This site is a modest guide to learning, discerning, and knowing. It provides a bit of assistance in understanding teaching and learning methods and discerning what can be relied upon. It touches on some of the problems and misunderstandings associated with learning, teaching, organizations, claims, practices and writings; and their applications in the ongoing process of personal growth, experience, and realization. It helps point toward approaches to take in real learning and experience; and how one may go further toward realization. The site includes a reference library and a few suggestions on what may be of some value to read and apply. Even though it offers some practices and meditations, it is not a "Teaching"; its primary function is to provide information.
This site uses "words". The Real Teaching is passed from heart to heart through breath to breath. It is not passed through words, no matter how high or "sublime". As most people understand, words are not experience. Because you read about carpentry does not mean that you are a carpenter. However words, and writings, can be used as bridges to move more toward understanding and experience. This is through attunement.
You likely have experienced many times that while reading a book you got a sense of the writer and the perspective of that person. Just as when you go in to a room you get a feeling of its qualities. You can use the outer as a bridge to the inner; or the outer as a bridge to the Real. With books or writings, this is done through using the words to attune to the writer as well as the intention of the writing (from where it came). This is not just an intellectual understanding. This requires you still you thoughts and FEEL. Use the breath to connect through the feeling to the writer. Go further. Remember that the writer will have what he or she has written within a larger framework. What you do is to connect through the breath to that person. Then you go a little further and feel the perspective of that person. Not stopping there, you continue until you actually feel and see through that perspective. At this stage you become it - within yourself, which is larger.
Here you actually have used the words as a link to move closer to experience. you can read much more on attunement in other works on this site. This is what I call "catching the breath". You catch the breath of the writer. Just as you can do this to catch the breath of the writing; or catch the breath of a person. I have said many times that where you place your attention, you are; and what you place your attention on, you become. You use the words and writings to place your attention through them toward the Real.
As I wrote in the "Beginning" page, I do make some suggestions on the order in which to read. If this was a book pages would follow in order and you would simply continue reading and find them. Generally books are written to be read in order. Since this is not a book, I make the suggestion on what to read next.
Using the site
The contents page should give you a general idea of topics and areas. You can refer to it for various purposes. More material will be added over time. After reading this "About" page you are now on, I suggest going to one on Teaching and Learning. In the Books section of the library are links to many writings available for download and some suggestions for reading. I draw your attention to 4 collections of works available to read for free on other sites. These are by Idries Shah, Samuel Lewis, Inayat Khan, and Paul Reps and Nyogen Senzaki. Visit the Books Section for links.
On "Lovebreath"
Love is both the path and the Way. Breath is the connecting Link. I discuss this more in other places.
Path and Way
The Path is the approach. The Way is where the paths lead and come together. I discuss this more in other places.
Names
In general I do not state the names of the people who made a particular statement that I may paraphrase or quote. I do this because it is easy for a reader to substitute a person or reputation for the quality of the statement - whether it is actually correct. You as a reader will find many references to lots of different people in the writings and books listed and suggested in the library. At this time, here, I am more interested in providing some things that may be functionally useful for the sincere reader.
Titles
In general I also do not state the titles of people who made a particular statement that I may paraphrase or quote. I do this because titles are very misleading and many times not indicative of the reality of a person's actual station. Here is a little story. In the mid-1980's I was on a walk with a fellow in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Someone came up and started saying how excited he was and how wonderful it was that he had recently met a Sheik so-and-so. He went on effusively emoting about this. When he finished the person I was with simply stated "There is not much difference between a Sheik and a twitch".
Since the mid 1960's I have associated or come in contact with many people with various titles. I can say with certainty that very many of the titles do not reflect the actual station (level, function, realization, and awareness) of the person. I have also associated with some who really know. They are usually the top leaders or those with Real functions - even if not known to the masses. These folks generally make few claims and are not "hung up" on wanting their titles to be used. They are pretty human and down to earth. Be careful of accepting claims and titles without consideration. To find the real state of a person one attunes to their breath. This leads to knowing their condition.
Teacher
I much prefer using a term like Guide, Assistor, Helper, Friend. As someone I knew once said: "It can't be taught; it has to be caught". I will discuss this more in the section on teaching and learning.
The use of the Title/Name referred to as "God"
I usually avoid using this. From my perspective that word has little meaning (as it has so many meanings to so many different people). It also has little functional value for real use. This is not the case with some words such as Yahuva, Yeshua, Allah, Budddsu, Ahura, and others. This can be experienced and understood through experiments and practices.
The use of other names instead of "God"
I will generally use terms like "The Real", "That which Is", "The Universe", "The One", etc.
References to people with "Realization"
I will sometimes refer to such folks as "A Real Person", "One Who Knows", "One who knows the Real", "A person who understands", "Someone who "has it"", "A Human", etc.
Perspective
The approach of this site is from the Universal Perspective. It is not of any particular path or way.
This is not something new.
Most of the information here is not new. You can find it through many sources, some of which are hundreds of years old. One of the things that we do is to "repackage" the infomation in various ways so it can be more appropriate for a culture, time, or persons. Sometimes is also requires that the same thing is said in many different ways before it finally "sinks in".
A daily mediation practice
I suggest you may find it of some value to consider using a daily practice. It may be of some value. You can find one that changes each day at Daily Meditation.
Before beginning it I strongly suggest you read Using this practice
Who I am
My name is Matt. I have been involved in the spiritual work since the mid-1960's. The rest is not very important.
On Trust
A good question to consider is if you can trust what I write and present. You will need to find that out for yourself. This requires some discernment on your part. The claims of any writer are not a good basis for trust.
Questions or comments?
Please send an email from here or go to the Contact Page. Send Email
The phrase "the universal perspective" is used in describing the approach on this site. There are many various paths, or approaches to spiritual learning - as many as there are people; although I include the various religions, and real spiritual groups. There is; however, only one "Way", and one "Source". There have been a succession of different faces to the paths; all essentially pointing in the same direction. Some of these different Inspirers, which can also be said are but different faces of the same being, founded what became more formalized schools, paths, or religions. They generally came for the purposes of updating the "teaching", revitalizing it, or spreading it to another group. Viewed in that way, one will not find basic contradiction in their works.
Here, The Way is referred to as where the various paths come together. It is here that the teaching and guidance unfolds from the Spirit - regardless of the outer forms. It is here that differentiation of the "ways" ceases. In all the great religions and teachings this is taught - at least from the founders. Over the years I have found through associating with many different Real Teachers and Leaders that this perspective is carried on.
So in this work, here, you may find statements that we have reached the point in human development where we can embrace ALL the different paths and ways as part of the greater to which we aspire and become partners in. Whether a person does embrace this or not is up to him or her, in accordance with their real intention and point of view. Part of this work then is to give a little feel or sense of this universal perspective.
The embracing of the various paths and even the drawing of practices or recitations which are common to all the approaches or particular to one, is not and can not be done in a haphazard or random way. In addition, the decision to use a particular approach or method is only based upon its efficacy in the particular situation - which includes, but is not limited to the person(s), place, and result sought. Nor, if it is used properly, will it be done without a clear understanding of function and how it fits in place. It is not done from the reference point of approach, but rather from that of goal. From there it is natural that it be applied as needed as an element of one single and continuous teaching.
On this site, many times writings or works from one area or approach may be emphasized more than another. This mainly stems from what is needed to convey the appropriate message.
The fact that the "teaching" derives from the One Spirit does not preclude that it may be expressed through the forms of any particular path or religion, or that it is "less" for doing so. The opposite is the case. All teachings must have some form(s) through which they can be conveyed - no matter how refined that is. Indeed, that "Spirit of Guidance" may impel or urge one to express it through such a form.
In this case, here, these teachings and writings are expressed more from the "non-named", or without calling it anything. That does not mean from without or outside of the "stream" from which the traditions come; but rather without limiting this work to one form or labeling it something in particular. It is not a denial of the "truth" or basis of these traditions, but rather a celebration of them.
You will find here practices will be provided from time to time. Regardless of their sources, it is not so much a suggestion that this is the "right way", or endorsement of that form over others; but rather that it works, or more correctly - can work. However, even here, just because you are attracted to something does not mean that is should be taken on. It is a balance of potentials a practice is provided that you can read on this site. Even though there are many practices on this site - especially in the Archives - they are NOT, I repeat, NOT here other than for reference. If you are guiding others, pay attention to them, try them, and perhaps apply them in the correct manner at the right time, for the right people. If you are seeking guidance, do not try them at random.
Many times, reference is made to other books and writings from various traditions or paths. In a page on books in the Library you may find suggested reading material. You will also find some common themes should you read some. One thing that will become obvious is that many of the writings are of so called "Sufi" origin. That does NOT mean that all groups calling themselves "sufi" are viable or alive. Indeed, that is not the case - just as it is not the case that all Jewish groups follow the real or basic teachings of their prophets; or not all Christian groups follow the teaching of Jesus.
In fact, although many of these "Sufi" works are often referred to, this at times is done somewhat reluctantly. That is so because it may be misleading to emphasize or point to what may have been useful at one time, or was done specifically for a limited situation as now universal and applicable. In some cases previously active works or groupings have become dead forms, or dying structure. Just because something has the name Sufi, it does not mean that it is vibrant and living. Crystallization and cultish behavior respects no name. The "problem" stems from the fact that as soon as there is form, crystallization begins. It is difficult to keep expansion in place without it, too, becoming a manifestation of solidity. This is in addition to the life of a teaching being related to time, place, and person.
As a note; there are cycles of rebirth or strengthening as needed within a Teaching or through a Transmission. There are those whose job, or duty it is to revitalize a failing or quieting process when it needs to be stronger or living more fully. When this happens, change almost always occurs and some of the "faithful" are left behind or find that they no longer "like" or prefer the changed and growing course, but prefer the older or more settled forms.
There is in most cases a lessening of transmission in the same manner or strength as through the originator. This required a very different consciousness and approach. When others follow, there is almost always a loss of some of the vitality and awareness. It is the faith and constancy in the transmission and connection to the process of being part of and in a stream - as well as an ocean - that keeps the flame alive and motion to currency of the work. Then, when ready, another comes to renew; or others find themselves either in decay, or the inspiration returns and expands through one of the real faithful. This generally is found to be upsetting to many within the confines of a crystallized or semi-crystallized form. Thus for fluidity it is needed to change with the Breath of The Day. Practice in this becoming is useful and needed whenever there is any loss of vitality - whether seen or felt, or not. This is one of the reasons for daily affirmation which includes a strengthening and continuation of the Transmission.
Indeed, the name "Sufi" points toward and reflects function more so than sect; and that function has been around long before it was called something - anything. It so happens that many of the writers accepted under that umbrella name, experienced, and expressed "The universal point of view". As a matter of fact, more often than not, the intellectual or religious person does not include enough of them; regardless of their position, occupation, or "religion".
Here is a little story. One of the Real masters in answer to a question replied as follows.
......Teaching is like a nutrition, and its effects are not visible at the time it is being given, so there is no point in there being an observer except of the fruit of the nutrition.
... teaching varies with the Sufi dictum of the necessity for "right time, right place, right people". To ask even for information about knowledge is like throwing a lifeless carcass into fresh water: the intention may be good, but the result will be poisonous."
The inquirer said: "I understand what you say, but I wish to remark that this is not the manner in which ordinary teaching is carried out."
The teacher replied: "God grant that ordinary teaching may indeed one day be carried out in this manner! When that comes to pass we shall have no need to see any division between Sufi and other teaching!"
Having said what I have about the various teachings, the names "are" important as are differentiations of the paths or ways (with a little W). They indicate a reference point. Please try not to take it for more than that.
There are many illustrations of these statements from many people, but this should suffice. What is more important than trying to justify or provide extensive reference is to "get on with it". Try breath - connect.