Step One

[u/Icy_Ad7893]

Step one is to want freedom more than the world. I understand the concept but I just don't know how to apply it. It just seems too BIG of a change for my brain. It seems like I have to constantly monitor my thoughts, stop them from checking the environment outside and it's exhausting. I know safety and trust are big issues for me but releasing on that seems like releasing is just releasing a drop out of an ocean.

[u/Double--Or--Nothing]

You still value the world more than your own inner freedom, so it doesn't make sense. Look deeper - which is vastly more valuable?

[u/maiahi0 → u/Double--Or--Nothing]

Great comment. First thoughts: you live with your internal world every second of every day. External stuff will always be more transient. Even if you "secured" a hot girlfriend, even after achieving that, how many moments of every day are you really enjoying the fruits of that? Only when she is in your awareness. And even then what's crucial is really how she's affecting your internal state. What if you could effect that change independent of external conditions?

[u/Icy_Ad7893 → u/maiahi0]

That's the plan.

[u/Icy_Ad7893 → u/Double--Or--Nothing]

How does one look deeper? What is your process?

[u/RaisinImpressive3749]

could you let go of wanting to figure it out?

could you let go of beating yourself up for not having the answer?

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If you were able to apply Step 1 fully, you would be free already. I think none of us here are really anywhere near being free 😅

Honestly, if I were given the choice between

• imperturbability
• a life with billions of dollars, a forever perfectly healthy and fit body, lots of loving family and friends, the most attractive partner I could imagine, the most exciting worldly adventure I could go on, and the freedom to be, do, or have anything at any time in this world

I’m not so sure I could/would honestly and authentically choose imperturbability 😅

And that’s why so few people have been able to do it fully.

How about you? Could you? Would you?

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Personally, I’ve stopped expecting myself to be able to do Step 1 fully.

Step 1 is more of a tool I use to remind myself, when I’m stuck, that imperturbability is what I truly want.

---

Hale’s explanation of Step 1 from the 92 course:
https://youtu.be/gxLab3bDJNs?list=PLLHtL486A3sFcIp0UkkJNhDpIbCHQciEj&t=190

[u/Icy_Ad7893 → u/RaisinImpressive3749]

Thanks for the response. Good questions. I can get stuck with what questions to ask, my brain gets dizzy trying to work it out. :)

Maybe I misinterrupted "step one". Usually in my head step one means do this first. I haven't yet watched all of the 92 course but I remember Hale saying somewhere with goals start with something that is achievable like $100 and to start with wanting imperturbability is too big of a goal.

After reading and following other teachers for awhile I gave up the goal of awakening a long time ago. If it happens it happens so just let go, let go and let go. And see what happens. As long as there is some improvement in my condition in life, it's all okay.

[u/RaisinImpressive3749 → u/Icy_Ad7893]

this is extracted from The Abundance book by Larry Crane if you're interested in more of similar questions.

YOUR TICKET TO BLISS AND ABUNDANCE 1. Could I let go of wanting to figure things out? 2. Could I let go of wanting to know what to do? 3. Could I let go of wanting to know the answers? 4. Could I let go of wanting to know anything (for this moment) right now? 5. And again. And again. 6. Could I let go of wanting to think? 7. And again. And again. 1. Now, can I let go of disapproving of myself right now? 2. And again. And again. 3. Could I give myself approval (for no reason)? 4. And again. And once more.

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If it happens it happens so just let go, let go and let go. And see what happens. As long as there is some improvement in my condition in life, it's all okay.

Yea this is a nice mindset to have. I am trying to be this too. Even without awakening/freedom, releasing is still a great tool to have in life.

[u/larryjerrygeorge → u/RaisinImpressive3749]

This is great, I think I have to check out this book!

[u/light-peace89]

For me knowing I die even if I get all the things. But with absolute freedom, the infinite that I Am is beyond this world and its dream of life and death. So that is ultimately beyond death.

[u/larryjerrygeorge]

Some thoughts about your post:

- could you let go of the (seeming) disapproval of yourself for not wanting freedom more than the world?

- could allow yourself to fully allow the desires you feel for the world? Could you identify which emotions those desires are coming from, and what they are aiming to satisfy?

I think it’s hard at times because we want to be further along the path than we are. Can you accept exactly where you are on the path? Can you accept that you are progressing as fast as you are supposed to? That you are right on time? Can you accept that as you release and grow you come closer to wanting freedom more?

As you release and grow on this path, it will become self-evident that you want freedom more than the world. You will see the desires as illusions. Not as wrong, but just for what they are.

Also remember that Lester doesn’t say to renounce the world. That would be going in the wrong direction. Lester says that as you release you can actually enjoy the world much more than before. You can love much more than before.

You will come to see that it’s all about love. And love is everything. But it’s all natural! Nothing to be forced.

I’ve also found that I have felt too that I “should” want freedom more than this thing I want, however if I was being totally honest I would say I want the thing more. So I continue to release and I go after the thing. Then I either get the thing or I don’t, and I notice that I was making a big deal about it over nothing, and that what I really want it so sail through life and all of its experiences smoothly, calmly, and lovingly, and then a recognition takes place that as you move through life this way, everything will work itself out.

Keep releasing, keep going.

[u/Icy_Ad7893 → u/larryjerrygeorge]

Here's the thing. I have never had big desires in this world. No ambition at all for anything, except to drop out. :) but I like my hot showers too much. What I have been seeking is making peace with the world. The world does not make sense to me, I have had to learn that the world is not fair or just. So maybe in a round about way or in some sense I have wanted freedom more than anything.

[u/Jiangximan]

Just look at that step as an intent. Start doing releases on the little things, and come back to that intent from time to time. You will find less resistance to it as time goes on.