"Success IS failure" (Page 1 of 2)

Sounds like a painful "reality remark" about the duality of being both human with limited consciousness (and ego) and spirit-in-form with heart and higher aspects.

To succeed in the ways of the world would be a failure to attain spiritual goals. To succeed in one's spiritual aspirations is to fail in the goals of the ego and limited mind-designed world.

Or... at least... it seems that way while duality consciousness is being integrated/unified with in the heart.

We walk in two worlds simultaneously, each seemingly diametrically opposed to the other. This is, of course, an illusion, but dispelling it and standing firm in the center - entering truth and the realm of the real (consiousness-wise) - is difficult for even the most courageous and stalwart seeker.

When higher self offers a statement for contemplation, the value exists in the exploration of it, not necessarily in finding a quick and easy solution.

Feeling one's way through all the ways the statement is true... and false... yields tremendous reward to the consciousness, increasing awareness. Compassion for all who fall anywhere on either side of the equation of the above statement or are caught in the spanse of tension it creates (discovered while exploring possibilities), is a by-product of that exploration that serves the Self and the Whole immensely, as well.

My apologies, Baron, I didn't mean to imply you were. Your post just triggered another response in me, to the initial post by titmouse_, and in that sense, I thank you.

Exploration, as I used the word, is an activity involving both the mind and emotions. Ideas are empty without experiencing them, and so to explore something is to "wear the idea" and feel how it moves in reality. It involves encountering the fears certain possibilities trigger, the joy others raise, and the shifts made to the original idea as these emotions move life force through the arena of exploration.

At some point, this activity inevitably calls the heart into the arena of exploration, where... from that center point... all possibilities regarding said statement are felt as part of a whole truth. Resolution occurs when there is no longer a pull to any bias with regard to the statement, and acceptance is all-inclusive. From this place, manifestation of change in one's life - as a direct result of the completion of this activity - can flow unimpeded. And perhaps that would look just as you state in your response, Baron.

I am a carpenter;"handyman" is a better description based on what society tells me they value. This is my current project coming to fruition.  This has been the physical side of a spiritual journey that has brought me to this point. My customer tells me I that I am more than a handyman. A good friend tells me that "failure" is not a word in her vocabulary. She says I should substitute "failure" with "learning".  I say "failure" has been more enriching than my successes.

"I am a flyfisherman"  I caught a big fish.  Applied synchronicity, I say. Am I crazy??  This is not the first fish I have caught and released.  Mycustomer feels he has found an unknown master and wants to tell the world.  I would no longer be a handyman--and I would have a harder time remaining unknown.  I feel success may be my greatest failure. I could no longer help those covertly.  I say,  "I work for those who don't have enough". I go door to door offering opportunity for people who say, "you just can't find good people any more".

See my dilema?

"I am a flyfisherman for men's souls."

I am a master, yes.  The current customer will be paying this handyman around 50k for 9 months work--a bargain if you only knew.  He tells me in two years his home will be worth 200K more for my good work.  He wants me to advertise.  If I do then how can I help others find the trust I want to share?  Yes, this is what I give them--trust in another human being.  I give something to affluent people that they can't get anywhere. I give them myself.  I ask for little in return-- for my spiritual riches have grown beyond comprehension.  I love to fish.

Here is a small snapshot of the current work. First I fixed his ceiling where water had ruined the plaster. Then I asked if I could make him some money, so he let me do the kitchen cabinets. Now he wants to tell the world what he discovered.  How can I succeed if he tells the world?  They will not believe a handyman did this kind of work. The real work shows in his smile. You can't place a material value on that.

I hope you can appreciate why "catch and release" has so much spiritual value to me.  I live an authentic, poetic life. I am so rich.

"I fix broken hearts...I am your handyman"
~~James Taylor

And the able hand says "where do you want me to serve?"

And the list is endless. Amazingly, each time I ask this, a great crop appears before my eyes and ears; and I am working for months and years.  I tried to see if failure was even possible, but I was always directed to the ripest crop. An able farmhand will never go hungry.

I asked to teach others, as a matter of fact I sent many applications, but it appears not many want to harvest the bounty layed across the earth. I believe it takes a great hunger for one to ask, and for one to listen profoundly.

Your failure comes when others find out how smart you are. This rejection is grace hidden behind the persona/ego of those who conspired to send you away.  Very few people are fired because of their incompetance--this is often negotiable.  How many companies, institutions, bureaucracies have you experienced a lack of follow-through?  How many people, educators, and companies told you if you worked hard and were productive you would do well in the world?

Why would a master need to go door to door?

I wondered for years--"What am I missing?" ; "What am I not doing correctly?"

I worked for a high-end furniture company that has the best image in the local market.  They hired me on the spot when they were in need of an installer.  At first they offered me $30/hr (1999).  I asked if they would consider a percent (piece work) situation, where they dictated to me what I was worth to complete the work as a sub-contract employee. By the last 6 months of the year I was making $100/hr and had not had even one return service call on my work.  January 12th they fired me. Why?

The owner said, It's your 'quality', CC".

A year later I was working for another company where one of their cusomers was very authentic and respectful of my work, so I took the liberty to ask why a successful company would get rid of someone who performed at the top of their ability.  I told him the story.

He said, "They didn't say they let you go because of your 'poor quality' did they?

I said, "Aha!! No they didn't!!"

They got rid of me because I was so much better and more productive than the rest of the workers, and my rate of pay was better than the CEO's; I had to be broken and discarded.  Now when I go door to door, people who know this practice will give me a chance to prove myself.  America does not live by it's image of success--this is the false ego-image. It succeeds by most people willing to negotiate their worth downward.  This is capitalism. They must reward the mediocre with security and self-esteem and cast off "the keystones".  This means failure is the root of your freedom--not succeess; although the wisdom behind  "Succees IS failure" is more evident to those who have another wisdom.....

"Love thyself; know thyself"

I have learned from those honest enough with themselves to have aided me on my path in life.  They knew I was rich by other measures than money and status.  Independent people always seem to fight the same fight as I have.  If you want to advance in the system you have to play by the rules.  I am a rebel.  The new revolution will be the individual.  The system has been fighting a covert war against the individual because it knows that the "second coming" will be a grass roots effort which supports the individual.  Freedom is for those courageous enough to know themselves, and to crusade for the right of self-expression.

I go door to door so that the people who have influence in the system can no longer convince others to  believe the lies--"You just can't find good people any more" or "the best people are just too expensive".

You may find that your greatest freedom comes from temporary work. Most people cannot function without supervision. A temporary employee lets the scoudrels of the hook, because when they don't need you any longer they don't have to make up phoney reasons for why 'you are unproductive/unprofitable/unmanageable/etc'.   You should be self-employed, at least partime.