Gaia: Living Metaphysics - Related Philosophies, Books & Authors

Re: John Randolph Price - The Super Beings

http://EliRoberson.gaia.com — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:37:37 GMT

The real meaning of the word siddhi is best expressed by word such as "attainment," or "accomplishment" connected with the super physical words.

Traditionally siddhis are eight in number, known as asta siddhi. Asta siddhi is of three orders, two siddhis of knowledge (garima and prapti), three siddhis of power (isitva, vasitva, and kamavasayitva), and three siddhis of the body (anima, mahima, and laghima):

    1. Anima: the ability to become as minute as an atom
    2. Mahima: the ability to expand infinitely
    3. Laghima: levitation or ability to float through the air
    4. Garima:the ability to reach everywhere
    5. Prapti: The ability to manifest any object one desires within one's hand. This siddhi removes the limitations of space which separate two objects from each other.
    6. Isitva: the ability to create or control
    7. Vasitva: The ability to bring others under one's control.
    8. Kamavasayitva: The ability to attain anything anywhere, the gift of wish-fulfillment. This is the highest of the eight and contains most of the abilities of the other perfections.

The Hindu thought generally recognizes eight siddhis, though occasionally eighteen and twenty - four siddhis are also acknowledged. In the "Uddhava Gita" twenty-three siddhis are enumerated. The "Tirumantiram" speaks to sixty-four siddhis. In "Patahjal's Yoga Sutra" sixty-eight siddhis are classified. Some other scriptures mention sixty-four or eighty-four siddhis.

For example, some of the secondary siddhis are:

The ability to be free from hunger and thirst, living simply on "prana" the life air. The ability to hear things far away (without usig a telephone <smile>). The ability to see things far away using a mystic vision. The ability to travel simply by thinking of the destination. The ability to to change one's physical body at will. The ability to enter the bodies of others. The ability to control the time of one's death. The ability to know past, present and future. The ability to tolerate heat, cold and other dualities. The ability to read minds.
A "Siddha person" is one who has attained siddhi, these special psychic and supernatural powers. Siddhis indicate that the person has progressed to a stage of inner development which allows him to reach the ultimate goal of liberation.

In Science, we try to understand the laws of nature and apply this understanding to our advantage. The siddhis are also similar.

More you progress in your path, more you understand nature's laws, thus "attaining" these "powers". Miracles are in accordance with the laws of Nature.To a common man these appear "super-normal" but then, flying in a jet plane, talking long distance using a tiny cell phone, walking on the moon etc. would have been considered super-normal not too long ago too.

It has been the experience of those who have walked the path that many travellers STOP at this stage. They attain the "siddhis" and start displaying them. There is a definite danger of getting misguided and lured back to enjoy worldly comforts and sensual pleasures because it is very easy to obtain them using these powers. The desire for attracting popular notice through a display of siddhis shows immaturity. Those who have attained self-realization will not exhibit it and only those who have not attained self-realization would exhibit it. These powers are terrible entangling webs detrimental to the higher ideals of man to approach the Almighty God. Those who are anxious to see miracles are not true seekers.

According to Patanjali, the ancient sage, whose work "Yoga Darshana" is the ultimate authority on Yoga, siddhis are perfections in the waking state (vyutthana) but represent obstacles in the state of samadhi-the ultimate aim, and allows them no importance for the attainment of deliverance. Patanjali drew attention not only to the danger of exhibiting siddhis, but to the dangers that they present to the possessor; for the person is in danger of yielding to the temptation of magic, of being content to enjoy the siddhis instead of sticking to his spiritual talk of obtaining final liberation.

There is a risk of regression, sometimes by several life-cycles, caused by the the psychic and spiritual trauma when these powers are misused.

There is also a great risk of physical damage in trying to use these powers without proper safeguards and caution.

In Vedic culture, the sages have indicated in the past that exhibiting miracles using yogic powers by one for individual gain, name and fame, or for other individual interests, would bring the downfall of a yogi. As a result, all sages have condemned it.

The aim of those following spiritual discipline is to become free from the desire to lord over material nature. Those seeking mystic perfections are motivated by their desire to control matter, subtle and gross. Those who are sincerely interested in spiritual life should try their best to become free from such material desires.

There are certain siddhis that a guru can use, but only out of compassion for others. Supernatural powers used by a guru are not for self-gain or to gather a following, but are used to reduce suffering in order to bring people to their true identity. Jesus basically used his powers out of compassion and to heal.

Re: John Randolph Price - The Super Beings

http://yhd52754.gaia.com — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:04:56 GMT

OM,

I found myself feeling aligned with your thoughts here. Really, I have no knowledge about it but feel as you express it here. If time and space don't really exist, and if we have a core self that is eternal, then all of our incarnations in any time and place are really in the moment of now. I have heard it described as the layers of an Onion. Whole but separate bits.

The Prices definitely have a Christian bias. Jesus probably was evolved. At the least, he has my respect for being a household name - at least in Western countries. Michael Bernard Beckwith is more into the ONENESS, the WHOLENESS, than Price, seeking to be very multi-denominational, very appreciative of all masters from various paths. He has fewer and therefore simpler categories but I found Price's more elaborate perspective helpful.

Gosh, I don't have perfect health, perfect control of my emotions or eating, I have big problems with my everyday "humanity normal" world. Like you, I know I'm exhibiting some higher Phases but also lower ones, too. And that is very typical. Beckwith talks about how some areas of one's life will be at different stages than other areas, so we each are a mix.

I still need to read Eli's links. I've just not had time. I've also asked for some elaboration on what he said here. He's promised to get back to me. He did say of his last line "Healer ! Heal thyself " that this -

" was addressed generally because I felt that upon reading the text, some people might feel motivated to begin practicing healing with whatever little powers they might have sensed within themselves. THAT WOULD BE DANGEROUS. So I put in a word of caution in my comment."

More later, from the book . . .

Deb

Re: John Randolph Price - The Super Beings

http://EliRoberson.gaia.com — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:18:29 GMT

It is a continuum, somewhat like a rainbow.

Some of the "characteristics" described in the classification are known as Siddhi

A true seeker would NEVER ever be attracted by these siddhis, they are allurements and would invariably stagnate the seeker.

The Tantric path is a shortcut to master these siddhis, and unless the person has a true Guru to guide through these powerful obstacles (the siddhis), the person would regress many lifecycles back in the journey.

I found this link which roughly describes The Siddhis and the Chakras.

"Healer ! Heal thyself"

Re: John Randolph Price - The Super Beings

http://ADLIAC.gaia.com — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:13:10 GMT

Wow, thank you for all this, Deb. What a labor of love, to input all this and include your commentary. Loved reading all of it.

I like dividing things into phases, and Price's descriptions seem as good as any, to me.

I certainly don't know whether Jesus Christ was an 11 or 12. There isn't much to suggest he was. And I am not at all sure he was the last on earth.

I do know that Earth's field of vibration is uplifting, so people will be moving through these stages faster and we will be seeing more and more people at the higher stages quite quickly now.

I don't know where to place those of us who are aware of Phase Eleven activities that our soul does at night and even during the day outside of our conscious awareness, though we are without the siddhis described as characteristic of earlier levels. I believe that each human embodiment has levels of "self" on the higher dimensions who are concurrently at all the levels described here, so what looks like evolution of the human self I see actually as simply increasing re-claiming of the human self by the upper levels of that same self. So it's "always already" rather than ego-attainment. No seeking is necessary; Spirit is in charge of it all.

The human is completely composed of and operated by the more advanced selves at all times, so while we experience having choices that seem to advance us spiritually, in truth our "earlier phases" are an illusion, a project of the advanced selves, and the project is simply undone when it's time. Nonetheless, it's important to play the game of making choices (to advance ourselves) as long as we have the experience of making them. At some point, that drops out, and there is only One Will evident everywhere at all times.

Well, that's a rambling, and perhaps a heretical view.

I might place my highest functioning at a Nine, but there are many aspects of my life which don't fit that description, so may be at 6-7. I don't have financial abundance or perfect health etc. manifested as of this moment. But again, I am not at all sure this reflects any immaturity and inability. There are other factors operating, such as Divine Timing for the fulfillment of one's Life Purpose, which has to be coordinated by Spirit on upper levels amongst the millions of people involved. Some mark time waiting for others.

So that's another complexity. Nonetheless, his analysis is helpful to ponder.

Thank you again, Deb. I wish I had time to write more, and return to the matter of Grace. But at least I included the essence of what I mean.

Love, OM Bastet

Re: The Twelve Phases from The Super Beings

http://yhd52754.gaia.com — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:30:09 GMT

Some personal observations and comments on the Twelve Phases of Conscious Evolution described in The Super Beings.

Certainly, for all my teasing, my husband is definitely a Phase One, like the majority of people living on Earth today. He is morally ethical and a hard worker and in my life because he keeps me grounded, while I evolve. I am certain that he also gains somewhat from the merging of our energies and exposure to me. This is not said arrogantly or because I think I am "better" than him in any way, for he is a harder worker and a more patient parent than I am. He has a role and I think that it is interesting that he is also an Aries, as though I needed a hint from the Universe as to where he is on his own path. I say he is in this phase because he is totally physical and mental in an earthy sense. He has absolutely no belief in anything he can't discern with his senses and no religious or spiritual basis whatsoever.

It is a bit humorous but totally intentional that we found each other (for I had attended a Jack Canfield seminar and was ready to manifest a live together relationship at that point, and I did take active steps to attract such a relationship to myself, and he was also looking for a mate in the same time period (who wasn't from or part of this rural area), for he had started life and spent his childhood in the urban environment of St Louis, before choosing a country life for himself and encouraging my in-laws to retire here). From the beginning, I liked that his idea of having fun is doing something out of doors or with his family.

We are almost of one mind when it comes to our business strategies and daily work. That we have survived 20+ years in 24/7 proximity to each other as home-based business partners and homeschooling parents says a lot about our earthly compatibility. I say almost because he is almost totally business or family, with an interest in environmental and political issues.

I go beyond that - because spirituality is VERY important to me, and my need for more than the things he chooses for his life, he has difficulty understanding, but grudgingly accepts (which does cause a bit of tension at times) - that it is the way I am and can not be taken from me, without putting the relationship in grave danger. Some of my Gaian friends have expressed sympathy that my husband doesn't share my spiritual interests but I've no doubt that I am where I belong, at least for the present time and really, I have no inclination for that to end in this lifetime. I love the private wilderness that living with him allows me the pleasure and recharging beauty and solitude of. I continue to be attracted to him physically, even after all these years, though that in no way dominates our relationship, which has settled into comfortability.

Many Gaians, and many who are drawn to this group, have reached Phase Two. I would say that the majority of Gaians are out of Phase One. There may be a Phase One show up in this community from time to time (they usually don't last long and go to Facebook - just an inside joke, there is NOTHING wrong with Facebook - I do mean that, though I have little time for the predominance of "play" that takes place there). Some Phase Ones really fit in with the environmental focus of the Gaia community but some of those don't last here because the spirituality of the community "bothers" them. I think that those who have expressed a dislike of the "spiritual" aspects of the Gaia community may have also run into a Phase Three that has a marked "superiority" complex (many tele-evangelists are of this stage as well).

The movie - The Secret - actually appeals to this Phase Two or Three stage of development and may be a factor that entices a Phase One into becoming a Phase Two, which is really the redeeming aspect of the blatant commercialism, consumerism and acquisitiveness of that movie's focus.

At this point, I feel it is necessary to add, I started in what Michael Bernard Beckwith describes as Stage Two - "To It, By Us" Manifester in the 1980s (Stage One - "Done To Us" in his 4 stage description as being the Victim consciousness - life is doing stuff to you and it is beyond your ability to prevent bad things from happening - "if it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all" kind of thinking).

The 1980s was when I started attending a Science of Mind church in St Louis and met the Prices. That was when I first manifested a brand new car - and yes, it was not a miracle, it unfolded in a perfectly natural, though definitely unexpected way. My grandmother (who was spiritually evolved and had a fantastic abundance consciousness) decided "out of the blue", not because I asked her directly, that I should have a "brand-new" car. Of course, she may have been influenced by the thoroughly ugly car I had, when she first visited me after I moved to St Louis. It could have just as easily been a bit more exciting - like winning a contest. Lottery winners are manifesting abundance, whether they do so consciously or not. In this case, I actually started my effort to get a "brand-new" car by entering contests to "win a new car". I entered several, and that was when I had the realization, that I might be contradicting my demonstration, because on the third entry it was for a different make and model of car. That was when, I actually began entering Phase Four. It is one of the most difficult stages but absolutely necessary to fine tune skill, belief or faith, and gain proficiency. During this time, I also manifested home ownership as a single woman (the first home I was ever an owner of, up to that point in my lifetime, my 30s).

I still share examples of my own manifestations in this Living Metaphysics group, such as the thrill of going to Celebrate Your Life in Chicago last June, because I think they make good case studies of how to "do it", for those just now entering upon "the Path". There is still a bit of wonderment and excitement for me, even after all these years and many, many demonstrations, when I can manifest something that I would consider "skilled", as in having to overcome significant obstacles to do so. Yet, my sharing is not for "superiority" reasons, for I know that any one here can manifest whatever they can come into vibrational alignment with (if you don't understand that concept, Abraham-Hicks material is very good at explaining it clearly).

In Phase Four, you have had a bit of practice and you know there is something to it, and you also fear that the wrong thought can really bounce back at you and it actually can. You also experience disappoint, when you are just certain you will succeed and you don't. It is more than a bit deflating. It can make you quite gun-shy. I had a young student who really is quite evolved already (even as he came into this life), who doesn't like metaphysics for this very reason. He does not want his fearful thoughts manifesting, he does not want to believe the bad things that happen, are because he has any kind of creative influence over their existence. He still believes in more than a bit of the Victim consciousness.

In Phase Five, you really begin to hit your stride and there really is no going back entirely, from that point on. How far and how fast you continue to evolve may be influenced by many factors but you know metaphysics is "for real". You may even experience set-backs at this stage but they are usually turned around rather quickly. You practice a lot but not with a lot of effort in doing so, you simply use the techniques you have learned and developed, based upon your needs at any given moment. Life is good.

I actually know a Phase Six right now and it really is just as described here. It is a beautiful state of being and yet, at times, it can be confusing in its own ways and a bit of a let-down. Confusing, because you want for nothing, enjoy life fully but do not always fit in with other people around you. They may find you a bit "spacey". Also, you may be under the impression that work you did previously was un-necessary (that isn't true, though) or that there is no where else to go from here. You have arrived. Consider it like a well-earned vacation, if you find yourself in this phase.

I actually spent a good deal of my marriage in Phase Seven (making life good) or coasting back in Phase Six, when times were easy. Mostly, I applied my understanding to helping to grow our business. When we decided to have children after 10 years of marriage - son # 1 came almost effortlessly but there was a little challenge to our decision at the beginning, that determination overcame. Son # 2 took alot of spiritual effort as we experienced failures and setbacks but he is the sweetest, most loving and the most spiritually evolved of my two sons. I believe my "practice" during his conception and early pregnancy shows in his temperment. During those years, I rarely had to do more than "know" God was in charge and all was well but I wrote and applied many spiritual mind treatments and studied the outcomes casually, for clues and refinement.

I entered Phase Eight when I joined Gaia and started Living Metaphysics and that is where I still am. In my Life Visioning since Feb of this year, I have been shown that my next stage is Phase Nine and the path is available for me to go there in this lifetime. I do have marital, business and family issues that challenge my perception of whether I will actually express that. I am happy knowing that I may and not overly attached to whether I will. I just keep letting it unfold. I noticed in Chicago that the presenters there (all Nines) seemed like contemporaries. None, even my dear Mr Beckwith who called me Sis, seemed to be "above" me in the ability of my own self to experience a similar lifestyle. I felt a "commonality" with every one of them while I was there.

I know that some come to me, when they need a healing of some sort, and I am always willing to do what I can, always recognizing that it is not up to me to "make them whole or healed". I will lend insight, prayer and energy to their own desire "on request" and for some, I do that even without their awareness because I sense some need. I would also note that recently, Eli, identified me as a healer and shared with me a technique from his own philosophical, religious, spiritual practice.

Eli is a member of this group and the inspired thought that brought One Light Many Windows and the 9:09 Gaia Minute into manifestation. I would personally categorize him as no less than a Phase Ten - an Earth Master. He is definitely going into Phase Eleven - a Universal Master, if he isn't an Eleven already, then that is where he is headed after this physical lifetime. If you read the description above of a Ten, you will recognize him as I do, and have no doubt that he has mastered such. I do not know enough to say if he is already beyond that.

So, that is my personal comments and insights on the validity of John Randolph Price's description of the Twelve Phases of Conscious Evolution. I welcome any one else to contribute, anyone who would like to share where they think they currently are and why, to join in this discussion. It is always nice to have "company" upon "the Path".

Peace & Blessings -
Deb

Re: The Twelve Phases from The Super Beings

http://yhd52754.gaia.com — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:14:03 GMT

From John Randolph Price in The Super Beings book, pgs 20-27

The Twelve Phases

If every student of Truth wore an identification tag, you would be amazed at the number and variety of people on "the Path". ... there is a good possibility that a man or woman you know by name may even be an Illumined One - a true Superbeing.

... In describing these various phases I have covered only the basic characteristics of each level. I should mention that an individual may tap into the Power during his various stages and encounter experiences far above the norm for his present evolvement - such as a Phase Seven materializing form out of the ethers, an individual in Phase Three speaking the word for a healing in a highly critical situation, or a Phase One person experiencing psychic phenomena.

...However, it is not until the Sixth Level has been attained that a person can be consider a true Superbeing - based on our current knowledge of the evolution of consciousness.

Phase One

A Phase One person may or may not have an awareness of his true identity - and if he does, it is only an assumption; there is no comprehension of the real meaning of this revelation. However, a person in this category may have a strong self-image as a human being, and even though his overall belief system may be faulty, he can on occasion "pull himself up by his bootstraps" and overcome handicaps and achieve a degree of success through sheer sweat, strain and personal will power. At the present time, the majority of people are in a Phase One consciousness - regardless of how "religious" they may profess to be.

Phase Two

In Phase Two, the understanding faculty is beginning to develop on an intellectual level. You perceive and approve of the idea that there is a Power within you, another Self on a higher vibrational level, a pattern of Perfection that is the potential You, a Higher Nature that can be brought forth into expression. It is all still a theory at this stage, but there is much enthusiasm for reading, studying and exploring of new ideas. There is interest in the techniques of self-actualization, mind dynamics, meditation, visualization and affirmations. Your mind is beginning to open and you are fascinated by your new discoveries.

Phases Three

The Phase Three person begins to feel subjectively that "Man's not all included between his hat and his boots" as Walt Whitman put it. But the primary emphasis is on what can be done with "mind power" - basically a mental approach with little superconscious or spiritual foundation. The individual on the third rung usually tries to give the impression of being a bit mystical - the "I know something you don't" attitude, resulting in an exaggerated ego and much false pride. And when a Phase Three man or woman demonstrates a particular good, heaven help everyone within shouting distance because the experience is going to be told over and over again. If you can identify with this level, you know that you spend too much time trying to convert others to your "new" way of thinking with philosophical jargon that does nothing but turn people away. And you are retarding your own progress in the process. The key to moving past this stage is to keep your lips sealed and let the Power grow and develop.

Phase Four

The Fourth Phase must be entered into with great caution, because it is this stage of consciousness that most Superbeings-in-training experience the greatest difficulty. In Phase Four, the Truth or spiritual faculty has been partially developed in your deeper mind, but is not ready for full expression. But because the consciousness tunes in at times to this illumined awareness, so-called miracles will occur, and there will be opportunities for magnificent demonstrations of the Power at work. At the same time, you may also find that your optimism is ahead of your understanding and errors in judgment will result, plunging you into a "how could this possibly happen" state of mind. It is not until the Truth idea is fully manifest in consciousness that "miracle follows miracle and wonders never cease".

Phase Five

In Phase Five, an individual's consciousness is directed toward the good at least fifty-one percent of the time, ie the positive thoughts and feelings outweigh the negative. Now the clouds seem to part and more sunshine than ever comes into your life. There is more harmony, money is more plentiful, those old aches and pains are not as frequent, and things seem to be "right" in your life. The exceptional heights of sudden miracles and the deep valleys of futility experienced in Phase Four have passed, and there is more stability and order in life. The marvels and wonders indeed continue, but they are now recognized as the natural outpicturing of an uplifted consciousness rather than as supernormal. But there is a caution light on this level, too. People on the path say that Phase Five is straight and narrow, and if the shield of protection from the race mind is not strong enough to ward off concentrated negative influences, the scales of your mental atmosphere may be tipped and you'll find yourself backsliding into the roller coaster ride of Phase Four again. It is during the Fifth stage that a firm and definite commitment must be made, a covenant with your Higher Self, an unwavering dedication to principle. In essence, you now take your vows to achieve mastery.

Phase Six

Phase Six is the beginning of mastery, a dying to the old consciousness and a rebirth into a new understanding of the cosmic power within. This consciousness knows only spiritual man, and is content to simply experience this joyful communion. Very little outer work is done during this stage, and is thus referred to as the "sabbath" by the evolving souls. When you reach this level, you know you are the Power, but being a time of rest, the knowing is sufficient. By the Law of Consciousness, you experience harmony, but there is no strong desire to reach out and demonstrate your realization.

The next 6 phases, Seven through Twelve, signify the evolving consciousness culminating in total Mastery.

Phase Seven

As a Seven, you understand that you now have the power to establish a life of heaven on earth in this incarnation - and you begin to use the power accordingly. Creative imagination becomes a major factor in this stage and through it, you find the world shaping to your thoughts. You are quickly "placed" in work that is best suited for your talents and where you can experience the greatest fulfillment. There is financial security because you "see" all the money needed to achieve your purposes being attracted to you in abundant measure - and so it is. Your health is excellent, and your relationships with others loving and caring. The basic thinking of a Seven is to get his life up to the standard of his highest vision, and to achieve the maximum degree of livingness. And while it sounds as though a Seven is completely self-oriented, it must be pointed out that this stage represents a greater degree of givingness than the others before it. Reason: A Seven knows that he cannot use the power for himself without decreeing the same good for all others within the range of his consciousness and beyond. So as he sees himself as whole and complete, he sees everyone else according to the same divine standard. This is "loving thy neighbor as thyself".

Phase Eight

In Phase Eight, you know that your life is now in a more advanced stage - you are reaching wholeness in mind and body and your spiritual nature is in a higher degree of radiation. Your desires are fulfilled, so your attention begins to focus outwardly almost exclusively, and as if "by chance" people are attracted to you for guidance and counseling. In this phase you have remarkable healing powers for another's body and affairs, but your effectiveness depends to a great extend on the receptivity of the individual being treated. For that reason, you usually will not attract those who knew you when you were living out of a lower-vibration consciousness. It is during this stage that you will find a new light on the ancient Truth teachings. This Gift of wisdom and understanding will enable you to develop a new way of thinking and teaching based on the extension of this sacred body of Knowledge, and you will spend much time absorbing these new concepts and preparing the "message" for the people of the world.

Phase Nine

A Phase Nine person tends to "go public" with his Message. Here, your tendency is to attract a following for your particular teaching and miracle works. Where an Eight is more individual oriented, the Nine Man is committed to service on a much broader scale. The founders of Unity, Religious Science, The Infinite Way, and other New Thought groups were most likely men and women in this state of consciousness, along with many other spiritual teachers and writers of the past and present who are making significant contributions to the uplifting of the race mind.

Phase Ten

An individual in Phase Ten is an Earth Master, with dominion over matter and the forces of nature. He has the ability to project his spirit body and be seen at two places at the same time, and clairvoyance, clairaudience, telepathy and precognition are a part of his nature. Translating pure energy into visible form is another characteristic of a Ten. But it is interesting that as a soul passes from Phase Nine to Ten, he begins to separate himself from the masses and goes apart for a more solitary life of meditation and contemplation. Even so, the Power of a Ten radiates throughout the earth plane, enveloping the world with a light of an illumined consciousness. Others on the path frequently "tune in" to the consciousness of a Ten, with spectacular changes occurring in mind, body and affairs. Thus the evolution through the various phases is helped considerably by these Earth Masters.

Phase Eleven

Phase Eleven is the stage for Universal work, not only on earth but in other dimensions as well. A Master in this stage of evolution is able to move from the earth plane to the realms beyond and return at will. While a Master Ten is concerned primarily with earth life, the Master Eleven is more universal in scope, working on both sides of the "curtain" - helping in the evolution of all souls. The Masters frequently referred to in occult literature and in the ancient writings are in this stage of soul development.

Phase Twelve

A Soul in Phase Twelve is a Master of Heaven and Earth, and as far as we know, the last Twelve on Planet Earth was Jesus Christ.

The great majority of the advanced trainees and the Superbeings themselves (Phases Six through Nine) - are living lives that appear to be ordinary from all appearances. They raise families, pursue meaningful careers, watch television, enjoy vacations, engage in social activities, and participate in civic and community affairs. The more advanced they are, the less they talk about their abilities - so you can enjoy a friendship with one and possibly not realize that he or she is actively working with the Power in this life experience. ... The only truly recognizable feature of an advanced soul is the feeling you pick up when you are around one. Intuitively you know that you are in the presence of a higher consciousness; you sense a love vibration, a deep sense of peace, a radiance not usually expressed by ordinary mortals.

Re: Tao - The Way of Lao-tzu

http://Meenakshi.gaia.com — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:59:26 GMT

Deb, this is a real treasure and it is just amazing and wonderful that your MIL gifted you this find in this way. We are blessed that you will share it with us.

Re: Tao - The Way of Lao-tzu

http://fastdarter.gaia.com — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:27:59 GMT

Very interesting find Deb..
This link has some hidden treasures in it.
I will find a copy and read it at depth..
I lov your intention..and discern its depth.

Re: Tao - The Ma-Wang-Tui Manuscripts

http://yhd52754.gaia.com — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:48:55 GMT

I found a new version of the Tao Te Ching at my mother's cabin last night, as we were cleaning out my in-laws personal belongings from their bedroom. I remember loaning my MIL The Tao of Pooh and The Te of Piglet, after I had read that book by Benjamin Hoff, which was my own first exposure to the Tao Te Ching. I believe it likely that she purchased this version after reading that.

So, I took a look at our current Verse 71, to see if it was different enough, to begin including this reference resource in our own study. I was very pleased with how different it was. Then, I read the translator's preface this morning, and not only do I think some of his thoughts are worth sharing here - but I discovered that he uses a different numbering method. Therefore, # 71 will be moved to # 27 where it will be more helpful to us (the link above, should take you there - to # 27). See note at the bottom of this post for more information on that aspect.

Victor Mair mentions that the Tao Te Ching is the most translated book next to the Bible and the Bhagavad Gita. He lists the reasons that he believes that is so.

[1] The Tao Te Ching is considered to be the fundamental text of both philosophical and religious Taoism. In fact, "The Way" is at the heart of ALL Chinese religion and thought. The core belief being that there is a single, overarching Way that encompasses everything in the universe, which is the similarity that the Tao Te Ching shares with other major religious scriptures.

[2] It is brief; few classics are so short and yet, so packed with insights that it encourages repeated readings.

[3] Paradox is the essence of the Tao Te Ching. Even scholars with a solid grounding in classical Chinese cannot be sure they have grasped its intended message.

The discovery in 1973, by Chinese archaeologists, of 2 ancient, silk manuscripts at Ma-wang-tui, in central China about a hundred miles south of the Yangtze River, was exciting to scholars because they include 49 other important items, including the earliest extant version of the Book of Changes. The tombs were from the Han Dynasty (over 2,000 yrs old).

The translator feels that these manuscripts are much more intelligible than the old standard editions because millennia of distortions and obfuscations had occured in attempts to "improve" the text, with commentaries and interpretations, that served special interest's needs, such as religious, philosophical and political aspects of living.

The translator finds working with the Ma-Wang-Tui manuscripts a stimulating challenge, as well as inspiring, more difficult than using the standard editions would be. A personal breakthrough, for the translator himself, came as he worked with these manuscripts. The nearness of their dating to the original Tao Te Ching naturally preserves, more faithfully, many of the features of the oral wisdom upon which it is based.

Mr Mair spent 2 months trying to arrive at a satisfactory translation for Te. The choice of "integrity" is based on etymology and careful consideration of the 44 times it occurs in the text. In time, he came to understand it meant the totality of an individual, including their moral stance, whether good or bad. The archaic forms of the Chinese character for Te signified the holistic inner quality or character of a person. The components were an eye looking straight ahead, and the heart, and a sign for movement or behavior. Some of the unknown texts, that were found at the site, contain elaborate discussions of the metaphysical questions related to Te, which he found useful, as he contemplated its intended meaning.

The translator brought historical linguistics and a desire to accurately convey such aspects as poetic beauty, meaningful layout and formatting of verses, parallelism, antithesis, employing sometimes rhyme, other times consonance, assonance among other familiar poetic techniques. It was his hope to be able to replicate the effects of the original, while translating it in his own language. Therefore, he did not seek to ameliorate roughness, or unintentionally lose a lyrical quality, because the style of the Tao Te Ching varies greatly between verses.

The voices that speak through the Tao Te Ching include the Taoist mystic, the political strategist, the utopian architect, the anti-Confucian philosopher, the clairvoyant poet, the meditative Yogin which the translator calls concertstuck. For it is his belief, that the Tao Te Ching represents the accumulated wisdom of centuries, not the enterprise of one author and indicates the title "Sayings of the Old Masters" would be accurate.

The translator also noticed an intimate relationship of the Tao Te Ching with the Bhagavad Gita, having read both in their original languages repeatedly and attentively over a period of 20 years. He has found many similarities between Indian Yoga and Chinese Taoism. He has arrived at 3 explanations for this -

[1] China borrowed the Yogic system and its attendant practices from India;

[2] India borrowed Taoism and its attendant practices from China;

or

[3] Both India and China were the recipients of inspiration from a third source.
(deb's note - bold emphasis mine)

He feels that it is ultimately of little consequence whether Taoism is indebted to Yoga or Yoga to Taoism, they are both unique manifestations of a common human heritage.

Verse Numbering -
It is going to be a challenge for me to post his verses, his number in parentheses does seem to match our "main" number. So, my earlier post today in Verse 71 will have to be moved to Verse 27. I will show "our" number on top and his order number below in parentheses. Therefore, the traditional number will show on top. He says regarding the numbering of the verses, which he employs in his translation, "The number running consecutively from 1 to 81 follow the sequence of the Ma-wang-tui manuscripts. The numbers in parentheses indicate the corresponding chapters of the previous standard test."

I know this is confusing, because it was for me, but just so you understand that in order to make the verses comparable from one author to the next, I will show the Ma-wang-tui sequence number in parentheses. The opposite of how it shows in his book.

It is my intention to begin working backward through the Tao Te Ching, when I have completed all 81 verses. I plan to construct an index, so that the order in which they appear in the room will never matter. Whether one is looking for a particular verse or should one wish to read the verses from 1 to 81, they will be able to utilize the index link, to go directly to the verse they want to read.

My final intention will be to post comments of my own, synthesizing my insights with the various essays and insights of the authors I have chosen for our study here.

Peace & Blessings -
Deb

Re: Universal Laws thread

http://yhd52754.gaia.com — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:43:35 GMT

Denise,

Thanks for reminding me. I actually started bringing that over here in this Universal Laws thread. I see we did not get past # 2 - The Law of Divine Grace (which makes it ever so cool that OM brought that topic into this discussion) and so, this is a good reminder to revisit that and pick up the discussion of it again. There was quite a bit of conversation stimulated in that Universal Laws thread, when it was active.

Peace & Blessings -
Deb

Re: John Randolph Price - The Super Beings

http://yhd52754.gaia.com — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:38:56 GMT

Here are some excerpts from The Super Beings that caught my attention, as I re-read this book -

From the Author's Preface pg xvi-xvii -

"I remember one individual who was obviously many levels above me in terms of consciousness advising me to be careful. He said, "When you make the initial contact with the inner Realm, you have available only the amount of creative energy that has been stored as a reserve in your deeper mind. When you tap that energy, it proceeds to work wonders in your life, but at some point in time the energy will be depleted and you will once again be functioning on your own limited human resources. You see, you are still relying on mental work, rather than hooking up with the Dynamo within. Consciously and to a degree, subsconsciously, you know that there is a power at work in and through you, but at this point, there is a power and there is your mind. They are not yet as one; the concept has not been embodied as an individual identity."

Later on that same page, he describes

"Superbeings" - "people who have dominion over all outer experiences. They were also called the Enlightened Ones, Masters, Divine Lights, and Superminds, and it was claimed that they do occupy earth space now and are continually growing in number. I was also told that the concept of Superbeings was not new - that according to ancient Jewish lore, there are a group of "Zaddikim" in every generation, believed to number at least 36, whose power is complete over mind and matter."

From the Author's Preface pg xix-xx -

"Then over the next few years, everything that I had built - quite obviously on sand - started crumbling. . . . What had happened? I directed the question to a highly evolved soul . . . He responded by saying that the problem boiled down to the "phenomena of overextension" - caused probably by "ambition and enthusiasm untempered by adequate analysis." . . . He went on to say that "a rubber check is an un-kept promise. Had you been conscious of other un-kept promises - either promises made to you or by you - either in your personal or business affairs? Or perhaps un-kept promises which do not involve you personally or businesswise at all, but which aroused in you some sense of injustice or irritation? And might there be in your subconscious a negative conviction that 'Divine Supply is somehow distorted and diverted by human folly' - in effect saying that human folly controls Divine Wisdom? . . ."It seems that we must come to the realization, the sure and immovable conviction, that any experience of contraction is a gathering of power - power which will flow according to the clearest picture that we hold in our mind. I would work with sweeping, definite, gentle, persistent denials of all terror, panic, lack or loss. I would rest in the abiding place in which it is an unshakable certainty that now every thought and everything needed is being given, that you are totally receptive to the clear message of Divine Mind, and that you proceed with utter fearlessness to accomplish that which the Indwelling Spirit guides you to accomplish."

From the Author's Preface pg xxii-xxiii -

"And my Self said, "You should acknowledge what is right with you everyday and the good will grow." I responded, "Sometimes it is difficult to acknowledge the good when my mind still sees incompleteness and imperfection in many areas of my life." My Self countered: "If you wait for perfection, the purpose of this book will not be fulfilled." "What is its purpose?" I asked. "To reveal the Truth that every man and woman on Earth is more than a human being, that each has the Gift and may rise above all limitations of mind, body and affairs. As the fulfillment you are seeking is found by rising in consciousness, you will be demonstrating the Truth, and as you share these experiences with others, and as they share their experiences with you, you will grow together. You, and others who will join with you in the journey, are seeking the Fourth Dimensional Consciousness, which was established within all mankind in the beginning. It is in the depths of your being now, awaiting your rediscovery."

John Randolph Price founded the Quartus Foundation. The word Quartus, as defined in the Metaphysical Bible Dictionary, means a positive, spiritually enlightened thought that relates to the four-square (fourth) or perfectly rounded consciousness of the individual. Quartus bespeaks the elevating of the two phases of man, the head and the heart, understanding and affection, to the plane of spiritual wisdom and love, and the uniting of them in consciousness. Quartus suggests the bringing of the fourth dimension into man's comprehension.

Note - John & Jan Price are founders of World Healing Day, which originated on Dec 31, 1986 (deb's note - and I was a participant in those early years). You can purchase a World Healing Meditation cd for $10 plus $2.00 shipping, from them by calling 830-249-3986 or mailing your check to Quartus Foundation, PO Box 1768, Boerne TX 78006. Your can also order the Superbeings book or other items.

From Chapter 1, pg 3

As a modern prophet once said, "The world is going metaphysical." This is not by chance. According to one Advanced Soul interviewed in this book, "Through the silent, hidden work of the Masters, men and women throughout the world are beginning to intuitively understand the Truth. There is a vibration, call it the Master Vibration, that is flowing through the consciousness of mankind, turning each individual toward the Light within, and it is only a matter of time before the Dawning."

"The Masters - or what we call the higher ranking Superbeings - have pushed through the barriers of humanhood and are the first of a new species of mankind. They are the Leaders, the Teachers, and their work is being accomplished through the great medium of mind. Since all mankind is one and interrelated on the subjective level, these Earth Masters are releasing powerful waves of thought energy into this universal consciousness for the benefit and upliftment of each individual. To those who are receptive, the message is clear: "Rise up out of the tomb of mortality and take your place among the Enlightened of this world. Look up and see the unreality of sickness and poverty. Step out into the Kingdom of wholeness and abundance, peace and joy. The time is near for the New Age to begin."

"These highly evolved Souls are helping us to break the hypnotic spell that has paralyzed us with fear . . . the fear of dying, the fear of disease, the fear of lack, the fear of loneliness, the fear of (add your own pet anxiety). They are revealing to us that we are immortal, potentially perfect in mind and body, abundantly supplied with everything needed, with the capacity to love and be loved that is beyond our present imagination."

(deb's note - If this doesn't give you chills, when you consider efforts like Fire the Grid, 09:09:09 and our own 9:09 Gaia Minute, well then, you just aren't ready to realize the wonder of living in our time.)

From Chapter 1, pg 5-7 -

". . . the advanced Superbeings know that we will not be ready in consciousness to take our place in the New World unless we are well - well spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially. So their objective is to turn us within, toward the Light, toward the Superconsciousness within each one of us where all the good we could possibly conceive is waiting to be released."

"But you must make the choice. You must make the decision to live for the pure joy of it . . . to literally experience the Kingdom on earth NOW! And you can - because you have the Power to achieve your heart's desires."

The Power

"There is a Power within you that is responsive to your needs. When you make conscious contact with this Power, it will literally transform your life because in your true nature, you are this Power in expression. You are in truth a potential Superbeing."

"What is this Power? Where did it come from and what is its purpose? To find the answer me must go back to the beginning. In the beginning, Infinite Love, Power, Wisdom and Life - and all that we know God to be - created Man in Its image and likeness. (When we say "Man" - we are talking about the Individual, whether male or female.) In other words, Infinite Being expressed Itself as an infinite number of distinct beings or units of consciousness."

"Man is, in his true nature, an individualization of God. In scientific terms, man is a manifestation or offspring of the Universal Creative Energy. This means that you are the Self-expression of the Infinite Power of the Universe. Now think for a moment. Since you are the Self-expression of the Infinite Mind of the Unvierse, then the Whole of that Mind must be right where you are. The Presence that is eternally expressing as you cannot very well leave or forsake Its own Self-expression can It? Do you understand what this means? It means that the Allness of God, the Living Spirit of Creation, is around, beside and within you, projecting Its infinite attributes as you. So you are not only the image and likeness of God, but you are forever one with your Source. And since your Source has no limitations, neither do you !"

"This message is found in numerous ancient works, all through the Bible, and in writings that appeared several hundred years after the time of Jesus. . . . Perhaps what Plotinus wrote during the second century was reflected in man's consciousness at that time: "There is in all of us a higher man . . . a man more entirely of the celestial rank, almost a god, reproducing God. When the soul begins again to mount, it comes not to something alien but to its very self. The self thus lifted, we are in the likeness of the Supreme."

"Isn't this what St Augustine meant when he said, "I sought thee at a distance, and did not know that thou wast near. I sought thee abroad, and behold, Thou was within me."

Re: John Randolph Price - The Super Beings

http://niecy.gaia.com — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:47:43 GMT

The sand thing really hit home for me because of my recent experience with attending LOA Meetups. Though I have not gone to our local LOA Meetup for over 4 months.

People come to these Meetups on LOA to find out how to get stuff. I want this or that thing. Some will manifest the thing that it is they want, but just a quickly as they get it, it's gone. Then they say this LOA stuff doesn't work! To me that's what Price meant by built on sand. (quick sand)

When some start to get into LOA, they are using their own energy, according to Price. When you allow Universal Energy to flow through you and really feel it and be with it, then the by-product are the things that your inner being knows you need and want. Those things flow to you. And being built on a firmer foundation, your manifestations and gratitude keep these things in your awareness.

I also like that he brings out other Universal Laws such as the Law of Change. Everything is in change. Energy is constantly moving and never staying the same. Many resist change. Though we are conditioned to resist change. We are taught a routine at a very young age and that follows us through old age. The more routine we have, the less tolerant to change we become.

There was always something missing in my studies of LOA, especially the teachings of Abraham. I think now I realize what it is. You can't just pick one law and focus only on that. But understanding one law really helps to understand and appreciate them all.

I've posted somewhere a list of Universal Laws. I can't remember where. Deb I think it might be in your other group.

Re: John Randolph Price - The Super Beings

http://yhd52754.gaia.com — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:57:32 GMT

OM,

"I call it the Law of Grace."

Oh, this is such a great point. We have been a bit pressed lately (in my business life) and I wrote a treatment for that, as I always do. Really, I just love being comfortable but that doesn't challenge us much, does it? Still, my preference is to put my attention elsewhere; still sometimes I still need to return it to this reoccurring issue. Now, since I am partners with my husband, we jointly affect or influence what out-pictures in our business, though I will say he is a great one for enjoying the state of Being that is prosperity; and early on inspired me with his confidence that it is his natural inheritance, though he is truly not a consciously spiritual person.

Anyway, I am re-reading The Super Beings book and will be sharing some of the points that catch my attention, here in this thread. I am turning corners on pages - and last night I ran into something I had underlined about 25 yrs ago - and the difference between what catches my attention now and what I underlined then, speaks volumes regarding my spiritual expansion of understanding over the last 20-30 yrs. LOL.

Some of his points, that Denise mentions above, about manifestations going and being built on sand (which I also read myself, over the past weekend) I need to contemplate a bit, to see what lessons are there for my more perfect demonstration of understanding the principles and state of Being involved.

Here are some statements about Grace that I had put in the treatment I wrote a week or two ago -

> We are provided for by Divine Grace and have the ability to participate in choosing the ways we will express abundance. (deb's note - some of this wording came from a recent Daily Guide, I believe Oct's Science of Mind magazine).

> The activities that I engage in each day, no matter what form they may take, are all ways of expressing my prosperity unfolding. They are the natural actions that correspond to my role of expressing Divine Grace and my faith in the Source of my supply and it's givingness. I merely cooperate grace-fully with the Divine Will of Abundance and so, I see it express abundantly as my life and financial circumstances.

One of Randolph's points is that a new "race" of Beings is evolving and that is a point that I have been making for some time. That there is a major evolution in the nature of Being taking place and we see manifestations of that all around us.

Peace & Blessings -
Deb

Re: John Randolph Price - The Super Beings

http://ADLIAC.gaia.com — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 06:02:43 GMT

Like what you said about different laws. I myself teach a law I realized that underlies and is far more powerful than the LOA. I call it the Law of Grace. It dips into the Void/Emptiness/Field of Infinite Possibilities to manifest things, not just attracting something that already exists in the world. There's more to it, but in a word......

Blessings, OM

Re: John Randolph Price - The Super Beings

http://ADLIAC.gaia.com — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 05:59:10 GMT

Looking forward to your comments, Flowerchild. I too might have read it, but don't remember. BTW Abraham has been around for 25 years now, I read recently, so that'd be 1984, not too much later than this book. I've been sort of dipping in and out of his stuff for many of those years. But he wasn't so famous back then. I say HE but it's really THEY.

I found some interesting reviews of the SuperBeings book on Amazon!!

Blessings, OM Bastet

Re: John Randolph Price - The Super Beings

http://niecy.gaia.com — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 14:47:36 GMT

Tell me if there are hints of Abraham in the book.

I'm fixing to send you back the books and CD's I have of yours. My son wants to get his own copy of the Jerry Garcia book. LOL He's really enjoying it.

Weird, my son and I had a conversation about Jerry's music. I told him I don't get his music. I've been to a Dead concert in 1982 but I won tickets from WLUP in Chicago. (He was so jealous but I was like 14) That night I had a dream about Jerry. He said his music was like this....It looked like he was doing 'wax on wax off' from the movie the Karate Kid. When I told my son about this, he said something about the theory of Jazz. It was all over my head but he basically said, oh great, Mom is channeling Jerry! I almost feel on my ass laughing!

Anyway, back to this book. There is a part in the book that explains why sometimes people get it, but only on the surface. So they can quickly manifest things, but just as quickly it manifested, it's gone. So it was 'built on sand'. Teaches you how to take the law of attraction and other universal laws to a much deep level.
Most people just focus on the law of attraction. But there are many other universal laws that should also be learned and known about.

Re: John Randolph Price - The Super Beings

http://yhd52754.gaia.com — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 05:35:27 GMT

Denise,

You know, because I did meet them, I started thinking, maybe I have that book. I went to the library and looked. Sure enough. Copyright 1981. It was probably one of the few books I owned when I met my husband over 20 yrs ago. So, I don't even have to buy it. Gosh, I could have lent it to you. Oh well. Now I should read it because I was no where near, where I am now, when I bought it. I don't even remember if I ever read it. I probably did.

Deb

Re: John Randolph Price - The Super Beings

http://niecy.gaia.com — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 04:19:07 GMT

Hey Deb, My friend finally got me to read the book. I think it was the title that made me think of a sci-fi book. But this book takes Law of Attraction to new levels.
Lots of gems in this book. Sometimes is sounded like an Abraham book, but this was well before Abraham-Hicks stuff. I'm half way done with it and so far I like most of it.

If you want to take Law of Attraction to a new level, this is a good book to do that.

Re: John Randolph Price - The Super Beings

http://yhd52754.gaia.com — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:56:01 GMT

I actually met John Randolph Price and his wife at my Science of Mind church in St Louis many years ago. We had a church picnic for their visit.

Please let us know what you think of their work.

Peace & Blessings -
Deb

John Randolph Price - The Super Beings

http://niecy.gaia.com — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:21:23 GMT

I friend of mine has been trying to get me to read this book for over a year. Well, I finally ordered a used copy on Amazon.

The Super Beings

This book is well beyond the basic teachings of the Law of Attraction.