What is Morality?

Morality is a fleeting thing. Thus, I will rely on trusty dictionary.com, which has, amongst other things, this to say:

–noun, plural -ties for 4–6.

1.	conformity to the rules of right conduct; moral or virtuous conduct.

2.	moral quality or character.

3.	virtue in sexual matters; chastity.

4.	a doctrine or system of morals.

5.	moral instruction; a moral lesson, precept, discourse, or utterance.

6.	morality play.

Note the common thread seems to have reference to something, whether set codes/rules or intention. (I have been reading The Blook, by Daniel Ingram, by the way, and highly recommend it.)

As I sit in contemplation of the nation of morality, I am considering Daniel's proposition that Morality is the first and the last training, and find that I cannot fault that position. There are different models of morality, and although I found the notion admirable in my study of enlightenment, it did not appeal to me as a potentially good place to begin enlightenment practice. But then again, I have a reputation for not entering through the front door of the paths. (Or, as my beloved teacher Jeddah Mali once put it, "Kaye, it's not true at all that you use the back door. I use the back door. You think that going through the front door puts you in with the unwashed masses, using the back door is too unflashy. Oh, no. You insist on coming down the chimney!")

However, I think morality has its place. It depends on the individual and the culture, I suppose. In a culture or society where unrestrained activity occurs, the notion of morality is certainly helpful in imposing certain "rules" on individuals, so that a basic environment for spiritual progress may be created. However, I do not particularly favour the continued pursuit of this set of rules (and I say rules because I do not see it as plausible to ask a grossly unrealised society to "live from their values" - they already are!) because in the long run, the blind following of rules creates more blocks than it dissolves.

Once the basic environment is created, I would progress as quickly as possible to the enlightenment practice. However, having come full circle, there is certainly something to be said for morality as the final frontier. Having gone into the mountains and attained some level of enlightenment, a practitioner's challenge now is to abide in his realisation, and to live and act from his highest level of realisation. Now, if that is the definition of morality, then it may certainly be considered the highest level.

Morality is, as I said, a subject I have not given much contemplation to, and so I will not blabber on. However, it is certainly an interesting notion. I still have a certain reticence towards framing actions in the colour of morality, but perhaps that is my emotional stuff around the word...

Astrology - Fate vs Free Will

Of all the objections I have heard to the use of astrology, the most interesting one is that it negates the idea of free will. It is objectionable to the human spirit that everything is somehow written, that we are really puppets following a cosmic dance.

Yet, astrology lives on in almost every civilisation, western or eastern. One wonders if entire civilisations have been misled? That is certainly one possible interpretation.

More importantly, how can one reconcile the theory of astrology with the nature of consciousness? If liberation and enlightenment are truly possible, then it would make a mockery of astrology. Or would it?

The explanation I put forward is one that comes from having the fortune of having observed both eastern and western astrological systems over the years. One fascinating observation is that Western astrology appears to be largely a prediction of one's mental state, and Eastern astrology appears to be a prediction of things that will happen to you. This is simplifying it hugely, but it sparked an idea.

I have a theory that astrology measures cycles of cosmic energy that sweeps across the planet at various times. In response to that, the individual's personal energy field will react in certain ways. These ways are not set in stone, but if nothing else is changed, then it is a likely response. And the way that energy impact arises will be through thought and emotion.

The thought and emotion will cause the mind to engage, and if the mind is unenlightened, then the slightest bit of attachment will cause the Law of Attraction to kick in, resulting in various events manifesting.

Can it be avoided? Yes. Typically, there are individuals who escape their "destiny". It seems to be a result of their environment and their thought processes, so that with the right touch the energies arising pass through the psyche without reacting and thus does not take hold.

Am I right? I don't know. The jury's still out on this one. However, it seems a reasonable proposition.

Four Thoughts That Turn The Mind

As I was researching Milarepa's (a Tibetan saint) life story today, I came across this article:

http://www.kagyu.org/kagyulineage/buddhism/dha/dha02.php

It talks about four thoughts that turn the mind to enlightenment. And as I read it, I thought, "Wow, this is like rediscovering the Four Noble Truths. The statements here outline a schema of belief that, if held and thoroughly experienced, would bring about an experience of enlightenment."

I will quote the summary of the four thoughts from Lama Ganga's teaching, and leave you to read the rest from the link:

"We have seen that the first thought is to appreciate that obtaining a precious human birth is not easy. The second is to recognize that because this precious human birth is impermanent we should practice as soon and quickly as possible. Third is karma and its result, knowing that if we act positively through body, speech, and mind we experience happiness, and if we act negatively we experience suffering. Fourth, we understand that the nature of samsara is suffering. These are sometimes called the four thoughts that turn the mind to Dharma, or the four ordinary foundations. They are the basis or foundation of all Dharma practice."

Is the Motivational and Human Potential Industry in a Bubble?

Has anyone noticed how the human potential movement seems to be huddling closer and closer to together lately? It is as though the recession has finally chipped through to even the pillars of the community and they are beginning to find that the methods they use may not be as foolproof as they once believed.

A colleague once told me, "If we really knew the answer, we wouldn't be teaching it."

Well, it looks like the moment of truth is upon us. Perhaps I'm being melodramatic, but judging from the number of endorsements people are giving, the testimonials, and the desperate inter-marketing to each others' lists, it does seem as though the boom in the self-help industry has finally run out of juice. The real question is...

Do the leaders dare to face the reality of it?

Understandably, it's scary when you notice that people aren't getting as much success as they used to. It's even more scary when the tactics you've been using over your life are beginning to show a decidedly lower hit rate. However, if it's a long-term solution you're looking for, getting a bunch of other people in the same boat to reassure you isn't going to do much.

So, ladies and gentlemen, the industry may not like it, but things are beginning to look decidedly like a bubble every bit as flimsy as the financial one that just burst.

Now, if they were looking for solutions, they are there, but I am also noting a reluctance to look past the fear at it.

A Personification of My Life

Click on the image to read.

Sometimes, Someone Just Says It Better

Sometimes, as today, I feel as if I have yammered on and on about truths and secrets all day, and made it as clear and accessible as I can. Then sometimes, as today, I am completely and totally floored by someone who tells it more clearly, more honestly, more sincerely and more truthfully than anything I have ever written. And it is a humbling and wonderful experience to remember that it really isn't up to me to lead the world to some kind of shining salvation. It gets on just fine without me. And I am no longer needed. What joy and freedom!

Don't waste your time on my blog. Go read Kashy's:

http://www.myspace.com/kashykeegan

Kashy, I salute you for daring to face the most scary thing a person can meet: themselves. I only really took the time to read your blog today, and in spite of your telling me how much The Work changed your life, the posts have finally driven it home. It is a humbling experience. Thank you for sharing.

(And yes, for the friends reading this who are inevitably going to ask, I did cry like a baby. So there.)

Does The Work mean the death of ambition?

This is rather a specialised piece - for people who are already familiar with The Work of Byron Katie. If you aren't one of them, this is where to look: www.thework.com

Tip: The videos are a nice way to get to know Katie's stuff.

When I was at a Byron Katie event earlier this year, there was the usual life-changing breakthrough of paradigms that accompany this fantastic woman. However, I did notice some confusion on one point - if we are completely at peace with our circumstances, won't we lack the motivation to change it?

This is symptomatic of a society which is used to using carrot and stick motivational tactics, not just to manipulate others, but to manipulate themselves.

I elaborate on the carrot and stick in the introduction post of the The Dialogues here.

For now, let me say it a little differently:

The awakened paradigm is not about from pain to peace. It is about from peace to peace.

We do not go towards something because we are attempting to escape pain, or trying to grab onto a shadow of hope, but rather because we are already in love with reality, and choose to move into another loving reality, having no need for it, but moving towards it because. Just because.

The Work of Byron Katie may be described as "from love to love" or "from joy to joy". That is her way of moving through life, and there is no kinder way that I know of. Wonderful woman, that one.