(Session 5, Assignment for Week 5).
    I can see the limitations of the self. This morning the fallibility of the particular self who lives in this body is much with me. As a parent and husband, I feel my limitations. Through my eyes and my wife’s eyes, I can feel how lost our grown sons are. I look around and see other families where the parents are directive and able to teach skills that make this society (probably any society) easier to grow up in.
         I was in my 40’s when reading Skilful Means (and later Time Space Knowledge) helped guide me onto a path that has made my life more engaged and fulfilling ever since. But that is hardly an option for my sons (23 and 19). I hate to think that they have to wait another 20 years, as I did, before discovering a place in this world.
         I wonder if these TSK studies only work for people who have seen the limitations of ordinary ways of dealing with life and have developed a basis for believing that an alternative vision may be possible.
         At least this morning, I’m feeling that this vision of how time, space and knowledge are more central than the tethered self–who is cut off from this greater realm–will only appeal to someone who is already striving to become more open and present. But it is not as clear—at least this weekend—how much it can help me to develop the skills to guide others who are floundering.
Hi John and Eliana,
I appreciate how you both engaged with what I wrote, and its comforting to know that my personal issues are shared in a wider community. I guess that if my only choices are between being a “bystander”and an “outsider”, I hope to develop enough empathy of others to not treat them as “outsiders”.
As for being on a path and possibly sharing it. I guess all three of are wondering about that, having ventured to hope that by learning more we may be able to share the TSK vision. I agree entirely with your observation, John, that it is through what we embody that we can influence others. And with you Eliana, that any path worth walking throws up obstacles. What I wrote about parenting does not prevent me from feeling gratitude for the personal enrichment that ha scome to me personally. But the world and all who walk and swim upon her . . .
Hi Michael,
Your text is very touching. For me, the main point about the self is that although it is necessary for us to function in the world, it limits the experience and brings a lot of suffering, so we cannot take it so seriously.
TSK vision presents ways to make our experience more open, meaningful, less self-centered, but it is not an easy path to follow, as both of you said.
My thought about following this challenging path is that one has to develop a strong motivation to get through the obstacles: the readings, the practices and how to apply this knowledge in life, and this last one is the key.
Following this path demands that one challenges its self-centered point of view, and this can be very scary. What is the motivation that can keep us in the path developing a new way of being?
I believe that you, Michae,l is in the right track: “TSK studies only work for people who have seen the limitations of ordinary ways of dealing with life and have developed a basis for believing that an alternative vision may be possible”.
Hi Michael,
I so appreciate the poignancy of your honesty and inquiry. I think about this often, similarly, yet from a different angle not having kids myself: am I wanting to share TSK per se with others, or am I engaging my path with TSK (and other paths) to actually find my voice through experience and understanding, so I can share with others from an embodied place. The latter is what I feel I am cultivating so I don’t have to be concerned about whether TSK or my other path is accessible or right for others. Sharing, mentoring, teaching seems to come from my ability to be in understanding and find my own voice vis-a-vis a path. I think it’s true that people of all ages need to find their own ways in life, and yes, TSK as an inquiry is not for the majority, but the reality of TSK seems like it can be translated in different ways to support shifts in people, as they find their next opening. I’m curious about all of this. Being good guides simply comes from our own ’embodied’ understanding. Your thoughts?