The Master of the Carriage, Part 1 - The Metaphor

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The Master of the Carriage, Part 1 - The Metaphor

Postby Rumpelteazer » Fri Apr 27, 2012 6:35 pm

Cheltenham Group Meeting 26/04/2012
We are adopting a different approach for some of our meetings this term. The idea is to try to get away from left-hemisphere dominance because nothing new can come from all the dissection, analysis, puzzling over meanings and arguing over translations that the left hemisphere loves.

This is the first paper out of five based on the metaphor of the chariot, horses, driver and owner.
20120426 The Master of the Carriage - Part 1.doc
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It also makes use of a film by Cyril Lanier based on this metaphor that is available in five parts on YouTube (see paper for link). Since the left hemisphere cannot cope with metaphor this seemed like a promising way forward. So the plan is that each of the five papers in this series is inspired by one short section of the film, and we watch that section during the meeting. Part of the idea is that if we can allow it space, the Sadh-guru (the teacher within) will surface and provide each of us with what we need – whether it is an insight into our nature or a question that needs to be answered.

The theory seemed to work quite well in our first meeting. Responses included:
  • A marvellous experience of ‘bare awareness’ during a walk home and shopping in Tesco, in which all of the parts – chariot, horses, driver were working as they should under the care of the Master. This experience seemed to have been triggered by a session with an alternative health practitioner. However, when going for a walk the following day, it was possible to reach the same state of awareness through recalling the memory of the previous day’s experience. Another group member said she also used memory in this way and thought it could be very powerful.
  • A question: what should we do about all those “I’s” that usurp the place of the Master? It was generally agreed that the important thing was to observe them and see them for what they are. Then in time perhaps they will disappear.
  • One person felt that the only important thing was stillness. He didn’t want to hear all the ideas he had heard several times before over many years. It’s fine for beginners but not for people further along the path. But others felt that understanding really does change over time. One person who was reading the Record for the second time said she understood things entirely differently this time round.
There was a question after the meeting had finished on meditation and problems of thoughts coming in and taking one away from the Mantra. We discussed the importance of not getting angry with oneself when this happens – just accepting it, as it is something that all of us have to deal with. Also sitting on the right kind of chair in a relaxed position but so that one can keep a straight spine, starting out from a feeling of love, and making sure the body is relaxed. Then starting the Mantra and letting it go its own way – just listening to it and not trying to hang on to it or constrain it.

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Re: The Master of the Carriage - Part 1

Postby Administrator » Tue May 08, 2012 7:25 pm

At the next meeting, we discussed people’s experiences of the exercise:
Watch all the strange characters who pose as Master of the Carriage. What triggers a particular one to take control? Who is in control right now? How can we make contact with the real Master?

One person said she found it fun to watch all the different ‘people’ arising within her and described several of them. She felt it was a helpful exercise as it reminded her of the real Master who is there all the time.

Another found that the different I’s fall into two categories: those that arise in response to external stimuli, and those that are in response to inner thoughts and feelings. The former are very varied, but the latter consist mainly of two different I’s. One is always critical – “you’ve allowed imagination to come back in, again – you really are completely incompetent.” The other says in response “that’s a negative emotion. Enough.” Some I’s are relatively useful, some are definitely not. But they are all unreal. Contact with the Master is only through stillness when both useful and useless I’s are absent.

A third person said that he didn’t worry about any of the I’s. The real Master was always there in the form of a Spirit Guide that was constantly beside him. Sometimes he forgot to listen to the Guide, but he forgave himself and was forgiven. He gave an example of an invitation to a conference that he was sent which sounded interesting with all expenses paid. But his Spirit-Guide said “no – it’s not for you” and he obeyed. This led to a question from another member of the group: “how can one tell whether it is really the Master talking” or something else? Various ideas were given but in fact a very clear answer from H.H. is given towards the end of the next paper “The Master of the Carriage, Part 2a”.

Another member of the group had also received an invitation. This was to a reunion event with colleagues from his former employment. When he received it, memories arose of all the things he and his colleagues were concerned about. These I’s had now died and it was strange to look back on them and realise their unreality.


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