Comparing Thangkas

Comparing thangkas

Maybe we are ....

... all dreaming and one day we'll all wake up and this (no matter how good it is for you now) will be like a bad dream, and the waking will be so bright.

... in prison and one day we get out.  But, for now, we are serving our sentences.  Different sentences for different reasons.  Actions which happened so long ago we don't even remember how we got here.  But we are each responsible for where we are and have to learn to accept that as our "punishment." (or reward)

... in hell.

... in heaven.

... in heaven and hell at the same time.  

... acting in a play -- just acting a part based on our circumstances like impromptu role-playing.  One day we are this character, one day we are not. 

... in an exam.  This is it.  If we fail this test, we are doomed forever.  If we pass.... (but what happens to the little babies who die before they can read?)

... evolving.  This is just one step toward the next, and the next, and the next, and the next.  each unfolding yielding more awareness, but more responsibility --- and then more challenges and then --- the next level...

... lost.

... excrement from a mad-scientist's experiment. Just waste, but making the best of it. 

... nothing.  absolutely nothing. 

... pure potential.  everything possible, bottled up in our being, just being, but we have to learn how to tap into the energy.  ~~~ meditate?

I Disagree

I met a great teacher who advocated eating meat. He said it is a way for us to connect with the balance between life and death. For me to live, something must die. Bugs, worms, and small animals like rabbits are killed by the large machines that pick our corn and wheat. If we don't meditate deeply on that cycle, we loose an opportunity to connect with the death of all beings. In addition, he says, eating that flesh can help that animal connect to a higher realm.

I disagree.

It seems much more sane or humane to connect with prayer and meditation rather than the violence of eating meat. Why eat the flesh of another animal to get the second-hand nutrition from that meat? Do you really need that much protein? How do you know how much you really need?

All this said, I have to admit that there are huge people who are good in spirit and use their powerful bodies to help those of us who don't have that strength. They may need to eat meat. For me to grow spiritually, however, I don't think meat helps.

See the Sivananda Companion to Yoga section on food.

Who are you to say that?

A preacher once pointed to Job and asked, "Who are you to question the mind of God?"

But that question makes me ask, "Who has the authority or the responsiblity to ask that question?"

Until God has made it clear which book has the answers, which book do I use? The Koran? The Bible ? The Bhagavad Gita?

It has taken me a long time to get here, but it seems clear that it is up to us to decide for ourselves. And that makes it my responsiblity to question everything until the question is answered.

Jinpa

PS. God, if you are listening and have time to weigh in. I'd love a clearer answer. But for now, I'm ok searching.

Finding truth.

You are here to find truth.

For yourself primarily.

Then, if they ask for your wisdom and your secrets to success,

For your family,
Your friends,
and your community.

Om Nama Shivaya

Roses

Red robes

Spiritual Master

I was taking an evening stroll and hoping (even praying) a spiritual master would appear. Then I got scared. What would I do if one did? Quit my day job? Walk away from everything and follow? What would I be asked to do? What am I called to do right now that I am not doing?

Guru Rinpoche

How does Guru Rinpoche negate or further the work of the Buddha?

DoGuru Rinpoche's teachings alienate some hinayana or Mahayana practices which do not embrace or recognize tantra as a vehicle?

Is this like saying BMW drivers don't recognize Ford as a vehicle?

Prayer Flag

2012

What if it is all up to you?

You have to visualize world peace?

You have to see your boss, family, political leaders as great sages.

You have to define success.

You have to forgive everyone for everything.

You have to give money away to begin rebuilding damaged communities.

You have to choose what is most important and when to start.

It's all up to you.