Yes, each of us is on a Personal Journey & all our paths are different & entail dealing with things as they happen to come along!! I am beginning to think each of us is "Someone Elses's "project". Having just turned 79, I must admit that my Journey of Discovery did not start until age 70 which allows me to have patience with those around me & not get caught up in judgmental behavior towards others! ;-)
For me, getting caught up in our 'stuff' is part of the experience and yet having the awareness of getting 'caught up' is the key. The beauty and the stumbling is part of the yin and yang. I have giggled as I read your dissertation today because there is a synchronicity attached to it. I have always admired Gandhi for all he has done and yet his simplicity is what allowed his power. I am currently reading the the book ' Gandhi The Man' by Eknath Eswaren. In it, he describes the concept of Ahimsa which Gandhi lived by. My giggle come from the synchronicity of reading your passage and the books comments at the same time juncture That, for me, shows me that I am heading in the right direction! (giggle, giggle). Thanks, Kim!!
And one more thing: "Be grateful" you write. YES, FOR ABSOLUTELY SURE.
But to whom exactly are you grateful? If you do not believe you are the consequence of Creation and thus of a Creator, to whom exactly do you bring thanks?
But gratitude is not common. It mostly happens to those of us who have been through times that taught us what it truly means. Gratitude is not an "element." Gratitude is when the heart opens and cries for support and understanding - and receives it due to the sincerity with which is spoke the words of gratitude. I see no reason to pray nor "meditate" if this simple truth is not understood.
As a follower of Jesus I see your "Enlightenment" as an illusion. It offers no rest in the moment, it offers only some future reward called "Enlightenment" which is diffuse, non-concrete and - as I view it - a worship of demons. Jesus conquered all that, He gave us His blood to remind us that SALVATION, NOT ENLIGHTENMENT, is what mankind needs. Eve ate the apple, and became confused to an extent she had no idea where she belonged. She obeyed the snake, she was naive. And she suffered the consequences. Long story short: Why do you believe so much in yourself? Why do you think, you can become "enlightened"? Are not you, aka all mankind, already within the light of life? Why do you believe the path to you is you yourself? How about a decent amount of humility? Did you yourself create you yourself? And if you really do believe so, then why is your path towards yourself so difficult that your mind will not allow you peace not even to sit on the ground on a simple cushion and turn your thoughts inward, that which you call "meditation"? There is a profound difference between following Jesus and organized "religion" which is called "Christianity" or "Christendom." Jesus, the Son of God, suspended this manmade division with His own blood. He refused the demons and told them to BE GONE. For this He was crucified. People then as well as people today still haven´t grasped His message: In order for you, people, to distangle yourself from Evil which damages your Godgiven Spirit, you are in absolute need of a non-mundane, i.e. a divine, intermediary. That is to say you need salvation. Intellect or the path of the mind has led you nowhere. You have destroyed what is holy with it. You cannot rely on yourselves and your manmade "Enlightenment." You need to be cleansed from Sin in God Almighty, the Creator of your very lives. If you will not, and you are free not to will so, you will not find rest. Not even on a cushion on the ground.
Yes, each of us is on a Personal Journey & all our paths are different & entail dealing with things as they happen to come along!! I am beginning to think each of us is "Someone Elses's "project". Having just turned 79, I must admit that my Journey of Discovery did not start until age 70 which allows me to have patience with those around me & not get caught up in judgmental behavior towards others! ;-)
For me, getting caught up in our 'stuff' is part of the experience and yet having the awareness of getting 'caught up' is the key. The beauty and the stumbling is part of the yin and yang. I have giggled as I read your dissertation today because there is a synchronicity attached to it. I have always admired Gandhi for all he has done and yet his simplicity is what allowed his power. I am currently reading the the book ' Gandhi The Man' by Eknath Eswaren. In it, he describes the concept of Ahimsa which Gandhi lived by. My giggle come from the synchronicity of reading your passage and the books comments at the same time juncture That, for me, shows me that I am heading in the right direction! (giggle, giggle). Thanks, Kim!!
And one more thing: "Be grateful" you write. YES, FOR ABSOLUTELY SURE.
But to whom exactly are you grateful? If you do not believe you are the consequence of Creation and thus of a Creator, to whom exactly do you bring thanks?
All of us today see 'gratitude' as the common element. Thanks
OK, Joe Meccia.
But gratitude is not common. It mostly happens to those of us who have been through times that taught us what it truly means. Gratitude is not an "element." Gratitude is when the heart opens and cries for support and understanding - and receives it due to the sincerity with which is spoke the words of gratitude. I see no reason to pray nor "meditate" if this simple truth is not understood.
Amen, Ragna!! : > )
As a follower of Jesus I see your "Enlightenment" as an illusion. It offers no rest in the moment, it offers only some future reward called "Enlightenment" which is diffuse, non-concrete and - as I view it - a worship of demons. Jesus conquered all that, He gave us His blood to remind us that SALVATION, NOT ENLIGHTENMENT, is what mankind needs. Eve ate the apple, and became confused to an extent she had no idea where she belonged. She obeyed the snake, she was naive. And she suffered the consequences. Long story short: Why do you believe so much in yourself? Why do you think, you can become "enlightened"? Are not you, aka all mankind, already within the light of life? Why do you believe the path to you is you yourself? How about a decent amount of humility? Did you yourself create you yourself? And if you really do believe so, then why is your path towards yourself so difficult that your mind will not allow you peace not even to sit on the ground on a simple cushion and turn your thoughts inward, that which you call "meditation"? There is a profound difference between following Jesus and organized "religion" which is called "Christianity" or "Christendom." Jesus, the Son of God, suspended this manmade division with His own blood. He refused the demons and told them to BE GONE. For this He was crucified. People then as well as people today still haven´t grasped His message: In order for you, people, to distangle yourself from Evil which damages your Godgiven Spirit, you are in absolute need of a non-mundane, i.e. a divine, intermediary. That is to say you need salvation. Intellect or the path of the mind has led you nowhere. You have destroyed what is holy with it. You cannot rely on yourselves and your manmade "Enlightenment." You need to be cleansed from Sin in God Almighty, the Creator of your very lives. If you will not, and you are free not to will so, you will not find rest. Not even on a cushion on the ground.
Amen.
Wow, just how I was feeling today. Thank you for the sharing and support!