Buddhist sutras speak of true emptiness and wonderful existence, the doctrine of the Middle Way. They avoid the extreme doctrines of existence and non-existence, being and non-being. They begin with "Thus I have heard" to distinguish them from non-Buddhist texts. - Shurangama Sutra, Testimony of Faith
Before the Buddha passed onto Paranirvana, Ananda was told by him to preface his lectures based on what the Buddha said with "Thus I have heard."
In this way, they are distinguished from non-Buddhist texts which discuss existence and non-existence.
20051130
Instructions for Life
The following text has been circulating the Internet since 2001.
To make its message seem deep and spiritual, the Dalai Lama is purported to be its author.
Originally entitled "Instruction for Life for the Millenium 2001" it comes out every year.
Please feel free to Google the following title, but be prepared for the truth.
To that end, credit has been given to the original author.
Instructions for Life
by H. Jackson Brown Jr in "Life's Little Instruction Book".
See also: http://www.manbottle.com/trivia/From_the_Dalai_Lama.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenzin_Gyatso#Trivia
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=%22instructions+for+life%22+%2Bdalai+lama&btnG=Google+Search&meta=
To make its message seem deep and spiritual, the Dalai Lama is purported to be its author.
Originally entitled "Instruction for Life for the Millenium 2001" it comes out every year.
Please feel free to Google the following title, but be prepared for the truth.
To that end, credit has been given to the original author.
Instructions for Life
by H. Jackson Brown Jr in "Life's Little Instruction Book".
- Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
- When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
- Follow the three R's:
- Respect for self,
- Respect or others, and
- Responsibility for all your actions.
- Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
- Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
- Don't let a little dispute injure a great relationship.
- When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
- Spend some time alone every day.
- Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
- Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
- Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.
- A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
- In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
- Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
- Be gentle with the earth.
- Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
- Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
- Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
- Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.
See also: http://www.manbottle.com/trivia/From_the_Dalai_Lama.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenzin_Gyatso#Trivia
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=%22instructions+for+life%22+%2Bdalai+lama&btnG=Google+Search&meta=
20051128
Buddha boy thought to be incarnation of the Buddha
The evidence:
Bahadur Bamjon is said to have survived 6 months without food and water, in meditation.
He sits in meditation from dawn to dusk.
His mother is named Maya Devi, the same name as the Buddha's mother.
What we don't know is what Bahadur does from dusk to dawn.
My first reaction is that, in order to make ends meet, a mother is driven to claim her son is the Buddha reborn.
In response to this story, Buddhists could explain that a Buddha incarnate would have to do much more than sit still from dawn to dusk.
If this Buddha boy only serves as an idol to be worshiped, then it's a form of primitive Hindu worship, where devotees worship a reincarnation of one of their deities (avatar).
Indeed, the Buddha is thought to be such an avatar by many Hindus.
Such thinking -- the worship of the Buddha as deity -- contradicts the fact that the Buddha was a man. And the worship of the Buddha incarnated in a person is not originally Buddhist.
For the Buddha never promoted himself as a deity, nor did he endorse worshiping people as deities.
Bahadur Bamjon is said to have survived 6 months without food and water, in meditation.
He sits in meditation from dawn to dusk.
His mother is named Maya Devi, the same name as the Buddha's mother.
What we don't know is what Bahadur does from dusk to dawn.
My first reaction is that, in order to make ends meet, a mother is driven to claim her son is the Buddha reborn.
In response to this story, Buddhists could explain that a Buddha incarnate would have to do much more than sit still from dawn to dusk.
If this Buddha boy only serves as an idol to be worshiped, then it's a form of primitive Hindu worship, where devotees worship a reincarnation of one of their deities (avatar).
Indeed, the Buddha is thought to be such an avatar by many Hindus.
Such thinking -- the worship of the Buddha as deity -- contradicts the fact that the Buddha was a man. And the worship of the Buddha incarnated in a person is not originally Buddhist.
For the Buddha never promoted himself as a deity, nor did he endorse worshiping people as deities.
Democratic Peace
The blurb for this site states, "Seeing events in the glare of the struggle between freedom and power -- between the democratic peace and a power that corrupts and kills."
A peaceful society promotes the concept of all faiths living democratically, allowing each person to use the practices found in Buddhism to free all inidividuals from oppression and tyranny.
Overall though, Democratic Peace is informative and thought-provoking.
A peaceful society promotes the concept of all faiths living democratically, allowing each person to use the practices found in Buddhism to free all inidividuals from oppression and tyranny.
Overall though, Democratic Peace is informative and thought-provoking.
In time, things will change
There simply is nothing to which we can attach ourselves, no matter how hard we try. In time, things will change and the conditions that produced our current desires will be gone. Why then cling to them now?
-Master Hsing Yun, "The Indescribable"
-Master Hsing Yun, "The Indescribable"
Beings of Distinction
The teaching about the way things are is not a way to enlightenment for someone who is still filled with desires or who still longs to be this or that. But those who do understand it will become beings of distinction, dispersing all the forces of confusion.
-Sutta Nipata
-Sutta Nipata
20051122
On God and souls
Since God's greatest creation is the soul, each soul is pure in every way.
He loans out the soul to each of us when we are born, only to have it returned to Him when we die.
Through one's life experience, each person collects karmic debt which -- like dust on a mirror -- obscures the view of the soul as pure and clean.
So, what about evil souls?
Evil is more like a dark shell that covers a person's soul, the darkness being the fears, the guilt, and the suffering caused by an originally conscious decision to remain apart from God's mercy.
For the soul, being God's greatest creation, is also His most precious.
It cannot be touched by spiritual darkness and evil itself, for the soul contains the inner divine light which comes from God.
Through love, fear and anger can be controlled through mindful effort and carefully wielded by each of us for the welfare of us all.
Likewise, love helps shed light on darkness, bringing the wisdom needed to abandon evil.
And this love is inspired by God's love for all His creation.
He loans out the soul to each of us when we are born, only to have it returned to Him when we die.
Through one's life experience, each person collects karmic debt which -- like dust on a mirror -- obscures the view of the soul as pure and clean.
So, what about evil souls?
Evil is more like a dark shell that covers a person's soul, the darkness being the fears, the guilt, and the suffering caused by an originally conscious decision to remain apart from God's mercy.
For the soul, being God's greatest creation, is also His most precious.
It cannot be touched by spiritual darkness and evil itself, for the soul contains the inner divine light which comes from God.
Through love, fear and anger can be controlled through mindful effort and carefully wielded by each of us for the welfare of us all.
Likewise, love helps shed light on darkness, bringing the wisdom needed to abandon evil.
And this love is inspired by God's love for all His creation.
Look at this world all decked out
See it as a bubble,
See it as a mirage;
One who regards the world this way
the King of Death doesn't see.
Come, look at this world
all decked out
like a royal chariot,
where fools plunge in,
while those who know
don't cling.
-Dhammapada 13, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
See also http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/khuddaka/dhp/tb0/index.html#n170
In Chapter 13 of the Dhammapada, the message is clear:
The wise do not cling to the world -- they know much better than to be distracted by what it has to offer.
However, the underlying message is still to go out and participate in the world.
For the disciple may grow attached to thinking by being apart from it, one is unblemished by it. This is a subtle form of clinging to the world.
And the remedy for that is to cultivate happiness and joy.
See it as a mirage;
One who regards the world this way
the King of Death doesn't see.
Come, look at this world
all decked out
like a royal chariot,
where fools plunge in,
while those who know
don't cling.
-Dhammapada 13, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
See also http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/khuddaka/dhp/tb0/index.html#n170
In Chapter 13 of the Dhammapada, the message is clear:
The wise do not cling to the world -- they know much better than to be distracted by what it has to offer.
However, the underlying message is still to go out and participate in the world.
For the disciple may grow attached to thinking by being apart from it, one is unblemished by it. This is a subtle form of clinging to the world.
And the remedy for that is to cultivate happiness and joy.
20051121
Only a Moment
Just as material things are made of dust, so too are our perceptions and thoughts mere dust. Just as it takes only a moment to wipe the dust from the surface of a mirror, so it takes only a moment to become enlightened, the moment all defiled intentions are cleared from our consciousness, we will see ourselves in the mirror of perfect truth.
— Master Hsing Yun, "Describing the Indescribable"20051120
Perceiving of Impermanence
Just as in the autumn a farmer, ploughing with a large plough cuts through all the spreading rootlets as he ploughs; in the same way, bhikkhus, the perceiving of impermanence, developed and frequently practiced, removes all sensual passion…removes and abolishes all conceit of ‘I am’.
-Samyutta Nikaya
-Samyutta Nikaya
20051119
Nowhere on earth
Not up in the air,
nor in the middle of the sea,
nor going into a cleft in the mountains
—nowhere on earth—
is a spot to be found
where you could stay & escape
your evil deed.
-Dhammapada, 9, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
nor in the middle of the sea,
nor going into a cleft in the mountains
—nowhere on earth—
is a spot to be found
where you could stay & escape
your evil deed.
-Dhammapada, 9, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
20051118
Samsara and Nirvana are one
Once born, living beings are busy all their lives finding places to live, clothes to wear, and food to eat. They become so preoccupied with pursuing food, clothing, and shelter that they have no time to solve the problem of birth and death.
This is how ordinary people carry on. They say, "We must work hard and keep busy to get three decent meals, clothes, and a place to live." Nobody is busy figuring out how to end birth and death. They don't think about it. They don't wonder, "Why did I come into this world? How did I get here? Where did I come from?"
When you meet someone, you say, "Where are you from? How long have you been here?" But people never ask these questions of themselves. They have forgotten where they came from, and they have forgotten where they are going. They forget to ask themselves, "Where am I going to go when I die?"
It is just because people have forgotten to ask themselves this question that Shakyamuni Buddha came into this world to urge us to investigate the problem of birth and death.
In short, nobody asks the important questions anymore. Any other question shows us that this is the End of Dharma times. It's worse than any imaginary hell, Buddhist or otherwise.
Thus are samsara, delusion arising from egosense; and nirvana, enlightenment arising from the true and only mind control of eyes-open meditation, in careful and mindful contemplation of Thusness and Things-as-is.
This is how ordinary people carry on. They say, "We must work hard and keep busy to get three decent meals, clothes, and a place to live." Nobody is busy figuring out how to end birth and death. They don't think about it. They don't wonder, "Why did I come into this world? How did I get here? Where did I come from?"
When you meet someone, you say, "Where are you from? How long have you been here?" But people never ask these questions of themselves. They have forgotten where they came from, and they have forgotten where they are going. They forget to ask themselves, "Where am I going to go when I die?"
It is just because people have forgotten to ask themselves this question that Shakyamuni Buddha came into this world to urge us to investigate the problem of birth and death.
In short, nobody asks the important questions anymore. Any other question shows us that this is the End of Dharma times. It's worse than any imaginary hell, Buddhist or otherwise.
Thus are samsara, delusion arising from egosense; and nirvana, enlightenment arising from the true and only mind control of eyes-open meditation, in careful and mindful contemplation of Thusness and Things-as-is.
20051117
The most important questions to ask as a Buddhist
Where did you come from when you were born? Where will you go after you die?
20051116
Just as I am
To act just as I am, I do so without thought for becoming a Buddha, though it has been said all sentient beings have Buddha Nature.
If all sentient beings have Buddha Nature, then I too have Buddha Nature. Thus, to act as I am is to act for the good of others.
Since all sentient beings have Buddha Nature, acting for the good of others becomes second-nature with practice.
For the good of others consists of the willingness to provide comfort to them through word and deed, and to lend a helping hand when they need it, without thinking of oneself.
Even so, this altruism is balanced with self-care i.e. taking one's own needs into account before offering assistance to others.
If all sentient beings have Buddha Nature, then I too have Buddha Nature. Thus, to act as I am is to act for the good of others.
Since all sentient beings have Buddha Nature, acting for the good of others becomes second-nature with practice.
For the good of others consists of the willingness to provide comfort to them through word and deed, and to lend a helping hand when they need it, without thinking of oneself.
Even so, this altruism is balanced with self-care i.e. taking one's own needs into account before offering assistance to others.
Shurangama Sutra
The Shurangama Sutra chronicles the path of Enlightenment which the Buddha's cousin Ananda tread.
In it too is mentioned the Bodhisattva of Buddha Recitation, Mahasthamaprapta.
He represents the power of spiritual wisdom.
In Jodo Shinshu tradition, he appears in the trinity consisting of Amitabha, Avalokiteshvara, and Mahasthamaprapta.
In it too is mentioned the Bodhisattva of Buddha Recitation, Mahasthamaprapta.
He represents the power of spiritual wisdom.
In Jodo Shinshu tradition, he appears in the trinity consisting of Amitabha, Avalokiteshvara, and Mahasthamaprapta.
All is one
All is in One – One is in All.
All things are present in Oneness,
Oneness is present in all things.
My ego-ness is present in the Absolute,
The Absolute is present in my ego-ness.
All beings are present in the Buddha,
The Buddha is present in all beings.
Nirvana is present in samsara,
Samsara is present in Nirvana.
The cosmos is present in each separate thing,
Each separate thing is present in the cosmos.
Commentary:
All things in this universe are a dynamic part of the Absolute (Godhead).
All is one means Buddha Nature is in all things.
As an individual it means that I am not separate from the people I know, have known and will come to know, be it my parents, my brother and sister, my friends, and even complete strangers.
I owe my birth to my parents, how I conduct myself with others to them and my siblings, as well as my friends.
Thus we are all part of the Absolute. Indeed the Oneness is all, even for you and I.
All things are present in Oneness,
Oneness is present in all things.
My ego-ness is present in the Absolute,
The Absolute is present in my ego-ness.
All beings are present in the Buddha,
The Buddha is present in all beings.
Nirvana is present in samsara,
Samsara is present in Nirvana.
The cosmos is present in each separate thing,
Each separate thing is present in the cosmos.
Commentary:
All things in this universe are a dynamic part of the Absolute (Godhead).
All is one means Buddha Nature is in all things.
As an individual it means that I am not separate from the people I know, have known and will come to know, be it my parents, my brother and sister, my friends, and even complete strangers.
I owe my birth to my parents, how I conduct myself with others to them and my siblings, as well as my friends.
Thus we are all part of the Absolute. Indeed the Oneness is all, even for you and I.
Secrecy The Mark of False Doctrine
The Buddha said:
I have taught the way without making any distinction between inner and outer teaching. For in respect of the truth there must be no such thing as the "closed fist" of the teacher, who hides some essential knowledge from the pupil. Secrecy is the mark of false doctrine.
— Digha Nikaya
20051115
Living the Dharma
Explaining many profound dharmas is easy; living them yourself is hard.
-Adept Godrakpa, "Hermit of Go Cliffs"
What this quote means is that each of us can explain profound dharmas because of our intellect, but practising those dharmas is difficult.
The reason why practice may be difficult is because we are human: the emotions of love, anger and fear give birth to egosense, which beclouds seeing the Pure Mind as-it-is e.g. "things as they are".
Thus we feel that our human nature prevents us from ever realizing that True Nature (Buddha-nature) and human nature are at one with each other. Hence the feeling of falling short of being perfect.
How foolish!
For practising faith is as easy as reflecting on repentence as the devotee reflects upon the vows of Amida, and especially of Samantabhadra.
Despite not being able to live profound dharmas, it takes deep faith to accept the limitations of human nature.
Yet this is no excuse for a Buddhist devotee to forget about the vows and the study of the sutras.
-Adept Godrakpa, "Hermit of Go Cliffs"
What this quote means is that each of us can explain profound dharmas because of our intellect, but practising those dharmas is difficult.
The reason why practice may be difficult is because we are human: the emotions of love, anger and fear give birth to egosense, which beclouds seeing the Pure Mind as-it-is e.g. "things as they are".
Thus we feel that our human nature prevents us from ever realizing that True Nature (Buddha-nature) and human nature are at one with each other. Hence the feeling of falling short of being perfect.
How foolish!
For practising faith is as easy as reflecting on repentence as the devotee reflects upon the vows of Amida, and especially of Samantabhadra.
Despite not being able to live profound dharmas, it takes deep faith to accept the limitations of human nature.
Yet this is no excuse for a Buddhist devotee to forget about the vows and the study of the sutras.
20051112
No Calculation == Bodhi Mind
Do not think of studying Buddhism in order to gain some advantage as a reward for practicing Buddhism.
-Dogen
Just say NAM'AM'DA' (Namu Amida Butsu) without thinking about it.
-Dogen
Just say NAM'AM'DA' (Namu Amida Butsu) without thinking about it.
Are Buddhists Idol Worshippers?
No. Neither are we allowed to argue with non-Buddhists about our doctrines.
In response to criticism from fundamentalist Christians, "judge not lest ye be judged."
In response to criticism from fundamentalist Christians, "judge not lest ye be judged."
20051111
Imperfection: Even a Lotus Grows in Mud
Though a person may be neither pure of body nor pure of mind, Bodhi Mind is pure Mind.
Blessed to have heard the Four Noble Truths and read of them, the dedicated practitioner may practise the Easy Path to help others become pure of mind.
To a Nembutsu practitioner she may chant the Nembutsu and give offering to Amida Buddha. To a Christian, he may bear witness to God's mercy yet help all regardless of creed or faith. To a Jew, he may help reveal the inner meaning of being God's chosen. To a Muslim, he peacefully submits to Allah as Rabi'a did.
Yet the Buddhist does not preach of the Buddha, for the spiritual seed of compassion is common to all faiths which are consistently non-violent yet truthful.
For, just as a lotus grows in the muck and mire of a pond, so too may the follower of the Buddhadharma grow in faith.
Indeed, even imperfect people may turn about and be embraced by Amida Buddha's mercy.
Blessed to have heard the Four Noble Truths and read of them, the dedicated practitioner may practise the Easy Path to help others become pure of mind.
To a Nembutsu practitioner she may chant the Nembutsu and give offering to Amida Buddha. To a Christian, he may bear witness to God's mercy yet help all regardless of creed or faith. To a Jew, he may help reveal the inner meaning of being God's chosen. To a Muslim, he peacefully submits to Allah as Rabi'a did.
Yet the Buddhist does not preach of the Buddha, for the spiritual seed of compassion is common to all faiths which are consistently non-violent yet truthful.
For, just as a lotus grows in the muck and mire of a pond, so too may the follower of the Buddhadharma grow in faith.
Indeed, even imperfect people may turn about and be embraced by Amida Buddha's mercy.
20051110
He who calls to all
It is not "I who seeks Thou"
in the world out there --
rather, it is "He who calls
to all" through your heart...
"Namu Amida Butsu.
in the world out there --
rather, it is "He who calls
to all" through your heart...
"Namu Amida Butsu.
A reflection on Buddhism: More than Religion
Just one man awoke while his society slept, leaving a life of splendor for the simple life: the Middle Path which all seek.
Centuries pass, and the Middle Path develops a priestly path of sages.
With six revisions of what the Buddha said, written for the record, comes a layperson's reaction to the sages' path. In essence, this is how the Mahayana path evolves, transforming kingdoms in Central Asia and in time, blooming far and wide, around the world.
Yet, to call Buddhism religion is to completely miss the point. It is not just a religion. For while most religions relieve our doubts about heaven and hell, the Buddha never discussed such things.
For it was He who set out to discover the Four Noble Truths to relieve the suffering in the continuous cycle of birth, life, and death - the wheel of life called samsara.
Links in text:
http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/texts/bud-ser1.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravada
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_Council
http://www.zip.com.au/~lyallg/RiseMahyan.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahayana
http://biblia.com/theology/buddhism6.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharma_wheel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsara
Centuries pass, and the Middle Path develops a priestly path of sages.
With six revisions of what the Buddha said, written for the record, comes a layperson's reaction to the sages' path. In essence, this is how the Mahayana path evolves, transforming kingdoms in Central Asia and in time, blooming far and wide, around the world.
Yet, to call Buddhism religion is to completely miss the point. It is not just a religion. For while most religions relieve our doubts about heaven and hell, the Buddha never discussed such things.
For it was He who set out to discover the Four Noble Truths to relieve the suffering in the continuous cycle of birth, life, and death - the wheel of life called samsara.
Links in text:
http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/texts/bud-ser1.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravada
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_Council
http://www.zip.com.au/~lyallg/RiseMahyan.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahayana
http://biblia.com/theology/buddhism6.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharma_wheel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsara
Focus
Focus,
not on the rudenesses of others,
not on what they've done
or left undone,
but on what you
have & haven't done
yourself.
-Dhammapada, 4, translation by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
not on the rudenesses of others,
not on what they've done
or left undone,
but on what you
have & haven't done
yourself.
-Dhammapada, 4, translation by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
20051108
Eitaikyo Service: The "Perpetual Sutra"
Around the first two weeks of November, most Japanese Buddhist traditions have the Perpetual Sutra or Eitaikyo Service.
Eitaikyo is when we honour family members who have passed away, out of respect be it due to filial piety or out of obligation to a close friend.
This is the time of year when Buddhists of the Jodo Shinshu tradition honour their dearly departed ones.
To the casual visitor to a Japanese Buddhist temple, the service held therein might be discounted as "ancestor worship."
Yet for the dedicated Buddhist, the respect we pay to deceased family members is no different from the respect given to the war dead on Remembrance Day. Just as it has become tradition to remember the fallen heroes of November 11, 1918 and later wars, so too has it been tradition to practice Eitaikyo.
In both cases, we as human beings show a spark of compassion for the dead and recently departed.
Links:
Eitaikyo Muen Hyo
Background:
Eitaikyo began as a memorial service held at Buddhist shrines, first to honour ancestors, and later, to honour the war dead.
Hence Eitaikyo originally served to help surviving family members to cope with the loss of loved ones lost to death through disease and war.
Eitaikyo Service
Sometimes this service has Buddhist temples honouring the dead and being paid for it by surviving family members who fear death, yet still have obligation to their parents' wishes.
So, both Remembrance Day and Eitaikyo share the deepest respect for the dead.
In this way, we may accept our fear of death by paying our deepest respect for deceased family members at memorial services for them.
Eitaikyo is when we honour family members who have passed away, out of respect be it due to filial piety or out of obligation to a close friend.
This is the time of year when Buddhists of the Jodo Shinshu tradition honour their dearly departed ones.
To the casual visitor to a Japanese Buddhist temple, the service held therein might be discounted as "ancestor worship."
Yet for the dedicated Buddhist, the respect we pay to deceased family members is no different from the respect given to the war dead on Remembrance Day. Just as it has become tradition to remember the fallen heroes of November 11, 1918 and later wars, so too has it been tradition to practice Eitaikyo.
In both cases, we as human beings show a spark of compassion for the dead and recently departed.
Links:
Eitaikyo Muen Hyo
Background:
Eitaikyo began as a memorial service held at Buddhist shrines, first to honour ancestors, and later, to honour the war dead.
Hence Eitaikyo originally served to help surviving family members to cope with the loss of loved ones lost to death through disease and war.
Eitaikyo Service
Sometimes this service has Buddhist temples honouring the dead and being paid for it by surviving family members who fear death, yet still have obligation to their parents' wishes.
So, both Remembrance Day and Eitaikyo share the deepest respect for the dead.
In this way, we may accept our fear of death by paying our deepest respect for deceased family members at memorial services for them.
Wesak
Wesak is in honor of the Buddha, who endured both the luxury of his privileged youth, and the extreme asceticism of his early years of his spiritual journey to Nirvana.
Yet this is only the historical aspect of the Buddha.
Previously I mentioned the true meaning of Buddha as "wisdom and enlightenment".
This truth is the spiritual aspect of the Buddha. Indeed, this aspect of the Buddha is found in all people. Though the ignorant people may have "lost" it, the people who seek peace of mind are on their way to "find" it.
For the Buddha is as close to you as your heart.
Why else is that spark of compassion and wisdom called Buddha-nature? ;)
Yet this is only the historical aspect of the Buddha.
Previously I mentioned the true meaning of Buddha as "wisdom and enlightenment".
This truth is the spiritual aspect of the Buddha. Indeed, this aspect of the Buddha is found in all people. Though the ignorant people may have "lost" it, the people who seek peace of mind are on their way to "find" it.
For the Buddha is as close to you as your heart.
Why else is that spark of compassion and wisdom called Buddha-nature? ;)
20051106
Positive Attitude
At a time when people are so conscious of maintaining their physical health by controlling their diets, exercising and so forth, it makes sense to try to cultivate the corresponding positive mental attitudes too.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama, 1963
My life is hell (almost)
Life is hell and here's proof:
The Dante's Inferno Test has banished you to the Eigth Level of Hell - the Malebolge!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:
Take the Dante's Inferno Hell Test
The Dante's Inferno Test has banished you to the Eigth Level of Hell - the Malebolge!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:
| Level | Score |
|---|---|
| Purgatory (Repenting Believers) | Moderate |
| Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers) | Low |
| Level 2 (Lustful) | Moderate |
| Level 3 (Gluttonous) | High |
| Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious) | High |
| Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy) | Low |
| Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics) | Low |
| Level 7 (Violent) | Low |
| Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers) | High |
| Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous) | Low |
Take the Dante's Inferno Hell Test
20051105
Buddhism is not just a religion...
Simply put, Buddhism provides the dedicated practicer with one of the most valuable tools needed to cope with the demands of everyday life.
The most important tool is meditation.
Its purpose is to help the practicer to awaken from the dream-world called "modern life"/"the real world".
"So why is breathing important as a first meditation?" asks the novice.
Because, by the simple control of your breathing, you are able to control your mind and help calm it down.
In this way, it is possible to cope with the stress of everyday life.
The most important tool is meditation.
Its purpose is to help the practicer to awaken from the dream-world called "modern life"/"the real world".
"So why is breathing important as a first meditation?" asks the novice.
Because, by the simple control of your breathing, you are able to control your mind and help calm it down.
In this way, it is possible to cope with the stress of everyday life.
What "Buddha" means
Buddha means "wisdom and enlightenment."
Essentially Buddha means "wisdom". When one practices meditation, Buddha means "enlightenment".
The original Sanskrit word "Budh" - to awaken - is related to the word "Bodhi" which means "awakening."
Thus Buddha has much deeper meaning than this simple explanation can provide.
Essentially Buddha means "wisdom". When one practices meditation, Buddha means "enlightenment".
The original Sanskrit word "Budh" - to awaken - is related to the word "Bodhi" which means "awakening."
Thus Buddha has much deeper meaning than this simple explanation can provide.
20051104
Wish to understand yourself
If you wish to
understand yourself,
you must succeed in doing so
in the midst of all kinds of
confusions and upsets.
Don't make the mistake
of sitting dead
in the cold ashes
of a withered tree.
Emyo. from "the Pocket Zen Reader," edited by Thomas Cleary, 1999.
20051103
Emptiness of mind
Actually, emptiness of mind is not even a state of mind, but the original essence of mind which Buddha and the Sixth Patriarch experienced. "Essence of mind," "original mind," "original face," "Buddha nature," "emptiness"--all these words mean the absolute calmness of our mind.
-Shunryu Suzuki, "Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind"
Commentary: Indeed, an empty mind is not filled with ego-delusion. To conquer ego-delusion, Suzuki urges the practitioner to "have a firm conviction in the original emptiness of your mind".
Empty mind is described as infinity, so that we "give up calculating" with our mind.
Interest in infinity helps us "to stop the thinking of your small mind".
Suzuki's "small mind" is his term for the ego-delusion which is part and parcel of samsara.
Thus samsara is the mundane world consisting of the cycle of birth, life and death. It is empowered by ego-delusion.
To escape samsara, one has to awaken to this and put out the flames of desire.
-Shunryu Suzuki, "Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind"
Commentary: Indeed, an empty mind is not filled with ego-delusion. To conquer ego-delusion, Suzuki urges the practitioner to "have a firm conviction in the original emptiness of your mind".
Empty mind is described as infinity, so that we "give up calculating" with our mind.
Interest in infinity helps us "to stop the thinking of your small mind".
Suzuki's "small mind" is his term for the ego-delusion which is part and parcel of samsara.
Thus samsara is the mundane world consisting of the cycle of birth, life and death. It is empowered by ego-delusion.
To escape samsara, one has to awaken to this and put out the flames of desire.
20051030
The Essential Meaning of "Study"
In Buddhism, the essential meaning of the word "study" is the unceasing, dedicated observation and investigation of whatever arises in the mind, be it pleasant or unpleasant. Only those familiar with the observation of the mind can really understand Dharma.
-Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, "Heartwood of the Bodhi Tree"
In context with study, "Dharma" means "teachings of the Buddha", the instructions about meditation. For meditation helps the Buddhist disciple to practice the "observation and investigation of whatever arises in the mind," both pleasant and unpleasant.
"Unceasing" and "dedicated" implies non-stop dedication to observation and investigation.
For the disciple requires such dedication to closely whatever arises in the mind.
"Be it pleasant or unpleasant" means that the disciple should accept whatever arises in the mind without being distracted by its emotional content.
For careful examination of both pleasant and unpleasant thoughts show that they are ultimately harmless when the mind is calmed through meditation.
When an unpleasant thought arises, the disciple is able to focus on the thought and accept that it is unpleasant but quickly moderate the emotional reaction she feels.
"Those familiar with the observation of the mind" refers to meditation practitioners who have practiced meditation and observed their mind carefully.
Thus in context of meditation and the thoughts that arise in the mind, study means "the unstoppable dedication to observation and investigation of the thoughts and feelings which arise in the mind, be it pleasant or unpleasant".
-Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, "Heartwood of the Bodhi Tree"
In context with study, "Dharma" means "teachings of the Buddha", the instructions about meditation. For meditation helps the Buddhist disciple to practice the "observation and investigation of whatever arises in the mind," both pleasant and unpleasant.
"Unceasing" and "dedicated" implies non-stop dedication to observation and investigation.
For the disciple requires such dedication to closely whatever arises in the mind.
"Be it pleasant or unpleasant" means that the disciple should accept whatever arises in the mind without being distracted by its emotional content.
For careful examination of both pleasant and unpleasant thoughts show that they are ultimately harmless when the mind is calmed through meditation.
When an unpleasant thought arises, the disciple is able to focus on the thought and accept that it is unpleasant but quickly moderate the emotional reaction she feels.
"Those familiar with the observation of the mind" refers to meditation practitioners who have practiced meditation and observed their mind carefully.
Thus in context of meditation and the thoughts that arise in the mind, study means "the unstoppable dedication to observation and investigation of the thoughts and feelings which arise in the mind, be it pleasant or unpleasant".
20051026
Birth is an expression complete this moment
Birth is an expression complete this moment. Death is an expression complete this moment. They are like winter and spring. You do not call winter the beginning of spring, nor summer the end of spring.
-Genjo Koan
-Genjo Koan
20051008
For Shame! A Personal Interpretation
In Sonnet X William Shakespeare wrote:
For shame! deny that thou bear'st love to any,
Who for thyself art so unprovident.
Grant, if thou wilt, thou art beloved of many,
But that thou none lovest is most evident;
For thou art so possess'd with murderous hate
That 'gainst thyself thou stick'st not to conspire.
Seeking that beauteous roof to ruinate
Which to repair should be thy chief desire.
O, change thy thought, that I may change my mind!
Shall hate be fairer lodged than gentle love?
Be, as thy presence is, gracious and kind,
Or to thyself at least kind-hearted prove:
Make thee another self, for love of me,
That beauty still may live in thine or thee.
When Shakespeare asks "Shall hate be fairer lodged than gentle love?", he means in the heart.
In this poem, he asks his love to "make thee another self, for love of me".
This implies another self not possessed by hate i.e. controlling the mind so that hate of the beloved's deeds does not cause the lover to do or wish ill-will towards her beloved.
Out of concern for her, the author asks that his beloved create another self i.e. change her mind, so that she may retain her beauty.
Thus, for the love of another person, it's wise to not let hate distract you from love.
For a heart possessed by love retains a sense of beauty i.e. goodness, humility etc.
For shame! deny that thou bear'st love to any,
Who for thyself art so unprovident.
Grant, if thou wilt, thou art beloved of many,
But that thou none lovest is most evident;
For thou art so possess'd with murderous hate
That 'gainst thyself thou stick'st not to conspire.
Seeking that beauteous roof to ruinate
Which to repair should be thy chief desire.
O, change thy thought, that I may change my mind!
Shall hate be fairer lodged than gentle love?
Be, as thy presence is, gracious and kind,
Or to thyself at least kind-hearted prove:
Make thee another self, for love of me,
That beauty still may live in thine or thee.
When Shakespeare asks "Shall hate be fairer lodged than gentle love?", he means in the heart.
In this poem, he asks his love to "make thee another self, for love of me".
This implies another self not possessed by hate i.e. controlling the mind so that hate of the beloved's deeds does not cause the lover to do or wish ill-will towards her beloved.
Out of concern for her, the author asks that his beloved create another self i.e. change her mind, so that she may retain her beauty.
Thus, for the love of another person, it's wise to not let hate distract you from love.
For a heart possessed by love retains a sense of beauty i.e. goodness, humility etc.
20050930
Peace, Happiness and Genuine Satisfaction
Happiness cannot come from hatred or anger. Nobody can say, "Today I am happy because this morning I was very angry." On the contrary, people feel uneasy and sad and say, "Today I am not happy because I lost my temper this morning." Through kindness, whether at our own level or at the national and international level, through mutual understanding and through mutual respect, we will get peace, we will get happiness, and we will get genuine satisfaction.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Much of what the Dalai Lama says is based on what the Buddha said. The Dhammapada is a collection of such sayings about peace, happiness and satisfaction.
In the Treasury of Truth, an illustrated version of the Dhammapada, is found support for the Dalai Lama's words.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Much of what the Dalai Lama says is based on what the Buddha said. The Dhammapada is a collection of such sayings about peace, happiness and satisfaction.
In the Treasury of Truth, an illustrated version of the Dhammapada, is found support for the Dalai Lama's words.
20050908
No opposites, only relationships
What is meant by non-duality, Mahamati? It means that light and shade, long and short, black and white, can only be experienced in relation to each other; light is not independent of shade, nor black of white. There are no opposites, only relationships. In the same way, nirvana and the ordinary world of suffering are not two things but related to each other. There is no nirvana except where the world of suffering is; there is no world of suffering apart from nirvana. For existence is not mutually exclusive.
-Lankavatara Sutra (From "Buddha Speaks," edited by Anne Bancroft, 2000)
Non-duality purports that good and evil, light and darkness, sound and silence, are experienced in relationship to each other; silence is not independent of of sound, nor darkness of light.
Thus good and evil are not opposites but complements of each other with a relationship that is binding. For example. I cannot define good solely in terms of itself.
Eventually, the word "good" would be defined as "not bad, corrupt, evil, noxious, offensive, or troublesome, etc." Thus good is empty of evil, while evil is empty of good. In this way, they share emptiness.
Although the disciple is obliged by the rules of society to choose good actions over evil ones, such acts are done according to convention. For good action result in merit, while evil actions result in demerits.
According to some schools, only good karma may be transfered. Since evil karma is due to wrong action i.e. acting out of ignorance or in a willful manner, it cannot be transfered but will take root as a seed stored in alaya-consciousness.
All actions will ripen according to the situation, where evil karma arising from great evil usually ripens in the present life, even though some karma from lesser evil karma might ripen in the next life.
However, the Buddhist concept of karma is not the same as the Santanadharma concept of karma, as the latter consists of karma which due to birth, actions in this life, and actions in both past and future lives.
Since everyone is subject to the laws of karma, it is not deterministic in Buddhism i.e. transgressions resulting in my immediate past as a human being only affect me and anyone with whom I interacted.
Santanadharma determinism states that a person who dies poor will not be reborn in wealth, unless his time line in earlier incarnation were filled with good karma he performed which would yield fruitful results in this life and the next.
Since there are no opposites, only relationships, in Buddhism good karma might not have solely good effects; this may be due to past good karma in a previous life before I was born.
Returning to the present, karma is karma in my eyes. For I feel that good and evil, being relative and not being opposites, imply that one cannot perform a good act without the potential for an evil act to rise, despite a good result at the moment. If it does rise, then it is due to the previous incarnation having had committed an act giving rise to evil karma in this life as a result.
Since there is a strong causal relationship between good and evil, it follows that an absence of relatively good karma has a high chance of evil karma to replace it. Yet good karma may result for the person who obeyed the rules of karma, as best as he could.
Overall, karma itself is neutral; it is the internalized sense of right and wrong of a disciple which determines the situation's outcome.
Karma: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma_in_Buddhism
-Lankavatara Sutra (From "Buddha Speaks," edited by Anne Bancroft, 2000)
Non-duality purports that good and evil, light and darkness, sound and silence, are experienced in relationship to each other; silence is not independent of of sound, nor darkness of light.
Thus good and evil are not opposites but complements of each other with a relationship that is binding. For example. I cannot define good solely in terms of itself.
Eventually, the word "good" would be defined as "not bad, corrupt, evil, noxious, offensive, or troublesome, etc." Thus good is empty of evil, while evil is empty of good. In this way, they share emptiness.
Although the disciple is obliged by the rules of society to choose good actions over evil ones, such acts are done according to convention. For good action result in merit, while evil actions result in demerits.
According to some schools, only good karma may be transfered. Since evil karma is due to wrong action i.e. acting out of ignorance or in a willful manner, it cannot be transfered but will take root as a seed stored in alaya-consciousness.
All actions will ripen according to the situation, where evil karma arising from great evil usually ripens in the present life, even though some karma from lesser evil karma might ripen in the next life.
However, the Buddhist concept of karma is not the same as the Santanadharma concept of karma, as the latter consists of karma which due to birth, actions in this life, and actions in both past and future lives.
Since everyone is subject to the laws of karma, it is not deterministic in Buddhism i.e. transgressions resulting in my immediate past as a human being only affect me and anyone with whom I interacted.
Santanadharma determinism states that a person who dies poor will not be reborn in wealth, unless his time line in earlier incarnation were filled with good karma he performed which would yield fruitful results in this life and the next.
Since there are no opposites, only relationships, in Buddhism good karma might not have solely good effects; this may be due to past good karma in a previous life before I was born.
Returning to the present, karma is karma in my eyes. For I feel that good and evil, being relative and not being opposites, imply that one cannot perform a good act without the potential for an evil act to rise, despite a good result at the moment. If it does rise, then it is due to the previous incarnation having had committed an act giving rise to evil karma in this life as a result.
Since there is a strong causal relationship between good and evil, it follows that an absence of relatively good karma has a high chance of evil karma to replace it. Yet good karma may result for the person who obeyed the rules of karma, as best as he could.
Overall, karma itself is neutral; it is the internalized sense of right and wrong of a disciple which determines the situation's outcome.
Karma: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma_in_Buddhism
20050829
Graeme Ferguson RIP July 19, 2005
Mr. Ferguson was born in Clydebank, Scotland in 1978 and passed away 2005 in Ottawa.
He is survived by his fiance Emma and parents.
Graeme grew up in Ladner, and has been to his native Scotland.
As well he's been a chef in his youth, cooking for many important movers and shakers of the world, even in South-East Asia.
Despite all the crap that's happened in his life, the soul he was loaned by God returned to the Godhead pure and clear.
Scìth, a chara na n-àrann!
Gràsta ò Dhia air,
a odhara na n-àrann!
Rest, my dear friend!
God will grace you,
my Scottish friend!
He is survived by his fiance Emma and parents.
Graeme grew up in Ladner, and has been to his native Scotland.
As well he's been a chef in his youth, cooking for many important movers and shakers of the world, even in South-East Asia.
Despite all the crap that's happened in his life, the soul he was loaned by God returned to the Godhead pure and clear.
Scìth, a chara na n-àrann!
Gràsta ò Dhia air,
a odhara na n-àrann!
Rest, my dear friend!
God will grace you,
my Scottish friend!
20050824
Skillful speech
Skillful speech not only means that we pay attention to the words we speak and to their tone but also requires that our words reflect compassion and concern for others and that they help and heal, rather than wound and destroy.
-Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, 'Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness'
-Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, 'Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness'
20050809
Focus on your own actions
It is very important that you do not compare your actions to your partner's or judge your partner's behavior as unskillful. Rather, focus on your own actions and take responsibility for them. Recall those times when you looked into your partner's eyes and saw the pain you caused this person you love to suffer. If you can admit your own faults, if you can see how hurtful your actions were and tap into a sense of concern for your partner's well-being, then compassion and loving-friendliness will flow.
-Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, "Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness"
By focusing on my own actions and taking responsibility for them, I take responsibility for the pain I cause my loved ones.
At times I can be selfish and cruel, but now I see how hurtful my actions are. Out of concern for the well-being of my loved ones, compassion and loving-friendliness will flow to help us achieve happiness in our lives.
-Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, "Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness"
By focusing on my own actions and taking responsibility for them, I take responsibility for the pain I cause my loved ones.
At times I can be selfish and cruel, but now I see how hurtful my actions are. Out of concern for the well-being of my loved ones, compassion and loving-friendliness will flow to help us achieve happiness in our lives.
20050802
Encircled with craving
Encircled with craving,
people hop 'round & around
like a rabbit caught in a snare.
Tied with fetters & bonds
they go on to suffering,
again & again, for long.
Encircled with craving,
people hop 'round & around
like a rabbit caught in a snare.
So a monk
should dispel craving,
should aspire to dispassion
for himself.
-Dhammapada, 24, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
people hop 'round & around
like a rabbit caught in a snare.
Tied with fetters & bonds
they go on to suffering,
again & again, for long.
Encircled with craving,
people hop 'round & around
like a rabbit caught in a snare.
So a monk
should dispel craving,
should aspire to dispassion
for himself.
-Dhammapada, 24, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
20050720
Caltech Scientist finds planet orbitting 3 suns
In the northern constellation Cygnus (The Swan) a planet the size of Jupiter orbits around three stars 149 light-years (1200 trillion kilometres) from Earth.
From the Caltech news release comes a challenge to the theories about planetary formations in complex solar systems.
Maciej Konacki reported this discovery in the May 2005 issue of Nature.
"If the parent star is orbited by a close stellar companion, then its gravitational pull can significantly truncate a protoplanetary disk around the main star. In the case of HD 188753, the two stellar companions would truncate the disk around the main star to a radius of only 1.3 astronomical units, leaving no space for a planet to form." - http://pr.caltech.edu/media/Press_Releases/PR12716.html
In the case of this triple star system, a red giant and an orange star orbit around a yellow star, according to SpaceFlight News http://www.spaceflightnews.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t1161.html.
"The new planet belongs to a common class of extrasolar planets called "hot Jupiters," which are gas giants that zip closely around their parent stars. In this case, the planet whips every 3.3 days around a star that is circled every 25.7 years by a pirouetting pair of stars locked in a 156-day orbit." - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory website http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/
Regarding star system HD 188753, perhaps only large planetary masses can survive the combined tidal and solar forces of three stars in close orbit around each other.
My guess is that the planet, which is slightly larger than Jupiter, was too small to become a star.
Thus, in the formation of star systems, the larger masses become stars.
Any masses smaller than a certain size become planets. Judging from this example, the size limit may be slightly more than the size of Jupiter.
The size (diameter, surface area, volume and mass) of Jupiter is as follows:
Diameter: 108 × 1.43 m
Surface area: 1017 × 0.641 m2
Volume: 1025 × 1.52 m3
Density: 103 × 1.3 kg/m3 (1.3 g/cm3)
Mass: 1027 × 1.9 kg
Note: 10E8 = 100,000,000
cm = centimetre
m = metres
kg = kilograms
http://www.vendian.org/envelope/dir1/earth_jupiter_sun.html
From the Caltech news release comes a challenge to the theories about planetary formations in complex solar systems.
Maciej Konacki reported this discovery in the May 2005 issue of Nature.
"If the parent star is orbited by a close stellar companion, then its gravitational pull can significantly truncate a protoplanetary disk around the main star. In the case of HD 188753, the two stellar companions would truncate the disk around the main star to a radius of only 1.3 astronomical units, leaving no space for a planet to form." - http://pr.caltech.edu/media/Press_Releases/PR12716.html
In the case of this triple star system, a red giant and an orange star orbit around a yellow star, according to SpaceFlight News http://www.spaceflightnews.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t1161.html.
"The new planet belongs to a common class of extrasolar planets called "hot Jupiters," which are gas giants that zip closely around their parent stars. In this case, the planet whips every 3.3 days around a star that is circled every 25.7 years by a pirouetting pair of stars locked in a 156-day orbit." - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory website http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/
Regarding star system HD 188753, perhaps only large planetary masses can survive the combined tidal and solar forces of three stars in close orbit around each other.
My guess is that the planet, which is slightly larger than Jupiter, was too small to become a star.
Thus, in the formation of star systems, the larger masses become stars.
Any masses smaller than a certain size become planets. Judging from this example, the size limit may be slightly more than the size of Jupiter.
The size (diameter, surface area, volume and mass) of Jupiter is as follows:
Diameter: 108 × 1.43 m
Surface area: 1017 × 0.641 m2
Volume: 1025 × 1.52 m3
Density: 103 × 1.3 kg/m3 (1.3 g/cm3)
Mass: 1027 × 1.9 kg
Note: 10E8 = 100,000,000
cm = centimetre
m = metres
kg = kilograms
http://www.vendian.org/envelope/dir1/earth_jupiter_sun.html
20050718
Caffeine Effects: Kicking the Caffeine Habit
9 Health Problems Worsened by Caffeine
# Cardiovascular Problems
# Stress
# Blood Sugar Swings
# Gastrointestinal Problems
# Nutritional Deficiencies
# Male Health Problems
# Female Health Problems
# Adrenal Exhaustion
# Aging
Nutritional supplements for optimum adrenal health: the B vitamins especially pantothenic acid (B-5).
For a greater energy boost during your recovery, try a nutritional supplement that has Co-Q10, alpha ketoglutaric acid, chromium, and potassium and magnesium aspartate. It gives you a real energy boost, increasing metabolic efficiency without stimulating the nervous system.
# Cardiovascular Problems
# Stress
# Blood Sugar Swings
# Gastrointestinal Problems
# Nutritional Deficiencies
# Male Health Problems
# Female Health Problems
# Adrenal Exhaustion
# Aging
Nutritional supplements for optimum adrenal health: the B vitamins especially pantothenic acid (B-5).
For a greater energy boost during your recovery, try a nutritional supplement that has Co-Q10, alpha ketoglutaric acid, chromium, and potassium and magnesium aspartate. It gives you a real energy boost, increasing metabolic efficiency without stimulating the nervous system.
20050717
Universal Responsibility
Adopting an attitude of universal responsibility is essentially a personal matter. The real test of compassion is not what we say in abstract discussions but how we conduct ourselves in daily life.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama, "Imagine All the People"
Just talking about harmlessness isn't enough.
When spiritual practice (meditation) does not lead to reciprical compassion from others, a person's conduct should still be to practise harmlessness.
To feel guilty for past wrongs is not enough - one must strive to learn from one's mistakes.
Even in the Dhammapada it is written to not cling to regrets and worries.
Dhammapada 67-68:
It's not good,
the doing of the deed
that, once it's done,
you regret,
whose result you reap crying,
your face in tears.
It's good,
the doing of the deed
that, once it's done,
you don't regret,
whose result you reap gratified,
happy at heart.
As well, the cure for regrets about wrongs done is simply letting go:
348:
Gone to the beyond of becoming,
you let go of in front,
let go of behind,
let go of between.
With a heart everywhere let-go,
you don't come again to birth
& aging.
Thus what the Dalai Lama says about the real test of compassion is ... how we conduct ourselves in daily life.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama, "Imagine All the People"
Just talking about harmlessness isn't enough.
When spiritual practice (meditation) does not lead to reciprical compassion from others, a person's conduct should still be to practise harmlessness.
To feel guilty for past wrongs is not enough - one must strive to learn from one's mistakes.
Even in the Dhammapada it is written to not cling to regrets and worries.
Dhammapada 67-68:
It's not good,
the doing of the deed
that, once it's done,
you regret,
whose result you reap crying,
your face in tears.
It's good,
the doing of the deed
that, once it's done,
you don't regret,
whose result you reap gratified,
happy at heart.
As well, the cure for regrets about wrongs done is simply letting go:
348:
Gone to the beyond of becoming,
you let go of in front,
let go of behind,
let go of between.
With a heart everywhere let-go,
you don't come again to birth
& aging.
Thus what the Dalai Lama says about the real test of compassion is ... how we conduct ourselves in daily life.
Right Thought
And what, monks, is Right Thought? The thought of renunciation, the thought of non-ill-will, the thought of harmlessness. This, monks, is called Right Thought.
-Digha Nikaya
Harmlessness takes a lot of practice.
Yet the person who acts harmless to both self and others is a rare person.
Honestly I am not he.
Still do I try to be harmless.
-Digha Nikaya
Harmlessness takes a lot of practice.
Yet the person who acts harmless to both self and others is a rare person.
Honestly I am not he.
Still do I try to be harmless.
20050713
Police officer shoots car thief
Scenario:
Kenichi Tashiro, 30, suspected car thief with knife
Unidentified police officer, 23, armed with firearm
Kazuyoshi Suzuki, 22, pedestrian
Synopsis:
"Suzuki is left with a broken leg after a police officer fired his gun at a car thief and the bullet pierced the suspect's shoulder and hit the young man."
The long story:
At 12:50 a.m. on Wednesday, Kenichi Tashiro steals a recreational vehicle from the convenience store parking lot in Chuo-ku, Sapporo.
Within minutes of the theft the owner calls the police to report it stolen.
Within moments, officers track down the vehicle. Attempting to avoid capture Tashiro jumps out of the vehicle and starts running. The 23-year-old officer leaves his police car and chases the suspect, ordering him to drop a knife he is holding.
When the police officer catches up with the suspect, they struggle with each other. Tashiro stabs the officer in the stomach. The police officer is only lightly injured.
Then Tashiro tries to flee the scene. In response, the officer fires two shots from his gun at him.
The second shot passes through the suspect's left shoulder and hits Suzuki, who is walking in the area at the time.
Seriously injured in the incident, Kenichi Tashiro is arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Kenichi Tashiro, 30, suspected car thief with knife
Unidentified police officer, 23, armed with firearm
Kazuyoshi Suzuki, 22, pedestrian
Synopsis:
"Suzuki is left with a broken leg after a police officer fired his gun at a car thief and the bullet pierced the suspect's shoulder and hit the young man."
The long story:
At 12:50 a.m. on Wednesday, Kenichi Tashiro steals a recreational vehicle from the convenience store parking lot in Chuo-ku, Sapporo.
Within minutes of the theft the owner calls the police to report it stolen.
Within moments, officers track down the vehicle. Attempting to avoid capture Tashiro jumps out of the vehicle and starts running. The 23-year-old officer leaves his police car and chases the suspect, ordering him to drop a knife he is holding.
When the police officer catches up with the suspect, they struggle with each other. Tashiro stabs the officer in the stomach. The police officer is only lightly injured.
Then Tashiro tries to flee the scene. In response, the officer fires two shots from his gun at him.
The second shot passes through the suspect's left shoulder and hits Suzuki, who is walking in the area at the time.
Seriously injured in the incident, Kenichi Tashiro is arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
20050710
The precious air of liberty
Brute force, no matter how strongly applied, can never subdue the basic human desire for freedom and dignity. It is not enough, as communist systems have assumed, merely to provide people with food, shelter and clothing. Human nature needs to breathe the precious air of liberty. -His Holiness the Dalai Lama
20050708
Meditation on Unconditional Love as Mother Love
A mother, even at the risk of her own life, protects her child, her only child.
In the same way should you cultivate love without measure toward all beings.
You should cultivate toward the whole world -- above, below, around -- a heart of love unstinted, unmixed with any sense of differing or opposing interests.
You should maintain this mindfulness all the time you are awake.
Such a state of heart is the best in the world.
-Majjhima Nikaya
In the same way should you cultivate love without measure toward all beings.
You should cultivate toward the whole world -- above, below, around -- a heart of love unstinted, unmixed with any sense of differing or opposing interests.
You should maintain this mindfulness all the time you are awake.
Such a state of heart is the best in the world.
-Majjhima Nikaya
20050704
Homage to Earth (poem)
O Mother Goddess! You are the earth,
and I am of the heaven,
my essence the stuff of stars.
Humbled by my fellow man,
humility leaves me;
Mother embraces me --
we dance in joy to celebrate
Her majesty on the good earth.
and I am of the heaven,
my essence the stuff of stars.
Humbled by my fellow man,
humility leaves me;
Mother embraces me --
we dance in joy to celebrate
Her majesty on the good earth.
The Story of The Bear(story)
As her shining yellow face shone, morning had broken free of the darkness of night. I looked from the castle window on her, blinded. Overhead the cuckoo announced its presence from a treetop somewhere.
Asahi - the morning face of our Emperor's heavenly ancestor. Or, so the priests claim.
In my old age I am not so cowed to believe them, having tasted of Kannon and the Middle Way.
Yet the power of the Godly Path is held by shaman queen and priests alike. It was like many moons ago when this land of the sun goddess was named Wa with Himiko as queen. In those days she was rarely seen, as the priests managed the intricacies of the Godly Path.
Long ago were those ancient days, when I was but a babe. My parents were of Ainumushiri royal stock, cousins to the Wolf King. They named me The Bear, in honor of their totem.
We lived on the sacred island of the Inland Sea. This is the seat of power of the Emishi, the southern branch of Ainumushiri. Our northern cousins were more nomadic, with a vast territory extending to the land of snow and ice. As well, they had an extensive trade route into the Middle Kingdom, all the way to the mythic ancestral home in the Altai.
Yet, in the eyes of the Yamato invaders, we are a primitive people. They had defeated us to form their kingdom, keeping fallen warriors as the Emperor's imperial guard, watched over by their Shinto masters.
These fine men of the Godly Path celebrate ritual purity for the sake of the five sacred grains. They were willing to spill innocent blood in internecine warfare between clans to perpetuate the Sun Goddess.
Today, I am the descendant of the gods, of heaven and earth. It is karma that brought my earthly parents together to beget me. Now I serve my Yamato allies.
Our Emishi brethren are hostages at the palace, in spite of guards being of the same blood. This keeps their clans under control. In time we will conquer this land and make peace with our Yamato allies.
As heirs of the Wa dynasty, the victory of Yamato is assured.
Asahi - the morning face of our Emperor's heavenly ancestor. Or, so the priests claim.
In my old age I am not so cowed to believe them, having tasted of Kannon and the Middle Way.
Yet the power of the Godly Path is held by shaman queen and priests alike. It was like many moons ago when this land of the sun goddess was named Wa with Himiko as queen. In those days she was rarely seen, as the priests managed the intricacies of the Godly Path.
Long ago were those ancient days, when I was but a babe. My parents were of Ainumushiri royal stock, cousins to the Wolf King. They named me The Bear, in honor of their totem.
We lived on the sacred island of the Inland Sea. This is the seat of power of the Emishi, the southern branch of Ainumushiri. Our northern cousins were more nomadic, with a vast territory extending to the land of snow and ice. As well, they had an extensive trade route into the Middle Kingdom, all the way to the mythic ancestral home in the Altai.
Yet, in the eyes of the Yamato invaders, we are a primitive people. They had defeated us to form their kingdom, keeping fallen warriors as the Emperor's imperial guard, watched over by their Shinto masters.
These fine men of the Godly Path celebrate ritual purity for the sake of the five sacred grains. They were willing to spill innocent blood in internecine warfare between clans to perpetuate the Sun Goddess.
Today, I am the descendant of the gods, of heaven and earth. It is karma that brought my earthly parents together to beget me. Now I serve my Yamato allies.
Our Emishi brethren are hostages at the palace, in spite of guards being of the same blood. This keeps their clans under control. In time we will conquer this land and make peace with our Yamato allies.
As heirs of the Wa dynasty, the victory of Yamato is assured.
Kami and Karma
Kami is the spiritual energy of ancestors that transmigrates from original ancestors and/or clan ancestors through successive generation.
This is what is meant by 'karma only transmigrates', the major tenet of Buddhism. It thus has nothing to do with the West concept of soul and the misconception of soul transmigration.
For the soul is a pagan concept stolen from neo-Platonian philosophy based on mere animism i.e. the body is host to anima/animus which is spiritual.
This is what is meant by 'karma only transmigrates', the major tenet of Buddhism. It thus has nothing to do with the West concept of soul and the misconception of soul transmigration.
For the soul is a pagan concept stolen from neo-Platonian philosophy based on mere animism i.e. the body is host to anima/animus which is spiritual.
A Deistic Critique of Eschatology
Eschatology is useful for the study of how human cultures have envisioned life after death.
When it involves judgment, eschatology violates the principle that only God may judge us.
Thus, depictions of heaven and hell are sacrilege used to control, influence and motivate people who may be led to believe their lives are more worth living when they follow the doctrines of cultures whose religions make strong use of such motifs.
If a person's life is worth more because the fear of hell and the desire for heaven after death motivates her to choose God, then such a person's motivation is based on spiritual ignorance about the purpose of heaven and hell.
However, if the fear of hell and desire for heaven leads her to become one with God, and let Him into her heart, so that she realizes how worthy to God she is from her birth until this moment in time, then her motivation is based on spiritual awareness.
The purpose of heaven and hell is to instruct us about how cultural beliefs about life after death reflect our fears about what we have done in life, and whether that would affect our spiritual life after death.
This forms much of what eschatology is.
How close a person has gotten to God that he knows Him to be in his heart, from birth to death, helps by using eschatology in a manner that respects God's role in life after death.
For eschatology only depicts the spiritual life after death, not the corporeal life before death.
If God created me from birth, and my soul, then the cruelties depicted in the various hells are sacrilege because I cannot see why God would require what he has made to be harmed repeatedly as punishment for not believing in Him.
Why should God harm a piece of Himself?
Likewise, if God should give me a new body and put me in a place where I live forever when originally I was a part of Him, I do not see why I must remain separate from Him when He is always as close to me as my heart.
Would it not just be easier for me to let my soul become one with God through meditation and be done with it?
Thus heaven and hell are merely states of mind created by careful examination of eschatological works of various religions.
They distract us from the spiritual truth that each of us is created by God, that the soul is "God in the heart", and that we return to God at death.
Think of God as the ocean. Each soul, a drop of water. Many drops become a trickle, a stream, a river. And to the ocean all rivers flow. Likewise, all life flows on that endless cycle of birth, living and death.
Are not then heaven and hell metaphors to describe that journey?
Perhaps each drop of water returning to the ocean is heaven. The mind boggles at the possibilities of ascribing different points of life's journey as hell.
In any case, eschatology only works in religions with a strong sense of good versus evil.
Yet it fails to work when the spiritual truth about man's existence and the soul as the creation of God is revealed.
When it involves judgment, eschatology violates the principle that only God may judge us.
Thus, depictions of heaven and hell are sacrilege used to control, influence and motivate people who may be led to believe their lives are more worth living when they follow the doctrines of cultures whose religions make strong use of such motifs.
If a person's life is worth more because the fear of hell and the desire for heaven after death motivates her to choose God, then such a person's motivation is based on spiritual ignorance about the purpose of heaven and hell.
However, if the fear of hell and desire for heaven leads her to become one with God, and let Him into her heart, so that she realizes how worthy to God she is from her birth until this moment in time, then her motivation is based on spiritual awareness.
The purpose of heaven and hell is to instruct us about how cultural beliefs about life after death reflect our fears about what we have done in life, and whether that would affect our spiritual life after death.
This forms much of what eschatology is.
How close a person has gotten to God that he knows Him to be in his heart, from birth to death, helps by using eschatology in a manner that respects God's role in life after death.
For eschatology only depicts the spiritual life after death, not the corporeal life before death.
If God created me from birth, and my soul, then the cruelties depicted in the various hells are sacrilege because I cannot see why God would require what he has made to be harmed repeatedly as punishment for not believing in Him.
Why should God harm a piece of Himself?
Likewise, if God should give me a new body and put me in a place where I live forever when originally I was a part of Him, I do not see why I must remain separate from Him when He is always as close to me as my heart.
Would it not just be easier for me to let my soul become one with God through meditation and be done with it?
Thus heaven and hell are merely states of mind created by careful examination of eschatological works of various religions.
They distract us from the spiritual truth that each of us is created by God, that the soul is "God in the heart", and that we return to God at death.
Think of God as the ocean. Each soul, a drop of water. Many drops become a trickle, a stream, a river. And to the ocean all rivers flow. Likewise, all life flows on that endless cycle of birth, living and death.
Are not then heaven and hell metaphors to describe that journey?
Perhaps each drop of water returning to the ocean is heaven. The mind boggles at the possibilities of ascribing different points of life's journey as hell.
In any case, eschatology only works in religions with a strong sense of good versus evil.
Yet it fails to work when the spiritual truth about man's existence and the soul as the creation of God is revealed.
Daemons and Guardian Angels: A meditation
In this blog entry, I will be writing about abstract concepts regarding the true self of higher consciousness. For the purpose of this meditation, Daemon refers to the symbol of the Higher Consciousness. In it, I warn against egocentricity, which is the dark side of the Ego known as "madness of man-as-god" and "delusion of (being) deity." Finally, I conclude by offering the solution of Plato's advice.
In classical mythology, the Daemon is a person's true self as opposed to the mortal lower self, the Ego. Seen from the point of view of the lower self, the Daemon is the Guardian Angel, the deva of Indic mythos.
In fact, Daemons are the very essence of the Guardian Angel of whom Sylvia Browne speaks.
The true self is also known as a person's Higher Consciousness or as the soul.
Thus devil and daemon are the dark and light sides of the Ego and the true self, respectively.
The soul itself is purified by coming to know God, and in each successive life, purges itself of the Original Sin that begat each body into which it resides.
This Sin is the delusion of deity, to which the Genesis alludes. Thus the allegory of eating of the tree of knowledge of life and death is related to the ego and its descent into the madness of man-as-god, in rebellion to a deity who is apart from all creation.
How do we cut through the delusion of deity?
By following Plato's advice: know thyself.
To help me to know myself, I wrote the following poem:
Knowing thyself, transcend the ego.
Transcending the ego, know God.
Knowing God, become at one with Him.
Originally posted: July 4, 2005 at 1745H
Updated: February 10, 2013 at 1334H
Daemons in classic mythology: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daemon_%28classical_mythology%29
In classical mythology, the Daemon is a person's true self as opposed to the mortal lower self, the Ego. Seen from the point of view of the lower self, the Daemon is the Guardian Angel, the deva of Indic mythos.
In fact, Daemons are the very essence of the Guardian Angel of whom Sylvia Browne speaks.
The true self is also known as a person's Higher Consciousness or as the soul.
Thus devil and daemon are the dark and light sides of the Ego and the true self, respectively.
The soul itself is purified by coming to know God, and in each successive life, purges itself of the Original Sin that begat each body into which it resides.
This Sin is the delusion of deity, to which the Genesis alludes. Thus the allegory of eating of the tree of knowledge of life and death is related to the ego and its descent into the madness of man-as-god, in rebellion to a deity who is apart from all creation.
How do we cut through the delusion of deity?
By following Plato's advice: know thyself.
To help me to know myself, I wrote the following poem:
Knowing thyself, transcend the ego.
Transcending the ego, know God.
Knowing God, become at one with Him.
Originally posted: July 4, 2005 at 1745H
Updated: February 10, 2013 at 1334H
Daemons in classic mythology: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daemon_%28classical_mythology%29
Animal Nature, Human Values
Logic, reasoning, emotions, feelings... These qualities are universal in all living beings, depending on their level of development.
That we are able to reflect on our current feelings and compare them with past feelings identified as emotions shows what we have in common with the animal world.
Just as we ascribe feelings and emotions onto other people, so too do we ascribe these same feelings and emotions onto animals.
This is called anthropomorphization.
Anthropomorphization empowers, and is empowered by, the human cultural lens through which we view our emotions and feelings and reflect on them.
Yet survival is very real to animals, based on their level of development. An amoeba seeks nutrition to help it grow and multiply. A spider seeks prey so that it may survive to mate. Mice gather seeds and fruit for the same reason as other animals: to survive long enough to propagate. At the root of each living being is the drive for survival until propagation.
Yet the more advanced animals do have feelings of fear, anger and joy relative to their ability to express them.
The social structure of mammals and their relationship to other mammals including man prove that they are capable of feeling emotions but express each of them in physical ways.
A Canadian goose will slowly starve itself on the loss of its mate. We may be safe to say it died of a broken heart. A few of us will laugh nervously, and wonder aloud about the sentimentality of it all.
Indeed, I find it myopic to believe that only humans feel, and suffer. It would lead me to the conclusion that other animals and mammals cannot feel. Such a conclusion conflicts with my belief that the universe is a living organism.
Therefore, our anthropomorphization of animals helps us to interact with animals in a manner that is of mutual benefit to us all.
That we are able to reflect on our current feelings and compare them with past feelings identified as emotions shows what we have in common with the animal world.
Just as we ascribe feelings and emotions onto other people, so too do we ascribe these same feelings and emotions onto animals.
This is called anthropomorphization.
Anthropomorphization empowers, and is empowered by, the human cultural lens through which we view our emotions and feelings and reflect on them.
Yet survival is very real to animals, based on their level of development. An amoeba seeks nutrition to help it grow and multiply. A spider seeks prey so that it may survive to mate. Mice gather seeds and fruit for the same reason as other animals: to survive long enough to propagate. At the root of each living being is the drive for survival until propagation.
Yet the more advanced animals do have feelings of fear, anger and joy relative to their ability to express them.
The social structure of mammals and their relationship to other mammals including man prove that they are capable of feeling emotions but express each of them in physical ways.
A Canadian goose will slowly starve itself on the loss of its mate. We may be safe to say it died of a broken heart. A few of us will laugh nervously, and wonder aloud about the sentimentality of it all.
Indeed, I find it myopic to believe that only humans feel, and suffer. It would lead me to the conclusion that other animals and mammals cannot feel. Such a conclusion conflicts with my belief that the universe is a living organism.
Therefore, our anthropomorphization of animals helps us to interact with animals in a manner that is of mutual benefit to us all.
Deep Hearing Practice
Listening with the heart takes a lifetime to learn, and the dedication to actively practice deep hearing with heartfelt honesty tempered with tact.
It requires going beyond merely listening with the ears.
For the deep listener listens with the heart.
It requires going beyond merely listening with the ears.
For the deep listener listens with the heart.
Hyperbole in Vasistha's Yoga
One may revolve on the wheel of birth and death for a thousand lifetimes: this will not cease till one has fully mastered the mind and till that mind has come to a state of supreme peace and equanimity. - The Story of Prahlada, Vasistha's Yoga, V:43
This quote is from the last two paragraphs of Verse 43 of Chapter 5 in Vasistha's Yoga, which is the metaphorical Story of Prahlada.
The literal meaning of the above sentence implies the concept of reincarnation. Yet it is hyperbole because it does not mean that a person is fated to "revolve on the wheel of birth and death (Samsara) for a thousand lifetimes".
Rather, it implies that a person may feel like as though she is repeating the same pattern of behavior, and that "this will not cease" until she "has fully mastered the mind" through "contemplating the changeless consciousness which is infinite", ibid.
This mastery of the mind where "the mind has come to a state of supreme peace and equanimity" is achieved by abandoning one's illusions about objective phenomena as clearly stated in the rest of the quote:
...Abandon all illusory appearances of objective phenomena, whether they appear within you or outside you. Contemplate the sole reality of consciousness for the cessation of repeated birth, Taste the pure consciousness (which is, in truth, the essence of all that exists) by resolutely renouncing objectivity of consciousness, (all the concepts and percepts) and contemplating the changeless consciousness which is infinite. You will surely cross this river of world-appearance and rebirth. - ibid.
Hence, the purpose of hyperbole here is to inspire and thus motivate the disciple to apply the physical exercises in yoga to achieve "a state of supreme peace and equanimity".
This quote is from the last two paragraphs of Verse 43 of Chapter 5 in Vasistha's Yoga, which is the metaphorical Story of Prahlada.
The literal meaning of the above sentence implies the concept of reincarnation. Yet it is hyperbole because it does not mean that a person is fated to "revolve on the wheel of birth and death (Samsara) for a thousand lifetimes".
Rather, it implies that a person may feel like as though she is repeating the same pattern of behavior, and that "this will not cease" until she "has fully mastered the mind" through "contemplating the changeless consciousness which is infinite", ibid.
This mastery of the mind where "the mind has come to a state of supreme peace and equanimity" is achieved by abandoning one's illusions about objective phenomena as clearly stated in the rest of the quote:
...Abandon all illusory appearances of objective phenomena, whether they appear within you or outside you. Contemplate the sole reality of consciousness for the cessation of repeated birth, Taste the pure consciousness (which is, in truth, the essence of all that exists) by resolutely renouncing objectivity of consciousness, (all the concepts and percepts) and contemplating the changeless consciousness which is infinite. You will surely cross this river of world-appearance and rebirth. - ibid.
Hence, the purpose of hyperbole here is to inspire and thus motivate the disciple to apply the physical exercises in yoga to achieve "a state of supreme peace and equanimity".
20050702
Japanese-American and Japanese-Canadian Internment
In order to save money, Mackenzie King's administration in Ottawa got the Japanese to pay for their new homes.
Japanese-Canadians paid for their cabins in the camps in BC. I would like to emphasize this point because it differs from the Japanese American experience where the American government paid for their internment.
"The Japanese had to pay for their stay at these horrid camps. While under the Geneva Convention prisoners of war (POW) didn't have to pay for their camps. In comparison to what the American Government paid for their internment camps, Canada paid a quarter of what than the USA did." — http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/schools/projects/canadianhistory/camps/internment1.html
On my mother's side of the family, most of the family was interned in New Denver, except for her married eldest sister and brother.
My father's family was originally interned in Lillooet, BC. After the war, they sold their cabin, which they paid for, and moved to Vernon. No one would sell them land except for a World War 1 veteran on the BX road leading to Silver Star.
As for myself, I try to look at the past objectively.
Considering the freedoms we've won over the past 60 years, the Japanese-Canadians should never forget the injustice of internment.
Japanese-Canadians paid for their cabins in the camps in BC. I would like to emphasize this point because it differs from the Japanese American experience where the American government paid for their internment.
"The Japanese had to pay for their stay at these horrid camps. While under the Geneva Convention prisoners of war (POW) didn't have to pay for their camps. In comparison to what the American Government paid for their internment camps, Canada paid a quarter of what than the USA did." — http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/schools/projects/canadianhistory/camps/internment1.html
On my mother's side of the family, most of the family was interned in New Denver, except for her married eldest sister and brother.
My father's family was originally interned in Lillooet, BC. After the war, they sold their cabin, which they paid for, and moved to Vernon. No one would sell them land except for a World War 1 veteran on the BX road leading to Silver Star.
As for myself, I try to look at the past objectively.
Considering the freedoms we've won over the past 60 years, the Japanese-Canadians should never forget the injustice of internment.
20050630
Conquering passion (poem)
Think of passion (kama)
as the source of the dust
on the mirror or the fog
on the window of the soul.
By just sitting,
wake the rational mind
from its slumber
and control the heart.
By just sitting,
blow away the dust
on the mirror,
and wipe away the fog
on the window.
When passion is quenched,
all that is left is bliss.
as the source of the dust
on the mirror or the fog
on the window of the soul.
By just sitting,
wake the rational mind
from its slumber
and control the heart.
By just sitting,
blow away the dust
on the mirror,
and wipe away the fog
on the window.
When passion is quenched,
all that is left is bliss.
20050629
True Love is Unconditional Love (poem)
True love transcends all bounds
when both parties make the effort
to move beyond desire
and all that is human.
To merely indulge
in human love is to restrict
oneself to suffering.
In transcending desire,
unconditional love becomes
the source to help
cross over to the divine.
when both parties make the effort
to move beyond desire
and all that is human.
To merely indulge
in human love is to restrict
oneself to suffering.
In transcending desire,
unconditional love becomes
the source to help
cross over to the divine.
Get to know others (poem)
Though life is full of suffering,
the ideal way to develop compassion
is to transcend human love,
and share unconditional love
with another sentient being.
Knowing myself very well,
when I get to know others,
I share unconditional love.
Even when I fear being hurt,
by getting to know someone
I am developing compassion.
In sharing our lives,
we treasure each other
as true friends forever.
the ideal way to develop compassion
is to transcend human love,
and share unconditional love
with another sentient being.
Knowing myself very well,
when I get to know others,
I share unconditional love.
Even when I fear being hurt,
by getting to know someone
I am developing compassion.
In sharing our lives,
we treasure each other
as true friends forever.
20050627
Alive in this heart
Alive in this heart is
unconditional love, though
each moment lingers,
sometimes pain, sometimes pleasure...
Yet love soothes pain and brings joy.
unconditional love, though
each moment lingers,
sometimes pain, sometimes pleasure...
Yet love soothes pain and brings joy.
20050626
The myth of Jesus as miracle worker
One of his followers urged the Buddha to perform a miracle in order to attract some non-believers. The Buddha replied:
"I detest and will not undertake the so-called miracles of magic power and divination. I and my followers attract non-believers only by the miracle of truth."
-Digha Nikaya
Thus a holy man does not have to prove his holiness by being a miracle worker.
That Jesus was purported to do miracles then cannot be verified as truth but as anecdote.
"I detest and will not undertake the so-called miracles of magic power and divination. I and my followers attract non-believers only by the miracle of truth."
-Digha Nikaya
Thus a holy man does not have to prove his holiness by being a miracle worker.
That Jesus was purported to do miracles then cannot be verified as truth but as anecdote.
20050625
Udon!
First, gyoza;
then udon.
That's a meal!
First udon;
then sakë.
That's heaven on earth!
First green tea;
then udon.
That's so peaceful!
then udon.
That's a meal!
First udon;
then sakë.
That's heaven on earth!
First green tea;
then udon.
That's so peaceful!
All people are essentially good
From birth all people are essentially good. Environment determines the majority of factors which both help and hinder them. Genetics only accounts for a minority of such factors.
Thus Life is about choices.
When necessary, people may choose to act, and to not act .
For the good among us choose to act and think for the good, while the evil fail to act, let alone contemplate doing good.
Although environment shapes such decisions, today they may be aligned with society, only to be at odds with the world tomorrow .
Without effort the average person will eventually follow a cycle of positive and negative self-talk in her daily routine. Whether positive or negative, this self-talk is influenced by personality and the preference of the person.
One critical factor is the influence of fatigue on the state of mind of the individual. A tired person may tend to become easily agitated, anxious to the point of obsession with the counter-thrust of compulsion.
Not a pretty picture, as far as mental stability goes!
As a result of such agitation when tired she might increasingly prefer negative self-talk to express her feelings and state of mind overall.
Sometimes insomnia may embrace her, leading to temporary mania with increased appetite for stimulus, be it through food, sex or thought.
Of course, the risk of obsession with negative ideation is always there, as with positive ideation — sometimes with attendant optimism.
All of this is positive without the use of psychotropic drugs.
With meditation and cognitive training the patient learns how to visualize positive behavior.
She reduces the negative action of stress in life in favor of effective strategies which promote such behavior.
In doing so, she gains control of her life.
Deep Hearing Practice
Listening with the heart takes a lifetime to learn, and the dedication to actively practice deep hearing with heartfelt honesty tempered with tact.
It requires going beyond merely listening with the ears.
For the deep listener listens with the heart.
It requires going beyond merely listening with the ears.
For the deep listener listens with the heart.
20050622
Dance Away
Dance away my ills,
and all my sorrows vanish,
forgotten for now.
He who chooses to be good
had better tread wisely.
When there is sorrow,
dance for the return of joy.
When there is anger,
dance calmly. In this way,
I forget all of the pain.
Dancing is meditation
to this foolish man.
When he dances he forgets
himself and becomes
the humble dancer of joy.
and all my sorrows vanish,
forgotten for now.
He who chooses to be good
had better tread wisely.
When there is sorrow,
dance for the return of joy.
When there is anger,
dance calmly. In this way,
I forget all of the pain.
Dancing is meditation
to this foolish man.
When he dances he forgets
himself and becomes
the humble dancer of joy.
Soothing the Inner Child
Why do I listen
to the voice of habit,
the child's naive cry
that this is the only way?
I let go of childhood now.
I know this inner voice well:
the inner child, Fear
and her playmate, Anger. O!
That inner voice fades
with growing self confidence.
I only listen
to the voice of reason,
soothing all my pain
with unconditional love,
wiping all my tears away.
to the voice of habit,
the child's naive cry
that this is the only way?
I let go of childhood now.
I know this inner voice well:
the inner child, Fear
and her playmate, Anger. O!
That inner voice fades
with growing self confidence.
I only listen
to the voice of reason,
soothing all my pain
with unconditional love,
wiping all my tears away.
20050621
Summer Solstice
briefly this morning
the sun's gaze pierces the clouds,
with time standing still
solstice summer
by late afternoon
a cloudy and muggy day
gave way to warm rain
solstice summer
in slow footsteps comes
the darkness after sunset,
cool night trails behind.
solstice summer
the sun stood still, then moved on.
solstice summer
the sun's gaze pierces the clouds,
with time standing still
solstice summer
by late afternoon
a cloudy and muggy day
gave way to warm rain
solstice summer
in slow footsteps comes
the darkness after sunset,
cool night trails behind.
solstice summer
the sun stood still, then moved on.
solstice summer
Where's the Horse?
Q: I can observe anger and work with greed, but how does one observe delusion?
A: You're riding a horse and asking "Where's the horse?" Pay attention.
-Ajahn Chah
In this quote by the Buddhist monk Ajahn Chah, the horse refers to the fettered mind, full of delusion.
For the purpose of meditation is to relieve the mind of spiritual delusion, leaving it unfettered.
Thus, the question - "How does one observe delusion?" - shows inattention.
Like a rider on a horse,
I ride in control of my mind.
I rise above anger, greed, and delusion
with attentive concentration.
Like a rider on a horse,
I ride in control of my mind.
Free of fetters, the mind cares
for the body to become as one.
Like a rider on a horse,
I ride in control of my mind.
In taking care of the body,
the mind discovers unconditional love.
A: You're riding a horse and asking "Where's the horse?" Pay attention.
-Ajahn Chah
In this quote by the Buddhist monk Ajahn Chah, the horse refers to the fettered mind, full of delusion.
For the purpose of meditation is to relieve the mind of spiritual delusion, leaving it unfettered.
Thus, the question - "How does one observe delusion?" - shows inattention.
Like a rider on a horse,
I ride in control of my mind.
I rise above anger, greed, and delusion
with attentive concentration.
Like a rider on a horse,
I ride in control of my mind.
Free of fetters, the mind cares
for the body to become as one.
Like a rider on a horse,
I ride in control of my mind.
In taking care of the body,
the mind discovers unconditional love.
20050619
I must not fear...
I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little death
that brings obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass
over me and through me.
And when it has gone past
I will turn the inner eye
to see its path.
Where the fear has gone
there will be nothing.
Only I will remain. — Frank Herbert, Dune
Finding Happiness and Self-actualization
Happy is the fool who laughs
when life's journey is full of joy,
cries when the journey is trying,
and is equanimous when all is peaceful!
when life's journey is full of joy,
cries when the journey is trying,
and is equanimous when all is peaceful!
20050611
Thanks to God!
Thank You for this moment,
in between heartbeats,
on this warm and muggy night.
Thank You for Your embrace,
shared vicariously
by all life, great and small.
Thank You, thank You, thank You.
I'm home safely because of You.
I wake up alive because of You.
This creation of Yours thanks the Creator.
in between heartbeats,
on this warm and muggy night.
Thank You for Your embrace,
shared vicariously
by all life, great and small.
Thank You, thank You, thank You.
I'm home safely because of You.
I wake up alive because of You.
This creation of Yours thanks the Creator.
20050608
The Goddess Prayer
You are my power,
You are my Light,
the Goddess who is Love
unconditional.
Thus do I propitiate You.
As I believe in You,
so too do You believe in me.
You complete me, and I, You.
We are as one, complete.
You are my Light,
the Goddess who is Love
unconditional.
Thus do I propitiate You.
As I believe in You,
so too do You believe in me.
You complete me, and I, You.
We are as one, complete.
20050607
Psychiatric Abuse
It is quite possible that in the late 1970s, specific children were targetted by school psychologists and psychiatrists in BC, labelled, and abused in makeshift laboratories.
As well, there may have been collaboration with social workers to traumatize families and break them up to make these children wards of the State.
Some of these children went on to suffer addictions and if girls, succumbed to prostitution.
This is no conspiracy, for I have found two people who report tales of abuse by people in authority.
As well, there may have been collaboration with social workers to traumatize families and break them up to make these children wards of the State.
Some of these children went on to suffer addictions and if girls, succumbed to prostitution.
This is no conspiracy, for I have found two people who report tales of abuse by people in authority.
20050606
Of strings, Absolute Oneness and Indra's Web: Life, the Universe and Everything
Of strings, Oneness and Indra's web, there is an interconnectedness betweeen all sentient beings and all of creation itself.
For the Creator and the created are one.
Indeed, infinite consciousness includes both itself and life, the universe and everything.
For the Creator and the created are one.
Indeed, infinite consciousness includes both itself and life, the universe and everything.
All Honour the Goddess
In our hearts is the motherlove,
the essence of the Goddess,
while in the heavens above
arises the highest of high, God.
Thus I have no parents.
Heaven and earth are my parents:
the earth is my holy Mother,
and heaven, my holy Father.
Just as earth is as near as my feet,
so too is the Goddess to my heart.
In reverencing Her, God is respected.
Hence, the Queen of Heaven,
the essence of the Holy Spirit.
This heart is Her heart.
Her love embraces all in her grasp.
All honour the Goddess,
the essence of unconditional love.
the essence of the Goddess,
while in the heavens above
arises the highest of high, God.
Thus I have no parents.
Heaven and earth are my parents:
the earth is my holy Mother,
and heaven, my holy Father.
Just as earth is as near as my feet,
so too is the Goddess to my heart.
In reverencing Her, God is respected.
Hence, the Queen of Heaven,
the essence of the Holy Spirit.
This heart is Her heart.
Her love embraces all in her grasp.
All honour the Goddess,
the essence of unconditional love.
Eye of Goat
Beware of people
whose eyes are like goats,
for the evil within
them is sizing up a new victim,
and that victim is you.
Avoid Old Goat Eyes!
Run from those eyes.
Run, run, run!
But when cornered,
never hide your fear,
but show it sincerely.
whose eyes are like goats,
for the evil within
them is sizing up a new victim,
and that victim is you.
Avoid Old Goat Eyes!
Run from those eyes.
Run, run, run!
But when cornered,
never hide your fear,
but show it sincerely.
20 Signs of Psychopathic Behavior
Hare's PCL-R 20-item checklist is based on Cleckley's 16-item checklist, and the following is a discussion of the concepts in the PCL-R:
1. GLIB and SUPERFICIAL CHARM -- the tendency to be smooth, engaging, charming, slick, and verbally facile. Psychopathic charm is not in the least shy, self-conscious, or afraid to say anything. A psychopath never gets tongue-tied. They have freed themselves from the social conventions about taking turns in talking, for example.
2. GRANDIOSE SELF-WORTH -- a grossly inflated view of one's abilities and self-worth, self-assured, opinionated, cocky, a braggart. Psychopaths are arrogant people who believe they are superior human beings.
3. NEED FOR STIMULATION or PRONENESS TO BOREDOM -- an excessive need for novel, thrilling, and exciting stimulation; taking chances and doing things that are risky. Psychopaths often have a low self- discipline in carrying tasks through to completion because they get bored easily. They fail to work at the same job for any length of time, for example, or to finish tasks that they consider dull or routine.
4. PATHOLOGICAL LYING -- can be moderate or high; in moderate form, they will be shrewd, crafty, cunning, sly, and clever; in extreme form, they will be deceptive, deceitful, underhanded, unscrupulous, manipulative, and dishonest.
5. CONNING AND MANIPULATIVENESS- the use of deceit and deception to cheat, con, or defraud others for personal gain; distinguished from Item #4 in the degree to which exploitation and callous ruthlessness is present, as reflected in a lack of concern for the feelings and suffering of one's victims.
6. LACK OF REMORSE OR GUILT -- a lack of feelings or concern for the losses, pain, and suffering of victims; a tendency to be unconcerned, dispassionate, coldhearted, and unempathic. This item is usually demonstrated by a disdain for one's victims.
7. SHALLOW AFFECT -- emotional poverty or a limited range or depth of feelings; interpersonal coldness in spite of signs of open gregariousness.
8. CALLOUSNESS and LACK OF EMPATHY -- a lack of feelings toward people in general; cold, contemptuous, inconsiderate, and tactless.
9. PARASITIC LIFESTYLE -- an intentional, manipulative, selfish, and exploitative financial dependence on others as reflected in a lack of motivation, low self-discipline, and inability to begin or complete responsibilities.
10. POOR BEHAVIORAL CONTROLS -- expressions of irritability, annoyance, impatience, threats, aggression, and verbal abuse; inadequate control of anger and temper; acting hastily.
11. PROMISCUOUS SEXUAL BEHAVIOR -- a variety of brief, superficial relations, numerous affairs, and an indiscriminate selection of sexual partners; the maintenance of several relationships at the same time; a history of attempts to sexually coerce others into sexual activity or taking great pride at discussing sexual exploits or conquests.
12. EARLY BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS -- a variety of behaviors prior to age 13, including lying, theft, cheating, vandalism, bullying, sexual activity, fire-setting, glue-sniffing, alcohol use, and running away from home.
13. LACK OF REALISTIC, LONG-TERM GOALS -- an inability or persistent failure to develop and execute long-term plans and goals; a nomadic existence, aimless, lacking direction in life.
14. IMPULSIVITY -- the occurrence of behaviors that are unpremeditated and lack reflection or planning; inability to resist temptation, frustrations, and urges; a lack of deliberation without considering the consequences; foolhardy, rash, unpredictable, erratic, and reckless.
15. IRRESPONSIBILITY -- repeated failure to fulfill or honor obligations and commitments; such as not paying bills, defaulting on loans, performing sloppy work, being absent or late to work, failing to honor contractual agreements.
16. FAILURE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR OWN ACTIONS -- a failure to accept responsibility for one's actions reflected in low conscientiousness, an absence of dutifulness, antagonistic manipulation, denial of responsibility, and an effort to manipulate others through this denial.
17. MANY SHORT-TERM MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS -- a lack of commitment to a long-term relationship reflected in inconsistent, undependable, and unreliable commitments in life, including marital.
18. JUVENILE DELINQUENCY -- behavior problems between the ages of 13- 18; mostly behaviors that are crimes or clearly involve aspects of antagonism, exploitation, aggression, manipulation, or a callous, ruthless tough-mindedness.
19. REVOCATION OF CONDITION RELEASE -- a revocation of probation or other conditional release due to technical violations, such as carelessness, low deliberation, or failing to appear.
20. CRIMINAL VERSATILITY -- a diversity of types of criminal offenses, regardless if the person has been arrested or convicted for them; taking great pride at getting away with crimes.
1. GLIB and SUPERFICIAL CHARM -- the tendency to be smooth, engaging, charming, slick, and verbally facile. Psychopathic charm is not in the least shy, self-conscious, or afraid to say anything. A psychopath never gets tongue-tied. They have freed themselves from the social conventions about taking turns in talking, for example.
2. GRANDIOSE SELF-WORTH -- a grossly inflated view of one's abilities and self-worth, self-assured, opinionated, cocky, a braggart. Psychopaths are arrogant people who believe they are superior human beings.
3. NEED FOR STIMULATION or PRONENESS TO BOREDOM -- an excessive need for novel, thrilling, and exciting stimulation; taking chances and doing things that are risky. Psychopaths often have a low self- discipline in carrying tasks through to completion because they get bored easily. They fail to work at the same job for any length of time, for example, or to finish tasks that they consider dull or routine.
4. PATHOLOGICAL LYING -- can be moderate or high; in moderate form, they will be shrewd, crafty, cunning, sly, and clever; in extreme form, they will be deceptive, deceitful, underhanded, unscrupulous, manipulative, and dishonest.
5. CONNING AND MANIPULATIVENESS- the use of deceit and deception to cheat, con, or defraud others for personal gain; distinguished from Item #4 in the degree to which exploitation and callous ruthlessness is present, as reflected in a lack of concern for the feelings and suffering of one's victims.
6. LACK OF REMORSE OR GUILT -- a lack of feelings or concern for the losses, pain, and suffering of victims; a tendency to be unconcerned, dispassionate, coldhearted, and unempathic. This item is usually demonstrated by a disdain for one's victims.
7. SHALLOW AFFECT -- emotional poverty or a limited range or depth of feelings; interpersonal coldness in spite of signs of open gregariousness.
8. CALLOUSNESS and LACK OF EMPATHY -- a lack of feelings toward people in general; cold, contemptuous, inconsiderate, and tactless.
9. PARASITIC LIFESTYLE -- an intentional, manipulative, selfish, and exploitative financial dependence on others as reflected in a lack of motivation, low self-discipline, and inability to begin or complete responsibilities.
10. POOR BEHAVIORAL CONTROLS -- expressions of irritability, annoyance, impatience, threats, aggression, and verbal abuse; inadequate control of anger and temper; acting hastily.
11. PROMISCUOUS SEXUAL BEHAVIOR -- a variety of brief, superficial relations, numerous affairs, and an indiscriminate selection of sexual partners; the maintenance of several relationships at the same time; a history of attempts to sexually coerce others into sexual activity or taking great pride at discussing sexual exploits or conquests.
12. EARLY BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS -- a variety of behaviors prior to age 13, including lying, theft, cheating, vandalism, bullying, sexual activity, fire-setting, glue-sniffing, alcohol use, and running away from home.
13. LACK OF REALISTIC, LONG-TERM GOALS -- an inability or persistent failure to develop and execute long-term plans and goals; a nomadic existence, aimless, lacking direction in life.
14. IMPULSIVITY -- the occurrence of behaviors that are unpremeditated and lack reflection or planning; inability to resist temptation, frustrations, and urges; a lack of deliberation without considering the consequences; foolhardy, rash, unpredictable, erratic, and reckless.
15. IRRESPONSIBILITY -- repeated failure to fulfill or honor obligations and commitments; such as not paying bills, defaulting on loans, performing sloppy work, being absent or late to work, failing to honor contractual agreements.
16. FAILURE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR OWN ACTIONS -- a failure to accept responsibility for one's actions reflected in low conscientiousness, an absence of dutifulness, antagonistic manipulation, denial of responsibility, and an effort to manipulate others through this denial.
17. MANY SHORT-TERM MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS -- a lack of commitment to a long-term relationship reflected in inconsistent, undependable, and unreliable commitments in life, including marital.
18. JUVENILE DELINQUENCY -- behavior problems between the ages of 13- 18; mostly behaviors that are crimes or clearly involve aspects of antagonism, exploitation, aggression, manipulation, or a callous, ruthless tough-mindedness.
19. REVOCATION OF CONDITION RELEASE -- a revocation of probation or other conditional release due to technical violations, such as carelessness, low deliberation, or failing to appear.
20. CRIMINAL VERSATILITY -- a diversity of types of criminal offenses, regardless if the person has been arrested or convicted for them; taking great pride at getting away with crimes.
20050605
Anxiety and Fear In Relationships
IMHO anxiety and fear in relationships is understandable.
However, it is based on ignorance about the other person, not on a verifiable fear of that person due to something he said.
Such anxiety is indicative of a neurosis, the cure of which is simple as communicating with the person being feared.
Thus, to resolve such fear, the simplest step is to open a line of communication.
It is when we do not, that the communication by the other person appears to be harassment or abuse.
It leads me to think that the fearful and anxious person is a coward, and lacks the courage to articulate her fear.
I expect better of her.
Yet, why do I have to initiate the next level of communication? Is it up to me to do so? And might it not be seen as more harassment?
Thus I am reluctant to do so.
All it takes is one phone call to dispell my delusion about what I see as anxiety and fear about my best friend.
However, it is based on ignorance about the other person, not on a verifiable fear of that person due to something he said.
Such anxiety is indicative of a neurosis, the cure of which is simple as communicating with the person being feared.
Thus, to resolve such fear, the simplest step is to open a line of communication.
It is when we do not, that the communication by the other person appears to be harassment or abuse.
It leads me to think that the fearful and anxious person is a coward, and lacks the courage to articulate her fear.
I expect better of her.
Yet, why do I have to initiate the next level of communication? Is it up to me to do so? And might it not be seen as more harassment?
Thus I am reluctant to do so.
All it takes is one phone call to dispell my delusion about what I see as anxiety and fear about my best friend.
20050604
The 8 Signs of Mania
- Recognize the early warning signs of mania-e.g., insomnia, surges of energy, making lots of plans, grandiose thinking, speeded-up thinking, overcommitment, excessive euphoria, spending too much money, etc. Let friends and family know of these symptoms so that they can also become alerted to the start of a manic episode.
- Create a stable lifestyle in which you keep regular sleep hours. Studies show that intervals between manic episodes are considerably longer in those people who live in stable environments. In addition, eat a diet that is high in complex carbohydrates and protein, avoiding foods such as simple sugars that can cause ups and downs. Alcohol and caffeine should also be avoided.
- Use planning and scheduling to stay focused and grounded. Make a list of things to do and stick to it.
- Try to engage in a daily meditative activity which focuses and calms the mind. If you are too restless for sitting meditation, go for a leisurely walk, taking long, deep breaths along the way.
- Refrain from taking on too many projects or becoming over-stimulated. If you feel an excess of energy starting to overtake you, channel it into productive physical activities such as doing the dishes, mopping the floor, cleaning out the basement, weeding a garden, etc.
- Psychotherapy and support groups can help you to explore the emotional aspects of the illness, as well as provide support during times of stress.
- If you feel that things are getting out of hand, call your doctor or therapist. This is especially true if you start losing sleep, as sleep deprivation is one of the major contributors to mania.
- Ask a good friend or family member to track your activity level. Sometimes a manic episode can 'sneak up on you,' and an objective person may be able to spot it before it gets out of hand."
Reference:
9 Types of Depressive Disorders: http://www.hbcprotocols.com/9types.html
20050603
MAO-A and MAO-B and Serenity
"The catecholamines, epinephrine (the other name is adrenalin), norepinephrine (noradrenalin), and dopamine, are the stress hormones which get your body ready for fight-or-flight emergencies. In normal humans (and other mammals), MAO-A and MAO-B deactivate these hormones so that the body can return to a calm state. When the animal is frightened by a primary or conditioned response stimulus, these hormones are squirted into circulation to increase heartrate, breathing rate, and blood pressure to ready the animal for fighting or running away."
So high levels of MAO are related to a calm effect.
Histaminase (an anti-histamine) leads to sedation, and may be moderated by serotonin level.
Therefore, a blood test testing for MAO and histamine level may indicate a higher level for me than normal.
I am predominately calm - a "cool cucumber" - and feel mostly sedated.
The experience with pseudoephedrine was generally no abreaction due to epinephrine.
All it did was make me feel slightly giddy.
And the reason is the raised levels of MAO and histaminase.
I am a natural tranquilizer.
So high levels of MAO are related to a calm effect.
Histaminase (an anti-histamine) leads to sedation, and may be moderated by serotonin level.
Therefore, a blood test testing for MAO and histamine level may indicate a higher level for me than normal.
I am predominately calm - a "cool cucumber" - and feel mostly sedated.
The experience with pseudoephedrine was generally no abreaction due to epinephrine.
All it did was make me feel slightly giddy.
And the reason is the raised levels of MAO and histaminase.
I am a natural tranquilizer.
20050601
Love is Like Rain
Just as rain falls on us all equally
so too does unconditional love bless each of us.
so too does unconditional love bless each of us.
20050531
Thou Art the Mantra I Chant
Thou art the mantra I chant,
thou art the tantra I practise,
thou art bliss!
thou art bliss!
thou art the tantra I practise,
thou art bliss!
thou art bliss!
20050529
The Ego Prayer (poem)
If the very nature of Being
is to become "I am",
what a challenge for someone
who foolishly chooses
Ego over selflessness!
For this person would sooner
choose having No-mind
over all the suffering
that Ego has brought to life
on this good earth.
So let this person lose
his hold over all clinging,
if only to let go of Ego.
is to become "I am",
what a challenge for someone
who foolishly chooses
Ego over selflessness!
For this person would sooner
choose having No-mind
over all the suffering
that Ego has brought to life
on this good earth.
So let this person lose
his hold over all clinging,
if only to let go of Ego.
20050528
Absence makes the heart grow fonder
It hurts to be ignored,
to not be even given a word
to explain your absence.
And yet I ignore my pain
despite missing you deeply,
for such is the depth of love
which I feel for you...
Yet, I know that this love
is but a delusion, a fragment
of unconditional love,
for it clings and grasps.
Thus I let go of this love,
and let unconditional love
embrace me, so that I may be
released from human love.
Though it hurts to be ignored,
unconditional love erases the pain.
When you have the time for me,
please let me know you're okay.
to not be even given a word
to explain your absence.
And yet I ignore my pain
despite missing you deeply,
for such is the depth of love
which I feel for you...
Yet, I know that this love
is but a delusion, a fragment
of unconditional love,
for it clings and grasps.
Thus I let go of this love,
and let unconditional love
embrace me, so that I may be
released from human love.
Though it hurts to be ignored,
unconditional love erases the pain.
When you have the time for me,
please let me know you're okay.
20050527
Words More Powerful Than a Gun
The pen and the tongue are more powerful than a Colt 45.
After six shots, that Colt could kill a half dozen people; but a wrongly placed word spoken or written can mean life or death for billions of people.
After six shots, that Colt could kill a half dozen people; but a wrongly placed word spoken or written can mean life or death for billions of people.
I've decided togo back on welfare
Due to part-time status (under 20 hours a week), I've decided to go back on welfare.
So over the next week, I will record my ordeal...
So over the next week, I will record my ordeal...
20050526
Dietary Supplements and Nutrition for Depression
Folate intake and serotonin levels are directly related relative to depression.
Low folate intake lowers serotonin levels, causing depression.
A good multivitamin thus helps to improve moods.
Low folate intake lowers serotonin levels, causing depression.
A good multivitamin thus helps to improve moods.
Listmania! UNDERSTANDING THE BRAIN: INTERMEDIATE COURSE
I am currently reading Restak's Brainscapes.
It's a really good read, despite the big words.
This is the first book of many on neurology and the brain, which I am currently researching to augment my extensive experience in meditation and alternative health solutions to mental illness.
It's a really good read, despite the big words.
This is the first book of many on neurology and the brain, which I am currently researching to augment my extensive experience in meditation and alternative health solutions to mental illness.
Our True Nature
"We are stardust, we are golden." -- Joni Mitchell
We are more than just human beings. In us is the echo of the gods, and the legacy of the whole universe.
Because we err, we are human. Yet in forgiveness is the divine, the blessings of angels themselves!
Thus our True Nature rises above our material form.
We are indeed stardust, our minds Golden.
For what are we but a dream of high consciousness? And that is the epitome of divine!
We are more than just human beings. In us is the echo of the gods, and the legacy of the whole universe.
Because we err, we are human. Yet in forgiveness is the divine, the blessings of angels themselves!
Thus our True Nature rises above our material form.
We are indeed stardust, our minds Golden.
For what are we but a dream of high consciousness? And that is the epitome of divine!
Meditation, optimal nutrition and its effect on mental health
It may be possible to create neuropeptides which result in a positive self esteem using meditation and visualization.
Thus, the pharmaceutical approach to control of mental illness is defective since it treats the problem and not the underlying cause.
Getting well may be as easy as a multivitamin pill, salmon oil capsules and a low beef diet consisting of occasional consumption of chicken and seafish, coupled with meditation and visualization.
It may even begin with such chants as the following:
Om mani payme hum - the Avalokiteshvara mantra
Om tare tutare ture svaha - the Tara mantra
Thus, the pharmaceutical approach to control of mental illness is defective since it treats the problem and not the underlying cause.
Getting well may be as easy as a multivitamin pill, salmon oil capsules and a low beef diet consisting of occasional consumption of chicken and seafish, coupled with meditation and visualization.
It may even begin with such chants as the following:
Om mani payme hum - the Avalokiteshvara mantra
Om tare tutare ture svaha - the Tara mantra
20050525
Thank You to a Dear Friend
You came into my life,
and it was changed forever.
Gone are the dark days,
since you brightened mine up.
It's like a miracle,
this darkness made into light.
With every day life improves,
and it's never the same.
And now you've got game.
I'm moved by the happiness
which has recently happened
to someone so dear to me.
Thank you for being my friend.
Thank you for letting me into your life.
I'm here for you until the end...
and it was changed forever.
Gone are the dark days,
since you brightened mine up.
It's like a miracle,
this darkness made into light.
With every day life improves,
and it's never the same.
And now you've got game.
I'm moved by the happiness
which has recently happened
to someone so dear to me.
Thank you for being my friend.
Thank you for letting me into your life.
I'm here for you until the end...
Why Mental Illness Is feared (satire)
British Columbia Schizophrenia Society: "'Why Do People Find Mental Illness So Unacceptable?'
Fear of Danger
Many people are afraid that people who have a mental illness are dangerous, unpredictable, and aggressive. In reality, people with a mental illness are usually anxious, fearful of others, and passive. The myth of danger is largely based on inaccurate and outdated cultural myths that always portrayed people with mental illness as violent.
Fear of Criminal Intentions
People with psychiatric disorders are no more likely to commit crimes than the general population. However, if mental illness is left untreated and allowed to become progressively more severe, people who are acutely ill may inadvertently end up in jail. Another common confusion has to do with the nature of involuntary hospitalization, which is sometimes necessary to treat and safeguard someone who is very ill. Hospitalization for medical treatment to regain one's health should never be falsely equated with incarceration in the criminal justice system.
Fear of the Unknown
People often fear what they do not understand. And when they don't understand, they often make wild guesses. Some cultures believe mental illness is the work of evil spirits, while others believe it is caused by bad blood, poisons, or lack of moral integrity. As people learn more about the real nature of mental illness, many of these harmful beliefs fade.
Aversion to Illness
After hundreds of years, 'mental illness' has finally been identified as a disease just like epilepsy, Parkinsonism, or diabetes. But this change from the realm of the witch doctor to the medical doctor doesn't erase all negative feeling -- only lessens it somewhat. The public still has a very strong aversion to hospitals, disease, and doctors.
Better health education programs can help do away with old myths and misunderstandings.
Giving patients the necessary supports to recover in their own communities will also help overcome the general prejudice against all people with mental illness."
As well, most mentally ill people tend to be less likely to lie than sane people, who might be sociopathic in a good way. Though I will point out that sociopathy is not a mental illness nor is criminal psychopathy. It is a legal term as is in/sanity.
Fear of Danger
Many people are afraid that people who have a mental illness are dangerous, unpredictable, and aggressive. In reality, people with a mental illness are usually anxious, fearful of others, and passive. The myth of danger is largely based on inaccurate and outdated cultural myths that always portrayed people with mental illness as violent.
Fear of Criminal Intentions
People with psychiatric disorders are no more likely to commit crimes than the general population. However, if mental illness is left untreated and allowed to become progressively more severe, people who are acutely ill may inadvertently end up in jail. Another common confusion has to do with the nature of involuntary hospitalization, which is sometimes necessary to treat and safeguard someone who is very ill. Hospitalization for medical treatment to regain one's health should never be falsely equated with incarceration in the criminal justice system.
Fear of the Unknown
People often fear what they do not understand. And when they don't understand, they often make wild guesses. Some cultures believe mental illness is the work of evil spirits, while others believe it is caused by bad blood, poisons, or lack of moral integrity. As people learn more about the real nature of mental illness, many of these harmful beliefs fade.
Aversion to Illness
After hundreds of years, 'mental illness' has finally been identified as a disease just like epilepsy, Parkinsonism, or diabetes. But this change from the realm of the witch doctor to the medical doctor doesn't erase all negative feeling -- only lessens it somewhat. The public still has a very strong aversion to hospitals, disease, and doctors.
Better health education programs can help do away with old myths and misunderstandings.
Giving patients the necessary supports to recover in their own communities will also help overcome the general prejudice against all people with mental illness."
As well, most mentally ill people tend to be less likely to lie than sane people, who might be sociopathic in a good way. Though I will point out that sociopathy is not a mental illness nor is criminal psychopathy. It is a legal term as is in/sanity.
20050523
The Alternative to Medication
"...Peptides provide our body's most basic communication network. To study the molecules' specific function, Pert and colleagues at NIMH began taking wafer thin slices of rat brains and, using radioactive molecules, mapping peptide receptors in the brain. Dense clusters appeared in parts of the brain long associated with emotion. According to Pert, the hippocampus, a small, almond-shaped structure that is crucial in memory, is the brain's emotional gateway. Almost every variety of peptide receptor is found there, she notes. The frontal cortex and another brain structure, the amygdala, are also densely populated with peptide receptors. Since emotions are regulated by neuropeptides, and the brain's memory centers are filled with receptors for these peptides, it's likely that emotion and memory are intertwined. However, the peptide network reaches into all the organs, glands, spinal cord, and tissues of the body." — Impertinent ideas. (alternative medicine pioneer Candace Pert); Neimark, Jill Psychology Today 11-21-1997
In short, our emotions are stored throughout the body.
For wherever neuropeptides created by our feelings go, so too goes the memory for that feeling.
Thus it is possible to access emotional memory anywhere in the network which makes up the body-mind.
This is how meditation, chiropractic therapy, therapeutic touch (Reiki) and other forms of healing — even the simple activity such as walking - work.
Often our minds do not truly need psycho-pharmaceutical drugs — at least, not for the rest of our lives.
The side effects of those drugs show us their true nature, of becoming too much of a good thing.
Thus, Professor Pert's research implies that even AIDS is a body-mind threat, and that an interdisciplinary outlook towards disease is the optimal one.
However, I would caution against the strategy implied in the movie "What the Bleep Do We Know?" when Amanda throws away her anti-anxiety medication.
Tapering off medication is essential to gaining control over the body-mind. This involves reducing medication over a period of time i.e. over a period of four months from full dose to 3/4 of the dose over the first month of weaning to 1/2 of the dose during the second month to 1/4 the dose during the third month, to 1/8th the dose during the fourth.
No one needs to go through the process alone, given the number of cognitive behavior therapy groups out there to help a person by providing emotional support.
Even so, a few people may view daily exercise, a multivitamin supplement, salmon oil capsules and wholesome food as useful on the long run for what ails them.
The challenge is in adopting such a strategy to maintain positive mental health.
In short, our emotions are stored throughout the body.
For wherever neuropeptides created by our feelings go, so too goes the memory for that feeling.
Thus it is possible to access emotional memory anywhere in the network which makes up the body-mind.
This is how meditation, chiropractic therapy, therapeutic touch (Reiki) and other forms of healing — even the simple activity such as walking - work.
Often our minds do not truly need psycho-pharmaceutical drugs — at least, not for the rest of our lives.
The side effects of those drugs show us their true nature, of becoming too much of a good thing.
Thus, Professor Pert's research implies that even AIDS is a body-mind threat, and that an interdisciplinary outlook towards disease is the optimal one.
However, I would caution against the strategy implied in the movie "What the Bleep Do We Know?" when Amanda throws away her anti-anxiety medication.
Tapering off medication is essential to gaining control over the body-mind. This involves reducing medication over a period of time i.e. over a period of four months from full dose to 3/4 of the dose over the first month of weaning to 1/2 of the dose during the second month to 1/4 the dose during the third month, to 1/8th the dose during the fourth.
No one needs to go through the process alone, given the number of cognitive behavior therapy groups out there to help a person by providing emotional support.
Even so, a few people may view daily exercise, a multivitamin supplement, salmon oil capsules and wholesome food as useful on the long run for what ails them.
The challenge is in adopting such a strategy to maintain positive mental health.
What the Bleep Do We Know?
I've read the sfgate article and am prepared to rent the movie.
My friend bugged me about not being able to get her copy of it through MSN Messenger.
It was friendly razzing, but I am certain it's a combination of her router and mine.
Anyway, the movie itself is about a spiritually uplifting film that gets people discussing it after the movie is over.
I am confident it will confirm much of what I've been writing about for the past couple of years.
*A side note here: I read a couple journals I'd written a couple years ago and it's total gibberish on the spiritual part, except maybe for a few reflections on Taoism. The Buddhist reflections ramble on, and don't make any sense.
Yet I find the stuff I've written over the past 2 months is making plenty of sense now.
So I'll go watch What the Bleep and see how close it fits my current ideology...
My friend bugged me about not being able to get her copy of it through MSN Messenger.
It was friendly razzing, but I am certain it's a combination of her router and mine.
Anyway, the movie itself is about a spiritually uplifting film that gets people discussing it after the movie is over.
I am confident it will confirm much of what I've been writing about for the past couple of years.
*A side note here: I read a couple journals I'd written a couple years ago and it's total gibberish on the spiritual part, except maybe for a few reflections on Taoism. The Buddhist reflections ramble on, and don't make any sense.
Yet I find the stuff I've written over the past 2 months is making plenty of sense now.
So I'll go watch What the Bleep and see how close it fits my current ideology...
20050522
Why Fear?
From the Dhammapada 212-216 (a collection of sayings of the Buddha):
"From what is dear, grief is born,
from what is dear, fear is born.
For someone freed from what is dear
there is no grief
-- so why fear?
From what is loved, grief is born,
from what is loved, fear is born.
For someone freed from what is loved,
there is no grief
-- so why fear?
From delight, grief is born,
from delight, fear is born.
For someone freed from delight
there is no grief
-- so why fear?
From sensuality, grief is born,
from sensuality, fear is born.
For someone freed from sensuality
there is no grief
-- so why fear?
From craving, grief is born,
from craving, fear is born.
For someone freed from craving
there is no grief
-- so why fear?"
"From what is dear, grief is born,
from what is dear, fear is born.
For someone freed from what is dear
there is no grief
-- so why fear?
From what is loved, grief is born,
from what is loved, fear is born.
For someone freed from what is loved,
there is no grief
-- so why fear?
From delight, grief is born,
from delight, fear is born.
For someone freed from delight
there is no grief
-- so why fear?
From sensuality, grief is born,
from sensuality, fear is born.
For someone freed from sensuality
there is no grief
-- so why fear?
From craving, grief is born,
from craving, fear is born.
For someone freed from craving
there is no grief
-- so why fear?"
How to Master Fear
The cause of all fear is self-grasping ignorance, and all the delusions, such as selfishness, attachment and anger, arise from that ignorance, as well as all the unskillful actions motivated by those delusions. --From Tharpa.com
Thus, the antidotes to the delusions of selfishness, attachment and anger are
selflessness, detachment and unconditional love.
Selflessness is best achieved by helping people without expecting reward, to give of ourselves without thought of being a giver.
Detachment is known as letting go, i.e. to not hold onto something as though it were near and dear to you, even when this turns out to be your own life.
Yet to throw away your life needlessly is not detachment, but foolhardiness.
With a healthy sense of detachment, one learns to balance self-preservation with self sacrifice.
Unconditional love is also known as compassion, the kind of love which makes no exceptions, such that one may love another, regardless of whether s/he is friend or enemy.
It may be that selflessness, detachment and unconditional love are the greatest tools a person may develop to remove all delusions, and even ignorance itself.
And no one is excluded from developing their skills in use of these tools.
Yet, only the good of us continue to use them to benefit us all.
Thus, the antidotes to the delusions of selfishness, attachment and anger are
selflessness, detachment and unconditional love.
Selflessness is best achieved by helping people without expecting reward, to give of ourselves without thought of being a giver.
Detachment is known as letting go, i.e. to not hold onto something as though it were near and dear to you, even when this turns out to be your own life.
Yet to throw away your life needlessly is not detachment, but foolhardiness.
With a healthy sense of detachment, one learns to balance self-preservation with self sacrifice.
Unconditional love is also known as compassion, the kind of love which makes no exceptions, such that one may love another, regardless of whether s/he is friend or enemy.
It may be that selflessness, detachment and unconditional love are the greatest tools a person may develop to remove all delusions, and even ignorance itself.
And no one is excluded from developing their skills in use of these tools.
Yet, only the good of us continue to use them to benefit us all.
20050521
Unconditional Love
True love transcends mere physical attraction.
It binds people together in ways that go beyond attraction.
Such love creates community and revitalizes society.
For some people such love is symbolized by God.
Or it may be what a few people see in a simple act.
At the root of it is unconditional love.
Thus, in a spiritual sense, infinite consciousness creates this universe out of unconditional love.
And yet that Creator is not apart of the created.
For Creator and the created are one.
And this spiritual union is due to unconditional love.
It binds people together in ways that go beyond attraction.
Such love creates community and revitalizes society.
For some people such love is symbolized by God.
Or it may be what a few people see in a simple act.
At the root of it is unconditional love.
Thus, in a spiritual sense, infinite consciousness creates this universe out of unconditional love.
And yet that Creator is not apart of the created.
For Creator and the created are one.
And this spiritual union is due to unconditional love.
Spirituality Scares the Ignorant Masses
It's amazing that when faced with even a mention of spirituality, the ignorant ridicule the messenger.
My suspicion is that the unenlightened have persecuted the enlightened more often in history than we care to admit.
This may be at the root of the persecution of Gnostics since the Third Century by the Church.
It may even explain the Inquisition (jealousy of the syncretism of Judaism, Islam and Christianity in Spain) and modern-day Protestant myths about other sects and religions, especially the myths about "satanism."
Little does the average Christian know that satan has been bound since the Christ's death. For Christ dealt with the devil's work and bound him.
To believe that satan is bound is supported by Christian doctrine; to believe otherwise - that a personification of evil walks among us is a myth of mass media and diabolic fear-mongering.
Persnally I don't believe in satanism, I believe in Buddhism, and its traditions are free of belief in satan.
For the concept of non-self suggests that satan does not exist, being a spiritual being purported to "live forever" i.e. an exceptionally long time described as "immortal".
Since immortality as a form of permanence is impossible due to the Buddhist concept of non-self, satan does not exist except as an archetype or a symbol of Christian dualistic thought (the symbol of evil versus God as symbol of good).
For I do not view satan as a personification of evil but as a symbol of diabolism.
Within the confines of reality, satanism is a mass media myth that people believe in either for "thrills" or social control.
Regarding social control, belief in satanism helps solidify group dynamics within a religious organization provided checks and balances are observed to prevent abuse of power by religious leaders.
However, it is diabolism to abuse the trust of members of religious bodies including any groups of religious instruction formed by Christians in positions of authority, whether it is a home meeting or a church.
To further emphasis my point on diabolism, I present this website called Children of the Matrix, and its page on "Spiritual" satanism and "christian" conmen for review.
Please note how important maintaining disbelief when viewing it as it may induce a strong denial regarding the topic material.
Any suspension of disbelief that promotes antipathy towards Christianity is not my intent as I do not believe a religion is responsible for what "wolves in sheep's clothing" do behind closed doors.
http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/biggestsecret/matrix/matrix16.htm
Commentary:
Note: see http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net for disclaimer. This article appears to be propaganda.
Illuminati is a code word for the 1 percent that want to profit from mass media propaganda.
With regard to the charges again Prescott Bush, I looked up the Union Banking Corporation and found this article on wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Banking_Corporation
The bulk of the article linked in this article is wrong about the Bush family.
"Rumors about the alleged Nazi 'ties' of the late Prescott Bush ... have circulated widely through the internet in recent years. These charges are untenable and politically motivated. Despite some early financial dealings between Prescott Bush and a Nazi industrialist named Fritz Thyssen (who was arrested by the Nazi regime in 1938 and imprisoned during the war), Prescott Bush was neither a Nazi nor a Nazi sympathizer.”
However, they are right in criticizing Billy Graham for manufacturing the religious propaganda of "the immortal soul", which is a syncretism from neo-Platonic sources that the early Church fathers borrow, and then instituted as dogma.
This particular syncretism gets condoned by resorting to the Bible to back up a pagan idea called "immortality". Immortal life is not mentioned in the Bible but "eternal life" in heaven with Jesus is mentioned in that strongly symbolic chapter called "Revelations".
I do not endorse anything David Icke wrote, as the link regarding Children of the Matrix is his work of art, and looks like he cherry picked all the dirt on his targets of derision regarding the richest people of America.
Conspiracy theories like this are great for people who have biases against American organized religion, rich people, and televangelists. I don't believe anything that I can't find anything to debunk. It's not propaganda to give people choices, for it's important to not make a choice but to dance like David.
YMMV
Originally written: May 21, 2005 at 1052H
Edited and updated: February 4, 2013 at 1017H
My suspicion is that the unenlightened have persecuted the enlightened more often in history than we care to admit.
This may be at the root of the persecution of Gnostics since the Third Century by the Church.
It may even explain the Inquisition (jealousy of the syncretism of Judaism, Islam and Christianity in Spain) and modern-day Protestant myths about other sects and religions, especially the myths about "satanism."
Little does the average Christian know that satan has been bound since the Christ's death. For Christ dealt with the devil's work and bound him.
To believe that satan is bound is supported by Christian doctrine; to believe otherwise - that a personification of evil walks among us is a myth of mass media and diabolic fear-mongering.
Persnally I don't believe in satanism, I believe in Buddhism, and its traditions are free of belief in satan.
For the concept of non-self suggests that satan does not exist, being a spiritual being purported to "live forever" i.e. an exceptionally long time described as "immortal".
Since immortality as a form of permanence is impossible due to the Buddhist concept of non-self, satan does not exist except as an archetype or a symbol of Christian dualistic thought (the symbol of evil versus God as symbol of good).
For I do not view satan as a personification of evil but as a symbol of diabolism.
Within the confines of reality, satanism is a mass media myth that people believe in either for "thrills" or social control.
Regarding social control, belief in satanism helps solidify group dynamics within a religious organization provided checks and balances are observed to prevent abuse of power by religious leaders.
However, it is diabolism to abuse the trust of members of religious bodies including any groups of religious instruction formed by Christians in positions of authority, whether it is a home meeting or a church.
To further emphasis my point on diabolism, I present this website called Children of the Matrix, and its page on "Spiritual" satanism and "christian" conmen for review.
Please note how important maintaining disbelief when viewing it as it may induce a strong denial regarding the topic material.
Any suspension of disbelief that promotes antipathy towards Christianity is not my intent as I do not believe a religion is responsible for what "wolves in sheep's clothing" do behind closed doors.
http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/biggestsecret/matrix/matrix16.htm
Commentary:
Note: see http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net for disclaimer. This article appears to be propaganda.
Illuminati is a code word for the 1 percent that want to profit from mass media propaganda.
With regard to the charges again Prescott Bush, I looked up the Union Banking Corporation and found this article on wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Banking_Corporation
The bulk of the article linked in this article is wrong about the Bush family.
"Rumors about the alleged Nazi 'ties' of the late Prescott Bush ... have circulated widely through the internet in recent years. These charges are untenable and politically motivated. Despite some early financial dealings between Prescott Bush and a Nazi industrialist named Fritz Thyssen (who was arrested by the Nazi regime in 1938 and imprisoned during the war), Prescott Bush was neither a Nazi nor a Nazi sympathizer.”
However, they are right in criticizing Billy Graham for manufacturing the religious propaganda of "the immortal soul", which is a syncretism from neo-Platonic sources that the early Church fathers borrow, and then instituted as dogma.
This particular syncretism gets condoned by resorting to the Bible to back up a pagan idea called "immortality". Immortal life is not mentioned in the Bible but "eternal life" in heaven with Jesus is mentioned in that strongly symbolic chapter called "Revelations".
I do not endorse anything David Icke wrote, as the link regarding Children of the Matrix is his work of art, and looks like he cherry picked all the dirt on his targets of derision regarding the richest people of America.
Conspiracy theories like this are great for people who have biases against American organized religion, rich people, and televangelists. I don't believe anything that I can't find anything to debunk. It's not propaganda to give people choices, for it's important to not make a choice but to dance like David.
YMMV
Originally written: May 21, 2005 at 1052H
Edited and updated: February 4, 2013 at 1017H
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