Values, community, and being your highest you.

All good, Siona. One point I wanted to make: “Treat people as they would like to be treated…” Sometimes a person who prides him/herself on being tough; feels it's okay to be tough on others too.  [Time to blog on this!]

Always a good reminder to touch on these now and again!

Predictable what I would say: Splash it around!!!! Prolly not one in a hundred has read either one. I'd be for merging them, so not have to go to two places. Then splash it around, lots of  “our values” links, I like that idea, yes!!!

I STRONGLY urge continued use of “Terms of Use” words. Doesn't at all grate like Trust System, to me. They are conditions of use, and violation is grounds for booting. Problem is people associating them with the legalese not one in a THOUSAND will read. Prolly fine to post in two spots: along with the Community Guidelines somewhere, and ALSO at the present location, beginning of legalese stuff.

REEEELY looking forward to the year-end report. I hope it includes a part with an entire listing of every new tool, feature, benefit, widget, implemented this year, all the specific details. A looooong list!!!! So people will be catapulted into the appropriate awe for the Dev Team!!!

We think we are cold in Seattle, but the Midwest, no, a million people without power in an ice storm, not warm. What's amazing is that although some people are getting disaster-relief-ed out, lots of people just keep on giving.

Blessings upon all who make this site possible, OM Bastet

Hmmmm, what is a good way to spread the good news of the ToU? It is true that not many would read the ToU.

This following idea is a little over the top, but hey, it could develop into something… who knows…

Ok, what about allowing members who want to provide a link to the ToU in their profile?

It will not be a compulsory thing, but those who wish to have a link in their profile of the ToU can have an option to have it so. That way, it shows that that member advocates the ToU.

People may ignore what is being expressed by Zaadz staff, but when profile after profile has a LINK… something different… in their profile, people will become curious. Make the look sassy too… or zaadzy, even. lol

The name ToU is a little sterile in my eyes.

Out of on top of my head, what about… Mutual Terms of Understanding (MTU)? Bit long winded but that is what I came out with :P

If I come up with any Eureka moments on the topic, I will make sure to add it here. ;)

OOOH, I adore the idea, Shinari, of the optional link in our profiles. We don't even need a special thingy, we can do that now. I actually recently posted the Terms and the Guidelines as a blog entry, but this is far more visible. Brilliant idea!!!!!!!

(And a snazzy button would be nice, of course, if any dev person has time or maybe a volunteer could create it???? That way everyone would be displaying the same graphic link.)

Blessings, OM Bastet

Wonderful post, Siona, and terrific idea about making these mission-critical terms more visible to all.

If one could post a link on a Profile, even better.  These are so important, and if neglected can lead to serious degradation of the sanctity and quality of the site.

Yes, Zaadz is FREE, but there are always responsibilities that come with FREE, and terms of use outline the rules of the game.

And it will be super to have an update such as you propose… And perhaps make this a bi-annual (twice a year?) tradition.

Yes, ditto to everyone. Just great to read this  -  we need to be reminded of these wonderful words even if we did actually read them when we began here! (I have to admit that I didn't, at least not word for word. I have now).

ditto to this: Ok, what about allowing members who want to provide a link to the ToU in their profile?

I'd actually like a way to highlight the ToU's on my pod as they are very much in line with the Diving Deeper 'commenting' guidelines.

I feel that these ToU's are so important in an online environment – I have read studies of  people 'interacting' virtually - and it's quite astonishing – people behaving in ways they would never in other situations. There have been cases of businesses having to shut down their inter/tranet systems because of interactions getting totally out of hand.

We are doing so well here on z/Gaia :-)

Thanks again dear Siona,

Sandra

Siona, you outmarked humaly ideals concisely and effectively. indeed, i am obliged to zaadz for creating such a wonderful community on net. may god bless all those who undertake activities and conscious to serve humanity.
Hey i love the golden rules and feels need to be more foccussed frequently and exposed within zaadz community itself rather than this alone exposure. all is wonderful laid by you Siona.
But meanwhile i am upset and very upset with you n ur team cuz you have induce fees charges in retaining a valuable member of zaadz. siona, this is just not a good idea and again mixture of capitalism in effort of changing the world. infact here are people from poor countries too who cannot afford fees to retain their membership. at instance for me also it is problem. i am very much praisable to other ideals and acknowledge them with my heart but please who wish to become a ideal member please cripple this fees charges, cuz i wish to become a ideal member but i am very sorry to afford fees. although i will abide all other terms n conditions honestly. i hope you will muse over it and cancel this system of fees. i would feel honour if i could be able to work for humanity n zaadz n wish to become a true n honest zaadzsters. Thanks a lot indeed for posting these ideals.
With blessings, loves, and wishes !
owais

In a nut shell, I like this!  It tells us what zaadz is all about.

Too true, 1Vector3, that we can add the links now! Haha… didn't even think of that. When I was talking above I thought of profiles having the same pretty  graphic link, not on their About Me section, but maybe on one of the side panels?

Those who choose to have the graphic link activated receive a free tour of heaven in a flying pig! Woo hoo! I'm in! :D

The least amount of censorship possible….

Where does the term “The Highest You” come from?

I second Fee's comment here.  It is very important to me that Zaadz remains censorship free.  When you censor, you tell someone their ideas, thoughts, comments, words, etc. are invalid.  I love being able to freely express myself here and more importantly, I love reading everyone's thoughts and ideas no matter how wacky some of them seem to me because aren't we all perfect expressions of God?

The Highest You comes from the subject written above.  It is our own integrity and our own reasoning.  It is infinity or what you want it to be Fee.

I agree with the value and terms and conditions and like the idea that it is easily accessible to new friends and a reminder to the group to help keep the game as intended.  Great games have rules, barriers, etc.to help with your mission.

Hi Everyone,

Love you ideas!  Shinari, that idea of putting the link on your profile is a wonderful idea.  Thanks.

As you know, we're committed to creating a unique place on the web. A place that's committed to inspiring and empowering people to live at their highest potential.

If we are going to be the change we wish to see in the world then we have to live that change right here on Zaadz. 

It all sounds fine, I was just wondering if that phrase “being your highest you” comes from somewhere else.

being your highest you is being your truest you.

Yes……I was pretty sure it didn't mean to be the least you can be…..

I got the meaning……I was just wondering if the phrase had some sort of origin or what it's source was.

For me, the definition of being 'your highest you' is when you can take the lower road because it's easiest but instead, make a bigger effort to take the higher road knowing it to be the right road. 

Little things like not gossiping or passing on a story that has negligable truths, giving advice when it was not asked for, even taking a third or fourth drink when you're already buzzed enough … and bigger things that being a care giver to someone even though your life takes a backseat for awhile … stuff like that. 

Being your highest self requires minute to minute decision making and choices which serve to make your time on this earth better for everyone, not JUST self.

Namaste to you all! When I first signed up for Zaadz, which is when I first read the Terms of Use, and Guidelines…funny thing, I thought I was signing up to post on a message board, until I got to the part about naming my blog- ha! and then I was admittedly intimidated by the “how do you intend to change the world?” (in so many words)- huh? I thought, “That's lofty! What other website asks you that question?” They're going to review my info to see if I meet their standards?” I realized immediately upon being accepted on Zaadz the ingeniousness of this- aside from the usual legal jargon found in your standard terms of service and site guidelines which all if not most sites claim to uphold and enforce, Zaadz expects you to have a conscience, to follow the Golden Rule, encourages you to think of others, think outside the box, think of the limitless possibilities for ourselves and the world, the bigger picture. Brilliant! And indeed, what other website expects that? There is so much crap on the internet- opportunists wishing to exploit, scam, undermine, spew hatred, and influence your thinking in negative ways- they can get their forum most anywhere else on the net. But the expectations and requirements of Zaadz ingeniously weeds that crap out, and moreover, there is an overall spirit of the site, and of the folks here that inspires and encourages us all to be at our best. With as many members (over 125,577 last time I checked) all over the world as there are on Zaadz, with the common goal of positive change in the world- that is an immensely influential collective consciousness in the world, and then when you connect that with the theory of six degrees of separation*, and I'm not a mathematician by any means, but that multiplies the influence by the people who are not on Zaadz that come in contact with Zaadzsters, the businesses and organizations that have links to Zaadz and the folks that work within those businesses and organizations and the people they come in contact with, and so on, and so on- does anyone doubt the potential here?

*Six degrees of separation refers to the idea that, if a person is one “step” away from each person he or she knows and two “steps” away from each person who is known by one of the people he or she knows, then everyone is no more than six “steps” away from each person on Earth. Several studies, such as Milgram's small world experiment, have been conducted to empirically measure this connectedness. While the exact number of links between people differs depending on the population measured, it is generally found to be relatively small. (from Wikipedia)

The snazzy button will attract attention,curiosity will create the click,and the rules to play will be right there to remind us that we have a great community that wants the best in each of us to share that,spread it all over,richly covering and reflecting who we are to the world looking in on us……

Si, va bene!

Being reminded of what my highest self subscribed to in the first place helps my lowest self not do naughty forgetful knee-jerk things!

The button to the link could say just 'are you high today?'… :)

And yes, the wording is LOVELY in the ZCU…

If you wanna get more technical, Good to Great by Jim Collins does a FINE job at where mission and vision are to be separated…

love and kisses

The ToU are simply words to live by in everything that we do.  Thank you Zaadz Team for being who you are, and presencing such wonderful values.

I love your linking idea Shinari.  Staying with Terms of Use (ToU) is a good idea.  It reminds me of the word Term, blended with you. 

What a wonderful world here at Zaadz!  So many other web communities have a take it or leave it attitude, where here… it feels like home.

Quiche,   thanks for sharing your story! 

~ to our sharing of our highest selves

Thank you Mark! I've learned and continue to learn from the best- you and all the folks here on Zaadz (:

For the terms of use, we could have a tickbox on each item or even more fun actaully,

instead of ticking IAgree or IDon'tAgree actually have them type in “I agree” in each box.  for one thing, this would be quite novel on the web and people would get that we are serios.
Secondly,
ABut the Values.
I hope we're all just having unison brain farts here!  “Values?!”  That's like saying “Beliefs” – I mean values are the endpoint beliefs of a long procedure of judgement – or, worse, what we've been indoctrinated to “value”.  We can and do SAy exactly what we mean, no need to gloss over it with “and our values.” 

Maybe I should back off here.
I get it.  I suggest that zaadz is an evolution where truly
reverencee, compasion and growth are real, not projected/wanted values.
It's what we DO and what we ARE.
Start with that.  I like it.

I rather like the idea of having an unobtrusive yet simple way to access site guidelines on any page I happen to be visiting.  Front pages of profiles and first pages of pods or any other presenting page would be great.  And out of the way for those preferring not to deal. 

In continuation of previous lengthy discussions about the objective application of these points listed in the Terms of Use or even the snapshot type understanding of each guest here of said terms is still in question with many.  But, that is just how it works.  As soon as I read the bit about being entirely oneself…I felt the number of times that being oneself has conflicted with another being themselves.  And the group norm wishing to govern that….and another group NOT to govern it. 

And in being all of myself.  I wonder did all zaadz members get asked to contribute here.  And if my reply will really do anything but be a means to make me feel as I have been heard.  Just a thought.  :)

 a newcomer here at zaadz, thanks for the reminder & the opportunity to grow into those higher aspects with each word, breath etc.  …a regular reminder of the ToU would be my vote.

quiche, thanks for your story, I am right now in the midst of a health challenge that has brought me to the depths of despair…knowing on some deep level connecting, community, love were/are all keys to bringing me out of the dark abyss….

after only 2 days, i am so grateful for zaadz, i do believe it has a higher impetus to unhook me from the hellish drama…

much love, light, good vibes, sweet dreamin'

I appreciate the attempt to have a certain quality of discourse on Zaadz and in attracting that, attracting people of a certain bend of mind. 

Is Zaadz a unique place on the web?  I think so, without question.  I know of no other site exactly like this place.

Are we inspired and empowered here to live at our highest potential?  I can only answer for myself.  I have been both inspired and empowered, I have expanded my perceptions in useful ways by being here and by my own efforts - through the cultivation of a pod and through my responses to, or encouragement of, others, I certainly attempt to do that for other members here.  Yet, how does one really define what such an effort looks like?  Could not two separate individuals in their attempts to do what I have just said, that I have done and try to do, approach it uniquely because of different life experiences and philosophies?

Here is where it gets difficult to define whether someone lives up to the Terms of Use agreement.  I don't think it is possible to arrive at a black and white answer - [a] this is living up to it and [b] this is not - though I do know some here think that possible to define (for themselves perhaps).  It is entirely subjective, dependent upon who is doing the judging.  How can it be otherwise?

Are we required to produce a stress free environment for all who enter in the world of Zaadz?  Wow, I know personally how many times my personal good intentions have been misinterpreted and that is part of what Elisa was trying to say, I believe.  Can I not cause stress in another member simply because I could not foresee something unique to them that would cause them be be stressed? 

Unrelated example - Just yesterday, I visited the eye dr.  My last visit there is a vivid memory of my last trip to the city with my dying FIL who had an appt with this same dr - he and I traveled the 2 hrs alone and were together in that same dr's office.  I have been mostly without sadness or grief at his passing because it was so intentional, so beautiful and so peaceful.  Yet, I was blindsided by the effect my new visit there, by myself this time, would have on me.  Could it not be possible for me to upset and stress another member without expecting to, because there is some intimate detail I could not possibly know?

Many of us here are “energy aware” and do attempt to radiate that energy in positive ways but others may come here, specifically because we are here and they need that energy.  In their darkness, need and confusion … well, what might happen?  There are all kinds of alternate possibilities, that those of us who do energy work here can not be held directly responsible for but, may perform - a real service of “giving” by our interaction with the other person.

Here are some definitions for the behavior we are expected to show here -

[1] reverence - a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways - ie awe and respect and often love; veneration

[2] compassion - a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering (I would submit that it is possible for many people to not have a clue as to whether another is suffering - to have awareness and disregard and even cruelty towards is of course abominable but how to “prove” that is the case?)

[3] respect - to feel or show deferential regard for; esteem - to avoid violation of or interference with

Expressly prohibited is criticism (subjective at times), while we are to explore different perspectives and accept a challenging opinion (hum - how to tell criticism from a challenging opinion, could depend on my emotional state and personal investment in an idea at the particular time it occurs).

As this has gotten long - I'll save the community guidelines for later.  I would just add that I do try to act at Zaadz, and throughout my life in general, much within the spirit of what I think these concepts are trying to say.  I'm only pointing out the difficulty of defining and therefore enforcing them.  Difficult …subjective …allowing growth through exposure to a variety of opinions and experiences can be difficult to accomplish without any stress.

How to make it happen in a way that encourages the greatest number of members to reach a higher expression of their potential?  No answers from me, I apologize, seems all I'm good for in this discussion is providing some ideas to contemplate.

Deb has described more poetically what I was also trying to do in my first post here: that each person has a different standard; and our standards can keep changing as well.

However, I think that when we see movement along a person's discussion; we can see that each is trying to move to a higher ground. e.g. if someone says something that does NOT seem to me to be from their truest self- it would first behoove me to question them about it— not react, which is not right for MY truest self, but ask for clarification —- and then if I see that the other moves into anger, or attack, I guess we could call that a response not acceptable according to the ToU?  [Hey, that can rhyme with Tao!!!!] I think, though, that others in a pod, or discussion can jump in too, to see if the situation can be clarified. I am sure the team doesn't mean to remove members till there have been many provocations, and the person is really not getting or contributing to growth.

If someone is disturbed, there are healers here who can help in many ways; and it may be up to each of us to help to bring the other out of anger; but only if the other seems to ask for it.

But yes, as I write, I see the difficulties of knowing whether another is coming from their higher self. Light calls out to light.

Hello Everyone.
    I hope that you guys out there are doing good.  I am glad that I  belong to Zaadz.  It's a warm place to be at.   We have to go to our higher self.  I meditate and do yoga and I stay in tune with the hihgher one.  Happy Holidays to everyone,

Good Evening everyone…..

You know……..the “Terms of Use”……..there's a lot of MEANINGFUL “fine print” in this world……..when you get a credit card…….when you apply for a mortgage……when you buy an investment……yeah, the fine print……the “terms”, whatever you want to call it……hey, that's important!!

And I'm not saying that the Zaadz “ToU” is “unimportant”…….but so many times…..when you download “Adobe”…..who actually READS the fine print……we all just click “I Accept” and we move on, right?

The question isn't really “What are the terms of use here?” or “How do we best create a terms of use?”

No, the ultimate, MEANINGFUL part of it ends up being……..”What are you going to DO about it?”

See, it's always in the enforcement so to speak. The real question is “If someone “violates” the terms of use………and come on now…..that TOO is subjective!……it's all in the APPLICATION of the rules……the law……the INTERPRETATION of it…….that's what really matters….

The problems don't come in when you write it, the problems come in when you APPLY it……

Everyone wants to “be the best them” or whatever………that's not the issue. The issue is “WHAT would ZAADZ and the administrators DO…..if THEY determined that someone violated whatever rule it is?”

That's why I just say “The least amount of censorship possible”. Becuase ulitmately it all boils down to “How MUCH freedom…..how MUCH freedom of speech WILL you tolerate and where is the LINE?”

Until the line is reached and breached……….well, nothing else matters.

And just for clarification, I wasn't really looking for a DEFINITION of “Being the highest You”. That's pretty much self explanitory. What I was looking for was the ORIGINS of that phrase…….who first coined it? etc……

Thanks

jt

Hey Siona,
I am happy with being myself, I like to share my ideas with others. I like to help people acheive and I hope if anyone needs help they can ask me, also I love Zaadz. It really is better than myspace. It has a purpose, which I really like. Change the World!!!!
Oh and yes I am keeping warm. Hope you are too!

I agree also, aiyoya_88.

And it is true what they say, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

Ignorance to these rules is no excuse.  Even I must closely monitor myself. 

In a candid, but mentoring conversation with 1Vector3 (she was mentoring me), it bacame even clearer to me, how I could break the rules by blurring the lines, which are meant to distinguish good principles from undesirable conduct, and that creating a positive presence on Zaadz along with other community members means looking closely at every gesture I manifest.

I once told 1Vector3  that I'd be sad to make a mistake and loose my connection with the wonderful people of Zaadz, but even more dissapointed in myself, if my actions reflected poor judgement through an indiscretion no matter how eager, zealous or virtuous my desire and intent are to meaningful connect. There is a right way and a wrong way to share! I love and admire 1Vector3  for taking the time to explain this to me, and I love and admire the Zaadz team for taking the initiative to reitterate these ideas in order to safe guard are continuued interaction from a proactive stance.

Proactivity is sure an act of love and kindness, because this shows you are committed to me as an individual - an intrinsic value obvious to my observation.

So, in reflection, I must clean house, and make sure my desire to connect stays in context to the harmonious intent upon which this community was created.

I love my fellow Zaadzsters: Sionna, Kelly, Michael, Chaos, Matthew, Mark, Jackson, including The Entire Zaadz Team, et cetera, et cetera

If my actions ever reflected over-zealous, questionable  eagerness, I ask forgiveness and offer my pledge to not repeat an indiscretion.

In that spirit, I'd like to share:

Intrinsic Value of A Zaadz-Inspired Community Posted on Dec 10th, 2007 by Bryan

Inspiration motivates everything on all levels of awareness, and although inspiration comes in different forms defined by the experiences we create, it is truly the tie that binds. Inspiration is the single currency that is honored at all check-out points, where we go to inspire and be inspired. At this point of exchange there are no bargain basements, coupons, or shortcuts. The intrinsic value we perceive in the interaction is what we invest and reap, and as we do more of it, the effects of inspiration our more readily self-realized and beneficial.

Then we branch out more, take chances, and investigate other forms of expression to see how we improve in our ability to recognize inspiration in those many forms. This is important, because inspiration is presented through the uniqueness of other human beings seeking the same!
 
The outcome is unanimous! The rewards inevitable! We get to connect with one another, the experiences are meaningful, and interacting gets easier, not to mention healing through friendships developed and communities cultivated along the way.

Yes, we get what we put into it, and balance this kind of interaction with all the others in our life. In time what matters becomes obvious, and then there is no such thing as “…this is better than that,” but “…that is different or unique,” or “..this is what resonates with me in the moment.”

Intrinsic value is the motivation for discovering how inspiration can be experienced and shared through infinite means. Each of us partakes in a community, which helps in that realization!

As soon as I arrived at Zaadz, I saw a growing community that I needed to connect with and learn from. While seeking, I discovered dynamic personalities through the simple convention of picking up the phone and saying, “Hello, I'm Bryan and I am interested in what you do!” Fortunately, I have only just begun, because as I continue seeking  I find a bountiful plethora of inspiration through people to integrate and share.

 We all are participants, mentors, teachers and messengers, and Zaadz makes it easy to stay connected without picking up the phone, but still I am glad to make the time.

May you find that the information you acquire be truly worth the time invested in the seeking. 

Your Brotha,

B.

P.S. If I may, I'd like to blog this response in my own private Blog to share my realizations with others who may not come across this exchange in thought here at the Zaadz team pod

I loved your response Bryan: creating a positive presence on Zaadz along with other community members means looking closely at every gesture I manifest.

Yes – beautifully expressed. I believe in taking a look at all my thoughts, behaviours, automatic reactions – and making myself available to others to help me see  my 'blind spots'.

According to Bruce Lipton, who wrote the Biology of Belief :

” the subconscious runs our biology from 95-99% of the day, Since we are generally unaware of our subconscious belief (hence the concept of “unconscious” processing), we rarely see that our own behavior is the sabotaging element we must face.”

I'm not sure, Fee, that Everyone wants to “be the best them.”

I know I think I do, but I have seen that so much of my behaviour is automatic and “programmed”  -  how do I know my idea of my 'best self' is not simply a self-serving one, or actually an identity that my parents imprinted upon me that has nothing to do with my authentic being? For me, this is why the emphasis on awareness, on reading such things as the ToU's and Community Guidelines to remind me to keep looking.

I believe it is possible to uncover our subconscious beliefs, but it does take intention and commitment and a lot of love (and courage).  Actually I love Lipton's description of the body as a community of cells - just as zaadz/gaia is a community of people and the health of the body, of the community does depend upon each cell working towards harmony in the whole:

“Each cell is a living individual, a sentient being that has its own life and functions but interacts with other cells in the nature of a community. If I could reduce you to the size of a cell and drop you inside your own body, you would see a very busy metropolis of trillions of individuals living within one skin. This becomes relevant when we understand that health is when there is harmony in the community and dis-ease is when there is a disharmony that tends to fracture the community relationships. So, number one, we are a community.”

All we can do is keep reminding each other, ourselves. I have no concern about the ToU's being enforced 'incorrectly' –  it doesn't really seem to be the issue (imo). I encourage anything that supports me to look deeper.

We are here, together, and whatever happens here I take to be a mirror of what is happening in me. If I look there first, and take care of 'business' within, then all else follows, in my experience.

Love,
Sandra

The high standard in conduct at Zaadz is an admirable quality rarely found in online communities. And it cannot be accomplished by a single individual. Thank you all who have made a commitment to make a difference. It makes login into Zaadz a pleasure.

Shanti, indeed.

As I'd realized in the beginning, this discussion touched a point of thought that I wanted to blog about…and did. Sanctuary or womb; natural or cultivated garden: what is Zaadz?
Now as I post the link  here, I wonder : is it good or bad form to do so? There can be enough arguments on both sides.
What MADE ME DO this? EAch capitalized word opens up a portal - are we doing things or are they being done through us? Who am I? These questions are not rhetorical or mystical. They are integral to the term : “highest you.”


“Terms of Use” is not a term that speaks to the “highest I.”It speaks to the

duality that is ego, the I vs. you, the good vs bad; desirable vs undesirable. So this

statement, that seems to disagree with the Team's intent in words, is actually

agreeing with it in its intent.

Fee, you are a case in point for me. Your thoughts are as mine are going. And this

surprised me, because there are many things you have written, which have not

resonated with me; but have actually rubbed me the wrong way. Does this mean,

Team, that I should have questioned Fee about what he did or said; disapproved;

disliked? Sometimes I am sure I did; or rather, that I saw those thoughts flowing

through me. They flowed in and then out; as there was nothing within that wanted to

hold on to them. When we flow as a river, we don't allow the weeds of such thoughts

to take root. We allow them to join in the fun of the flow. And then one day, there

comes a meeting of minds, as it has here, and the joy is undescribable.

'Terms of Use' will not change the world. It will take the community the way of the

 watcher of other people; whereas as the ones above suggest, we have to watch

ourselves.  A better term to describe how to change the world, is My Intent. We could each write our intent - it could show up in our profile as a reminder to ourselves. Some of us have done it through our titles and status messages. But the how tos can be decided later.

It is so easy to send seeds of love to those who agree with us, praise us, love us,

like us. Can we do the same to those who disagree, disengage, ignore, or seem to hate

us.
Sandra, you ask how we can be sure if we are working from our highest self. [I'm

paraphrasing, I think]. Does anything else rule the universe but the highest self?

Can we really doubt it?
I invite anyone who is interested to read a meditative piece I had written about

how to take disharmony in our lives. The Expanding Lake
Namaste.

I  hope I can keep this short. :)

Elisa, no one “asked us to contribute” here. We are all volunteers. :) We probably all have subscribed to a Notification of the Team Blog, so we can know what's going on and choose to comment if we wish.

Bryan, you rock. You are open and growing and a waycool awesome dude.

Several: Yes, the words are one thing, and how it all gets implemented is of even greater interest and FAR greater complexity. But I don't see the words as unimportant.

Sandra, your wisdom glows.

I forget who. Meenakshi?: With regard to specifying Terms of Use: Someone who creates and holds a space and maintains it and invites people in has, IMO, the right and indeed the obligation to specify what is or is not acceptable behavior within their space. It might be USED by some, but it BELONGS to those who create and maintain it. Just the way you won't allow someone to beat up someone in your home.

It is true that from the perspective of a really growing person, everything is fodder for growth, even behavior that most people would regard as violating the Terms of Use, yet we can choose what we want to do, and we can choose what we want to be around, and we can, as I just suggested, choose what we will accept or reject/eject from our space. This does not involve judgment; it involves preference. The Zaadz creators and maintainers get to express their preferences for the kind of behavior they want in their space, and we agree to that or not, because we are the guests here. (Royally entertained, in every sense of the word!!!) See what I am getting at?

OK, thass my 2 cents for today.

Blessings and gratitude to all who have shared their perspectives here. I'm gonna nominate this thread to Collective Wisdom: The Hall of Fame for Threads pod! Y'll come over and vote for it!!!!

OM Bastet

I like the “be really authentic you, yes, really” bit…
and when it is wombed in the “do unto others…” compassion (passion with) then it really works.

I suppose what Siona is also saying is
“be the 'new' unlimited, easefully joyful truth you already know (and wish to see)” without blinding oneself to those who aren't in that joyful, easeful space;
do this to be safe - be “realistic” about where the uneaseful are both from an “avoiding/pre-empting danger” point of view, and also because it is better to resonate “upwards” surrounding oneself with those one wishes to be like.

And yet, everything “out there” is a mirror of what is “in here,” so there is really no choice where to begin for any of us!

As for staying warm ….. Huh????!!!!!
(I'm desperately (!) trying to find a joyful place of inner warmth, so that I may with ease be transported to a land of green warm sunny delights with fresh vibrant fruits and dancing ecstatic people - my body finds it difficult to affirm such delights during 6 months of snow and ice and discomfort outside!!!! - Some people just love the cold - not me!)

Warm wishes and hugs and blessings to all

John O

sandra,

i particularly liked your reference re: lipton and how we/ our bodies community are all interconnected and when one is out of balance, the rest is as well…it has been a mirror for my own life circumstances when i became out of balance, my community was no where to be found….thus the downward spiral continued…looking to change that with a sense of community, connection, support…of course the application is key…wonderful to talk about such things, but one must experience it as well.
many blessings,
kimbelry

As for me:
- I think the legal thing is good.
- the “yoga , meditation and temple” is paradoxical. I don't know about you, but when I go into these places…I just shut up - I know a lot of people can't though! This cannot be a good image for me…Yoga class, shrines and the like are places where my mind gets quiet. That's not what Zaadz is about! Zaadz is about sharing….It's more like the dinner after the mass, or the prasad eating and relaxing after the Puja!
- rules implying “Hihger Self” and other things is really very confusing. Actually I think it's total crap! 
Keep the guidelines clear: this is accepted…this is not! Higher Self! If someone holds against me that I'm not speaking from my higher Self…what can I say…what does he say!!!!
Again: This place is not a shrine. If you want to make as if it was one…Then some Christ like figure may   come and get angry at all those shopkeepers…inside the temple!!LOL
This is a spiritual cafeteria!!!
Be well,
Patrick

“Be yourself”: This injunction is so subjective…There are many selves, many levels of selfhood!
“treat others as you would like to be treated”: again, this is so subjective.
Don't criticize: I mean this cannot be!
These guidelines are definitely fostering one way of beeing! They really seem to me like a tyranny of “be nice, be good”.
I'm sorry to say but this sounds so appaling to me.
So appart from criticizing what do I suggest?I had a pod, which is quite dead now, but here were it's rules:
“The rules are:
It is not asked to “speak from one's higher Self”, and conflict is allowed. You may talk from your “lower self”, but the rule is:

- If you talked from your lower self, please recgonize it, go through it, beyond conflict and let us go on.”
That is what I'm suggesting.
I think the “moral” and well wishing rules should be dropped and replaced by clear behavioural rules.
That's it.
Be well,
Patrick
- 

Alright…….maybe I'll be the first to bring this up……..and my search of Bruce Lipton found me back at this same spot……a lot of this stuff….the language…..the people…….it's kind of coming together for me…….integral……Cohen…..”Your higher you”….

I'll say it (raising my hand)….

I see Scientology

Patrick -
- If you talked from your lower self, please recgonize it, go through it, beyond conflict and let us go on.

On the one hand I agree with you, and I wonder how you see this happening - I mean if someone talks from their lower self and recognizes it, then why bother? I mean why bother talking from your lower self if you know when you are doing it? —

ok so yes, I act automatically and reactively – and I 'know' that I'm doing it, usually after the fact. When I know I'm doing it during the fact, I 'seem' not to be able to do anything different. I'm on 'automatic', watching.

 So far, in my experience, another situation will arise that triggers that same reaction until I've fully taken responsibility in the moment of acting, and when I in that moment, decide to do something else.

We need spaces and people to support this kind of process. Not a dumbing down niceness.

Of course stuff is going to 'come up' here, it already has, everywhere. It's part of the process. And if there was no 'intention', no 'mission', no community guidelines which drew us here in the first place, do you think we would resolve and move through these situations in the way we have? In the way we are doing now?

Perhaps the pod which expressely allowed conflict did not survive because there is not that much juice for simply bashing cushions? I totally agree that conflict should not be 'avoided at all costs' -  and I am also certain that anywhere I step here, there is a possibility to be triggered and to take a look at my stuff. That' part is up to me - and there a so many visible  'mediators' and support people here already that if I need it I know that I can ask for it.

Personally  I don't read these guidelines as encouraging “niceness” (or Scientology, Fee… sorry. Maybe a scientologist here can answer your question). I simply take them as a reminder to keep looking, not to suppress or repress, but to keep bringing awareness to what I do, think, say, feel.

Should I 'change' any of this? Myself? How I am?  In my experience I can't simply 'change' (eg when I'm angry or upset or triggered or dumping my stuff on another person) but I can keep bringing awareness. That is all I have, I believe: the ability to choose where I place my awareness. The more I do this, the more 'things' seem to change, including my 'unconscious' behaviour.

And, perhaps none of this is within my power –  as per the cell image - does a single cell have any 'power' in my body to shift the status quo? To actually decide to do so?  Do I, as part of a larger organism? I don't know.

Do I truly know when I am beyond conflict, do I truly know that I can 'recognize' it when I am from my lower self?

I'm not sure we 'know' anything. This is the place I'm willing to look at, this is what I hear when I read the guidelines — to let go of what I think I know, to be willing to stand here vulnerable, unsure, uncertain, open.  Maybe it's not expressly written but it is what I hear.

I expect everyone 'hears' (i.e. reads) what they want to - whatever fits their personal world view and belief system.. and we have each other to keep reminding us that perhaps there is also another way - not that any way is 'better', but simply to be willing to let go of being right.

Love,
Sandra

Meenakashi: The Platinum Rule says “Treat others as they would like to be treated.” It's my personal favorite, too, even if it does take a little more effort to practice. Thank you for that reminder.

Om Bastet: Thank you as always; good suggestions all. :)

(That note about the rights and obligations of those who “create and hold a space” is touched me, too—especially the obligation part. We extended a certain invitation, and in the same way that it would be unfair and obnoxious to invite people to a dinner party and then let them know, once they show up, that not only will there be no food there but it's going to be a camping trip, it's unfair to those who come expecting the spirit mentioned in the invitation to be upheld if we get wishy-washy on our intentions or values.)

Owais: I'm SURE that as soon as we offer the contributing member / ads-free option, there'll be a shake-up; so one wants to see differentiation or segregation between those who (can afford to) pay and those who don't. We're not going to limit the free community and we'll do as much as possible to make those who want to support an ad-free site feel as though their money is worth it while ensuring that those who can't or don't want to join at that level are still essential members. But this is likely a conversation that'll have to happen again.

Quiche: THANK YOU! Gah. It's posts like this that make me so, so grateful for this community and so, so glad that we're able to offer this space. I hear everyone above who wrote about censorship and the importance of remaining open, but, on top of that, I do feel it's important to remember the values of kindness and compassion—and to make sure this space is both a haven for those who need it and a place where those who in transition (and just beginning to glimpse what it means to live with a positive intention) can find support. Thank you again. :)

Sanjuro: Jim Collins is amazing. I just found out I just moved to the town he calls home. Maybe we can convince him to join…

debyemm: To my mind, opening these questions and continuing to encourage awareness of the sheer challenge of continuing to embrace or embody those values is a big part of what they mean. By questioning you're LIVING them… don't you think?

 Bryan: Beautiful.

Fee and Sandra: Part of what I love about this community is that it forces (or pushes or encourages) me to come from a place of integrity, and to be my highest me, even when doing that is scary and painful. I have to be vulnerable. I have to be authentic. I have to be honest. Why? Because this community is, and, as a result, because so many people here are so sensitive to when things are 'off.' As Shinari said, what's been grown here can't possibly be the result of one person. So again… thank you all.

Also… Fee and Patrick or anyone who doesn't resonate with this space… please remember that you can always go create your own. No one's forcing you to stay! It's a (pretty much ;) free internet and there's plenty of other communities and forums to join. In the same way that it would be absurd of me to join a book group and then complain that I can't read my slam poetry there, or to join a cycling club and wonder why they get upset at my motorcycle, it doesn't make sense to join this community (with our explicitly stated values and intentions) and then protest that we don't allow certain behaviors.

And wait. You didn't KNOW that Tom Cruise was behind all this? ;)

Well……quite interesting…..

Yes, I would say that this is a great community. There are how many thousands of members? But a relatively small percentage of them do a relatively large percentage of the posting. That's perfectly normal……..not unusual at all.

I don't know, sometimes some stuff seems obvious to me. We should have integrity, we should be authentic, honest……..to that I would say…….well, yeah, of course! Not that everyone lives like that. I don't know, maybe in the 50s it was all just called “common decency”.

Ah but the second part Siona……….it's very subtle…….but come on…….it was a very delicate, almost pretty way of saying “hey, if you don't like it take a walk buddy!”………who says this “space” doesn't “resonate with us”? Is healthy skepticism and the raisng of legitimate questions now a sign that we “just don't connect” and that maybe…..we could go “create our own space”……..(sweet talk for “hey, you could just leave.”)……..”There are plenty of other communities and forums to join”………sweet talk for “why don't you go somewhere else?”…..and are we now being compared to “slam poetry” and the loud and intrusive motorcycle disturbing the delicate flower bicycle?

Now your Tom Cruise line was quite funny! I dig it………ANY Tom Cruise humor is funny actually……but come on Siona……I'm just as much a “free thinker” as anyone. That doesn't mean that MY angle of free thinking has to JIBE with yours……..or that it would be preferable that I march a little more in tune or don't rock the boat or whatever phrase we could use…….in fact, it concerns be just a bit that the response you seemed to give the two of us…….and please, correct me if I'm wrong!…….as gentle, and sweet, and delicate as it was worded…….it concerns me that there is an element of “well perhaps you're not fitting in and need to consider leaving.”. That hit me kind of weird.

Fee, buddy…

You know there are rules. The market has rules. You play by those rules yes? Course you do.
 
You have expectations when someone visits your house? Yes course you do?

This is not your house. It is not my house, its Zaadz house. Take your shoes off, and be your highest self. Is that complicated? Is it not decent?

Freedom of speech is a responsibility, not an excuse. Should there be no boundaries? How do we maintain decency and understanding without boundaries? How do we aspire to be more grounded and engaged when there is no discipline? How do we learn when the road does not have an edge? Are we to follow your road with no edge?

What are you talking about? Are you trying to “check” me, or limit me? Where does this come from and what exactly am I doing that you don't approve of?

I actually find this cool. I'm getting a bit checked the moment I bring up the word……

Scientology……..

Ah, I just took a peek Sanjuro and got a little more perspective………..

That's nice…….. glad to help…….. :)

Oh, you did.

Featuring the TOU more prominently tends to dovetail in nicely with what the community of Zaadz offers in terms of human spiritual (r)evolution.  It's clear (as witnessed by all of the bickering that goes on) that there are very few on Zaadz who understand the higher purpose of relationship, (in this case those interactions we have on Zaadz are to be defined as such).  The purpose of which I speak is for the growth and refinement of the “self” in order that the “Self” may ultimately come forth into experience and Oneness be known and lived. 

While the TOU is an external regulator, it nevertheless serves as a guideline, and a necessary one for immature ego's that may be seeking (whether consciously or unconsciously), little more than a podium for self-aggrandizement.

When one understands that lasting spiritual development requires introspection, followed by modification of beliefs, judgements and emotional pain body issues.. it becomes clear that we here on Z