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Shop: Myyco.com Golden Teacher Liquid Culture For Sale   Unfolding Nature Unfolding Nature: Being in the Implicate Order

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How Come So Many Spiritual Masters are Fat Asses
    #7383840 -

Lately I have started to notice the author photos on the backs of spiritual and self help books. I have noticed that so many of these authors are fat and severely out of shape...or just plain unhealthy looking. How can one claim to have mastered ones reality if one has such a sloppy fat ass that they can't get through the door? Should not spiritual development start with the physical vehicle we live through. Is that not the seat of awareness, and is not awareness the means through which we perceive and interact with the spiritual?

I am saying this because even though I have been working on my spiritual path for nearly ten years up until just last year I had neglected myself thoroughly. After all is not the material form often considered "profane" :lol: by many spiritual people? I bullshitted myself this way. I had navigated alcoholism and anger, but my progress was sporadic and grudging. Last year another member of this board brought this to my attention, and I became aware that in order to make the maximum amount of energy available to myself I had to have an energy storage mechanism that functioned properly. I was 42 years old and weighed 360 pounds (at 6'4" tall). My past efforts to curb my weight gain over the last 20 years had been very ineffective and temporary by only a few months. I was afflicted with poor health and I had aged beyond my years. Since I was made aware of this in June of 2006 I have lost 140 pounds. I spend over two hours a day running and exercising. I have reworked my diet from a junk diet to a healthy and partly organic diet. I am in excellent physical condition and can run nearly 10 miles in one session.

It is obvious to me that my emotional and psychological work has started to progress much more rapidly since I started making this physical change. Developing the discipline to do this has made me much more fluid mentally and emotionally in every way. I have concluded that the primary source...and most basic source of personal power rests on the condition of one's health. This is the most basic spiritual aspect of development that can be approached by a human. Without this foundation of physical health and vitality any other spiritual work will be grudgingly small in comparison.

So, why are so many (not all) of these so called masters in such poor health? I do not take away from their ideas, but how can such an obvious point not be obvious to a "master"? Does not awareness entail responsibility? I think that it does.


--------------------
"A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda

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Re: How Come So Many Spiritual Masters are Fat Asses [Re: Huehuecoyotl]
    #7383875 -

Quote:
How Come So Many Spiritual Masters are Fat Asses


I truly resent that remark. :mad:

Props to your transformation. I am in the market for a new master - any takers?


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Re: How Come So Many Spiritual Masters are Fat Asses [Re: Huehuecoyotl]
    #7384788 -

I think you answered your own question with the qualifier "so-called." That chubby little Maharaji who headed up the Divine Light Mission in the 70s was neither Maha (Great) nor was he a raji (king). He was a spoiled rich little shit who'd ride around on his lawn mower on his Long Island, NY estate and ask visiting college kids if they knew the secret of "Life, Spirit and
Death." Pretty transparent if you ask me. Of course, we knew about LSD. What we didn't know is just how many geeks and dorks found comfort in his bogus cult and useless two hour meditations on white light (while sitting under a sheet like a ghost). Then he married this leggy air line stewardess and his family objected (yeah, most families object to their golden goose getting snagged by a gold-digger. It wasn't his looks or manner I can tell ya that).

Neem Karolie Baba of BE HERE NOW fame was famous to Americans when he was rather old and fat. It was not always that way. But in the writings, he would 'take on karma' in several stories, by eating. Like when ram Dass bought oranges, which he dropped, making the psychologist cry like a baby (?) Baba picked up and ate 5 oranges faster than Ram Dass had ever seen anyone eat. When an old yogi was dying, Baba apparently 'knew' that the yogi was being beseiged by the irrational desire for chapatis and dal, and so started yelling for the women to feed him in the middle of the night, thereby taking on the karma of the dying yogi so that the desire wouldn't interfere with his liberation and cause him to reincarnate as some hungry being. Now, I've always felt that Neem Karolie was the real deal even if I could never claim that he was 'my' Guru. The delirium of the dying yogi could be corroborated, so who knows about this sort of thing? The little rich kid was just a piggy, so one has to discern I think. :shrug:

BTW, congratulations on your healthy transformation. I really can't grok the extent of it because if I lost 140 pounds I'd weigh about 10 pounds. :grin: Here's to you (*swigs down a gulp of Beck's Dark*).


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γνῶθι σαὐτόν - Gnothi Seauton - Know Thyself

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Re: How Come So Many Spiritual Masters are Fat Asses [Re: MarkostheGnostic]
    #7385308 -

Moderator Edit: This forum is intended for the discussion of ideas that posters present, and not for the discussion of the personal nature of the posters themselves. This is clearly expressed in the forum rules. When other users specifically inform you that the behavior you are engaging in is not what the forum is intended for, and you assert that it is for the original poster to deal with, you are disrespecting the nature of the forum, as well as the quality contributors who are actually interested in using this forum for its intended purpose.


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Edited by fireworks_god (09/09/07 10:31 AM)

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Re: How Come So Many Spiritual Masters are Fat Asses [Re: SCleROTiUM_LICK]
    #7385345 -

Keep in mind that all the "spiritual masters" preach about self-discipline.
Well, self discipline IS about taking care of one's body too. It all comes down to health, and mental/spiritual health is directly related to the physical health.
I don't think you really got his post, not to mention that talking about the op's behavior has nothing to do with the subject. Because other that you were not able to come up with some real answers to the subject.


--------------------
:bunny::bunnyhug:
All this time I've loved you
And never known your face
All this time I've missed you
And searched this human race
Here is true peace
Here my heart knows calm
Safe in your soul
Bathed in your sighs
:bunnyhug: :yinyang2:

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Re: How Come So Many Spiritual Masters are Fat Asses [Re: MushroomTrip]
    #7385365 -

Moderator Edit: This forum is intended for the discussion of ideas that posters present, and not for the discussion of the personal nature of the posters themselves. This is clearly expressed in the forum rules. When other users specifically inform you that the behavior you are engaging in is not what the forum is intended for, and you assert that it is for the original poster to deal with, you are disrespecting the nature of the forum, as well as the quality contributors who are actually interested in using this forum for its intended purpose.


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Edited by fireworks_god (09/09/07 10:32 AM)

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Re: How Come So Many Spiritual Masters are Fat Asses [Re: SCleROTiUM_LICK]
    #7385410 -

And at the risk of repeating myself, it's no the op that is to be discussed here.
Not to mention that I really wonder how thinking that most spiritual masters were fat asses could do anyone any harm.
From all the data I have gathered, one needs nobody else than the self for producing a personal growth. It sounds to me that only a person who puts his trust on these "masters" and which give credit to them for any of their progress are likely to fall when their role models come up with flaws.


--------------------
:bunny::bunnyhug:
All this time I've loved you
And never known your face
All this time I've missed you
And searched this human race
Here is true peace
Here my heart knows calm
Safe in your soul
Bathed in your sighs
:bunnyhug: :yinyang2:

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Re: How Come So Many Spiritual Masters are Fat Asses [Re: MushroomTrip]
    #7385456 -

Moderator Edit: This forum is intended for the discussion of ideas that posters present, and not for the discussion of the personal nature of the posters themselves. This is clearly expressed in the forum rules. When other users specifically inform you that the behavior you are engaging in is not what the forum is intended for, and you assert that it is for the original poster to deal with, you are disrespecting the nature of the forum, as well as the quality contributors who are actually interested in using this forum for its intended purpose.


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Edited by fireworks_god (09/09/07 10:32 AM)

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Re: How Come So Many Spiritual Masters are Fat Asses [Re: MushroomTrip]
    #7385609 -

MushroomTrip said:
Keep in mind that all the "spiritual masters" preach about self-discipline.
Well, self discipline IS about taking care of one's body too. It all comes down to health, and mental/spiritual health is directly related to the physical health.
I don't think you really got his post, not to mention that talking about the op's behavior has nothing to do with the subject. Because other that you were not able to come up with some real answers to the subject.


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Re: How Come So Many Spiritual Masters are Fat Asses [Re: SCleROTiUM_LICK]
    #7385698 -

I don't think that recognizing a fact makes me judgmental. I well understand the pitfalls of personal neglect. I also am not discussing the essential goodness that people possess. My point is that in my opinion if one wants to master a spiritual discipline the most effective place to start is with the physical body. I have found through the experience that I have detailed that as my body has achieved higher states of health that my potential for change has increased. A healthy body is a more efficient energy storage mechanism than an unhealthy one, and energy is required for any sort of mastery. A relapse is not a possibility for me. Awareness entails responsibility, and having accepted responsibility for myself will not allow me to step backward. I do not wish to punish anyone, but I am just stating facts based on my experience. I have deep empathy for anyone with weight and/or substance abuse problems because I have experienced these things myself. I also am not slamming all spiritual/self help authors as there are many that walk the path they teach, but I believe that the majority of the "masters" do not. This does not negate the possibility of these individuals having practical ideas. If you have not mastered the self then you have mastered nothing. I am just beginning down this path and I have detailed my experiences accurately to support my point.


--------------------
"A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda

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Re: How Come So Many Spiritual Masters are Fat Asses [Re: SCleROTiUM_LICK]
    #7385729 -

SCleROTiUM_LICK said:
Quote:
Not to mention that I really wonder how thinking that most spiritual masters were fat asses could do anyone any harm.



:shrug:
My post wasn't meant for you.
It was meant to help the OP.

Let the OP be offended or appreciative, dismissive or enlightened on his own accord.


And this is a free discussion and everyone can step in and reply to ANY post. :grin:


--------------------
:bunny::bunnyhug:
All this time I've loved you
And never known your face
All this time I've missed you
And searched this human race
Here is true peace
Here my heart knows calm
Safe in your soul
Bathed in your sighs
:bunnyhug: :yinyang2:

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Re: How Come So Many Spiritual Masters are Fat Asses [Re: MushroomTrip]
    #7385740 -

I agree. My posts are out of my hands once they are loose in the wild. Let them roam where they may.


--------------------
"A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda

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Re: How Come So Many Spiritual Masters are Fat Asses [Re: MarkostheGnostic]
    #7385752 -

Thanks for the comments and encouraging remark. Save one of those Beck's Darks for me...I can still drink one every once in a while...


--------------------
"A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda

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Re: How Come So Many Spiritual Masters are Fat Asses [Re: SCleROTiUM_LICK]
    #7385757 -

SCleROTiUM_LICK said:
I'm sorry, but I think the ops post is symptomatic of a personal crisis that will likely undo his progress unless he rethinks things.


Yep.

A monk asked Joshu, does Buddha's belly have Buddha nature?

Joshu replied, "Mu."

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Re: How Come So Many Spiritual Masters are Fat Asses [Re: Mezcal]
    #7385819 -

I expected to receive criticism for this post.


--------------------
"A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda

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Re: How Come So Many Spiritual Masters are Fat Asses [Re: Huehuecoyotl]
    #7385965 -

Moderator Edit: This forum is intended for the discussion of ideas that posters present, and not for the discussion of the personal nature of the posters themselves. This is clearly expressed in the forum rules. When other users specifically inform you that the behavior you are engaging in is not what the forum is intended for, and you assert that it is for the original poster to deal with, you are disrespecting the nature of the forum, as well as the quality contributors who are actually interested in using this forum for its intended purpose.

Edited by fireworks_god (09/09/07 10:34 AM)

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Re: How Come So Many Spiritual Masters are Fat Asses [Re: Huehuecoyotl]
    #7385998 -

Excellent work hue!


--------------------
Entropy is increasing.
To send me a PM, go to my journal

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Re: How Come So Many Spiritual Masters are Fat Asses [Re: SCleROTiUM_LICK]
    #7386005 -

Your first quote and comment should be addressed to Mushroomtrip as that comment was hers not mine.

Quote:
Painting a picture of someone's sloppy ass not being able to fit through a door is a judgement. I mean: How many of these authors have you actually observed in transit?


No it was intended as an inflammatory joke. It hooked your attention so it worked.

Quote:
I guess if you discover that you have cancer tomorrow, you'll have to rethink everything, right?


No. I am talking about taking responsibility for ones health to the extent possible. Some illnesses and injuries cannot be foreseen, but if one is in a healthy state these obstacle are more easily dealt with.

Quote:
What matters are ideas


Only if they work.

Maybe I was not clear about my point so I will restate it so that you may begin to understand my message:

Quote:
My point is that in my opinion if one wants to master a spiritual discipline the most effective place to start is with the physical body. I have found through the experience that I have detailed that as my body has achieved higher states of health that my potential for change has increased. A healthy body is a more efficient energy storage mechanism than an unhealthy one, and energy is required for any sort of mastery.



--------------------
"A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda

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Re: How Come So Many Spiritual Masters are Fat Asses [Re: SCleROTiUM_LICK]
    #7386069 -

Quote:
C'mon. Painting a picture of someone's sloppy ass not being able to fit through a door is a judgement. I mean: How many of these authors have you actually observed in transit? I think I was previously being accused of an Ad Hominem attack- which, incidentally, I find pretty inconsquential for a spiritual discussion- however, is that not what you are doing when making a judgment about a person's authority when based on their physical appearance and condition? I guess if you discover that you have cancer tomorrow, you'll have to rethink everything, right? Wait.... Before you answer that.... maybe you should have some bloodwork done?


We live and act in this world based on our judgment. Which is NOT to be confused with having preconceived ideas. I think we all here here have (or should have if we wish to engage in an honest discussion) the maturity and the intelligence to note the difference between those two, as well as realizing that in this case, in this subject, it is a matter of taking to consideration the data one gathers and make the most fit (as in most close to the nature of truth) calculations. It's called becoming conscious of one's path and in which manner one chooses to interact and interpret life. It is imperative to JUDGE because through judging we make our decisions, and we all strive to make the best decisions (for us). I hope I'm getting through to you.
One who writes about enlightenment and self-discipline, as a first hand experience and maybe even more, as a personal recipe to becoming spiritual, but which can't care his own body and treat it with respect, in my book, is most like called a hypocrite. One who's out on fooling people and making them dependent in their dogma, with the aim of becoming a guru (with all the ramifications and implications this term has).
And then you see people adoring some guy like that, which doesn't take his own advice and takes advantage of people's foolishness and weaknesses.
It's also one of the causes for so many problems we encounter in this today's world (people fighting over enlightenment, killing in the name of god and so on).
I hope you're still following me.
It is still pretty damn obvious that what the OP was trying to do (besides emphasizing the fact that we should never forget that we're our own persons and that in many cases gurus are frauds and power and wisdom come from regaining one's power, not giving it to somebody else) a personal analysis, based in his own experience and clearly explaining the mental chain of self indulgence he had followed and how he grew out of it.
Tell me, what exactly do you see wrong with that?
Since when observing the fact of life, in a lucid way, has become something wrong?
And dude, wtf does cancer has do to with this discussion? :what:
I think it's just a low form of intimidating that you're trying to use here, in order to make one change his views. :thumbdown:

Quote:
That's sagacious. But, more importantly, did you expect to console yourself over a big ol' bucket of chicken when you were forced to acknowledge that these authors were humans just like you?


Are you able to discuss the subject instead of attacking the person? What a shitty and immature comment. :wtf:


--------------------
:bunny::bunnyhug:
All this time I've loved you
And never known your face
All this time I've missed you
And searched this human race
Here is true peace
Here my heart knows calm
Safe in your soul
Bathed in your sighs
:bunnyhug: :yinyang2:

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Re: How Come So Many Spiritual Masters are Fat Asses [Re: Grok]
    #7386076 -

Thanks.


--------------------
"A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda

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