Walk Free
Posted by Eric Carter on Mar 31, 2010 in Blog, Enlightenment, Personal Development, Practical Techniques, Self-Realization | 13 comments
A stranger looked at me and I immediately hid behind my cell phone. I hide because of my insecurities of what others think of me, but in fact they are not judging me, but themselves…
We are constantly concerned about what others think of us, when in all actuality they are concerned about what we are thinking of them. With this understanding we can breathe deep, walk free and create BIG. It is our world to have the confidence of a lion, we can crash weddings, own corporate functions and really just let ourselves out there to… walk free.
As we walk through our day, we are presented with endless moments to react to stress (From people and environment). It has been said that we are like a football to our environment, constantly being kicked from one moment to the next. Yet, we are so caught up in what we are doing that we don’t even notice.
The more we break our own boundaries the more can absolutely help others to break theirs. When we know that no one is really judging us, but attempting to categorize or enhance their own status, we are free. We are free to own our moments. The more strongly we can reach into the Depth of every moment with confidence and clarity, the more nature pervades our very structure and increases our energy, and happiness, thereby influencing our environment.
Eurostar from London to Brussels
I was taking the Eurostar from London to Brussels the other day (by the way this thing is incredible). Due to traveling chaos my group got split up. Me and Asher were in coach five and Joey was all the back at coach 15. I really wanted to let him know we had made the train. So, I started…
I worked past several coffee/ bar areas, squeezed past attendants serving breakfast, through the high rollers in first class and moved past about 20 bathrooms. I caught myself worried if I was bothering the attendants, thinking of what the top execs were thinking and if I should even be doing traversing this beast of a train (this takes energy)… Then it dawned on me, “I own this train, right now this multi. million dollar transport is mine.” I felt like a kid who just woke up in his own dream, I was walking free. All the energy wasted on worrying was free to enhance my experience in this moment.
I ended up smiling at folks, checking out what people were working on and having a 5 minute conversation with the conductor. The judgment I created was not real and it was an obstruction for me until I let it go to walk free.
Can you notice throughout your day illusory judgments you are placing on yourself?
Can you notice yourself reacting to the myriad of circumstance, and choose conscious action?
When we can truly let go of judgment we are free…
own the train and walknthe3RTH HEHE
Great story. I’d like to hear how you confidently crash weddings. “I am the groom” ?
A good friend led me to your blog and I am glad I stayed and read this piece… so true; we are always judging, speculating, wondering about what others who are doing the same thing to/about us think. I won’t crash any weddings but I would definitely claim ownership of the lovely Eurostar ride from London to Brussels; took it with my family sometime ago.
Keep it up.
Cheers,
E
Great Post. I can so relate to what you said on your video here too.
We can change these things if we choose to do so.
Once we are aware of doing them, we can change them.
Get new habits and feel more unified with our surroundings, as you put it.
Thank you Deana,
I believe with proper attention, and practice we can gain the sensitivity to allow this stress to be our teacher. Stress as a teacher for expanded awareness. Ha, who knew!
Eliz, I am glad you are finding value here. It is a beautiful thing when we can all share our experiences and success to uplift, enhance and grow. Please tell your friend to get in touch I would like to thank them.
Eric,
I am always impressed by your confidence to speak with complete strangers and “break the ice”!
Nice post
Eric, it is such a pleasure following your travels and witnessing you experience the world.
I taught my sons that if you are feeling something deeply, or even not so deeply, about a person or a situation, you have but to look in the mirror and ask, “What is it about myself that has me feeling this way?” I believe our relationships are simply a reflection of how we feel about ourselves and can be a fantastic tool to connect our souls to the truth about who we are on the planet.
As a human, I have noticed that we have a very low tolerance for pleasure, the discomfort we may feel at any given moment is more comfortable than the pleasure, so we gravitate towards the discomfort because it is the “known universe”. In my experience, meditation expands the human capacity for pleasure through connection with the love and truth that moves through us all.
I am living in Reno now and would love to see you when you get home. In the meantime, keep doing what you do, my sweet young man, I’ll be watching.
Lori! I am awe-struck with energy and thanks for your profound insight and generous comment. You are an amazing woman with so much to offer. I feel, ultimately what you are speaking of is openness toward a union with all of your peers and learning from your circumstance until you reach this experience of unity! This type of openness, honesty and reflection will be a catalyst for you and your loved ones. Here is to a world that is Untouchable by anything on the (come and go) surface of life! I completely look forward to sitting with you when I get back… Love Eric!
Thanks Asher we have experienced a lot together! Your comment means a lot
Hey Eric,
I have loved reading your thoughts, ideas, and experiences.
I totally agree with you that every human being should be able, ‘to have the confidence of a lion’. However, becoming free from what people think is not something that can be intellectually resolved, as you are insinuating. Freedom comes from transcending. Removing the very stress which stops us from livng in freedom.
When one transcends the boundaries of space and time, then one can sit in a group in silence, and enjoy the silence for what it is. A couple who have lived together for along time don’t feel the need to speak, they just enjoy each others company. Likewise, a realised man doesn’t feel the need to speak, and can sit in silence, and just enjoy.
Thomas,
Thank you for engaging! You are helping fulfill the reason for creating this site
I appreciate what you say, yet think it is important not to place your experience on that of others. To say that the intellect does not play a role in an individuals personal development is not my experience.
I agree with you that having a powerful technique is one of the quickest ways to progress, however this blog is for the general public. A lot of folks might get confused about the notion of “transcending the boundaries of space and time” let alone have a technique to guide this process.
I feel the core of life is absolutely unified so to say that working with any part of the whole (mind emotions intellect) is not a catalyst for growth to me seems limiting. I believe that knowledge can assist the experience of Wholeness that you speak of.
Lastly, I would love to speak more about your thoughts on “a realized man.” To put language to this Wordless phenomena is very difficult and one of my greatest passions. My experience is that growth in Higher States comes in layers, and that Self Realization does not automatically equate to a steadfast 24 hour reality in Enlightenment.
I enjoy this process of discussion and would love to hear further thoughts below.
Until next time.
Health and Happiness,
Eric
I agree with a majority of what you say. It is interesting how people of different experience, interpret things in a different light.
I am not here to place my experience on others, but to engage in a meaningful discussion.
As you state there are many ways to develop oneself. Whether it be the intellectual, emotional or other. Essentially, all these approaches can allow one to transcend (go beyond the finest level of the thinking process). Different approaches are suitable for different people.
Thinking about things or the way you act, does not allows ones mind to settle, and thereby give rest to the body, nor does it take the mind to deeper levels of thinking process. Established in being, ones ego, becomes cosmic ego. That’s the time that one will lose the bondage of vanity. Thats the junction point where ones actions are in accord with the laws of nature. By this I mean that the brain is coherent, and the frontal lobe is completely developed (where all our moral reasoning is made). You become the witness of all actions (pre determinism). Recent science advances verify this, scientists can look at frontal regions of your brain, and know you are going to act in some way, before you are even aware that you are going to do something. You begin doing something, but you still have the ability to say no, I don’t want to do this (free will).
The intellect should not be confused with thinking. The intellect is simply the aspect of man, which makes a decision (yes or no).
During the last thousands of years enlightenment has been a very difficult thing to obtain. Enlightenment may come in one moment of transcendence for one, or it might unfold slowly for another.
You are right that knowledge is very important. For some, they fail to follow a good routine and thereby slow the rate of evolution. For others they sleep to long, and make there brain dull. A little knowledge can help one identify bad habits, which inhibit rapid personal development.
JGD