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In the wake of yesterday's report — Dying To Improve Life — and the comments we have coming in, we want to make a few things abundantly clear: >> This is less about James Ray, and the shenanigans that happen when operating a multi-million dollar self-transformation business, and more about common sense and learning how to confront life. >> Sure, when you're adored by millions, put out that sort of energy, and produce like he does (i.e., engage that many people with something of perceived value), you're going to @#$&-up every now and then. Yes, we don't agree with some of his approaches, but he's not the sacrificial lamb here. >> Instead, what is, is simply this: the "unchecked" over-the-top bubble-gum pseudo-psychology and cryptic metaphysical mumbo-jumbo that tries to pass for substantive, usable real-world wisdom. There's a reason we named another guy, besides James, in the report. On this latter point, we're reminded of something Clint Eastwood said, about a year ago, when he was making his media rounds to promote his movie, Gran Torino. He told an interviewer that America is living in a "sissy generation" (But, Clint didn't use the word "sissy." His word started with "p"... we'll let your imagination do the work). Is the Eastwood quote in itself wisdom? Maybe. All depends if you're the kind of person who SEES or encounters more and more 'thin-skinned' people, but never confronts or talks about it. Maybe, now that a well-known actor reveals what you secretly wonder about, it becomes usable wisdom for you — something you can figuratively 'chew on.' Something basic, yet something that'll allow you to get in the game, because you know you're not the only one seeing it that way. But, we're getting ahead of ourselves here. You see, Clint goes on to say:
Humor us a second, and allow us to put our own spin — our own interest in conjecturing — around the bold part of his statement: We truly feel — and this comes after many conversations, over several years, with self-help junkies — that, if you're using self-help from a place of weakness (as in, "I need this to feel better about myself," or "I need this to improve my finances... it's my last hope!")... or... if you're immersed in metaphysics to the point of 'missing' out on the real world around you, you're allowing your life to wither away. Said differently: If you're not getting results with your current teacher, your own self-study, or your spiritual introspection, be "okay" with that very fact. We personally know over 50 people (yeah, we could name 'em, but there are thousands more where those came from) who put more credence and worth on their ability to articulate cryptic spiritual precepts than on what they actually "have" (things) or "can get" (financial power). Somehow, their brains got cross-wired into believing that what they 'know' or how they 'feel' is WHO or WHAT they really are, and indicative of the results they're achieving. Yet, when an outside observer looks around, they see a person in a rut, spinning their wheels, and really never LIVING. One of our readers, Sherry, writes the following:
Shery, we appreciate you too. The biggest peice of experience that we can pass on to you is this: Regardless of what marketing message an apparent guru, saint, sage, genie or master puts out there, nobody has the holy grail to 'unlocking' your inner self. Life, in our humble opinion, is less about FINDING something esoteric — a blissful consciousness or an enlightened state — and more about EXPLORING many things worldly. Sure, you can use spiritual practices to occasionally keep you on track (maybe you have a grand desire to create the world's largest doggie day spa in Dubai), but don't stay "up there" (in the clouds) for too long. Come back down, breathe, smile, then say: "Okay, got that cool insight from my short meditation. Uhmmm, let me make this phone to call now to Mr. Khalid Kalban, the investment guy I know of in Dubai, and make some things happen." In regards to conflicting LOA/Manifestation/Conscious-Creation information out there, it's like saying that some people speak out against progressive taxation (which sends the message that the more you produce and succeed, the more you'll get pick-pocketed by the tax man), and some people adore the idea that the rich can afford more taxes, therefore should pay more. You see, of course there's ALWAYS going to be differences of opinion, by us humans who try to make sense of the information and experiences we have. And, on the flip side, what 'appears' to be 'different' advice or information is often just the same thing, restated or repackaged by someone different, in a different way, with a different energy... and sometimes that one time allows you to finally "get it." The key is to get involved in life enough (a variety of books, tele-conferences, and audios can be a small slice of it) that you have your own information, opinions to express, things to challenge, and experience to tell about. Nobody is more special than anyone else. While we do know of several incredible, core-level personal empowerment authors, manifesting mentors and teachers of higher-learning that walk their talk, they'll still be the first to tell you that experiencing (trying things, failing, screwing up, connecting with people) is what got them there. By the way, the more you do see that there is no ONE way — no one label to fit into; no one science of mind to perfect; no one path to achievement — the more you can open yourself up to multiple viewpoints, without needing to find "the answer." Because, "the answer" comes when you explore multiple viewpoints, different angles, and even opposing commentary. The more you do this, the more you're forced to search, sort, sift, and select the wisdom that synchronizes with your own soul. On a related note, we think Alan Clements — see our post titled 'Herd' on The Secret... and The Disrobed Monk — says it nicely: "The tool to use to safeguard yourself from becoming a political puppet or a spiritual sheep are namely, sharpening self-inquiry, critical analysis, and independent thinking. The basics of a smart spiritual life." — Alan Clements Oh, by the way, another reader, Andy, thinks we're out to try and save the world. Well, the notion does sound appealing (especially if we could get a designer cape, made out of gold) and does bring up some childhood memories, but instead we're doing something else. Our comment to Andy is here.
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