7 Day no tech experiment log.
So I have decided to remove all tech for 7 days (minus having a land line and transportation what with the kids and all). As to create my own 7 day retreat at home. My focus will be embracing my true self once more, meditation, study and reflection. I am tracking my progress on a legal pad which I will upload later.
Science Officer’s log: Stardate 69174.8
First let me say how difficult it is to count the Stardate when Star Trek has been off the air for such a long time and no computer or calculator at one’s disposal! After dropping the kids off at school and taking a few moments to meditate and gather my thoughts for the day, I quickly realized I had no new books to read that might spur on my reflective moments. After a quick jaunt over to the local book store, I managed to get a copy of Tesla’s Notes and Inventions in hard back and a paper back of the Essence of the Heart Sutra by the Dalai Lama.
Started reading the Sutra, best quote so far: “The Buddha recognized among his followers a diversity of mental dispositions, spiritual inclinations and interest, and saw that in order to suit this diversity he had to teach differently in different contexts. No matter how powerful a particular teaching may be or how “correct” a philosophical view may be, if it is not suitable to the individual hearing it, it has no value. A skillful Spiritual teacher will this judge the appropriateness of a given teaching for a given individual and teach accordingly. Buddha recognized the diversity of mental dispositions, interests, and mental capabilities of his followers and thus gave diverse teachings. Looking at all the world’s religions in this light, I feel a deep conviction that all of the traditions are beneficial, each of them uniquely service the needs of their followers.”
Decided to write things out on this legal pad after the kids went to bed to serve as a sounding board for my thoughts, much like I do when online. I find it therapeutic when my brain is scrambled with thoughts to give them linear form, thus making them easier to let go of.
After the kids got home and had finished their homework they had played outside till dinner then I decided it was best to give them the freedom of choice to watch Netflix or not. Just because this is something I am doing does not mean I should force them to go through it too. I retreated to a quite corner to read and meditate further.
One thought that I have felt a strong urge it to let a friend know that I have had a crush on her for quite some time, but I feel it is better to not mention it now that I have time to reflect instead of the instant form of communication brought via instant messaging. I don’t want to bring her into this troubled world I live, she deserves far better than myself.
End Entry Day 1
Science Officer’s log: Stardate 69177.7
Still quite the feat calculating Stardates but at least its easier with the initial Stardate calculated. Went fishing today, you may think “how cruel” when I say went fishing, I mean I went to the river and cast an empty hook and line out repeatedly knowing full well I would not catch anything but twigs and leaves lol. I had been difficult, I have subconsciously reached for the phone a few times, only to have been stymied by the fact that wifi has been shut off lol. Have managed to maintain a vegetarian diet the past few days as well as to not disrupt the flow of energy.
Today’s quote also from Heart Sutra about theologies with a creator deity.
How might we determine whether someone loves God sincerely? Surely, we would examine that person’s behavior and attitude toward fellow human beings, toward the rest of God’s creation. If someone has genuine love and compassion towards fellow human brothers and sisters, and towards the Earth itself, then I think we can be sure that that person truly demonstrates love for God. It is clear that when someone respects God’s message they emulate God’s love for humanity.
End Entry Day 2
Science Officer’s log: Stardate 69191.5
So the experiment comes to a close. What can I conclude? Although technology has it’s pros and its cons it is neither inherently good or bad. Good and bad are simple illusions, symptoms of an underlining problem, a colossal time suck for certain. The root of the problem, however, lies not in the tech but in the heart, the mind, and the soul. Although my self imposed isolation can hurt at times, it is neither fulled or caused by the technology, it is a crutch, and until I can learn to be ok with being alone, I will never be able to end my self inflicted suffering.
End Experimental Log….
Mirror mirror on the status….
Even as a child I found social interactions confusing, often I would find myself unsure of how to act or react so I would sit quietly watching the interactions of others, often feeling like an outsider to the species (figuratively), if you will.
I have come to the long standing conclusion that often what we fear, what we hate in ourselves is what we hate in others. I know not a very profound statement considering this has been a belief long held by psychologists. But even my untrained eye can see what is right in front of it. I will give an example.
I was following an interaction on a politically fueled discussion in regards to an argument of Liberals vs Conservatives. It was a short lived argument because the Liberal decided not to engage (something I wish I had the strength of foresight to do often). The Liberal minded person made a statement (something I wont mention because I feel it will distract from the topic at hand), and the conservative persons response was as follows:
“You stupid ‘Libtard’ you are so uneducated are you a high school droup oute, or go to some libtard college?”
And that was where the altercation ended. I did find it fascinating that the conservative minded person was angry, because they believed that the Liberally minded person was uneducated, yet themselves could not properly use punctuation marks, real words, or correctly spell the most basic of words. I don’t mention this to insult, I know my own punctuation can be lacking due to thoughts streaming out into posts with little regard to editing, merely to point out the very thing he hated in the liberally minded person was what was true in his own heart.
I often find myself wondering if those who hate others for other various reasons also do so out of such fears. Hating those who are homosexual out of fear that they might be homosexual in their own hearts comes to mind.
1. When you catch yourself having a defining thought about someone, step back and ask, “What do I really know about this person?”
Often, the answer is a version of “not very much.” This behavior acts as a pattern interrupt, and forces you to stop and consider where the judgment is coming from.
2. When you hear yourself criticizing someone to others, stop and take a moment to come up with one thing you like about that person. Then praise them, out loud, for that quality.
This is another version of a pattern interrupt, and is also a reminder that they too are human, and like us all, have both attractive and not-so-attractive qualities.
3. When you find yourself in one of those incessant loop thought patterns of judgment about someone else’s behaviors, ask the hard question: Do I myself exhibit this same behavior or attitude that I judge in this person?
Almost always, the answer is yes (not that one always comes to that yes easily). You probably already know that the stuff that irritates us the most about others tends to be attributes we don’t necessarily realize we ourselves have. This was the single most difficult tool I used. It was also probably the most effective.
“Whatever a monk keeps pursuing with his thinking and pondering, that becomes the inclination of his awareness.” -Buddha
“By doing this you are like a man who wants to hit another and picks up a burning ember or excrement in his hand and so first burns himself or makes himself stink.” -Buddhaghosa Visuddhimagga IX, 23.
Buddha on Love
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching here in the states, you cannot help sometimes but feel the twinge of the chronically single life style. With everything geared towards romance and couples, the days can pull at the ole heart strings. Admittedly a few times myself I have wondered if my standards were too high, if I should have settled when a relationship did not work out. Other times I have asked myself what I could I have done better when someone had left me and the shoe was on the other foot.
Lately while reading the Dhammapada a running theme kept popping up, and if you are like me you may find these words, if not inspiring, at least comforting when those doubts start to creep into your conscious trains of thought.
If a traveler does not meet with one who is his better, or his equal. let him firmly keep to his solitary journey; this is no companionship with a fool. DP 61
If a man finds no prudent companion who walks with him, is wise, and lives soberly, let him walk alone like a king who has left his conquered country behind, -Like an elephant. DP 329
It is better to live alone, there is no companionship with a fool; let a man walk alone, let him commit no sin, with few wishes, like an elephant in the forest. DP 330
The fields are damaged by weeds, mankind is damaged by lust: therefore a gift bestowed on those who are free from lust brings great reward. DP 359
If we want to be free of suffering in our relationships, we must find our equals and those who inspire us to better ourselves, we must not become trapped by our lusts, for when we do we become like spiders who have become trapped in our own webs.
But how is this fair we might ask? So many happy couples why not me? Honestly who knows, we should strive to continue on living in the now, continue our good works until our seeds ripen to bare fruits.
Even a good man sees evil days (finds suffering in this world), as long as his good deed has not ripened; but when the good deed has ripened, then the good man sees happy days. DP 120
Let no man think lightly of good, saying in his heart, it will not come nigh unto me. Even by falling of water-drops a water pot is filled; the wise man becomes fill of good, even if he gathers it little by little.
So to my fellow romantically challenged brothers and sisters, I wish you press on, happily diligently, doing good works, for sometimes the sweetest fruits come from the trees that take longest to bloom.
Namaste’
Advice from a brother in Buddha
Something we can do for our New Year’s eve celebrations suggested by a fellow Buddhist.
Burning Bowl Ceremony
On New Year’s Eve, get together with some close friends, and write on pieces of paper the things you do not wish to carry with us into the new year.
Then sit around a bowl of fire, and take turns visually letting it all go…. Share some of the challenges out loud with the group, and simply burn other challenges in silent support of one another.
Let go of what’s killing you, even if it’s killing you to let go.. and then you’ll have room in your life for the abundance of love that awaits
Truth…
One thing I have learned in life is that truth is always subjective but is often given more weight than fact. Often we substitute our own personal truths in place of facts, because we cannot often handle them. Honor the truths of your fellow sentient life form temper your minds with compassion and you will know peace!
Ego monsters rise again!
Once again the ego monster has reared it’s head on the net. People who have not trained under a master, who rely on their own egos corrupt the teachings of the Buddha, to put down or belittle people they feel do not agree with what their egos are telling them. I do not view this as condemnation or judgement, because I feel everyone has their own personal truths, I do however think we all (including myself) need a refresher of some of the Basic tenants of Buddhism.
Zen Teachings & Beliefs
- All sentient beings have Buddha-nature.
- Knowledge can be acquired from all aspects of life.
- Such knowledge helps to achieve enlightenment.
- The six paramitas (perfections) are the six principles of enlightened living. They are:
- Dana paramita: unattached generosity, boundless openness. Open heart, mind and hand.
- Sila paramita: virtue, morality.
- Shanti paramita: patience, tolerance, acceptance, endurance.
- Virya paramita: energy, diligence, courage, enthusiasm, effort.
- Dhyana paramita: meditation, absorption, concentration, contemplation.
- Prajna: transcendental wisdom.
- Meditation and mindfulness help in achieving new insights which leads to enlightenment.
- The experiencing of mu (or ‘wu’, the lack of presence, emptiness) leads to satori (spiritual awakening
“Well so ‘n so believes in stuff that I think is new age hippie BS and not Buddhism, because they are talking about coming from a place of spiritual love and compassion.”
Well, to be honest one of the basic teachings of Buddhism is the act of Altruism (the belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.)
‘Is this what you have in mind,’ I asked the Dalai Lama, ‘when you say in teachings that the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the world are the most selfish beings of all, that by cultivating altruism they actually achieve ultimate happiness for themselves?’
Yes. That’s wise selfish,’ he replied. ‘Helping others not means we do this at our own expense. Not like this. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, these people very wise. All their lives they only want one thing: to achieve ultimate happiness. How to do this? By cultivating compassion, by cultivating altruism.
The root of happiness is altruism — the wish to be of service to others. -Dalai Lama
As for the confusion of Spiritualism, often people still mistake the No-Self or No-Soul means there is not room for spirituality in Buddhism. If Buddhism does not believe in an immortal soul, then what and who will be reborn in the cycle of samsāra?
This is an interesting question. Buddhism definitely does not accept the belief that there is an immortal and perpetual soul. As mentioned in the teaching of non-self, no permanent self or soul entity exists permanently and invariably—only the current of karmic consciousness of sentient beings flowing constantly like the running of a river. If there were an immortal and invariable soul, an animal would not be able—after cultivating wholesome karmas through multiple lives—to become a human and a human would not be able to become a Bodhisattva or even a Buddha (See Jataka Tales for more information). Here, it is the very karmic current of consciousness that continually operates and transforms itself from this life to the next life in the cycle of samsāra in which the mind of each individual is the only foundation for this operation. Consequently, Buddhism does not accept the existence of an immortal soul, although it does accept that a transformation of the mind occurs throughout the journey of birth and rebirth. Until a practitioner—after a long term of spiritual training—attains sainted fruits such as Arhat, Buddha, or Bodhisattva in the eighth stage, he or she will break the cycle of samsāra. At this point of the spiritual journey, the motivation of birth and rebirth belongs to the devotional vow of each Bodhisattva; it is no longer pushed by the karmic force. Speaking of problems of rebirth or samsāra, you should note that Buddhism does not use the term soul, but rather mind.
The Sound of Silence
The sound of being silent, or knowing when to be silent!
As a rule, I generally only post what I practice, or at least what I strive to practice. I know I am not a perfect individual and I still struggle with the ego mind that acts as my own worst critic. Often, however, I have to “kill the Buddha I see in the mirror” as it were because I have turned my practice into an extension of my own ego. When ever it goes too far to the opposite tangent I tend to step back and pull away from sharing what I learn when I start to feel that I need to lead others, especially when I am lacking in my own practice. Namaste my friends!
A disciple once asked, “Master, what is the value of silence?” The master told the disciple, “ So long as the bee is outside the petals of the lotus, and has not tasted its honey, it hovers around the flower, emitting its buzzing sound; but when it is inside the flower, it drinks its nectar silently. If a man quarrels and disputes about doctrines and dogmas, he has not tasted the nectar of the Tao; when he has tasted it he becomes still.”
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.
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
Spirituality Is Not A Fashion Statement
Spirituality and faith, no matter the teaching, is about the compassionate expressions of the heart, for the betterment of your fellow man (in the general sense not gender).
Jesus himself said these two commandments are most important Love thy god and love thy neighbour, never once was uttered hints of exceptions.
Abraham J. Heschel, a Jewish philosopher said that a religious man is a person who holds God and man in one thought at one time, at all times, who suffers harm done to others, whose greatest passion is compassion, whose greatest strength is love and defiance of despair.
Albert Einstein said that a human being is part of the whole called by us ‘universe’ – a part limited in time and space. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.
Buddha himself said that in separateness lies the world’s great misery, in compassion lies the world’s true strength. Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer too much, others too little. Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.
I say this, if someone, anyone, dies for any reason, and your first words, neigh your first thoughts are not out of compassion but are born from mean spiritedness; even in poor jest, your spirituality, no matter how exotic, is simply a fashion statement.
The Divine in Nature.
When we say ‘namaste’, we are saying we recognize what is good and divine in someone else and we are honouring that spirit in them. This is what gives root to my pantheist approach to Buddhism.
The cosmos is also within us, we’re made of star stuff. We are a way for the cosmos to know itself. -Carl Sagan
“All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else.” -Buddha
Buddha himself gave quite a few talks on interconnectedness, one of which Shakyamuni used the image of two bundles of reeds leaning against each other to explain this deep interconnectedness. He described how the two bundles of reeds can remain standing as long as they lean against each other. In the same way, because this exists, that exists, and because that exists, this exists. If one of the two bundles is removed, then the other will fall. Similarly, without this existence, that cannot exist, and without that existence, this cannot exist.
Recently through scientific study Dr. Suzanne Simard discovered that Mycorrhizal fungi form obligate symbioses with trees, where the tree supplies the fungus with carbohydrate energy in return for water and nutrients the fungal mycelia gather from the soil; mycorrhizal networks form when mycelia connect the roots of two or more plants of the same or different species. Graduate student Kevin Beiler (network pictured above) has uncovered the extent and architecture of this network through the use of new molecular tools that can distinguish the DNA of one fungal individual from another, or of one tree’s roots from another. He has found that all trees in dry interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca) forests are interconnected, with the largest, oldest trees serving as hubs, much like the hub of a spoked wheel, where younger trees establish within the mycorrhizal network of the old trees. Through careful experimentation, recent graduate Francois Teste determined that survival of these establishing trees was greatly enhanced when they were linked into the network of the old trees.Through the use of stable isotope tracers, he and Amanda Schoonmaker, a recent undergraduate student in Forestry, found that increased survival was associated with belowground transfer of carbon, nitrogen and water from the old trees. This research provides strong evidence that maintaining forest resilience is dependent on conserving mycorrhizal links, and that removal of hub trees could unravel the network and compromise regenerative capacity of the forests.
Not only did this lead to the discovery of these networks and their hubs, but through observation Dr. Suzanne Simard was able to discover that in this network the younger (offspring) trees received the nutrients before the hubs even when these nutrients were introduced at the Hubs first.
This is a prime example how compassion extends outside the realm of mankind and exists not only in the animal kingdom but in the plant kingdoms as well. It is my belief that it is suggestive that consciousness exists in these networks on a unquantifiable level, and that just as Carl Sagan and the Buddha suggest, everything is connected, the divine exists with in us all.
~ “We have to continue to learn. We have to be open. And we have to be ready to release our knowledge in order to come to a higher understanding of reality.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
A Simple Student
On Wednesday the 30th, quite the surprisingly controversial posting went live. I had no idea that it would be so popular. Some people took it as I was trying to create a new teaching, a pseudo form, or bastardized form of the Dharma. This was far from my intention. Some even thought I had not read or studied Buddhism at all because my thought was in conflict with their tradition of Buddhism. I was merely doing as the Buddha himself suggested, question the teachings trying to get them to agree with my own reasoning and common sense. I meant to offence to any one, nor did I expect anyone to take what I had said at faith and to accept it as truth. It was merely a theory based on my understanding of the tales told of the Buddha’s awakening once he reached enlightenment.
Although I know I am not supposed to rely solely on my own pondering and probability of thought, I was merely voicing a theory that made sense to me and unified the accounting of the Buddha having lived many lives before and the concept of No Self. My thought was even if there was no traditional soul some part of who Buddha was, separate from his consciousness connected him to those previous lives. With those teachings and my pondering I gave voice to theory that is all.
I have never claimed to be an expert, I apologise if I seemed that way, I am merely a curious student.
“Now, Kalamas, don’t go by reports, by legends, by traditions, by scripture, by logical conjecture, by inference, by analogies, by agreement through pondering views, by probability, or by the thought, ‘This contemplative is our teacher.’ When you know for yourselves that, ‘These qualities are skillful; these qualities are blameless; these qualities are praised by the wise; these qualities, when adopted & carried out, lead to welfare & to happiness’ — then you should enter & remain in them.” -Buddha
Namaste!
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Dealing with the Ego Self
let’s face it, sometimes our “Ego Selves” can be like down right spoiled children, perhaps this is what they mean by letting out your inner child, I suppose it depends on your own mental perspective. But don’t people meditate to get rid of their egos? No, not quite that would be a bit like saying “If I jog, I’d be a better person” or even “If it weren’t for my wife, I would have a perfect marriage.”
The point of meditation is not to toss our egos away, that would be much like trying to live after removing your head from your shoulders, it just wouldn’t turn out all that great! Meditation is about making friends with our true selves, to start being compassionate, gentle and goodhearted towards ourselves.
You may ask “Isn’t that serving your ego?” On the contrary, it is being open with who you are and accepting things as they are. Through meditation we can have an inner conversation with ourselves, instead of bottling things up. Mediation allows us to find the wisdom that is all mixed up in what is though of as our own neurosis or madness. It is exploring humanity itself, and all of creation that is manifest in our own form. The “Ego Self” is like a child, do not abandon it, instead raise it!
Namaste!
More On No Self
A discussion on Facebook has brought me once more to thoughts on the self as it pertains to a separate soul. The thought might come up in some of you, that if there is no soul what about rebirth and the story of the Buddha, who once became enlightened, saw detailed knowledge of His past lives. He was able to recollect the conditions in which He had been born in His past lives. He was able to remember what His names had been, what His occupations had been and so on. If there is no self or soul how can one be reborn?
If you remember in There is no Spoon, I brought up that the teaching may be interpreted as there is to self that is separate from the universe, and what we understand as ourselves, is not separate from our bodies that our identity that we know as you or I are dependant on this human form.
But if our concept of a soul (the concept for those of us who may have been brought up Christian) does not exist in the way we imagine or have been taught then how is it we are tied to the cycle of rebirth?
Picture in your mind a spiral galaxy when viewed from a distance, a galaxy is made up of billions of stars. When viewed from a distance it also appears as if the light from each star is connected together as one source, especially at the core where the stars are all gathered together. When viewed close up the stars appear as separate, but we also know they are a part of a larger whole galaxy. What is reborn, what was reborn in the Buddha is a cluster of energy that we think of as the soul, when it enters a body a new self is made a new identity that is no longer just the body or just a soul but a combined self. This self, however is also not separate from the universe, the energy or soul that goes from life to life is also tethered to the universe itself, it is an extension of the universe. Like a spiral galaxy we are all united in a spinning cosmic wheel of consciousness, when viewed close up, there is the illusion of separateness, when viewed from a distance as a whole we recognize we are all one.
This of course is simply my theory and my truth, it may not be your truth and I understand and honour that. I do not ask yourself to accept my truth as your own, I am merely expressing my understanding with you.
When things seem bleak and dark remember, the universe is filled with light… we just don’t often see it! -JF
Namaste!
Road to Shambhala Part Duce – Slaying The Dragon
OK so maybe this part of the road isn’t so original, in fact this part is also referred quite popularly in Chinese Buddhism as “Taming The Ox” But for my purposes I like to think of it more as Slaying the Dragon, not because I think a dragon is cooler (though common, of course they are) but rather like most modern men of today’s technocracy, we all grow up with fewer and fewer of our passage rites when pertains to becoming a man. As primitive as the thought may seem to a modern civilization, in part it has to do with establishing our identity to ourselves when it comes to how we view the world. But I digress.
Putting this thought train back on topic the “Slaying of the Dragon” is s metaphor for the progressive stages of realization that you will encounter during your quest for enlightenment and raising your ego (a topic for another day). This metaphor is important for applying inner understanding to our daily life.
- Searching for the Dragon: You realize that happiness is conditional and based on your aspirations matching your life, and that when they do not coincide you are suffering, and that what you are truly seeing ins contentment – peace with the world as it is.
- Discovering the Footprints: You realize the journey to the center takes place within your own mind.
- Spotting the Dragon: through inner reflection you see how you have unconsciously labelled yourself, and how profoundly this self image as affected the quality of your life.
- Pursuing the Dragon: You begin to resolve your past issues (as I write this I am somewhere between this and the next) and start to face your fears head on when it comes to the future!
- Taming the Dragon: You learn how to maintain a mindful awareness of thoughts that arise in your mind, thoughts that are holding you back from following your path.
- Riding the Dragon: You learn to live in the now!
- The Dragon Transcends: You start to live in harmony with the natural rhythm of your life, accepting things as they are.
- The self and the Dragon Transcended: You start to see who you really are, beyond that of the labels you have given yourself, like the onion you peel back the layers of false identity to find your true self.
- Reaching the Source: You reach the center of your being, your mental and spiritual conflicts finally come to and end.
- In the world: You learn how to allow your newly found inner-self and true nature become manifest in the world and share in the joy of what you have come to understand with others.
That last and final stage was where I was the day before my surgery, so close was I to reaching enlightenment I could feel the calmness of it all. I had accepted my fate, if I was not going to come back, that was going to be ok. Alas coming out of the surgery was a different story. Quickly my ego stepped into high gear and pulled me back down to somewhere between 4 and 5. But that happens, and it’s ok! This may happen to you too, and it may happen a few times, and as long as we keep trying and never give up we have never truly failed in our journey!
Namaste!
Road to Shambhala (more than just a song)
There are many legends of a mystical place in Buddhist literature about Shambhala, although there have been several historical accounts of expeditions seeking this mythical kingdom, no one has yet to glimpse where it could be. What is Shambhala? Shambhala is the place where special spiritual teachings are kept and where the forces that will overcome these invaders will emerge. In a sense, it’s a pure realm; but it’s a pure realm within the human realm. The people who live there are humans; they’re not something beyond the human level. But the question is: Is it actually a physical place that you could actually go to? And if we look in the Buddhist version of the history, nobody ever got there who tried to get there, and so the conclusion that most people come to is that it is some sort of spiritual realm rather than an actual physical location on this planet. Perhaps, just perhaps Shambhala is Nirvana.
How do we reach Nirvana, by becoming enlightened of course, but how do we go about doing that?
First we should define enlightenment. Let us say for the sake of this lesson there are two main characteristics of the human mind along a continuum. On one end of the scale we have “psychotic” which are people who have lost touch with consensual reality and live in a world of their own. At the other end of the continuum we have individuals we refer to as “enlightened”. Fully enlightened beings have perfect mental health and experience a profound sense of well-being. They have resolved all the issues of their past, have no fears for the future, and are living their lives in the present moment. Pretty much the majority of us, myself included, fall somewhere along the middle of this continuum trying to find ways to reach the goal of inner peace.
But how do we get there? By simply training the mind, over time, much like an athlete trains their body, there is no magical moment of awakening, it is simply a gradual process over time.
In the next blog I shall go more in depth the path one takes to train the mind towards inner peace and enlightenment.
Dealing with Divorce
Seems to be the season for it, oddly enough I did not think there would be a season for divorce, but perhaps that is the hopeless romantic in me. Seeing dear friends dealing with going through divorce makes my heart go out to them being a product of a broken home as well as going through my own broken marriage. These events have inspired me to ponder and research, what are the views on marriage and divorce when it comes to Buddhist teachings and how can we deal with the pains of divorce.
Firstly let us look at Marriage according to Buddhism. Buddhism takes a quite liberal view when it comes to marriage, there are no laws or rules when it comes to marriage, nothing to prohibit one from being married, and nothing that says you must be a bachelor either. The concept of Marriage in Buddhism is a construct of man, a contract between individuals to co-habitate with one another as a family. Despite what other religions may believe, or what Disney tries to sell us, marriage is a social convention, an institution created by man for the well-being and happiness of man (in the board term not the gender term), to differentiate human society from animal life and to maintain order and harmony in the process of procreation. While an enlightened more evolved view of procreation than that of the animal kingdom it is not a holly sacrament.
Separation or divorce is not prohibited in Buddhism though the necessity would scarcely arise if the Buddha’s injunctions were strictly followed. Men and women must have the liberty to separate if they really cannot agree with each other. Separation is preferable to avoid miserable family life for a long period of time. The Buddha further advises old men not to have young wives as the old and young are unlikely to be compatible, which can create undue problems, disharmony and downfall.
How can we deal with divorce? It is a very emotionally charged time in our lives but what can we do to ease our suffering? Firstly and I cannot stress this enough, one should never look at divorce as one failed, no one is the “bad guy”, merely that like all things this has fallen into impermanence, and what was a journey for more than one person for a while has once more become a solitary adventure!
When divorce strikes, the past, present, and future are all changed and can even be distorted. Everything you thought you knew to be true is now in question, any plans you may have made will now have to change, our image of the future has now become distorted. In the face of this change you may find yourself trying to grasp at what you know and once had, trying to rekindle who you were before getting married, your previous identity. but according to the Buddha these attachments create suffering. Learning to release your attachments to any particular outcomes in the past, present, or future will lead to a more peaceful existence.
Here are some of the Buddha’s teachings that may help you through your time of strife and turmoil.
Compassion
The Buddha recognizes that while it might be relatively easy to generate compassion for friends and loved ones, it is extremely difficult to have compassion for someone we dislike, especially if we feel betrayed. While the tendency might be to avoid this person (most likely an ex), the Buddha would see this person as the heart of his spiritual practice, a challenge to develop positive qualities, they can be our greatest teacher. Compassion can be seen as the inverse of anger; it keeps the heart open when it wants to close off with fear or even hate. Compassion is fostered by remaining connected, no matter how painful it may be. Maintaining compassion through divorce is a feat, but it will ensure that your loving nature remains intact.
“Pain is inevitable in life, but suffering is optional.” —The Buddha
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the capacity to remain in the present moment. Like in all things you will want to meditate, although this will seem very difficult when so many thoughts are going through your head, finding a center in the storm will help focus you and keep you from doing or saying things you may regret later. Stepping back like you were a third party observer of events provides the greatest opportunity for acting with complete integrity and honour.
Impermanence
In Buddhism, impermanence is referred to as Anicca— the truth of impermanence. It is the belief that all of our experiences are constantly changing, and that nothing is permanent, not even marriage or the feelings one has when you first stepped into the contract. One of the greatest causes of pain during divorce is the feeling that things will never be the same, but the positive side of that statement is also true, while the marriage was also impermanent the pain and sorrow, the loss you feel is also impermanent.
If all parties feel that the relationship has reached the point to where there is no way to repair it, I would recommend considering a legal separation, after all you wouldn’t want to regret doing something permanent just because you are temporarily out of sorts, some time apart may do some good, or it may only strengthen the notion that things truly are over.
Finally do not be to quick to date again, you may find some people will come out of the woodwork as it were, saying how sorry they are that you are going through so much pain but how they have thought how the person you were with was not right for you, and how it would have been different if it were them. If these people have your true feelings in mind, if they are thinking of you instead of the fantasy they have worked up in their heads they will be willing to wait for you to heal, For you to discover who you are outside your identity of the married you, and for you to learn from any mistakes so you can start anew with your best foot forward.
“The past will let go of you if you let go of the past.”
― Timber Hawkeye, Buddhist Boot Camp
Namaste!
Be the crazy
Timber Hawkeye, author of The Buddhist Boot Camp, posted something to his Facebook profile the other day that got the creative juices flowing for this Blog.
The quote goes as follows: “No one can drive you crazy unless you give them the keys.” My comment on the matter was a saying I have used quite often “No one can drive you crazy if you are already there.” This was a response I would always tell my mother when she would claim we were driving her crazy, to state simply we could not drive her crazy, she already was!
Let’s think on that for a moment however, first I know it is a commentary on not allowing people to take control over your emotions, I have always been an advocate of not allowing unworthy people that much control over one’s life. When I thought on my own however it sent me in a new tangent. What if crazy was just who we are, what if crazy is the person we hide beneath our masks to make us seem normal, to have us fit in!
Perhaps it would be easier to maintain control, maintain the ability to not let people disrupt our chi as it were, if we were more ready and willing to show off who we really are. So if you are a little odd or strange deep down, if you want to wear neon stripped socks under your business suit, own it, own your crazy!
Namaste
A Sang-what?
A Sangha!
Although it tickles my fancy to consider myself as the “Monk without a ‘Master'” I would not go as far as to say that I do not have a Sangha.
But what is a Sangha, A Sangha (Pali: सङ्घ saṅgha; Sanskrit: संघ saṃgha; Chinese: 僧伽; pinyin: Sēngjiā; Tibetan: དགེ་འདུན་ dge ‘dun) is a word in Pali and Sanskrit meaning “association”, “assembly,” “company” or “community” and most commonly refers in Buddhism to the monastic community of ordained Buddhist monks or nuns. This community is traditionally referred to as the bhikkhu-sangha or bhikkhuni-sangha. As a separate category, those who have attained any of the four stages of enlightenment, whether or not they are members of the bhikkhu-sangha or bhikkhuni-sangha, are referred to as the ariya-sangha or “noble Sangha”.
The Sangha also includes laymen and laywomen who are personally dedicated to the discipline of Dharma-Vinaya. This use of the word “Sangha” is only sometimes found in the Pali texts.
My view is an even broader term. Each person in our Sangha is someone we are supposed to seek refuge under, for help and guidance. My view is much like that of Craig Harper who said “The world is my classroom, each day a new lesson, and every person I meet is my teacher.” the guidance I find is in the world, whether the lessons are good or bad is dependant on judgement, instead I see them is what to do and what not to do based on Karmic results, and try my best to keep my emotions and judgements free and out of the situations I face. So I encourage each of you, step out into your Sangha, care for it, nurture it, and learn from it. Together we can enlighten the world.
The Meaning of Life?
It is my belief that there is no one answer to that question. The truth to the answer is codependent on the person asking the question. As The Buddha said “Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it.” Each of us finds our own meaning, our own purpose and mission in life. How do we find out what that is? By Simply asking ourselves these questions and doing our best to meditate on them and answering them as honestly as possible.
- What are your talents?
- What are you passionate about (some times our passions are different from our talents)
- What would you like to change in the world? (be the change!)
- Combine your answers to articulate your positive purpose (how can you use 1 and 2 to make 3 happen?)
- Think and talk about your purpose (share your goals earnestly and concisely with friends and family, impress upon them the importance of your goal in your life, they will always be your greatest supporters)
Remember to be flexible, do not become too attached to your plan of action or suffering may arise. Following these can lead you to realizing dreams, and set you on the path to following the 8 fold path when it comes to Right Livelihood.
Namaste
No suffering?
Some might believe that when you reach enlightenment you gain a peace mind and a cessation of suffering, nope, not quite! Actually once you reach supreme enlightenment you are who you were before, but rather awakened. You still feel happy, sad, and frustrated, but when you do feel those emotions you do not become attached to them. Right now, like me you are probably prone to getting lost into your own emotions. If you suffer the loss of a family member you grieve greatly for it, if you suffer an unexpected break up in a relationship it can be devastating. But when you have reached enlightenment you still feel those emotions but you do not let them control you, instead you control them to the point to where you can acknowledge them, accept them, then send them on their way.
The end of suffering comes once you have reached enlightenment then pass away from this world, leaving behind the laws of karma and finally reach Nirvana.
“I gained nothing at all from Supreme Enlightenment, and for that very reason it is called Supreme Enlightenment.” -Buddha
About Me:
With all the new subscribers, I thought it best to write a more comprehensives about me, so readers may know why I do what I do.
My goal with this blog, is not to become famous, not to gain a title such as guru or master, Lama or Rinpoche. Rather I am already who I am going to be. I have never claimed to have all the answers, and I pray that I never will. I am a simple man, ever changing, ever evolving, ever growing and ever learning. I am simply learning my heart and following this path that has been laid out before me. I ask that you walk with me as I learn, learn with me, but do not follow me, for I will never be more than just a simple man. Consider me the hermit who lives in the woods that is known as the internet, sharing his “crazy wisdom” for all to see or ignore, the choice is always with you.
The man who writes about himself and his own time is the only man who writes about all people and all time. -George Bernard Shaw
Namaste
Love and Anger
Even for us Buddhists, it can be difficult not to react when we perceive that people are treating us poorly. But what can we do to avoid saying something we may regret?
Firstly you should acknowledged your anger, and you have examined yourself to understand what caused the anger to arise. It is an emotion and you are feeling it, but what is the root of the anger. Once have done so, usually doesn’t take long, you discover you are still angry. What’s next?
Pema Chodron counsels patience. Patience means waiting to act or speak until you can do so without causing harm. “Patience has a quality of enormous honesty in it,” she said. “It also has a quality of not escalating things, allowing a lot of space for the other person to speak, for the other person to express themselves, while you don’t react, even though inside you are reacting.”
If you have a meditation practice, this is the time to put it to work. Sit still with the heat and tension of anger. Quiet the internal chatter of other-blame and self-blame. Acknowledge the anger and enter into it entirely. Embrace your anger with patience and compassion for all beings, including yourself. It is good to practice this technique daily. In your minds eye, when you can safely navigate the torrents of anger you may cause yourself to feel, place yourself in situations that will annoy or anger you and then practice the meditation technique to overcome the immediate anger with patience.
But, THE best tip I can offer, and you may want to take a pen and paper and place this on a mirror for daily reminders, is Don’t Feed Anger!
Even more intriguing to me is the karma of our health. Again, let me illustrate one or two kinds of connection. For one, the Buddha says that we are not punished for our anger, we are punished by our anger. In other words, anger is its own karma. – The Bhagavad Gita for Daily Living
Let a man overcome anger by love,
let him overcome evil by good;
let him overcome the greedy by liberality,
the liar by truth! -Buddha
The Buddhist Nerd 
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