Tee Hee
Back to analogue?
Here is somone I have on my wall shrine as a manifestation of the Maitreya
lobster
I'm not sure it matters. Yes, if you are afraid of creating negative karmic imprints within yourself which might cause a bad rebirth, it might matter. But fear is not a very good motivator when it comes to the matter of mind-training (such as doing your Buddhist meditation).
Buddhism tells us that the Past is just a memory and no-longer matters. And that the Future never arises -- it is always tomorrow. All we have is THIS moment, but when we handle this moment as working on enlightenment, then the internal future we are creating will be positive (and the only thing which really matters IS the internal moment, at this moment in time, Here and Now).
Lastly, it is said that when we die our self-identify and memories also die and all that passes on is a very subtle energy carrying our karma imprints.
So focusing on past/future lives is focusing on something which doesn't really matter. It is this moment, and how we are relating to it, which matters.
On a related note, my mother just declared “everything online is AI”. Which may soon be coming true… if you can no longer trust video footage as a facsimile of the real world, or text as having been typed by a human… maybe it’s time to find an entirely-analogue hermitage somewhere?
Jeroen
All my impediments are mined. Fortunately all The Buddhas (and others) are also Mind. We have to inflate and burst until our Bodies and Bodhi shine and our buddhas just a shoo step away...
“No man can reveal to you aught but that which already lies half asleep in the dawning of your knowledge.
The teacher who walks in the shadow of the temple, among his followers, gives not of his wisdom but rather of his faith and his lovingness.
If he is indeed wise he does not bid you enter the house of his wisdom, but rather leads you to the threshold of your own mind.”
~ Kahlil Gibran, quote from The Prophet
lobster
Is it better to believe in one life or in many?
Yes! 😉😁
Sometimes better, sometimes worse.
For some better, for some worse.
In some ways better, in some worse.
The same, and different.
A better question might be: stuck between birth and death, and not knowing what came before and what comes after, whachagona do about it?
I think rebirth would work like the hydrological system here on Earth. Clouds transform into drops which fall individually and through the path of least resistance they eventually evaporate and again form clouds. It's all the same water but no individual drop ever repeats.
So I am a drop while incarnate, and part of a cloud while between lives? Cool!
Jeroen
@ Jeroen:
It appears we are talking about the same gem through different facets.
That said, I offer an additional observation.
A beneficial act is a chosen act. It is not an accidental act, but an act deliberately made. The level benefit derived to the individual who performs the act is ultimately dependent upon said individual's intent. There is benefit from and act performed from a selfish intent, but that benefit is reduced and can even be nullified by the coutervalence of the degree of selfish motivation of personal gain.
To preform beneficial acts without regard to expectation of personal gain generated a different kind of personal benefit or gain. Said may appear as inconspicuous or conspicuous benefit or gain, but is more profound, more meaningful and more lasting.
This is the difference between a predatory act of word or deed dressed up as an act of kindness, of selflessness and an act of word or deed arising from the heart freely given free of the chains of expectancy of reward.
Such differences may be invisible to other parties, but the mind, the heart of the person knows, catalogs, remembers.
This is not to say that having an expectation of benefit or gain is exclusive of the selflessness of the specific words or actions. But that the primary reason for the words or actions is not "Where is my gain ? Where is my benefit?" but that gain or benefit will derive from the selfless actions organically. The benefit is already there. The benefit may not manifest immediately or appear in a manner expected. But it is there. It arises through the quality derived from the actions of the heart, not strategy.
Peace to all
I’ve read quite a few of his comments when digging into the forum’s past. Namaste Simon 🙏
Jeroen
If anyone here was around when Simon (@Simonthepilgrim) was a regular participant, I learned that he passed away recently. He was a regular contributor for many years back in the day. I learned a lot from him. He’ll definitely be missed.
Jason