Best Of
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