​The Great Gamble

This is the second letter on the topic of "memento mori," the remembrance of death as a spiritual practice cultivating wisdom and inspiring greater service to life. This letter delves into the concept of "The Great Gamble."

The Great Gamble involves contemplating what happens after physical death. While various concepts and individual perspectives exist, it comes down to two options. For those of the materialistic reductionist perspective: you are born, you exist, you die—end of story. For others, the death event marks a point of radical transformation and liberation.

This raises the Great Gamble: do you invest in the idea of continuing to exist in some way, shape, or form after the death event, or do you align with ideas of annihilationism? Buddhists have a way of addressing this debate.

If a person believes in cessation, the finality of consciousness upon death, they cannot confirm whether they are correct. If they are right, it means experiencing only life's final moments before the lights dim and the curtain closes. Finito! However, what if their idea of finality is incorrect, and upon releasing the physical body, a part of their consciousness continues on a radical journey? What would that mean?

There's some good news and some not-so-good news about what might occur at this point, depending on how the person lived their life, developed their mind, and the effects of their thoughts and actions.

Due to their belief in annihilationism, did they live selfishly? Did they believe they could be dishonest, violent, or greedy because they could get away with it, or did they choose to live ethically in service to something greater than themselves?

Those from religious backgrounds and spiritual mindsets believing in some type of continuation after death tend to strive to live ethically and in service to some greater good. However, this isn't always the case, as some have done terrible things in the name of God and religion.

Those aligning with a materialistic reductionistic perspective can also go either way—living in some degree of selfishness and nihilism or rejecting what they view as superstitious beliefs, choosing instead to be noble citizens purely by their own accord.

In terms of the Great Gamble—finality or continuation—here might be a rational approach. Just in case there's continuation, wouldn't it be rational to live life accordingly? Even if nothing follows death, living a good, service-oriented, and positive life leaves no regret. If wrong and there is some type of continuation, at least the groundwork has been laid, reaping its rewards.

It does not matter if you believe in something divine or an afterlife of any kind. Yet, you can practice, practice, practice to refine your own consciousness, acknowledging how your actions will continue to affect people even after you have left. You can work hard to remove the seeds of suffering within yourself and help spread healing and regeneration in your community and this world before your time runs out.

Death contemplation, remembering the truth of your eventual death, is a powerfully transformative practice that both spiritually minded people and materialistic reductionists can do to receive great benefit in this very life. If you would like to try it yourself, reach out to me—what do you have to lose?

Yours Deeply,
Michael Garber
December 31, 2023

The topic I aim to address today is crucial for truth seekers. It revolves around the Sanskrit term ‘viveka,’ often translated as discernment. At its core, it involves discriminating between the unreal and the Real.

Discernment refers to the act of contemplating options and choosing the most fitting one. The intentions behind any choice can span from selfishness to altruism, where one can opt to protect or elevate their personality or look beyond personal desires towards the best choice for all involved. Mentally, 'viveka' involves discerning which thoughts and beliefs to empower, aiming to ascend from selfish desires and ignorance toward complete spiritual realization.

This discernment can further develop into discrimination, where the mind is trained to turn away from the ever-changing sensory experiences of the world toward the Source of all experiences. This enables individuals to navigate their daily lives while firmly rooted in pure beingness and wholeness.

In occult teachings and mystery schools, there's a strong emphasis on developing high levels of discernment and discrimination. It involves a foundational process of releasing superstitious beliefs, shedding the limitations of the egoic identity, and understanding universal laws and cosmology. However, this initial phase of “the Path” can be thrilling but it is also quite treacherous with many tests, trials, and tribulations along the way.

During spiritual awakening, cosmic intelligence (buddhi) influences and expands the mind, enhancing conceptualization, perception, and overall vibrancy. Some individuals rapidly evolve into genius-level minds with powerful magnetism and charisma. Yet, if one needs to delve into shadow work and integrate wounded parts of their personality, the ascent in consciousness might become precarious, and stumbling can occur.

Stumbling occurs when individuals fail to use discernment and blindly adopt distorted teachings or follow misleading teachers. A distorted teaching can cause confusion, misunderstanding, and misperception, diverting a person off track for a while or even an entire lifetime, leading to reincarnation for further consciousness development. Moreover, misinformed initiates can pass on incorrect information, causing misdirection and delays in consciousness development for many. In the case of these minor stumbles, a person can awaken to the truth, integrate wisdom gained, and correct their course to align with purer transmissions, teachers, and initiatives.

The gravest stumbles arise from the misuse and abuse of occult knowledge and power. This happens when individuals exploit spiritual teachings and their roles as mentors, healers, or guides for selfish or harmful purposes. Mishandling leadership roles involving occult knowledge directly influences others' karma and development. Therefore, aspiring leaders must diligently cultivate humility, honesty, and selfless devotion to avoid adding negative karma for themselves and others.

In the modern age, an abundance of spiritual and metaphysical information is available. The quality varies, ranging from profound truths to entirely misleading and distorted teachings. Moreover, those transmitting this knowledge do so for diverse reasons—some seeking personal gain while others have genuine intentions. Some individuals use buzzwords to gain attention and profit, lacking a deep understanding of the concepts they teach. Developing discernment and the ability to discriminate is paramount when one desires to climb the path all the way to the summit with efficiency and precision.

At different stages of your journey, you might seek or encounter a teacher aiding your progress along specific parts of the path. After all, having a well-trained and experienced guide can make the journey easier and more thrilling! Some teachers guide you unconsciously through shadow, luring you into their field with promises of enlightenment or activation, only to trigger old karmic patterns and conflicts for integration. Others guide you through wisdom and love, directing you toward your Inner Teacher with precision and grace.

Does the teacher or guide embody what they teach? Do they seem to take care of themselves? Do you feel more present after engaging in their material? How is what you are learning useful or applicable to life? Do they make evocative promises of enlightenment or keep you hooked with emotional narratives? These are just a few questions to trigger self-reflection.

Discernment is vital during times of rapid expansion. Through discernment and discrimination, one starts releasing the grip of the conditioned mind, turning away from ignorance and falsity towards Truth and higher understanding. By tuning into the deepest parts of your being, you can decide which avenues to follow and which sources hold the purest wisdom. Withdraw your inner awareness from the needs and opinions of the world, deeper than bodily drives emotions, and mental conditioning. Turn towards the Source of wisdom within and allow this body and mind to be led to the highest heights of spiritual realization.

Do you have some tips, tricks, or insights to share about growing in discernment?

Written by Michael James Garber
12/2/2023

Understanding the Kleshas: The Knots of the Mind
​The term "klesha" translates to afflictions or obstacles, and these psychological knots have been meticulously detailed in yogic and Buddhist traditions. Understanding and untangling them is the key to cultivating a tranquil mind.

Let's explore each klesha and its impact:

• Avidya (Ignorance):
  • Impact: Avidya is the root of all kleshas, representing ignorance of our true nature.
  • Teaching: Cultivate self-awareness and strive for a deeper understanding of the self. Awareness is the first step towards unraveling the knots of ignorance.
• Asmita (Egoism):
  • Impact: Asmita gives rise to the limited ego ego, leading to a distorted perception of oneself.
  • Teaching: Embrace humility and recognize that the ego is an illusion. True self-awareness transcends the limitations of ego-driven perspectives.
• Raga (Attachment):
  • Impact: Raga binds the mind to desires and attachments, creating emotional turbulence.
  • Teaching: Practice detachment. Understand that true peace lies in accepting the impermanence of life and releasing attachments to fleeting desires.
• Dvesha (Aversion):
  • Impact: Dvesha breeds negativity and resentment, clouding the mind with judgment.
  • Teaching: Cultivate compassion and understanding. By embracing a mindset of love and acceptance, you free the mind from the shackles of aversion.
• Abhinivesha (Fear of Death/Fear of Change):
  • Impact: Abhinivesha instills a deep-seated fear, hindering the pursuit of inner peace.
  • Teaching: Understand the impermanence of life and embrace the present moment. The fear of death dissipates when we live fully in the now.

Since we are ignoration of our True Nature as pure consciousness, we create a false sense of self which is limited. This limited self, not knowing it is Pure Consciousness, seeks outside of itself for wholeness through desire, aversion, resistance, and control. Because we are ignorant of our True Nature as boundless and eternal Pure Consciousness we falsely believe we are this limited person and cling to this physical life and live in states of fear. This is samsara, the cycle of ignorance that keeps us in reincarnation loops and cycles of suffering. Thankfully, there is a way out of this, and you hold the key for liberation within your True Nature.

Cultivating Peace: A Journey Within

1. Mindful Awareness:

• Practice: Begin with mindful awareness. Observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment. This practice unveils the layers of ignorance, fostering clarity and self-understanding.

2. Self-Inquiry:

• Practice: Engage in self-inquiry to unravel the mind's conditioning. Ask yourself profound questions about your identity and purpose. The answers may lead to a deeper connection with your true self.

3. Detachment from Desires:

• Practice: Practice detachment from desires. Recognize when attachment arises and consciously choose to let go. This cultivates a sense of inner freedom and peace.

4. Cultivating Compassion:

• Practice: Actively cultivate compassion for yourself and others. Recognize that everyone is on their unique journey, facing their own Kleshas. Compassion fosters understanding and dissolves aversion.

5. Embracing Impermanence:

• Practice: Embrace the impermanence of life. Meditate on the transient nature of all things. This practice liberates the mind from the fear of loss and death.
  
  

Untying the Knots, Embracing Peace
In the labyrinth of the mind, where the kleshas tighten their grip, the teachings from ancient traditions guide us toward the light of inner peace. By understanding and untangling these psychological knots, we embark on a transformative journey, cultivating a serene mind that remains unperturbed amid life's storms. Through mindful awareness, self-inquiry, detachment, compassion, and an embrace of impermanence, we find the keys to unlocking the gates to tranquility within. May this journey lead you to the profound peace that resides at the core of your being.

If you find yourself repeating the same cycles of suffering again and again and want assistance in liberating yourself, please feel free to reach out to me. Bless you on your path of liberation and your return to the wholeness you have always been and always will be!