused. You are talking about Hinduism and 'I am' and Christianity and mixing it up all together into a shapeless lump thinking you are creating a gastronomical masterpiece. It is like mixing up pizza, yoghurt, wine and pudding and then wondering why it tastes so bad.

If you are in favor of Christ, then follow that path meticulously. Why talk about 'I am' and Hindu God and so on!

Originally Posted by Honza

Well you know what they say about Kali....

Kali, Hanuman and Krishna are warriors from the pits of hell. They are not for the soft-hearted and namby-pamby.

Even Satan and his demons would appear to be sweet, innocent angels in front of them. Beware!

[ajay00]

As per Hindu philosophy, the 'I am' or state of awareness is beyond the pair of opposites of relative light and darkness.

Hence the very thread title is misleading itself, and does injustice to the Advaitan philosophy.

Those who are unable to comprehend the advaitan or nondual philosophy is welcome to adopt the devotional dualistic philosophies in Hinduism or other religions.

The nondual or dual philosophies all lead to the same goal, just as all paths or climbing routes in a mountain lead to the same summit.

The nondual philosophy or Advaita pertain to Jnana Yoga (yoga of the intellect) ,and is quite demanding in terms of intellectual rigor and focus. I have noticed that it is mainly scientists and highly educated people or scholars who are able to comprehend it with precision as they have a trained intellect and are capable of deep, accurate and systematic thinking.


The devotional paths are much more easier and safer as well as there is not much demands on the intellect, but more on feeling.

One should understand one's temperament and seek suitable philosophies accordingly.

Not comprehending the philosophy and engaging in bashing it and the religion reminds one of the fable of the fox and the sour grapes.

[Honza]

Originally Posted by ajay00

If you are in favor of Christ, then follow that path meticulously. Why talk about 'I am' and Hindu God and so on!

I shall do what is necessary to find peace and to make peace with one and all.

[Honza]

Originally Posted by ajay00

As per Hindu philosophy, the 'I am' or state of awareness is beyond the pair of opposites of relative light and darkness.
Hence the very thread title is misleading itself, and does injustice to the Advaitan philosophy.

Well, it is actually possible that Hindu philosophy does not understand I AM any more than I do. We all make mistakes. Here at SF there is monumental clashing of religions and spiritual paths. I need to find my way amongst it all.