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“Myth
of Freedom clearly took me
deeper into the teachings, but it
also took me into [myself]. It
showed me how there are parts of my
psyche and emotions that become
fixated, trapped in webs of anger,
jealousy, desire, etc., that no one
else weaves but me. There is
much work left to do, but the
overall impact the Myth of
Freedom has had on me is one of
being empowered to begin working
more thoroughly with my mind.” (D.M.)
"The one
on one correspondence with an
instructor has been
indispensable...during the process
of this course you've never shied
away from a question. You've always
been straightforward and honest. I
know my arrogance and pig-headedness
has shown through in my letters and
you continued to respond with
kindness, compassion, and good words
of advice and instruction. I
consider you to be my friend and
these days I have very few of them
so they are a very rare and welcome
addition to my life. Thanks!" (W.B.)
“There
is a sentence [in Myth of Freedom]
that when I read it, it was the
turning point of my entire way
of perception, of life, of this
practice, of...everything. This put
into vivid perspective what has
caused me, all my life, to not
live but only to survive and
exist...[This course] definitely
changed my entire life.” (M.E.)
“These
teachings have taught me how to make
pain my companion.” (G.C.)
“Thank
you for your patience and generosity
in sharing this course, and your
wisdom with me. I believe the
course, and the friendships
developed through it, have increased
the chance that I will deal
appropriately with what lies
ahead.” (D.M.)
“[The
course] has helped me to see more
clearly my hindrances and instead of
running, trying to get back to being
or feeling better, the course has
showed me to work, to embrace these
too, moving on in growth and
surrender.” (M.C.)
“The
teachings of the Myth of Freedom
have helped me to understand my
fears, disappointments, and
frustrations and how to deal with
them. They also helped me to see
life as it is–the reality of my
living experience of situations from
which there is no escaping but to
accept and appreciate both
opportunities and disappointments in
an opened and intelligent way. The
course has impacted my life
tremendously. My attitude has been
completely overhauled to the point
where it became noticeable by
others. My view of situations and
relationships with others has
developed into a more symbiotic,
affable affair. Overall, the course
gave me the tools and instructions
to find messages in life situations,
be in the now and to help others
understand their sufferings. I have
gained a lot that will help me
through the rest of the way." (J.J.)
“It is
my conviction that it is a privilege
for anyone who has participated in
this course. [You've] done a
wonderful job by compiling the
Myth of Freedom Correspondence
Course. I know that myself and
other participants have benefited
immensely from its lucid and concise
teachings. May the Community be
bestowed with abundance of wisdom
and endurance to continue this
worthy cause.” (J.J.)
“The
course Myth of Freedom has
given me a deeper understanding of
myself, of my pain and sufferings.”
(G.C.)
"[The
course] has reminded me over and
over that basic sanity is right
there in front of me, mine for the
taking. It has and continues to
make me aware that that sanity comes
in many forms: joy, loneliness,
grief, and strife, as well as smiles
and laughter. In all of it resides
that basic sanity and in it there is
peace." (W.B.)
"I used
to deny and repress my negative
emotions because they were too
intense and hard to deal with. I
was afraid of being carried away and
helplessly controlled by them. Now
I've learned ways to let the
emotions be experienced and use the
energy from them to counteract the
distorted thinking behind them, to
reveal how flawed the thinking
was." (P.B.)
"[The
course] helped me to better identify
and define the path I have ahead of
me so that there is more courage and
inspiration to move forward." (P.B.)
"The
course has had a very strong impact
on my views of the world and
life... I came to the conclusion
that by practicing on a daily basis,
slowly I would tame the incredible
turmoil that takes place inside our
mind. (At least mine!) I am not
angry, nor upset. I feel only sad
that I had talents, gifts and didn't
use them on the benefit of others.
I now feel much better, I strive to
make improvements through positive
actions." (C.B.)
"My
practice has benefited greatly
through the contemplations of the
lessons. I have been able to look
deeper into my mind and get a
clearer image of all the junk
covering up the jewel I know is
there. It's buried deep, and it
will take a lot of work to uncover
it, but it's there and this course
has helped to train me in skillful
ways of moving the trash." (D.C.)
"I
related to the discussions on ego
and emotions the most strongly
because in my early life these
things always were the root of my
ignorance and caused many problems
and much pain. This course has
helped to explain why I thought and
acted as I did in past times. It is
amazing what silence and emptiness
can achieve when we actually stop to
experience it." (W.K.C.)
"[The
course] has made me feel more
compassionate and aware of others
around me. It has helped to rid
myself of much ego and taught me how
to be humble. It has also taught me
patience and understanding as far as
why humans do the things that we
do." (W.K.C.)
"What
started off as a devastating
experience for me has turned into a
wonderful opportunity to study the
dharma and grow as a person
mentally, physically, and
spiritually. I was just telling one
of my friends what a tremendous
impact the Myth of Freedom
course has had on my life and how
the course, which took me 9 months
to complete, had got me through some
rough times and provided the needed
insight to see things in a more
positive light." (M.C.)
"The
Myth of Freedom course has had a
tremendous impact on my perspective
of life and in the way I relate to
the daily affairs of life. Just
being mindful and aware has really
helped me see the sacredness of
everyday life. 'Confusion is the
ground of wisdom.' The spiritual
life is right here, right now." (M.C.)
"[The
course] has given me tools and
insights for body, speech and mind
that are meaningful for letting this
prison life be of benefit–to myself
and others. And now that
there are a few of us taking the
course, it has provided a strong
reference for dharma discussion--and
friendship. Awesome." (R.M.) |