Aliveness and Harmony
A man is alive when he is wholehearted, true to himself, true to his own inner forces, and able to act freely according to the nature of the situations he is in.
[...] To be happy, and to be alive, in this sense, are almost the same. Of course, a man who is alive, is not always happy in the sense of feeling pleasant; experiences of joy are balanced by experiences of sorrow. But the experiences are all deeply felt; and above all, the man is whole; and conscious of being real.
To be alive, in this sense, is not a matter of suppressing some forces or tendencies, at the expense of others; it is a state of being in which all forces which arise in a man can find expression; he lives in balance among the forces which arise in him; he is unique as the pattern of forces which arises is unique; he is at peace, since there are no disturbances created by underground forces which have no outlet, at one with himself and his surroundings.
This state cannot be reached merely by inner work.
There is a myth, sometimes widespread, that a person need do only inner work, in order to be alive like this; that a man is entirely responsible for his own problems; and that to cure himself, he need only change himself. This teaching has some value, since it is so easy for a man to imagine that his problems are caused by "others." But it is a one-sided and mistaken view which also maintains the arrogance of the belief that the individual is self-sufficient, and not dependent in any essential way on his surroundings.
The fact is, a person is so far formed by his surroundings, that his state of harmony depends entirely on his harmony with his surroundings.
Some kinds of physical and social circumstances help a person come to life. Others make it very difficult.
-- Christopher Alexander, in The Timeless Way of Building
SEED QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: What do you make of the notion that a state of aliveness cannot be reached merely by inner work? Can you share two personal experiences, one of a time when the surroundings helped, and the other of a time when the surroundings hindered your coming alive? What do you make of the notion that one's state of harmony depends entirely on one's harmony with one's surroundings?
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57 Past Reflections
On Jan 14, 2014 Rajnikant wrote :
When and how can one be in center? Does one have a biased opinion? My view point is correct? Have I hurt or cause someone to hurt or support someone hurting even the slightest ego of any living being - human, animals or plants and/or of any foundation or view point of any religion?and/or uttered untrue adverse things offending or showed disregard or disrespect of any religious head or authority, disliked or hate any living being or spoken harsh, hurtful language, and/or have had any desires, gestures, or thoughts of perverted, sensuality or passion towards any gender- male, female or neuter, and/or excessive temptation towards any relish or taste of food, and/or uttered untrue, adverse things for any being-living or dead, in one's presence or absence? Am I an instrumental in welfare of the world that is good of mankind as a whole? Once these things are being implemented then one marches towards the center.
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On Jan 14, 2014 rajnikant wrote :
The center is the same for everyone and one can give the name as to the beliefs and understanding. Since center is center it is the same therefore everyone is right in his/her belief and can name it accordingly. The center is so unique that it is totally impartial and therefore will accept everyone's viewpoint and will not enforce one is right and one is wrong. It will accept everyone. The real truth is the center since it is all knowing and seer.
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On Jan 9, 2014 Rajnikant wrote :
Very well said David. We are one at the center and we need to learn to interact at the center and then oneness can be felt and achieved. We are the world itself within us and therefore we do have an impact. If we learn to live for others and not hurt any living being that is what human beings are for and then we can get nearer and nearer to the center. Then we will know meet some one who is at the center and show us the center. Then we will know who am i? Knowing the center will dissolve the ego.
7 replies: Rick, Krzystof, Always, A, Gotta, Now, Rajnikant | Post Your Reply
On Jan 8, 2014 Srikantam Saibaba wrote :
I am just a part (negligible) of this whole world. Whether I exist or not it has least effect to this world. If this becomes a conviction ones ego automatically gets grounded and experiences the real meaning of HUMAN LIFE
5 replies: David, Pius, Mish, Jo, Thank | Post Your Reply
On Jan 8, 2014 Rajnikant wrote :
Always Love put it rightly. Each morning we should resolve to carry ours and any other crosses that come across without hurting anyone including oneself. The mantra can be , "I will be very positive today, not hurt anyone, help myself first and then others with happiness". We are always put in circumstances which comes and we cannot do anything since it comes so it should be our firm belief that we will make the best out of it and in particular will not get affected negatively so we help our self and any others we interact with no matter what the external circumstances are. We need a resolution that we do every morning and then it will start automatically working for a rich inner living.
1 reply: Mish | Post Your Reply
On Jan 8, 2014 S.K.Haldar wrote :
When the mind is defile, all the best available materialistic pleasure, luxury even at auspicious places can’t generate the happiness, harmony to a person or to the soul. On the other hand if the mind is vibrant with positives,awaken and conscious, peace of soul does not get disturbed even a person is put in the most inauspicious situation.
Harmony is balancing the reaction or response of external impact what we encounter every moment/every day in life with the inner consciousness and awakeness. Developing the inner consciousness is the most fundamental tool to live in harmony which automatically influence to the sorroundings.
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On Jan 8, 2014 Rajnikant wrote :
1 reply: Always | Post Your Reply
On Jan 7, 2014 jodi wrote :
i am sorry but the incessant use of "the man," "him," "his," etc. completely ruins this article for me. i rewrote it for myself using "person," "one," and "she/her." how lazy to not include half your readers! you either don't care very much about what you're saying or you don't care about how this makes women feel. personally, i feel disrespected and excluded and angry. also, your punctuation is poor enough to make the writing confusing at times. one's surroundings include the language in which one couches their opinions and thoughts. as such, the "surroundings" of this article, the relentless exclusionary language, prevented me being in harmony with it or even from taking it in until i rewrote it. (please excuse lack of capitals, i have a broken hand...an indication of how strongly i feel is that i took time to respond with one-handed typing.)
2 replies: Somik, Cliff | Post Your Reply
On Jan 7, 2014 Kristin Pedemonti wrote :
I believe it's interconnected. True, when one is at peace Inside then the external surroundings may be somewhat less important. At the same time, one's external environment has an impact on the internal as well. While it is true one can be at peace within external chaos if one is at peace Internally, eventually the outer chaos will probably have an effect on the inner peace. I am going through this right now, so this question is especially timely for me. I am living in an environment which causes external stress and eventually that affects my internal peace. To be balanced I need to exert more energy than if the external surroundings were more peaceful. It is an ongoing challenge. And a cycle/circle. when I am at peace internally it is easier to deal with the external. However, when I am in a peaceful surrounding I feel my heart as more full and can then be even MORE peaceful inside. Both environments affect us. :) HUG (gosh, I hope this makes sense)
1 reply: You | Post Your Reply
On Jan 7, 2014 PIUS THEK wrote :
TO BE ALIVE IS TO BE HERE,NOW, COMPLETING EACH ACTION BEING FULLY PRESENT TO THE PRESENT MOMENT. IT MEANS BEING TOTALLY PRESENT WITHOUT THE BURDEN OF SELF. TO BE ALIVE IS TO EXPERIENCE A SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE WHOLE OF CREATION.
2 replies: Rohan, Me | Post Your Reply
On Jan 5, 2014 aj wrote :
All I know is that, I feel more alive and in harmony with/in life having met you. Answered prayer. God is good.
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On Jan 5, 2014 Rajniknt wrote :
Conrad has very nicely summarized it. Even though we all are one at one center point, we need to recognize that each one is an individual and has his/her own beliefs. My take from Holistic Science is that everyone is right from his/her view point. This would lead to oneness. If we have a belief to adjust everywhere and avoid clash which is an internal belief, then it will work like a charm in the external surroundings and one will be very happy. If the gill is a happy heart which is again internal, then it will reflect externally. Krzyst also provided a experience of inner meditation which has helped inner and outer unity. With the right inner belief, the outer can be handled very satisfactorily and amicably.
5 replies: A, Conrad, Good, Jodi, Jodi | Post Your Reply
On Jan 5, 2014 Krzystof Sibilla wrote :
The less violent we are to our surroundings the more stable our inner work become .I do remember my first attempt to meditate after I decided not to kill any moving being for food. I was surpised when the door where I was sitting slamd loud and my reaction to it.Since then I accepted that way of life, still improving it, and my perception of inner and outer reallty became more united.
The most destructive weapon on this planet is the table fork.Ghandi.
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On Jan 5, 2014 Conrad P Pritscher wrote :
Since we are all one, there is no difference between inner and outer and no difference between an individual and his or her surroundings. Paradoxically, one's harmonious state while connected to what surrounds one, can be peaceful even when chaos and war seem to be going on around one. Surprisingly, Ganoba's response to honoring the gill inside you reached me today and it applies as an excellent response to today's message. It reads: "Me, all of me. Life became a fun adventure when I started taking myself as an harmonious whole, fully attuned with the environment. With this I started accepting, even celebrating, all that was served on my plate. I started to see the value of everything irrespective of its size, shape and color. Now it is love all the way." How wonderful Ganoba. Thank you. Warm and kind regards to everyone.
1 reply: Mish | Post Your Reply
On Jan 4, 2014 david doane wrote :
1 reply: Rajnikant | Post Your Reply
On Jan 3, 2014 Rajnikant wrote :
It is my understanding from Holistic Inner science that all information flows thru mind, body and speech. Certain aspects are governed by what you perceive and then the information goes internally and processed and then action takes place and there are circumstances when inner thoughts are sprouted based on many evidences and then action takes place after the information is processed thru mind, sub-conscious, and intellect. Invariably all information is processed internal for any reaction that happens. If one's reaction is due to surrounding, where does the reaction occurs and how is it processed? The inner function of the body is responsible. The inner functions are internal to the body where as seeing, touch,hearing, smelling, and tasting are external whose reaction is processed internally and then felt outwardly.
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On Jan 3, 2014 Mish wrote :
I basically feel it is "inside/out", but my "inside" was formed by all the experiences on the path, so, surely my surroundings were part of the "whole shebang". :))
I feel "most alive" when I am in my Light-center experiencing oneness with another through kindness.
On a camping trip a long time ago, I was very frightened by my surroundings one dark night when my flashlight stopped working half-way down the hill. From that disharmony with my surroundings I was forced to face my fear, which I agonizingly did, & was blessed with the gift of increased strength & confidence . Grateful for the gift from disharmony w/my surroundings .....boy, did I feel "alive" that night. (& elated when I was back in our tent, snugly cozy in my sleeping bag !! Namaste _/\_
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On Jan 3, 2014 Jyoti wrote :
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On Jan 3, 2014 Jon Madian wrote :
my wife's comment: nice piece but could've been written gender free :)))
2 replies: Marianne, Mish | Post Your Reply
On Jan 3, 2014 Sandra Bradley wrote :
What I have personally discovered is that my most intimate relationships (3 husbands) and my children (7) were my very best teachers. Each one awakened in me many of my unfinished parts. They brought to the surface, my everyday consciousness, aspects of my personality that hindered my awakening to all that I could be. I tend to do things in grand style and invite learnings at a heightened state. Suits my persona. Now in my winter years I can only smile and offer gratitude for all the gifts they brought me. Some I resisted holding on by my fingernails and protesting loudly. But...you only react to what you know or what you feel or what you own. Now in the winter of my years it is not my inner work that makes my life full of joy and blessings. It is my inner work displayed outward in my silence, my feelings, my words, my energy of who I am becoming.
2 replies: Sandra, Cindy | Post Your Reply
On Jan 3, 2014 Sandra wrote :
Inner work is only a part of one's state of aliveness...if that were true for me I could be a monk and that is not for me. I use my surroundings to grow and develop which translate to being alive.
Simply my surroundings many times lately have reminded me to stay in the present not to stress. The opposite is when I have allowed my surroundings to totally stress me to the point of a hospital stay for 4 days.
Harmony with surroundings keep me balance
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On Jan 2, 2014 Rajnikant wrote :
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On Jan 2, 2014 Radhika Srinivasan wrote :
To me, this is akin to saying that one should not abandon one's responsibilities and run away to the Himalayas (read "a remote place") to meditate and go deeper within oneself. One has to learn to achieve that inner stillness and centering that one does through meditation, even while plunging oneself into the peaks and troughs of a tumultuous life. This journey through the inner and outer may be cyclical for some time (which could be many lifetimes!), and we would probably have achieved a balance between the two, when we are able to keep our inner serenity while being full participants in the happenings of the external world. When I am not in harmony with my surroundings, my circumstances, it indicates to me that I have a lot of work to do on myself before I can get to that state of inner stillness.