Best Of
Re: The traces we leave
@lobster said:
I feel ahimsa to what ever degree we can manage, is a worthy goal.
Well… the Jain monks do take it rather far. They don’t eat after dark for fear of swallowing flying bugs, and carry a small brush of very fine wool as their only possession in order to be able to sweep the spot where they are just about to sit, so that they don’t crush any ants or small insects. They often wander around naked as well.
I feel it is good to signal our devotion, so that people can see what we consider important in our lives and inspire others.
“Once I was chastising Maharajji for giving photos to people who were worldly and didn’t care about him. He said, “You don’t understand me. If I tell a man he is a great bhakta (devotee), I am planting a seed. If a person already has the seed planted and growing, why should I plant another?” I said, “You are telling these drunkards, liars, and dacoits that they are real bhaktas. They will just go home and carry on their old behaviors.” Maharajji said, “Some of them will remember what I said of them, and it will make them want to develop this quality in themselves. If ten out of a hundred are inspired in this way, it is a very good thing.”
― Ram Dass, Miracle of Love: Stories about Neem Karoli Baba
Jeroen
Re: Ostara', 'Eastre' or 'Eostre's Blessings...
@Lionduck said:
And through thousands of years, Easter has devolved into a weird chocolate rabbits and boiled eggs hidden in the weeds.
....and Zombies
Shoshin1
Re: Unsocial Media
Just saw an Interview with Jonathan Haidt, one of my favorite public intellectuals, on his new book "The Anxious Generation". I think he makes a compelling case and offers good solutions.
person
Re: Unsocial Media
I have a few websites, like this one, that I find interesting and occasionally contribute to discussions.
I have never had a facebook account. Same for instagram or any of the others. A full rich life is quite possible, and probably enhanced, by such avoidance.
Steve_B
Re: A Buddhist teacher admits ... BUDDHISM HAS FAILED!
@person said:
I think this just reconfirms my sense that he is too online. Its not just the headlines that's clickbait its kind of his whole tone.Buddhism hasn't been the entirety of the social sphere and it won't be going forward, there's no need to get so hyperbolic. I think pretty much every non monastic (and probably the majority of monastic) Buddhist I've heard from takes an integrated approach to Buddhism, melding it with modernity. Maybe his view is informed by his living in Japan with a more traditional mindset? IDK what their attitude is, I'm just speculating.
I think just reiterating a point I made earlier. Jumping heart first into these powerful new technologies makes it more likely that you'll create bad outcomes. You're so eager to do good and think the purity of your motivation will see it through that you become incautious and do harm. "Helping" all the butterflies out of their cocoons.
I watched the video, at first it was a little in-your-face, but I feel it’s a clever tactic to get the listener’s attention. I agree about the ‘click bait’ slogan, Buddhism has failed Person made a great point with this. Personally, I don’t think it’s failed, it’s just that people awaken in their own time, maybe not in this lifetime, but there is hope they will awaken someday. Although it’s the journey, not the end goal to forge a path with Buddhism.I feel it’s the most peaceful of all lifestyles and ‘religions’ and the messages are so clear and most schools of Buddhism follow very similar ideologies without forced-indoctrination. Buddhism is a personal spiritual path where you apply techniques hat are useful, if you feel they are not whether, science has determined this for you, or another method just DON’T DO IT. Be kind, don’t harm others and showing compassion, or going that step further and practically helping others that are less fortunate, now that’s just 9be if many Buddhist paths. Okay, getting off my little soap box now… blessings to all 🌸
Re: Closure and burying the hatchet, or just let it go?
I think @federica, our missing in action moderator would be proud of our advisement. She would regularly keep dangerous lobsters and other confused individuals safe with excellent counselling skills.
Just another thought. Happy Easter! Death and renewal! I like it already, especially the lambs. 
lobster
Re: Closure and burying the hatchet, or just let it go?
So I’ll just wait and see what happens realising nothing is permanent
Change is inevitable ...Suffering the change is optional...
Every 'moment' the great unknown is gradually opening up its secret to us...The unknown becomes known in each passing moment... and the past shapes the present and the present shapes the future...which is always found in the present moment...where change is happening...
In quiet breath, the world stills its sway,
Mindfulness blooms in the heart's soft ray.
Each moment a dance of light and shade,
In presence's embrace, worries fade.Listen, the whisper of the breeze's song,
Feel the earth's pulse, steady and strong.
Here, in the now, where time suspends,
Peace unfurls, and the mind amends.
Shoshin1
Re: A Buddhist teacher admits ... BUDDHISM HAS FAILED!
Jundo’s fourth video, on how traditionalist Buddhist thinking may end up having a negative impact by ignoring the benefits of progress.
In a way what he says reminds me of the psychedelic renaissance that is going on at the moment. Some deep experiences are indeed more easily available through a psilocybin mushroom than through zazen meditation. But that is still limited to a Buddhist perspective.
If you look at the psychedelic revival through a wider lens, you can see that the work being done with Ayahuasca in Peru and Brazil has a more far-reaching effect on the psyche, through working on trauma, blockage, the ego, and other elements.
I still think it is better to bring the best of Buddhism’s ideas to the rest of the world, rather than to try to bring the rest of the world into Buddhism.
Jeroen