deleted
Would you say that a rich, greedy and ignorant man has better karma, though he may have all that he wants?Originally Posted by Sleeps
we learn most from bad things (ours or others), pain, sickness and more
but you don't have to do it alone ( example : this forum or like me at the dojo)
Sometimes you can't fix everything. Sometimes you just have to deal with all the shit. Acceptance can be difficult, but sometimes it's the only way out.
"As if it matters how a man falls down."
"When the fall's all that's left, it matters a great deal."
I am a begginer in Buddhism and Zen too, as far as I can understand in my state of current ignorance, I think this part is the most difficult. Let go of everything and at the same time learn to distinguish between what can be fixed and what can not be fixed....and then go and simply fix it, with no attachment to things, but with simple joy... even if it means hard work, or pain, or sicknessOriginally Posted by Sleeps
I don't know if I understand this right or wrong, Greg, but believe me that all we here are trying to find and follow this path, no one can walk our own path, maybe, in the end, there is no path,only Practice, Acceptance .... I don't know....I wish I could help you, but maybe I am as lost as anyone....in this state of things, I decide to trust the words of our teachers and our peers in the Sangha. Perhaps what they share with us will help us to understand, every day, a little more.
Hi Greg,
From yours words it is obvious that you have experienced a lot of difficulties in your life.
But as Jiki said:
So true! You don' t have to do it alone.Originally Posted by Jiki
_/_
From my limited experience in life, all I can say is that the more resistance you put towards crap in life, you end up suffering badly.
When you just surf the waves of life with no opposition to anything, things start to look up quite a bit.
Thank you for open up to the sangha. Much metta to you.
no I would not.Originally Posted by Amelia
I'm not alone, I know this now, a friend gave me some information on how to get free food, I'll take it.Originally Posted by Jiki
Coming from someone who's somewhat rich but hopefully not too ignorant and greedy (except for cookies and chocolate and... :mrgreen: :lol: ):
Is your life the way it is because you were a dreadful person in your past lives? Is my life the way it is because I was a terrific person in my past lives? Maybe, maybe not. Either way, what to do now? How about we drop it?
Drop everything: drop good, drop bad, drop rich, drop poor, drop dreadful past, drop terrific past, drop past lives... and what do I have that you do not? Nothing. What I have is this life. What you have is this life. No need for me to boast of my previous lifetime's deeds (I can't even remember them and even if I could, so what?), no need for you to blame yours. What you and I did in our previous lives is done. What we have now, is the chance to practice together.
_/|_
Rafael
Originally Posted by Sleeps
For someone who wants to be a Buddhist, it already sounds like who have it all figured out, so why ask? Maybe check out Jundo's sitting for beginners video, thread, what ever.
Beginners mind is where you start.
And end preferably.
Gassho
W
Hi.
Even though i'm no authority of any kind, a humble ordained Zen Priest in training, and just an modest fool at best i'm just adding my own two cents here, but we have people here in the sangha which iterate "Shit is good fertilizer".
Not all things are bad,everything can be used for practice, and it sounds like you're well on youre way, don't mind the bumps, theyre there for a purpose...
Mtfbwy
Fugen
Greg/Sleeps,
You are posting so much so fast ... and now you have deleted most of your own posts ... I get the feeling that something is happening. You head seems to be filled with so much.
Is something up? I also get the sense that you have not slept, because you have been posting all day.
We need to talk ... please arrange to Skype with me as soon as you can. Here are times, but I can arrange a special time if you need.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2826
Until we talk, I would like you to slow down, take a breather. I want to make sure all is okay for you, my friend.
Gassho, Jundo
Just to clarify, I do not feel that all "rich" people are negative and greedy. When I said, "rich, greedy and ignorant man," I meant just that: a rich, greedy, and ignorant man! Of course not all well-off people fall under those categories! I'm sure that a rich man with a loving, contemplative, and sharing spirit has excellent karma!
But, of course, let us drop it. 8)
Hi Greg! I didn't get to read your last few posts so I don't know if you reacted to my post. Anyway, I hope my post didn't come across as callous or cavalier towards your situation. The point is, whatever our past was, it's all in the past. If we did good in the past and are reaping the rewards now, great. But still, we drop it and practice. If we did bad in the past and are reaping the negative consequences (not punishments! that would imply a punisher inflicting it on us) then we accept it and still drop it and practice. Even if our past lives had absolutely nothing to do with our current lives, we still drop it and practice. This is my own beginner's opinion of course, but please know that I offer it to you out of friendship.
Looking forward to practice with you in the sangha.
_/|_
Rafael
Greg,
please let as know what is going on with you. Seriously.
I know this is hard to talk about problems on forum. But this is after all Sangha (REAL Sangha, and I'm sure all members of TreeLeaf will a firm this).
I relay hope you will give a Jundo and us sign of Live.
And on that note, I just want to add a reminder that you can post your more personal stuff in the Topics about All of Life forum http://www.treeleaf.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=9 as it is more confidential there (only members can access it).
_/|_
Rafael
Late to this party and Sleeps has deleted his/her words...***
I will say this: 'wanting' is one thing for sure buddhism isn't. The other thing buddhism isn't is 'not wanting'
Wanting/not wanting is human: dissatisfaction with what is.
understanding this and understanding the way to end this is the seed/fundamental principle of buddism.
This is worthy task. Not by wanting to, but by the doing.
Good luck to you Sleeps wherever you are!
May we all realize the buddha way together!
*** Should have read ...and Sleeps/Greg has deleted his words...My humble apologies Greg...I was using my phone, not my laptop. The phone's small face limits what I can view
and a quick scan did not give me much of a view at all. The irony here for me is that in 'personalizing' the message, it became grotesquely impersonal. Please accept my apologies. Over the years I visit here, I have appreciated many of your writings, your perspective and your support of others. I hope you are well.
it is unfortunate that those most in need the fastest drop out
Hi guys I'm back, I just needed some rest, I think Bodhidharma went to the east to find some peace and quiet.
happy birthday Greg.
Gassho
Shohei
Great to hear from you Greg!Originally Posted by Sleeps
Gassho,
Hoyu
I'd like to thank you all for letting me come back here, things are different...but, I'm learning to take it easy, I don't even know what that means anymore but things are coming together well. Thank you for keeping me in mind, through all my pain and suffering, I keep you all in mind aswell.
Thank you Greg,
writing, deleting, going, returning ...all fine, all ok. Thank you for your practice!
_()_
Myoku
Great, Keishin, in my stupid ears, your sound is so in tune.
gassho
T.
I'm so glad you are here, Greg!
I hope we will have opportunity to practice together sometime
_/_
Greg,
It's good to see you!
Gassho,
Yugen