I think you are very wise, my good friend, in suggesting that we all sit back and kind of absorb this.

You are a very powerful and wonderful person, and so many of us are very grateful for what you have set out to do here on your website. You have unlocked a magic box, and provided an atmosphere of engagement that has explosive potential both in terms of awareness, and in terms of impacting the world. I deeply, deeply believe this, and cannot go on enough regarding how much I respect this temple that you have built here. You are an incredible builder.
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Hi Mark

well, it’s not me - it’s the sum total of the people here and something else I do not know- X. It ebbs and flows - sometimes we’re in the zone and sometimes not! Solar wind.......we’re all just leaves in it...or windmills....or something :D

PS Just because I’m absorbing - don’t feel you have to join me unless you need to !

I second Mark’s comment This blog is a treasure, and you are a generous dispenser of its gold.

Ya Haqq!

Upon reflection, there were many dynamics that played out in the previous post. Two strike me: first, there was a genuinely appreciative atmosphere. How wonderful to have that in any spot in our life. Second, we saw the New Man emerging, the conscious, enlightened being that we are all reaching for, hoping to achieve.

There was a presence existing in the entire series. In some instances, it could be clearly seen in the words; in other instances, it weaved itself in between the words, leaving trails and trails of subtle implications. Surely there is a Sufi word to describe this dance.

But the dancer was not satisfied to remain bound within the words. She offered herself, and those who posted and commented took her hand. She moved between us, as she danced between the words. And in the process, she wove her spell, captivated us, and laid deep within us her fertility.

And so, we each were caught up, and in the process we felt that authentic harmonic quality stirring within us. Swirling, we rose as one, and each of us began to recognize aloud the eternal life force stirring within.

And then, quite simply, we acknowledged that, both in ourselves and in each other. And that is incredibly valuable.

I would like to add my appreciation for this blog home, for being welcomed here as a first time guest on an unbelievably moving guest post and series of comments.  The sense of connectedness and community and harmony among individuals with different backgrounds and viewpoints is proof positive that in our shared humanity we can each find that common ground that binds us all together.  It was, and is, something important, meaningful and sacred.

I humbly offer my gratitude for providing this sanctuary for thought, its expression, sharing, and development.  We are all enriched in our own journey and in these holy moments of communion with one another, we see one another truly as we see ourselves.

Blessings of peace, joy and Love be with us all eternally.

There is an interesting series on the Art of Giving unfolding on my blog if anyone is interested. My teacher is participating, which has never occured.

http://eternalawareness.wordpress.com/2006/10/26/questions-on-giving/

Guys, may I please share my vision of thisJ

Why don’t we all abandon discussions on whether I. Shah was a real teacher or not and may be spend some time practically seeking for “people of the secret” in the East. In my opinion chances that we find these individuals in the West are very slim. For the last 6 years I have been travelling through the East every year on a basis one month a year spent there in order to find a right (for me of course!) teaching and right teacher. I have visited several Muslim countries and India. My practical experience shows that there are many Sufi teachings that are partial and without any real substance in them. But there are some with such substance.
I have found a “fragmentary” (by I. Shah) teaching with a real teacher who is connected with his superiors and his school. He is guiding me and helping me practically and realistically, although this school in its` form can not be called ideally integrated.

segovius, you can abandon esoterism, but you can not abandon your desire for finding Truth, it`s not something that you have developed in yourself, it was given to you by sources beyond our perception.  let`s not get frustrated by the fact that you can not find anything. The reason for such disappointment lies, in my personal opinion, here: I. Shah had presented Sufism as very attractive form of teaching, he has almost created a Dream – Teaching, Ideal teaching, that only chosen ones will be able to get in touch with. Reality is not in fact as rosy as it was presented. Many of Sufi groups in the East are operating independently from I. Shah`s superiors and never heard about any organisation of this kind. Nevertheless Baraka is found in I. Shah books. That means that he was in touch with descent teaching and was emotionally motivated to bring this message to us.
So why don`t we set up a Group of seekers, similar to one Gurdjieff had, and will launch practical work in order to find complete Sufi teaching. Close to one I. Shah has mentioned.
What do you think?

Eugene,

I can understand the frustrations of serious seekers in trying to find a genuinely deep and comprehensive master teacher. Such teacher’s are extremely rare. I am fortunate that I study with one here in the US, so I can and will attest that such teacher’s exist. One day the highest ranked priest in Shinto, came to my teacher’s home and commented, “I have traveled the world, been with the world’s greatest teachers, including those with the deepest understandings, and I have never met anyone who comes close to your abilities, including how simple you can make and explain the most complex things. You are perfect.”

I am not familiar with Gurgjieff’s group of seekers. However, based on my own experiences and the powerful yet highly practical teachings of my teacher, including his comprehensive abilities to bring his students into stunning, life-changing inner experiences, I am convinced that if a group of like-minded students assembled around such a teacher, each having open hearts and open minds, and also trained in and having the dedication and the ability to be highly conductive of deep inner flow, including focusing on a common point… I am 100% convinced we can alter human consciousness on a global scale.