Impromptu #25 Exploring the kingdom of God

"I realised I no longer had to climb mountains or visit deserts to find the freedom I longed for. It was all within me. I thought, "Good heavens - this must be the kingdom of God!""
Producer: Phil Shankland, InSight New Media Productions Ltd
Location: Bakewell, UK
Date: September, 2019
Copyright: Spiritual Unfoldment Trust 2022
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[@aliceberethart]

We're all lost children in a world of darkness grasping for meaning and clarity, and whether we believe in a God or not or learned anything about ourselves is besides the point, we're here because John is the street lamp in the night that we step under to feel safe for but a brief moment.

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

Ooh - nice image Silvern: "John is the street lamp in the night that we step under to feel safe for but a brief moment." The image of a Hopper scene came to mind. Phil

[@patriciadeakin9367]

I love that too, I don’t meditate but I just love listening to John. He makes me feel safe.

[@MeVsTheWorld01]

Well beautifully said.

[@donmilo4733]

When you understand the dualistic mind then you will be set free

[@mbenjamin292]

If John is the street lamp but for a moment we can be the umbrella for others when it rains.

[@joes983]

3 yrs of listening to him. Mr Butler I enjoyed listening to you laugh “like a box of chocolates.”

[@geofftracy5401]

“Dementia…a blessing in disguise.For you and your first wife anyway” That is such an unkind thing to say.Do you realise what that lady has gone through to go full circle,back to the final stage of dementia,to arrive at infancy again.To lose what made her the person she was and be totally reliant on others.I remember you often said how horrible you were to each other at times.Probably because you only had each other to vent the emotions of frustration and anger at.But she stuck by you through thick and thin.And it was you who left her.Personally I thought she deserved a medal.Of course,I can only go by what I see and listen to on You Tube.Dementia,in my experience has stripped her of everything she was.I understand how you perceive her now.But that is in no way a blessing.Think yourself lucky that you have reached a good age,and still have all your faculties.The ability to express your beliefs,opinions,thoughts and feelings,wisdom even.That’s a true blessing Mr Butler!

[@mformother4449]

Totally agree.John was happy in his own solitary little world.But….he still wanted someone to cook and sew for him.

[@danobrien9925]

It was an absolute blessing being at this retreat with John.

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

Dan! Great to see you here in the comments! When are you visiting John in Bakewell? Phil

[@TheGammaQuadrant]

In the states, Texas. Would love to one day see and hear this gentle soul in person.

[@RJH_LIL]

Good morning John and Phil. From the US. I hope all the subscribers on here are having a blessed day as well.

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

Same to you RJ! Phil

[@monicaarcher7107]

Dear John, you amaze me. You are alive with so much wisdom, constantly alive with compassion.

[@MrRomanGladiator2503]

"When you have nothing to say, don't say anything." That's very wise, we all like to interact and speak to people and enjoy the presence of others, and we all talk a lot when we are around people, but we have to listen to ourselves and think twice before saying anything, our words have a power that we cannot understand. Thank you so much for everything you've taught us, John, I've been genuinely more peaceful after i came across your YT channel.

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

Thanks for your comment - John‘s first advice to anyone on retreat or visitors is “stop talking“. When you are talking, you are invariably not present. Phil

[@crickenbergerr]

I cannot emphasize enough how grateful I am to have discovered John nearly three years ago. His lessons and words have offered a consistent sense of peace and tranquility in my soul. Thank you John and Phil!

[@filthyE]

I couldn’t agree more 🙏

[@arnekronvall817]

I have a question for you John. Why are so many of us caught up with money for a safe future when the presence is right in front of us? How come we are willing to destroy nature for something we asume have value and will bring some sort of happiness, yet the oneness and formless is always there.

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

Thanks Arne. Suggestion: why don’t you record a little selfie video (landscape not portrait please) and ask him yourself? Phil

[@robertforsythe3280]

Humble Hearts are easy to identify. To listen to John is both like a special sedative that works on my mind, heart and soul. Kindness and knowledge of connection to Fathers Kingdom thru meditation. Thank you for sharing with all of us.

[@dudemonkfish4471]

When having a difficult time at work or in life, I turn to John and Phil to clear the clouds in my mind.

[@pablochacon6768]

I rly needed a new Video! Thanks, John and phill

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

You’re welcome. What is the ideal frequency? Phil

[@Rameman33]

Thank you John.

[@trudesquires1089]

Thank you, somehow doesn't seem enough 🙏 xxxxx

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

It’ll do! Phil

[@markgibbons2108]

Thank you after a week off people shouting at me for something I can't help them with I tried to explain problem but we'll then your word helps me think

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

Thanks Mark. Phil

[@SolzeyeJewels]

Oh Dear John, you are such a blessing to me. Thank you. ✨🥰

[@robbie6573]

I ❤ this man. He’s so inspiring

[@ThePsychedelicCinema]

Such perfect timing! Happy Sunday gentlemen and thanks for all you have done for us 🙏

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

Appreciated. Phil

[@tombell1932]

Thank you again Mr. Butler. Thank you too Phil👍🏼

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

You are very welcome. Phil

[@maiocean664]

How Soul refreshing ✨🌿😊 Thank you John and Phil and the air ☺️

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

You’re very welcome - it’s what we do. Phil

[@mailjeffwebb]

Wonderful, as always. I was interested in how John was using the word remember in the sense remember to come back to the light. This is close to a translation of the Pali word sati. Although this word is often translated to mindfulness, it can be taken to mean remembering to come back to the object of meditation in Buddhist style meditation. John's use of remembering is similar to this.

[@momwifesoulyoga1226]

We love you John! ❤️

[@k8eekatt]

Always good to remember, thank you

[@Adrian-vk5xl]

Using dementia as an example of the benefits of ego dissolution is like saying being burned at the stake during winter warms you up a bit.

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

Oof. Bit harsh? It’s a point though. Phil

[@aurocodes1340]

I enjoy your preachings

[@royalcityjazz]

Ah, something tells me that the most meaningful way to experience a room with John is to be found between 0:01 through to 1:10 in this video.

[@chubbyseal3625]

Your wisdom has enlightened so many people. Thank you for everything Phil and John. Can you tell him hello for me?

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

Thanks chubby - why don’t you write a message for John and send it to me and I will make sure he gets it. He reads everything. Phil@spiritual unfoldment.Co.UK. Phil

[@chubbyseal3625]

@@SpiritualUnfoldment Of course! Thank you very much.

[@chris21iv753]

This is pure gold. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[@456quip]

Just noticed your channel hit the 20 million view mark. 🎊 🎉 What a powerful milestone. May you keep reaching hearts!!! ❤

[@murdoch6738]

Hello ❤️ john. And thank you for the lesson today 🙂 Can you make a special video about ...your childhood....youth.....military... Marriage.....and sharing your family album with us ?

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

Thanks Murdoch - actually, we are halfway through a sort of biographical video with John. Phil

[@murdoch6738]

@@SpiritualUnfoldment that's awesome Phil 👌 🌹🌹🕺

[@trajanfidelis1532]

Thanks Mr. Butler

[@anotherbrickinthewall1169]

This was recorded in 2019, I hope he’s doing ok now ?

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

He’s rockin’ it. Phil

[@maiocean664]

So happy to read this ✨🤗

[@mmmfun77]

@@SpiritualUnfoldment Hi Phil! Thank you for all you do! ❤ from Arizona

[@mar1no124]

@@mmmfun77 Yuma county? 😁👋

[@G_truPrGrSv]

Yah he’s done plenty of videos throughout Covid

[@caroledrury1411]

Anyway when you do speak it is very comforting.

[@Imbetterthanpaulallen]

Hey Phil new to your channel you have an amazing voice. You should do a series reading the Bible and do episodes. I don’t know if that interests you. Just a thought, have a great day!

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

Welcome ATGV - Jones advice is very special and the ASMR audience love him for it. You may be interested to know that he is currently experimenting recording himself reading one of his books. Phil

[@simonw0131]

I would like to ask John a question if possible. Does John belive that there is a hell or anything similar that brings eternal suffering as punishment? The reasson am asking this is because it has always teared my faith apart over and over again. I just cant see how anyone could deserve eternal punishment. Many hugs to all of you ❤ -Simon

[@gretanavarauskaite2904]

❤❤❤

[@justiceforallcreation]

Please let John know that this one has had revealed unto them the Kingdom of God, which was realized by the help of his descriptions of Rest. All concepts are realized to be illusions. Everything is one in Christ. With all my Being and Love, ...

[@eternaltale6482]

This old man looks like a god! ☀️ ⛅🌩️🌧️🌈

[@marthasoler9751]

I love you

[@MarshallTheArtist]

Every time he goes still and silent I think that KZbin has glitched again.

[@LilianBrazil]

✨🙏🏻❣️

[@lauriemoore7220]

People with dementia can still feel fear, pain and unhappiness. Brain damage doesn't invalidate their emotions, and it's not 'fortunate', and it definitely isn't 'beautiful.'

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

Thanks Laurie - I can tell you speak from experience with someone. Actually, John‘s first wife Shirley had a stroke and hardly spoke again so strictly it wasn’t dementia as such. Phil

[@lauriemoore7220]

@@SpiritualUnfoldment That's ok. I'm sure he's not saying anything in bad faith, I just think, sometimes, he says silly things. Still, I suppose we all do.

[@mariloubluebell]

@@lauriemoore7220 Silly things? It’s actually a grave error. The point of the spiritual life is progression into transpersonal states of consciousness, not regression into demented states of consciousness.

[@lauriemoore7220]

@@mariloubluebell As to that, I don't know what the point of spiritual life is. All I know is that I don't like dementia and that hearing someone describe it as a positive made me bristle a bit. That's all.

[@moyaliatokmak759]

🍃❤️🍃

[@charlesmartinjr3971]

I hope to one day do one of your retreats, Sir. Though the US is a bit of a distance, so I won't hold my breath.

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

Hi Charles - you are welcome any time of course. Please note - there are no more organised retreats but John is welcoming visitors to silent meditation in church at Bakewell. See the visitors page on the website for details. Phil

[@solaris4015]

it starts at 0:00

[@todaynotnow]

Thank God for a Emma( mmm lady) free video!

[@zooologist]

I wished the audio was a bit better, there is a little bit to much bass.

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

I spent ages on this one! :-) Phil

[@TheSoteriologist]

12:38 He admits to having dementia ?

[@keanuxxx4582]

He means his ex wives.

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

His first wife, Shirley, had a stroke and hardly spoke again. I was there when it happened. Phil

[@TheSoteriologist]

@@keanuxxx4582 Oh, so he didn't say there _"We both have dementia"_ but _"...who... both of them have dementia"_ . He keeps mumbling into his beard.

[@TheSoteriologist]

@@SpiritualUnfoldment But he says _"both"_ and according to Keanuxxx he means both of his wives. Didn't know he was married twice.

[@skooma4878]

Skooma

[@wallsits9194]

Don’t make me tell the guards

[@meanstreak5453]

Do come back.

[@Sebastian-yy1ro]

.

[@goosieschmoo8239]

Mixing psychology with Christianity is not a good idea. You can't mix the doctrine of man and the doctrine of God and expect God to honor that.

[@alexhurricanelowe7867]

A great man 👍🙏🙏

[@dopaminabitches]

Please mr recorder and uploader do something with the audio, John's voice is almost indiscernible, too much bass, its a pity to miss out these words. Thank you, God bless

[@SpiritualUnfoldment]

Hi dopamine - Mr Recorder and Mr Uploader here. I feel a bit miffed, to be honest - I’ve paid particular attention to John’s voice on this one as he is very softly spoken. I’m sorry you found it too low and bassy. Phil

[@williamoarlock8634]

'The kingdom is within' hence Christianity being navel-gazing.

[@seanburdelik5216]

Hey John drink some godamn water , you sound like you haven't drank anything in a week

[@MarshallTheArtist]

😂