Illusions faced in our modern Era
Often, through the means of social media, with the anonymity that comes with it, we find there are many with self appointed authority on any given subject. Whether it is spirituality or through other subjects. Often it is easy to get wrapped up in the egos of ourselves and the egos of others.
No one man should one be regarded more than another, this was the first illusion Buddha shed when he discarded his princely riches.
We must remember no one man is more holier than another, what is divine in ourselves is divine also in others. If you seek validation, you will only find the ego, and the ego leads to suffering. Seek only genuine connections, and help, free yourselves from the illusion of the digital media age.
Romans 14:3-6
3 The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. -NIV Bible“If you find no one to support you on the spiritual path, walk alone. There is no companionship with the immature.” -Buddha
Facts vs Truths
Often it has been a matter of debate about what is a truth. As a follower of Yoga I practice the Yamas, one of this is Satya or Truthfulness. “So to someone online I may say, in the spirit of Satya and Ahimsa (Non Violence) I wish you peace, Namaste!” Often this brings up further debate, especially if I say something that expresses ownership of the truth not being shared by me, but what is Truth?
Fact:
noun
- A thing that is indisputably the case: she lacks political experience—a fact that becomes clear when she appears in public a body of fact
Truth:
noun (plural truths /tro͞oT͟Hz, tro͞oTHs/)
- The quality or state of being true:
A fact or belief that is accepted as true:- A fact or belief that is accepted as true:
Because a truth can also be a belief, it does not have to be true necessarily for everyone, in this context all facts are truths but not all truths are facts. So when I have accepted something has been your truth I am neither denying it nor am I accepting it, it is something that is your truth and that is ok! I only pray that your truths bring you peace, Namste!
Archaeology is the search for fact… not truth. If it’s truth you’re looking for, Dr. Tyree’s philosophy class is right down the hall. – Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones JR.
The Journey, Always The Journey
A short thought for today, even if you do not reach enlightenment, and become fully awakened in this life time, it is more important that you try. It is not about the destination but rather the journey.
Master, will I ever become enlightened?” asked a student. “Perhaps, why do you ask” said the master. “I ask because sometimes I get a little discouraged” replied the student. The master then said, “If I ask you to walk from here to Ghangzhou, can you say with absolute certainty that you will reach it?” The student said, “Not with absolute certainty Master, something could happen on my journey.” “This is true, but if you really wanted to reach Ghangzhou, would you keep walking in that direction despite the uncertainty?” asked the master. “Yes” replied the student. “Well then”, said the master “It would be best if you keep practising even if you do not attain enlightenment, for any practice you perform will bring you that much closer.”
Defining the Divine
My apologies to all of my readers for taking so long between posts, I have recently moved into a new apartment, and it took quite a while to become settled in.
Today’s thought is about our definitions of the divine. It is my belief that not only should our definitions, be based on an intellectual level, but also on an intimate level. We should not limit our definitions about the divine to the borders of traditions found in our families and in our faiths. Just as man has evolved so too has the divine, for we all learn and grow.
From a Christian perspective we see the divine, in the form of monotheism, evolve from wrath into love, compassion, and forgiveness. Our definitions should not be based solely on what our parents believe or on what is written in our scriptures, no matter which scriptures you read. Always seek the divine within our own human hearts, by forming intimate connections to the divine through daily actions. Free yourself from traditions and surrender yourself over to the goodness found in a genuine connection with the divine.
The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of all true art and science. Whoever does not know it and can no longer wonder, no longer marvel, is as good as dead, and his eyes are dimmed. It was the experience of mystery – even if mixed with fear – that engendered religion. A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, our perceptions of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty, which only in their most primitive forms are accessible to our minds – it is this knowledge and this emotion that constitute true religiosity; in this sense, and, and in this alone, I am a deeply religious man.
Albert Einstein
The Buddhist Nerd 
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