Listen to the audio companion of “Walt Whitman and the Thrust-engine” on WROAR. Rob takes the conversation deeper & deeper with co-host Deone (Deeone) Higgs and JK Allen. We even bring Einstein into the conversation…
Walt Whitman is one of my favorite philosophers. His statement, “I am sufficient as I am” is one of my favorites. It is a thrust-engine for me. It offers me the raw power I need to engage rigorously with reality to make my most important dreams come true.
I have learned that there is no difficulty I cannot solve when I look at my life knowing, “I am sufficient as I am.” Knowledge like this becomes my thrust-engine, and when I apply it full throttle to my life, I can take myself from feeling impoverished to prosperous in any domain of my life.
If an inspiring quote is to work, the first thing you have to do is clear your mind of mental weeds that stopped this thought-seed from taking root in the subconscious: Yes, you are sufficient as you are! NO, you are not broken in any way!
I am sharing Walt Whitman’s wise insights with you for a single purpose – so that you may say “HI” to the super-minded you. Stop fighting it. You are marvelously made and destined to win at whatever you set your mind to – so what stops you from seeing yourself as remarkably self-sufficient?
Walt Whitman is called the Good Gray Poet for good reason. His words can bring upon you an incredible state of goodness – a state of restfulness and peacefulness that becomes a thrust-engine that empowers you.
Student: Empowers you to do what?
Teacher: To achieve your highest ambitions.
Here is another of Walt’s statements that serves as a thrust-engine for me: “I did not know I was so large … I am large … I contain multitudes”. WOW. Now that says it all! (1) It says that I am intelligent. (2) It says that I am talented. (3) It says that I possess unrealized potential beyond my wildest imaginings. At least this is what it says to me. What does it say to you?
If I am large and I contain multitudes, then winning at life is inevitable. The question is, “How do I get to this place of acceptance where I know that I am large and contain multitudes?” Walt gives me the answer when he said, “I have slumbered upon myself too long.”
It’s time to awaken! Incredible psychological evolution comes when you awaken, and when your psychology evolves triumphant victories become commonplace.
We are all marvelously made beings.
We are all rich and majestic children of Infinite Intelligence.
We are all destined to win at whatever we set our minds to.
We are all worthy of all that is good and beautiful.
I have slumbered upon these facts too long. Have you?
Walt knew the truth about himself. He was also very aware of the conditioned-self with its false feelings of insecurity. Walt knew that right thinking vanishes conditioned thoughts of limit. You cannot have both dominating the mind at the same time. Which shall it be?
The first step to knowing what Walt knew is to see your fears and doubts for what they are – mental terrorist attacks upon you.
Fears and doubts attack when you are mentally slumbering upon yourself. You slumber when you believe that you are small, when you believe that you are shallow, when you believe you have no depth, no multitudes, no layers of potential supporting you.
Fearful and doubting thoughts demand your strength and your attention, and they get it when you are slumbering upon yourself. They rob you of your natural state of restfulness and peacefulness.
I recommend Walt Whitman. Read what he says with the intent of using his incredible insights as thrust-engines. It is time for you to refuse your self-limiting thoughts the attention they crave.
Without your attention, the conditioned-mind loses its power over you; leaving you super-minded and able to accomplish your grandest aspirations.
I have taught myself to turn away from self-limiting inward self-talk like I would turn away from a yapping dog. I consider it annoying foolishness.
I am able to turn seeming misfortunes into psychic gold when I take Walt’s insights seriously, and set out to prove that they are true about me.
The cupboard is always bare when I think from my conditioned-mind (fraught with thoughts of 60,000 NO’s). I’ve known this, but I ceased to do anything about it for the longest time? Why? Because I failed to see that all that I needed to accomplish my desires was right here (inside of me), not hiding over there somewhere.
My life immediately brightened when I began converting Walt’s insights into thrust-engines, and began working with my super-mind. For a mind divided against itself cannot stand.
A mind divided against itself cannot stand.
A happy ending comes when you take it upon yourself to prove that Walt is right about you. Are you ready now?
Turn Walt’s insights into thrust-engines, and you will find union with the super-minded you. Dismiss all thoughts that insist that you don’t have what it takes, and you will have what it takes.
Thank you for participating in this blog. Please add something to help others further understand Walt Whitman’s message (which I now take on as my message).
Blessings
“Best Comment of the Week.” This weeks best comments come from Christopher Foster of The Happy Seeker and Sylvia. Thank you for your heartfelt sharing. See their comments here. Illustrations by nick
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On a side note: If you are in Boston, you cannot afford to miss our next Mind Adventure Meetup. Space is very limited. More info here.
Awwwwww… So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye…
(my favorite from the sound of Music). Thanks for all you brought to the table JK! You are on your path of love and family and nothing could be more important. Your kids are soooo lucky to have such a dedicated Dad. Your authentic you is when you are being Super-Dad! (not batman – eckkhh!). I know they will ALL turn out to be the Best of the Best!
NOW, back to me! haha.
Rob: I love what you said about keeping my opinions to myself. Like 98% of the time I am upbeat, positive and vibrating YES to life. But there is always some small minded person lurking just around the corner that tells me to get real and do my job. I mean what BS!!!… its everywhere. And the worst part is I conform to what they are saying just so I can get through my day and conform to their whacky office politics! I try to share my dreams and ambitions with others but they are soooo negative it sends me into a tailspin for days and days. So, after all that… I am done with talking about my dreams with negative idiots and just going to keep on moving ahead. I feel a lot better actually. Its like I have a plan and I’m going to do whatever it takes to stay on target. Like you said there is a treeeeeemendous difference between liking and loving! I love the “Iam sufficent as I am!” Kara – but I just kind of sort of like the Kara who smiles and says “good morning” every day to fellow worker Bees.
Hi Kara. Your true freedom resides in a free mind and spirit. You need not be chained by people or circumstances. Grasp this, and the fact that ‘you are sufficient as you are’ becomes very apparent to you. Thank you.
Hi Kara,
Thank you for the kind words. My decision is a simple one considering, but I really enjoyed being a part of the show and will still be sure to listen in to the recordings and learn each week.
Best to you!
Whitman’s life story is very inspiring as well, I think — the fact that, after working a “real job” for a long period, he had the desire to become a poet and simply made it happen himself, without the aid, at the beginning, of a publisher or really any sources of support but his own will.
Hoi Chris. Thanks for pointing out that Walt Whitman used his knowledge of self-sufficiency as a guiding light to overcome any crisis or difficulty that stood in front of him. Great point! Blessings
Hi Rob, Yes yes it is true. I have definitely “slumbered upon myself” most of my life. It’s my biggest regret in life that I spent so many years just getting by and never really challenging myself. As you know things are different these days. It’s like you said in the show, that all of my usual thinking is good enough to get me so far and to be able to get by in life. I’m not interested in just getting by anymore. I’ve been blessed with good health and a family. I see it as my biggest goal to be the best dad I can be and keep pushing the boundaries of what this means. A year ago, all it meant was showing up for a few little league games, but now I see that’s not enough. I’ve been seriously entertaining coaching a team next year! There was I time that was unthinkable for me. It is a process but step by step I am becoming more awake to life and seeing how I can make a difference to the people around me.
Hi Roger. I like how you take the mental abstractions that I offer in this blog (and on our blog talk-radio show), to action in your life. Let truth principles not only succeed in your mind, but more important – in your life. That is where the real difference is felt, isn’t it. Thank you.
Hi Rob, JK and Deone. Sad to see you go JK, but if anything you are a great example of what it means to follow your heart. Your family comes first and foremost and that is what I love about you. If everyone could learn to be say something and mean it, then the world would be a much better place. I find that life is always exciting and fun when I am clear on my purpose. I feel “sufficient as I am” when there is no doubt in my mind. When there is no doubt that is when I go full throttle. When I was raising a family or starting my business these were all-consuming things. There was no time for trivialities and nuisances. The problem is we have to keep finding new sources of inspiration. When I have that down time things can get very ho-hum. Right now I working on going from ho-hum back to that great state of pursuing my own multitudes.
Hi Carol-Anne. Yes, when you feel self-sufficient, you are able to go full-throttle without hesitation. And when your action is full-throttle, it is easy to make your declaration of independence from all nay-saying voices that try to haunt you. Thank you.
Hi Rob,
Excellent post my friend. First I apologize for my absense and not commenting this month as I was busy with my wedding, but now I’m back track. I love what Whitman’s said “I am sufficient as I am.” I remember hearing a story about some people in China who were carrying a statue covered with mud. No one cared about this statue as it was dirty and covered with mud. While walking, the statue slipped from them and they started to remove the mud from the statue to see what is inside and what they found was pure gold. This statue that on one cared about turned out to be something of value. The point of this story is that we humans act like we are “covered with mud.” We don’t realize that we are marvelously made and we have pure gold inside of us. God has given each one of us everything we need to succeed and achieve greatness and this is what we have to keep reminding ourselves of. Thank you for sharing my friend
Hi Dia. Congratulations with your big step forward in your relationship with your loved-one. I know how much you value this domain in your life. Dwelling in the domain of love – there is no occasion at all for stumbling. Why is that? Answer: because everything of value is discovered in that light – isn’t it Dia. Thank you for the mud statue story. Blessings
Hi Rob. Through all I’ve been through and experienced I think it all comes down to that feeling of “oneness”. That is something I’ve only recently come to. I have been an achiever, provider and climber in all fronts of life except for my own spirituality. I spent so much time trying to do well in the eyes of others that I missed out on doing well for myself. Walt Whitman gets it, Jk gets it and Deone gets it. I wish I wasn’t so late to this game. No one told me when to run, I think I missed the starting gun (to reference your illustrations this week). The great thing is that when it comes to “mind” it is not a young mans game. The odds are in my favor because I am experienced and somewhat wise. The best is yet to come. Why? For the pure and simple fact that “I have been slumbering”…. how can things not get better! I’m up and about and receiving nourishment every morning. I am no longer that mechanical robot I have been for 60 ++ years. Thanks for all this great conversation! I owe you a multitude!
Hi Georgie. Thank you for waking up to the truth about yourself. Self-independence comes from a feeling of self-sufficiency, and this is your right and natural state. In this state you march to self-liberty, and when you are free, there is nothing that can stop thee! Blessings
Hi Rob,
I loved the accompanying audio show, and your post was just as brilliant!
Walt’s statements are indeed very powerful. Another way I see their application is through ‘states’. By truly believing them, through repeating them to ourselves, and having experiences to support them, we begin to internalise them and more and more, and they become a part of us. Soon they reach a strong enough point, where they also encapsulate the limiting ‘false-self’, and in the process over power the limiting ‘false-self’.
Of course, the limiting ‘false-self’ won’t die easily and will fight to manifest. At this point, we can do as you say, and turn our backs on it, knowing there is a more powerful true self, that we can step right back into.
Hi Hiten. You tie the conversation together with exquisite accuracy. An ancient adviser once said that when we decree a thing it becomes so for us. What you’ve written here explains how that happens. NICE. Thank you.
Walt was a true original. I’ve had glimpses of feeling at one in the universe and feeling just right the way I am. To me it is not so much about having ambition or a certain goal to achieve it is about finding calm and peace in my own mind. The greatest victories in my life are when I can just appreciate the world around me. To be awake means being in the presence of great friends and stimulating conversation. Or when I am coming back into the harbor as the sun is setting and hear only the sound of the wind and waves. I’ve learned that “feeling large” is something that is always there for the taking — whenever I want. I don’t waste a lot of time on petty things anymore. I am too old to be dealing with smallness. I want to continually look for that largeness in life. Sure, I still get upset and agitated, but things are different. I ask myself why am I wasting my time feeling agitated? It doesnt take long for me to turn my attention to something else and see the miracle of being awake and alive. I can then see the largeness in everything, from a blade of glass to a shiny yacht. When my head hits the pillow I know whether I’ve made the right choices to feel the ultimate expression of myself, or whether I’ve just gotten through another day. I’m not willing to accept just getting through the day. Life is too short of that bucket of bilge water.
Hi Salty. Your attitude alone proves that you believe that ‘you are sufficient as you are’. Shame and regret over past behavior is a signal that we do not believe that we are sufficient as we are. You learn from the past and move on. This is apparent. Thank you.
Hey brother man. Walt is my man! You should see my dog-eared, tattered copy of “Leaves of grass.” Walt helped me shape my own life philosophy. I’ve read lots of Buddha books and self-help books, but Walt always has a nice way of getting me to think for myself. When it comes to being self-sufficient it just means that there is a real me that doesnt need any changing, but there is another side of me who wants to keep growing. The two might seem at odds with each other but I think they are quite compatible. It’s like I have to stay true to myself If I want to keep expanding my mind. I just think, we all carry around so much baggage and false fronts that there is always something to toss out. Even when I think I’ve rid myself of materiality or negative thinking, I find there is something I can do better. There is no endgame when it comes to spreading the love around! What I love about expressing my “multitude” is knowing that there is no end or limit to it. It excites me everyday and it is the kind of rockett fuel that never seems to run out.
Hi Rus. Nice noticement: the real you is incredible just as it is. The human you, after being hit with 60,000 No’s, loves to grow and develop in order to experience more of the incredibly real you. T’is a magnificent that we play, isn’t it. We make contact with cosmic command when we play the game right. Thank you
Hi Rob. I’m sad to Jk go but oddly inspired. Jk is just following the calling of his Authentic Self. If he is truly hearing that calling loud and clear I implore and beseech him to keep calm and carry on. In a way I am envious. I never started a family and have no real way to relate to him. My Mother and Father were so darn harsh and condemning I think I’ve been scarred to start a family of my own. I’m sure I would have done a number on any progeny I produced!
So hearing JK follow his path and relating that to my own life I think it went hand in hand with this weeks topic. Because JK is so clear on what he needs to do, I am oddly envious of this. I wish I had something that was so clear. And at the same time I am blessed because I take the notion of being all of this (We are all marvelously made beings.
We are all rich and majestic children of Infinite Intelligence. We are all destined to win at whatever we set our minds to. We are all worthy of all that is good and beautiful.) to heart. Now I want to get out there and make my dreams come true. I just want to just do whatever it takes. I want to cash in my savings and move out of the city and the start the life I’ve of organic farming and wholesome living I’ve always dreamed of. Thanks for the inspiration Rob (& JK & Deone) I’m making things happen now. Life is too short and I don’t want to die thinking I’ve been slumbering on my potential.
Hi alicia. When you speak from your heart, as you have done here, you need not worry that you will die without realizing your unrealized potential. Higher teachings place emphasis on mental clarity. You are mentally clear. You have been learning what you have to learn to access higher teachings, haven’t you. Nice job. Thank you
I loved the Einstein reference in the show Rob. I think the first rule of being a genius is knowing that you can’t call yourself a genius! Einstein basically said he has his own limited thinking that is insufficient to get him to the next level. Sometimes I get too smart for my own good and feel proud of what I know. And its pretty good. I think I’m above average in a lot of areas of life. But like Einstein pointed out, my normal way of thinking is insufficient if I am serious about becoming a successful musician. That thinking can get me to a certain point, but I really have to toss that all out if I’m going to have the kind of breakthrough I want. I don’t know how to do that yet. I mean, I dream big yet at the same time I have tons of doubts. One thing is for sure it’s not going to happen overnight. I wasn’t born a musical genius so my road to the top is going to take a lot of hard work, practice & tenacity. Then maybe, just maybe by doing the work I will be able to transform my mind to accept larger and larger ideas about what I am capable of.
Hi John. YES, we have to toss out all of our old thinking to get to the new stuff that gives us breakthroughs. Having the courage to see and break through contradictions we see in our thinking patterns – that’s the task that we have at hand. I like your comment – it adds more meaning to the blog. Thank you.
Hey Rob. This stuff is so easy to philosphize about but what does it have to do with real life? A guy like Whitman wrote all this beautful stuff but I bet he was a crotchety old crank most of the time. I mean, was he like blissed out and happy all the time? I doubt it. I don’t think you write that kind of stuff unless you spend most of your time depressed as hell. I guess my point is that you can’t just be super excited about life all the time. Life is just peaks and valleys. Some people are more even keel and some are like me who have wild swings between heaven and hell. I think Walt was probably the same. People shouldnt get too caught up in fancy quotes because it just makes them delusional. I may be angry half the time, but at least I’m in touch with reality. No self-help talk is going to pull me out of anything until I take charge and start making practical changes…. not carrying on with all these high minded ideas that don’t add up to a bucket of spit in the end. AND that’s why I’m Angry (for all those who care to ask.). I’m just real about my life and know myself better than most.
Hi Ramone. When we are angry most of the time, we assume we are choosing helpful thoughts … but they turn out to be harmful. How strong is your interest in coming to the REAL TRUTH and dropping the anger along the journey? Stay with us. You help all of us learn more about ourselves. Thank you
I thought this was a perfect send off for JK. And very helpful for me as well. It’s clear that JK’s thrust engine is the clarity of purpose and value he has for his family. We should all be that lucky to have something that obvious. That’s why I’m all over the place. One minute all I want is a good girlfriend. The next minute all I want is to throw myself in the lab and shut out the world. But whatever I’m up to I love being all consumed by it. There’s no middle Road for me. Id really like the strike more balance in my life now that I think about it… I know I’ll have a great long career as long as I stick with my passion and hard working values… But I’m not so sure I want my life to be all about career… It’s lonely at the top! To have both a great love-life and great career, well why not? Maybe I can thrust my engines to having success in multiple areas of life… you know kind of master the art of living type thing?
Hi Alan. You are willing to dig deeper. It shows in your comment. Self-transformation comes when we endure the inner storm that comes with deeper investigation of our whole nature. This, you do well. thank you
Hi Rob, Thank you for introducing me to the likes of Whitman, Emerson and Einstein’s odd intellectual side. It just goes to show that no one is alone in this world. We all strain for approval on one level, yet we all have an oversoul that knows more than we could ever hope to understand in this limited lifetime. Being alone and on my own has been revitalizing and dreadfully scary all at the same time. In essence, I’ve had to learn to become “Sufficient”. It sounds easy, but people like me and Deone have become overly reliant on others ( I presume… or assume… forgive me I am wrong Deone:) ). I’ve realized ( and this is just in the last 6 months) that I do have everything I need to survive and be self sufficient. I love hearing Deone every week because on the surface we could not be more different, but our souls are the same at the end of the day.
Keep it all up everyone. Fare-thee-well JK. I’m sure we will hear back from you from the top!
Hi Joan. I like the way you relate to others – through the life lessons they offer. This works well because we can often see others clearer than we see ourselves. Thanks for pointing this out. Blessings
WHATTT???!!! Leaves of GRASS my ASS!!! HAHAHHAH. Yo whitman is mad weak. He makes my eyes roll and my wang Turtle-ize!!! I mean cmahhhhhn! Walts gotta get out in life and git his azzz-but LIZAIIID!!! I read that Shiz in high school and I read it today and its still just as Stoopido and useless. Yo check it … why would I take advice from a dude that died broke and alone??? Puuuuuhhhleeeazzeee — Song of myself — thats just straight up masterbating, right?! Maybe I’m missing sumthn but I doubt it. All that intellectualizing is for people who can’t make things happen 4 real. I know what I’m up to … at least I know which way I swing too!! HAHAHHA. If Walt wus so clear on his own ID he wouldnt be sneakn and hidn himself behind his quasi-pseudo-poetry! If Walt wants to suffer and walts followers want to suffer I sez let them go… Just more room for me to grab the goods and cash in on these suckers!!! HAHAHHA. People gots to keep their eyes on what matters most to them and not be so scarred to hid it! Just hang that shiz out and be reall! You know what I’m sayin’. There is only one magic marc and he is on 24/7 no matter he be dealin with his biznass, his gooms, or his OWN writing… it all comes out real/ I challenge walt to be the same dude he is behind his pen as he is behind his PEN-IS!!!!! HAHAHHAHAH OHHhhhhh SHIZZZZ. Thats my best one yet. Yall know I got to get out there and tell it like it is ! Thats my Multidudinooose… Just get my word out there as real as I can!!!!
YA knwo whaatr Im sayin 
!!!!! PAx OOOUT! Keep it REALLLLLL ROB!
Hi Magic. I’m not sure what you said in your comment? Do you see any confusion in yourself? Do you project it onto others? You certainly have a passionate way of speaking your mind. Are you ever overcome by impulsive feelings? Just wondering. Blessings
Rob, thank you so much for this. After listening in last week, I had a phone call with someone and between the two of you I finally realized specifically how I should be moving forward. I greatly appreciate it.
Hi Julie. How should a person specifically move forward? She should want a clear mind more than the false pleasures derived from the way she now thinks. Can you relate to that. I sure can! Blessings
A simple old Hindu guide once explained to me that we are all born sufficient, the divine is in us, and it is our journey to look outside ourselves,to cars, friends, money, worldly things to find our completion where in reality the thing missing all along, the thing we search for, is our knowledge that we are both divine and sufficient already. It’s not about the god, it’s about the faith.
It seems the great truths are consistent. Whether through Walt, or Jesus, or self-examination; the paths may vary but the truths are where they all land.
Hi sylvia. Indeed, truth is always consistent. You are becoming more consistent with your comments as you acquaint yourself with the truth – aren’t you. You cannot teach a cow about the stars, but you can teach yourself about the cosmos. This is what I notice you are beginning to do. Thank you