Superpowered Mind with Clare Dimond

Listener question: I think i have a strong tendencie to avoid situations that seem unsafe for my self-identity. This week I had some very nice experiences with engaging with situations I usually would avoid.There was curiosity but still it took so much effort to try and see what happens if I don't hide in my "safe space". So my first question is: will it get easier? Also I wonder: how can I tell the difference between avoiding things because my self identity feels threatened, and just needing time for my self? Because as you beautifully said the mind can be quite sneaky. Every time I want to avoid situations my mind tells me that I just need some time for myself. If I try to engage with a situation anyways it often happens that I get strong physical symptoms that kind of force me to stay at home and to stay in my safe space.So I guess my second question is:How can I know if I actually need time at home/time for myself? And how can I know if my mind does just it's sneaky thing?Sorry for the long unstructured questions. Am I making any sense?

Listener question: i always felt like there must be something wrong with me becuase i dont seem to have strong reactions to the larger world events (dont seem to feel strong reaction) ... now i see .. perhaps i more able to see those things as neutral and not judge them (unlike the self and other categories) ... but it does beg the question (in relation to the world stuff) ... when are we in denial and cut off from 'feelings'/reactions and when are we just in neutral and not in triggered judgemental reactions... and 'should' we be reacting to 'apparently horrific things ' to be 'healthy' and heart felt.

Listener question: Firstly please accept my apologies for what may seem a ridiculous question and what may appear my poor attempt at asking it.I have read several books on the subject of the three principles, Real, Inside Out Revolution and Clarity plus several others. I find your book very interesting as it covers so many situations one finds oneself engaged in on a day to day basis. I pride myself in gaining an understanding of the subject after reading the various publications I have purchased. I just wonder if you could clarify for me what I might expect as a result of my understanding. I fully appreciate how our experience of life from moment to moment exists. I also fully appreciate and understand that thought comes and goes.From some other publications I have mentioned I understand that when we are aware of the three principles and how our experience of life exists, our extreme thought patterns tend to diminish somewhat and the constant bombardment of thought isn’t as extreme.Could you tell me if my understanding is somewhere near the facts.Again I apologise for my somewhat poor attempt of an explanation but I suppose I’m asking what are the advantages of gaining this understanding

Listener question: can you talk about jealousy and envy please and what is the difference between them?

Listener question: Thank you so much for the beautiful webinar yesterday.There's kind of a question that's on my mind today. When I was listening to you talking I completely "spaced out". I heard something very beautiful but I have no words for it. After the webinar my boyfriend asked me how it was. I simply couldn't say anything, I was just feeling very peaceful and hugged him.Also many questions about my life and things that scare me didn't seem important anymore. Still I know if I go there I get stressed again. How can I find a link between those two worlds? I don't want to ignore the stressful thougts but at the same time I wonder if it even make sense to ask myself scary questions?

Listener question: I have been working my way through your podcasts and although I am often resistant to what I hear, I find that if I settle myself and sit with it, I can usually see the truth in what you are saying.However the one on April 26 about Sydney’s teachings (listen for a feeling and your feeling creates your thinking) has me baffled!Although I do see what you are saying about how those words can be misunderstood, what about all the seemingly hundred’s of testimonials from people who claim that it is exactly hearing those words and living by them that has been the game changer for them? As well as all the teachers out there teaching the same thing?Personally, I do not feel that I had a massive insight, when I first came across The Three Principles, but life has definitely been more peaceful as a result of this understanding, and now it sounds like you are saying “not true”

Listener question: Dearest Clare: Thought I'd take a few minutes to compose my thoughts about "life" since doing the RICH course last year. You may recall, I am an artist and my biggest area of "stuckness" was around money and selling my art so I could have my "own" money. There were lots of insights and aha moments during the course for sure. But, here's the thing. At some point, I saw very clearly and deeply how the making of art was in place as a means to keep the "artist" identity in place. This was a very, very deeply entrenched identity that was thoroughly woven into many facets of my life! So, things began to unravel, as it were, and slowly, but surely, this identity has lost it's credibility. But here's what I have been left with for many, many months now. NOTHING. A deep emptiness, apathy, disinterest, dispassion; unmotivated, uninspired; feeling lost, listless, directionless, adrift. I have forced myself to do some painting (I know, "I" am not doing anything), but the passion and the drive are gone. I have no desire to make art let alone sell it. I have destroyed (as in thrown out) tons of work that was just taking up space in my studio--no guilt, no emotional attachment whatsoever. Day after day, week after week, month after month, I keep trying to "find myself" to no avail (probably a good thing). I sit in my studio looking around at it all, tons of art supplies and the walls filled with work, and I feel like junking the whole works! None of this is "bad" per se, except that, frankly, this "void" is most disconcerting. I would liken it to depression I guess, although I'm not sure I'm feeling depressed! I guess I keep looking for something to fill the void. It's a black, empty hole (oh, I started to type whole, how interesting!), and there is much discomfort with it. I feel truly lost. I have no orientation, no direction. Everything is an effort, not just making art. There is no desire to do anything. I have no enthusiasm for anything and I struggle to fill my days. Nothing--baking, knitting, gardening, my usual distractions-- holds any interest. I mostly sit, listen to music, do some journal writing, go for walks or drives with hubby when he wants to get out of the house, or try to force myself to do something. And what I do end up doing takes great effort! Even so called "seeking" in a way, is taking a back seat. I feel like I cannot read another book, do another course, watch another video, listen to another podcast. It feels like as far as seeking goes, that there is absolutely nothing further "out there" to engage with. Like somehow, everything I could possibly have read, heard, seen is all there is to be read heard and seen. There's a strange feeling of completeness and a knowing that there is nowhere else to go but "within." The tears well as I write this; there's such a feeling of resignation(?), hopelessness(?), despair(?) because it's becoming so very clear that "I" am NEVER, EVER going to find what "I" am looking for, and I love that you know what I am talking about! There is no bliss here, no la la land, no deep peace being experienced! Just this great empty (w)hole. Perhaps at some point I will stop trying to fill that void and just be present to it, stop resisting it, but I know whether that happens or not is out of my hands.I don't know if this is a ringing endorsement for doing one of your courses Clare, lol! I just felt compelled to write it out and send it off to you, for whatever reason. I'm not looking for a response, or answers or suggestions or helpful advice from you, just thanks for being here for me to write to.

Listener question: Hi Clare. Would you be able and willing to speak to anxiety and grief around climate change in one of your podcasts? There’s a phrase that sometimes comes to me in relation to my own life: I can’t get there from here. The “here” being my current understanding I guess. Perhaps with climate anxiety, the “here” is our anxiety and grief about what we see happening in the world to the world. And our powerlessness to change it. Yet I know there is more than activism or denial available to us. Would you be willing to speak to this specific topic in the immensely beautiful way that you do where current experience is neither denied or escalated and a door to another experience is so respectfully and sensitively yet also decisively and clearly opened?

Listener question: Thank you for the reply podcast my love. However I get the impression that You don’t seem to have trauma awareness or experienced trauma in your own life, bless. I seem to need to spell it out for you: Being screamed at at work by a highly mentally disturbed client can’t be played down and said there are no triggers. Your nervous system would maybe react similarly to mine, but if this was recurring childhood experience then the freeze is inevitable. Or are you saying I’m holding on to my victim status because it’s familiar? The sense of loss of control in a freeze state is anything but desirable. I really want to see something in this. Lotsoflove

Listener question: Dear Clare, I wondered if you could please speak to these words attributed to Sir Anthony Hopkins on a podcast episode? One of my ingrained needs is to be loved and I still notice myself work so hard with certain individuals who are so-called friends to stay included and be liked and yet I expend so much energy doing so. Yet, with others in my life the love is reciprocal, almost effortless and flows naturally between us. Is it not better to face up to the needy behaviours and experience as a gift of revelation for the undoing rather than just stop giving time and effort to more one-sided relationships so that they fade into the ether and I don’t get hurt but yet the conditioning remains? Curious to see your take on Sir Anthony’s words of wisdom. https://www.facebook.com/pej.alaghamandan/posts/10160778874808572

Listener question: Life happens out of our control, yes. But trauma triggers are very real to the system, destabilising. If fight or flight is not possible, freeze can feel very dangerous. In this example being triggered at work, going into freeze can be debilitating and i can’t seem to function at work anymore, although I manage somehow. I really can’t seem to see where the healing is supposed to be in this. How can be reliving trauma responses in the body again and again be healing? If I don’t have the necessary support at work this will happen again. The confidence in my ability to hold a job is shaken (although I have been there for 8 years). The possibility of changing jobs doesn’t even come to mind.I see the utter futility of the system trying to prevent these events from happening again, yes that is madness! But the young vulnerable part needs protection fullstop!!!Probably a protection it never experienced in its young life. I’m all up for having it all when it comes to the full gamut of emotions and I see how they ebb and flow. With this deep triggering stuff that makes me feel unsafe in my own body, I refuse to relive that again and again!I know my own resilience, I made it so far which is a miracle in itself. But im questioning where the peace, love and Freedom is in this, we talk about in this conversation so often?

Listener question: My question is about shame. Most nights and especially in the morning I wake up recalling situations in which I could’ve done better and about which I feel a lot of shame. Some of these situations go back decades, and some are very recent. Consequently I often do not get the rest I need and my days don’t always start on a bright and positive note! I would like to be able to see this differently and would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you.

Listener question: what about the harmful actions and words?

Listener comment: Im in the midst of horrible triggered feelings. I feel uncontrollably hurt by just a trigger at work, it’s so painful. I don’t know what to do other than cry and breathe.

Listener question: I am thinking of having a subliminal recording. I have only listened to a few Podcasts you have done and read your book Real. On the basis of that information it sounds like you lean a little toward Advaita Vedanta. I find Advaita complex and cold as well as stimulating to the intellect. (Robert Spira is the best example of this for me. The guy is brilliant but when I listen to him, I feel the need to figure out what he is saying, and I get contracted and tense). For me, the magic of Syd Banks was his simplicity - talking about finding a good feeling rather than worrying about the vagaries of non-dual philosophies (Compare "Dear Liza" to "The Transparency of Things"). In my subliminal I would need to escape the intellectual sentries who love to get all wrapped up in "not having a self" and "self-inquiry" and rather lean toward "listening for a good feeling" and knowing that "my feeling comes from my thinking". In your personal teaching and the subliminals, do you come from the Principles and Syd's "The Missing Link" or more from pure non-dual affirmations?

Listener question: what is wholeness?

Listener question: I've just finished working through the REAL videos / course .. (not the conversations yet) .. is it normal for the .. well basically .. 'shit to hit the fan' inside ? - wont go into great details but just wondering if there is anything to 'do' ? ... it's kind of showed me just how of course i have been and how dysfunctional i have got from trying to cope for years but also the fact that everything i am running from is within ME and not out there .... like i want to be in a 'witness protection programme' from myself ... like i am both the stalker and the stalked .... its given me this massive sense that 'i cant get myself out of this alone' somehow and at the same time not sure what kind of support to seek that wont go and confuse me more e.g normal nhs type counselling options.... and does 'speaking about it all' in that kind of way EVER help us make sense of anything... and free us from basically scaring the shit out of ourself and keeping our own nervous system in a state of never ending vigilant exhaustion .. i see i've been running and running and cut myself off from every possible thing 'outiside' in the hope of finding safety only to find its 'me' whos the problem.So not quite seeing through it all far enough yet to feel the freedom and peace.

Listener question: how does the idea of no-self work in relation to marriage/partnership? I'm just curious. Is this also why many fail?

Taking the conversation about harmful events and people to the furthest level of freedom.

Listener question: In you latest podcast you spoke about violence and that it is happening as it is the optimal behaviour at the given moment due to learned belief and conditoning, that there is no deciding self and that it is logical and impersonal. I see freedom in this as it frees me of the obligation "to forgive and forget" and I love that there only remains sanity. I see that my father who was prone to violent outbursts could not act differently given that what he believed and learned in his youth.Nevertheless, one question remains: What about the position of the real victims in this, the person or even small child that has been molested and harmed perhaps even for years. Or even those locked up inconcentration camps.Sorry that my brain always goes for the extremes, but it refuses to be calm without getting the answer.

Listener question: discipline, accountability and no self

Listener question: anger was always heavily sanctioned, and deemed very unfeminine. There was only room for being the good girl and that resulted in a lot of rebellion. (The rebel inside can be still strong at times 🤣)Later on my healing journey I learned that anger can signal where a boundary was crossed or violated. And that suppressed anger can be very damaging for the system and in my experience suppressed anger can lead to depression. At the same time i see the destructive force unbridled anger can be. I love the story of the Boy who asks the shaman: „Wise one, I seem to have two wolfs living in my chest. One is loving and the other one is hating. Which one will win?“ and the shaman answered: „The one you feed“. Now im wondering if this all ego storyline going on here? I see that there is something here that wants to be integrated instead of battled or suppressed. Maybe anger is misguided power? The people I see as innately powerful don’t get angry, they are not battling. Or maybe that’s just another side of the story that is ready to drop.When you speak of going to the backroom it’s a bit murky here. I Imagine going back to the roots and further. Maybe in a profane way it’s saying: ok if I have clearer boundaries I don’t need to get angry. If I really see that nothing is personal, we are all just programmed tubes bumping up against each other until we don’t need to do that anymore. Maybe life doesn’t care if there is anger and joy and sorrow, maybe life just wants to get on with it, warts and all.

Listener question: I wonder if you could give me your thoughts about the following. I have become aware of my disproportionate sense of fear in 'perceived as threatening' situations. I first became aware of how extreme it was during my divorce when I felt terrified...I was experiencing Gaslighting from my ex husband who still lived in the house. It was horrible but the terror was disproportunate. Subsequent to this, the societal issues around the pandemic and an ongoing health scare seem to elicit the same response.I would sincerely appreciate your thoughts about this and whether Subliminals could help.

Listener question: To see what's being pointed to the mind needs to be settled and when one sees what's being pointed to the mind settles. It seems like a catch 22. I do question my mind, but somehow I'm doing it wrong, or hoping it will change things, or I don't really know. It's hard not to find the story believable when it almost always comes true. Sadly I'm feeling like this conversation may just not be for me at this time. I wish it were, and maybe it will be again.

Listener question: Thank you for the podcast which I’ve just listened to again. I’m still confused! How is it that you know there’s protection going on here? Is it because the reactions to my friend’s diagnosis and my Mother’s are different? Is there really one, undiluted response that we can have to all situations, events, relationships? Sounds a bit bland to me. Also, I don’t quite see that there’s a hierarchy of relatedness with family on the inside, then close friends etc. I can feel real connection during a random interaction with a complete stranger.

Listener question: Clare, I’m wondering if you might do a podcast on one of your common phrases, “it must begin here.” For example, if I am judging someone as, say, cruel, I must begin with me, here, and see all the ways that I am cruel. This is where my tricky little mind goes with that: “ok, so let me find all the times, past and present, in which I have been cruel. Well, now we just have two shitty people in the scenario. Two, cruel shitty people.” And then I don’t know where to go. The idea of “begin here” feels heavy and dark, which lets me know there is obviously confusion happening over here.

Listener question: I just listened to the latest video and podcast that you sent out and feel somewhat clearer about this whole thing to do with our ‘shadow’Basically my understanding is that whatever I see ‘out there’ is simply a reflection of what I have going on ‘in here’ So the only thing for me to do if I am having a reaction to something or someone is to look for where in myself I am not being my True Self…is that right?If so, can you help me see how this could possibly apply if I or someone close to me or a child had been sexually abused or murdered?This is not something I have ever thought I would even be remotely interested in seeing, but somehow I can feel the freedom it would offer to be able to even consider this possibility.

Listener question: I have stayed in this conversation, listening to your podcasts and am seeing more. However, I still get caught up in believing my perceived reality and there is an intense over identification with ‘self’ and the desperate need to protect it, for fear of being exposed and feeling vulnerable in the world.You probably cannot say, and it’s different for everyone, but what has made the difference for the person in the video you sent out? Has she just stuck at it? What has helped her shift her whole perception/understanding? I’m just curious!

Listener question: I found your website while reading “Real” and had a complex reaction to your talk about subliminal s. I thought it was brilliant to try to get past the intellect sentries to allow an opening as I think it is my feelings about my intellect that prevent me from seeing deeply. On the other hand, I met Syd Banks at the Hawaii lectures in 2001 and have listened extensively to him saying I shouldn’t need subliminal or psychological tools because I am sitting in mental health and I am one thought away from insights that would be life shifting. I would be very curious about your response, since you are definitely anchored in the principles and have “made it” to the other side. I would appreciate any ideas you may have.

Listener question: My husband had a primarily emotional affair with his HR director. The flirting started pretty much right when he met her, then 6 months later it ballooned into an actual affair (not sex but kissing) and then I found out and we hashed things out for 6 weeks and he stopped the affair for a couple weeks. Then he started it back up for another 3-4 months but just texting. Nothing physical. Finally, about 4 months ago he really ended it. And he is working really hard on us. Genuine heartfelt apologies, spending lots of time together, talking and planning our lives, etc.However, he still works closely with her. They have meetings most days and often several times a day. I know their meetings are not just business. I know he spends lots of time just catching up and chatting about her life and his. Full disclosure, he is a very chatty, friendly, engaging kind of boss with many of his team. So it would be a little unnatural for him to really pull back completely.But I of course hate it. I hate that he still chats with her daily, I hate that she is his "confidant" which he justifies because as his director of HR, they have to discuss all the employees and new hires etc. I hate that he keeps me so separate from her. I'm not sure what would be normal there, but I know for sure he will mention my name when talking to other employees but never with her.Basically, I am insecure and worried about their relationship but he insists that it is necessary for work. I just don't know what to do. I am constantly tempted to ask him what's going on with him and her. I am tempted to look at his messages. Eavesdrop on his calls. And of course always wanting to know where we stand and my favorite, "How could you??"Does this perspective offer insights into how I should be making sense of this situation? If I was really free and anchored in my true beautiful self would I be so insecure and suspicious and jealous? Or is is actually wise, strong to ask to see his messages and demand he minimize his interaction with her?

Listener question: In recent months there has been more and more phases where I am overflowing with love towards nearly everyone in my life, uninhibited joy about life and aliveness. And then there are these phases of old familiar pain. Often I wake up with intense bitter and resentful feelings in my throat. The mind replays stories of people having been hateful and hurtful. The undercurrents of rage in my system are difficult to be with. When the self feels like that not the best decisions come up.I suppose the question would be how can I be more unconditional loving with myself and others in these times of the distorted lense?

Listener question: A pattern of conditioning has arisen for me a few times and I wonder if you could explore it on a podcast, please, if you had space?What is going on with “I’m ok, only if you’re ok” or “I’m not ok if you’re not ok”? I notice that when others are happy or settled or peaceful, then I’m ok. If they are sad, distressed, angry then I’m not ok. Although I have times where I can be very close and settled with feeling down, I continue to find it hard at times when someone else is low and I can’t appear to ease it for them.

Listener question: I guess this is a ‘what is love?’ and ‘am I normal?’ question to which the answer is probably ‘who the hell is there to know one way or the other?’ but just out of curiosity:-My Mother has been diagnosed with what is probably terminal cancer; we’ll know the prognosis this week. Ours has been a strained relationship to say the least of it and, while we’ve got things on to a more or less amicable footing, there’s no real intimacy there, and therefore hardly any response inside me other than ‘I hope she goes peacefully’ and even that feels like one of those learned responses you speak of. On the other hand, a friend who I don’t see much of but pops into my thoughts periodically has also just been diagnosed with what is probably terminal cancer and I feel much more shocked and sorry about that. This isn’t something I’m especially perturbed about but it does raise the question ‘what is love?’ and perhaps just a little bit of ‘am I normal?’Much love, whatever that is...

Listener question: Whilst I have seen so much since I first came across the 3p’s I still seem to get stuck in a few areas, below is one that I am struggling with at the moment.Firstly, I lost my mum quite suddenly and out of the blue a few months ago and so obviously I am still coming to terms with that and this understanding has helped so much. With the loss of my mum, the relationship with my dad has changed dramatically, he is in his late 70’s and although he is doing really really well looking after himself, cooking, keeping active etc I do feel the need to check in on him regularly, most days or every other day, it is usually a phone call with the current restrictions and they are always really really long conversations in which he talks a lot, tells me his opinion on whatever is on his mind at that moment, quite often political or ethical, he tells me all about the book he is reading in great detail even if it is not even of interest to him (and definitely not to me), the plumbing issue he has with his dishwasher, the people in the village who I have no clue about and their daughters, sons aunties husband, the wifi and lost passwords and how much the digital world is out to get him, sometimes his opinions are a bit outdated (I hope you get the gist). So I mostly just listen. I know that I am his sounding board, the bit of company with the loss of my mum, someone to talk about the day etc and I would miss this so very much if he wasn’t here. So I often have a word with myself, to just listen and appreciate him… although I have to admit that sometimes I don’t fully tune in and listen, because he does go on and on… And as soon as I have anything to say during these long conversations (nearly an hour in most cases), he totally shuts me down, he talks over me and says that is enough of that. He usually comes off the calls saying that was a nice chat… but it is rarely two way and I just feel like I have been talked at. So I often come off these calls feeling very deflated. I might then give it a day or so before the next one. I can’t not ring him. I am heartbroken at the loss of my mum and know that she diluted a lot of this when she was still with us (in form).I suppose my question is, that I am totally open to listening. But the feelings that come after the phone calls are a mixture of anger, upset and frustration to the point where I am not always wanting to speak to him and then I get hit with the GUILT? I would love to have a more light-hearted relationship with him. Instead I feel like I am wading through treacle to try and work out how to support him without totally draining myself?I hope that makes sense.

Listener question: I noticed that I have so much thinking around the topic of the menstrual cycle.On one hand I've got thinking about what society expects me to be like during a time of feeling vulnerable or feeling a lot of pain. On the other hand I've got a lot of ideas what it means to have pms. There seems to be this very fixed idea in me that it's just a rule that I would get horrible mood swings, pain and such strong uncontrollable emotions. To me it seems like a fixed reality that I just have to go through every month. Which made me feel a bit suspicious because how could this be fixed if everything else is not? I feel like I'm not really making sense but was wondering if you could somehow speak to that?

Listener question: How do we see tragedy in the light of this understanding? We lost a young family member in circumstances that ‘shouldn’t have happened’ that seem like huge misfortune. It is difficult for me to look at this from within this understanding as ‘part of our human experience’ as I see it as awful and wrong and how can we ever come to terms with that it was meant to happen. And how where was the wisdom in this young persons death.Sorry I know its a heavy one but whilst I get a lot from this conversation this tragedy is still shrouded in a massive BUT for me. Why are some people destined to experience the agony of losing a child and how can we understand a human experience cut short?

Listener question: Thank-you so much Clare for creating a podcast for this. I have listened to it three times and also our recording once over. I'm now in a weird place. I feel frantic that I have to change a lot of things in my life and don't know where to begin. I'm also confused as to why I've stayed with something that's creating unhappiness for so many years. I guess with the 3ps I thought it wasn't the job (outside in thinking) so for now I just need to sit with it I guess. I'm more scattered and anxious, so things need to settle. So many in the 3p world told me they changed jobs only for the anxiety to follow, so making a big upheaval towards something that isn't even calling to me feels wrong. I just don't know.Thank-you Clare, you've been so generous with me in every way. I think I'm looking this way for the wrong reasons, so maybe I need to stop.

Listener question: Today a friend held me. Since a diagnosis of breast cancer in January, surgery at the beginning of March, such a lonely journey in COVID, I just kept going to provide for my family. And then today as my friend held me, I just broke down and sobbed, and cried my heart out. Like a floodgate opened. Is that wrong Clare, is that un-spiritual? Is that just a needy desperate self identity?

Listener question: I wonder if it would be possible to discuss what seems to going on for me just now. I seem to be doing well (better than in a long time) and then without notice I’m plunged into my greatest fears (plus some).... this has been going on for a few nights, is beyond uncomfortable and I would appreciate your thoughts. I’ve absolutely loved the Real course and have taken a lot from it. Thank you in anticipation xx

Listener question: I wonder if you could consider the following for a Listener Question on your podcasts?I realise virtually my whole life I have been a people pleaser. A learnt and essential approach growing up in my family. I can now see the destructive nature of being this way. I seem to follow a cycle of People Pleasing > Rejection > Victim > People Pleasing etc etc. How do I break this cycle and how do I simply be me?I would sincerely appreciate a little guidance with this Clare.

Listener question:should I act on my idea?

Listener question: hi Clare a relative of mine is a narcissist. It gets me down how much attention she demands all the time. I find it exhausting. How does that fit when we are talking about the self?

Listener question: what do you mean by back room?

Listener question: In the book WELL, at one point you have a phrase you often use about “giving itself up.”And by an objective reality giving itself up we see what’s real.Can you talk more about what this “giving itself up” is?Is there an example in your life when something “gave itself up”?

Listener question: I cannot see how events/conditioning have been put in place for the ultimate purpose of waking us up to what we are. What I understand is that life happens despite me and I do not create my reality. It seems more to me that life is an impersonal, spontaneous synchronicity of events. In other words, every event appears to have an ultimate reason or cause, but ultimately, no event is an absolute unto itself, ever. To say that events/conditioning etc. are put there for the purpose of waking us up to what we are seems to me to personalize what is happening—as long as the need is there to find an ultimate reason for everything, it’s an indication there is a fear of being out of control. Since the knowing “I Am” is already there, who needs to “wake up?” What I understand is that what we are has never forgotten, doesn’t need to remember and does not need to wake up to who/what we are. I understand that it is impossible to understand Self via the mind and once you realize you are not an object “having” experiences, it doesn’t mean you know who or what You really are, but rather, it means you know who You are not. Am i understanding correctly?

Listener question: Are Events Random? Is there such a thing as Cause and effect?Events have been “put there by the conditioned program of our mind.” Are you saying a “program” of conditioning created events, like COVID, to use your example, or am I not hearing correctly what you are saying? ….”so no randomness in the way anything appears and there entirely for the waking up to what we are.” I can see that how events and the ‘me’ are perceived/experienced are a function of the conditioning/belief systems and how this could, in a way, and perhaps in the way you are speaking about it, even be seen to be “not random,” but wasn’t the very development of this conditioning “random" with no absolute cause and effect? And when you say, “COVID is a construct of me, it exists because I exist…” can you please explain “who/what” exists?

Listener question: Can you say more about watching the behavior - not the self - witnessing the behavior? You keep inviting us to inquire into what is happening in this behavior and in suffering. Feeling the sensations not as self.All I can see is just selfing, selfing, and more selfing - I thought this was the behavior. Brain creating a self as thought and then claiming something, rejecting something, trying to nail this thought of self to the floor. Suffering with each new storyline about the self and how it's not liked or failing or about to lose or is a victim or is right, etc. I can see that this is conditioning, that it keeps happening, and feel exhausted by it. It still feels real, like there is a self to secure, that must be defended and protected and can lose. It feels like there's another layer that you're pointing at that's not been seen yet.

Listener question: what about injustice, discrimination and going out in the streets and fighting against oppression?Is that just a self that is caught in the narrative of feeling oppressed? Is there a self that searches for security that does not exist anyway?

Listener question : how to change other people's beliefs and behaviour?

Listener question: should I stay or should I go?