Between Two Realities

A friend of mine recently wrote a book, Jewish Dharma. In it, she writes about sitting on the stairs as a child between her father’s living quarters and her grandfather’s living quarters in the same house during Jewish holidays. The father, being a liberal Jew, told her she was too religious and her grandfather, being an observant rabbi, told her she was too liberal.  And in this space, she said she learned to meditate. Eventually, her life evolved not into being a Jubu (Jewish Buddhist) but into one where she is a Zen Jew. However, I still see her as existing between two worlds, loving the heart that is found in the theistic or Jewish religions but also the vehicle of meditation found in the Zen traditions.

Do you exist between two or more realities? Do you exist in
one? Do you exist in no other-constructed reality/realities?

Re: Between Two Realities

I think we all must exist between different realities in a number of senses. There are obvious ways (like being racially mixed, or having parents of different backgrounds, cultures or religions) but more subtle ways 

I was always very aware of my mother’s need for me to be certain ways as I was growing up, and that in choosing the friends, spouse, line of work and so on that I did, that I kept on disappointing her. But I had to live in the reality that made sense for me. And of course as time goes on, that changes, so that my life has become unrecognisable to earlier selves I have been. It’s a fascinating process. 

Love, Nicole

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Very beautiful, Nicole! I am impressed. 

Thomas Merton once said, “He who does not take a stand is a coward.” I would rather say that they were … conflicted and in need. Recently, I realized I am no longer of any social worth with respect to societal values and belief systems by and large … and this … diminishment has … somehow more greatly illuminated me … and I must say, it is nothing more than being the real me - the me that existed unashamed in the sunlight before the shaming and blaming began by the unenlightened. Enlightenment is so … effortless … in a rather unnecessarily painful way. 

LOL   Much love to you, my sister.

Re: Between Two Realities

I’m with you rather than with Merton on that, though I think he was a very wise and compassionate man.

Here’s to freedom!  Hugs, Nicole

Re: Between Two Realities

Nicole, 
Have an article by one of Merton’s best friends, Jim Knight, on my website. It’s called “The Real Thomas Merton.”

Re: Between Two Realities

Co-creating
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Announces
Release from
Dissolving platforms

Re: Between Two Realities

I share Nicoles experiences. I’ve enjoyed being myself and making my own mistakes and choosing my own friends, though sometimes its a struggle. We tend to be the person who is interacting with everyone around us. 

Who would I be and what would I be like if my husband and children and their partners and friends werent here? 
I am very sensitive to criticism but do my own thing anyway. I do chose to compromise though, to help fit with my family.

Being on Gaia allows me to be just me. Not mum, not someones wife, not anybody in particular, just me. Thats nice.

Re: Between Two Realities

I live between two realities. I am very much aware how the “outside” world operates, but I find it sickening, so have created a fantasy world where I live as if the world were different.

I know how the business and political world works; branding, exaggerated claims and misleading advertisements, finding what the public want and then giving them something that looks a bit like it.

I work by having good ideas, producing related material products that are new and that I have faith in, and finding that there is “no market”. ie most people only buy what they know, even if they only know it from advertising. I can discuss with potential customers the weak points as well as the strengths, never have to bull**** and we source our materials conscientiously.

The good news is that I sleep well at night, live in a beautiful remote coastal location and never have to worry what to spend spare cash on (there is none)
I also get to produce music that most people will never hear, although I do have a few dozen very devoted fans.

I am much happier in my fantasy world which has become a home made reality, it knocks spots off the “real world”. I expect to end my days filling shelves in a supermarket as it all goes bottom up, but we rarely get what we expect!

Re: Between Two Realities

I think your fantasy world is more of a reality -or at least the

way it should be, Chaparral -and I congratulate you for having the

strength and courage to live life as it should be and as you are.

My idea of reality is rather different to those around me too-

but I have my obligations and those I love whose wishes I put

before my own.

So, I guess I live in their reality -

and can but dream of what would be my own!

But that’s okay -because living my way, would not be a life they would

approve of or wish to be part of, so I am happy-ish -to do it their way

and be part of them.

Being a Gemini is rather handy at times- we can adjust to another

realm more easily than some!

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Sandy:  “And maddest of all, to see life as it is and not as it aught to be!”

Cervantes, Man of La Mancha

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I like you, Andy!

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Jenny,  WE LIKE YOU!

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Thank you Sean. I like you and everybody here but prefer this version


 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHsNk8JJj_A&feature=related

Re: Between Two Realities

You’re beautiful, Meenakshi!

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I am blessed by the support of those whose worlds intersect my own.
I am blessed by your support.
Thank you!

Re: Between Two Realities

so, Chaparral, just in case you walk into that supermarket for a job someday… i’ll tell you from personal experience - even though it is a major symbol of our collective unconsciousness, it is also a major symbol of our interbeing and the web of relations… and in the course of people filling their shopping carts with all sorts of goods made with all sorts of mixed intentions it is place filled with small blessings and opportunities to simply be kind, in the world as it is. 
 
in fact, in my opinion, it may be error to think of one’s own reality as different from the collective.  for each of us is inseparable from the collective - and as a matter of fact - our collective need to protect our individual separateness is what leads to all conflict - so to put that aside is an interesting experience - and to take your inner reality and let that loosen and dissolve for awhile so the boundary between inner and outer world disappears… then you can witness the humm of the universe as it exists through the compressors in the meat department… and marvel at the web of interbeing as it exists in a can of corn… and always see the divine flame as it is, through the eyes of each person you see and greet.
 
hi everyone!  off to work… to the grocery store!
 

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Hi Christine,
“then you can witness the humm of the universe as it exists through the compressors in the meat department… and marvel at the web of interbeing as it exists in a can of corn… and always see the divine flame as it is, through the eyes of each person you see and greet.”

I love you Christine. You are awesome. I can relate totally to what you are saying. You always make me smile.  :-D

Sometimes I stand on the moon and look back at the earth and can put it all into perspective. And your can of corn does the same thing.

BTW something awesome happened today!!   This is another reality that I experience at work every day then come home to my wonderful family.

For the past 3 years I have been counselling 2 children and a mum who has been recovering for the past 8 years from domestic violence and a lifetime of abuse.
Today she came in nicely dressed with makeup on and smiling and said “Jenny something has changed in me. I feel different. I no longer feel like a victim. And my clothes are too big cause I went to the gym and lost weight. See no double chin.”

Applause on her behalf smugly accepted.

(((((Hugs to you all)))))) I’m feeling benevolent.  

Jenny

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And given with admiration!