BootsnAll Travel Community

I am considering creating a non profit foundation dedicated to helping assist the "independent seeker" in finding themself, as well as in finding, understanding and accepting their unique place in the universe.

As it is my feeling that each person must come to the above "self realization" on their own,and in their own time, this foundation would provide only the tools, and remain free of any religious over tones, with the only exception, a possible comparative world religions study to seek out potential gems of truth and wisdom, without any of the religious dogma.

Here is what I need to know!

1. A "true seeker" is not one of the masses. I figure that a true seeker is maybe, what... 1 in a 1000 at best? 1 in 10,000? What do you think?

2. How would you best let these "independent seekers of the truth" know that a foundation exists that may be able to help / assist them in their life quest?

Mostly educational and experiential in its nature, this foundation would act in the following capacities:

A lenders library of self actualization related materials...personal and spiritual growth workshops...mentor programs...self help workbooks ... classes ... group dynamics...retreats...lecture series...media producer of related materials...and a potential prototype community based on personal growth and higher consciousness.

3. If grants were available to assist this independent seeker such as: matching cash grants for study or travel, or zero interest loans, what amount of financial assistance should these allotments be in?

FYI The proviso on repay would be: As others have reached out to help you...when you are financially able...you will know when it is your time to reach out and help those who follow in your wake!

[Faith here is paramount on any true seeker first finding and understanding the laws of karma...or there goes the foundation!!!]

4. What would you think is the best way to promote a "seekers" foundation, to get the word out to that very rare individual this is designed for?

5. In fact...How do you even find them?

6. How would you best rate the sincerity of a potential grant or loan recipient?

7. In which of the departments this foundation will participate, is of greatest interest to you?

Here they are once again:

A lenders library of self actualization related materials...personal and spiritual growth workshops...a mentor program...self help workbooks ... classes ... group dynamics...retreats...lecture series...media producer of related materials...and a potential prototype community based on personal growth and higher human consciousness.

Please state any personal interest?

Thanks for any and all feedback!

I'll keep you posted on any progress towards actualization.

Hi there oldhippy!

Sounds to me you have a pretty good idea going on there as im gathering from your post you are trying to create a foundation to aid in helping people free there mind and become one with the universe.

To answer your questions:

1. A "true seeker" is not one of the masses. I figure that a true seeker is maybe, what... 1 in a 1000 at best? 1 in 10,000? What do you think?

Hmm..im kinda mixed about this concept as im not sure if your refering to the people who are testing new waters or atleast trying for a better realization of life as seekers or just the people who devote there complete time to finding "the truth".At any rate I think what happens is people who first search for a better realization of the meaning to life later become more involved in the quest for "the truth".

2. How would you best let these "independent seekers of the truth" know that a foundation exists that may be able to help / assist them in their life quest?

I think a good way to go about this would be to post your message in online forums relating to the subject and also to maybe hand out flyers about the foundation at self awareness gatherings or something like that.

3. If grants were available to assist this independent seeker such as: matching cash grants for study or travel, or zero interest loans, what amount of financial assistance should these allotments be in?

First come first serve maybe?.(sorry not quite sure what you meant here).

4. What would you think is the best way to promote a "seekers" foundation, to get the word out to that very rare individual this is designed for?

Attend self awareness gatherings and spread the word about it there perhaps.

5. In fact...How do you even find them?

I wish I knew the full answer to this but I guess just hope that there are some places in your area where these people hang out?

6. How would you best rate the sincerity of a potential grant or loan recipient?

Plan an interview or just even a conversation with the person to understand there personality and intentions.

7. In which of the departments this foundation will participate, is of greatest interest to you?

I'd have to say the retreats as im actually trying to get some peace fests started and an organization to help people fund local peace gatherings and other projects to promote world peace.

Hope that helps .

Thanks peacemaker for priming the pump!

The allotment question is...for example: is $500 to help assist someone too little or is $1000 to $2000 more in line if there was a grant or loan program...kind of like the nobel prize comes with a cash reward as well.

These monies would be available to help partially fund a backpacker trip or for independent studies...kind of like helping someone out now...so they can help many more later on when they actually "get it!"

1. A "true seeker" is not one of the masses. I figure that a true seeker is maybe, what... 1 in a 1000 at best? 1 in 10,000? What do you think?

i think the odds are more sparse than that... i hesitate to put any numbers on it though

2. How would you best let these "independent seekers of the truth" know that a foundation exists that may be able to help / assist them in their life quest?

i think it would be a good idea to have people simply wander and find them.

3. If grants were available to assist this independent seeker such as: matching cash grants for study or travel, or zero interest loans, what amount of financial assistance should these allotments be in?

this is quite a doosy, i think matching is more than generous, but it may be good to do it on an individual basis. this is extremely time consuming, and incredibly subjective though...

4. What would you think is the best way to promote a "seekers" foundation, to get the word out to that very rare individual this is designed for?

seek out the seekers. i believe the ones that should be involved will be found.

6. How would you best rate the sincerity of a potential grant or loan recipient?

i think an interview would be good, however, i think an interview where they dont know they are being interviewed is better. by having people wander looking for "potentials," you can have them get to know people without the people ever knowing anything about the foundation. im not saying everyone in the organization wanders about, but im not not saying it either, haha.

7. In which of the departments this foundation will participate, is of greatest interest to you?

i really think a mentor program would be wonderful. the problem is finding mentors.. haha. i also think a community would be an extraordinary idea. like-minded energies always seem to create significantly more impact. plus, that sort of community reduces the amount of excuses for anything, and really encourages growth. this "home base" could be where "potentials" found out in the field are brought to for a final interview, after a "seeker seeker" (ha!) gets to know them out in the field.

quote:

Originally posted by oldhippy:
1. A "true seeker" is not one of the masses. I figure that a true seeker is maybe, what... 1 in a 1000 at best? 1 in 10,000? What do you think?

I don't know what I think about this anymore...and I'm not even sure I know what a 'true seeker' really is; but I think I know what is meant by it. I kind of agree, as it seems that the true seekers are few and far between. But then I look at my close friends, and it seems to me I have six, maybe seven, who I would consider seekers...just people who are really aware, and who are striving to be, or find, their own individuality. Are they 'true seekers'? I do not know. But I'm starting to think everyone has the potential to be one - or did, at some point in their life - and it can be brought out in everyone. Now, I know that is incredibly idealistic, as we all know people who seem to be at the complete opposite end, and seem completely hopeless. And yet, if I have a good number of people in my life who seem to yearn for that, and I can get them to talk about some of that stuff, then I have to wonder whether there are LOTS of people out there who are like us -- they just have gotten lost, or all of it got covered up, or they've gotten it beaten out of them..whatever..or they just never have the gumption or will to actually actualize themself. Anyhow, I'm thinking about all of that.

quote:

2. How would you best let these "independent seekers of the truth" know that a foundation exists that may be able to help / assist them in their life quest?

Dunno..this is not my skill set. All I can think of is word of mouth, the internet, and like someone said, the flyers - although that would only pertain to a small geographic area.

quote:

3. If grants were available to assist this independent seeker such as: matching cash grants for study or travel, or zero interest loans, what amount of financial assistance should these allotments be in?

Again, I don't know..but I like the provision for repay - to extend your hand to others in need when you are able to.

quote:

5. In fact...How do you even find them?

Just talking to people, you get a sense of what makes them tick.

6. How would you best rate the sincerity of a potential grant or loan recipient?

Something along the lines of an interview, but it needs to be more personalized...just one interview wouldn't do it..I think you'd have to really get to know the person and get a sense of who they are, to be able to judge the sincerity. Or, you might be able to sense it at first meeting. Guess it depends on person and the openness they have.

7. In which of the departments this foundation will participate, is of greatest interest to you?

I'm a big fan of one on one stuff. Which would be the workshops, classes, group dynamics, retreats, etc. I think human interaction is key; so I'm not as big a fan of the lectures or the books, and while they might help a bit, I don't think they are nearly as powerful as learning about yourself through how you relate to others...and growing from that.

Lynn

Ok...we are starting to build up some steam here, and I thank you for sharing!

Thank you for your input sinahptik...and welcome back eowyn!!!

I 'd say what determines a "true seeker" from the masses is "the drive"...the relentless striving for that answer that will solve the life riddle.

Just about all folks go thru a phase of who am I...what am I...but the true seeker does not just stop there.

A true seeker neeeds to know "the truth"...and this path may be one of the hardest roads to travel, as there is no guarentee of ever arriving or even solving the riddle.

On top of this...it is a lonely road...for that same drive...that unquenchable "need to know", often leaves friends and loved ones in the dust for they just can't understand or relate to it!

It is for this same reason that attempting to share the truth with another means nothing...until they are fully ready to see it and then accept it!

The truth is there for all to see...but few have their eyes open and their minds clear enough to know it.

That is why one of the first goals of getting it...is getting rid of all the clutter!

sinahptik

What does your screen name mean?...and why do you think a mentor would be so hard to find?

I see a mentor as simply someone who has gone down the path before you.

Someone who takes the time and interest to really get to know you...and isn't afraid to call you out, if the need be!

I see it as, about the same relationship as between the gardner and the seedling...out of love and caring that seedling will grow and prosper and propogate...sharing the fruits of that relationship...long after the gardener is gone

The teacher and student is another age old tradition...and both know that those roles are interchangable many times along the way!

Let me ask you something...Why do you continue to say "I know nothing" when we both know that you do?

Is it a zen thing...a tethering tool to keep you humble...or a means to keep your audience guessing? Just curious here!

It's an idea that has crossed my mind when I was organizing the Martial arts trip to China. I wanted to gather a small group of people who are interested in the true and honest form of martial arts, not the modern standardized art form.

While I didn't even know where to start with getting the funding(we all had to pay our own way), it was interesting to see the outcome: 1)Some of the people who have expressed great promise and interest, those who talked up a storm, ended up backing out; some of the skeptics ended up coming, still skeptical, but made the trip. 2)Some asked so many questions about the trip, and was undecisive as well as wanting the agendas of the trip to match his or her wish, while others just got the dates, and asked about his or her own eligibility and just wrote the check and bought the plane tickets.

The whole planning and coordinating the trip was an eye-opener for me. I can't say that it didn't dampen my enthusiasm on finding people who are supposedly "like-minded". I bet though, if I HAD come up with funding for all who were interested, I'd have 4 or 5 times as many people as I had who actually came on the trip.

I guess what I'm saying is that like Sinahptik says, the selection process is best if kept a secret. There is a big music scholarship/competition that does its preliminary selection by having the secret board members nominate those they happen to hear and deem worthy of a grant.

"[QUOTE]Originally posted by oldhippy:

3. If grants were available to assist this independent seeker such as: matching cash grants for study or travel, or zero interest loans, what amount of financial assistance should these allotments be in?"

I read about a martial arts writer who wants to start a foundation for youngsters that requires them to train 9 months out of a year, and 10 years in a row. He was looking at getting $450,000 per year for 10 selected students.

I think the need is for the candidates to be assured that he or she wouldn't have to "get a real job" just to survive, and that the grant IS secured, but not un-checked. In the proposal for that particular program, I think it was stated that should the candidate decide to leave after just 3 or 4 years, (instead of going the full 10 years) the grant has to be paid back.


"..4. What would you think is the best way to promote a "seekers" foundation, to get the word out to that very rare individual this is designed for? .."

It is best not to promote the foundation lest it gets abused. I'm inclined to think that part of the path of a seeker includes overcoming the many obstacles, be they money, loved ones, delusions, distractions, weakness of the will....
If the path is correct, most likely this individual will come to the right place by some mysterious coincidences.


"...6. How would you best rate the sincerity of a potential grant or loan recipient?.."

I would try to determine if this person is just drunken with the "idea" of something, or if he or she is walking the talk.

quote:

Originally posted by oldhippy:
sinahptik

What does your screen name mean?...and why do you think a mentor would be so hard to find?

I see a mentor as simply someone who has gone down the path before you.

Someone who takes the time and interest to really get to know you...and isn't afraid to call you out, if the need be!

I see it as, about the same relationship as between the gardner and the seedling...out of love and caring that seedling will grow and prosper and propogate...sharing the fruits of that relationship...long after the gardener is gone

The teacher and student is another age old tradition...and both know that those roles are interchangable many times along the way!

Let me ask you something...Why do you continue to say "I know nothing" when we both know that you do?

Is it a zen thing...a tethering tool to keep you humble...or a means to keep your audience guessing? Just curious here!

my screen name is a play on the spelling of synaptic, or of the synapses. what i do is a result of synapse action in my brain, so it sums up all action, whether its words, or pedaling a bike.

i believe mentors would be difficult to find, only because its difficult to seperate out from "i" perspective enough to show someone how they can find things for themselves. a mentor, in my eyes, doesnt show answers, but how to find them. it seems a delicate art to me. i think someone who is "further down" that path is usefull, but not entirely necessary. since i believe all is a manifestation of truth, this results in equal opportunity in everything for "enlightenment," or jumping into the movement. i also think they need to have the ability to call one out, i even think it is crucial! the best mentors, i find, are "lower" manifestations of conciousness (trees, grass, wind, water, dogs, etc). they show you the way so magnificently. it seems to me everything is a mentor, but when you actually designate one, you have to use a little caution.

"i know nothing" is something ive discovered... i "know" my perspective relatively well, but it doesnt necessarily translate to other perspectives. by speaking, i automatically use my own limited definitions, on my perspective. then they are read, translated into that perspective context, and then comprehended. so, when it comes to other perspectives, i know nothing, because what i do know, cant necessarily be transferred to someone with "knowledge." more correctly, i should say "i know my perspective, but certainly not yours," but "i know nothing" has so much more impact about it, haha. another way to say it with the same feeling as im trying to communicate is "'i' know nothing." experiential transfer is another thing entirely though.

i really think the idea of a seeker seeker is a good one for finding people. those that should be found, will be found. this would also protect people from themselves, in a way. many would search out such an opportunity, not to "seek" but to get free money. this seeker "position" could also be another stage of training.

oldhippy, you have an IM!

quote:

Originally posted by HLing:
3. If grants were available to assist this independent seeker such as: matching cash grants for study or travel, or zero interest loans, what amount of financial assistance should these allotments be in?"

I read about a martial arts writer who wants to start a foundation for youngsters that requires them to train 9 months out of a year, and 10 years in a row. He was looking at getting $450,000 per year for 10 selected students.

I think the need is for the candidates to be assured that he or she wouldn't have to "get a real job" just to survive, and that the grant IS secured, but not un-checked. In the proposal for that particular program, I think it was stated that should the candidate decide to leave after just 3 or 4 years, (instead of going the full 10 years) the grant has to be paid back.

i didnt catch this the first time, for some reason, haha. i think thats a great idea, make it a commitment that you simply must take seriously. once youve gotten into it, it takes a price to get out of it. kind of like tough love. its like a lesson in itself, dont bite off more than you can chew, haha. in this way, there would be some benefit, even if they were doing it entirely for the money, i think they would still come out of the "program" as "better" human beings, although i still wouldnt think any sort of advertisement would be a good idea.. with these two safeguards, of sorts, one can be incredibly selective, with some of the best pertinent data possible. actually, its a beautifully balanced scenario, both have to choose the other. i think this would be the best test for this.

quote:

Originally posted by HLing:
checked. In the proposal for that particular program, I think it was stated that should the candidate decide to leave after just 3 or 4 years, (instead of going the full 10 years) the grant has to be paid back.

First of all, I've decided I'm not a 'true seeker'...as I do not really believe it's necessary to be lonely and disassociated from much of the rest of the world in order to find the truth. ;-) I think it's a delicate balance, though...not getting 'trapped' by much of society's material things/cultural things/etc etc. And also I'm not really a true seeker as defined in this thread, as I have no desire to leave my friends and loved ones simply for the sake of 'discovering the truth'...as for one, as I already said, I don't think it's an either/or situation, or it doesn't HAVE to be, and for another thing, I think a key component in life IS our relationships, and bringing others into life. Still think you're awesome though, oldhippy, and find this topic interesting to discuss!

Related to the quote above...it seems like 'forcing' a seeker to commit to a program for X number of years, or for X amount of time, goes against the whole idea of a seeker. What if the seeker realizes he must go down a different path after X number of years? Also, it seems to me that to be a true seeker, it would involve different styles/paths for each person......the time committment thing reminds me much of a more religious program, like becoming a buddhist monk or something.

Just my thoughts...

quote:

Originally posted by Eowyn218:

quote:

Originally posted by HLing:
checked. In the proposal for that particular program, I think it was stated that should the candidate decide to leave after just 3 or 4 years, (instead of going the full 10 years) the grant has to be paid back.

First of all, I've decided I'm not a 'true seeker'...as I do not really believe it's necessary to be lonely and disassociated from much of the rest of the world in order to find the truth. ;-) I think it's a delicate balance, though...not getting 'trapped' by much of society's material things/cultural things/etc etc. And also I'm not really a true seeker as defined in this thread, as I have no desire to leave my friends and loved ones simply for the sake of 'discovering the truth'...as for one, as I already said, I don't think it's an either/or situation, or it doesn't HAVE to be, and for another thing, I think a key component in life IS our relationships, and bringing others into life. Still think you're awesome though, oldhippy, and find this topic interesting to discuss!

Related to the quote above...it seems like 'forcing' a seeker to commit to a program for X number of years, or for X amount of time, goes against the whole idea of a seeker. What if the seeker realizes he must go down a different path after X number of years? Also, it seems to me that to be a true seeker, it would involve different styles/paths for each person......the time committment thing reminds me much of a more religious program, like becoming a buddhist monk or something.

Just my thoughts...

That's interesting how the 10-year thing can be looked on as a limitation being "forced" on someone while from the other side it can be seen as a promised security. Tells a lot about perspectives.

I agree that nobody ever really knows how long one can stay committed to something. The list of what-ifs is endless. I have to say though, that this martial arts program is just an example of a prototype. While it's tangible to say one will commit 10 years to learning a discipline such as martial art, music, gymnastics...etc., it is difficult to actually have an institution for the "seekers" of truth.

I can't SAY that I will committ to something like 8 hours/day, 9 months out of a year of truth-seeking, because
I think the lable will probably defeat the idea right then and there.

And yet, without saying so, I find that the constant doing, validating and seeking is 24 hour/365 days a year thing. As long as I'm breathing and living, I can't help but try to figure things out: not with just the brain, but with the whole being. No one tells me I HAVE TO do it, but just dare to stop me and I get all mopey and sad.

People seek truth through various disciplines such as music, art, physical/mind training. The chosen discipline is the medium for validating the Truth. The joy of figuring out you can, for example, apply a vocal technique to piano playing, or vice versa, and later to something like gymnastic, to meditating, to running...that joy is worth more than anything, "priceless", as the credit card commercial goes. Without the medium, without the application of living in this world, the Truth might as well be a bright and beautiful neon sign along with all the other lables, with perhaps a small inscription of "sponsored by so-and -so, or "brought to you by so-and-so.."

quote:

On top of this...it is a lonely road...for that same drive...that unquenchable "need to know", often leaves friends and loved ones in the dust for they just can't understand or relate to it!

For clarity to a recent comment: This does not mean a seeker must leave friends & loved ones behind...it means as you grow, those who remain "status quo" simply have a hard time relating to a seekers mentality!

status quo is: "Water seeking its own level"...which is a natural occurrence, but a seeker is more inclined to want to find that "waters true source."

A seeker is willing to leave behind the relative safety of the "status quo pool"...so it is natural that those who remain behind would have a hard time relating to it.

Why would anyone want to leave the pool????

However...I do feel encountering and understanding what loneliness is, is paramont to understanding what we are really doing here!

Thanks for clarifying, oldhippy. Now I can definitely understand that, and it makes perfectly good sense, and I think I would agree with that. I know I'm not status quo, and perhaps it's because I'm surrounded by (or have found people over time) friends who are like-minded, so I am under the impression that there are many out there, when the reality is that it is perhaps a small %, when I look at our nation as a whole, for example. (still conclude that I'm not really a 'true seeker' though!)

I've had much loneliness throughout my life, and no doubt will have more to come, but I believe I'm learning that I'm not truly lonely -- which is why I keep referring to the fact that there are many other like-minded individuals out there. I think loneliness is quite real for many folks (including me from time to time), but I think it's quite possible to move beyond that and see that it doesn't have to be the case...it just might take time to find others, or to..well, I know what I'm trying to say, just can't quite word it!

Sorry to derail from the main discussion of this thread.

Hey that's OK Lynn!

Maybe one of the self help assignments on the other "check this out" board should be...write a short essay on "loneliness-the upside and downside, from your personal perspective."

Here is a couple of clues for checking out this riddle....

Have you ever noticed how pain/discomfort is a motivater in humans?

Discomfort causes us to deal with matters we normally would rather not even think about. It causes us to want to take action!
It causes us to act!

..."Anything has got to be better than this!!!"

It's Almost like a cosmic poke in the ribs..."Accept this or deal with it!"

As we are "creatures of comfort"...without this crap side of life...would we even really want to grow or even "risk change?"

A few sayings on this point:

"When you got nothin...you got nothin to loose!"

"Been down so long...It seems like up to me now!"

[Perspective is everything!]

'From the bottom of the barrel...everything is up!"

I'll tell you this...my greatest fear was "loneliness"...but once I finally met it head on...I have never been lonely another day in my life!

Here is just two more for that sayings list:

"Loneliness has nothing to do with other people...but everything to do with me!"

"It takes real guts to admit we are lonely...but that is what makes us real!"

Hey...Should we start a new thread on this topic...it could be very therapeutic...as we all have to go thru it somehow?

Our vulnerabilities we share are what make us real!

[Most folks are too damn busy covering them up!]

"Our fears are our only real limitation in life."

There is real strength in admitting our weakness... Who would have thunk it?

To admit our shortcomings...is the start of overcoming them.

Am I full of crap today or what?

I'm glad I'm amongst friends here!!!! [lol!]

Howdy to All

I think a foundation is a great idea – good one Old Hippy.

At this stage it would be hard to put a figure on the number of true seekers but a way you could make a reasonable “guesstimate” would be to assume that Bootsnall website is a microcosm of the community – use the figure for the number of seekers on these columns divide by the figure for the number of bootsnall members and times by 100 – this would give a percentage.

It won’t be accurate for the entire community (people that don’t use computers, do not speak English) but it would give a reasonable idea.

For the promotion of foundation – I tend to agree with Hling – that the people are seekers they will overcome their own obstacles to find the foundation through their own means (if my old marketing manager hears this he would cringe) but the foundation needs to create “signposts” to guide and direct seekers to it.

I think the Internet is best way of making initial contact with people, having a website is the best way of sharing information on what the foundation is and what it offers. I also agree with Peacemaker in that self awareness gatherings is another place to find seekers – a profile of a seeker’s spare time needs to made and then it will be obvious how to market the foundation.

To offer financial assistance would involve large monetary resources for the initial period and should only be done if the foundation can sustain the basic operating costs and overheads for a reasonable period – otherwise as you say there will no foundation.

Some ideas for the criteria of selections should be:

That the purpose for the money will help the seekers quest for the truth
That the person has a shown that they understand the karmatic laws and that they have demonstrated honesty and have a history of good relations.

I think the amounts would be relative to the foundations bank account and to the seekers purpose.

I would personally be interested in a lenders library, workshops, mentor programs, classes, group dynamics and retreats. The prototype community sounds interesting – can you give more info?

I am also interested in helping.

Once again...I want to thank all of you above!

Hling...did I acknowledge and thank your input personally yet?

and a big howdy goes out to Howdy! Hows life on the road?

Howdy...just how would your old marketing teacher handle this assignment?

Eowyn...I'm glad you have returned! Just by being here you bring new inspiration to the boards...and remember never take a topic of conversation, that spins off into a didactic, personally.

You just bring up stuff that we all must think about and feel!

I need to post this so I can then see what questions I still need to address.