Best Of
Re: Letting go of games
I’ve started writing about games and spirituality and philosophy. It’s a big topic, and I plan to just write more and more related stuff until I have enough for a book.
Jeroen
Re: Just for fun: the random, useless announcements thread!
Well, I was on the ferry heading over to the city for a vigil being held for all the Palestinian journalists and medical staff who have been killed, when I got a message from a friend back on the island: “Be careful, a mob of Destiny Despicable Church cult followers/thugs are in the square where the vigil is being held.”
Not long ago, Destiny cult thugs (or as many call them, the Deplorable or Despicable cult) attacked members of the Rainbow youth community, trapping them in a public library where they were holding an event to celebrate Pride Week. Some of the youth were hurt, and many feared for their lives. I think four members of the cult were charged with assault.
When I arrived, I got there early, about half an hour before the vigil was to start, fortunately for us, the thin blue line was out in force, forming a buffer zone between where the vigil was being held and the cult gathering.
Even though they had a group there singing upbeat gospel songs, the cult's intention in the square was clearly to provoke. Earlier on, a friend from the island who volunteers as a marshal at our rallies was followed by some of the cult members. At one point, they surrounded her, she managed to escape into a nearby food court.
A number of the cult members ride big motorbikes; many are former bikie gang members. I say 'former', but for the most part, they still operate as a gang. Wherever they turn up, their presence is quite intimidating.
That said, the vigil was mostly peaceful, I think the police presence helped. During the vigil, all of us with mobile phones received emergency alerts about a severe thunderstorm approaching. These alerts came through several times. The wind picked up, the sky darkened, but thankfully, it didn’t rain during the vigil.
Those of us from the island (there were around half a dozen of us) had to rush to catch the ferry, just in case sailings were cancelled. The ride back was a bumpy one, but the weather was fine when we arrived, the thunderstorm missed us.
Shoshin1
Re: Truth: the language of the heart
I forget who, but someone said that, for us there are only two absolutes.
We are born
We will die
It is the variables we create and expeience we have between that give us value in living.
I, for one feel that our purpose, or, if you prefer, a major purpose in life is to find joy in living, to share joy in living and help others to find joy (and their own individual purpose) in living. I do not mean joy in the carnival ride sense. Joy here is to appreciate life, warts and all, to live confidently, see the treasure in self and others as we are.
Lionduck
Re: Equanimity or Masochism?
I know that our perception of injustice can be dangerous, as it can create a thirst for revenge or so-called “justice.”
Thus have I heard: “In the ultimate world, there is no justice nor injustice… There just is.”
But we live in the conventional world, where justice and injustice are woven into the fabric of daily life, yin and yang, light and shadow. The choices we make matter.
For the most part, I find contentment in my daily life, even with its ups and downs. But when I witness harm being inflicted upon others, especially when it is deliberate, systemic, or denied, I feel compelled to speak out, to do what I can to bring justice to the table.
Because if we are willing to turn a blind eye to the suffering of others, especially when that suffering is intentionally inflicted, it is a sign that humanity has lost its way.
Our perception of injustice can be dangerous if it leads only to vengeance. There is a fine line between justice and revenge. But many traditions , legal, moral, spiritual, teach us that true justice is not so much about punishment, but about restoration, balance, and the protection of dignity and rights.
For me, if I were to remain silent in the face of injustice, I would become complicit in it. To justify inaction because “it’s not my problem” is to forget that our lives are interwoven.
Justice, then, is not an abstract ideal. It is a practice, a willingness to see, to feel, and to act. It requires courage, compassion.
You make some interesting points @Kotishka definitely food for thought to ponder.
One thing I try to keep in mind is that some are more fortunate than others when it comes to riding the waves of the ocean of samsara. Life’s circumstances are a mixed bag. Even among Buddhist practitioners, some have found a way to navigate the ups and downs with more ease, while others carry heavier burdens, making the journey more difficult.
But with practice, these burdens can gradually lessen over time. Bit by bit, the load becomes lighter, and the waters more familiar.
Shoshin1
Re: Just for fun: the random, useless announcements thread!
The wind has dropped slightly, and now comes the torrential rain to complete the cyclonic cycle.
Shoshin1
Re: Important Stuff
I luvs the Real Americans @Lionduck
Good people, not goods. Work machines.
A commodity.
Most of my virtual friends over the years have been from America.
When I was there in ye olde days... I liked much of what I saw and experienced.
It is kinda the best and worst of humanity and everything in between.
American very much are, what you see is what you get.
I think Donut Trump, might belong to the wurst side...
lobster
Re: Just for fun: the random, useless announcements thread!
We are having dust and sand after the rain. I do miss a bit of rain and storms. Thanks for your videos 
Stay safe!
Kotishka