I enjoyed this reading because right at the beginning; a statement was made that has been drilled into my head daily from the mouth of a wise 87 year young women who I deeply respect.
"There are no accidents."
A person of little or no faith would not like this saying because: is it a accident to get cancer, or raped, or abused. How I deal with this is knowing that God is a good God; and nothing is wasted in the process of developing a person. If something good or bad happens to someone they can always learn something from the incident. The event wasn't wasted. It is said: "that one's misery becomes their ministry" that confirms to me a terrible event bringing one misery, can develope and prepare one to help others during a similar difficult time. Not that we would of choosen to work in that area. Remember we don't get to check the boxes like we do on a sandwich order asking to withhold a certain conditment.
I loved reading about the three properties: 1) God made it 2) God loves it 3) God keeps it!
The three properties bring me great comfort as I replace the word "it" with my name and personalize this promise giving me a greater purpose. I know God made me, I know God loves me and I know God keeps me as close as I will let him be to me. It is my decision to be close or distance from God. It's everyones decision and we can't change people's choices but we can model for them to see: God is with me!!!
I found her ideas moving because she refers to: "if you don't see the point, please look again. The point is a sharp one; you won't see it till you feel it, cutting out your mistaken ideas like a scalpel." This reminds me that until you walk and feel the pinch of ones shoes; only then can you understand the point that person is making. You are able to see something more clearly when you feel the pain.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Gospel of Thomas
I actually didn't enjoy this reading. I found it to be kind of crazy because it kept repeating: "Jesus said" - "Jesus said" then as I read what was said, I found the sayings crazy. Although one of the sayings that I like was just shared with me from a close friend over the telephone the other day. I am asking myself why am I hearing this twice in one week?
"If you bring forth what is inside you, what you bring forth will save you. If you don't bring forth what is inside you, what you don't bring will destroy you."
After going through the toughest time in my life, I have had both friends, relatives, and professionals tell me that my circumstances should of destoyed a person and yet they share with me-they see me to be more developed then destroyed. The last three years came really close to destroying me but throught a healthy direction of full-time school and digging deep in my faith I was able to with stand the storms of life due to my deep root system that my parents gave me. If tree roots are shallow they can easily be uprooted, but if roots are deep they can withstand the heavy winds and rain.
So I say that I brought forth what was inside me and it has saved me.
"If you bring forth what is inside you, what you bring forth will save you. If you don't bring forth what is inside you, what you don't bring will destroy you."
After going through the toughest time in my life, I have had both friends, relatives, and professionals tell me that my circumstances should of destoyed a person and yet they share with me-they see me to be more developed then destroyed. The last three years came really close to destroying me but throught a healthy direction of full-time school and digging deep in my faith I was able to with stand the storms of life due to my deep root system that my parents gave me. If tree roots are shallow they can easily be uprooted, but if roots are deep they can withstand the heavy winds and rain.
So I say that I brought forth what was inside me and it has saved me.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Chuang-Tzu
I struggled at first with the "this" and "that" but as I continued to read it made such great sense. The whole ideal of using a nonattribute to show that attributes are not attributes really got me thinking. As I read what is acceptable and what is not acceptable, got me to thinking of something rather gross. If I was to spit in a glass and then drink it in front of a group, that would be unacceptable or plain gross. But think about it, everyday, every hour, every time you swallow you are drinking your spit, just not from a glass. It is only gross because we give it the name "SPIT."
The "three in the morning" statement I loved. Again with words three in the morning or saying four in the morning with the acorns given to the monkeys was exactly the same number of receiving seven. It reminded me that we like hearing the good at first, and to hear four acorns given out before three acorns, sounds better. Spit is spit and seven is seven, it's all in how you look at it. Would one argue that spit only becomes spit when it intersects with air, and the spit that we swallow is saliva.
This author seemed crazy sometimes to me and then as I gave it great thought I found the writing to be very moving. Almost everything I'm reading directs me right to the beginning and that beginning is right with us, inside us, available to us, heck it's just plain and simple US.
The "three in the morning" statement I loved. Again with words three in the morning or saying four in the morning with the acorns given to the monkeys was exactly the same number of receiving seven. It reminded me that we like hearing the good at first, and to hear four acorns given out before three acorns, sounds better. Spit is spit and seven is seven, it's all in how you look at it. Would one argue that spit only becomes spit when it intersects with air, and the spit that we swallow is saliva.
This author seemed crazy sometimes to me and then as I gave it great thought I found the writing to be very moving. Almost everything I'm reading directs me right to the beginning and that beginning is right with us, inside us, available to us, heck it's just plain and simple US.
Tzu-ssu
I really enjoyed this reading because it emphasized the word "maturity" over and over again, and this is so important in ones life to be mature. I am reminded that for one to be mature is a learning process and Tao is "true learning." It takes a very mature person to take the responsibility of wrong actions as oppose to blaming others like the immature person. It is written that Tao is the harmony to reach out to all things involved in the universe. If one doesn't truly learn from within themselves how to deal with the storms of life then they are similar to the axe handle which is indeed near at hand. I truly haven't given that much thought but it is true. I found that very moving.
I do agree with this author especially in the paragraph about fulfillment. Clearly fulfillment comes from within and must be truly learned (Tao) so that fulfillment can be passed to others, who in turn pass to others, and so on and so on causing a ripple effect for the nourishment and transformation of heaven and earth. What a better place this would be for cause and effect of fulfillment.
I found these ideas very moving and concrete the morals I have been taught in life to practice such behavior. I have great respect with reading the example of "missing the bull's-eye is to reason where one have failed" and not so much today's thoughts of practice, practice, and more practice. Because if one is doing something wrong and continues to practice over and over to get it right it becomes the great circle of failure. One needs to be taught correctly how to properly hit the bull's eye and then practice, practice, and more practice.
I do agree with this author especially in the paragraph about fulfillment. Clearly fulfillment comes from within and must be truly learned (Tao) so that fulfillment can be passed to others, who in turn pass to others, and so on and so on causing a ripple effect for the nourishment and transformation of heaven and earth. What a better place this would be for cause and effect of fulfillment.
I found these ideas very moving and concrete the morals I have been taught in life to practice such behavior. I have great respect with reading the example of "missing the bull's-eye is to reason where one have failed" and not so much today's thoughts of practice, practice, and more practice. Because if one is doing something wrong and continues to practice over and over to get it right it becomes the great circle of failure. One needs to be taught correctly how to properly hit the bull's eye and then practice, practice, and more practice.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The Buddha
I enjoyed reading Buddha because it is confirming that one needs to be fully aware that no matter how much you read and/or follow the scriptures, listen to logic or inference, learn from religious teachers it is only you that can decide if: “something is unwholesome and bad for you, give it up. And if something is wholesome and good for you, do it.” That made me think of what I have been taught: “do more of what works, and stop what doesn’t work.”
I loved the analogy of the man walking along a great river. He saw something good across the water and used his knowledge and strength to achieve that better place and when he succeeded he laid it down to be done with. Carrying this raft on top of his head would cause physical pain and become a burden to carry around, when all one has to do is let go of what doesn’t work anymore. Drop the baggage, it is similar to carrying a dead corpse over your back, it slows one down in walking along the great river and too weary to enjoy the beautiful walk.
The last two paragraphs of this reading I found crazy. The statement: “all truths should be used to cross over; they should not be held on to once you have arrived.” Personally there are some truths in my life that I have held on to and they have been my strength. I can’t imagine letting go of such truths that drive me forward to a healthier place. The writer’s ideas were moving to me at first, and then it abruptly ended with letting go of something wholesome or unwholesome. I understand letting go of the unwholesome but the very last sentence: “Hold to the truth within yourself, as to the only truth” contradicts the earlier statement that says, “all truths should be used to cross over; they should not be held on to once you have arrived.” The statement: “Be your own confidence” is reminds me not to put our value in others but in ourselves because that is your true self that only you know it to be.
I loved the analogy of the man walking along a great river. He saw something good across the water and used his knowledge and strength to achieve that better place and when he succeeded he laid it down to be done with. Carrying this raft on top of his head would cause physical pain and become a burden to carry around, when all one has to do is let go of what doesn’t work anymore. Drop the baggage, it is similar to carrying a dead corpse over your back, it slows one down in walking along the great river and too weary to enjoy the beautiful walk.
The last two paragraphs of this reading I found crazy. The statement: “all truths should be used to cross over; they should not be held on to once you have arrived.” Personally there are some truths in my life that I have held on to and they have been my strength. I can’t imagine letting go of such truths that drive me forward to a healthier place. The writer’s ideas were moving to me at first, and then it abruptly ended with letting go of something wholesome or unwholesome. I understand letting go of the unwholesome but the very last sentence: “Hold to the truth within yourself, as to the only truth” contradicts the earlier statement that says, “all truths should be used to cross over; they should not be held on to once you have arrived.” The statement: “Be your own confidence” is reminds me not to put our value in others but in ourselves because that is your true self that only you know it to be.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Dogen
I enjoyed reading Dogen because expressed to study the self, the self is to forget the self, and to forget the self is to be enlightened by all things, and to be enlightened by all things is to drop off our own body and mind and next to drop off the bodies and minds of others. This made me think how so many people search and search for enlightenment as they experiment with many different things. Some of the those things are good and some are bad but really the thing that can enlighten one is to get to know yourself. As the writer states; “the truth is already in us.”
I agree with the author about the analogy of the boat and the shore, depending on where one stands the other seems to be moving. This reminded me of the old saying; “one can’t see the trees through the forest.” I really struggled to understand the Zen Master and Monk conversation about the wind. The whole wind brings forth the gold of the earth and turns its long rivers into wine. That I find crazy!
The practice of Meditation I really enjoyed because it challenges one to learn to listen to the voice within yourself. Then it talks about how we search, sift and shuffle through so many other forms of knowledge to find our true self in our fullness. I found the detailed description of how to properly meditate so moving and inspiring. Meditation’s main theme is discipline and practice and after one uses this power within self, then fruit will be given. Then it states one will discover the treasure of wisdom, which in turn one can share abundantly with others, bringing another happiness and peace. That is so similar to what Jesus wants us to do! Share our blessings!
I agree with the author about the analogy of the boat and the shore, depending on where one stands the other seems to be moving. This reminded me of the old saying; “one can’t see the trees through the forest.” I really struggled to understand the Zen Master and Monk conversation about the wind. The whole wind brings forth the gold of the earth and turns its long rivers into wine. That I find crazy!
The practice of Meditation I really enjoyed because it challenges one to learn to listen to the voice within yourself. Then it talks about how we search, sift and shuffle through so many other forms of knowledge to find our true self in our fullness. I found the detailed description of how to properly meditate so moving and inspiring. Meditation’s main theme is discipline and practice and after one uses this power within self, then fruit will be given. Then it states one will discover the treasure of wisdom, which in turn one can share abundantly with others, bringing another happiness and peace. That is so similar to what Jesus wants us to do! Share our blessings!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
SHMELKE OF NIKOLSBURG
I agree with this powerful writing of; “how can I love my neighbor when he has wronged me?” This is how I have learned to love those who have wronged me. First, just as the writer states; “He wrongs you because he does not understand.” If your neighbor does not understand then maybe you have been placed in their path to give them the education of understanding. So when you have been wronged you can do and say things towards your neighbor that might educate them. People are watching us in how one handles situations. Depending on your attitude and motive you can encourage behaviors that people want to reflect to others or behaviors that people would want to refract from others. So I ask myself: if I wrong someone would I want them to still love me? That brings my mind to thinking: “Do unto others as you would do to yourself.” So if I should wrong someone because I did not know any better; would I want to be forgiven? This writer talks about punishing your hand because it lacks understanding. Our hand can lead to being a victim or a hero depending on what we choose to do.
I agree with the writing: “If you punish him, you only hurt yourself” this is the perfect example that true heartfelt forgiveness is for us to release our past to heal our present because wounds of unforgiveness can fester and contaminate our present. Forgiveness means that even though you are wounded you choose to hurt and suffer less. IT IS FOR YOU, not the other! Forgiveness is a act that shows strength and our strength can be an example to others. Remember while you did not cause the wrongs to happen, you are responsible for how you think, behave, and feel since the wrong has occurred.
I agree with the writing: “If you punish him, you only hurt yourself” this is the perfect example that true heartfelt forgiveness is for us to release our past to heal our present because wounds of unforgiveness can fester and contaminate our present. Forgiveness means that even though you are wounded you choose to hurt and suffer less. IT IS FOR YOU, not the other! Forgiveness is a act that shows strength and our strength can be an example to others. Remember while you did not cause the wrongs to happen, you are responsible for how you think, behave, and feel since the wrong has occurred.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Dov Baer of Mezritch
I was touched by this writing because of the reference of the divine root and vitality. As it talks about how we gaze at objects we hold the non-verbal communication to give this object blessing by thinking of great things; or as we gaze at a object we think of nothingness. Since communication is 90% non-verbal this has given me a challenge to gaze at things with thoughts that are healthy and not destructive. I’ve been told that it takes more facial muscles to frown then it does to smile; so why is it that most people walk through their day looking mad displaying a frown?
I totally agree with the second paragraph this writer shared about; "an ear hearing what the universe is saying within one." That hearing process from the universe is usually all the media and entertainment and noise that we fill our minds with to numb pain and possibly escape reality. The writer immediately states; "the moment you begin to hear what you yourself are saying, you must stop." That is a challenge to us because sitting in silence and really being alone is a lost art. To stop the hearing and begin the listening is a huge obstacle. Have you ever thought how interesting it is that the word, "listen" is just 6 letters and yet rearranged in a different order it also spells, "silent."Do you think this is a coincidence or what God really intended all of us to do with these powerful 6 letters? I believe a person of great spiritual faith would say there is no coincidence but divine agreement that the branches need the vine and the vine needs the soil and the soil needs nourishment. So I ask what type of nourishment will you digest into the depths of your soul? Can you sit "silent" to really "listen"?
I totally agree with the second paragraph this writer shared about; "an ear hearing what the universe is saying within one." That hearing process from the universe is usually all the media and entertainment and noise that we fill our minds with to numb pain and possibly escape reality. The writer immediately states; "the moment you begin to hear what you yourself are saying, you must stop." That is a challenge to us because sitting in silence and really being alone is a lost art. To stop the hearing and begin the listening is a huge obstacle. Have you ever thought how interesting it is that the word, "listen" is just 6 letters and yet rearranged in a different order it also spells, "silent."Do you think this is a coincidence or what God really intended all of us to do with these powerful 6 letters? I believe a person of great spiritual faith would say there is no coincidence but divine agreement that the branches need the vine and the vine needs the soil and the soil needs nourishment. So I ask what type of nourishment will you digest into the depths of your soul? Can you sit "silent" to really "listen"?
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