To see God in a moment of madness is not revelation but merely a hallucination.
Though the mad do not know God any more than the faithful. Were one to ask the mad about seeing God, there might not be a coherent answer. If the mad could write about their experience, their journals would remain incoherent.
Yet, to see God is truly a wondrous thing if it transcends all madness, leaving one absolutely sane.
Rare is such a person who has been granted by God to see Him. Few of us know how this blessed event occurs. Some of them even call the event a mystery.
Though the mystery is no hallucination to the person who has come upon this mystery. He may even be inspired to speak about it, and perhaps write his thoughts about the mysticism known as "seeing God".
This is the difference between mysticism and religious obsession.
Other terms for "seeing God" include "experiencing the divine", "being blessed", "satori", and "quiet abiding." Few people will share this experience with other people who are not open-minded to such matters.
Instead, such mysticism can only be appreciated by like-minded people who encourage it.
Originally posted: August 28, 2007 6:19 PM PDT
Showing posts with label sanity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sanity. Show all posts
20140107
What If the Mad are Actually the Sane Ones? (satire)
What if madness is when common sense calls to us but we forgot how to listen to ourselves because our fragile connection to reality is broken temporarily?
Then medical intervention comes to the moment of psychic healing when we either remain in fear, unable to rise above madness, or we boldly go on to heal, and to become whole, using humility to reconnect to reality.
Mere mortals would confuse the mad for those people who have risen above madness, due to their fear and ignorance about madness.
What if the State assumes that madness should be controlled by medication because of that same fear?
Then these same medications are administered not only to relieve the mad of their affliction but also to relieve the fear which "normal" people feel when faced with the mad.
How absurd that we subject the mad to medication to relieve our own fears about madness itself!
Is this not the height of madness itself, that we subject others to medication to control them so that we ourselves may feel less fear towards them?
Even so, we do not take medication to relieve our own fears about madness because of the delusion that we ourselves consider ourselves sane while assuming that the mad are insane.
In doing so, we prove how insane society truly is! Perhaps then the truly mad are kept safe from society in psychiatric wards so as to be protected from society.
Then the purpose of medication is to calm extremely nervous people so that they may function in a society that has yet to overcome the stigma of mental illness.
Sometimes I ask these questions with the insight that the majority of people with mental illness are mostly non-violent people. Anyone who is violent and legally insane are excluded from this definition of sanity as madness. This is because their behavior forms part of the etiology of the psychopath.
Rather this so-called argument is satire designed to de-stigmatize mental illness.
Originally posted: May 20, 2005 08:18 PM
Then medical intervention comes to the moment of psychic healing when we either remain in fear, unable to rise above madness, or we boldly go on to heal, and to become whole, using humility to reconnect to reality.
Mere mortals would confuse the mad for those people who have risen above madness, due to their fear and ignorance about madness.
What if the State assumes that madness should be controlled by medication because of that same fear?
Then these same medications are administered not only to relieve the mad of their affliction but also to relieve the fear which "normal" people feel when faced with the mad.
How absurd that we subject the mad to medication to relieve our own fears about madness itself!
Is this not the height of madness itself, that we subject others to medication to control them so that we ourselves may feel less fear towards them?
Even so, we do not take medication to relieve our own fears about madness because of the delusion that we ourselves consider ourselves sane while assuming that the mad are insane.
In doing so, we prove how insane society truly is! Perhaps then the truly mad are kept safe from society in psychiatric wards so as to be protected from society.
Then the purpose of medication is to calm extremely nervous people so that they may function in a society that has yet to overcome the stigma of mental illness.
Sometimes I ask these questions with the insight that the majority of people with mental illness are mostly non-violent people. Anyone who is violent and legally insane are excluded from this definition of sanity as madness. This is because their behavior forms part of the etiology of the psychopath.
Rather this so-called argument is satire designed to de-stigmatize mental illness.
Originally posted: May 20, 2005 08:18 PM
20130501
I'm not mad enough for the loony bin (poem)
No, no, I'm not mad enough
for the loony bin!
Though I have tried therapy,
Once I was caught being
selective about the truths
I'd tell my ex-therapist,
My case was closed
and now I can't get back in.
No, no, I'm not mad enough
for the loony bin!
The therapist, he says to me,
"I don't think you'll ever
end up in the emergency ward."
Now my case is close,
and I can't ever get back in.
So, so, I know I'm sane,
even though from time to time,
I'll lose sleep from insomnia,
pseudo-hallucinate auras,
"smoke" floating to the sky,
and other freaky stuff like that.
Then I'll check in to sleepy time.
for the loony bin!
Though I have tried therapy,
Once I was caught being
selective about the truths
I'd tell my ex-therapist,
My case was closed
and now I can't get back in.
No, no, I'm not mad enough
for the loony bin!
The therapist, he says to me,
"I don't think you'll ever
end up in the emergency ward."
Now my case is close,
and I can't ever get back in.
So, so, I know I'm sane,
even though from time to time,
I'll lose sleep from insomnia,
pseudo-hallucinate auras,
"smoke" floating to the sky,
and other freaky stuff like that.
Then I'll check in to sleepy time.
20130315
Curing Madness With Creativity (poem)
Those who suffer needlessly
may make it all worse
by describing their suffering.
How foolish! To cure
suffering, create non-suffering.
Non-suffering consists of
focusing one's thoughts
and actions on creativity,
distracting one from
mental unrest until calm.
Those who do not suffer act
without hesitation,
and are free of anxiety.
Their life is serene,
for they have conquered madness.
Original post: June 24, 2010 0844H
Update posted: March 15 2013 2331H
may make it all worse
by describing their suffering.
How foolish! To cure
suffering, create non-suffering.
Non-suffering consists of
focusing one's thoughts
and actions on creativity,
distracting one from
mental unrest until calm.
Those who do not suffer act
without hesitation,
and are free of anxiety.
Their life is serene,
for they have conquered madness.
Original post: June 24, 2010 0844H
Update posted: March 15 2013 2331H
20101231
One crazy dream
I woke up with this nagging feeling that the dream I had was a cultural one.
Certainly my computer may have a setting to display in kanji, hiragana and katakana; but I had this confusion where my mind had a "setting" to "think" in Japanese whilst dreaming, and that I had awoken before setting it back to Western.
There was also a memory from the dream where I had dreamed other dream sequences, and was reminded of them.
If this had happened whilst awake, then they'd be a psychotic break.
Now that I am totally awake, I know them to be a dream.
However, one thing I am certain of is that sleep confusion is similar to a psychotic break in that I don't know if what is real and what is not real.
But as I awaken, I know what is real and attribute the confusion to coming to consciousness.
Furthermore, dreaming whilst awake could appear to be a psychotic break.
For me, though, the use of psychiatric terms is to delineate between waking and sleeping states.
Also this is the first time I had a cultural dream like this where it had a strong Japanese flavour to it, which "switched off" when I awoke.
Yet I don't remember if there were any conversations in it.
Certainly my computer may have a setting to display in kanji, hiragana and katakana; but I had this confusion where my mind had a "setting" to "think" in Japanese whilst dreaming, and that I had awoken before setting it back to Western.
There was also a memory from the dream where I had dreamed other dream sequences, and was reminded of them.
If this had happened whilst awake, then they'd be a psychotic break.
Now that I am totally awake, I know them to be a dream.
However, one thing I am certain of is that sleep confusion is similar to a psychotic break in that I don't know if what is real and what is not real.
But as I awaken, I know what is real and attribute the confusion to coming to consciousness.
Furthermore, dreaming whilst awake could appear to be a psychotic break.
For me, though, the use of psychiatric terms is to delineate between waking and sleeping states.
Also this is the first time I had a cultural dream like this where it had a strong Japanese flavour to it, which "switched off" when I awoke.
Yet I don't remember if there were any conversations in it.
20101222
Update on my meds (the poem)
This update on my meds
shall be short and sweet.
It concerns my two heads,
one of which is mindfully sublimed
to ensure sanity for the other,
so that when I have climbed
out of the pit without a bother,
no failure shall I meet.
shall be short and sweet.
It concerns my two heads,
one of which is mindfully sublimed
to ensure sanity for the other,
so that when I have climbed
out of the pit without a bother,
no failure shall I meet.
20101121
The Authentic Self: Changing the Script
Each of us shares in this drama called Life, living by the script we each learn from birth until the day we die.
"The script" is a metaphor for behavioral and psychological negativities including cognitive distortions which lead to neuroses and sometimes, psychoses.
Indeed, the script can be summed up by this definition of insanity: when I keep doing the same thing all the time, expecting different results.
Yet it doesn't have to be like that.
Indeed, whenever I act differently from the day before, the script is being rewritten by me with the help of others.
This is why we share our lives with friends and family: to help rewrite that script, based on our shared experiences, to regain our sanity, one day at a time.
While we cannot change our life experience, we can still gain wisdom from it.
For the script is what we can change, just for today.
We can change the things we can by the grace of God as we know him, be it the 12-Step group, a prayer group, or simply two or more people sharing their lives with each other; within Japanese New Religion, Oyasama — which means "Greatly Honoured Parent" — also refers to the Higher Power, be it the Buddha or another spiritual entity.
This change is vital to, and a result of, spiritual growth which brings us closer to the authentic self.
Thus, living authentically is to live in the present moment, letting what each day offer each of us the chance to act to the best of our ability.
Provided that we play our part in Life, and be willing to change the script, it is possible to regains ties to the authentic self.
For more notes on the authentic self, click on the link at the head of this article: http://gandhara.blogspot.com/2010/12/notes-on-being-mentally-captive-and.html
"The script" is a metaphor for behavioral and psychological negativities including cognitive distortions which lead to neuroses and sometimes, psychoses.
Indeed, the script can be summed up by this definition of insanity: when I keep doing the same thing all the time, expecting different results.
Yet it doesn't have to be like that.
Indeed, whenever I act differently from the day before, the script is being rewritten by me with the help of others.
This is why we share our lives with friends and family: to help rewrite that script, based on our shared experiences, to regain our sanity, one day at a time.
While we cannot change our life experience, we can still gain wisdom from it.
For the script is what we can change, just for today.
We can change the things we can by the grace of God as we know him, be it the 12-Step group, a prayer group, or simply two or more people sharing their lives with each other; within Japanese New Religion, Oyasama — which means "Greatly Honoured Parent" — also refers to the Higher Power, be it the Buddha or another spiritual entity.
This change is vital to, and a result of, spiritual growth which brings us closer to the authentic self.
Thus, living authentically is to live in the present moment, letting what each day offer each of us the chance to act to the best of our ability.
Provided that we play our part in Life, and be willing to change the script, it is possible to regains ties to the authentic self.
For more notes on the authentic self, click on the link at the head of this article: http://gandhara.blogspot.com/2010/12/notes-on-being-mentally-captive-and.html
20100808
Buddha Nature and Sanity
'Buddha-nature is viewed as the basis of all worlds and phenomena, in the sense that the idea of "beings" and "worlds" only arises when one, out of ignorance, ignores the mind's essential condition, manufactures reference points, and clings to them as if they are real.' -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dzogchen#Concepts
Thus we become "mad" when we ignore the essence of the primordial nature of the mind (Buddha Nature), believing the delusion that the ego is real, and that the soul exists as a permanent thing which reincarnates.
To a Christian, we are "born again".
Yet to the Buddhist, we are merely spiritually ignorant of our True Nature i.e. that our primordial goodness is Buddha Nature
Clinging to the ordinary world, both the outer environment and the beings within it, as real is a form of spiritual delusion because it unnecessarily distracts each of us from spiritual cultivation i.e. seeing the basic goodness in all sentient beings.
The antidote to this, such as visualizing everyone as pure deities and the environment as the pure mandala palace, while at the same time considering them to be non-self and the working of loving-kindness, is meditation.
This helps us to realize that each and every sentient being has Buddha Nature.
Thus we become "mad" when we ignore the essence of the primordial nature of the mind (Buddha Nature), believing the delusion that the ego is real, and that the soul exists as a permanent thing which reincarnates.
To a Christian, we are "born again".
Yet to the Buddhist, we are merely spiritually ignorant of our True Nature i.e. that our primordial goodness is Buddha Nature
Clinging to the ordinary world, both the outer environment and the beings within it, as real is a form of spiritual delusion because it unnecessarily distracts each of us from spiritual cultivation i.e. seeing the basic goodness in all sentient beings.
The antidote to this, such as visualizing everyone as pure deities and the environment as the pure mandala palace, while at the same time considering them to be non-self and the working of loving-kindness, is meditation.
This helps us to realize that each and every sentient being has Buddha Nature.
20100628
The Samadhi of sageb1 (poem)
Since no sanity can be observed "sanity" is just a name.
Since only lies can be observed "lies", too, is just a name.
The same goes for "nutbag", and other names for what one perceives about others.
Ultimately the phantasm called "sageb1" is empty of these fallacies.
In being empty of them, he is free of the power of names by letting go of them.
In being free of that power, he just is, neither mad nor a liar.
YMMV
Since only lies can be observed "lies", too, is just a name.
The same goes for "nutbag", and other names for what one perceives about others.
Ultimately the phantasm called "sageb1" is empty of these fallacies.
In being empty of them, he is free of the power of names by letting go of them.
In being free of that power, he just is, neither mad nor a liar.
YMMV
20100627
Sanity as Buddha Nature
Suffering (mental unrest) is due to mental projections based on delusions created by the mind due to ego arising by clinging to the fallacy of permanence, especially that of the self and the soul.
Indeed, the self is none other than the ego; and the soul, the store consciousness.
Through a thorough understanding of the Three Non-self Natures, it is possible to cure oneself of this fallacy and see that non-self is impermanent and the store consciousness as it is, too, is transient.
Indeed, even the eight consciousnesses are mental constructs designed to aid the mindful in remembering the Buddha, so as to see reality as it is, and thus become enlightened.
Once enlightened, suffering is over. One's sanity is uncovered, for it is nothing but Buddha Nature.
Indeed, the self is none other than the ego; and the soul, the store consciousness.
Through a thorough understanding of the Three Non-self Natures, it is possible to cure oneself of this fallacy and see that non-self is impermanent and the store consciousness as it is, too, is transient.
Indeed, even the eight consciousnesses are mental constructs designed to aid the mindful in remembering the Buddha, so as to see reality as it is, and thus become enlightened.
Once enlightened, suffering is over. One's sanity is uncovered, for it is nothing but Buddha Nature.
20050319
Carpe Diem / Seize the Day (poem)
yeah it really wasn't my business at all,
but i felt that something had to be said
because the myth about sanity needed questioning.
we love to believe these lies we tell ourselves,
pretending that "crazy people", "nutbars" and "psychos"
really exist, that we're normal and they're not.
if the label fits, then we slap it on with gusto,
temporarily forgetting the times that we've been there.
so we don't really seize the day, we seize the moment.
though you wish to believe it to be true,
no one is really crazy - that's just society
afraid of the "other", fearful of its own truth.
I seized this day, to make a point,
and learned how wonderful life is --
and how beautiful it is to be imperfect.
how wonderful it is to live life vigorously!
how beautiful the persistence of willfulness!
nothing truly is fragile save our castles in the sand.
to see love as feeling or to be in love,
neither is how love truly is:
action both beautiful and ugly.
for love in action is like crying aloud
while seeking your beloved,
"carpe diem! life is awesome!"
so thanks for the drama, my friends!
thanks to my enemies, both cultivated and formerly...
you made my day! carpe diem! carpe diem!
but i felt that something had to be said
because the myth about sanity needed questioning.
we love to believe these lies we tell ourselves,
pretending that "crazy people", "nutbars" and "psychos"
really exist, that we're normal and they're not.
if the label fits, then we slap it on with gusto,
temporarily forgetting the times that we've been there.
so we don't really seize the day, we seize the moment.
though you wish to believe it to be true,
no one is really crazy - that's just society
afraid of the "other", fearful of its own truth.
I seized this day, to make a point,
and learned how wonderful life is --
and how beautiful it is to be imperfect.
how wonderful it is to live life vigorously!
how beautiful the persistence of willfulness!
nothing truly is fragile save our castles in the sand.
to see love as feeling or to be in love,
neither is how love truly is:
action both beautiful and ugly.
for love in action is like crying aloud
while seeking your beloved,
"carpe diem! life is awesome!"
so thanks for the drama, my friends!
thanks to my enemies, both cultivated and formerly...
you made my day! carpe diem! carpe diem!
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