BLOG.UNITYQUESTBOOK.COM: Recent Comments

Comment on Identifying Your Ego

2009-12-14T18:48:23Z

Navi, thanks for the thoughtful blog. I agree with you wholeheartedly - if one follows the path prescribed by the Buddha it will lead to enlightenment. But this pre-supposes that most individuals in the US society:

1. Have discerned that there is a deeper purpose to their life (One that stretches beyond seeking fulfillment via social and family status/relationships, professional roles and or material pursuits)

2. Can embrace a path like the one the Buddha articulated which is required to develop the critical awareness needed to reorient their lives and walk the path

3. Have the self discipline to internalize and walk the path minute by minute, hour by hour and day by day

Unity Quest was based on our own life experience in the US. We found that neither of us had become aware of our deeper purpose (till we had reached our early forties), let alone embraced a path! The biggest obstacle that had stood in our way to step 1 above was the dominance of our own ego (that had been shaped and strengthened by our professional careers).

As you are aware people often take different paths on their way to wisdom and spiritual development. Some find it through faith, others through a teacher or teachings and some through a process of deep self reflection. From your blog it sounds like you have found yours through the teachings of the Buddha. We discovered our path through a process of self reflection that required us to identify, face and begin working on overcoming our egos – a pre-requisite to walking the path. Through our careers in Silicon Valley we met many individuals who had fallen into the very same trap as us. So the purpose of our focus on the Ego was not to create a new methodology or path to enlightenment (all this knowledge already exists) but only to share our experiences on this approach with individuals like ourselves who are struggling with the first step.

As the Buddha taught even his teachings are simply a vessel that is used to cross from one shore to another and discarded once the journey back to the Source is completed. Namaste…

Comment on Identifying Your Ego

2009-12-13T19:41:37Z

Hello Anik:

It is with interest I read and re-read many of your thoughts and comments by others on EGO.

The question, which perhaps, is more relevant, is “what is the path towards bliss or higher awareness towards our Happiness?” or if one is so bold as to say “I am on the path to enlightenment”!

Because if you plan to produce sugar from sugarcane, then molasses is an automatic by-product. Meaning: if one is willing and able to proceed on the sharp and narrow path towards enlightenment (bliss/nirvana), then the questions and definitions etc. of “ego” will automatically be addressed and resolved. No need to focus entirely on ego.

So let us start with the answer to the question of what is the purpose of life? The answer that suits me is, “ To be fully liberated. Not to be born again!” If answers are to be happy or to be in bliss then these too are sufficient answers.

If that is the case, then we have to study the path/road map.

It is made of three basic parts, keeping in mind that the base camp is “wholesome” not evil or bad or unwholesome:
1. Moral conduct.
2. Concentration.
3. Wisdom.

Moral conduct is specific and necessary if we wish to start on the “path” (and answer the Ego question). Why? Because it establishes control lines that enable us to walk without falling off the edges – like hand rails/ropes/guide posts while climbing stairs or climbing mountains. What are these guide posts:
a) Do not steal – do not take what is not yours.
b) Do not tell lies.
c) Do not kill.
d) Do not commit sexual misconduct.
e) Do not get intoxicated – alcohol, drugs etc.
For more serious followers two more:
f) No meals after mid day.
g) Do not sleep on high and luxurious beds.
For even more serious followers, there a few more rules but for our discussion the above will suffice as we are dealing with folks who do wish to live in the “conventional” world or are householders, not monks/nuns!

Concentration is that part of the path where we start steadying the mind; trying to establish the ability to focus and enhance the faculty of awareness. It is important to remember that the above moral conduct goes hand in hand with concentration. There are some “schools” that tend to separate the two. This is not applicable for our stated purpose.

Wisdom is then “experienced” as we cultivate Concentration.

The above is a very brief outline of the path towards the elimination of ego and attainment of Bliss/enlightenment/nirvana.

The path is so clear and sharp with no mumbo jumbo or esoteric phenomenon. It is logical, scientific and beautiful.
Of course, further discourse is open….

I conclude with homage to the Worthy One, the Blessed One the perfectly Enlightened One!

Comment on Welcome

2009-11-21T17:35:57Z

After attending the Half Moon Bay book opening, I began to think of what ego I may possess. At first I thought, "I'm perfect and have no ego issues!" That is when the light went off. I thought more about how I always try to be perfect. Of course I make mistakes...I am not always perfect. The sad part is that I am not above bending the truth or stretching it a bit to make myself appear perfect to others. I am not going around telling lies all the time, but I did notice this behavior at work the other day. At school yesterday, I got a 97/100 on a test and was really upset. I thought it should have been a 100%. Why should I be so upset? It was an A+ still! Being a perfectionist is not always bad. I learned that if I let my perfectionist ego get a grip on me all the time, then this may not be something I need...it can actually be injuring. I should be happy with the products that I produce and what I do with my life because I put a lot of effort. I do not need to make people believe that I am perfect, because no one is. Life would be boring otherwise. All this and I haven't even finished the book-I can't wait to finish Unity Quest!

Comment on Welcome

2009-11-08T21:11:29Z

Having recently experienced a deep personal loss (of my wife of 33 years), I was forced into a phase of profound introspection during which I asked myself what to do with the next phase of my life. I read Unity Quest during these moments of reflexion, and the book helped me crystallize conclusions which I had already intuited independently: I wanted to write a new and different chapter of my life, defined by deep, meaningful and connected relationships with both people and nature, as opposed to new conquests of business achievements, more material wealth, and even less control of my time. I suspect many of my colleagues, even without the catalyst of a personal tragedy, will find similar insights from the book.

Comment on Welcome

2009-10-07T21:36:02Z

Lane and Anik-The first pages were riveting. I look forward to the next 236 pages.

Comment on Welcome

2009-09-21T22:43:34Z

I just ordered your book...and I can't WAIT to read it.

If you (reading this blog) wonder about purchasing it...do NOT wait! I know that both of the authors bring so much richness and depth to life, I am absolutely confident the book will reflect the same. I also know that these two authors KNOW what it is to be on a quest for personal improvement - but the benefit is, they are looking BACK on that quest.

Stay tuned; I'll give you an update on how the book grabbed me when I read it.

Bill