When a person thinks, strongly enough, that they want to change/be enlightened, the neurosis cooperates – but in a way that will not threaten its existence too much. We don’t like being uncomfortable. So when a teacher is chosen, it is usually the neurosis that does the choosing.

Example: If the person is not comfortable with sex, they will almost certainly choose a teacher who does not support being sexual. Better still, one that divides men and woman. Or even better, for a man, going to an ashram that does not allow women to enter.

The teacher is chosen by projection – who the chooser thinks the teacher is. The disciple chooses depending on what they think are the suitable attributes of the teacher. Then, if the teacher does not live up to the projected attributes, they can be rejected. This way, there is no major threat to the neurosis. If the teacher suggests something that is a major threat to the neurosis, the teacher is obviously wrong, and not seeing clearly, and thus can be rejected.

In most cases, in the guru/disciple relationship, it is the mind of the disciple who is the Master. If this was not so, how is it that out of the thousands of disciples, hardly any wake up!

When we we really want to wake up to the reality of ourselves, unconditionally, we realise we are awake already. Always have been. A key: honesty. Absolute, unconditional honesty – first to ourselves, then, others. And a sense of humour.

This article was written by Paul Lowe. Almost daily Paul sends emails to his Inspirational Mailing List with information on a wide range of topical subjects as well as comments and reminders about staying aware. If you would like to subscribe to PaulsList please visit his web site www.paullowe.org »

So I had a choice this morning. To sit down and write a short piece that Rebecca needs so she can get the January newsletter out before the end of the month (and that might even help some people) OR I could follow a link on lifehacker.com to add homemade noise cancelling foam pads to my ear buds for my iPod (which I really don’t need and which would require a trip to the hardware store to get a hole punch). So what did I do? 

Wow, you should see these ear buds, they’re really cool! And quiet!!

This raises the question, “What makes us act in ways that are opposite to what we believe to be best?” If we truly had the power to control our actions, wouldn’t we always do what we thought was best? Would we ever shirk our responsibilities or act in ways that ran counter to our own values?

This is a question you must answer for yourself. And it won’t work to simply say, “Yes, but I am lazy.” That may be true but it avoids the deeper recognition of the fact that you lack the power to always control your laziness. You may be lazy but did you make yourself lazy? Or are you powerless over your own laziness?

If you are very blessed you may be a person with a lot of what we call “self-discipline.” This means that your actions most often match your feeling of what you “should” do. However, the same essential question applies. Did you create your character or was it shaped by countless forces beyond your control?

To come face to face with your own ultimate powerlessness is the key to discovering what Ramesh called, “Peace and Harmony In Daily Living.”

May it find you now.

With love,
Wayne

This message from Wayne Liquorman is from his January newsletter. To read the complete newsletter click here »

Are you flowing with life? How free do you feel to live your life fully, authentically? Are you happy? Do you feel there are areas in your life where you are not living up to your full potential? Are you holding back in your relationships, your career, your creativity?

Meet Veronika and Rafael, life long experimenters with love, truth and conscious living for an Open Evening & weekend Sharing Group workshop in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, and get a taste of what it’s all about. Learn why sharing yourself openly is such a powerful tool for profound transformation and find out how you can benefit from it in every interaction you have throughout your day.

Lucid Living Open Evening & Sharing Group* March 16 & 17, 2012 Oekohaus (Close to Westbahnhof) Kasseler Str. 1a | see map » 60486 Frankfurt am Main, Germany Pre-register here » Event organised by Christian Zirnig, Wingmaker.

* Events on Friday & Saturday will be held in german. If you are interested in an english group on Sunday please contact us. Der offene Abend (Freitag) und die Sharing Gruppe (Samstag) finden in deutscher Sprache statt. Bei Interesse an der englisch sprachigen Gruppe (Sonntag) kontaktiere uns bitte. 

Find out what it’s all about!

Living your highest potential need not be complicated. It does not have to take many years of practice. Being awake and fully alive is available to you in each moment. With an uncompromising commitment to being open and honest, this way of living lucidly can be brought into everyday life.

In this Open Evening we will share with you what Lucid Living is in our own experience. We will show you what sharing yourself openly means to us. You will see what makes it such a powerful tool for profound transformation.

We offer a ‘hands-on’ taster of sharing so you can discover for yourself how verbalising your inner dialogue can support you in becoming more aware of unquestioned, unconscious beliefs. We will encourage you to slow down and feel into your body, bringing your awareness to what is happening in each moment. We invite you to ask questions and clarify any concerns you might have.

When you decide to go for it, you can realise something that changes everything. There is a felt sense of unity, well-being and aliveness. It is like coming home. A relief from constrictions and an excitement to fall into the unknown space that we share with each other.

Our evening is an open invitation to look deeper, tap into a different way of relating to the world and people around you. We encourage you to take on the living experiment of taking risks, daring to share your truth, as you see it, with others.

In our Weekend Sharing Group we will hold the space for a deeper exploration of yourself in the moment. Read more about Sharing Groups »

Thank you Christian Zirnig, Wingmaker for organising this evening.

“Giving can take on any form, and the most ordinary – and most unique – is sharing who you are. Who you really are, whats going on, what your mind thinks, what your judgements, preferences, and emotional states are – right now. This is a gift that you carry with you anytime, ready to be presented to anyone you meet. Now imagine a group of people coming together with this intention to share, to express themselves authentically. If the thought of an experience like that is touching you in any way, you are ready for what Lucid Living has to offer. Give yourself – and us – the gift of sharing who you are!” Rafael

Embracing the present moment in everyday life, we weave together timeless wisdom traditions and contemporary spiritual teachings to realise our highest potentials. We bring people together to engage, inspire and support each other on our journey of self-discovery.

So when the ego tells you that because you are not perfect, you are not ready yet, it traps you in a spiritually and evolutionarily self-defeating cycle. A big part of awakening to spiritual maturity is realizing that, even in all your imperfection, you are ready to take responsibility. While you realize that perfection is unattainable, you aspire for it, always reaching higher and further. You are ready to be responsible for creating the future, right now, even though your ego may kick and scream all the way. And your liberation, your enlightenment, in every moment, depends upon that. It’s not easy. You have to be a warrior, you have to be an exemplar, even though you know that you’re not perfect. So you have to deal with the reality of your human frailty, with the inherent contradictions in your character, and still be bold and brave enough to be willing to take responsibility for all of this. If you do, then the power of spirit will enter into your heart, your body, and your mind and you will begin to express That, in spite of all your imperfection. And then you, as a human being, don’t have to be perfect, because Spirit already is.”

A wonderful quote from Andrew Cohen.

And, as we are a curious species, here are a few snippets about Paul Lowe: Paul’s view of the world and its future encourages us beyond what we normally think of as possible or impossible. From his own comprehensive world-wide experiences, he shares about every possible subject. In addition to more abstract subject matters, he addresses everyday issues: sexuality, relationships, parenting, health, finance, career, and communication.

In his view nothing is more, or less important than anything else. He shares his insights with caring, and perhaps most importantly, humor.

In one way I have always felt ageless or not the age I was. When I was a little girl I used to have dreams of being an old women, with white hair, sitting on the porch of a house somewhere in the Austrian countryside. I felt in harmony with nature and life, quietly rejoicing watching people and life happening in front of my eyes. I felt fulfilled with a sense of peace, expansiveness, aliveness and silence. I couldn’t quite understand the people around me, all the rules and regulations. It seemed strange to stop life from flowing because of do’s and dont’s but I was offered many good reasons and explanations and I learned to comply.

As a teenager I used to feel and look much older than I was at the time. In hindsight I would say that I had no idea of anything but also I had no idea of that I had no idea. The only thing I did know was that I didn’t want “the same”. I wanted my life to be different according to what felt my truth. Other than a felt sense of this truth there was no clear picture to aspire to. Looking at my son who is turning 16 shortly I feel in utter awe of how clear he is. I was the extreme opposite. A revolutionary, difficult teenager not short of wild outbursts. I so feel for my parents and I am tremendously grateful for them not only enduring my passionate temperament but encouraging and supporting me in finding my unconventional way.

It feels not long ago that my mum turned 40. I have a sweet memory of her having a big party with friends and family. Then a ten year old, I was watching her blow the candles on the rather large cake (they did put up 40 candles!), wondering how I would feel once I am “that old”. I was curious how it would feel to be an adult, a grown woman (with boobs). I remember my mum looked very beautiful, happy and young although her grey hair paid witness to the physical ageing process.

Now, almost 30 years later, the rapid increase of grey hair on my head and the wrinkling skin reveals undoubtedly: I’m turning 40!

So, how do I feel? Well, in many ways I still feel like the 10 year old. I find myself wondering how I will be when I turn 60 or 80. I continue to marvel at the mystery of life. I wonder if my hair will turn completely white (I hope it does). I can’t (and don’t want to) escape the ever more wrinkly skin. I feel vulnerable on the physical level. On the inside I feel wonderfully matured. I like to think of myself as wine that get’s more exquisite with age. A relief for the evolutionary zest for action has faded. My heart is full of gratitude for everything that has been so far. I feel a deep appreciation for the irresistible pulsing aliveness that is here in each moment. I delight with great curiosity for what will happen next. I welcome the unknown with open arms. The endlessly fascinating mystery.

This is a chance for you to change how you relate to your life forever. Join us for an intensive six week course that will challenge the areas in your mind and relationships where you are not flowing with life.

Veronika and Ryan will support you in bringing out your authenticity, humanity and enthusiasm for life. The space that is created by the group, and skilfully held by Veronika and Ryan, is a container for great presence that naturally reveals the truth of your heart and mind.

Skip to the course curriculum »