INNER CONNECTIONS

THE DAILY BREAD:  The R. D. Laing Connection.

In 1971, whilst attending Sydney Boys High School, I  attempted to read Ronnie Laing's first book, The Divided Self.  Just mentioning the title of this book (which I later found out was the name,  that the 19th. Century American philosopher and psychologist William James,   gave  to  one of  his own  lectures - published in a book titled,  The Varieties of Religious Experience - is enough to bring back all the excitement and freshness of that time; the excitement and freshness of that exhilarating first bite of the Forbidden Apple of the Tree of Knowledge!

It is no ('mere') co-incidence that at that time I was also making my first explorations into that other field of knowledge, curiously akin to the first;  reductively  referred  to as 'carnal' (from the Latin word for 'flesh').  All  True Knowledge  is essentially - Knowledge of The Difference.  

To return to The Divided Self,  I must admit, at that time I didn't really understand it!  This does not surprise me.  It was enough to at least try to understand what Ronnie was on about!

It was also enough to be seen to be 'reading' this book; along with other such 'in' books as Timothy Leary's The Politics of Ecstacy;  R. D. Laing's 1967 book, The Politics of Experience;  Herman Hesse's Steppenwolf -  my favourite Hesse novel - Narziss and Goldmund; and of course Aldous Huxley's  Island.

I had no idea at that time that I would in a few years find myself in London, living in a 'Laingian' psycho-therapeutic community!

More specifically, I lived for a total of approx. 3 and a half  years  in one of The Philadelphia Association's  Community Houses in London. The house that I lived in was located at 74 Portland Rd. Holland Park, West London.

Dr. Hugh Alexander Crawford was the 'house therapist' at this particular therapeutic community; and was perhaps Ronnie's closest colleague at the time (1976-1979); he was certainly 'on a par' with Ronnie in terms of psychotherapeutic 'acumen.'

I wholeheartedly believe that Dr. R.D. Laing was a truly 'spiritual' person.

Dr. Hugh Crawford, I believe, was a 'spiritually advanced' person. He may even have been a 'sixth-plane saint.'  More particularly, a 'salik-like pilgrim' of the sixth plane of consciousness. (for detailed descriptions of all types of 'god-intoxicated' souls, as well as other categories of  'spiritually advanced souls',  see Dr.William Donkin's Magnum Opus - The Wayfarers).

I also believe that Hugh was a direct agent of Avatar Meher Baba. He revealed this to me in a number of ways.  Firstly, in his handling of so-called 'schizophrenic' and 'psychotic' individuals.  He treated  them with the same respect and reverence that Meher Baba treated the 'masts' of India.

He made only one direct statement that I am aware of, in September 1979,  to the effect that he was actually doing the very same work with us that  Meher Baba was doing with the masts of India and elsewhere.

This disclosure came as a surprise to perhaps everyone but myself!

We were seated around the long table in the downstairs kitchen at 74 Portland Road, on a Monday or Wednesday night, when apparently 'out of the blue'  Hugh made this pronouncement.  Most of the residents who were present on that occasion did not seem to have any idea of what he was talking about, however, I immediately recognised the significance of Hugh's words; although, I must say, I was also somewhat 'taken aback' as Hugh had never so much as hinted to me that he even know of the existence of Avatar Meher Baba!   And this, in spite of the fact that two years earlier in November, 1977,  I had contacted the Meher Baba Association at Eccleston Square, London and  made no attempt to conceal the fact.

I would be wearing my black velvet jacket with a Meher Baba 'button 'on  the lapel, with a photo of Baba on it;  Hugh could not have missed it!  However, he said nothing, and gave no other indication over the next two years!

I can understand this apparent 'non-acknowledgement' now.  There is an Eastern (perhaps Sufi) tradition of not revealing ones inner connection with (GOD) 'The Beloved.' It is also instructive to note that this was perhaps Hugh's last contact with us as a group. He soon after suffered a heart attack which presaged his 'passing' about nine months later - (see Rembering Dr. Hugh Alexander Crawford on his 88th. Birthday).


This experience in London completely reset my whole attitude towards the question of  'mental health' verses 'mental illness.'


Ronnie Laing himself  had proposed a revolutionary new treatment approach to the so-called 'mentally ill.'

There is a very interesting, and I believe crucial connection between Avatar Meher Baba's work with the 'mad' and 'masts' and Dr. R. D. Laing's work with so-called 'schizophrenics' in London during the 1960's and 70's.

This connection could not be more transparent - the first 'ashram' or 'psycho-spiritual' community that Laing set up was in the very same building in East London  that Mahatma Ghandi was staying in when Meher Baba visited him in 1931!  Namely, Kingsley Hall.

For five years between 1965 and 1970, Kingsley Hall was not only a refuge and sanctury for persons undergoing extreme mental distress and acute personal transformation, but also served as a contact point for everyone interested in the 'counter-cultural' revolution which was currently taking place in London in the 1960's.

It will probably come as no surprise to you that I attribute this rapid unfolding of human creativity and spiritual wisdom to Avatar Meher Baba. And more specifically to the precise nature of the Most Intensive Work  that He was engaged in at that time - that is, His Universal Work.







MeherStar 

INNER CONNECTIONS

Tuesday, 18th. September, 2012.

THE DAILY BREAD:  The Adrian Rawlins connection.

I first re-met Adrian in this my present life in February, 1972. This meeting took place in the kitchen of a terrace house in Rozelle, Sydney, that  I was sharing with a number of others.  I guess it was a fairly typical 'hippie style' (impromptu) 'community' of the time.  During the remainder of 1972, I had ample opportunity to visit and stay at many other such 'communities.'

What occurred to me after residing at this Rozelle address for a few weeks was to radically change the possible, and perhaps probable course of my life. I returned 'home' one day to the usual situation of people getting stoned on grass, etc., attempting to cook something to eat, and so on. However, this particular evening there was something strikingly different happening. There, seated in a chair in the kitchen (visible from the hallway) was the 'larger than life' presence of  - somebody. There was, however,  something altogether different about this particular 'somebody.' .

I was immediately introduced to Adrian.  It was a most 'informal' and unique introduction: we needed no introduction.  I was at that time approx. 17.5 yrs. old. This would have been the average age of residents living at this address at the time.

I shall not go into any further detail at the present time, regarding this first meeting,  other than to say that through this meeting with Adrian, I was re-introduced to Avatar Meher Baba.

I now believe that I probably met Meher Baba in person in my last re-incarnaon. This would have been in the 1930's in London. Whilst in London, in November, 1977, I met (re-met?)  Delia De Lion and Fred Marks.

However, the inner connection was re-established consciously, for the first time (in this present life-time) through Adrian in February, 1972.

It may be useful to remind my readers that at this time (early 1970's) it was a common theme to attempt to 'expand' ones consciousness -  usually this took the form of utilising a variety of  'chemical keys,'  the most prevalent of  which was cannabis.  However, there was a fair bit of LSD,  Psilocybian mushrooms, etc. The aim was to increase ones consciousness; to achieve a higher level of consciousness.

However, it quickly became apparent to me upon meeting Adrian for the first time, that one did not necessarily need to utilise chemical means to achieve higher consciousness; and that this higher consciousness could be a lasting achievement.  From the moment that I first met Adrian ,  I  experienced this natural 'spiritual high' for myself, upon making the inter-personal (and 'transpersonal') connection! This was indeed something new to me at that time!

 I  have had many opportunities to explore this phenomenon, as well as its precise meaning for me;  in various contexts, and with various other persons, in the interviening  years.


I think it appropriate here to quote from Avatar Meher Baba's Discourses (7th. edn.,p.186) in relation to the fact that all human persons are constantly 'inter-acting' inwardly all the time, irrespective of whether they are aware of this or not: "Those who have even a preliminary acquaintance with the structure and laws of the inner spheres of existence know that complete isolation of human beings is a figment of the imagination."

".....Whether they desire it or not, all persons are constantly acting and interacting upon each other by their very existence, even when they do not establish any contact on the physical plane." (ibid.,p.186).

The  above description  of 'inner connection' and  'inter-action' on the inner planes of existence coincides exactly with my own description of Soul Alchemy.


As I have mentioned previously, it was sometime in late February that I first 're-met' Adrian in this present life-time. I have many  clear memories of my experiences of companionship with Adrian from 1972. One such experience from that time is of the Easter Weekend in 1972, whilst travelling in a V.W.  'combie' van from Sydney to Byron Bay. We stopped off at a Zoo on the Pacific Highway, near Coffs Harbour.I had not as yet read or rather, attempted to read Meher Baba' s book God Speaks, except for the first few pages of Part-1: Titled, States of  Consciousness:  "All souls (atmas) were, are and will be in the Over-Soul (Paramatma). Souls (atmas) are all One. All souls are infinite and eternal. They are formless. All souls are One; there is no difference in souls or in their being and existence as souls. There is a difference in the consciousness of souls; there is a difference in the planes of consciousness of souls;there is a difference in the experience of souls and thus there is a difference in the state of souls." (excerpted from God Speaks; Meher Baba,  p. 38, 1972, edn. Dodd Mead, New York).

To  return to my anecdote,  It was still quite hot travelling up the coast in early April, 1972, so we decided to take a break, and check out the local zoo, with all it's wondrous creatures of the various   'Kingdoms' of evolution. Most memorable of all  (on account of Adrian's inter-action with this particular creature) was the large White Cockatoo, in a not so large cage. We stopped to 'have a chat' with this  creature in an un-natural (human imposed)  state of captivity.

























MeherStar.

The Daily Bread - 19/07/2012.

In my previous post,  I utilised a nutritional metaphor  to describe the process of  assimilating  Spiritual Truths  (i.e. Ultimate Truths concerning God and His Creation - with a particular focus on the human-spiritual aspect).

I used the analogy of  BREAD  in order to make more readily understandable the vital importance  to our mental-emotional-spiritual integrity and 'well being' of  assimilating  Spiritual Truth.

But what if one has no 'appetite' for Spiritual Truth?  No hunger? What if one is already sated  on other, less spiritual fare?  How do we create desire for Spiritual Truth?



The other 'co-essential' factor in this 'spiritual equation' is known as dis-associative meditation.  It is the process of  'clearing a space'  in preparation for the taking in of 'spiritual food'.  In keeping with our already established nutritional metaphor, it coincides with the process of elimination - in  all  its forms.

In psycho-spiritual terms, it involves 'di-vesting' oneself of all the hoarded  'junk' that is cluttering up our minds and hearts.  It is a  de-identification process, and involves an active attempt  to 'eliminate' all aspects of ones life which can be identified as 'anti-spiritual' - all those factors of ones experience which  prevent  the (spontaneous) 're-identification' with Spiritual Truth.  It is a necessary preparation and  precedes  the second process of   assimilation of  Spiritual Truth.


This is, in fact,  the method by which we begin to feel - desire for something else - something clearly transcending our everyday worldly sense of who we think we are; as well as what our purpose in the world might be.

In time, this (at first intermittent) 'hunger' develops  into a longing for Spiritual Reality which draws us forward - in time; to the Goal of All Creation, which is to Realise Consciously our already existing Oneness with GOD - The Ultimate Reality.  This is, of necessity, a gradual process.

To put it in the simplest possible terms, we need to begin by having a critical look at our current,  habitual daily intake  -  what we 'take into' ourselves;  not just on the physical level, (i.e. in terms of actual diet) but also, (and this ,in fact, the most crucial point - what we take into ourselves mentally and emotionally; and what we 'take in' - to become ourselves, that is, what we identify with mentally and emotionally.

For those who find this particular symbolism useful,  the end of the waning moon cycle (what is otherwise known as the New Moon)  today, (i.e. Friday, at 2:25 P.M.; local Sydney time - it is now 2:50P.M. as I write this) - in astrological terms, Sun conjunct Moon, is an excellent time to begin this PROCESS, as it represents a kind of 'dying to oneself' - a 'di-vesting oneself' of all 'in-essentials' in ones life.

(Note: 18/08/2012;  At the time of writing the above, roughly four weeks ago,  I had no idea of what I would now call 'co-incidental events' ocurring worldwide; in particular the Colorado 'shooting massacre', which, given the time difference between Colorado and Sydney, (approx. 15 hrs. behind Sydney time) - would have been unfolding at precisely the time of the 'new moon' - otherwise known as the 'dark moon.'  In Hindu culture this time is known as Amavasia; the 'darkest night' of the month. There is considerable superstition in Hindu culture, and elsewhere, regarding this monthly occurrence. On another level, it can be compared to the monthly menstrual cycle, which still has significant taboos attached to it in a number of cultural contexts, worldwide.

There were, in fact,  a number of other significant events which occurred at about the same time as the Colorado 'event.'  For example, the bus load of Israeli's 'blown up' by a suicide bomber in Bulgaria, as well as a Taliban attack on American supply trucks on the Pakistan/Afghanistan border crossing.  However, the significant event that came to dominate the news cycle more than any others was the Colorado mass shooting).


All the false identifications with 'externals' - with illusions. In the
Christian tradition, this 'process' is represented by the literal metaphor of baptism. A 'washing away' - a 'dissolving' of all previous identifications with worldly illusion. I cannot think of a better metaphor for the process of 'de-identification' and 'elimination' of 'sins' - or impressions of past experience, which 'impregnate' ones consciousness; (a.k.a. sanskaras).

In terms of human life, these can be either 'sins of commission' or 'sins of omission.' That is, the left over experiential imprints of  past actions - 'sins of commission' means actions one ought not to have  done but did; 'sins of omission' means actions that ought to have been done, in a specific context, but were not done  - allowing other actions to occur more or less 'by default.'  The impressions that result from the later scenario  are of the precise actions which were done,  in place of the specific actions that would have been more appropriate from a psycho-spiritual  point of view. They are no less 'positive' or binding on consciousness. From this point of view, it would be fair to say that there are really only 'sins of commission' - whether the 'specific action' was intended or not. The only real difference is between 'knowledge' and 'ignorance.'  Did I really know the true significance of what I was doing, at the time I did it?

However, it is literally impossible 'to do nothing.' The expression, "nature abhors a vacuum" comes to mind. There is only one state of consciousness that I am aware of where it is possible 'to do nothing' and that is the ultimate 'end state' of  'Truth Realisation' or "God Realisation."

The very moment of 'dying to self' (through 'baptism') is the very moment of 're-birth in the Spirit.' Spiritual Rebirth - which is a re-awakening to the real significance of the 'spiritual' and a re-cognition of its unassailable primacy over matter. There is a latin saying: 'Death is certain; the hour is uncertain." I would like to paraphrase this as: "God-Realisation is certain; the hour is uncertain." 


MeherStar

"WHERE DO YOU GET IT?"

MONDAY, 28th. May, 2012.


If you are anything like me, you will probably be in need of your 'daily bread' on a Monday morning!  Today being monday, (at least where I am on the planet);  and NOT feeling particularly inspired, I asked myself "where should I go to for my "daily bread?"

Where is the 'boulonger', the purveyor of the quality, and type of 'bread' that I am in need of RIGHT NOW?  - Today, THIS  morning?  

After 'casting around' in my own mind for  possible clues, it occured to me, all of a sudden - as though waking up to a 'perennial revelation' -  Of course! 

The  Discourses of Avatar Meher Baba!  Where else?  Yes, I thought,  it's obvious, why did I have to remember that simple truth all over again. It seems we do indeed have to 'remember all over again' each morning, when we wake up.  At least 'most of the time.'

O.K. Which particular Discourse? It then occured to me that perhaps the best option would be to go straight to the sequence of chapters, which, to my mind most directly present a ready offering of  "Daily Bread."

Not feeling particularly inspired on this Monday morning, the 28th. day of May, 2012, I decided to first review the "menu" of possible selections, in terms of which particular 'loaf' might satisfy my need for - 'something', not only suitably 'nutritious'  but also, hopefully INSPIRING!

It now becomes apparent to me that I am really focusing  here  on the "nutritional" metaphor, and my very real need for 'quality bread' - in terms of specific 'nutritional requirements' (incidentally, in 'purely' physical terms, I have a very delicate 'digestive profile') ; meaning  that I always have to be very discriminating when it comes to eating anything at all! So, QUALITY is a major consideration.

I would say that this particular sensitivity  also applies to what 'I take in' in the way of 'mental content.'

So, what precisely do I NEED, in terms of 'mental-emotional-spiritual' nutrition?   

Firstly, I need to distinguish between what I THINK I might need, and what I ACTUALLY NEED.

O.K., I shall now consult the MENU! This (speciality) 'menu' can be found on page 229, of the 7th. edition  of the Discourses of Avatar Maher Baba. It is aptly named the "Table of Enumerative Classification of the Forms of(specialised) Meditation" - and is the most succinct 'entry point' (especially re. Practice), an index to all types of meditation covered in the "8 Parts" or 'chapters' comprising the set of Discourses relating specifically to the subject of 'meditation.'

To return again to our 'nutritional' metaphor. By the way, anyone getting 'peckish?' I am. I shall include here a brief excerpt from the 7th., edition of the Discourses of Meher Baba (1987, p.209) entitled The Chief Types of Meditation and Their Relative Value (Part II, of The Types of Meditation).

Analogy of Food: "Associative meditation is to the spirit (consciousness) what the assimilation of food is to the (physical) body. The body can make up for it's deficiencies by assimilating the right sort of food. Similarly, the mind can secure its health (wholeness/integrity) by the assimilation of Spiritual Truths through meditation."  

"It is necessary to strike a balance between the different forms of associative meditation, even though in their own way they are all good, just as it is necessary to balance one's diet, even when one is satisfied as to the nutritive value of the different components of the diet."  "....The right combinations are those that promote an advancing equilibrium by emphasising just those aspects of the Truth that are relevant to removing the special obstacles the (spiritual) aspirant is faced with at the moment." 

It seems to me that I will be going for a 'combo' 'loaf' today!

If you, my dear readers are wondering why it has taken me 3 separate 'postings' to today's 'Daily Bread' it is because as often happens when I take my lunch, I end up having it 'on the go' (of necessity) - so it is with the taking of my own 'Daily Bread.'  

I believe this is a good thing, particularly with a Blog such as this, that it should happen 'in real time' and reflect the reality of 'daily life.' I will be very glad if you too are able to 'take in' and hopefully assimilate even just a little of this 'Daily Bread' even and especially if it has to be 'on the go!'     


In God's Pure Love, and Infinite Mercy;


MeherStar

Bread and Wine of Meher Love: 'The Daily Bread.'

Why so many references to Avatar Meher Baba on the internet these days?

In my opinion it is very simple. Avatar Meher Baba's Manifestation is well and truly underway. One only needs to observe the progression of world-changing events, from the 1960's onward, (e.g. the end of the 'cold war' and crumbling of the Berlin Wall in 1989; consequent re-unification of Germany; the co-operation of U.S.A.and Russian Republic, where we now have American 'astronauts' and Russian 'cosmonauts' riding on the same Soyus rocket from Kazakstan to the International Space Station.

The extent of dramatically changing attitudes to many key socio-cultural issues, (eg.racial equality in the U.S.A., at least on the political level, exemplified by the first African-American President in history, the increasing acceptance of the inevitability of'gay' marriage,etc.)

I fully realise that such social-political issues have the ability to polarise attitudes within the total population of not only the U.S.A.,but also the entire world, however the general progression over time is unmistakeable, not just in North America but across the world.

The significance of the spread of the Internet and the freedom of expression that it enables cannot be underestimated. Such movements, once started, are virtually unstopable. All to the good!

Such radical changes to the social structure were unthinkable a mere 60 years ago. In all of these areas of radical change in socio-cultural attitude, as well as the very tangeable results of such changes in thinking, Avatar Meher Baba throughout His Mission, which began in 1923, and reached its culmination in 1969, when He gave His inimitable 'spiritual push' to the entire Universe of Creation, and in terms of the present discussion, to the inter-human, socio-cultural world, (which apparently put up the most resistance to this Spiritual Gift - inevitably, given the deep spiritual ignorance endemic to humanity), with all its mostly misguided social, economic, and religous institutions, ('enshrined ignorance' - the 'status quo' ,'false gods', etc.).

There should be no surprise that China, for instance, is keeping a close watch on its 'citizens' and especially clamping down on any dissent from the communist party's dictatorial line re., free speech and the free use of 'social media' platforms. This goes hand in hand with China's ability to create it's 'economic miracle', absolutely dependent as it is on it's ability to control every aspect of it's population's work lives. Indeed every aspect of the lives of it's people.

However, it is just a matter of time. Freedom is unstopable. When more and more of the world is moving in that direction, it produces a massive wave of collective energy moving in the 'one direction' towards evential liberation. Not just in terms of tangeable social and economic freedoms but also (and what is really central in importance) in terms of each individual's consciousness.

For those who already know about this unique Person, Avatar Meher Baba, and in terms of the two  categories outlined by Ken Lux, (i.e. so-called 'suddenists' and 'gradualists') on the web site 'Avatar Meher Baba Manifesting', this would put me in the camp of so-called 'gradualists'. However, personally, I don't see much point in simply naming or rather identifying people by any particular category of belief, rather I would identify myself, in terms of a broad category as 'one of us' - a 'human-spiritual being', with both shared and unique characteristics. But more on that later.

I would invite all forms of 'inter-experiential interaction', on this particular web platform and indeed in all such forums for sharing in the wonderous experience of Avatar Meher Baba's Manifestation, which is currently unfolding. What a wonderful opportunity it is to be here on this beautiful jewel of a Planet we call the Earth, at this time.

As Meher Baba Himself 'said', in spiritual terms, it is the centre of the Universe, and the place where all souls must eventually come in order to realise the ultimate goal of Creation - 'God Realisation', or True 'Self Realisation.'

Jai Baba! to All.

MeherStar