Gassho dear reader,

[jalus]

My practice for well over a decade has been the Noble EightFold Path;
as well as, the Power of NOW.

I consider myself a Humanist.
Being a Humanist just means trying to behave decently
without expectations of rewards or punishment
after you are dead.

I'm looking forward to my time here.

In Metta and Peace Always,
Jalus

Namaste'

[zendancer]

Welcome to the board Jalus. Here are some fun questions. Do you realize that by considering yourself a humanist, you may be limiting yourself to something smaller than what you really are? Have you considered the possibility that you might be something bigger than imagination can grasp? For example, take a deep breath of air. Is the air now inside your lungs you or not you? What was it before it entered the body? Apply the same question to food and water. When, perecisely, do these "things" become "you?" Cheers.

[jalus]

Sept 5, 2010 1:01:34 GMT -5 zendancer said:

Welcome to the board Jalus. Here are some fun questions. Do you realize that by considering yourself a humanist, you may be limiting yourself to something smaller than what you really are? Have you considered the possibility that you might be something bigger than imagination can grasp? For example, take a deep breath of air. Is the air now inside your lungs you or not you? What was it before it entered the body? Apply the same question to food and water. When, perecisely, do these "things" become "you?" Cheers.

Gassho zendancer,

I understand the lesson and am grateful to you for it.
If I may I'd like to give you the back story to why I use certain words.

When I began on The Path I met teachers who used advanced language.
This was as if you attempted to teach calculus to an infant. Yes?

So I choose "Humanist" with a short description for my brothers and sisters
who are on another Path beneath their feet.

To you, sensei, I would answer:
"I JUST BE"

In Metta and Peace Always,
Jalus

Namaste'

[zendancer]

Jalus: Yes, "Humanist" and other similar distinctions (republican, man, musician, John, environmentalist, etc) are okay if we are not attached to those ideas. The truth is beyond distinction.

I love the story of Emperor Wu's encounter with Bodhidharma, the first Chinese Zen Patriarch. Wu told B. about all of the wonderful things he had done to spread Buddhism. He then asked B. what he had thereby attained. B answered, "nothing whatsoever." This shocked the emperor because he thought his good works had bought him some merit. He then asked B, "Well, who do you think you are (to say this to me)?" B. answered, "It is not knowable." Indeed.

[jalus]

Sept 7, 2010 0:09:01 GMT -5 zendancer said:

Jalus: Yes, "Humanist" and other similar distinctions (republican, man, musician, John, environmentalist, etc) are okay if we are not attached to those ideas.

[/i]The truth is beyond distinction.

I love the story of Emperor Wu's encounter with Bodhidharma, the first Chinese Zen Patriarch. Wu told B. about all of the wonderful things he had done to spread Buddhism. He then asked B. what he had thereby attained. B answered, "nothing whatsoever." This shocked the emperor because he thought his good works had bought him some merit. He then asked B, "Well, who do you think you are (to say this to me)?" B. answered, "It is not knowable." Indeed.[/quote]

Gassho zendancer,

ahhh ~ yes non-attachment!

For the last year I have been downsizing my Life.
Currently I am preparing to put my
3 story 2,000 SF Townhouse on the market.
My plan is to purchase a (way) under 1,000 SF cottage by the sea
and live mortgage free.

I, finally, woke up and realized all my "stuff" owned me!!
I had to work long hours to buy "stuff"
A bigger home was needed for "stuff."
I had to clean "stuff."
I had to insure "stuff."
I worried over "stuff."
"Stuff" was my pimp!

So this past year I donated household goods to two charities.
Now I am in the process of disposing all "stuff" in one room;
starting with the guest bedroom.

Also jewelry, art, clothing etc etc.

It's a scary time because once I do it there is no going back.
I wished I could just wiggle my nose. (sigh)

Then after I make the transition I will wait to see
what the Universe has for my next chapter:
IE: Habitat for Humanity, working with and for:
the Elderly, Low-Income Children /Families ??

However, I don't spend time thinking about it,
because I'm so absorbed in this time consuming lesson.
There is no family to help me ~ so if it's to be its up to me.

Thank you for the re-minder of non-attachment.

IN JOY ALWAYS,
Jalus

Namaste'

_()_

[louij]

Looove this thread....... the adventure of this human birth .... when I met Mandela by pure accident, we bumped eachother in a doorway ... where I was volunteering showing people to their booked seats...teehee This unexpected close contact opened a portal to speak to him briefly.

I had intellectually one thousand questions ...... eye to eye no questioning was present...... I said I LOVE YOU .... and he said I LOVE YOU his energy side by side is enormous his aura is huge seemingly endless up and down flowing through the floorboards.

You FEEL A VIBRATIONAL HUM around him.... it is recognisable .... ancient, sharedness...... the crinkles around his eyes are laugh lines mixed in with puzzlement ...... but what is very very profound is that he is a peace zone...... instantly relaxing........ he makes you smile and laugh ...... a pure sense of joy permeates your being........

So much for opportunity for discussion, we had between us only the language of harmony...........

so yes, thanks be, that we are all travelling a highway of many facets and adventures........ love love Louij