In a world of manic depressives,
everyone self medicates,
be it alcohol,
recreational drugs,
religion, shopping or sex.
Showing posts with label self. Show all posts
Showing posts with label self. Show all posts
20130501
20130313
The Truth of Non-self (poem)
The self is empty of existence,
though all sentient beings claim
otherwise, even to the point of
threatening the truth talker
with imprisonment and abuse.
Yet she who talks the truth
bases her words on the Bodhi Mind
and its effect on her mind,
the sixth consciousness,
through the samadhi of truth.
Why would she who sees the truth
keep silent about Emptiness,
when it opens her eyes to
nonexistence of the self?
Only a fool agrees with the world.
This is the truth of non-self,
that the self is nonexistent.
He who denies this to be true,
is but a sentient being, lost
in this world of birth-life-death.
though all sentient beings claim
otherwise, even to the point of
threatening the truth talker
with imprisonment and abuse.
Yet she who talks the truth
bases her words on the Bodhi Mind
and its effect on her mind,
the sixth consciousness,
through the samadhi of truth.
Why would she who sees the truth
keep silent about Emptiness,
when it opens her eyes to
nonexistence of the self?
Only a fool agrees with the world.
This is the truth of non-self,
that the self is nonexistent.
He who denies this to be true,
is but a sentient being, lost
in this world of birth-life-death.
20130123
Emptiness As Everything and Nothing (poem)
Emptiness is when one
sees no difference
between self and other,
man and Buddha, man and woman,
samsara and Nirvana.
For Emptiness concerns
everything and nothing.
However, to see no difference
between life and death
is foolish as there is only
birth, life and death.
For birth is full of life,
and death is empty of
both life and birth.
Yet life consists of
birth, itself and death.
And the mind that chooses
life over death does not
understand samsara.
Likewise, he who seeks
Nirvana should let go of
seeking Nirvana in order
to arrive on the Other Shore.
sees no difference
between self and other,
man and Buddha, man and woman,
samsara and Nirvana.
For Emptiness concerns
everything and nothing.
However, to see no difference
between life and death
is foolish as there is only
birth, life and death.
For birth is full of life,
and death is empty of
both life and birth.
Yet life consists of
birth, itself and death.
And the mind that chooses
life over death does not
understand samsara.
Likewise, he who seeks
Nirvana should let go of
seeking Nirvana in order
to arrive on the Other Shore.
20130105
Who Knows the Way to the Pure Land?
"Buddhist thought may be considered to have followed this order of human thinking; from the scientific form to the religious through the philosophic. The ultimate end of Buddhism is perfect self-realization, enlightenment. For the attainment of this purpose two basic principles are to be recognized. Firstly, the individual self must be negated. Secondly, the universal self and the oneness of all life must be affirmed." — Ryuchi Fujii, The True Meaning of Buddhism - Muryoko, Journal of Shin Buddhism
Buddhist psychology affirms that the individual self is a social fiction which arises out of the interconnection of all sentient life.
"Self exists in mutual relationship to all things, to the totality of all things and to the oneness of all life. Self-realization is achieved through the mutual understanding of the nothingness of all selves." — ibid.
Thus, self is reflected in all things.
Just as I have a mind, so too do other people. Furthermore, so do all sentient beings have a mind. Since a mind is conscious of the six senses (ear, eye, smell, taste, touch, and cognition), thus is it the same as consciousness. For only in the mind does consciouness arise for each of the senses.
Buddhist philosophy holds that conflict, fights and war between sentient beings are due to the illusion of ignorance.
Yet Buddha Nature is reflected in all things nd is known as the oneness of all things.
"Self-realization is attained through the wisdom of self-effort." — ibid.
In Buddhist practice, each sentient being is limited and ignorant by nature when it remains an individual.
This is why people have a community and when why the most inquisitive of them seek the truth both through their interaction with other sentient beings and through solitude.
"Self is ever perfectible, but it cannot be perfectly realized in this world. Self is perfectly realized only in the Pure Land through the aid of Amida Buddha." —
On hearing the Buddha's Teaching, the practitioner comes to realize that, like a bodhisattva, one gains the truths about Amida Buddha through practice to realize the purpose in life is to be of service to others.
In this way is the path to rebirth in the afterlife is the Pure Land of Bliss.
For only Amida Buddha knows the way to the Pure Land.
Buddhist psychology affirms that the individual self is a social fiction which arises out of the interconnection of all sentient life.
"Self exists in mutual relationship to all things, to the totality of all things and to the oneness of all life. Self-realization is achieved through the mutual understanding of the nothingness of all selves." — ibid.
Thus, self is reflected in all things.
Just as I have a mind, so too do other people. Furthermore, so do all sentient beings have a mind. Since a mind is conscious of the six senses (ear, eye, smell, taste, touch, and cognition), thus is it the same as consciousness. For only in the mind does consciouness arise for each of the senses.
Buddhist philosophy holds that conflict, fights and war between sentient beings are due to the illusion of ignorance.
Yet Buddha Nature is reflected in all things nd is known as the oneness of all things.
"Self-realization is attained through the wisdom of self-effort." — ibid.
In Buddhist practice, each sentient being is limited and ignorant by nature when it remains an individual.
This is why people have a community and when why the most inquisitive of them seek the truth both through their interaction with other sentient beings and through solitude.
"Self is ever perfectible, but it cannot be perfectly realized in this world. Self is perfectly realized only in the Pure Land through the aid of Amida Buddha." —
On hearing the Buddha's Teaching, the practitioner comes to realize that, like a bodhisattva, one gains the truths about Amida Buddha through practice to realize the purpose in life is to be of service to others.
In this way is the path to rebirth in the afterlife is the Pure Land of Bliss.
For only Amida Buddha knows the way to the Pure Land.
20121024
Meditation on Gender, Western and Eastern Cultures, and Psychotherapy
May everyone be at peace with themselves.
May everyone progress in their spiritual journey.
May everyone endeavor to perfect their minds.
With peaceful heart, may this one walk the path
towards the moment of putting out the fire,
and thus passing onto a higher plane.
Analysis of meditation
"Be at peace" implies a peaceful heart.
"Progress" accepts that not all people who desire a perfect mind have a perfect body.
However, with more effort the dedicated practitioner achieves more peace and calm.
"Endeavor" implies that all one needs to do is act to perfect your mind. Perfection of a mind implies that one learn to meditate. It does not happen right now; yet even after the first week, meditation will lead one to a perfect mind.
With peace comes satisfaction. This is a given. In walking the path, this one encounter less obstacle to reach the goal all Buddhists desire: Nirvana. This desire is not tainted by desire for fame or gain, because that desire corrupts the mind.
Thus one needs to put out the fire of desire, so that one may pass onto a higher plane of existence. This higher plane does not make the earnest practitioner above it all. Rather, she sees no difference between herself and another person with regard to the mind.
A Meditation on gender
For the only difference between man and woman is physical. Our description about the human condition is gender neutral. Likewise, gender is actually unimportant.
In denying women access to the tools of Buddhism such as meditation and the breathing exercises, the Theravada form is sexist to Westerners whose culture is highly sensitive to women's rights. Yet the Theravada form is fostered in a culture where sensitivity to women's rights is fine in politics, but not in religion.
Thus, the apparent sexism is designed to help women understand their place in that culture, which is called Eastern.
Eastern and Western Cultures
Were I to blend the two cultures, it is possible to have a broader understanding of both cultures so that Westerners may understand Eastern culture.
As well, to criticize Theravada Buddhism effectively, the practitioner needs to understand his culture and its effect on Buddhism.
For why is it that Zen is favored over other forms of Buddhism. Shingon Buddhism may
look like a mix of mysticism and symbolism, but it works for a Shingon practitioner.
Psychotherapy and Buddhism
Yet Buddhism is practical for anyone to use, and the breathing exercises of meditation have been incorporated in cognitive behavior therapy.
Thus a psychotherapy that incorporates meditation as its therapeutic tool only uses it to achieve a calm mind. By separating the spiritual part of meditation from the physical part of breathing and posture, such a psychotherapy is devoid of spiritual development.
In this way, anyone can use such therapy to reduce the effects of stress so that one can do anything. Yet there are few statistics on how meditation relieves stress.
Final Meditation
May all who read this know that this person who wrote these words that the spiritual journey is a sacred one, yet it is also a personal journey of self-discovery.
May all know that "self" in context of the spiritual journey is not the ego, that part of a person's psyché that motivates one to seek comfort and satisfaction.
For the "self" this person speaks of is the higher self on that higher spiritual plane which few people achieve except for the greatest of practitioners.
May all also know that "this person" refers to the author of this meditation.
May all who read this discover happiness to be not a goal but a state of mind that is fleeting.
May all who achieve this state of mind of happiness be satisfied with their lot.
For to desire happiness is unwise; it would be better to enjoy the moment.
May all who achieve happiness know that meditation is more fun when you are happy.
May all who realize how fun meditation is, focus on their breath.
This person respects Amida Buddha, the Buddha of Infinite Light of loving-kindness and also the Buddha of Infinite Life of compassion.
---
The above is an example of how I explore Buddhist meditation. I don't just sit on my ass gazing at my navel.
Since meditation helps me to think even though my body is tired, it is in my best interest to use the tools before me to put my thought down.
My mind requires self expression, yet in this blog entry, that expression is done so that the gentle reader may understand where I am coming from.
As well, there is a minor catharsis occurring when I express myself. Even though my writing is not sophisticated and tempered by academic training, its topic at the moment is religion but not the religion most people are adverse to.
May everyone progress in their spiritual journey.
May everyone endeavor to perfect their minds.
With peaceful heart, may this one walk the path
towards the moment of putting out the fire,
and thus passing onto a higher plane.
Analysis of meditation
"Be at peace" implies a peaceful heart.
"Progress" accepts that not all people who desire a perfect mind have a perfect body.
However, with more effort the dedicated practitioner achieves more peace and calm.
"Endeavor" implies that all one needs to do is act to perfect your mind. Perfection of a mind implies that one learn to meditate. It does not happen right now; yet even after the first week, meditation will lead one to a perfect mind.
With peace comes satisfaction. This is a given. In walking the path, this one encounter less obstacle to reach the goal all Buddhists desire: Nirvana. This desire is not tainted by desire for fame or gain, because that desire corrupts the mind.
Thus one needs to put out the fire of desire, so that one may pass onto a higher plane of existence. This higher plane does not make the earnest practitioner above it all. Rather, she sees no difference between herself and another person with regard to the mind.
A Meditation on gender
For the only difference between man and woman is physical. Our description about the human condition is gender neutral. Likewise, gender is actually unimportant.
In denying women access to the tools of Buddhism such as meditation and the breathing exercises, the Theravada form is sexist to Westerners whose culture is highly sensitive to women's rights. Yet the Theravada form is fostered in a culture where sensitivity to women's rights is fine in politics, but not in religion.
Thus, the apparent sexism is designed to help women understand their place in that culture, which is called Eastern.
Eastern and Western Cultures
Were I to blend the two cultures, it is possible to have a broader understanding of both cultures so that Westerners may understand Eastern culture.
As well, to criticize Theravada Buddhism effectively, the practitioner needs to understand his culture and its effect on Buddhism.
For why is it that Zen is favored over other forms of Buddhism. Shingon Buddhism may
look like a mix of mysticism and symbolism, but it works for a Shingon practitioner.
Psychotherapy and Buddhism
Yet Buddhism is practical for anyone to use, and the breathing exercises of meditation have been incorporated in cognitive behavior therapy.
Thus a psychotherapy that incorporates meditation as its therapeutic tool only uses it to achieve a calm mind. By separating the spiritual part of meditation from the physical part of breathing and posture, such a psychotherapy is devoid of spiritual development.
In this way, anyone can use such therapy to reduce the effects of stress so that one can do anything. Yet there are few statistics on how meditation relieves stress.
Final Meditation
May all who read this know that this person who wrote these words that the spiritual journey is a sacred one, yet it is also a personal journey of self-discovery.
May all know that "self" in context of the spiritual journey is not the ego, that part of a person's psyché that motivates one to seek comfort and satisfaction.
For the "self" this person speaks of is the higher self on that higher spiritual plane which few people achieve except for the greatest of practitioners.
May all also know that "this person" refers to the author of this meditation.
May all who read this discover happiness to be not a goal but a state of mind that is fleeting.
May all who achieve this state of mind of happiness be satisfied with their lot.
For to desire happiness is unwise; it would be better to enjoy the moment.
May all who achieve happiness know that meditation is more fun when you are happy.
May all who realize how fun meditation is, focus on their breath.
This person respects Amida Buddha, the Buddha of Infinite Light of loving-kindness and also the Buddha of Infinite Life of compassion.
---
The above is an example of how I explore Buddhist meditation. I don't just sit on my ass gazing at my navel.
Since meditation helps me to think even though my body is tired, it is in my best interest to use the tools before me to put my thought down.
My mind requires self expression, yet in this blog entry, that expression is done so that the gentle reader may understand where I am coming from.
As well, there is a minor catharsis occurring when I express myself. Even though my writing is not sophisticated and tempered by academic training, its topic at the moment is religion but not the religion most people are adverse to.
20060209
Neither Self nor Other (poem)
In the face of reality’s illumination
There is neither self nor other,
No duality, no division-void of identity
And yet neither void
Nor not void,
There’s no perceiver at all.
Eh Ma! Until a mountain yogi
Has realized well the meaning of this,
He should not disparage cause and result!
-Drinking the Mountain Stream: Songs of Tibet’s Beloved Saint, Milarepa
There is neither self nor other,
No duality, no division-void of identity
And yet neither void
Nor not void,
There’s no perceiver at all.
Eh Ma! Until a mountain yogi
Has realized well the meaning of this,
He should not disparage cause and result!
-Drinking the Mountain Stream: Songs of Tibet’s Beloved Saint, Milarepa
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