What we’re about
The objective of this group is Ultimate consciousness, Cosmic consciousness or Satori. This is a friendly confrontation group that uses the tool of self-inquiry. Instead of blind faith, we use a common sense method to bring about this consciousness more rapidly and safely than systems of which we know very little. This system outlines a path, the mechanics of which are outlined in the Albigen Papers. You can access more information about this system here: Albigen System. Here is a link to the book on richardroseteachings.com: https://tinyurl.com/22bom4np. This system is similar to ancient systems of Zen in that it attacks inconsistent states of mind, and works to remove them.
We use the tool of self-inquiry to retreat from errors in our thinking, through the critical examination of our beliefs and thinking processes. This process should and will prove itself along the way in proportion to the seeker's honesty, persistence, and commitment. A meeting will be advertised at least 4 to 5 days in advance, where there will be some stimulating material presented in the topic heading and meeting information to think about. If you don't read the material or watch the YouTube clip provided it is not worth your while turning up for the meeting. If there is too much material provided, just focus on the main material presented for the upcoming meeting. I may add related links but these can be seen as optional.
Generally, on the night each participant is given a block of time of around 10 minutes (dependent upon the number of participants on the night) to share thoughts on the topic after which he/she will be quizzed by those present on their opinions for the following 10 minutes. This helps seekers to itemise areas in their perspective that may feel false or not fully understood and provides questions for the seeker to reflect on when the meeting is over. A pen and paper at the ready may be beneficial to record anything that resonates during the meetings to reflect on later.
In the words of Richard Rose:
"Our purpose . . . is to find the Truth, meaning self definition, and the true relation of man to his fellow men and the true understanding of our life's events.
The "System" is one that searches esoterically. Some other systems are objective, additive, mechanistic and evolutionary. This system is SUBJECTIVE, IMMANENT, and DESIGNED FOR IMMEDIATELY CHANGING AND BECOMING.
THIS IS NOT A SYSTEM OF FAITH.
THIS IS NOT A SYSTEM THAT IS UTILITARIAN, PROMISING WEALTH OR HEALTH.
THIS IS NOT A SOCIALLY OR POLITICALLY ORIENTED GROUP.
THIS IS NOT A SYSTEM WHICH WOULD PRETEND TO BRING ABOUT A STATE OF BEING BY PHYSICAL OR MECHANICAL MEANS OR EVEN BY MENTAL VISUALIZATION.
THIS SYSTEMS DOES NOT ATTEMPT TO PROVE ITSELF BY THE VANITY OF LOGIC, BUT IS DEDUCTIVE AND ANSWERS TO COMMON SENSE AND THE INTUITION.
THIS IS A SYSTEM THAT FINDS TRUTH BY RETREATING FROM UNTRUTH.
THIS IS NOT A COMMERCIAL VENTURE OR A MONEY ORIENTED CULT. It is meticulously non-profit.
THIS SYSTEM AIMS AT SELF DEFINITION AND CONSIDERS ALL KNOWLEDGE INCOMPLETE UNTIL THE "KNOWER" OR EXPERIENCER IS IDENTIFIED".
Some main guidelines are:
No freemasons are allowed to join this group.
Own what you say. Use "I" statements rather than "you", "one" or "we". Depersonalizing avoids ownership of feelings, experiences, opinions, and issues, making change an uphill battle. By using the word “we”, it seeks validation and acceptance of others. “My” puts your truth before your need to fit in.
Be honest with yourself and others.
No one is obligated to share or do anything.
Ask questions with a sincere desire to understand how the other person thinks.
Do not give advice.
Some participants ask if it is ok to leave their camera off during a meeting and that is perfectly fine, but it is preferable if regular members leave their screen on.
Do not try to convince anyone of anything or play God by preaching.
When asking questions do not make it about you, the questioner.
Loaded questions are not helpful, “ad hominems”, where you imply in the question some opinion about the character of the person being questioned. The monitor will bring these types of questions into the open during the meeting to highlight a style of questioning not tolerated.
The general principle being outlined here is that if participants go against the set out rules, without genuine efforts to change their approach to the meeting accordingly, they will be given three chances before being dropped by the monitor from the meeting. It is then up to the monitor if the person is allowed back for future meetings, which will only happen if an amicable agreement has been reached to comply with the rules for future meetings.
Recommended books to read (also please give ratings for these books as the more ratings a book gets, it will appear more often in the searches):
Tat Foundation books: Books -
I Am That by Nisargadatta Maharaj: https://tinyurl.com/2axebovl
The Collected Works of Ramana Maharshi: https://tinyurl.com/23wl49wa
"There is no greater religion than human friendship" - Richard Rose
[Thanks to Whitecream.com's image generator for the cover picture]
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Art Ticknor's "Paean to Group Work"; Can you dig it? Philosophy / SpiritualityLink visible for attendees
Tonight's meeting is on Art Ticknor's poem called "Paean to Group Work" which was recommended by one of the members of the group. I feel Art must have penned this poem post his awakening in gratitude for the benefit of all his dedicated efforts working with groups via self inquiry and many other ways too in just being a friend when others needed that perhaps.
Here is a link to the Tat forum, a real treasure trove of information for the curious seeker (You can browse a pretty extensive archive on the forum), which shows Art's poem that we will be discussing on the night: TAT Forum - Spiritual Magazine | featuring Dan Garmat, Gary Harmon
I won't present my usual battery of questions, especially when we are discussing a poem, it feels wrong to do that. I will basically ask you on the night about the feelings that the poem conjures up in you and what you make of it.
Some notes taken from Wednesday 20's meeting:
- Can being open to all spiritual modalities be good in that it could keep "hope" alive for the seeker?
- Would a seeker gain better hope if he found a "definite" system that works?
- Is yoga useful to get out of your head and into your body, thereby gaining a more objective view of the mind and thoughts?
- How do you know that you are "speaking from the heart"?
- When you cease being attracted to the pleasures you had of years gone by, for example, competitive sport, movies etc, what is it in us that grieves their passing? Is it a sign we are becoming a social misfit or is it a sign of spiritual growth?
- Does a man really need to integrate his feminine energy and masculine energies? Are they even real concepts? Are men in this modern culture pressured by society forcing us to become more and more effeminate?
- How can a man own his masculine energy and stop trying to suppress it? How can he love, honor and wholly respect his masculinity?
- Are body and mind in different dimensions? How can immaterial coexist with material?
- How do we become vulnerable and become strong versus becoming vulnerable and becoming weak?
Thanks out to Wiki Commons for the event cover and to Art Ticknor for the event's material.
Check out the "What we are about" section in the groups' main page for some guidelines we work to adhere to. Meetings are run on the popular Zoom platform. Please contemplate the topic in advance of the meeting to get the best out of it and bring your views and convictions to the meeting, if possible have a pen and paper close by to record anything useful that may come up that you resonate with on the night, little things you may want to contemplate further.
