Would you give up all distraction for enlightenment?

No more smartphone, no more movies, TV, Non fiction, alcohol, drugs. Give up all that for peace and a pure connection to that which we are all connected.

originally posted by: AshFan
No more smartphone, no more movies, TV, Non fiction, alcohol, drugs. Give up all that for peace and a pure connection to that which we are all connected.

In order to accept this premise, you first have to go with the idea that there definitely is something higher, and with that, we are a part, and therefore eternal.

in which case..plenty of time for that at death, we got a very tiny fraction of a blink of a second time here on earth to explore physical stuff..so seems more important to experience this fleeting distraction than spend most of the time here pondering the natural state of things...

A bit like going to the movies and the whole 2 hours just ignoring the screen and reminding yourself of the parking lot..sort of missing the point of going to the movies, no?

a reply to: AshFan

It wouldn't be hard, i remember life without them, it was called The 1970s

Granted.. they did have banana phones and highly manipulative pay phones (Radio Shack helped as well.).

Living like the little house on the prairie though, err that would be somewhat more difficult but doable, as long there were razors soap and a usable latrine indoors.

But regarding your more important question about enlightenment? I don't need to, i've tried this and found my ultimate answer, the one that gave me peace of mind, stopped the mind chatter completely at will, and brought out a new understanding of what this reality actually entails.

a reply to: AshFan

Devices, 'vices', connecting the dots.

a reply to: AshFan

I remember a scene from one not so infamous film. The protagonist enters the palace of important maharajah, or similar hindu/arabic(not sure which) character. In the process of conversation the neutral to our protagonist character, reveals a lot of profound wisdoms, which will turn to help the development of the script. Anyway, our protagonist was not expecting such an insights from the maharajah. In his eyes(an the ones of the audience) a palace full of half naked girls, with rooms dimmed by heavy tobacco smoke from hookah is the last one where to search profound wisdoms. And rich spoiled maharajah like that one, is the last one to be asked for advice. Yet the maharajah turns to be not what he is looking like. His last words, totally out of the context of the conversation were something like this:

[looks to the protagonist, while puffing from the hookah] "Remember my friend, extremities are the shortest path to enlightenment"

So, in short, take this quote as my answer to your question.

Seems this con man had a very lucrative and enticing business model for enlightenment. Get high and have sex... count me in right? Just another sham "holy" man.

a reply to: AshFan

No.

I would give those things up for the love of a good woman though. But ONLY for that, and to be honest, a good woman would not want me to.

originally posted by: AshFan
Seems this con man had a very lucrative and enticing business model for enlightenment. Get high and have sex... count me in right? Just another sham "holy" man.

imo all this enlightenment BS is just a marketing ploy to sell books and CDs on how to get there.

The truly enlightened have no desire to desire to let others know about it. After all the Buddah didn't even have a web site.

originally posted by: olaru12

originally posted by: AshFan
Seems this con man had a very lucrative and enticing business model for enlightenment. Get high and have sex... count me in right? Just another sham "holy" man.

imo all this enlightenment BS is just a marketing ploy to sell books and CDs on how to get there.

The truly enlightened have no desire to desire to let others know about it. After all the Buddah didn't even have a web site.

Started by Thomas Edison and his "light bulb"

originally posted by: AshFan
No more smartphone, no more movies, TV, Non fiction, alcohol, drugs. Give up all that for peace and a pure connection to that which we are all connected.

Absolutely!

Growing up I lived on a farm and we didn't have cell phones. Life was simple and good.

Todays kids have no clue what it is like to be connected to nature and the natural ways of life.

Technology will be the death of the human race imo.

a reply to: MamaJ

The local interstellar cloud is literally the hand of God.

If enlightenment means the knowledge of all that is and the wisdom to apply it not just for self but others
Then ... It is not a destination but an eternal journey

Nothing wrong with any technological devices
There is nothing wrong with anything ... it is how it is applied/used

So for me one (enlightenment) does not distract from the other (technology)

But True Brit said it for me ... Love is the best thing in this world and the next
Love does not care about enlightenment it just is
Love is a lesson to be learnt and has many fascets
As such I am still wearing my L plates

a reply to: SaturnFX


Aha! The "Physical" stuff and partying, self-indulgence in the material world is the way to go, right? Spoken like a true citizen of the consumer world.

a reply to: AshFan

No way.

When losing yourself in the moment is part of that process called enlightenment, why should I stop distracting myself from this big ego of mine in order to find the real me?
Distractions don't necessarily reduce awareness, do they?

a reply to: AshFan

I would.........and I have for all too short periods of time and it's incredibly refreshing, enlightening and peaceful.

Beautiful times, albeit all too brief. It is an addictive experience. Everyone should try it at least once. Do so and you will find that by some means I can't describe, our energies become connected to and in tune with the universal cosmic hum of consciousness. Try it.

originally posted by: AshFan
a reply to: MamaJ

The local interstellar cloud is literally the hand of God.

What makes you say that? You should read the thread... lots of cool stuff.

a reply to: MamaJ

I did, and had input, but not permission.

a reply to: PublicOpinion

You have probably never met the "real" you. Been to busy.

a reply to: AshFan

There is even a book to read when/IF You arrive. May I present:

www.amazon.com...

I have this book and will route it to any ATS™ member who wishes to read it w/the proviso that when You're done reading it that You too send it on it's way.. Just send a U2U and to whom to send it (fake names are 'okay') and where to send it..

It actually reads in the book itself to read it and leave it; it's not meant to be read over and over. There is a real interesting section on Bell'sTheorem which explains the connectivity of ALL Souls...

Re: the thread-

Once You get "there" ALL of the above loses it's significance. I check this site for My "news" (what once was 'old' is 'new' again..) a bass fishing site for any new equipment news and a Weather/Solunar Charts site. I haven't used a cell phone since 2000. I've whittled My schedule down to 2 'D's the Dog-park and doing the dishes. If I do both of these then I've had a "Full Day" some would call it a 'Fool Day' but it suits Me. I do a lot of Meditation and it seems the more I do the better off I am..

Stay Hydrated...