Enlightenment consists not merely in seeing the luminous shapes and visions, but in making the darkness visible.
The latter procedure is more difficult, and therefore more unpopular.
- Carl Jung
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Before leaving Hong Kong, I took ran across a friend who was going to a spiritual retreat in the US in November. I remember hearing the name of the person before, and realized I read about his course in "Travels" by Michael Crichton. He wrote a short story about a two-week desert retreat led by a doctor who left traditional medicine, the story was called "Cactus Teachings."
Understanding others is knowledge. Understanding oneself is enlightenment - Lao Tzu I went to Brugh Joy's two-week Conference in November of 1997 in the desert outside Paulden, Arizona. As much as college, the Marines, and Hong Kong changed me, I was about to embark on a journey like no other. A journey into myself, which continues to this day. Brugh teaches a heart-centered transformation approach. In my interpretation he draws a lot from Jungian psychological theory such as the ego and unconscious. Archetypes and mythology also figure in his approach to understanding the forces in our lives and persona's. I learned to meditate and appreciate yoga and other approaches to catching a glimpse of my true self, undistorted by ego or desire. To know my true self. This seems to be the ultimate goal in almost all 'new-age' as well as ancient practices - enlightenment. |
While living in New York, I took up the practice of aikido, a Japanese martial art based on a stable center and harmoniously blending with outside forces. Which can be practiced at the physical, mental, and spiritual levels. I attended the Bond Street Dojo in New York.
As well, I continued to explore other teachings through NYC resources like the Open Center. But over the years I also worked at other multi-day seminars with Brugh Joy.
Book Recommendations! Here are some books I found extremely interesting as I pursued a greater understanding of my life.
Travels, Michael Crichton
Avalanche, W. Brugh Joy
The Road Less Traveled, M.Scott Peck
Care of the Soul, Thomas Moore
Romancing the Shadow, Zweig and Wolf
Be Here Now, Richard Alpert (Ram Dass)
Jung to Live By, Eugene Pascal
Buddhism, Plain and Simple, Steve Hagan