Best Of
Re: I'm Thankful For...
When I asked my young American friend how her Thanksgiving was, she told me she had a video chat with friends in the US, and the first thing they did was recite this prayer.
Haudenosaunee (Iroquois)) Prayer of Gratitude to the Natural World
The People
Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as people. Now our minds are one.
The Earth Mother
We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our mother, we send greetings and thanks. Now our minds are one.
The Waters
We give thanks to all the waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms- waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of Water. Now our minds are one.
The Fish
We turn our minds to the all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks. Now our minds are one.
The Plants
Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come. Now our minds are one.
The Food Plants
With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting of thanks. Now our minds are one.
The Medicine Herbs
Now we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines. Now our minds are one.
The Animals
We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We are honored by them when they give up their lives so we may use their bodies as food for our people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so. Now our minds are one
The Trees
We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many people of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life. Now our minds are one.
The Birds
We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds-from the smallest to the largest-we send our joyful greetings and thanks. Now our minds are one.
The Four Winds
We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help us to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds. Now our minds are one.
The Thunderers
Now we turn to the west where our grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We are thankful that they keep those evil things made by Okwiseres underground. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers. Now our minds are one.
The Sun
We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun. Now our minds are one.
Grandmother Moon
We put our minds together to give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night-time sky. She is the leader of woman all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon. Now our minds are one.
The Stars
We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to the Stars. Now our minds are one.
The Enlightened Teachers
We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring teachers. Now our minds are one.
The Creator
Now we turn our thoughts to the Creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for all the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator. Now our minds are one.
We have now arrived at the place where we end our words.
Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way. Now our minds are one.
Perhaps some food for thought for those descended from colonial settlers on Turtle Island.
There's a lot to be grateful for...each and everyday.
Shoshin1
Re: I'm Thankful For...
Grateful to still be here after going thru esophageal cancer earlier this year. Other than swallowing difficulties due to scar tissue from all the radiation treatments I feel perfectly healthy again.
zorro
Re: The Higher Self
@Linc @federica
As advised by our Community Guidelines, which I have tried to follow in this matter, @IdleChater and I have been mediating both here publicly and later in private via PM.
I believe we have made sufficient progress that no ban is necessary at this time. IdleChater has shown self-reflection and a willingness to change and I am confident that with additional mediation, including between IdleChater and Jeroen, the matter can be beneficialy resolved for all involved.
It's very late here and I must be off to bed, I just don't want to wake up with IdleChater banned, not after the successful mediation and initial progress we have made.
Apologies to @Tavs, whose threads we have been recently derailing.
marcitko
Re: The Higher Self
As the second most disagreeable member of the forum, I'll stand up for the importance of challenging people's opinions and stand against pitchfork mobs running people off.
I will, however, point out that part of Buddhism's right speech includes stating things in an agreeable manner and with a good intention. Perfection isn't what's important, or I'd be out on my ass, its the understanding and willingness to try.
Truthful speech: Speaking honestly and truthfully.
Kind speech: Using words that are friendly, benevolent, gentle, and endearing.
Beneficial speech: Speaking in a way that is useful and promotes well-being.
Timely speech: Speaking at the right time, considering whether the words will be helpful and whether it's the appropriate moment to say them.
Speech with goodwill: Speaking with a kind and benevolent intention, hoping for the best for all involved.
Noble silence: If one cannot speak in a way that is truthful, beneficial, and kind, it is better to remain silent.
person
Re: The Higher Self
Not sure about the 'Buddhist point of view', but going by personal experience I'll go with: yes, there is a Higher Self.
From the mundane perspective, it makes no sense, so no answer or explanation will ever satisfy.
A deep investigation into 'who am I?' + luck or Grace might trigger at least a glimpse.
However, as our old friend @genkaku might say, glimpsing the Higher Self and 50 cents will get you a bus ride. It's much more about our day to day lives, and how we are on an average Tuesday at 11 am, rather than these 'miraculous' openings.
My path these days is about the mundane and the wholesome. So, I would reccomend the same to Tavs. The Higher Self and similar matters will take care of themselves if and when the causes and conditions are right.
marcitko
Re: Meditation not intended for householders?
Is that true?
No.
I am a householder as are many here, we practice meditation.
Buddhism with its emphasis in the Western emergence is promoting meditation as its gem. The personification of the inner path to emancipation from our troubles. So we start a cushion/chair sitting or a slow walking commitment. We want to taste. We want to cook rather than read the recipes.
Some people when they start meditating, think meditating is like watching paint dry (one of my hobbies) and therefore too boring to do. Wrong. Or in fact this is exactly right . . .
Initially everything seems to happen . . . except the tranquility and peace of mind we seek. We can not sit still, the posture is unbearable, we remember all the things we should or prefer to do. The mind body complex is an unsettled jumble of thoughts, emotions, sensations that does not match the serene stillness we expect. The Hindu mystics describe a chariot with the horses all pulling in different directions. Our mind is an uncontrolled mess.
However with perseverance it comes. The breath slows, opens and deepens. The mind chatter lessens. Not maybe, not perhaps. Guaranteed. It is similar to yoga. We stretch and balance. We relax into pain. We push and hold. We find less is more. Benefits in well being - guaranteed.
lobster
Re: Do not convert?
I personally disagree with HHDL. It's a definite case of "If it's broke, then fix it.!"
I was baptised a RC. But in spite of honest efforts on my part to really try to connect with what the church taught me, and what my parents tried to lead me through, nothing ever quite completely gelled.
And so it was that I discovered Buddhism.
Which, incidentally, my still-church-going mother introduced me to.
Every page of the book she sent me, sang my name, and called me thither.
And so, I went.
While my practice has definitely been an up-and-down, in-and-out adventure, I have never looked - or been tempted to go - back.
Sorry your Holiness.
You're stuck with me.
federica
Re: Meditation and mental health
@Jeroen said:
@IdleChater said:
if you’re having mental health issues, take them to a doctor and not to a forum like this.With the proviso that a doctor will likely prescribe you pills, which will have side effects, etc.
There could easily be different treatment plans offered to or even accepted by the patient. Medication is one option of at least several that can be used with other methods/approaches. My experience has shown that different treatment plans work for different people. It’s important that a mental health care provider work with a patient to optimize results… that the patient is willing and comfortable with.
And yes, most things we ingest have side effects. That’s not a reason to avoid medications if/when they’re needed. It’s just called making an informed decision and weighing the risks with the need.
Yes, I do think everyone was trying to help. No harmful or ill intent in this community. I just prefer to go on the safer side and suggest a professional when it comes to mental health issues.
Thanks Ren for the section reference. I sure went and read it. I knew there was something on the books, just didn’t know where/what.
Vastmind
Re: Meditation and mental health
@IdleChater said:
It would be the OP's right to sue your ass off if they take your advice, and they are psychologically injured as a result. The owners of the site could be sued as well.End of the site. End of our community. End of your savings.
I was going to stay out of this because I said my piece already. But that's not correct. Section 230 protects the forum and the site. Not only that, but the OP would bear a significant amount of legal responsibility for deciding to take medical advice from an unverified source online.
But the OP would never sue anybody, because he is a member of our community who shared his thoughts in good faith. More than one person responded that seeing a medical professional was first and foremost. And Tavs certainly wasn't asking about any kind of dosage for anything, so the diabetes comment is false equivalency.
With multiple people reminding Tavs that a doctor was necessary up front, the air was cleared for others to share their thoughts in loving-kindness, which I believe is the point of the forum.
Re: Announcenment: genkaku Adam Fisher
Thank you for letting us know. He was a prolific, compassionate, and valued member of this community. His contributions here over more than 8 years and thousands of posts touched the lives of hundreds and were greatly appreciated.
Linc