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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


Registered: 06/13/04
Posts: 10,685
Loc: On the Border
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Unbending Intent
#7405829 - 09/13/07 07:21 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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During the course of my life I have learned a very valuable lesson. In the series of spiritual adventure books written by Carlos Castaneda one of the primary characters, don Juan Matus, spoke of needing "unbending intent" in order to achieve ones will. This concept has influenced my practice more than anything else discussed in those books. At first I interpreted it as meaning that one steps forward towards one's goals without stepping back ...ever. When I first tried to implement this concept I found myself in a state of tremendous resistance against my goals. I fought tooth and nail against my own inclination to sabotage the very goals that I was trying to achieve. I believe that this was a necessary step. I made progress, but it was quite painful to break patterns that I had engaged in for most of my life. There came a point where I was subjecting myself to intense mental stress and sometimes physical pain in order to not step back from my goals. At one point the pain and stress became so intense that I had to let it go. I surrendered to the process...I surrendered to my goals. I realized that the struggle was against that which I desired. I saw that every negative thought and indulgence was merely an obstacle that I had placed in my own way. It became apparent that surrender was the key to "unbending intent". This process is not about struggle or conflict, but the true key is to absolutely surrender to ones goals. Only in the spirit of surrender can one move forward in a state of harmony with ones desires.
-------------------- "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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Lion
Decadent Flower Magnate



Registered: 09/20/05
Posts: 8,775
Last seen: 3 days, 20 hours
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Why thank you. You bring up some very excellent points.
-------------------- “Strengthened by contemplation and study, I will not fear my passions like a coward. My body I will give to pleasures, to diversions that I’ve dreamed of, to the most daring erotic desires, to the lustful impulses of my blood, without any fear at all, for whenever I will— and I will have the will, strengthened as I’ll be with contemplation and study— at the crucial moments I’ll recover my spirit as was before: ascetic.”
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Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
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Powerful stuff here. I agree. The intent is in surrender. One has to intend to let go while holding on to the desire. When the river is rushing and deep it seems counter intuitive but surviving the rapids and reaching the shore alive involves as TM so apply put it, the ability to know when to hang on and when to let go.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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OrgoneConclusion
Blue Fish Group



Registered: 04/01/07
Posts: 45,414
Loc: Under the C
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Re: Unbending Intent [Re: Icelander]
#7408543 - 09/14/07 10:47 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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Trade Mark was a powerful teacher.
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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


Registered: 06/13/04
Posts: 10,685
Loc: On the Border
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Re: Unbending Intent [Re: Icelander]
#7410638 - 09/14/07 07:24 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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This is the point that I was trying to make in some earlier posts...unsuccessfully...about conflict.
-------------------- "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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OrgoneConclusion
Blue Fish Group



Registered: 04/01/07
Posts: 45,414
Loc: Under the C
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They were 'successful'; we just wanted you to feel the conflict when making your points about conflict.
I can bend intent with my mind. ~ Hue
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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


Registered: 06/13/04
Posts: 10,685
Loc: On the Border
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Quote:
I can bend intent with my mind. ~ Hue
I am sorry, but my intent is UNbending.
-------------------- "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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