If You Dig Awakening….
Written on April 24, 2008 by Tom Stine
credit: I dig spiritual awakening. Do you? Honestly, I know of no other topic that lights me up and gets my attention. Therefore, I’d like to share some cool blogs that are very awakening focused. I’ve discovered these great sites and people over the past few months, and they put out some great stuff.
Takuin Minamoto writes passionately from his experience. His posts are moving and almost a meditation in and of themselves.
Davidya has a lot of great commentary on the subject of awakening. I found him recently because of a post he did on Adyashanti. He has been leaving some fantastic comments on my post Adyashanti Retreat Report, where he, J Stone and I have been having quite the exchange of ideas and thoughts.
Kenton Whitman writes a Zen inspired blog that has a number of excellent posts that deal with the whole topic of awakening.
There are other sites to check-out, too, on this subject, my favorite being Adyashanti’s web site. You can watch videos and download free audio recordings of Adya speaking about awakening.
And last, but not least, I’d like to give a big thumbs up to two spirituality blogs that I really like. While his blog isn’t about awakening, my friend Albert at UrbanMonk.net writes a spiritually inspired blog on personal development. Albert has been writing some excellent posts lately, and I suggest you check him out.
The second is Divine Purpose Unleashed written by CK and Michelle, two very in tune women who write about how to find your divine purpose. Michelle interviewed me on her Internet radio show last month.
Enjoy these blogs. I do. Talk to you soon when the retreat is over.
on April 24th, 2008 at 6:45 am
Thank you very much, Tom. It is wonderful to see that you have added my blog to your list. It is high praise to be smiled upon in such a way.
Have a safe trip from the retreat, and see you when you get back.
Takuin
Takuin Minamoto’s last blog post..Sitting #1
on April 24th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Wow Tom. High praise indeed, in such illustrious company. Thank you. Looking forward to hearing of your time in silence with Adya.
Davidya’s last blog post..Queerer than we suppose
on April 24th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Maybe it’s just because it’s 1:19 am on a Friday I hope that is it.
Tom the post comes off as elitist like if your not in my “club” you can’t play. I really thought your post smacked of “me” and “us” very interesting. You say that no other topic “lights you up and gets your attention”
Sounds pretty narrow minded to me.Words mean things. I would have thought you would have chosen yours more carefully.It seems to be a line in the sand kind of post. Maybe I just read the words wrong. I hope so.
Mark Krusen’s last blog post..You’ve gotta justa be kidding me!!
on April 24th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
Hi Mark
Its much earlier here. And perhaps I have a bias (laughs). But it seems to me he loves the subject and wanted to list some resources related to it. To me thats one of the beauties of the Internet. Everything can be cross-linked. If we can find a resource we like, they often point us to others. I found You and Takuin through Tom, for example. We never would have ‘met’ otherwise.
If it makes you feel any better, from the other side of the border the US elections are incomprehensible.
on April 25th, 2008 at 2:45 am
Davidya,thanks for the come back.I can understand some what loving a subject so much but it leaves out so many other people to only list a few in such a narrow field. (laughing) I’m feeling unloved and rejected.
Thanks for reading my blog and commenting back to me here.
Mark Krusen’s last blog post..You’ve gotta justa be kidding me!!
on April 25th, 2008 at 5:24 am
Perhaps it was because of the time, Mark. And what you wrote would bring a defensive reaction from most people (but probably not Tom). But you may not realize what a wonderful opportunity it is for you. This is a perfect chance to take a look within your being and see how these reactions arise. (I am not saying you should or shouldn’t or even need to do this, by the way!)
It is an interesting conclusion you’ve made. It isn’t good or bad, but it is interesting.It seems the post is only limited by its subject matter. It is a list post of blogs related to awakening (mostly); not a comprehensive directory. It is also a list post of blogs Tom currently reads and digs. But these things should be rather obvious.
It is not my contention to deny anyone the way they feel. It certainly has nothing to do with Takuin. But certain words are capable of raising questions. Not necessarily the words, but the beliefs behind them.
So, in your view, a combination of the words and how they were used seem narrow minded. Could the same thing be said of your words, as well? Could your view be too narrow to include Tom’s? I am not saying it is or it isn’t, and you are certainly not wrong. Who am I to say anything, right? But it seems that one shouldn’t miss the opportunity to explore whatever happens to live within.
I wonder, when you first read the post, how did you feel? When did the reaction arise? Usually, when these sort of things happen, we point the finger and say, “That thing makes me feel this way.” But is that true? Are the words in control, or is the reader driving the train?
And who is it that decides what they mean? Certainly, we can look in the dictionary to find a precise meaning, but that is not what we are talking about. A word is just a sound, after all. And this sound, if it is to be interpreted, needs an interpreter. (Interpretation is different from simple understanding..)
So with that in mind, is it the words that are narrow, or the interpretation of those words? Is it the reading of those words that brings about the feeling, or one’s beliefs held against those words?
It is very fascinating to go into this. You have raised some great questions, Mark, even though that may have never been your intention.
But please understand, I never mean to say that someone is wrong about what they say, or what they believe. I don’t think you are wrong or right. It is just interesting. A fascinating subject.
By the way, I think this is the first time I have interacted with you. Very nice to meet you. Hajimemashite (as is said in Japan).
Takuin Minamoto
Takuin Minamoto’s last blog post..Sitting #1
on April 25th, 2008 at 6:59 am
Takuin, Thanks for such an articulate response to my comment. On reflection it is I that is in error. If not error at least a slight misstep on my part. Tom is one of my favorite reads and most challenging for my mind to wrap around.I’m sure it was the hour of the day, after a long day. My Bi-Polar probably jumped in there too. It truly is nice to meet you also. Mark
Mark Krusen’s last blog post..You’ve gotta justa be kidding me!!
on April 25th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Tom,
Thank you for including me on your list! The interview was a blast and I am enjoying your blog.
I’ve also enjoyed this unexpected exchange above!
M
Michelle Vandepas’s last blog post..Now You Too Can Be Tagged By A Blogger’s Compulsive Behavior!
on April 25th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Takuin,
Deeply insightful. It is amazing what a difference it is if we simply stop and look, as we were taught as children when crossing the road. The simple observation of our response and so many stories we have carried for so long dissolve in the light of awareness. The habit of personalizing everything that happens is made clear. Just that little change opens us to the illusion of our dramas and clears the ground for awakening. It also clears so much noise that has lead us into suffering.
Of course, the small self, the false I is not so comfortable with that insight and tends to play tricks with us. But soon enough, we peel the layers of the onion and what remains is who we really are. Including the Mark that is not his bi-polar. The Mark that is beyond that, at peace and sitting in satisfaction unswayed by events of life.
on April 25th, 2008 at 11:54 am
@Mark
There was no error. There is no error. In spite of what may seem, there never is an error. That is only the small I making wrong, an attempt to prove its own false validity.
Think of it this way. Every decision you make, assuming you were doing your best, is the best you could do in the moment. It was based on your perspective at the time. What determined your perspective? Consciousness. What controls consciousness? Consciousness. What blame is there then if you responded to the best of your ability? There may be some surprise at the response but on the other hand, what transpired? An “unexpected exchange” as Michelle put it. Always look to the bigger picture.
Even the darkness leads to light for there is nothing else.
on April 26th, 2008 at 6:43 am
Tom, thank you for the link. It feels humbling to be in such company
And a very illuminating discussion in the comments section too.
Albert | UrbanMonk.Net’s last blog post..Failure is an Integral Part of Success
on April 27th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
To everyone: thanks so much for taking care of the comments while I was away. Mark, there is so little I could add that would be worth much at this point. You completely get it, I can tell. I’m always glad to see you hanging around here and leaving your comments. Our minds can be interesting “characters” at times, especially when they look to find motives and to understand why. Be well, everyone!