Best Of
Happy Christmas 2024!
It’s only Christmas Eve, but…
It feels more like Christmas than it has done for a few years. No mince pies this year because I haven’t been into the center of Amsterdam for many months, where the Waterstones is our sole place of supply for such goods.
I’ve been very remiss in my shopping for presents, I gave my dad a small gift and my mum a small gift ahead of time.
On Boxing Day we will visit my aunt, which will be a cheerful occasion. The last shopping is done, plentiful amounts of food have been secured, including a few special treats and plenty of sweets.
Jeroen
Re: Just for fun: the random, useless announcements thread!
At this time, whatever flavor, Happy Holidays and A Wondrous New Year.
The rest we can sort out as it come along.
Lionduck
Re: So HUNGRY to NOT CRAVE
Hunger is but a part of, a condition, we all possess.
It is neither good nor bad.
Allowing the hunger to become the the controlling condition, the basic "world", the base from which one sees, lives one's life, is negative (bad).
Understanding that Hunger is but a part, an element within us over which we have control, enables us to overcome, to not be enveloped by the state of Hunger.
When talking of "eliminating desires", it really means redirecting, channeling our desires from selfish and destructive (negative) desires toward selfless and positive desires.
An example in the mundane world is in the desire for a position of influence.
Selfish hunger (desire) says, " I want that position to gain power, to get bigger, better toys, to control.
Selfless hunger (desire) as a manifestation within a higher state, says,"I want the position in order to help, to better serve or represent those who do not have such power or influence.
Thus Hunger is neither good not bad. It is what we wish to do and what we actually do with hunger that makes it something good or something bad.
A Buddha has hunger. But, that hunger (desire) is for the peace and happiness of all the people. That hunger is for the world to become a land of countless Buddhas.
Lionduck
Re: What music are you listening to?
I play this as a mashup with Imagine. Piano accompaniment including the little chromatic riff, but the Dylan lyrics and melody. First verse in D, second verse in Db, third verse in C, then segue to the last verse of Imagine.
Steve_B
Re: Sharing practice through non-practice
Thus have I heard...
Expectation is the killer of meditation.
Shoshin1
Re: What music are you listening to?
How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
How many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, and how many times must the cannonballs fly
Before they're forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind
Yes, and how many years must a mountain exist
Before it is washed to the sea?
And how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head
And pretend that he just doesn't see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind
Yes, and how many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
And how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, and how many deaths will it take 'til he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind
Shoshin1
