Are you lonely? 

Thank you, Matthew

Matthew, nice profile pic man

Breathtaking ❤️

I wondered what I was dealing with. Thank you for sharing this.

Amen.Thank you!

Hi David - if I remember correctly Jesus was a rider on the storm telling the disciples cowering in the safety of their boat to 'not be troubled'. We all love our coracles. Phil

Hi Tim. So am I ... from time to time. I am trying a new antidote in my meditations - I repeat "just this stillness" and my sense of being a separate 'lonely' soul dissolves. Not all the time but it often. What's your antidote? Phil

@@SpiritualUnfoldment Hello, I’m not sure if you are still replying to comments from years back, but with so much going on I hope that you will have time to clear my thoughts a bit. It’s rather difficult to type what I feel without giving due context, but I’ll try my best to keep it short and will be fully honest. I’m 18, my life as I see it now has been sad. Miserable even, yet I’m afraid to pity it when I think about it. I was, thankfully, born in a loving and wealthy family. My grandparents were hard workers and had climbed the ladder to reach the point in which they were. Very wealthy family in my home country. My father, even though he used to have a lot of money as the son of my grandfather; it is a given that he had some part in the family business, never could afford much in comparison to his brothers. They usually dealt with coffe farms, and animal farms. Owned large portions of lands and whatnot. And that was their thing. Years past, my dad re-married my mother, and I was born. We lived along with my mother in my grandfather’s house. It had plenty of rooms to spare so some of my father’s brothers lived there as well. It was indeed cozy per se. Except for the fact that, and maybe I realized this after moving to the US, I was looked as inferior to my cousins my age. Around 7 or 6 years old I was since I got to the same school my closest cousin was at. We were raised together and everything, so I was very clingy the first days of school. And we were good like young kids are. Devoid of any bad thought at the time. We were in a catholic school, a very strict catholic school, and so it was really a first. Time passed, and I started noticing the preferences of my friends. I had friends. Good kids and stuff, but like everyone, they had preferences. And when I was younger, I tried so hard to fit the image of a wealthy guy, which in return turn me into a dick. I cried a lot. I wasn’t spoiled, yet wanted everything for myself. Some more time passed and the age where you start throwing offensive jokes back and forth started. And even though it was back and forth, no one ever had my back. I was expendable. I felt like I could be replaced at any time, and so I did dumb stuff to grab the attention of my peers as often as I could. This costed me my little reputation I had. Worst thing is, my classmates were still choosing other people over me in anything they did; class groups, soccer teams, etc. I was jealous of the way they all fitted in so well. And I’m sure it isn’t truly like that and they all had hardships and doubts about themselves in some ways, or it could possibly be the other way around and I was the only one who felt casted aside every single day my life. At home, my cousins from my father’s side treated me shitty. They made it clear how much more charming others were than me. By then, I was still somewhat of an asshole trying to grab attention. I wasn’t deliberately bad, or trying to hurt anyone, but I was so afraid to lose my friends that I got stuck pretending to be an imbecile. 7th grade was my last year in that school as well as in that country. I started over in New Jersey. A new language to learn, even though my previous school thankfully covered english pretty well so I didn’t had much trouble learning it practically from there. I didn’t have a phone yet, so I couldn’t chat with anyone even if I wanted to. Years passed, I got plenty of friends, even though they were ghetto and liked smoking and stuff, I was willing to give into peer pressure in order to fit. My personality through those years was a really shy and quiet one. For the first time I was considered the smart one. But it was too quiet, and I was too insecure. My self-esteem dropped even lower when they diagnosed me with pectus carinatum. A chest deformity. It isn’t that noticeable, but I was so afraid of being hugged or tapped near my chest. I hated my body. I felt terrible and had to pass up many chances to make friends with people, or strengthen my bond with my current group. Imagine your whole life feeling undervalued and worthless and then suddenly you get thrown even lower. I hided the small bump in my chest as best as I could with my school shirt and jackets. I dated two people throughout four years, but they all ended in a few weeks due to me being self-conscious and not trusting my partners. Also had to do with me messing up my mind into believing that women would drop you and choose someone else over you if you’re aren’t good enough. And since I was never good enough, I didn’t want the responsibility. And that was my most noticeable insecure phase of my life. Then, I moved again. Lost all my friends again when I moved to Texas. I had low energy, and so little expectations. Plus, I was already finishing up the last two years if high school so making friends was hard. I still did make friends though. Spanish speaking friends were easier to make than someone who spoke english, even though I grow up to be fluently, I was still scared of speaking. Of being judged by others. Then quarantine happened. It was a good two weeks before I realized how lonely I was. I always felt like that. Not because I didn’t have people to hang out with, but because I realized how much of a bad person I was. Always cringy and stuff. That became unimportant a few months in though, and I cried every night thinking why wasn’t I good enough. I hardwired myself to believe that I was meant to be alone, but regardless, had to suffer. I couldn’t whine to anyone because I wasn’t suffering enough to be noticeable, so I bottled it up. My frustration, my anguish, my desire to disappear. It felt like I’ve been playing a character that I disliked all those years, and now can’t go back to change it even though I wish I could. I always feared being one of God’s 99 white sheeps that get abandoned because he went looking for that black one that went astray. I didn’t go astray, I stood good, with principles my father and mother had inculcated me since my early years. I self-criticize myself so much but knew I was a good person. And I fear that because I don’t wanna be mistaken about me being good. So I just say I’m not good enough yet. It feels so familiar the feeling loneliness and wretchedness that I know that everything I do, every decision I make will have a bad outcome. Or I don’t know. I don’t know if I explained myself like I wanted to through here, or if you understood what I said like I wish you would. I don’t know what I want. And I’m scared. I don’t know where to go anymore, because I fear life will just push me back down. I’m the kind of guy that will never get out of that dark abyss, and is aware of that, but keeps going with good morals. In a way, I love that. I love that I can love and feel sympathy for others. That I suffer for others. But it still hurts and makes me even more confuse about myself. Am I good person? And if so, what now? I don’t expect a reward, in all honesty, but I surely didn’t expect to live such sadness.

@@SpiritualUnfoldment Phil, "just this stillness" is a profound and very useful comment. Thank you. "This"...💖

Thanks Graeme - you echo my growing experience. I am fortunate sitting with John. Phil

Thank you for your reply Phil and your lovely interviews with John. I feel that John's deep presence and stillness is a homing beacon for the higher self, evident by the profound effect he has had on a large number of viewers. His luminescence triggers a dormant, non-conceptual awareness deep within, that viewers may find difficult to explain with the limited conceptual, thinking mind. It's a non-conceptual knowing that says "yes this is it". To paraphrase John, to be be whole, first be whole. The higher self and liitle self come together.

We need to hear more from you sir! Are you a writer?

Graeme Very, eloquently written.

How lovely Grace - evidently a lifetimes unfolding. And your particular path? Phil

Grace Sanity: Very deep wisdom, explained so well This path is a tender, gentle one -- beginning with being very gentle with oneself. "Solitary time is vital to break all externals dependencies that hold you trapped." In my late 30s I finally realized, through lots of relationship loss and heartache, that my dependence upon people lead to unhealthy "people-pleasing", unrealistic expectations of others, and the loss of myself. After years of unhealthy, miserable looking to others to fulfill my love needs, I was led to solitude and eventually, freedom and real, lasting love, from within. Thank you for your beautiful comment.

Resident Evil That’s hilarious 😂I’m glad I must have thought of it because you are imaginary also.

Lmao

MichelleObama isAman No u

@Lloyd Christmas >when you like your own comment.

@@tony8399 you are why i agree with lloyd

See you soon! Phil

Glad you find them helpful ... and hopefully not without humour. :-) Phil

Small point but manual focus too - the tiniest movements can make the focus re-adjust otherwise. Thank you again. I will make a donation on Paypal on the link above, as I think anybody who offers constructive comments should consider if they are able!

Thanks Kwipper. I will. You're right - I used the noise reduction in iMovie edit at about 50% to try and quell the noise of two grass mowers outside!! :-( But it does degrade John's voice. I might try swapping his Aputure lav mic for my Sony lav mic next time - the Aputure is better sound quality actually but on the new setup the level is quieter whereas the Sony is brighter. I use a Rode 2-into1 adapter - both lav mics go into my iPhone using FilmicPro app which lets me set the level - but John's sounds lower to me. Phil

Aha! Thanks Svonkie - I wondered why the focus kept re-adjusting itself! I've just started using FilmicPro (amazing app at $39) and need a bit more practice. Big thanks for the donation by the way - it really does help. Phil

And you’re welcome.

@@SpiritualUnfoldment I'd also consider the level your mics are picking up sound; I'd put it to low.

It's coming

Spiritual Unfoldment Thank you.!Really looking forward to it🙂

I feel the same, homosexuality is gay

That's exactly the same here...glad to hear it...Papaji said...don't land anywhere. We make it into an object. We are the subject. Namaste. Thankyou

I remember that. I think only myself and Jon commented on it. It was a great question tho. 👍

you're the one they got the idea from? they took their video idea from "shit face"? lol

@@DT_Worlds_Strongest_Goth my name wasn't shit face when i commented back then no need to be mean

Yes - thanks, Shit Face. Phil

You can ...

@@SpiritualUnfoldment how?

John would say we are one in spirit - no separation. Phil

"In a flash". Give me a flash! I must have put the time in by now! ;-) Phil

@@SpiritualUnfoldment watch my play list B Vernon Howard he woke me up in 2005 👍

@@SpiritualUnfoldment I mean my A list 👍☮️

Somnogenesis 4 Yes I liked it when he zoomed in a bit more on John. It almost seemed like they should have been sitting in the others place, since the camera is on John more often and that beautiful wood was behind Phil. But I am not very visual so I wouldn’t know. I am, however , a sound guy, and one of the mics has always had a filter on it. Even from the early videos before they were RU-vid stars 😊. It may be noise reduction or some kind of eq that isn’t set right. Usually Phil has it, but this time it was John. I can’t imagine how difficult it is to shoot in the church, having to set up and break down each time. It would be tough, frustrating even, for one man to do all of that and get everything just right. I don’t envy Phil that part.

@@fairweatherfriends. Absolutely, I'm assuming Phil does it all solo so it's a terrific effort always whatever our little quibbles! That's interesting what you say about the mics, I couldn't put my finger on it but you obviously have the ears for these things 👂 👂

Somnogenesis 4 - thanks for your thoughtful and encouraging observations. I agree about the closer focus on John - it's more intimate. I'm much too 'in yer face' - I've only just realised why: I've changed from using 2 cameras on tripods at equal distance from the speaker to using only an iPhone and FilmicPro app - so I have to change from front to rear cameras on the app ... which means I need to be in reaching distance!! Fairly basic stuff. I need to use a second iPhone or ... hang on ... I may be able to use my iPad as a remote control and keep my distance. Watch this space. Phil

Super Glued - thanks again. You have good ears. I do use noise reduction in iMovie edit which dampens the voices. Because we are not in a 'controlled' studio environment there are extraneous noises in church in the background which I know people notice and find distracting - on this video there were two noisy grass mowers in the graveyard! You're right - it is a pain to set up and break down each time - although it is simpler now that I've started using 1 x iPhone instead of 2 x cameras/near field monitor. Phil

Spiritual Unfoldment with John Butler well we appreciate it Phil. Many of us really enjoy Jon’s voice, so maybe it’s possible to reduce the filters? Or just turn it off and we will deal with the lawnmowers. LOL. Thanks for all the hard work

Thanks Matthew. Are you friends with Aphrodite? Phil

Spiritual Unfoldment She’s one of my patrons. Lovely lady. Always going on about beauty and presence. 😊

Steve McCarty Hi Steve - you must be a mind reader. John has recently recorded a conversation around ‘why do bad things happen to good people’ so you may find that near the mark. Phil

Norman TV Hi there! If you wish to meditate within the Christian Tradition (although you can do so within other tradition or none at all) I strongly recommend you do some research on Thomas Keating (Centering Prayer) and on one of the strong advocates of CP, Cynthia Borgeault. Search videos with Cynthia in RU-vid. Other names within the Contemplative Christian Tradition: Laurence Freeman, John Main, Thomas Keating, James Finley, Richard Rohr. All great contemporary teachers! Oh and Brother David Steindl-Rast, he is amazing!

Easiest meditation ever. Link is attached. Meditation shouldn't be to get somewhere or reach some higher state. You are already at your core complete and whole. You are the cognizing Intelligence that runs the show. Without it there could be no experience. Its your everyday ordinary Awareness. Without the thoughts. We tend to live in the mind and believe our thoughts but thoughts change they come and go. Who is Aware of this. You without you the conditioned person. I've linked a John Sherman video here. Its simply pointing you back to yourself. Its so normal we overlook it. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SbIJRtbxUZM.html

Sit. Breathe. Repeat.

We've made a video, which we hope will help you - it just needs editing but should soon appear.

@@SpiritualUnfoldment Thank you very much, looking forward to it. I must say you have a amazing community and page.

Abraham Alburez think he might’ve already covered something on this

Abraham Alburez How could you be realy FREE, If you had a purpose,or a mission,or even reason for being. Your here being this,for absolutely no reason whatsoever. and no reason is needed for anything whatsoever

@@ehgancho1065 Yes, if you go to their video "A touch of meaning" on this channel, Phil introduces the question there (via a little joke about the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) about 1 minute in.

Watch "A touch of meaning". Phil

Melissa - you can contact us via the website

Thankyou! I will ✨✨✨🌞

I have signed up to receive church events. I wish I lived in England (that would make things so much easier). I can't think of a way of life I would like to live more. I bought your book! How lovely! Thinking of coming out for a meditation retreat this winter break. I currently live in Oregon in the US and am just enrolled into the very best school here to learn all that goes into becoming an LMT

Atheists are often more open than 'believers'.

As all things do ... here, now ... it comes to completion in Spirit

Spiritual Unfoldment with John Butler I guess that means she passed away...?

Nothing is claimed by John. Just sharing his experience. It may and does help many others.

@Johannes Liechtenauer one of the worst comments I have ever seen, well done.

fullblooded64445 God is very real. I recommend reading the Bible and asking God to reveal himself to you. Hope this helps and God bless.

@@mattsparling81 I'm sure childrens parents born with horrendous cancers and diseases have also asked for him to show himself.... Guess he's too busy in Africa handing out aids and starvation?

I have read the Bible times, not all the way, but recently I found out that alot of things were removed from the book, therefore deeming it untrue to me. I just don't know what to think lately, sometimes I think Elon Musk is right, and times I disagree, some times I think of immortality and the fact that I'm just a statistic in this very complicated structure we call life. I'm searching for stillness, and something much greater than myself. Thanks for replying

@Johannes Liechtenauer ahh a follower of religion here, so understanding and peaceful to others.

Steve Marshall God hands out AIDS huh? Interesting. This attitude really does preclude *any* real understanding. If God was going to fix all our problems, it would defeat the purpose of having free will and finding meaning in our life. But regurgitating edgy George Carlin bits seems too fun to pass up.

Baby don’t hurt me

Don't hurt me, no more

no its - is it me you're looking for

Hello!

Maxwell Hoffman That’s ridiculous

I enjoyed it

Maxwell Hoffman They bake Tarts.

Well spotted Ben. You better watch out, you better not cry Better not pout, I'm telling you why Santa Claus is comin' to town He's making a list and checking it twice Gonna find out who's naughty and nice. You been nice, Ben? Phil