Three Modalities of Awakened Doing

In "A New Earth," by Eckhart Tolle, he speaks of this concept of Awakened Doing. It's an aspect of being fully aware and conscious while doing the things in life.

Eckhart Tolle see's three modalities as part of this new consciousness in our every actions:
1. Acceptance
2. Enjoyment
3. Enthusiasm

By these three modalities consciousness enters our lives. His goal for us, is to have at least one of these modalities active during any action we do.

Acceptance is a modality of accepting the situation - You may have a flat tire... you don't have to be enthusiastic about it. You may not enjoy changing this tire. But you can accept it. You willingly do the actions of putting on a new tire, calling a tow truck, etc. No negative thoughts.

Enjoyment
Regarding this, Eckhart explains that this will replace the old ego desires and wanting. For this, Tolle explains that you will Enjoy any activity that is not just a means to an end... an activity where you are fully aware. It reminds me of something Crowley was inspired to write, "Pure will, unassuaged of purpose, free from the lust of result, is in every way perfect." It's that Lust of Result we're talking about here. If you have the lust of result, you are not in the present moment. You are off in the future. You are looking for end goals. Your present moment is just a means to an end. But if you are presently aware... if you have heightened awareness in the moment, you will have peace and enjoyment.

Tolle gives a challenge here. He asks the reader to write out a list of actions the reader doesn't like... tedious activities, stressful actions, etc. Once the list is written out, Tolle asks the reader to then keep that list in mind and when doing one of these activities to stay in a state of heightened awareness. This, as he says, will open enjoyment of the activity into the person's life.

Enthusiasm
When you take the Enjoyment and combine it with a vision or goal to work towards... you have Enthusiasm. This isn't working towards a goal and forgetting the moment. No. It's knowing a goal, setting the things needed to get there... and in each part of the goal - being in a state of enjoyment (being actively aware in the moment.) This creates Enthusiasm.

A key concept here, is to make sure your vision or goal isn't an image of yourself having something static. Such a goal won't empower you. Make sure the goal or vision is dynamic... it's pointing to an activity which connects you to other people and to humanity as a whole. This type of goal will empower you. He gives an example of, "Instead of seeing yourself as a famous actor and writer and so on, see yourself inspiring countless people with your work and enriching their lives."

Ananda Online Virtual Community is Great

To anyone looking for an online community of spiritual people, I highly recommend the Ananda Online Virtual Community (www.anandaonlineclasses.org)

I've found the people to be really friendly. The lessons to be rich and valuable. Video streams of all their events. It's great.

A lot of online spiritual communities stopped interaction between members. Online communication sometimes is problematic. But something special happens here. People are so positive here.

Dreams

I've been having these dreams, and I wake up in the middle of the night and I feel like it was a intense message or something. I try to hold on to the memory of the dream, but it quickly dissolves.

Watching People

I noticed this awhile. Maybe others have seen it to.

Many times I would go out with my Father or friends and sit and watch people. People Watching. However, it was generally done (with my friends) with some form of judgement. Laughing at the silliness or difference in others. Mockery and judgement.

But then one day, I just noticed people. Without judgement. I just watched. I just watched and watched. When I had no thoughts... when the mind went quiet. When the thoughts ended. Then I saw people without judgement... and when that happened, I felt this intense Love and Joy for them. An intense respect.

Recently, this past weekend, my wife and I went to a Casino - Chumash Casino. It was amazing. What was amazing, was for a moment, I saw people without judgement. Here as I walked around, I watched people. I saw them playing. Some laughing, some with desire all over their face. I felt their humanity. It reached deep inside of me.

I had this intense joy. This amazing experience.

Meditation and the draining of Electronic devices

This is going to sound weird.

I sat down in meditation, and had a guided medtation playing on my iPhone. it sat on the floor in front of me. I was in a half-lotus position and I began body relaxation and mind relaxation. AT a certain point the speaker asks the meditator to think of the area between they eyebrows... and if we see a Light (in our mind's eye) to dive into it, and explore it... feel it.

I did see a mental imagine of a LIght and as I went into it and deeper and deeper... I got this amazing sensation of power. tremlbling overtook my muscles in my hands... it felt like a vibration at the spot.

At this moment, my fully charged iPhone, went dead. Confused, I picked it up and pressed the on/off button. nothing. I tried restarting it... nothing. I held down the buttons for 30 seconds... nothing.

I put it down and imagined Yogananda and wanted to ask questions to Him and see what I feel. I asked, "is this Yogiraj Sidhanath for real?" (i couldn't remember his last name.) I felt the answer, "well go and see." and then I asked "but I dont want to be controlled" "Good. then don't be controlled" I felt the mental response. "But how can I make sure I don't get controlled or duped?" "Just be aware."

I got up with the phone. I walked over and plugged the phone in... nothing. Then in my mind I felt like the mental projection of Yogananda was saying, "Your energy blew out the phone. Leave the it alone for awhile. Go eat something to ground you..." I went and found some chocolate. ate it. after finishing, I felt the inner voice prompt, "Ok now check on the phone" I tried to reboot it again, and this time it came on!

As the phone came up, I checked the battery power - it was nearly full. It never had drained at all. Maybe the phone did blow out. But that's crazy... or is it?

First Week with Ananda Online Virtual Community

I have to say, I'm pretty impressed with the Ananda Online Virtual Community (www.anandaonlineclasses.org.)

They have a very active presence. Everything is video streamed over the internet. They offer a lot of Live content in the form of classes and lectures. Like three or more live streaming classes and events a week.

The teachings are sound and it's a very positive place.

I'm taking the Meditation Course to see how it goes. I'm on the first week. It's good. I've been doing many forms of meditation for many years. What's interesting, is their form has most of the meditation actions I've enjoyed in the past. I also picked up new things as well.

I've really enjoyed it. I'm not cut out to go live in a physical spiritual community - so having a virtual one, is for me, the next best thing. If you're interested in taking some classes, hearing more of Yogananda's philosophy, or want to associate with open minded spiritual believers, I think it's well worth the small fee.

Brahma Kumaris

I dont know much about this group. Someone sent me a note on Twitter about them. They recommended them.

I'll go ahead and forward the link: http://www.bkwsu.org

I looked it over, but the site didn't give me enough information. I think I would need to contact someone to hear more. I do see they have a local group in Los Angeles. One thing that was impressive, was all their courses are Free.