Haiti

[Richard]

I was in my brother-in-law's house in Haiti during the powerful quake.
Folks who say the one in Chile was more powerful are overlooking that
the one in Haiti was closer to the surface.

Didn't know what was transpiring at first, couldn't understand what
was happening as the house rocked violently. During it when someone
said, "Earthquake", I envisioned the house falling off the mountain it
was built on.

What was more severe was driving through the area on a following day
and seeing the churches, stores, buildings turned to rubble and moreso
all the dead bodies in the streets and the usually jovial Haitians
walking around as if dazed, some crowding into parks to live.

It's easy to talk of perfection from ivory towers, I know, I've done
it despite some personal tragedies, but to actually be there (it's
different from seeing it on t.v.) throws all philosophies out the
window. Besides, who would want to be a complacent robot during such
suffering of others?

I will never get that image of death and destruction out of my
consciousness. I have been into the nondual way for over 35 years yet
was unprepared for what I saw. And my sister-in-law, who works at a
hospital in Haiti would further tell us of the horrors she saw when
she came home exhausted after work.

If you posit "perfection" the opposite "imperfection" must also be
lurking around.

Since then I've tried to rationalize by thinking all is a dream and
all within the dream are dream characters, so why shouldn't this
Richard dream character feel compassion and want to help? (I offered
several times to help in the hospital but my sister-in-law refused the
offer). Why should Richard get some soothing philosophy and turn into
a feelingless rock?

I would very much would like feedback on how to understand this in the
nondualistic sense.

Thank you in advance,
Richard

[Ram]

Hi Richard,

I can only the imagine the shock to the psyche that occurs in such an
event.

I think it's a good topic question, because in a sense, it's really
where the rubber hits the road.

I would just start the conversation by making a simple observation
only on the last part of what you said. I'm sure others will have
valuable insights to share.

Rationalizing that all is a dream is not the same as seeing and
knowing that the dream is unreal. Many people talk in 'advaita speak'
about everything being a dream, but they fail to really see that the
dream is totally unreal. I understand that this an enigmatic statement
for most people.

Thinking that everything is a dream is still in a way lending a sense
reality to that dream. When appearances are seen to be untrue, that is
when the world appearance is seen to be dream-like. When you stand
unshakeable, unchanging, beyond all appearances, the appearances, be
they paradisical or horrific do not have the same impact.

That is not to say that the dream character becomes cold-hearted or
unfeeling, but you know that no matter what the circumstances or
thoughts and emotions that may be coming and going are, you in essence
are unaffected by any of it.

I think your sister-in-law probably did you one of the greatest
services of your life in sparing you what you would have encountered
in the hospital.

It is important to consciously find the peace of the Self and as well,
you will probably have to make some conscious effort to release and
forget those images that must be still lingering in your mind. Such
trauma is not easily forgotten and leaves certain impressions in the
memory that have a sense of reccuring power associated with them.
Remember that you yourself are the Power of limitless consciousness,
and that the appearances or images have no power on their own. With a
deepening sense of identity with the changeless, you will certainly
find unshakeable inner peace. In that, even if the images are
remembered, the impact will become less and less, and no, you won't
become cold like a stone. I'm sure you have already gained a finer
appreciation for Life.

I don't know if this helps. Sometimes in cases like this, we might say
that the ones who passed were the lucky ones.

Be strong my brother.

[Rodger]

How are you looking at 'perfection',Richard? As the good without the
bad,the ugly?

On Mar 12, 11:49 am, Richard <richar...@yahoo.com> wrote:

[godszen]

Richard wrote:
> Why should Richard get some soothing philosophy and turn into
> a feelingless rock?

philosophies don't hold up in the face of reality
as you know

as Adi Da says; conditional existence sucks

[Gary]

Your emotions and feeling are normal. They come just like other
thoughts. Mood making with regards to Duality is also normal for
you. So, nothing to do. Time will take care of things.

I've found that brushes with death acted upon me much like a good
rain. The day after the air seemed so clean and everything had a
glow.

Nothing to do. Nothing to think.

You are alive.

[Sandeep-Kuber Technologies]

Hi Richard,

Richard wrote:

I was in my brother-in-law's house in Haiti during the powerful quake.
Folks who say the one in Chile was more powerful are overlooking that
the one in Haiti was closer to the surface.

Didn't know what was transpiring at first, couldn't understand what
was happening as the house rocked violently. During it when someone
said, "Earthquake", I envisioned the house falling off the mountain it
was built on.

What was more severe was driving through the area on a following day
and seeing the churches, stores, buildings turned to rubble and moreso
all the dead bodies in the streets and the usually jovial Haitians
walking around as if dazed, some crowding into parks to live.

It's easy to talk of perfection from ivory towers, I know, I've done
it despite some personal tragedies, but to actually be there (it's
different from seeing it on t.v.) throws all philosophies out the
window. Besides, who would want to be a complacent robot during such
suffering of others?
  

Indeed.

And where is the conflict or the paradox or whatever?

Knowing it's all one.......does not the hand rush to hold the bleeding toe in love and compassion,
when the later gets stubbed?

The response is immediate, appropriate and no thought comes in-between.

I will never get that image of death and destruction out of my
consciousness. I have been into the nondual way for over 35 years yet
was unprepared for what I saw. And my sister-in-law, who works at a
hospital in Haiti would further tell us of the horrors she saw when
she came home exhausted after work.

If you posit "perfection" the opposite "imperfection" must also be
lurking around.
  

Yes, so long perfection is defined.

What is......is so.........includes all definitions of perfection and imperfection.

Nature knows no malice, nor remorse.

Since then I've tried to rationalize by thinking all is a dream and
all within the dream are dream characters, so why shouldn't this
Richard dream character feel compassion and want to help?

Indeed why not.

If so moved.

In the last 20 odd years, I have been part of 5 natural and man-made disasters.

 (I offered
several times to help in the hospital but my sister-in-law refused the
offer). Why should Richard get some soothing philosophy and turn into
a feelingless rock?

I would very much would like feedback on how to understand this in the
nondualistic sense.
  

What is precisely the issue which needs to be resolved?

The apperception of whatever...........does not either abet or obstruct the unfolding action, as the moment.

[Richard]

Thanks to all who replied.

Ram, your line, "Sometimes in cases like this, we might say that the
ones who passed were the lucky ones", is what my wife has told me. She
has faith that the next life, heaven, will be heavenly.

Richard

[Mahakali]

Hi Richard

good to hear from you and I am glad to read your report. I am sorry
about the tragedy and your experience of it whilst in Haiti. .

In my opinion, the desire to help is a desire.The thought that "all is
a dream and we are all dream characters" is a desire (wish) too. The
fact we would like to live in a better world is a desire too.

Kali