Impromptu #10 Nothing in it for 'me'

In this breakfast chat at One Castle Street John shares some insights on the practice of meditation, including the Jesus prayer. "It's not what we get out of it ... it's what we lose." There's no compulsion in spiritual practice. God calls us, but the choice is ours. "Come unto me", says Jesus, "and I will give you rest." Gracious thanks once again to our retreat guests Declan, Scott, Rachel, Rose, Jacqui, Emma and Gabriella.
Did you know you can now listen to John on Spotify and other audio platforms? Here is his most popular recording 'Common sense guide to meditation' (1m views) - ffm.to/commonsenseguidetomedi....
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Those wanting more detailed accounts of John's life experience - the formative influences, which have taught and made him what he is, will find it in his 7 published books, available through the website: www.spiritualunfoldment.co.uk/store.
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Producer: Phil Shankland
Music: Schubert Impromptus D.899 No.3
Copyright: John Butler/Phil Shankland 2021

[@ianc93]

I would love to spend time with John in person. But if nothing else, I'd like to comment on how wonderful I find him to be, and Phil as well

[@gdavid4509]

In quiet Bakewell you bring us the world. Amazing

[@kennethjames5373]

Why should I be brought to tears by this young woman’s singing? I don’t know, but I was, and I am grateful. A beautiful video.

[@Its_Me_Romano]

Sounded like a star wars alien song

[@SovereignSpirit444]

These messages are my golden treasure. I just let them come to me and it’s the perfect message needed each time. Would love to own all the books Mr. Butler has written. When he bubbles up with joy and content and his cheeks turn pink- fills my heart right up 🤗💖

[@masterofyoi8899]

I'm an atheist but I love hearing him talk about Jesus and God

[@anguskerr7665]

Good to see you are spiritually enlightened.

[@LessbetterJoe]

same here, phenomena...

[@martaaldama6419]

What a lovely song/prayer. Thank you, Gabrielle, John and Phil.

[@whitecrane9433]

John always points me back to the path of light, of God. The way of beauty, of love, of purification and freedom from the snares of the world. Bless you John, and Phil who helps him. Love to All

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

Bless you too. Phil

[@moyaliatokmak759]

☀️

[@caitlyn7310]

John butler teaches me something every time, I had so many realizations about myself In the first 8 minutes

[@anthonyphillips2874]

Thank you John and Phil, I can't tell what these mean to me in what I am going through now, best wishes.

[@gdavid4509]

The musician of your same name writes songs as beautiful as John’s talks.

[@anthonyphillips2874]

@@gdavid4509 I noticed that just today and was listening on KZbin.

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

Thanks Anthony - how were we to know that these simple chats would find such a wide audience. Phil

[@davidg7913]

Happy birthday John 🎂

[@yogawithhelen3185]

thank you john LOVE THE ONE WHO LOVES THE ONE.LOVE TO ALL .LOVE ALL AS ONE

[@anamarie8]

There is a book about the Jesus Prayer called "The Way of a Pilgrim/The Pilgrim Continues His Way" translated from Russian by R.M. French(1954)

[@garycox3841]

Yes, one of my favorite books 🙏💚

[@Herkimerdiamond]

Thank you dear John...it’s beautiful when you say that “we for ourselves cannot do anything.” It washes the pain in my back and the sense of “I must do everything to get things well.” And the sense of lost I feel all the time. Thank you so dearly for your words... thank you 🙏

[@Drumsnelson93]

What an amazing talk. I see john as one of my lifelong teachers.

[@pokedez5570]

John is one of a kind. Would love to meet him one day

[@anitasonatina9570]

Низкий поклон и благодарность to you John! Your presence makes me feel safe in the world. Thank you Phil for making all this possible, giving John the field in which he can still pursue his devotion of being a farmer - now sowing seeds of love and wisdom, disseminating these far and wide, planting patience and peace into our hearts, so many hearts. I would also like to thank all of John's enthusiastic followers, my brothers and sisters. We are sprouting into the light on John's field, growing slowly as we bathe in his sunlight, and drink his rain. May we grow strong, and bring forth much fruit to delight John in his richest harvest.

[@RJH_LIL]

Good morning everyone. At least where I am.

[@miriamtuazon8532]

“It’s not what we get, it’s what we lose.” Thank you for your wisdom , John, and for your humility in sharing about your lowest point in life which made it possible for wisdom to be one of your most personal gems.

[@jennifermechling3617]

Not only does his voice calm me but I learn so much. Love him!

[@radhikaschwartz3499]

My understanding of “a sinner” is one totally identified w duality so our thoughts and acts are always self centered and ego based .

[@aggelos8256]

Thats 100 correct

[@elenastubo]

I understand the concepts, but no one gave the whole of humanity a manual to understand it and then fail to follow the right path... I am 53, with almost all these years searching for God. Only because I am open minded and searching, reading, listening to great saints and masters I’ve had the opportunity to understand our purpose here. I still struggle with the sin concept, it seems so unfair to humanity as a very hole.. 🌹 Elena

[@lukas.frunek]

@@elenastubo On the "manual of the world", maybe In the Light of Truth: The Grail Message (by Abd-Ru-Shin) could help?

[@FearTec]

Hello from Australia

[@hightower6546]

Thank you, John.

[@alejandropinero-delgado351]

This man is truly wised... his words are full of knowledge, cared and full of hope! I can say this man is surely a man of God!

[@jameshetfield5894]

Beautiful humans in this video. Thank you, as always, for the inspiration🕊

[@davidkeplinger3236]

“It’s not what we get...it’s what we lose.” And then the silence in the room that followed. Because the teaching is about surrender to helplessness. I’m sure in all our Western minds we were thinking John would say, “it’s what we give.” But it is this surrender to the losing and this throwing off of costumes, down to the sackcloth, that makes our lives holy. Thank you John.

[@tomekgorniak]

Thank you. God bless you.

[@jaymistry2585]

Thank you John for this advise I am comforted after reciting the Jesus prayer , it has given me rest in humility . It has encouraged me to adhere to the discipline of sticking to my “times of rest” , my meditation practice Life really has so many twists and turns , all out of my control , humility helps me surrender and stop trying to control the flow of life Always looking away from the light , good to turn back towards it using the Jesus prayer 🙏🏻 thank you so much John I love your honesty and groundedness , it helps ground me too. “Feet on the floor bottom on the chair 🪑 “. God bless you

[@jessicapierre1539]

John, I discovered all your meditation videos a few weeks back and it seems like it fixed me in more than one way. I had never heard about ASMR until listening to you. This video really touched me the most. You are offering a spiritual view, even that of our Lord and Saviour’s directions for our lives… I heard you talk about Yeshua before but today was the first time I had an ASMR physical reaction listening to your voice. This could happen if I hear a beautiful rendition of a great piece of music but it takes a lot to get me to feel this tingling listening to someone talking. It’s happened exactly when you said the sinners’ prayer with such humility. No tears… just that tingling sensation. You gave me great courage to face my life s difficulties. I thank you so much brother John and ultimately God for your mission. You are amazing and I will keep praying for The Holy Spirit will keep you healthy for many years to come! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

Wow. Lovely to hear that. Welcome to Mr Nothing. Phil

[@ChixanTiklePGM]

Happy birthday John :)

[@infernafirestein]

How nice! I really enjoyed this.

[@amangill1983]

So, I was write about this lady chanting Sanskrit Shaloks on KZbin. She is enchanting just like you John 😊

[@jameshetfield5894]

Yes, I agree, it was wonderful😊

[@darrinnaquin143]

You were Right. Praying for all of you who need meaning in your lives so badly that you create it in this man's "philosophy." Humility is a beautiful thing and his is a beautiful life but please dig deeper my friends - there is nothing here.

[@gongusdeedeetow1510]

@@darrinnaquin143 I don't understand what you're getting at if you're some fundamentalist Christian these people believe and worship jesus too.

[@gongusdeedeetow1510]

Do you know the song name?

[@amangill1983]

@@gongusdeedeetow1510 Sadly, I don’t at this moment.

[@patrickgoff6512]

you are the epitome of a man who has made good use of this incarnation. you inspire me to continue my spiritual journey. your words and presence are brightly lit road signs

[@foreigndaruma9825]

On a complete side note, I recently read that John Sergeant, the journalist, has a similar background to John, in that his mother was Russian(and also a missionary) and his father English. I couldn't help but think that would be a very interesting conversation.

[@danielm.taddeo2186]

Thank you Phil

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

You’re welcome. Phil

[@ForrestLove705]

Gabrielle, you're with John! X

[@lodewijklangeweg742]

"What He was, He laid aside; what He was not, He assumed. He takes upon Himself the poverty of my flesh so that I may receive the riches of His divinity." ~(St.) Gregory of Nazianzus ❤️

[@arnekronvall817]

This is lovely

[@kaywoodparsons1874]

The "Jesus prayer" Is also known as the "Sinners Prayer" in western cultures. Taken from Psalms 51. Also the prayer of repentance, to ask Jesus into your heart and be Lord of your life, to forever follow him and serve him.

[@marzdizzy5174]

U guys have gotten me out of my funk listening to y’all has saved me after my mom died

[@monicaarcher7107]

John, sitting in the park or countryside I feel I can open up a bit to that "blue sky" above the clouds. But a lot of the time I am of necessity indoors or walking very uninteresting streets -alongside traffic! Or shopping or babysitting. Trying to stay aware of the sky is harder then... Have to be focussed, have to pay attention. But how to feel peace? How to be sure I am that peace at all times?

[@panicholson]

Dear John, can you please define what you mean by the word "sin?" In Archery, "sin" means "to have missed the mark." You mentioned in this talk "impurity" as "sin." I think my Catholic upbringing shed a great judgement on this word. I have a bit of trouble calling myself a "sinner." Or anyone else for that matter. When I pray the "Hail Mary," I replace 'lovers' for 'sinners' at the end; "Hail Mary full of Grace, pray for us 'sinners' / 'lovers' - now and at the hour of our death. Amen. I figure that millions of people who say this prayer daily use the word 'sinners' - that Mary won't mind my saying 'lovers' instead. After all, lovers are potentially the biggest sinners. I'd love to hear from you about this. Thanks so much. Pat Nicholson

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

Thanks for your comment - an interesting one. John often refers to “sin“ as turning away from the light so repentance is turning back to the light. The whole notion of sin could do with further explication. Phil

[@TheSoteriologist]

Heaven must be when even this channel calms down a bit.

[@fairweatherfriends.]

Lol . Damn ....

[@markusmeyer6391]

Dear Phil, dear John, could you please speak of the system of justice of the lord? I was told that this system is absolutely perfect without aggression whatsoever. Whatever is lost in this pseudo-reality is gained in the reality. And that's why we sometimes don't get that satisfaction for justice as we understand it. But sometimes, our intentions are different, and that's what's condemned in the system of justice of reality. To sum up, I kindly request that you speak of justice. Sincerily, Meriem

[@martinfranke8866]

I love you!

[@johnbunyon399]

Wotta nice gentleman!

[@lennysetser2045]

Could you please ask John what his thoughts are on addiction and the impact that it's had on humanity.

[@ThatWeirdGuyFromWork]

I’m not going to lie, I’m a bit of an egotistical person. I look forward to gaining some wisdom from this one so I can work on that aspect of myself.

[@themax316]

Takes a big person to say that. Respect.

[@TheBaldyheed]

As well as John mate, try Eckhart Tolle too.... These two men changed my life 👌🏻

[@everyone8043]

This man can teach, but he can't give you the experience. That is what you need to do for yourself. Knowledge+ experience=wisdom.

[@Ymiraku]

I personally do not like the term 'sinner' but that is just a preference thing. It has too much dogmatism associated with it. Actually loved this talk though and hearing your words, especially when you said that its not about what you get, but what you lose.

[@moyaliatokmak759]

🦋

[@OisinHendriX]

XD XD XD " This is the arm of Flesh..." I love you John... you're absolutely amazing and I have a terribly gross mind.

[@nobodyreally]

🌻

[@amangill1983]

She is talking about death in her mantra

[@gongusdeedeetow1510]

Do you know the name of the song?

[@amangill1983]

@@gongusdeedeetow1510 Sadly, I don’t at this moment.

[@jpmarques7]

Does anyone know what was the actual meditation school where John learned how to meditate? What tradition is it? I’m quite curious

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

JP - it is the London School of Meditation which is still active. The founder was I believe an Advaita teacher called Shankaracharya. Phil

[@jpmarques7]

@@SpiritualUnfoldment Thank you. Now I’m even more curious about Shankara. And thank you for your great questions and interviews/ talks with John. I’m a journalist (very much interested in spiritual matters) and that looks like a dream job :) Best regards

[@micheledeidda2565]

soon we'll see Mr Butler presenting in tv

[@RoryInc]

It’s sad how a wise man like this will pass soon

[@gordonthomson7533]

"Soon"? Are you speaking relative to an average baby?

[@wmalgal]

Nobody knows the hour... Except the Father...

[@0reozsgaming995]

For someone who denigrates “the ego” as much as Bolton does, he is quite the most self-centred and self-absorbed of human beings.

[@Aaron-ul1tp]

Who?

[@darrylschultz6479]

Why should he be described in negative terms when it's only because he's been inclined to deeply examine life that he's now able to offer words of wisdom that many people say have helped them cope with various psychological difficulties in their lives?

[@jc8258]

Thursday May 13th 2021 12:17 p. m.

[@LBStirlo]

He is 110 percent Costa del blowfly

[@scotttimmins5297]

I always enjoy listening to John speak, but man, you folks need to hire a competent sound man.

[@lyndahayley7382]

Look for the good always.

[@elenastubo]

Dear John I still struggle with the affirmation of humanity as being ‘sinners’, as if we are ‘to blame’ for the misfortune of not being able to grasp the reality of being ourselves the highest manifestation of GOD; of not being able to find the purpose of our time in this world and finding the path intended for us. It seems terribly unfair. Still, I think total surrender is the only solution, but I intellectually resist as it resonates to catholic fundamentalism. Would you be kind enough to try to explain ‘original sin’ in a way that doesn’t make me feel a bit resentful, please? With love and great respect. 🌹 Elena

[@johnstewart7025]

If I could offer an opinion: there is no inconsistency between being a sinner and being "the highest manifestation." Honesty (in humility and love) means we learn the truth about ourselves, in our human glory and faults.

[@elenastubo]

@@couchconcerts thank you so much for your answer, but... at what point did we became sinners, or at what point did we started looking through the eyes of ego into the dark of the world? If one is to follow evolution, we see that awareness of oneself and others starts ( and still is found today in many animals capable to form attachments and love) at some point when the brain develops enough. Yet, our brain is design first for survival, so if someone else is coming to kill your family, you kill them first! We are able to love and to hate for but it is not entirely in our hands to choose which one, it will only depend on the environment. No one has giving us a manual to ‘know better and follow the righteous path’. There is only a few lucky individuals scattered through history who had an innate bigger picture, awareness or understanding to strive for the higher purpose, as well as those who follow any particular religion and were able to simply trust (surrender) and accept the world, injustice etc as it is, knowing that there are infinitely more important directions (unity with GOD) who have ‘got what it is all about’ ( and really it is not the world in which we live in). What about the 99% of humans in history? Not a chance. That’s why I think it is not fair. It seems to me like a bad practical joke. With respect Elena🌹

[@elenastubo]

@@johnstewart7025 thank you so much for your answer, I do completely agree with you, but still have trouble with my question: John states that we have turned away from the light and are looking into the darkness side of the world... when did that happened? The laid man, the evolving man doesn’t know any better.. is it a privilege for the few ( perhaps I could include myself here, as I see it clear, which is the first step... not that I am any better than the rest) Ego=living with darkness, living as sinners vs. Awareness/union with God= the realisation that this is our purpose on earth. It just doesn’t compute, plz read my answer above.. E🌹

[@johnstewart7025]

@@elenastubo perhaps the sin is trying to use reason to answer a question when we have to accept life as it is.

[@elenastubo]

@@johnstewart7025 provably yes. The more and more I am inclined to believe that for the ‘more aware’, for the searcher who starts to understand God and the world, the sin is carrying on ‘engaging’ and ‘resisting’ evil, carrying on judging and condemning others, so never stoping generating hate and resentment within ourselves. Trust in God, surrender to Him: all is well. If he allows what happens in the world, we are no one to condemn it. Thank you John. I must just drop it! With respect 🌹E

[@kevingalgano7817]

Pope John

[@jamesbullard4897]

Luke 21-25-26

[@DJSwezzleMusic]

27:15

[@randybackgammon890]

Am I the only one who finds John's view of 'fallen' humanity profoundly disableing. He seems to think we are to blame for everything yet can take credit for nothing.He sounds profound but if you actually analyse what he says a lot(not all)of it simply dosen't stack up

[@PB-mo1fs]

It doesn't stack up for YOU perhaps. Although I have doubts over your supposed analysis. If it doesn't work for you - move on.

[@anthonyphillips2874]

I feel fallen humanity doesn't have to be a negative thing, we have come into being, taken form, so are temporarily disconnected. Look up Eckhart Tolle's video on form and formless. Try one John Butler's talks when he is out in nature, they have a lovely atmosphere, Naturally from five months ago is a good one.

[@randybackgammon890]

@@anthonyphillips2874 Greetings.Yes John's nature videos are lovely,especialy when he pauses and the music of the wind in the trees cuts through. You can almost hear the silence speaking. That said I simply don't agree with EVERYTHING John(or any teacher I've yet come across)says. Many have expierencses but who among us is pure enough to articulate the truth perfectly? From John's many tales of his colourfull adventures I feel he's a high ranking aspirant rather than a Buddha.Course I could be wrong,and it would be arogant to a summer otherwise....Namaste

[@Ethan-fn5eb]

How much money do we need to raise for charity for John to shave his beard?

[@TheSoteriologist]

He'd lose half of his following :D

[@Ethan-fn5eb]

@@TheSoteriologist we would love him even more

[@TheSoteriologist]

@@Ethan-fn5eb Of course, _"we"_ being a small subset of the other half ;)

[@lyndahayley7382]

Love his beard !

[@randybackgammon890]

44.20 'nameless and formless which we can call God'.Perfect example of many of Johns statements that simply don't add up. I'm not here to pic holes but as John's frequently pauses to ask us to consider his staments I'm not going to nod like some Churchill dog all the time.

[@mailjeffwebb]

Thus is a very common form of expression when talking of God. God, being infinite, is beyond any particular form or name.

[@randybackgammon890]

@@mailjeffwebb But you've just named it!...and given HIM a white beard in the process. It's like the Jesus prayer, it imidiatley conceptualises the infinite...I know it's all semantics but unless we are precise it's easy to get hold of the wrong end of the stick when trying to spred the word about the peace which passeth all understanding.I don't dought it exists,my issue is with other mens say so about its relationship to practicle living

[@PB-mo1fs]

@@randybackgammon890 Ugh, your faux intellectualism is so boring. I'm guessing you're some GCSE religious studies pupil. That's certainly how you come across. The ego John talks about has rendered you incapable of recognising that your inability to understand is just that - YOUR inability to understand. Plenty of other people do understand.

[@randybackgammon890]

Yea,and the King has got no clothes for those 'wise enough' to see it

[@mailjeffwebb]

@@randybackgammon890 I agree that it is difficult to talk about. Ultimately these things cannot be named and are beyond conceptualisation. Analogy and metaphor can be helpful. Words are not to be taken as direct explanations - the philosopher Korzybski, even regarding material things, said something like this: whatever we say a thing is, it isn't, it is more than that and different from that. One analogy that is given in Buddhism is this: the words are attempts to point to meaning but are not themselves the whole thing (well it is actually beyond any one thing, anyway); the analogy then is that if we point to the moon then that it is the pointer but it does not mean that the finger itself is the moon. Here is a quote from the famous Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanah: "the teaching is merely a vehicle to describe the truth. Don’t mistake it for the truth itself. A finger pointing at the moon is not the moon. The finger is needed to know where to look for the moon, but if you mistake the finger for the moon itself, you will never know the real moon. The teaching is like a raft that carries you to the other shore. The raft is needed, but the raft is not the other shore. An intelligent person would not carry the raft around on his head after making it across to the other shore. ... my teaching is the raft which can help you cross to the other shore beyond birth and death. Use the raft to cross to the other shore, but don’t hang onto it as your property. Do not become caught in the teaching. You must be able to let it go"