This excerpt is also quite lovely. These philosophers have quite the obsession of having power over their own minds and bodies. I like this concept a lot, because there is no one else and nothing else that we have the power to control. The acceptance of reality for what it is, and knowing that there is no way to change it, or fix it.
This idea of having complete power over one's mind, to be in a state of non-dwelling is very interesting. My mind dwells on all kinds of things, rational and irrational alike. The idea of being in a constant state of meditation is appealing. To have no thoughts that distract from the important thought. To know that the body and mind that I have are a compilation of everything I dwell on, and everything I don't dwell on.
That my mind is my own. What goes on inside my mind is my own. There is no one and no thing that can take away my power over my mind. No one can read into my mind, know what my mind says or what my mind thinks about. To be in a state of non-dwelling then, one must be fully aware of their mind, as explains Hui-Hai. How many thoughts do I have that are fleeting and meaningless that I focus on and read in to? A lot. I dwell on all kinds of things. To have the freedom to be in a non-dwelling state would be so serene.
I am envious of these masters. They speak of non-dwelling and of acceptance in a way that makes it seem so easy. The ease in which they describe the ways to have the mind not dwell, and how to ignore your mind when it wanders; this restraint takes a powerful mind. I love that Hui-Hai says that we should not focus on attaining non-dwelling minds, because that would be dwelling as well. The concentration that these philosophers had must have been intense.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Tzu-Ssu (483-402 B.C.E)
This reading was wonderful. I think that there are so many different ways to interpret this, and there is so much to learn from this short passage. I really like the Confucius way of thinking and living.
In the first paragraph, Tzu-Ssu is speaking about the inner Tao. The Tao is inside everyone, but few are able to act in the way of the Tao. I love "the mature person looks into his own hear and respects what is unseen and unheard." I think that this is a mysterious passage, but at the same time is very clear. That the Tao is something that we may not understand, but it is in our hearts and we respect it because it is our human nature to posses the Tao. What we don't know is what we cannot know, and what we cannot understand is not for us to understand. Seems simple....
Later, Tzu-Ssu speaks that "the harmony is the Tao, reaching out to all things." Once we accept the emotions and feelings that we have, we are masters of ourselves. Harmony is reached by accepting our faults and our failures, by understanding that anger and sorrow are a part of our human nature. Our emotions are a part of us, but they do not own us.
In the last paragraph, Tzu-Ssu speaks the most profoundly. He tells us the way that a person who is mature spiritually and emotionally knowns their place. The cards that are given to us are the only ones we have. Our situations in life are lessons to be learned, but they should not bring us down from who we are. If we are poor, we don't feel sorry for ourselves or wish for another path, but rather we accept the path that has been laid out for us and we walk down that path in the best way that we can. This enlightened way of thinking and perceiving the world is truly astounding.
In the first paragraph, Tzu-Ssu is speaking about the inner Tao. The Tao is inside everyone, but few are able to act in the way of the Tao. I love "the mature person looks into his own hear and respects what is unseen and unheard." I think that this is a mysterious passage, but at the same time is very clear. That the Tao is something that we may not understand, but it is in our hearts and we respect it because it is our human nature to posses the Tao. What we don't know is what we cannot know, and what we cannot understand is not for us to understand. Seems simple....
Later, Tzu-Ssu speaks that "the harmony is the Tao, reaching out to all things." Once we accept the emotions and feelings that we have, we are masters of ourselves. Harmony is reached by accepting our faults and our failures, by understanding that anger and sorrow are a part of our human nature. Our emotions are a part of us, but they do not own us.
In the last paragraph, Tzu-Ssu speaks the most profoundly. He tells us the way that a person who is mature spiritually and emotionally knowns their place. The cards that are given to us are the only ones we have. Our situations in life are lessons to be learned, but they should not bring us down from who we are. If we are poor, we don't feel sorry for ourselves or wish for another path, but rather we accept the path that has been laid out for us and we walk down that path in the best way that we can. This enlightened way of thinking and perceiving the world is truly astounding.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Shmelke of Nikolsburg (?-1778)
I enjoyed this reading. The rabbi speaks eloquently about the way that one loves their neighbor. Out of all of the commandments, I like “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” I think that it is one that can be applied to many things and can be interpreted in many ways. The way that the rabbi speaks about treating one's neighbor is an interpretation that I really like. The idea that we are all one; a concept that I know and believe. When the rabbi says “love thy neighbor” he is really saying “love thy self.”
We are all reflections of each other. Not literally, of course. But we are reflections. I can see things in other people that I hate, and I consciously know that what I don't like in them, I don't like in myself. The same goes for things that I admire about others. I like to think that what I admire I already posses, or am striving to achieve.
I enjoyed the example that the rabbi uses “if your own hand hits your nose, would you hit your hand in punishment?” Well, no obviously. And I really hope my hands never turn against me. But basically he is saying that we should love everyone, even those who hurt us. If we love those who wrong us, then we actually end up loving ourselves.
At the end of the passage, the rabbi adds a snip-it in about leading those who have strayed off the path of god, back on the path. I like that the rabbi says that we are all from one spark of god's soul. We are the pure essence of our creator. As a result, we are connected to each other. Prayer proves to work, if enough people participate, because when we unite our thoughts and words we are able to accomplish pretty much anything.
We are all reflections of each other. Not literally, of course. But we are reflections. I can see things in other people that I hate, and I consciously know that what I don't like in them, I don't like in myself. The same goes for things that I admire about others. I like to think that what I admire I already posses, or am striving to achieve.
I enjoyed the example that the rabbi uses “if your own hand hits your nose, would you hit your hand in punishment?” Well, no obviously. And I really hope my hands never turn against me. But basically he is saying that we should love everyone, even those who hurt us. If we love those who wrong us, then we actually end up loving ourselves.
At the end of the passage, the rabbi adds a snip-it in about leading those who have strayed off the path of god, back on the path. I like that the rabbi says that we are all from one spark of god's soul. We are the pure essence of our creator. As a result, we are connected to each other. Prayer proves to work, if enough people participate, because when we unite our thoughts and words we are able to accomplish pretty much anything.
Bakhya Ibn Pakuda (1040-1110)
This reading doesn't speak to me in the same way that the previous ones have. The speaker is relating to the reader the experiences that she has had because of her belief in god. She says that god bestows his glory on those who follow him, and on those who believe fully in him. She says that if a person believes in god their possessions and their wealth will be meaningless. Her belief is that God will give his love if people believe in him.
I dislike this reading because the beginning is a bit weird, among other things. I will not elaborate, but I didn't care for it. My main reason for dislike is that this speaker isn't very original. Well, maybe this is the original of all other "originals". But, honestly, how many times have I read something similar if not almost exactly like this? Many, many times. I would love to read a quote from someone who believes in god...but doesn't then tell others what to expect. God, whomever he/she/it is, should be experienced without having to be "sold." This reading honestly reminds me of a car salesman, who is excitedly rattling off a car's features.
I am not trying to put down anyone's religious beliefs; but I do believe that there needs to be a change in the way that some religions attract new members. This “tradition” of selling the benefits one will receive if they believe in God is just so overused and abused.
God or spirituality, as I have expressed in previous blogs, should be learned and sought after. Reading about someone else's, almost unrealistic experience of God does not make me trust in God, or want to worship God. This reading actually makes me skeptical off what God has to offer, because it seems that believing is all a person needs to reap the rewards. I believe that a strong belief in oneself is truly believing in God.
I dislike this reading because the beginning is a bit weird, among other things. I will not elaborate, but I didn't care for it. My main reason for dislike is that this speaker isn't very original. Well, maybe this is the original of all other "originals". But, honestly, how many times have I read something similar if not almost exactly like this? Many, many times. I would love to read a quote from someone who believes in god...but doesn't then tell others what to expect. God, whomever he/she/it is, should be experienced without having to be "sold." This reading honestly reminds me of a car salesman, who is excitedly rattling off a car's features.
I am not trying to put down anyone's religious beliefs; but I do believe that there needs to be a change in the way that some religions attract new members. This “tradition” of selling the benefits one will receive if they believe in God is just so overused and abused.
God or spirituality, as I have expressed in previous blogs, should be learned and sought after. Reading about someone else's, almost unrealistic experience of God does not make me trust in God, or want to worship God. This reading actually makes me skeptical off what God has to offer, because it seems that believing is all a person needs to reap the rewards. I believe that a strong belief in oneself is truly believing in God.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Ramana Maharshi
“Silence is a perennial flow of language, interrupted by words.” This sentence speaks to me, although I am not quite sure what it means. What a kind-hearted enlightened being Ramana Maharshi was.
I enjoyed this reading very much, but had to re-read several times in an attempt to better understand Maharshi's message. And I still feel a bit cloudy. What I did enjoy was his simplified idea of the common understanding of reality. “When we stop regarding the unreal as real, than reality alone will remain.” However, I am still at a loss as to what or who Maharshi is referring to. I would like to think that he means that we see God in an unreal way. That God isn't the judge, or living up in heaven, but rather that God is in each one of us. I know that that is my reality.
Joy. What we all long for. Maharshi explains the power of joy so perfectly, in my opinion. I think it is wonderful that he states that love is caused by joy. Love for oneself will bring about unsurmountable amounts of joy, and to me that is comforting. In the world that we live in, sometimes it is hard to fully and completely love oneself, because it is not the most “popular” thing to do. Somehow, focusing on the things about ourselves that we don't like is easier than loving everything we like, and everything we don't like.
I enjoyed the question and answer part of this piece. I like to speculate that Maharshi is giving a warning against listening to people who push their beliefs on others by using fear. In my opinion, fear is sadly the backbone of many people's religious beliefs. The teacher sees himself as an equal to all beings, because he is all beings. He is no better, and no worse than anyone. The student should want to have a spiritual connection, and to long for the “supreme spiritual bliss.” In my belief, the student should find the teacher, not the other way around.
Maharshi makes quite clear that we are reality. In that, we are God, and God is us. I love this concept, because I feel that it the the one universal bit of knowledge that all religions can agree upon. We are all connected to each other, and so, we are all connected to God.
I enjoyed this reading very much, but had to re-read several times in an attempt to better understand Maharshi's message. And I still feel a bit cloudy. What I did enjoy was his simplified idea of the common understanding of reality. “When we stop regarding the unreal as real, than reality alone will remain.” However, I am still at a loss as to what or who Maharshi is referring to. I would like to think that he means that we see God in an unreal way. That God isn't the judge, or living up in heaven, but rather that God is in each one of us. I know that that is my reality.
Joy. What we all long for. Maharshi explains the power of joy so perfectly, in my opinion. I think it is wonderful that he states that love is caused by joy. Love for oneself will bring about unsurmountable amounts of joy, and to me that is comforting. In the world that we live in, sometimes it is hard to fully and completely love oneself, because it is not the most “popular” thing to do. Somehow, focusing on the things about ourselves that we don't like is easier than loving everything we like, and everything we don't like.
I enjoyed the question and answer part of this piece. I like to speculate that Maharshi is giving a warning against listening to people who push their beliefs on others by using fear. In my opinion, fear is sadly the backbone of many people's religious beliefs. The teacher sees himself as an equal to all beings, because he is all beings. He is no better, and no worse than anyone. The student should want to have a spiritual connection, and to long for the “supreme spiritual bliss.” In my belief, the student should find the teacher, not the other way around.
Maharshi makes quite clear that we are reality. In that, we are God, and God is us. I love this concept, because I feel that it the the one universal bit of knowledge that all religions can agree upon. We are all connected to each other, and so, we are all connected to God.
Upanishads
This reading was such an enlightening affirmation of truths. The Upanishads definitely struck a chord with me.
We know what can't be known, and what we think we know, we know nothing about.
It is my belief that we are all born with a knowing of our spiritual connection to the planet. As we grow up, and we are taught to believe in new and different things, that inner connection is often forgotten. It never leaves us, but we don't remember. As we age, the knowing sometimes grows to uncertainty, and lack of belief in the spirit. We are taught to analyze and to question, so naturally our ingrained connection can be squashed or dismissed.
It cannot be denied that we are all connected. It cannot be denied that we all have a purpose.
Purpose is such a strong word. How can one person have one single purpose? Is our purpose to serve the spirit? Is it to pursue happiness? Is it to make money? Is every single person in the world's purpose a reflection of one core purpose?
My purpose in life is where I am lead astray. Especially being in college, and being asked frequently what my major is. I have no idea. The rest of my life devoted to one thing? Not knowing what I want to do is scary. With this reading, it became clear to me that my purpose will find me. I have a path written on my heart, and I will follow that path, whether I am aware of it or not. Then again, The Upanishads tells that "I neither know nor don't know", perhaps being in the unknown is the most powerful.
Whoever wrote the Upanishads was clearly an enlightened being. I loved that this reading spoke about the spirit in each one of us. I think that with so many differences in the world, and so many struggles that have endured in the name of religion, it is comforting to know that every one of us is connected.
We know what can't be known, and what we think we know, we know nothing about.
It is my belief that we are all born with a knowing of our spiritual connection to the planet. As we grow up, and we are taught to believe in new and different things, that inner connection is often forgotten. It never leaves us, but we don't remember. As we age, the knowing sometimes grows to uncertainty, and lack of belief in the spirit. We are taught to analyze and to question, so naturally our ingrained connection can be squashed or dismissed.
It cannot be denied that we are all connected. It cannot be denied that we all have a purpose.
Purpose is such a strong word. How can one person have one single purpose? Is our purpose to serve the spirit? Is it to pursue happiness? Is it to make money? Is every single person in the world's purpose a reflection of one core purpose?
My purpose in life is where I am lead astray. Especially being in college, and being asked frequently what my major is. I have no idea. The rest of my life devoted to one thing? Not knowing what I want to do is scary. With this reading, it became clear to me that my purpose will find me. I have a path written on my heart, and I will follow that path, whether I am aware of it or not. Then again, The Upanishads tells that "I neither know nor don't know", perhaps being in the unknown is the most powerful.
Whoever wrote the Upanishads was clearly an enlightened being. I loved that this reading spoke about the spirit in each one of us. I think that with so many differences in the world, and so many struggles that have endured in the name of religion, it is comforting to know that every one of us is connected.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Chief Seattle
Such sadness chief Seattle expresses. He has lost all hope for the unity of the Native Americans and the settlers. This speech makes me very sad, and very embarrassed for the way that the Europeans took and took from a people who were so peaceful.
When the chief describes the angry men of his tribe, I can't help but understand their anger. If my people were dying and my livelihood was taken away, I would be angry too. Such anger is not something that the Native Americans ever knew before the settlers came to their country.
This anger is expressed by the chief when he speaks about the ancestors of his people. He doesn't paint his face, or march to battle; the chief gives a warning to the settlers. All his people had left to call their own, were their dead. The last thing Chief Seattle says is, “The dead have power too.” I think he is fantasizing about when he dies. He knows that he will join his ancestors and that he will be able to walk the paths, and fish from the streams that were once his. Or he is wishing for revenge on the white man. But, I don't think that that is really the Native American way.
It is very very sad that it took so many years for the Natives to realize that the settlers didn't want to live in harmony. It is even more sad that they gave so much love and prosperity to the settlers, and never thought they needed to demand something in return. They shouldn't have had to. Had we shown the Native Americans the compassion that they showed us, maybe America's story would be different. After reading this speech, I feel as though I am living happily among trees, and grass, bushes, streams, rivers and animals that are made of the angry spirits of the Native Americans.
When the chief describes the angry men of his tribe, I can't help but understand their anger. If my people were dying and my livelihood was taken away, I would be angry too. Such anger is not something that the Native Americans ever knew before the settlers came to their country.
This anger is expressed by the chief when he speaks about the ancestors of his people. He doesn't paint his face, or march to battle; the chief gives a warning to the settlers. All his people had left to call their own, were their dead. The last thing Chief Seattle says is, “The dead have power too.” I think he is fantasizing about when he dies. He knows that he will join his ancestors and that he will be able to walk the paths, and fish from the streams that were once his. Or he is wishing for revenge on the white man. But, I don't think that that is really the Native American way.
It is very very sad that it took so many years for the Natives to realize that the settlers didn't want to live in harmony. It is even more sad that they gave so much love and prosperity to the settlers, and never thought they needed to demand something in return. They shouldn't have had to. Had we shown the Native Americans the compassion that they showed us, maybe America's story would be different. After reading this speech, I feel as though I am living happily among trees, and grass, bushes, streams, rivers and animals that are made of the angry spirits of the Native Americans.
Sa-Go-Ye-Wat-Ha
Such softness and understanding, chief Sa-Go-Ye-Wat- Ha has. He is truly a diplomat. This profound speech moved me more than I had expected it would. Four pages of complete serenity.
This speech is a true representation of the many differences between religious beliefs.
The Great Spirit, for the Native Americans, is a loving, peaceful, and giving god. They never want for anything, because all they need, the earth already has. Their god is full of love, and as a result, the Natives are as well. In sharp contrast, the white settler's speech is about a god that isn't full of love, rather he is full of rules, and regulations. He tries to fill their minds with this “new god” by way of fear. He tells them that their lives are in error and darkness. The settler is unsuccessful. I believe he fails because the Native Americans were not run by fear. It seems as though fear was something that they didn't know. How incredible would it be if the ways of the Great Spirit had lived on to today in a more prominent way?
What amazes me still further, is that this speech is somehow filled with hope. The chief speaks about the wrongs that the settlers did to his people, with complete forgiveness. His only hope is that his people and the Europeans find a common ground, so that they can live peacefully together. He believes, with such determination, that the settlers will change, that they will honor their agreements, that they will stop taking their lands, and that they will treat the Natives as equals. No matter how many wrongs the settlers commit, the Native Americans still believe them to be good people. The steadfast beliefs that the Native Americans had, and the unconditional love they possessed, can only be an attributed to the pure and loving Great Spirit they worshiped.
This speech is a true representation of the many differences between religious beliefs.
The Great Spirit, for the Native Americans, is a loving, peaceful, and giving god. They never want for anything, because all they need, the earth already has. Their god is full of love, and as a result, the Natives are as well. In sharp contrast, the white settler's speech is about a god that isn't full of love, rather he is full of rules, and regulations. He tries to fill their minds with this “new god” by way of fear. He tells them that their lives are in error and darkness. The settler is unsuccessful. I believe he fails because the Native Americans were not run by fear. It seems as though fear was something that they didn't know. How incredible would it be if the ways of the Great Spirit had lived on to today in a more prominent way?
What amazes me still further, is that this speech is somehow filled with hope. The chief speaks about the wrongs that the settlers did to his people, with complete forgiveness. His only hope is that his people and the Europeans find a common ground, so that they can live peacefully together. He believes, with such determination, that the settlers will change, that they will honor their agreements, that they will stop taking their lands, and that they will treat the Natives as equals. No matter how many wrongs the settlers commit, the Native Americans still believe them to be good people. The steadfast beliefs that the Native Americans had, and the unconditional love they possessed, can only be an attributed to the pure and loving Great Spirit they worshiped.
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