2012.07.14 13:00 - "Bum-mer" Experience and Dharma Gate

The Guardian for this meeting was Bruce Mowbray. The comments are by Bruce Mowbray.

Bruce Mowbray: Boujour, mon ami!
Korel Laloix: Heya
Korel Laloix: What you been up to?
Bruce Mowbray: It's been a rather dizzy day, actually.... vertigo acting up, almost fell down once, but sat on edge of bed.
Bruce Mowbray: Otherwise, great!
Bruce Mowbray: And how are you, Kori?
Bruce Mowbray: Hello, Eliza!
Eliza Madrigal: Hi Bruce, Kori
Korel Laloix: IN several chats at the moment.
Bruce Mowbray: cool, Kori. np.
Korel Laloix: Sounds not good.. you OK, Bruce?
Korel Laloix: So what is the topic for today?
Bruce Mowbray: Multi-tasking is your generation's middle name!
Bruce Mowbray: ha ha!
Bruce Mowbray: Finishing up the theme of spiritual "work" in SL and RL.
Bruce Mowbray: but only if you wish to discuss that, of course.
Bruce Mowbray: Thanks for asking, Kori. I am fine, now.
Bruce Mowbray: Just needed to sit down for a bit.
Korel Laloix: Great you found your solid ground again.
Bruce Mowbray: yeppers.
Bruce Mowbray: Through my butt, actually!
Bruce Mowbray: What irony!
Bruce Mowbray explains to Eliza....
Bruce Mowbray: I almost fell down this afternoon---
Bruce Mowbray: then sort of fell onto my bed..
Bruce Mowbray: and sat there until balance returned.
Bruce Mowbray: So, am most grateful to my glutes.

--BELL--

Bruce Mowbray will take awakening from whatever quarters it may come.
Eliza Madrigal: oh goodness...
Bruce Mowbray: ;-)
Bruce Mowbray: afk for a sec.
Eliza Madrigal: inconvenient awakening
Bruce Mowbray: ;-)
Bruce Mowbray: (convenient that the bed was available, though!)
Bruce Mowbray: Perhaps in Kori's tradition,
Bruce Mowbray: it might be said that both the cricket and the coyote have their stories to share....
Korel Laloix: My what?.. smiles
Korel Laloix: Wolves.
Bruce Mowbray: or, perhaps in the Eastern traditions,
Bruce Mowbray: that Dharma doors are infinite.
Korel Laloix: Buffalo, Eagles, Hawks, etc
Bruce Mowbray: anyway, I will take the message of the bed and the glutes as a message.. and a Door.
Bruce Mowbray: (spiritual messages come cheap, here)!
Korel Laloix: That is true.. and that is good.
Bruce Mowbray: although gratitude seems required.
Bruce Mowbray: ;-)
Korel Laloix: Being thankful is a nice state to be in.
Bruce Mowbray remembers Kori's experiences in Europe and is grateful for having heard them.
Korel Laloix: Was a great time... in good ways and bad.
Bruce Mowbray listens.
Korel Laloix: Oh.. you want more?
Korel Laloix smiles
Bruce Mowbray: only if you wish to share, Kori.
Bruce Mowbray: I'm not sure whether Eliza has heard.
Korel Laloix: Not sure what I said before.
Korel Laloix: But it was the best of so many worlds.
Bruce Mowbray: about an awakening for you.
Korel Laloix: I was new to the Faith... but did not understand it.
Bruce Mowbray listens very carefully, now.
Korel Laloix: So, I was high on life and Him... and used that the wrong way.
Korel Laloix: Head swims with the thoughts.
Bruce Mowbray: please take all the time you wish, Kori.
Eliza Madrigal: :)
Bruce Mowbray: or also, it is kk not to answer.
Eliza Madrigal listens happily
Korel Laloix: Well.
Bruce Mowbray: Don't mean to put you on the spot, of course.
Korel Laloix: For me, the world changed when I accepted Christ.
Bruce Mowbray: yes, wonderful.
Korel Laloix: All of the old pleasures took on such a more powerful presence in my life.
Korel Laloix: Like tasting food once you quit smoking.
Korel Laloix: But it also went a long way to releasing me from their hold on me.
Korel Laloix: But I still did not understand them.
Korel Laloix: So I went around Munich and Cambs really looking to get my buttons pushed.
Korel Laloix: Making some very bad choices looking back.
Bruce Mowbray remembers getting his own buttons pushed in Munich!
Korel Laloix: But wow... I had such a time.
Korel Laloix: Two different packs of cigs a day, usually two different girls, great food, music, and churches.
Korel Laloix: Sensory overload in everyway.
Bruce Mowbray: Wow! What integration -- what diversity! What FUN!
Korel Laloix: It was bad.. but some of the best physical memories I have.
Korel Laloix: I was so messed up.
Bruce Mowbray: kk, so the integration was not so hot.
Korel Laloix: Still believing in Christ but also the crap my mom told me.
Bruce Mowbray: hmmmmm...
Bruce Mowbray also remembers the crap his mom told him.
Korel Laloix: Had to get back and really learn before I could really live.
Bruce Mowbray: Ahhhh!
Korel Laloix: Started dating this Russian Orthodox girl that really taught me about the faith.
Korel Laloix: Faith
Bruce Mowbray: sounds wonderful, but please take your time, Kori.
Korel Laloix: Not sure what else to say.
Korel Laloix: Questions?
Bruce Mowbray: That's fine.
Korel Laloix: Was one of those times when the world exploded around me.
Korel Laloix: New points of view daily.
Bruce Mowbray: One thing that I said at a meeting with Eliza today was, "Every individual's path is perfect."
Korel Laloix: As I said, over-stimulation.
Bruce Mowbray: We are privileged to hear about your perfect path.
Bruce Mowbray: Everyone has one!

--BELL--

Bruce Mowbray: every path unique!
Eliza Madrigal: I appreciated the way that people in that meeting discussed enlightenment without making a big deal... and also what came to mind was the difference between enlightenment and integration
Korel Laloix: Mine is just probably a bit more f^&*ed up than most it seems.
Eliza Madrigal: (though Christians don't use the word enlightenment)
Bruce Mowbray: Oh -- I certainly doubt that, Kori!!!!
Korel Laloix: Can you talk about enlightenment vs. integration please.
Korel Laloix: Not sure what you mean.
Bruce Mowbray listens for more from Eliza.
Eliza Madrigal: well what you describe Kori sounds like you had a profound realization
Eliza Madrigal: that didn't 'fit' in your life
Korel Laloix: Many realizations really.
Eliza Madrigal: so there was still the scaffolding of the 'old' life in a sense
Aphrodite Macbain: sorysorysorrysorry
Eliza Madrigal: wineskins and all that
Eliza Madrigal: :)
Korel Laloix: Growing up my life was very small.
Eliza Madrigal: Hi Aphrodite.... why sorry?
Korel Laloix: That trip really pushed it open.. inflated maybe?
Bruce Mowbray: Welcome, Aph!
Aphrodite Macbain: Thank you. I was caught up in something and forgot
Eliza Madrigal: it is an interesting question Kori
Bruce Mowbray: Kori is sharing her story about adventures in Europe that turned her whole life around, and we are listening.
Aphrodite Macbain: Listens to the conversation
Bruce Mowbray also listens.
Aphrodite Macbain: smiles at Kori
Eliza Madrigal: newly sensitive can mean inflammation perhaps...
Bruce Mowbray: hmmmm. . . ponders 'inflammation.'
Korel Laloix: I do have a bit of a temper.. but I never lost it on that trip.
Bruce Mowbray: ;-)
Korel Laloix: I was a bit of a celebrity... in a strange way.
Korel Laloix: First American girl.. so I was in a bit of demand.. was strange.
Eliza Madrigal: :)
Korel Laloix: And unhealthy for sure.
Bruce Mowbray: Hmmmm.. but perhaps it was "healthy" for those with whom you shared your "American life"?
Korel Laloix: But one of the most influential moments in my life for sure.
Korel Laloix: Well, it was not that, think sharing in a more physical way... frowns
Bruce Mowbray: O yes. I relate so powerfully to your story, Kori.
Bruce Mowbray: Today, I shared the experience of sharing with my butt. . .
Bruce Mowbray: and how that rescued me from a potential physical disaster.
Bruce Mowbray: So, I am grateful for my BUTT -- a very physical thing, actually!
Korel Laloix: lol
Korel Laloix: Wish I had one...
Bruce Mowbray does NOT frown.
Bruce Mowbray: You do, my dear.
Korel Laloix: At my weight, I am grateful for any curves.
Bruce Mowbray: tee hee.
Bruce Mowbray: My butt is quite close to my balance points.
Bruce Mowbray: close to me my Tantien.
Korel Laloix: If you insist.
Bruce Mowbray: The center of gravity for my whole physical being.
Zon Kwan: hi there
Korel Laloix: But that trip was a balancing point for me.
Bruce Mowbray: Learned this in tai chi.
Korel Laloix: It did clarify fw things.
Bruce Mowbray listens once again.
Eliza Madrigal: Hi Zon
Bruce Mowbray: Welcome, Zon!
Zon Kwan: Are we talking of butts?
Bruce Mowbray: It's wonderful if one can find a geographical "balance point."
Bruce Mowbray: .. . and BUTTS are available, yes.
Zon Kwan: it's good to sit on one
Aphrodite Macbain: no buts about it
Bruce Mowbray: Yes, Zon, especially when one is about to fall over!
Zon Kwan: balance is important
Bruce Mowbray: SL also has geographical "balance points," you know.
Aphrodite Macbain: what are they?
Zon Kwan: yes ?
Bruce Mowbray: Eliza and I attended one of them today.
Bruce Mowbray: . . . and right now.
Aphrodite Macbain: don't be mysterious
Bruce Mowbray: of course!
Eliza Madrigal: I find the Zen retreat tea hut like that... when I am very 'off' I often go sit there
Eliza Madrigal: grounding spots
Bruce Mowbray: Teihard de Chardin says that every point in space is God's "center" -- so no mystery there.
Zon Kwan: nods
Bruce Mowbray: wonderful, Eliza!
Aphrodite Macbain: I thought that we are the centre!
Zon Kwan: center everywhere...
Eliza Madrigal: maybe one thing that happened in traveling Kori is that the lid was off... contexts freed
Bruce Mowbray: wherever we are is the center, yes, Aph.
Zon Kwan: circumference nowhere
Eliza Madrigal: and it was a bit too much in a way :)
Bruce Mowbray: Yes, Zon.
Bruce Mowbray: God is that circle whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere.
Zon Kwan: yup

Bruce Mowbray: There's one to wrap yourself around during the "drop."

--BELL--

 
Aphrodite Macbain: O
Bruce Mowbray: I am already feeling a "clinging" to this session. I don't want it to end.
Eliza Madrigal smiles
Zon Kwan: lol
Bruce Mowbray: and so it is.
Zon Kwan: clinging is needed in right proportion
Aphrodite Macbain: what is it about this session that makes you want to cling to it Bruce?
Bruce Mowbray: Kori, I sincerely want to thank you for sharing.
Korel Laloix: No worries.
Bruce Mowbray: Well, Aph, unfortunately, perhaps (although it is all perfect) you missed the first half-hour.
Zon Kwan: ah i missed that
Korel Laloix: Getting good at sharing with my shrinks.. and this place helps me as well.
Bruce Mowbray: Yes, Kori!
Aphrodite Macbain: I will make sure to read the log
Eliza Madrigal: there is something empowering about being able to articulate one's experience... coherent narratives...
Bruce Mowbray: I just feel blessed (happy!) by Kori's story.
Zon Kwan: true Eliza
Zon Kwan: when typing here
Bruce Mowbray: yes, Eliza!
Zon Kwan: you note
Aphrodite Macbain: yes Eliza, and to be able to tell the story in a safe sympathetic space
Zon Kwan: what's happening better than in rl
Bruce Mowbray: Indeed, Aph!
Eliza Madrigal: :)
Eliza Madrigal: some things can be like a recurrent bad dream until then I think
Zon Kwan: mm
Aphrodite Macbain: which is really what our role is- as Pabbers and Guardians
Eliza Madrigal: indeed so
Bruce Mowbray: Good point, Aph!
Zon Kwan: it helps unconscious things to surface
Bruce Mowbray: Guardians "hold" and "guard" the space, here, in a way.
 Zon Kwan: bring into light
Bruce Mowbray: making it safe.
Bruce Mowbray: making it available.
Aphrodite Macbain: protect it, make it safe and supportive
Bruce Mowbray: making the space into a "door" that can open ourselves.
Bruce Mowbray: yes, Aph!
Aphrodite Macbain: wish I could do that, Bruce
Eliza Madrigal nods... and the space can do its own work with each individual and the group
Aphrodite Macbain: nods
Bruce Mowbray: Oh , my dear, you do it every dingle day!
Aphrodite Macbain: dingle :-)
Eliza Madrigal smiles
Bruce Mowbray: ;-)
Bruce Mowbray: OMG.  single*
Bruce Mowbray: sry about that one.
Aphrodite Macbain: I mean levitate off my cushion!
Aphrodite Macbain: like that
Eliza Madrigal: lol
Bruce Mowbray: Well, that one is entirely out of my own hands, fortunately.
Bruce Mowbray: the levitation, I mean.
Aphrodite Macbain: It's only when u nod
Bruce Mowbray: yes, only when I say "Yes."
Aphrodite Macbain: lol
Bruce Mowbray: Isn't SL great!?
Aphrodite Macbain: there is a levitating gesture in our inventory
Eliza Madrigal: a word to spark transcendence
Bruce Mowbray listens to Eliza.
Eliza Madrigal: just associating, Bruce...
Eliza Madrigal: you said when you say YES you levitate :)
Bruce Mowbray: kk.
Bruce Mowbray: Thanks.
Zon Kwan: i want to sit grounded
Bruce Mowbray feels that in Mind, association is a whole lot of the "scene."
Bruce Mowbray: Grounded is also good.
Bruce Mowbray: as with my glutes experience earlier.
Eliza Madrigal: too bad many people associate being grounded with being punished :)
Bruce Mowbray: Hmmm.
Aphrodite Macbain: wow
Bruce Mowbray: Go to your time-out place!
Eliza Madrigal: yes :)
Aphrodite Macbain: sit in the corner
Korel Laloix: Grounded as punished?
Korel Laloix: Can you talk more about that?
Aphrodite Macbain: not free
Eliza Madrigal: "sit there until you adjust your attitude"
Aphrodite Macbain: not allowed to roam
Aphrodite Macbain: you are grounded for the next week
Bruce Mowbray: Claustrophobia-producing.
Korel Laloix: Interesting idea.
Eliza Madrigal: for many people when one got in trouble they were "grounded" which meant not allowed to go out
Eliza Madrigal: or watch tv
Eliza Madrigal: etc
Aphrodite Macbain: I Ching is today!
Bruce Mowbray: Yes, Aph, I also just received that notice.
Bruce Mowbray: and am grateful for it, because otherwise I would be clinging to this session.
Eliza Madrigal: now you can be ichinging to that session
Korel Laloix: Interesting... I chose my grounding... so I feel very free in it.
Eliza Madrigal: what do you mean Kori?
Bruce Mowbray: Wonderful, Kori!
Aphrodite Macbain: yes, when it's your choice it is not a punishment from others
Eliza Madrigal: ah, I think I get that...'the way we are limited is the way we are free' (stim)
Bruce Mowbray: Hmmm.
Korel Laloix: I chose my Faith.... so it gives me such freedom.
Eliza Madrigal: amen :)
Aphrodite Macbain: free within the boundaries
Bruce Mowbray: And what a perfect way to end this session, Eliza! Thank you.
Korel Laloix: But what my mom tried to pin on me was horrid... that would have destroyed me.
Eliza Madrigal: thanks so much, Bruce
Zon Kwan: no transcendence unless grounded
Bruce Mowbray: I shall be going now, but those of you who wish to, please continue.
Eliza Madrigal: nice, Zon

--BELL--

Bruce Mowbray: Namaste to each and every one of you!
Korel Laloix: Take care.
Aphrodite Macbain: nods. Thanks for such a wonderful discussion. I'm glad I got to be part of some of it
Eliza Madrigal: feel very inspired too
Korel Laloix: Was lovely
Eliza Madrigal: Kori and Zon would you like teleports to iching?
Zon Kwan: yes please
Eliza Madrigal: k, will grab you momentarily
Korel Laloix: Sure....
Korel Laloix: wado
Aphrodite Macbain: I think I'll teleport to RL for a while. Bye
Zon Kwan: bye aph