(Subject of my first email to Isaac, send May 21, 2003, a week before the retreat in Venwoude). |
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Dear Isaac, |
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Some two years ago we had a chat in the park. |
At some point I said, as a conclusion, and with a painfull smile on my face: |
“so in a way I’m lucky to have this ‘knowing’ that I will give satsang one day, |
together with the knowing that there is nothing I can do to make it happen: |
It’s the most difficult nut to crack for my mind.” |
And indeed it is. The knowing appeared to be a longing. Longing for attention. |
Very often I’m alone, but less and less lonely. |
Some month ago I went to satsang with Samarpan. I sat in the chair. |
He said that he did not see questions in me. I look happy in myself, he said. |
But I see them, I said, and it is ok. |
But I have the idea that I have to come up some time with the final, ultimate question. |
Ah, its difficult to put in words. |
I might as well write down the last sentence right now: |
I’m happy to know you, although its damned difficult to let go of my complex defense mechanisms. |
( “I live behind a wall of abstracted thoughts/patterns”) |
I have a strong longing to ….. To what? |
To meet you/ the world from the heart, fresh, anew, naked, from the heart. |
This looks like just words also, like sentimental crap. |
I’m angry with myself, for not being being. |
I’m angry that I still need a teacher. |
I’m afraid. |
Afraid for the spontaneity that I’m so much longing for. |
Afraid to ask questions.(May be ashamed for having so many). |
The last satsang in Munich I came in the chair, |
prepared to make the public confession that I am addicted to ….. |
I said: in my life there are a lot of addictions… |
You interrupted me, laughing your great giggle, asking “where is it now?” |
I let you stop me there, I did not dare to express my anger, |
I had the idea that for a split second you went on automatic, I did not feel that you listened. |
On the other hand you prevented me from telling my prepared story. |
I promised to email you my story. I never dared. |
I just refound the notes I made after that session. |
I write it down as cryptic as it is: |
Hi Isaac, My story was about left hand tantra. |
Hope + beauty = attraction. |
You don’t need people for that. It works with images (porn addiction). |
And it works with experiences |
Longing for orgasm….the addicted left hand tantric. |
The story is that I’m addicted to smoking and some sexual stuff. |
Sometimes I can live with that, sometimes I can not. |
I observe that I go very high/radiant every retreat, |
and after some time the addiction seems to go stronger. |
I am afraid that the beautifull person I become when I am around you is just another brilliant (unconsciously fabricated) variation of social behaviour. |
I realised lately that social behaviour for me is not a way of relating but a defense mechanism. |
I am stuck between accepting, seeing, not finding the source of this almost lifelong patterns. |
And just wanting to be able to choose. Whatever that may mean. |
Confusion.Silence. Not in peace with the amount of fuzz in the silence. |
I finally had to write you this. Forgive me. |
Looking forward to see you the coming weekend in Venwoude. Scared too. |
Love, |
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hans van der gugten |
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{Next morning answer: |
Dear Hans, I appreciate your letter and look forward to spending next week with you. All love, isaac.} |
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