Conversations and Meeting People

Hi Beyonder,

The things you are experiencing now are quite normal, because by observing ourselves we begin to see the illusions which we hold on to and have held on for so long.

Don't worry too much about the conversations with friends because you can still talk about many things without becoming identified with them. Most friendships are indeed based on common interests and friendships usually change as the interests change, but this doesn't always have to be this way.

There is a lot we can learn from people who are not doing the spiritual work, many ego's can be observed.
As Gnostics we still have our responsibilities towards work, family, daily life, etc. and we shouldn't neglect it.

Having the spiritual work as a goal in life is really doing something with ones life. We can change ourselves in a profound way.

Hi Beyonder,

Martijn's answer is quite accurate from what I've observed in this work. What you are experiencing is quite normal.

With the self-observation we can see a lot of egos at work in daily life, in our conversations, etc. And it is really shocking to see how spiritually empty many topics of discussion are.

Notwithstanding, we are still human beings and we can't only discuss spiritual things and do spiritual practices all the time. So there are certain parts of normal life that we need to face (and learn from).

But we can face them with detachment. Our conversations with others can still include earthly subjects like politics and work - and in a conscious way, we can even care - what's important though is that we keep observing ourselves and eliminating our egos so that daily life isn't just an ordinary (non-spiritual) life.

Belzebuub wrote in one of his books, the exact quote I cannot recall, something along the lines of, "we can be doing the same thing as the next person in the office but we can internally we can carry out a revolution". That really hit me. We still need to live a normal life on the outside (go to work to earn money to pay bills, go to school to get a job, etc.) but it's what's happening on the inside that can be profoundly different if we choose a spiritual life.

In terms of what an ideal world would be like, I can scarcely imagine. It would be really beautiful. I imagine people would still make mistakes and perhaps get "caught up" in mundane conversations since there would still be egos, but everyone on earth would know about the egos and continuously strive to overcome them instead of feed them.

Best wishes,

Mike

Thanks guys :-) Awesome quote from V.M. Belzebuub.

Obviously I still need to work to earn a living. I am still studying postgraduate level university. Some people work so hard to achieve top grades in class or work for well-known companies with high salaries. The student that studies so much to get the best mark in class or the employee who wants to work at a well-known company, seems to be driven by egos. For someone where luxury is important; for a big house, expensive car etc the salary of the job is very important.

But does this all really matter. I once used to care about this a lot. So as you say we still need to work, but we work in a detached way, not being too concerned about the business, even if it would mean a promotion.

Best Wishes,

Beyonder

Hi Beyonder,

Your original post made me realize a better way to understand why I can't really relate to alot of the nonsense people yammer on and on about in conversation.

Alot of people say I'm quiet and others think I am too loud but really all it is is that I have nothing to add regarding much of the usual conversational topics people approach me with.

Thanks.