Café-Salon Philosophique #26

• November 21, 1998

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  No. of Participants: 15

  Evening's Topic: Inner Slavery?

  Cafe-Salon Philosophique was held this week at the Troubadour Bookstore located at 1638 Pearl St. Hostess for the evening was Deb Evans, owner and operator of the Troubadour. We would like to thank her for the kind hospitality of sharing her space with our group.

  Samuel began the evening by welcoming everyone new and old to Cafe. He stated that his intentions for the evening, was to "activate and engage" the grey cells of our brains, to link the left and right hemispheres of the brain by way of "the bridge"- the corpus callosum, and to guide thinking in an ordered and integrated way by stimulating both the artist (intuitive), and the scientist (analytical)."

  Once again, when we take a view of humanity from the helicopter, we can see that people live with a variety of illusions and have different perceptions of reality. People in this Society "think" that they are free, but what is REAL freedom? How do we relate and apply this concept to time in space and with what we create on a daily basis? What is inner freedom versus outer world freedom, or are they the same?

  If we take a look back into history, we can see that there has always been the opressors and the oppressed, masters and slaves, the intelligent ones versus the idiots. How did these roles come about?

  Our first question for the evening was, How do we become enslaved? Wayne started the conversation by saying, "a lot of people like to be told what to do." "We are programmed and conditioned to repeat the same patterns over and over, and tend to pass them on to our children." "We learn to do things out of a sense of obligation and to fulfill expectations of others."

  Samuel suggested a book to read by Idries Shah - "The Commanding Self," which describes the deep conditioning of us all and how to break through the barriers and shackles that we place our selves in.

  For Jeanette, enslavement means "a choice between her feelings and her thoughts." Sometimes this can create a conflict. She believes that in order to avoid enslavement to our selves, "we need to stay present during change, and not be shifting into the past or racing off into the future." Samuel added that feelings can be deceiving 100,000%. One needs to stay centered and focused in order to avoid this trap.

  Conflict arises when thinking and doing are not in balance. Samuel gave the example of how one can observe someone stating that "they are not nervous!" but yet, their body language is showing extreme nervousness." This inner struggle is unnecessary, but we have learned to be dishonest with our selves and learn to enjoy suffering, pain and conflict.

  The next question asked was, What influences us to enslave our selves?To what degree does inner slavery become unhealthy? What makes us unhappy? Wayne stated, "we are influenced by everything - religion, schools, government, you name it. It depends upon one's personality and character, and to what extent you allow people of your culture and environment to shape you."

  Prashant gave the example that in his "Indian" culture, he was taught that a certain dance was forbidden. One day he decided to do the dance, and found great pleasure in breaking this taboo and enjoyed dancing.

  Stephanie believes "we become enslaved if we believe everything we are told - the lies and opinions of other people and family members who tell you, you are stupid, dumb, or ugly, etc." (judgments) Michael suggested that in order to not be enslaved, "we need to exit out of false beliefs systems created by other people, and break free from limitations we place upon ourselves."

  He shared how "silent meditation for one hour each day" has helped him to break free of false belief systems and find an "inner place of peace and silence." In this silence, he is able to tune out or shut off what he calls, "the monkey mind." Here, he finds consciousness, no meaning, no separate self. "The only catch is figuring out how to bring down consciousness and transcendence and apply it to everyday life."

  Mark asked, "Could the world really continue and perpetuate itself if a significant percentage of the population were to be or become conscious?"

  Stephanie said that "the Sufis describe many different levels of consciousness."Sufi tradition states, "we are here to achieve right now and to live in the moment." She continued, "I think it is apparent that we are attempting to step out of the norms with such practices as home schooling." "Parents have to be evolved enough to do home schooling, though." Jeannette agreed.

  Samuel summarized, "Enslavement is a power of choice." One must learn who in you is in control - the master or a slave, puppet or puppeteer, the intelligent one or the idiot? Who in you says you can't? Rather than, I can! Why are we shy versus bold and daring?

  Valerie asked of her self,"What keeps me from doing what I want? How can I get off of the wheel?" She answered her self by saying, "I guess I need to observe, watch and change my actions."

  What tells one that they are free? "Freedom is doing things with one's own intuition, drive and ambition - making your own choices in life," said Stephanie.Wayne finds him self not making his own choices but, "living to satisfy other people's expectations." He finds this agreeable though, because he "enjoys getting approval and recognition for what he does." He admitted that he "likes strokes" from other people. It gives him a "warm glow."

  Lester is "not happy being a slave." He finds that he keeps repeating the same patterns without conscious thought in how to change them. "I become quiet through meditation too, but this lasts only for a short period of time and doesn't change the situation."

  Samuel stated, "we are stuck in our thoughts and limit our bodies." "True artists know how to break the rules of limitations. Life can become a totally different world. One must learn to go beyond the limits of the spine (the source of movement) - Move the mind and body. When we are limited in thinking and movement of the body, creativity is stifled."

  One needs imagination, courage and will. Mary would like to get out of enslavement but finds that she is "attached to the outcome." "Expectations get in the way." She finds that she "limits herself." She realizes that she could overcome this by being "more aware," but feels that she can't "always trust her mind." Samuel says, "to hell with what everybody thinks. Dare to be. Dare to think. Dare to do."

  Prashant agreed with Mary, he finds that unhappiness usually is present when he is "attached to a certain outcome in a situation." Vineeta tends to "struggle between what the heart and soul wants versus her beliefs." She doesn't know what part of her likes to remain a slave." She struggles with guilt - what is right and what is wrong.

  Samuel added that we need to sharpen the knife of self observation. "I know the right way to be, but don't know how to break free from the illusions to do it," Valerie said. "It's hard when you've been programmed with fears of rejection, to live by emotions and feel despair with failed attempts in striving forward."

  To break free of inner slavery, one must find a teacher who can give a proper sense of direction with balanced discipline. One path on the journey towards freedom.

  Samuel reminded us that "we are sparks of light. The process of elasticizing the light is a slow process. We are very fragile beings. Gentle care and slow injections is what needs to be given to people." Those that give too much light do a great disservice to others. In order to radiate more light, one must bring the passage of consciousness from our quiet place inside to every day life situations. One must learn to walk in the midst of madness. One must learn to go beyond the fear of taking the next step and take action.

  Prashant asked, "how do we find time to learn about our selves?" He feels that it is easier for him because he is single and does not have the responsibility that comes with marriage and children. He wants to focus on his work. He offered, "don't take your self or life too seriously! Keep life simple. Let it become a natural state."

  Lester says, "We need to quiet the mind and follow through with enjoying what we like to do."

  In this hectic paced world, we need to learn to slow down, stop and consider just what we are doing and why. To give an example of slow pace, Samuel shared how in Japanese Kabuki, it takes the men four hours to put on their make up. This slow, moving meditation helps them to develop their intentions by mentally rehearsing what they are going to perform.

  Michael once again said, "don't be stuck in the ego." "Shut off the monkey mind." Meditate consciously. Come back and go out in every day life and practically apply that consciousness, but how do you do this? That is the question!

  Our next meeting will be held December 5, 1998 at The Troubadour Bookstore located at 1638 Pearl St., Boulder, CO. Start time is 6:30 p.m. The topic is to be decided at that time. Come join us and invite your friends!

  Reported by Alessandra
  

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