Conference hydra::dejavu

       Since nearly two-thirds of a day has gone by and no one has
    responded, I will say this in speaking entirely for myself.  I
    do not like to classify myself into any particular system (and 
    thereby have ;-) ) and I tend to feel that questions, even of
    the "who are you?" variety, often give way to expressions of 
    judgement and ego.  How and how is it different than other ways?
    Well, for me, if someone has a specific question about a system,
    etc., then that can be subjectively (and as objectively within
    that as possible) answered...CONTENT, in other words.  Providing
    content needs to be discretionary, I think, but is "doable".
    But to open up to context and form is much more delicate.  "Who
    are you?" is or can be such.  "I am going to stand up and tell the
    whole world all about myself" is probably not a wise thing to do.
    It probably reveals a major destructive negative ego to do so,
    because it is saying "I trust everyone", which is a lie and a self-
    delusion (for 99% of humans.)  So, for me, I do not trust everyone...
    I trust those who earn my trust and I expect that from them.  I
    love those who have earned my love and I expect similar treatment
    from them.  To "open myself up" as to certain practices, traits,
    characteristics, etc. is to do similarly.  If I told you I liked
    to sit here and work in the nude, I'm sure there would be a judgement
    added to that.  And one that may not be favorable to our interactions.
    So, until I can establish that I can trust you with that information,
    then I will wait until I am more certain that judgementalness will
    not follow.  Many months ago a noter jumped into this conference
    asking for anyone to tell if they worshipped Satan.  What possible
    purpose could anyone have if not to satisfy his/her own negative
    ego whims, to answer such a provocative query?  The point is that
    I suspect there is reluctance to answer your question here because
    it is "too intimate" for many, based on issues of trust; additionally,
    as you have indicated, many questions have been answered in
    regards to personal beliefs, albeit (as you indicated) "not under
    one" topic but scattered throughout.  Anyway, I hope I do not 
    discourage you from asking other questions or even from pursuing
    this one, if you desire...or that I discourage anyone else from
    expressing themselves should they so desire.  It is just that for
    me I do not wish to be so "pinned down" in a public way...at least
    at this time and in this way. 
    
    Frederick (who-has-therefore-answered-some-of-your-question)
    

    Re .1 (Fredrick):
    
    > .......... Many months ago a noter jumped into this conference
    >asking for anyone to tell if they worshipped Satan.  What possible
    >purpose could anyone have if not to satisfy his/her own negative
    >ego whims, to answer such a provocative query?
     
    I don't recall a noter asking that particular question.  A noter
    did ask about "demon worship," which, after a few false starts,
    helped clarify definitions about various classes of supernatural
    entities.  In point of fact, the question provoked some very positive
    responses as to why demon worship was a very unwise thing, and in
    that provoked a lot of good dialogue.
    
    The Socratic method lives.
    
    Re .0 (Joanne):
    
    >......................... If this is a duplicate, please advise
    >me where to go.        
     
    What a straight line! :-)
    
    Actually, for myself, I can only say that I'm something of a study
    freak.  Thast's why you'll find me here and elsewhere.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.

    I'm not sure if what I'm about to say applies, but here goes....
    
    I've a fairly recent (3-4 months) reader of this notes file.  I
    am a Native American (Chippewa).  So most of my spirituality is
    coming from my heritage.
    
    I guess I've been on a "spiritual journey" for quite some time.
    It wasn't until a few trips to the Southwest that I was able to
    identify that which satisfied me.  Some things that are so obvious
    are sometime the ones we neglect to see.
    
    I am avid reader, and everything I read consists of Native American
    values, principles etc.  Through my readings I have identified, scratched
    my head and said "oh, yeah", that's how I feel, too.  It's given
    me a better understanding of who I am, what I am, etc.  I've also
    filled up that "hole" I thought existed in my life.  At some unfortunate
    times, I've tried filling it with someone else instead of me.
    
    So, I guess my "high" is my heritage.  I'm extremely proud of it,
    and follow it "religiously".  
    
    Hope this gives you a little bit of info to chew on......
    
    Deb
    

    
    Re.0
    
    Well, I'll do my best here.....
    
    I stumbled into DEJAVU back in May 1987.  I was starting at ground
    Zero with respect to spiritual growth, etc., and was just beginning
    to read my first book on this very topic (The Road Less Travelled,
    by Scott Peck).
    
    Since that time I've journeyed into, sort of into and sometimes
    out of, quite a number of the topics in this conference, along with
    other related conferences.  Among these topics are psychology,
    (Peck, Keen, Jung), theology, Buddhism, Christianity (and various 
    denominations inc. Christian Science), Unitarian Universalism,
    crystals, astrology, Lazaris, Shirley MacLaine, meditation, mysticism, 
    metaphysics, YCYOR, physics and.....well, you get the idea. 
    
    My point really is that we are all growing and we change daily.
    What applied to yesterday does not necessarily apply for all of
    time.  Some of us have become quite knowledgable in certain areas
    and if you're a regular reader, then you will begin to recognize
    certain people who know more about a certain topic than the rest
    of the participants.
    
    Hope this helps somewhat.  Don't mean to be so vague, however breaking
    the molds and stereotypes of the past is more or less of a life
    mission for me.
    
    Cindy
           

    RE:  .1
    
    The intention of this note was to see what areas different individuals
    looked at in pursuing their spiritual quest, and if one wanted to
    elaborate on a discipline they are following, it was fine.  I wasn't
    particularly probing into a persons beliefs, but was more interested
    in where a person's quest had taken them.
    
    RE:  .2
    
    >  What a straight line! :-)
    
    From a straight person! :-)
    Actually, from a nervous person who was anxious about writing.
    
    I should really introduce myself as this note was the second response
    made by me in the conference and I don't know anyone personally
    who writes here.
    
    I was brought up Christian and still hold to that belief, but am
    branching out and incorporating other areas/religions into my beliefs.
    As a child (many, many years ago) I was interested in ESP (no talent
    here though).  I visited and talked to individuals from various
    groups/religions.  Probably those with the most impact on my decision
    to really look were some students and professors from a local divinity
    school where my roommate worked.  For a person who thought of God
    as a man seated on a throne with angels flittering overhead, I got
    many jolts.  My roommate at the time was into studying the Bible,
    reading Cayce, reading about the Hopi, into gems/stones, plus other
    teachings of interest to her.  I stuck my nose in.
    
    Since then, I've done my own reading and trying but have not really
    put my heart into any one discipline.  I am interested in gems/stones/
    crystals and have been collecting them.  Because of this, I am back
    into making jewelry.  I am also interested in the Native American
    philosophies and would really like to gain more knowledge about
    it.
    
    I am rather passive/non active now, I just collect information as
    I'm not sure what I really want to follow.  I do feel that reading
    and asking questions is helpful, but to really benefit my growth
    I'll have to act eventually.
    
    Thank you for sharing,
    Joanne
    

    
    Well, it certainly sounds like you've come to the right place! (;^)
         
    Given that you have a bit of a Christian/religious slant, I'd recommend
    starting out with what I did ("The Road Less Traveled", by Scott
    Peck).  It gives you a good mix of psychology (basic terms) and
    religion and how they fit together...more or less.  Peck is a
    Christian, however he sees Truth in all religions with Love at the
    core.  "The Different Drum - Community Making and Peace" by Peck
    is also one I'd recommend.  To peek at some excerpts from this book,
    search here for the topic on Religions and World Peace to see if
    the 'speak' to you.
    
    Then there's Lazaris.....
                             
    Happy trails!
    
    Cindy

    ...Not a bad mission to have, Cindy... Somebody's got to do it...
    Keep it up!
    
    Jeff  

    
    	"My personal Quest" has led me now to a time when things are
    wizzing by me. I can remember back to 30 days ago and wonder how
    I got to my present "atmosphere". But amazingly, a quiet
    contentment/peace makes me enjoy this current adventure.
    	The Quest stresses physical endurance, self diciplin, poor
    spelling, constant learning, and a lust for the experiances I encounter
    along the way.
    	It has lead me from being a dull annoying person with little/no
    energy to a multi-player, multi-level, extravaganza! (that to some
    is still annoying.)
    	Constant Syncronicities (lets slaughter words ?) seem to say
    that I am zipping along the path that I should, (or a path that is
    meaningful to me) Why receiently I have even found Frederick quoting
    things from Lazzarus that my brain has considered before. I guess
    that means Lazzarus is FINALLY getting on the ball! :-)   :-)  	

    Craig-who-never-had-respect-for-people-who
    	-could-only-spell-words-one-way.
    
                                            (stolen from Mark Twain)
                                                                   

What's my high?  

That's a good question.  

First thing that comes to mind are chocolate chip cookies and painting -
not necessarily in that order.

Beyond that, I guess that's why I'm here - to find out...

Terry

    I'm just poking my nose into this notesfile again.  I haven't 
    been in here for about a year or two.  This topic caught my eye 
    because I find it interesting to consider different paths people 
    use to go places.

    I have not discovered any particular path for myself...probably
    because I don't know where I'm going.  Whenever I think of 
    reaching a final goal, I seem to get lost in the maze of paths I 
    think I need to take in order to get there.

    So, currently, I'm sort of blowing with the wind and trying to
    be honest and aware with myself.  I'm currently going through
    divorce, and thinking this way (blowing with the wind) has 
    helped calm me down and bring me some peace.

    I don't know if there is a particular path I will excell in
    someday...but because life has been so full of change, I have 
    found the most peace by not getting too attached to anything.  
    But yet, appreciating and enjoying, as fully as possible, the 
    things I am in contact with at any given moment.  THAT gives me 
    a lot of challenge and a lot of interesting, learning experiences.

    Jerri

I'm the same; everything around me has changed.

I've changed; everything around me is the same.

Neither of these statements is true.

Both of these statements are true.

I am where am I; my goal is to be aware of where is it am I, so that I can 
exercise my potential to its fullest current possibility (which is always 
changing) and constantly realize enlightenment.

Love and Light
Meredith

    hello may be you like my note 165.31 of today
    
    is referring to your subject
    
    johan