Urban Guru Cafe
Discovering what you truly are
43. Gnosis – Timothy Freke – Part 1.
Posted on 06.23.09 1:35PM under Podcast, Tim Freke
International best selling co-author of “The Jesus Mysteries”, Tim Freke, gives his views on Non Duality and integrating the sense of separation.
Gnosticism, as such, is only a few years older than Christianity but its origins, or the origins of its material, are lost in time. No one knows the exact origins of Gnosticism – Yet what it is all about is just that knowing that is present with you right now.
So, understand the light – and make friends with it – Hermes the Thrice-Greatest.
The program is looking at things from a different angle and is bound to stimulate a lot of comments and bring some new material for contemplation.
This interview will be presented in three parts. Here are two quotes from Nisargadatta that express the essence message in this program: “When I see that I am nothing, that is wisdom. When I see that I am everything, that is love and my life moves between these two“.
and…………”I am THAT by which I know I AM“.
Timothy’s quirky website Click HERE.
Music includes: Gigi, Jethro Tull, Le Trio Joubran (Oud) from a great CD called “Randana”, Cat Stevens, Moody Blues, Beck, Al Stewart with a short Guitar piece and Townes Van Zandt.
A short grab from ‘The Matrix’ movie sound track.
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Posted by gilbert on 06.23.09 1:42 pm
Welcome to the new program. Gnosis is ‘Knowing’ or ‘Knowledge’.
Gnosticism, as such, is only a few years older than Christianity but its origins, or the origins of its material, are lost in time. No one knows the exact origins of Gnosticism – Yet what it is all about is just that knowing that is present with you right now.
“So, understand the light – and make friends with it” – Hermes the Thrice-Greatest
Posted by Jeremy on 06.23.09 5:08 pm
Wow. Word, Tim. Word.
Posted by Su on 06.23.09 5:29 pm
Thank you for this.
“As long as there is consciousness separation will appear, and in that separation oneness will be visible”.
What I like about this is that the immediacy I am, with its very human flavour gains recognition, vibrancy and permission to be.
Within this journey, as you are so well aware, I keep seeking for something not immediately apparent – denying what was present and landing up in a barren landscape with denial of what is as my most regular companion.
And this is saying what you and Randall and Bob have been saying.
And the more obvious it becomes ……..well then the more obvious it becomes.
Thank you again Gilbert and Areti for this knowing.
The gift that keeps on giving and leads one to the giver and not the gift.
Posted by Morgan on 06.23.09 10:08 pm
Very cool stuff. Haven’t listened to the program yet but Tim’s website is quite entertaining.
Posted by Curtis Jensen on 06.24.09 12:25 am
Areti, Gilbert:
I have read most of what Tim and Peter have written; all good, all heretical (isn’t that redundant?)
He has a very interesting view of advaita, and one that reasonates with me. Can’t wait to hear the next segment(s).
Keep up the good work – we will all reintegrate eventually…or not
Cheers,
Curtis
Posted by gilbert on 06.24.09 2:57 am
The terminology differs quite a bit, but the essential core ‘element’ is the same as what has been pointed out here over and over. It is good to have a different slant on things, in my opinion. I have not read any of his books but I studied Gnostic Literature for some years. I am no expert on it by a long shot. It is interesting that it is said that the gnostic gospels were removed from the official Bible by what we could call ‘the Church Fathers’ a long time ago. The Gospel of Thomas being one example. Some of the very old gnostic texts are more or less pure Non Duality. – Gilbert.
Posted by suki on 06.24.09 6:12 am
Tim’s style in expressing the advaita view is uniquely lucid and colorful, but communicated in a very clear and down to earth way.
I could see a lot of seekers resonating with Tim’s approach. Especially if they were getting stuck with the more conventional teachers (no disrespect).
Very entertaining podcast.
Thx Areti&Gilbert.
Posted by Robin on 06.24.09 8:40 am
Great podcast…what I’m hearing is the SAME as other expressions from this site. When one’s true nature is clearly seen, life is EMBRACED, including the sense of being a separate self…but “the bigger picture/reality” is known.
Posted by dualdave on 06.24.09 10:29 am
Gilbert: “It is good to have a different slant on things, in my opinion.”
Totally agree.
One of the reasons I keep coming back here is because Gilbert keeps coming up with different angles to strike at the core confusion. A lot of the stuff Gilbert says just flies past ‘me’ but the zingers are WAY worth reading through it all. It’s also cool to realize that what flies past ‘me’ is a zinger for ‘someone else’.
Thanks dude, seriously.
The obvious and unavoidable is becoming less and less easy to avoid
Posted by gilbert on 06.24.09 11:26 am
Dave says: “The obvious and unavoidable is becoming less and less easy to avoid”.
Ha. I say The obvious and unavoidable IS obvious and unavoidable – there is NO WAY to avoid it – the believed in ‘entity’ is a momentary transient expression with no independent power to do – the belief in it as something solid fades away and the idea that it can avoid anything dissolves naturally – even though it never existed, except as a belief. There is a subtle joy and blissfulness to BEING – ever present. ‘We’ miss it because ‘we’ focus on the content of mind and believe it is real. Getting the mind to STOP for a moment reveals it – BUT is it subtle and the taste is subtle. The subtlety is infinite like space.
It is ALL PRESENCE. One Presence. One Being.
All points of view are transient points of view – the ‘thinker’ and the ‘viewer’ have no substance – they are merely translations in the mind. They are words linked together – mechanical in their formation and spontaneously appearing. Watch the mind and SEE.
The mind needs to be understood. The fixation on being the one who needs to understand is actually misunderstanding. That reveals itself – to no one – yet the revelation happens.
Posted by Friar Tuck on 06.24.09 11:47 am
You say the entity does not exist except as a belief, and that is has no power to do anything; then you say we miss the joy of being by focusing on the mind’s content.
If the entity does not exist, then who is focusing on the mind’s content, and who can choose to stop focusing on the mind’s content? How does a nonexistent entity with no power choose to stop focusing on the mind’s content?
I’m not trying to be a smartass–this is a serious question. How do you address this paradox?
Posted by gilbert on 06.24.09 12:06 pm
In a way, it would be best if Tim were to answer these questions. It is his program and his ‘philosophy’ (his terms). I am not interested in philosophy. I am not sure that Tim will have time to follow up on any questions. But your question is directed to me about something that I have said….so….
Friar Tuck is a fictional character, same as Robin Hood.
SEEING – KNOWING is happening. That cannot be denied.
In that seeing-knowing thoughts appear and disappear.
Thoughts and ideas may appear to be like lenses and may appear to focus the ‘light’ upon various ‘things’. The myopic view of the ‘me’ cannot understand the Cosmic nature of Awareness. It cannot understand anything at all. It is just a lens.
Where are you SEEING from?
Where is your authentic being?
All these arguments and points of view are simply content of mind.
You are the infinite being.
You place all these limitations upon yourself and then complain.
No one can make the investigation for you. The best anyone can do is point you in the ‘right direction’. Those who find a resonance in being will follow that resonance back to what they ARE. ‘We’ have taken on the belief that we are ‘in the mind’.
Where as, the fact is that the mind is an sequence of appearances, appearing in you – in what you truly ARE. There is no within or without – no separation.
Use the mind wisely – without any habitual fixation on being ‘someone’ trying to GET something. Just BE and SEE. Gnosis.
One out of a million will hear the simplicity – most will hear complexity and be confused.
A life saving rescue device is being thrown to ‘the many’.
The religious fanatics say “No, God will save me”. The stubborn refuse to respond and the one tied up with his own mind translation drowns in the sorrow of isolation.
‘You’ as that believed in ‘entity’ don’t have a choice. You as the Infinite being, have Infinite Potentiality. Do not ignore that ‘Naked Knowing’.
There is NO becoming – there is only BEING. Gnosis – Now.
Posted by Tom Allen on 06.24.09 12:36 pm
Interesting presentation. I must say– after 40 years of reading and guru following and not following and yoga and chanting and pranayama and meditation and etc. and etc.– that I am now at the point of caring for nothing but that which pays cash. I mean, the only thing that seems to help me at all anymore is sitting still and watching whatever it is that’s eating me at the moment til it fades out. Hey, don’t knock it! It may not be complete unexcelled enlightenment but it works.
Posted by gilbert on 06.24.09 1:19 pm
There is an old Indian saying: “Eat life or Life will eat you”.
Nisargadatta says: “There never was anyone who lived a life” – “Life lives you”.
I received this message from Rajesh: “Gilbert, Thank you so much for the free e-book. It would be an understatement to say it resonates. I got it to the extent that it may as well have been written by “my” knowing-ness. Thanks! Look forward to meeting you in person some day.” That e-book “Without a reference point” is a free download PDF – on my http://www.seeing-knowing.com website. Those who have the colored text version may wish to replace it with the current black text version.
Posted by Ralph on 06.24.09 2:31 pm
I love this Guy (Tim Freke), never heard of him before.
Fantastic interview, thank you both for bringing him to our attention.
…. looking forward to hearing part 2.
Posted by Mike in SF on 06.24.09 4:39 pm
Wow, it seems like we were just talking about Timothy Freke recently and you already got an interview. You and Areti work fast! Very impressive. I too am looking forward to part II.
It’s interesting to hear this talked about by someone who has apparently never experienced the “dark night of the soul”. His focus doesn’t seem to be so much on the total resolution of suffering as other teachers out there. It’s more of a prescription on how to live. I think I’ll give it another listen.
Posted by gilbert on 06.25.09 12:03 am
This program is here to broaden things a little. Direct pointing can be overwhelming for some it seems. Tim is enthusiastic about the mystery. He is popular. We shall see if anyone truly gets anything from the programs. Some of our previous programs are devastating direct and to the point. Many have difficulty with following the pointers, it seems – not because of the content of the programs but because of an inability to explore what is pointed out. This can be due to fixed beliefs that obscure what is being pointed to.
In any case, it is refreshing to have a different style of program.
Posted by ana on 06.25.09 1:12 am
Dear Gilbert and Areti,
Thoroughly enjoy the programs.
The latest of Tim, was thought provoking….and love the slightly different
slant to the subject.
Is it possible to ask questions to Tim?
would love to know his view on an evolutionary vision for humanity.
Thanks for all the work your putting in, really appreciated
Posted by Mike in SF on 06.25.09 2:45 am
It was good hearing his perspective on how the experience of living is happening for him, but there wasn’t that strong “resonance” like with some of the other of the talks.
I think it came across as a prescription because he’s clearly so happy and fired up about living and he’s describing how his day to day experience is, moving back and forth from oneness to separateness etc. The implication is ‘try this!’
But I’ve still only given it one listen. Maybe again later.
Posted by Mark Roske on 06.25.09 3:06 am
This podcast had a very relaxed feel to it,,, almost like… there’s nowhere to go and nothing to do,,, yet going “happens” as well as doing. It was like, “Don’t sweat it,,,
IT IS Already happening…
Thank You Folks
Posted by gilbert on 06.25.09 3:29 am
We will possibly be doing a follow up interview, when his new book gets released.
He enjoyed the interview, so I am told. Part two is possibly more interesting than part one – we shall see. Tim sent a message to Areti, saying he loved the music choices and the way it all hangs together. Anyone who enjoys Oud music should check out that band “Le Trio Joubran” and their CD called ‘Randana’ – it is exceptionally good. Short passages appear in the first ten minutes of this program. I am tempted to place whole tracks in the programs but we will see how things go. – Gilbert
Posted by Ralph on 06.25.09 5:44 am
Hey Gilbert, put that ‘wow ‘ back in there.
‘Wow ‘is the expression that was expressed when that interview was heard.
… don’t alter what is
I think this 2 minute clip summarizes what Tim Freke’s work is all about.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNAqNJByrvw&feature=channel_page
Posted by dorothy hoffman on 06.25.09 8:19 am
It doesn’t resonate like Bob and Gilbert’s pointers whose expressions are by far the most direct. Although, the most direct expressions may appear to be drab and repetitive after awhile, yet somehow they mysteriously find their target. Listening to Bob and Gilbert over and over again is almost as though the listening opens up and the space makes itself known.
Posted by gilbert on 06.25.09 9:26 am
The pattern of energy knows nothing. The form that ‘we’ identify knows nothing.
There is only One Seeing happening – One Knowing happening.
The concepts that ‘I’ slip back and forth between two realms, the absolute and the relative is merely a concept. The AUTHENTICITY of what you ARE is singular.
There is no problem anywhere. There is no one in bondage and no one to set free.
What you seek you already are.
What you ‘think’ you are has never ever been anything other than a concept.
The word is not the real.
‘As fishers of men’ we need to widen the net and catch a few more.
Too many camels trying to get through the eye of the needle has caused a traffic jam. Those stuck in their vehicles may start abusing each other, so….traffic control enters the scene……
When the message has already been heard, a new messenger may appear to be redundant, however for those who have not heard the message as yet, a fresh and new messenger may well be heard, by some – the message is not limited to words – it is the resonance in being that carries the flame. Yet the flame is already burning in being – it just needs a little nudge.
I think it is all valid to open things up a little. The Gnostic teachings have a wondrous quality inherent in them. Even though they are as ancient as the hills, the flame burns brightly in them, for those who can recognize it.
When the restless nature of the mind is brought to a single focus, of simply BEING with what IS – the space of knowing reveals itself naturally.
The messenger is like a telegram boy, he delivers the message, is paid with a silver coin and he leaves.
Those who get caught on worshiping the telegram boy, miss the essence of the message totally.
There are many gurus who are trapped by their own devotees.
They are fed well and wear expensive clothing – but the ‘ashram’ is a ‘prison’ for seeking souls….including the guru.
Posted by Robin on 06.25.09 9:45 am
I thought Areti was exceptionally great during this interview…
Posted by gilbert on 06.25.09 10:07 am
Areti is always good with the interviews. In the editing of the material, she often removes her questions and allows the speaker to flow on…..without the question being heard by the listener. However, I actually did the final editing on this one and even though Areti asked me to remove her questions where applicable, I left them all in with slight clean ups across the whole interview.
Revealing what goes on behind the scenes is not usual and sometimes it is not desirable – but in this case, I think it is worth mentioning. Not every interview makes it onto the site by the way. We try to keep things pretty clean.
Posted by dorothy hoffman on 06.25.09 11:10 am
Gilbert, you’re probably right in saying -
“When the message has already been heard, a new messenger may appear to be redundant”.
I don’t know anything about the Gnostic teachings really. Earlier, there used to be this urge to follow, dissect and understand the different sects – Buddhism, Sufism, meditation etc. etc. in hope to discover the truth or whatever. Somehow that urge has totally dissolved. It is very clear that every step taken towards attaining something is already a step in the wrong direction. Every direction is thought based. What is prior to thought? The restless mind arises and subsides in that. Your words have a unique pointing expression….like someone else mentioned earlier too “your words put flesh and bones on the nameless…”
Posted by gilbert on 06.25.09 12:08 pm
Yes, it is clear. Even though there is a playful tantalizing of the ‘seeker ego’ going on sometimes here on this site appearing as ‘gilbert’ – there is also a very simple compassion that expresses itself – and being familiar with so many of the mind traps that ‘I had been caught in for so long’ (apparently) – and knowing how stubborn ‘I was’ – and knowing now that what I am has always been here, clear and immaculately free of all concepts – there is a knowing that nothing can actually be transmitted – yet through some simple pointing a clear recognition may happen and things miraculously ‘fall into place’.
There is also a recognition of how many teachers talk spiritual crap and it is seen that those sacred concepts that they push are actually a chain of bondage for the seeker. It is amazing how upset so many get when a ‘sacred nerve’ is prodded. Sometimes is has a viciousness to it. The gnashing of teeth etc. There is one factor that is inescapable: the long standing ‘personal’ investment in an erroneous self-image has no substance in this clear and present ‘knowing’. Where you are seeing from is THAT ‘knowing’.
The resistance to seeing this obviousness is called ‘me’.
Posted by Ralph on 06.25.09 12:42 pm
Thought:
……. through the separate self, Onenes gets revealed (even though Oneness always is).
Insight:
……so it isn’t ‘either/or’ but instead ‘and/inclusive’.
Posted by gilbert on 06.25.09 1:14 pm
There is NO duality in Non Duality.
It is ALL inclusive.
In appearance there is multiplicity.
The mind translates ‘what is’ through words.
‘We’ believe in the words as if it were reality.
The one who oscillates between different realms is only in the appearance.
Take the meaning out any words and what is left – vibration, energy, expression of one essence.
Everything is THAT, that singular energy, expressing and APPEARING as everything.
Therefore, as Bob so accurately points out “Everyone is THAT, whether the know it or not”.
It is only the discriminating mind that divides this Oneness and takes sides in duality, in the appearance of things – yet it is all No Thing.
‘We’ name things and think we understand what they are via the words – but the words ‘entered the scene’ in the same way that all appearances enter. Out of nothing and they disappear back into nothing. ‘We’ focus on the minds translation believing that it is reality.
The transient bliss of living in duality so often turns into suffering – for whom?
Being authentic is not a problem for BEING – it is only a problem for a believed in ‘entity’ which has no being at all.
What is the nature of your own authenticity?
If you don’t know it most intimately, then who does?
Posted by Morgan on 06.25.09 2:26 pm
A word or a thought has never described anything real, only appearance. Only being is real and it is indivisible.
Posted by gilbert on 06.25.09 3:25 pm
Yes, and as Bob says “You can say the word ‘fire’ all day long and it won’t burn your mouth. The word ‘water’ will not quench your thirst.” and…’The word is not the real”.
‘We’ hear such simply pointers and dismiss them too quickly.
Every true ‘pointer’ potentially reveals an underlying ‘principle’ – a profundity beyond the words. Yet to name it as ‘profound’ is already, instantly misleading. That profundity is nothing other than this activity of knowing – nothing other than that – it is that simple.
The parables in the New Testament also contain many ‘pointers’ seemingly hidden behind or within the relatively mundane text. Why do fairly tales and parables continue to touch generation after generation? Because they are addressed to BEING – KNOWING – Presence – awareness – here now.
In a relative sense we can all relate to the stories and the heart of them conveys ‘something’ specific and yet impossible to describe totally.
Naked Knowing is the key….to it all. It is that which we continually ignore, simply because we take ourselves to be these thoughts that arise spontaneously.
Accumulating knowledge is a transient journey to nowhere. Those who use ‘their knowledge’ to be above ordinary beings are parasites.
Those who share the simple pointing are mostly ignored by the masses. Common consciousness is a dream and few appear to want to wake up from that dream and they can’t anyway. The substance of the personal dream is the story of me. Without a thought – are you asleep? When thought ceases do you disappear? No, the story of me disappears. Recognize that – it is not a matter of belief. It is knowing – gnosis. How anyone can pass over these points and continue to believe in the ‘me’ is remarkable.
As Nisargadatta says “You are not the body, nor the mind”.
Where does that leave you?
Posted by Mark Roske on 06.26.09 1:16 am
That leaves me apparently floundering without a clue.
One is real, the Other, although “appearing” real, is Not.
Yet, what is not real, having no volition of its own, falls away quite naturally.
Yet Yet, the unreal is as much an inherent part of “THIS” as what is deemed Reality.
There is No separation, until thought enters in to Divide the indivisible, and in seemingly doing so, still has absolutely no effect on THAT which can Never be altered, changed or even understood.
Hmmmmm????
Who is being conscious of being conscious?
Posted by gilbert on 06.26.09 1:51 am
It is not a matter of ‘who’ is being conscious – ‘who’-ness is psychology, a story about a ‘me’.
The One essence appears as everything. Just as one could say that one ‘energy’ appears as all things. What do you know of that is not composed of energy?
You cannot SEE energy as such. You cannot see awareness either – it is the SEEING – and yet everything IS awareness appearing as this and that. It is All That.
You as that ‘form’ do not know anything at all. That belief in me has NO INTENT at all. The intelligence of the body breathes naturally without ‘your’ permission or intent.
That believed in ‘entity’ was not present when the first breath was taken. The IDEA of me came along much later.
This activity of knowing, which is what you are, cannot be found as a localized or found ‘thing’. Who is looking for it and with what instrument is the search being made with?
SEEING is all inclusive. No center, no boundary. That is clearly obvious – but if it isn’t obvious for you, then have a closer look. This absence of any substance is totally confronting to the ‘me’ of memory, because it is undermined, its foundations collapse.
Without that belief in me, life moves in a much freer manner. But convincing anyone of this is diabolically impossible. You HAVE to SEE it for yourself.
It is the habitual attachment to the body that translates as words, a ‘story of me’ – and this is the factor that needs to be thoroughly investigated.
Take the meaning out of the story and what is it?
It is all very well to say “dive into the dream and enjoy it” – but the enjoyment changes into sorrow fairly quickly for that believed in entity if it is still believed to be holding the reins.
The nature of ‘the appearance’ is ever change-ful. Reality is change-less.
Your authentic essence is reality – it is ‘the capacity of knowing’ and nothing other than that. It is formless, yet it contains all forms. The world appears in what you are.
The appearance of the forms is THAT same singular Essence. Some call it Oneness. It could also be called Minus One.
It is only EVER immediate expression.
The minds translation and ‘meaning’ is time bound, appearing in this immediacy but the story belongs to the dream. The dream character cannot wake up. There can be a lucid awareness of the dream but the knowing is not in the dream – the KNOWING is always this immediacy – reality.
‘Your’ problem is that you look for an answer in the mind realm of thoughts and ideas.
Beliefs are formed and held onto. If they are challenged a resistance pops up automatically. None of this activity is being ‘done’ by any entity.
As the Buddha says “Events happen, deeds are done – there is no individual ‘doer’ there of.”
The ‘thing’ that is constantly overlooked is this naked knowing.
Rest with that for awhile and SEE what happens.
Posted by dan on 06.26.09 6:27 am
Solid
I like the last 10 minutes of this podcast, it really builds up to a furor around the whole embracing of separateness issue…. something which is often left unmentioned. It is summed up well by Nisargadatta himself:
Love says “I am everything”. Wisdom says “I am nothing”. Between the two, my life flows.
Posted by gilbert on 06.26.09 11:11 am
It is pointless running around in the mind collecting philosophical ideas.
Some of the best intellects around are still seeking their true identity. Philosophy doesn’t seem to help all that much. In fact it seems to merely give the mind more material to play with, to hang onto, as if that information was ‘what I am’. Identification. How can you be an idea?
As Tim suggests, philosophy maybe needed for some…to cure their ‘illness’.
When you see that all philosophy is merely thoughts and ideas appearing and disappearing, one loses the value one placed on it all, naturally.
The only life any idea has is due to the life essence – which is PRIOR to all words – it is silent, wordless understanding. Words may be expressed from that understanding.
Understanding is in BEING – not in the mind.
When that pure intelligence is not being drawn into belief in the dream, there is a silent knowing quite obvious. Everyone experiences this throughout their day but the habit of believing that the mind translation is reality means that it is overlooked as anything significant. All these words can be pulled apart by anyone.
The ONLY fact that you are ABSOLUTELY certain of is the FACT of your own BEING.
If that previous line of expression is truly understood, then all confusion will dissipate naturally.
But as the old saying goes “You can lead a horse to water – but you cannot make him drink the water”.
As Nisargadatta says “Be conscious of the consciousness – that is the only meditation you need.”
Being conscious of consciousness is not THINKING about it – it is the activity of KNOWING – no matter what is appearing. Nothing actually disturbs that activity of knowing – it is ceaseless. It is only the believed in ‘entity’ that appears to come and go and is disturbed with its own stories about “I forgot” or “I lost it”.
Such thoughts appear in the immediacy. SEE them for what they are. You are THAT (this) immediacy – you are not the habitual story of me.
Just as the white background and the white spaces between these words are overlooked – we focus on the content and get lost in it.
BE CONSCIOUS of the consciousness.
This is an expansion of seeing-knowing and it is all that is necessary.
No one can do it for you. All we can do is point, with whatever means comes up in the expression.
You may laugh your head off once it is recognized. It is so ordinary and it is NO big deal. At first it may feel like like a universal revolution – but it is nothing but this activity of knowing and THAT has always been the substratum of your own ever present immediate being. Are you asleep? No, there is wakefulness – naked and unadorned wakefulness. What you seek you already ARE.
One needs to get free of the story of me first – then the story can return and it is known for what it is – no harm done to anyone. Erroneous beliefs are the culprit.
Posted by gilbert on 06.26.09 11:38 am
There will now be three parts to Timothy Freke’s interview. Part two is great and will appear next week sometime. He he. Got to keep you in suspenders darlings.
Here at The cafe, on the ‘event horizon’, at the edge of the universe, we promise some good entertainment, some inventive innovation, some catastrophic controversy and some extras on the ‘today’s specials’ menu. (Don’t eat the menu)
You can look at the menu forever – it is the tasting, the seeing and the knowing that make it all worth while.
Who are you? What are you? Everyone may have an opinion on who you are, you may be a famous pop star or a tramp living on the streets.
The conceptual identity can plague your life and drive you crazy. After you have ‘gone’ everyone can sing your praises or despise you.
The persona is not what you are.
‘We’ often take sides with philosophical view points….as if it can solve the ‘problem’ of identity?
What you are, you already are. No idea can add anything to that. No idea can take anything away from that. What we witness is a mind game of cat and mouse.
Knowing remains untouched.
In a way, it is all second hand information on offer. The only potential value any of it has is activated in the moment of recognition of our true nature.
Everything is valid in the appearance.
Understanding is silent-wordless….just like pure being with what is.
Posted by Mark Roske on 06.26.09 11:10 pm
Who am I?
What am I?
What IS “I”?
Full STOP~
Posted by Ralph on 06.27.09 4:59 am
Wow !! Part three !
Darn, I used that word again, so sorry.
Kidding aside, thank you for adding another part to Tim Freke’s interview.
Posted by gilbert on 06.27.09 9:25 am
Ha. Nothing was added Ralph. It is just that fact that there was enough material to cover three programs. Instead of cutting the material down to two programs, the thought spontaneously popped up, make three. I like Tim and can’t see why anyone wouldn’t like him. Of course it isn’t about liking someone but it helps. He is not a windbag talking empty rhetoric. For some who live in the ‘Advaita Cave’, they will focus on anything that doesn’t fit their ‘accumulated knowledge’ and miss the joy of it all. We will look for others who are not suffering from a myopic view and who knows what we will find.
Since its inception, the Urban Guru Cafe has been very popular, much more so than I expected. The number of downloads keeps steadily growing – but it is a big ocean. The ‘tipping point’ is a ways off yet (that is a projection on my part). By broadening the content somewhat, we will give an opportunity for many more to hear the other programs. What Tim is on about is more or less exactly the same as the UGC in general. So it is in keeping with our policy and yet in another ‘field’, so to speak. Keep an eye on the UGC for innovative activities. Warm regards – Gilbert.
Posted by marian dhara on 06.27.09 7:11 pm
Thanks for another great program. I really enjoy what you’re doing at UGC. It seems that this being-ness – knowing-ness that already is – and knows everything – by being and knowing everything that appears, likes to be expressed and communicated in as many ways as the many forms and traditions that appear. This is how its richness is revealed and recognized, as confusing and paradoxical as it may seem. Love it. Love you.
Posted by gilbert on 06.27.09 10:44 pm
Yes, one may feel that most vividly.
Everything appears in the seeing-knowing and everything IS the seeing-knowing.
There is no separation.
The concept of and the belief in ‘separation’ is only a ‘thought’. The idea of ‘me’ being a separate ‘thing’ is also a concept.
The love of being has no boundaries. In our ignorance we place limits upon ourselves that are only conceptual limitations, made of ephemeral ‘stuff’ supported only by belief and not by fact. The ‘bondage of self’ is unnecessary.
What a marvelous thing to hear that we are actually free – yet see what resistance there is to opening up to it (for so many). The habits of belief can be broken. ‘Knowing’ is not a belief.
There are hundreds of wondrous pointers sprinkled throughout these programs and they will remain for those who wish to listen to them. The next two programs from Tim will delight many I am sure.
Note: Anyone into Jeff Foster, Charlie Hayes has a new podcast interview with Jeff happening on Charlie’s site. Google it.
Posted by Charlie Hayes on 06.28.09 12:04 am
Here is a link to the Jeff Foster Interview. A note of great thanks with much love to Areti and Gilbert for the inspiration of these sorts of possibilities for sharing the Good News of our True Being of Absolute Freedom. EnJOY. Y’all are a real (authentic!) Gift, IMHO!
http://beingisknowing.blogspot.com/2009/06/podcast-w-jeff-foster-being-life-itself.html
Posted by Kimo (Jim) on 06.28.09 11:13 am
I started enjoying this mp3 as well (after listening several minutes into it). I agree that the different points of view are refreshing and welcomed but there is still an undercurrent of Bob loyalty throughout this site so let’s not kid ourselves that there’s no teaching history under-lying the majority of these discussions (I don’t mind; I think Bob is great).
My take on the Timothy Freke approach is that it’s a stance of “hedging one’s own position in society”. Giving props to your Mom as the best sage and also leaning toward a gnostic Christian viewpoint saves you from being viewed as a heretic and instead may earn you the label of “visionary”. So, it’s hardly a radical message; at least not from my standpoint.
In the meantime, Randall is still kicking out some great stuff. His mp3 “Inquire into your Self” I enjoyed just as much as “Oneness of Consciousness”. Some beautiful stuff on these mp3′s. I found myself wanting to read Randall’s new book on my long flight home but never ordered a copy yet.
Also, I’m still waiting for Morgan to do an UGC interview.
Peace, Kimo
Posted by Jodi on 06.28.09 12:18 pm
I keep being reminded of a statment made by John Wheeler on an earlier podcast – (Paraphrasing) It is so rare to find someone who can deliver this message and leave it pristine, not adding on a concept.
Posted by gilbert on 06.28.09 1:58 pm
Everything is valid in the appearance.
Everything and Everyone is THAT.
Everything carries the ‘seed’ of the ‘message’.
The message is nothing but a nudge, an impression registering and ‘awakening’ the recognition.
Are you asleep in this moment?
Posted by M on 07.01.09 5:46 am
Love the way Tim makes the concept I have always been aware of real – feel I am on the journey home. The explanation of duality explains the Trinity better than any theologian. Thanks Tim