Hi Pratibha, nice idea. But I am a bit confused - where does everone publish their articles? Here or on their own site? And how will the others know that these have been published?

How frequently do we publish these articles? Once a week? It should not be too frequent or people will not be able to catch up; it should not be too infrequent either, or people will lose interest. We can all discuss and decide. I feel once a week is a good freq, but let's see what everyone else has to say.

Do we all give ideas as to the various topics or do we select an author to write an article and then the author decides?

Perhaps we can have TWO authors writing on the same topic, with different perspectives - sort of like a debate and then everyone else can chip in and join the fray.

Just a quick response to the idea. Will think up more by and by.

Posted: May 27, 2008

Whatever the mechanics are,
I am in.^^

Wonderful idea mom.

Posted: May 27, 2008

hahaha :) well actually everyone I had talked about doing a discussion forum on topics such as self realization, the ego consciousness, meditation, you know raising up out of old thought patterns and such, along with topics dissscussing some of the spiritual books out there now such as Echart Tolle's 'The Power of Now and David Hawkins. Thank you Pratibha for mentioning me but really I have to say I am not at all interested in being an author at all. I only wish to join in now and then in disscussion along with everyone else. ^_^ ok then enough said
~katie

Posted: May 27, 2008

ouuu, can I be part of the book? I really like the idea of being a part of something special:P You are brilliant Pratibha for this idea!
Steph(:

Posted: May 27, 2008

oh-no I don't wanna start this (whine, whine)
but lst's see "self realization"

To me it means the realization of who we truly are though we are unable to get more than a few seconds of glimpses into this higher awaerness at best. The ego (subconscious mind) and all of it's attachments blocks our vision.
According to David Hawkins the subconscious was raised up from the animal world, the conscious was then raised up from there. I suppose we needed these two levels of consciousness because of thier denseness in order to manifest thought here. and hey this is only speculation on my part, but niether of these two consiousnesses is who we are. who we are resides in superconsciouness. HA confusing to say the least? LOL! yes well the way I see it is we have for thousands of years been unable to raise up out of negative thinking patterns because of the low frequency levels of these two consciousnesses (I'm getting dizzy here) at best the world itself only vibrates at 207 which is only slightly above the critical levle frequency of 200, which is all negative and discribed as 'force' by David Hawkins
it has only been in the last 20 years that the earth began to raise in vibration and it will contnue to do so for many years to come...... ^_^

If in fact we are not who we think we are well then who the hey are we??? LOL!
everything! we are everything, but by this I mean states of being, states of being are not emotions they are much more than that.....

do you know what? I am going to stop here and cause I gotta go, I ahve a baby bird that i found this morning and I have to go be a mommy now LOL!!!
FOR REAL GUYS! ^_^
please let someone else take over from here. do you know some writers that you can invite into this type of conversaation????

Posted: May 27, 2008

Oh well I have to join this too, I'm a tad bit confused on a few aspects but I'm sure as it goes on I'll get it better ^.^

Posted: May 27, 2008

ok, to make a little more sense here, this is a page from Echart Tolles book "A New Earth" :

'THE PEACE THAT SUPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING'
There are many accounts of people who experience the emerging new dimension of consciousness as a result os tragic loss. Some lost all of thier possesions, others their children or spose, social position, or psysical abilities. in some cases through disaster they lost all of these simultaneously and found themselves with 'nothing' Whatever they had identified with, whatever gave them their sense of self was gone. Then suddenly and inexplicably the anguish or intence fear they initially felt gave way to a sacred sense of Presence, a deep peace and serenity and complete freedom from fear.

When forms that you identified with collapse or are taken away it can lead to collapse of the ego, since the ego is identification with form.When forms around you die your sense of beingness is freed from it's entanglement with form.: Spirit is released from it's imprisonment in matter. You realize your true identity as consciousness and not what consciousness had idenntified with.

Not everyone who experiences great loss also experiences this awakening, Some imediatly create a strong mental image in which they see themselves as victim of an unjust fate or God.
This thought form and the emotions it creates, 'anger, resentment, self pity ect ect, are strongly identified with and emediatly takes place of the lost identities that have collapsed. The fact that this new form is deeply unhappy doesn't concern the ego too much, as long as it has an identity.
In fact the new ego will be more rigid and impenetrable that the old one.

I know many can relate to this in one way or another.
that's all I ahve this morning guys.
I have to go to work so, if this doesn't pick up you may as well go on to the next chapter........don't matter to me :)

Posted: May 28, 2008

Here I am to share my knowledge about what i know about "Self realisation"

I would like to share some pearls of wisdom given to me by my MOM:
1. Never "CRITICISE" anybody, even if that person has harmed you. She has lived this principle all her life and i am so jealous that I have try so hard to exercise this wonderful trait.
2. Never "COMPARE" urself with anybody. You r UNIQUE.
3. Never think that some things happening in ur life is injustice. GOD has plans for you. TRUST in HIM, ALWAYS
4. LAUGH heartily and live life KINGSIZE with a generous and compassionate heart towards every soul you come across.

And she did not preach this to me at any point of her life. SHE LIVED BY THESE PRINCLIPLES AND yes, she "WALKED THE TALK" which inspired me to at least TRY HARD, VERY HARD to emulate them in my life. She has this amazing laughter which draws even strangers towards her. How i wish I be like her !!

lol...here I go again....sentimental fool...as my hubby calls me....hee eeeeheee....

Posted: May 28, 2008

Pratibha as someone said above, what about introducing a topic (like self realization) and allowing EVERYONE who wishes to offer their "stories" or perspective? And perhaps you could have a word limit so that they are concise and to the point but readable. Some could even say their piece as a poem? Perhaps you could start by giving your two pennies worth on the topic? Just a thought? That may work better than inviting particular authors to write a chapter? Maybe not!! I don't know!!!
I like Katie's writing on the topic self realization - a tough one!
My most significant moment of "self realization" was when I looked at a photo with my husband and I and my oldest son at his university graduation and finally "seeing" the person my son sees who loves that photo. I had always detested the photo!! All I could see was my double chin and the side on view with a bulky jacket that made me look "fat" (how many women can relate with that!) Yes, I have lived a fair portion of my life never feeling quite good enough, lacking self esteem and not liking my image at all. After struggling with an addiction that grew in part because I didn’t really like who I was, I did a lot of delving and hard work in the art of self nurturing and forgiveness and acceptance, and in doing so discovered the quiet, kind, warm, caring, loyal, sensitive, artistic, funny and fabulously individual person that is me – the me I could never really “see” because on many levels I felt unworthy, inferior etc. And yet my sons ONLY ever saw my soft, caring, gentle nature; their Mum’s warm, genuine smile full of love and pride and happiness for them – the me that beams from my oldest son’s favorite photo on his graduation day. The day I also saw that person was you could say my self realization day. A bit corny I know!!!!
Self realization I think is important for some people whereas others already will have a confident feel of “self”.
Is Chapter two about to go???

Posted: May 28, 2008

Pratibha I love your points also. I encourage other writers to "have a bash" at what self realisation means to them before we move on to Chapter 2. Thanks Pratibha for great initiative. (Also if we are doing in chapters people can always go back to earlier ones)

Posted: May 28, 2008

Well...if we're all allowed to write a little bit I guess I'll give a little contribution:

Ok, so I’m a little young for really having a “self realization” period in my life. I’m only 13, 14 this October. But that’s what the point of this whole thing is: the fact that I don’t really know who I am.
When I first thought “I don’t know who I am” I actually got kind of freaked out, because I thought “what am I thinking? I know who I am. I know my name, I know my family, where I live...” and many thoughts along those lines. But maybe that isn’t who I am. Maybe that adds to who I am, but isn’t the whole thing. After a lot more pondering I discovered that I’m more or less a big huge contradiction. I love being around people, except when I want to be alone. I adore writing, except when I have writers block. And I absolutely love learning, but I kind of hate school.
Then again, why can’t you be two things that might be considered a contradiction? That’s just the way you are. Trying something you’ve tried before and never thought you doesn’t mean your doing something out of character, maybe your just doing something completely in character, just you’d never met that part of you before.

Posted: May 28, 2008

^_^ YES! Anna, thankyou for getting across what I have not been able too. I think peopls think that the persons who chapter it is is suppose to carry on the entire time LOLOLOLOL!!! Oh-No! (laughing) gosh too much responsibilty oh my gosh! LOl. so well thanks and yes to share on the subject was the intention.

Hugs and Kisses: ^_^
so I get that wondering of who you are, that is something we all share. probably because we know our outside purpose to an extent which changes throughout life but we also know that there is much more to us than that. "our inner purpose" haha so that to know ourselves on that deeper level is a hard thing (well not really) it is actually a very easy thing but it is hard to explain because there really are no words for it LOL! 'sorry' but there are words that point to it. ^_^ I think the most beautiful way in which we express our innerness is through poetry. so yes if anyone has poems of that inner quality please feel free to share. thanks guys, and thanks a billion times Pratibha. you are a sweetheart :D

Oh-Oh Pratibha, I ordered a book by Rabindinath Tagore
you know of him, and he has most wonderful inspirational poety. well just wanted to let you know
ok by, see you later..................^_^

Posted: May 29, 2008

Hi guys! Wow, so much thought for such an early hour. But my suggestion would be that the topic starter should email Pratibha and she will put that up as the chapter and then everyone else can comment. If Pratibha doesn't mind giving her email out? Or you could start a gmail account or something?

As to the topic, let's see. Self-realization has always been something I have always been interested in; since I can remember. That's just the way I am. I have always questioned myself, become very aware of who I am, why I do certain things, etc. I am a 'why' person. I always want to know why and that extends to myself. Only in my 20s have I begun to accept most of those things. I think I am now in the stage of becoming who I want to be. Ambitious, aren't I? I've read a lot of religious philosophy, regular philosophy, astrology, science (even Carl Sagan - thank you Air!) and one philosophy has always struck me. Somehow that each of us are in a stage of our soul development and that every life we are here to learn a lesson about ourself; not our physical self, but out spiritual self. I've never told anyone this before, but I truly believe it. But I think the most important part about self-realization is so that we can truly see ourselves and accept ourselves for who we are.

~Emily

Posted: May 29, 2008

^_^ YES! Emily is right; each of us is is a stage of developement. some of us are being pulled at harder than others to evovle LOL man, it is like we have no choice! hahaha well not everything can happen all at once you see because for some strange reason there has to be balance LOL! well ya, or the world might flip over LOL!!!
haha, so, but the outpouring of the ego is still taking place (the outflow and the inflow) some peoples ego's are heading back in while others are not all the way out yet! OK OK I will stop confusing people LOL!

but you have to understand I was not always this way.
this only began happening to me four short years ago.
that enormous presence emanated all around me with an expanded awareness; a stillness that lasted months. haahah I had no idea what was happening, I thought I was dying and that is no bullshit!

I read, and read, and read, and read, trying to figure what has happened to me. I knew it had to do with some sort of spiritual awakening, and I could feel the vibrations through everything. I could sence that the light was falling into us and vibrations were emenating out. I could hold rock in my hand and feel it vibrating. in fact my entire body vibrates at times during meditation to such a degree I wonder if I am about to take off like a rocket LOLOLOL!

My sight changed and I was seeing as if for the first time, but not only that I was also seeing what most people were not. I had not only been healed, but opened. My vision had been opened up.
well, I wanted so bad to be able to heal as in all the eastern books I read, mostly about India (I am in love with India) so I first leaned the healing mantras, and the chakra system, then I went from there to hands on healing, and so forth to channeling the universal energy, which is what I do now.

If people have an inspiring story to tell of healing or meditation it would be SO WONDERFUL ^_^
take care everyone, much love, and sunshine, katie

Posted: May 29, 2008

Hello Pratibha. This is a good initiative. I am sure apart from Katie, too, many others would be glad to be up and here.

Posted: May 29, 2008

where should i put my stories. in this comment box? Just reply.

Posted: May 30, 2008

Anna - I love what you had to say. I think that's true that other people see you differently and maybe sometime their views are more accurate.

As for myself I've had to constantly re-evaluate who I am to myself. I'm forever changing and the views about myself that I had five years ago, aren't the same as those I hold right now. I think self-realization is about being honest with yourself and I've found that not everybody can do that. But, its not about being hard on yourself. Most of us would do good to be kinder to ourselves. Treat yourself as you would a friend and not have all the inner criticism.

Self-realization to me is self-knowledge. Know who you are and accept that if its good and try to change what isn't working.

This is a nice idea you have here Pratibha.

Posted: May 30, 2008

hmm... do i have a page or i should comment my opinion... or am I just dull

Posted: May 30, 2008

I've come to realize that at 31 years old, in some ways I'm still a kid. Yet, my perspective has changed. I'll be turning 32 this summer (totally hating being in my 30's), and to me, self-realization means not just knowing yourself, but knowing your motives. Being honest with yourself. Sometimes it's sudden, sometimes it sneaks upon us.
I once heard a saying that if your perspective at the ages of 20 and 50 are the same, then you've wasted 30 years of your life. It's about changing with ourselves and with our surroundings.
Maybe I'll come up with more later.

MA

Posted: May 30, 2008

Nice idea, Pratibha! So, this is where all writers converge? Emily's idea is great. It makes everything organized.

Posted: May 30, 2008

LOL! MA, totally hate the 30's LOL!
HEY MA! Love you bunches ^_^

hey guys what I have learned to identify between the egoic mind and the higher self is pretty simple;
everything you think say feel or do that is negative
is coming from your ego identity, everything that comes from the heart and not for selfish reasons is your "true identity" this is not to say that when you get angry you should deny that in yourself, but to
be with that feeling, without seeing it as who you are, allow it to just be until it dissapates. I think that when we spew our anger it gets bigger and bigger, it has an electrifying force that pulls with it other thought forms of like/like energy. anger hurts, anger kills, anger destoys everything in it's path. I have to go on here to say that it is not wrong to get mad, but use it as a sign post that you need to see what ever it is in another light.
Some thing for me have been awfully hard to overcome, and my way had always been to place them on the backburner you know? but when I finally did see the person/situation in a different light, then there was forgiveness and a huge opening for the spiritual energy. ^_^
ok that's my contribution tonight. it's the weekend everybody YIPPY!!!!! ^_^ ^_^ ^_^

Posted: May 30, 2008

Hey Pratibha-- I haven't been around much, have I? I'm really sorry!!!!!!!!!!! But can I do this too? It sounds fun:)! I will do whatever you want me to do^_^-- I'm at your command! Lol... I think I did have too much chocolate today... well talk to you later!

Lot's of special chocolate,

CHOCO.

Posted: May 30, 2008

That was such a sweet story about your mother. SHE WALKED THE TALK. I think I love all of you. Everyone has so much to say. It is a very good idea but I can't write unless I am inspired to and that is not very often. I wish I could lay all aside and add a chapter or two, but I don't know unless it happens. And who knows if it will happen, but I think you all are a great bunch of people with so many different ideas. Like a bowl of fruit with all kinds of fruit.

Posted: Jun 2, 2008

At the risk of sounding like very wooley handed pinko-liberal, I feel that self-realisation is a very personal thing, there isn't a one-feeling-fits-all for everybody.

Personally speaking, I see self realisation as something where you accept no matter how old you are, how much you THINK you know, there is still much to be learned from people of all ages, some far older than you, some far younger. It is where you stop finding fault with yourself, be it physically, emotionally, or sexually and accept yourself. Not only accept but love being yourself in a non-egotistical way. A sort of "This is who I am, I cannot change places with or be anyone else but me, I am going to be with me for the rest of my life".

Self-realisation is where you can notice and amalgamate all the influences of your life, cherry-pick and apply the best ones and at least acknowledge the worst but not use the worst to hide behind or excuse yourself.

The best way to see if you are ready is the question "If I were someone else, would I be my friend?"

Posted: Jun 3, 2008

Pratibha, One of the most important things that I've come to realize in my life was the fact; life is short and meant to be shared. After being diagnosed with a serious illness last year I made it a point not to feel sorry for myself but to pick myself up and brush myself off and spend every waking moment I can trying to give my grand-children the best of me. There are days when I don't feel my best but I put a smile on my face and take the necessary steps to show my grands that my heart is full of love for them.

Posted: Jun 6, 2008

Is there going to be any more chapters???

Posted: Jun 11, 2008

Hi! It looks like I'm a little late with this, but I'd like to go ahead and add my two cents worth if that's alright? :)

One of the most important things I'm beginning to realize (for myself), is that, there's something greater than myself that allows all the things in my life to happen - the good, the bad, and the ugly. And all these things are meant to happen, because, as many people have said before, "If it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger." For me, one of these major obstacles is my shy nature. There aren't many people I've met who are more shy than myself, and I used to look down on myself for that, but I'm beginning to realize that my shy nature isn't necessarily a bad thing. I don't have a huge number of friends, but pretty much all the friends I do have are ones I can pour my heart out to. A second major obstacle for me was finding out the fact that the guy I've really liked for years doesn't feel the same way, and that led me to writing poetry. Ever since, I've been writing. It's helped me find my voice. I don't have much of one in everyday life, but I feel like I come alive when I write. That's what my self-realization is - I hope this is similar to what you're looking for. :)

Posted: Jun 15, 2008

Okay! Finally I found it!!! (I've been looking for this for quite a while)

Self-realisation, . . It's quite a muddy concept isn't it? To have total self-realisation you must break through the opaque shell it hides in, waiting for you to need it. Self realisation is different for every person, for one it may be realising and accepting a certain emotion that had once been a mystery, for another it may be finding their niche in the world. *Right here I'm sounding older than I really am, Sorry if I get all philisophical on you guys* For some, it comes earlier than others, it may be more influential for others, maybe the feeling is deeper more pure than anothers and that's all relative. Self realisation comes when one is in perfect harmony with the past, present, and future as well as one's culture, upbringing, and family. It does not mean one has to like/love the way they were raised or even their family, it simply means that they accept it and no longer fight that part of theirself. *See here I go, getting all philosophical on you guys. Sorry!*
I don't know if this is what you guys were looking for in this article, but I put in my two bits and this is what came out. Interprate this how you like.
~Kaori

Posted: Jun 17, 2008

Aww why thank you. I wasn't sure if that was what you guys were talking about, so I had to take a guess.
~Kaori

Posted: Jun 17, 2008

Oh YES!!!!! *GIGANTIC BIG SMILES*
Kaori, said a mouth full ^_^ (a page full) Lol.
Yes, Yes, Yes, go ahead and get all full of philisophicalness (ya I know it's not a word really)
lol! yes, this is good, this is perfect* thanks Pratibha, I am very happy you called me aware of this.....*BIG HUGS* katie

Posted: Jun 19, 2008