Thoughts on Buddhism

[Bgood]

Abra wrote

Where did all that come from?

I'm just curious where you get the idea that I 'mystify emotions'?

You seem to be assuming quite a bit about someone you've never met.

I don't really mean to point the finger at you and make it totally personal. Sorry about that, I bet if we were to meet each other in person, we would get along great Perhaps I was using you as an example since you've apparently got a big target on your back now LOL Don't worry about it!

What I have observed from what you have written in this thread and my ever-growing understanding of Zen, this is where I got this notion from. The main point I'm trying to relate is this DUALITY which you apparently seem to be fixated on between spirituality and matter. Don't worry I am not criticizing you at all, I am totally guilty of this type of thinking also! (probably everyone is, except the most exceptional, the buddhas)

The unity of the Tao can be used in all facets of thought and comparison. The mental idea of "spirituality" can also like the thought of God sometimes. We externalize them. When God is seen outside and far away from us in another realm, we are separated from the very thing we worship and desire, God, or spirituality. When spirit is unknown, out there in themysterious universe, we then feel alienated from it as we would a Christian god. Separate, not interdependent and the same as Buddha would teach to view spirit. This unifying power of buddha mind is what enables us to focus and bring together, hold together vast amounts of information, intelligence, imagination and emotions and anything we wish to place in the consciousness. I think it heals and fixes things too. The power of the dharma is truly such a fundamental understanding of human nature. The answer is within. Know thyself. Well, it seems that Buddha already knows all of us because he knows the entire human condition, and is well aware of how to benefit it. And this is his only want.....to benefit and enrich our "spirits".

Take care, and always aim to quiet the restless mind.

[Epimethean]

The buddha knows all of us, alright: Like Seinfeld, Kramer.

[Abracadabra]

I don't really mean to point the finger at you and make it totally personal. Sorry about that, I bet if we were to meet each other in person, we would get along great

I'm sure we would. I didn't take your comments to be an attack against me. I was just curious what caused you to come to those conclusions.

Perhaps I was using you as an example since you've apparently got a big target on your back now LOL Don't worry about it!

That is a problem on forums in general. It's like shark infested waters. If someone appears to have been 'cut' everyone smells the blood and joins in for a feeding frenzy. I'd post the rolf icon here but someone might take that wrong. I just think it's funny is all.

What I have observed from what you have written in this thread and my ever-growing understanding of Zen, this is where I got this notion from. The main point I'm trying to relate is this DUALITY which you apparently seem to be fixated on between spirituality and matter. Don't worry I am not criticizing you at all, I am totally guilty of this type of thinking also! (probably everyone is, except the most exceptional, the buddhas)

Well, not intended as 'defense', but rather just to offer an explanation to hopefully clear up this misconception, I don't make such a divide between the physical and spiritual. For me they are all one seamless whole.

Where the distinction between spirituality and physicality arises from is actually from the people I've been conversing with. They are the one's who seem to be fixated on this idea that there exist two totally different worlds. The world of "rationale" which they view as basically being anything that can be recognized and described by science. Versus a world of "irrationality", and world they claim does not exist because science has yet to discover it. (ha ha)

I try to point out that science has actually discovered aspects of seemingly 'irrational' reality even already via the observations and predictions of QM.

For me personally there is no "difference" between these worlds. They are all the same reality. So yes, when speaking with these other people I can see where it may appear that I divide reality up like they do, in truth I don't. I just have no choice but to speak in terms of their delusions of this dichotomy.

I don't personally subscribe to those distinctions myself.

For me, "All is spirit". There is nothing that is not spirit, including the spacetime fabric of this universe. So the dichotomy of thought in my conversations with other people is just a necessary evil required to speak with them on their terms.

The unity of the Tao can be used in all facets of thought and comparison. The mental idea of "spirituality" can also like the thought of God sometimes. We externalize them. When God is seen outside and far away from us in another realm, we are separated from the very thing we worship and desire, God, or spirituality. When spirit is unknown, out there in themysterious universe, we then feel alienated from it as we would a Christian god. Separate, not interdependent and the same as Buddha would teach to view spirit. This unifying power of buddha mind is what enables us to focus and bring together, hold together vast amounts of information, intelligence, imagination and emotions and anything we wish to place in the consciousness. I think it heals and fixes things too. The power of the dharma is truly such a fundamental understanding of human nature. The answer is within. Know thyself. Well, it seems that Buddha already knows all of us because he knows the entire human condition, and is well aware of how to benefit it. And this is his only want.....to benefit and enrich our "spirits".

I am completely in harmony with your thoughts above.

Take care, and always aim to quiet the restless mind.

Thank you. I personally don't view you as one of the sharks in the forum ocean. But even by your own admission, even you recognize when other people have attempted to place a 'target' on the back of another poster.

I would only hope that you don't go along with that kind of mob mentality.

I mean, I realize that Taoism suggests that we should go with the flow, but if the flow is going in a negative direction surely there must be wisdom in Taoism to help us contribute to a more positive flow of things.

If there is a flood of negativity and a trickle of positive flow, I say go with the trickle and maybe some day it will turn into a river.

By the way I watched that video you posted by David Icke. Isn't that precisely what he is suggesting? To create a river of love requires that we do it one peace at a time and not cave in to the mob mentality.

[Bgood]

I don't really mean to point the finger at you and make it totally personal. Sorry about that, I bet if we were to meet each other in person, we would get along great

I'm sure we would. I didn't take your comments to be an attack against me. I was just curious what caused you to come to those conclusions.

Perhaps I was using you as an example since you've apparently got a big target on your back now LOL Don't worry about it!

That is a problem on forums in general. It's like shark infested waters. If someone appears to have been 'cut' everyone smells the blood and joins in for a feeding frenzy. I'd post the rolf icon here but someone might take that wrong. I just think it's funny is all.

What I have observed from what you have written in this thread and my ever-growing understanding of Zen, this is where I got this notion from. The main point I'm trying to relate is this DUALITY which you apparently seem to be fixated on between spirituality and matter. Don't worry I am not criticizing you at all, I am totally guilty of this type of thinking also! (probably everyone is, except the most exceptional, the buddhas)

Well, not intended as 'defense', but rather just to offer an explanation to hopefully clear up this misconception, I don't make such a divide between the physical and spiritual. For me they are all one seamless whole.

Where the distinction between spirituality and physicality arises from is actually from the people I've been conversing with. They are the one's who seem to be fixated on this idea that there exist two totally different worlds. The world of "rationale" which they view as basically being anything that can be recognized and described by science. Versus a world of "irrationality", and world they claim does not exist because science has yet to discover it. (ha ha)

I try to point out that science has actually discovered aspects of seemingly 'irrational' reality even already via the observations and predictions of QM.

For me personally there is no "difference" between these worlds. They are all the same reality. So yes, when speaking with these other people I can see where it may appear that I divide reality up like they do, in truth I don't. I just have no choice but to speak in terms of their delusions of this dichotomy.

I don't personally subscribe to those distinctions myself.

For me, "All is spirit". There is nothing that is not spirit, including the spacetime fabric of this universe. So the dichotomy of thought in my conversations with other people is just a necessary evil required to speak with them on their terms.

The unity of the Tao can be used in all facets of thought and comparison. The mental idea of "spirituality" can also like the thought of God sometimes. We externalize them. When God is seen outside and far away from us in another realm, we are separated from the very thing we worship and desire, God, or spirituality. When spirit is unknown, out there in themysterious universe, we then feel alienated from it as we would a Christian god. Separate, not interdependent and the same as Buddha would teach to view spirit. This unifying power of buddha mind is what enables us to focus and bring together, hold together vast amounts of information, intelligence, imagination and emotions and anything we wish to place in the consciousness. I think it heals and fixes things too. The power of the dharma is truly such a fundamental understanding of human nature. The answer is within. Know thyself. Well, it seems that Buddha already knows all of us because he knows the entire human condition, and is well aware of how to benefit it. And this is his only want.....to benefit and enrich our "spirits".

I am completely in harmony with your thoughts above.

Take care, and always aim to quiet the restless mind.

Thank you. I personally don't view you as one of the sharks in the forum ocean. But even by your own admission, even you recognize when other people have attempted to place a 'target' on the back of another poster.

I would only hope that you don't go along with that kind of mob mentality.

I mean, I realize that Taoism suggests that we should go with the flow, but if the flow is going in a negative direction surely there must be wisdom in Taoism to help us contribute to a more positive flow of things.

If there is a flood of negativity and a trickle of positive flow, I say go with the trickle and maybe some day it will turn into a river.

By the way I watched that video you posted by David Icke. Isn't that precisely what he is suggesting? To create a river of love requires that we do it one peace at a time and not cave in to the mob mentality.

After a great wall of TEXT, unbelievers see,

I am completely in harmony with your thoughts above.

DITTO.... . Just like the taoman. om mani padme hum. This could be a color of my enlightenment in my small fucked up head. I am actually a Grey alien now , I used to live as a Reptilian in Arizona. David Icke is my dad! How Ironic?



I still get to bust you though!

---

The buddha knows all of us, alright: Like Seinfeld, Kramer.

When I watch Seinfeld on TBS, my man Buddha watches Seinfeld on TBS. Same channels......@@same eyes......i believe.aa.

[Angrboda]

I would suggest that there is no positive and negative to the flow. The flow, the Tao, just is. If you find yourself opposing something and not getting around, past, or through it, you are likely wrestling with the Tao instead of letting it carry you to where you need to be. But that's okay, too. The Tao is a harsh mistress; it is not easy to stay in accord with the Tao. Counter-intuitive and contrary to what others will tell you, or even what you may tell yourself. But as Laozi observed, even a high wind cannot blow all day; the Tao can teach you, if you are ready to stop fighting.


Anyway. The Buddha was/is a class act. But he made errors. It is time to kill the Buddha and move beyond. At least for some of us, anyway. Enjoy your swim. It's a very nice day.

[Bgood]

apophenia wrote

The Buddha was/is a class act. But he made errors. It is time to kill the Buddha and move beyond

But what if Buddha can't be killed and won't die? Like a hungry zombie, he keeps reincarnating back to life reaching after us! He has not enlightened the entire world yet. So he is continually reborn in his most beloved followers and loyal aspirants. For a buddha is a living, breathing, walking man, not only a demigod or symbolic tool as the Tao. There are many buddhas stalking the planet right now. So Beware! He will unearth much truth in your fear of dying and your fear of moving beyond.

[tackattack]

Oh my goodness, please learn to use the hide tags Bgood. Check out the BB code Guide please.

[The Grand Nudger]

Wow, just wow. There's enough magic in this thread to wake sleeping beauty sans kiss....

[Epimethean]

Hell, it would fucking reanimate Anaksunamun.

[Abracadabra]

---

I would suggest that there is no positive and negative to the flow. The flow, the Tao, just is. If you find yourself opposing something and not getting around, past, or through it, you are likely wrestling with the Tao instead of letting it carry you to where you need to be. But that's okay, too. The Tao is a harsh mistress; it is not easy to stay in accord with the Tao. Counter-intuitive and contrary to what others will tell you, or even what you may tell yourself. But as Laozi observed, even a high wind cannot blow all day; the Tao can teach you, if you are ready to stop fighting.

---

That's true apophenia, and I confess that this is one area where I personally have difficulty with accepting philosophies like Taoism too literally.

If you're were a German in Nazi Germany should you "go with the flow" to persecute Jews and contribute to trying to conquer and enslave the entire world?

If you live in the buckle of the Bible Belt should you "go with the flow" and become a highly zealous Christian bigot and support that mentality?

These kinds of concerns do cause one to question precisely what is meant by "flow with the Tao". Is that basically the same thing as "When in Rome do as the Romans do?"

I personally feel that it should be taken in a different light. And I'll confess that it's not easy to decide precisely what it should mean exactly.

But then again, if the secular atheists are right it doesn't truly mean anything. It's just philosophical mumbo jumbo spouted by mere spiritless mortal men who will soon perish and may as well have never existed at all.