Best Of
Re: The AI tsunami
A very long piece on the existential threat of the AI bubble to the US economy (and why the economy is probably worse than we think already): https://www.wheresyoured.at/ai-is-a-money-trap/
Linc
Re: How do Buddhists feel about pop culture representations of their philosophy
There was a controversy a decade or two ago where someone in the US flushed a Koran down the toilet. Ajahn Brahm was asked by a reporter what he would do if someone flushed a Buddhist holy book down the toilet. His response, "call a plumber". Just saying Buddhists generally don't seem to mind too much.
For myself, I think if you're going to try something like that its nice to ask people for clarity on the topic to see if you can make or keep it as accurate as possible for the story you want to tell.
When Andy Weir wrote The Martian he published chapter drafts online for people to help him get the science right. I think it did a lot for the story. But he also left the wind storm in as the impetus for their premature launch even though the atmosphere on Mars is too thin for it to have any effect, because it was better/easier for the story.
Season 3 of White Lotus did a pretty good job of presenting Buddhist views.
person
Re: How do Buddhists feel about pop culture representations of their philosophy
I feel it is rich ground for new stories. In the USA they have stories like Kung Fu (1972) starring David Carradine, about a Shaolin monk who wanders the old Wild West.
But there aren’t many stories about Buddhism coming to Europe, or at least that I’ve seen. And now we even have a Buddhist monk in the Dutch town where I live, or there is Plum Village in France, host to a whole tradition of monks.
Jeroen
Re: Islam: The Rough Diamond?
@person said:
The western world by and large no longer uses religious justifications for its actions.
I wouldn't say that. The West still uses religion as a justification or motivation for action, but it's a lot more subtle. The current state of affairs in Israel/Gaza is a testament to that. The US sides with Israel for religious and racial reasons.
Re: Islam: The Rough Diamond?
@Jeroen said:
Although actually, the list of translations for the Sword Verse speaks to the truth of what Osho said about new interpretations being necessary.
What qualifies Osho as an authority on what is _necessary _for Muslims?
which translations are actually finding traction across the Arab world,
The scope of Islam goes far beyond the Arab world. Or, is your interest in moderating Islam only focused on Arabs? You keep flirting with racism and religious bigotry.
the King James Version of the Bible is still popular today.
The KJV is a terrible translation, but its popularity is due largely to the quality of its prose, not the quality of its translation.
Not going or being crazy
Most of us are or have been helped by our attunement with Dharma. None claim constantperfection. Some even claim the Buddha was not perfect, in all scenarios.
I find a great openness in many Buddhists, especially the enlightened ones. You may notice that there are depths or a range of unfoldings into enlightenment.
Ultimately it increases our capacity for sanity, ordinary connection and a continuing wisdom.
https://www.lionsroar.com/a-sane-life/
lobster
Re: Islam: The Rough Diamond?
@Jeroen the US govt may support Israel for those reasons. But shockingly many evangelical Christians here suspect that the end times in the Revelation chapter of the Bible have to do with an Israel in the Middle East. And it could be the state of Israel we have right now, at least in their minds. I don't know the details or like say what percentage of people have those thoughts in mind.
Jeffrey
Re: Islam: The Rough Diamond?
@Jeroen said:
I came across an interesting video of Osho on Islam, which I’ll just paraphrase here…“I haven’t spoken much on Islam because in order to do so I’d have to disagree with some of its beliefs. Islam’s message is meant for more primitive people; it is like teaching a primary school class, while speaking on spirituality in India is like lecturing at a university. But because the Koran says it is the last word from God to man, there hasn’t been much evolution. The Upanishads have been continually refined and interpreted in new ways over the years, and in order to make progress in Islam there should be new commentaries and interpretations of the Koran. As it is, the Koran is a diamond, but a diamond in the rough, uncut.”
I thought it was interesting, because it reflects some of what we see happening in the Middle East over the decades. Dictators, systems of law where they still behead people, a distinct lack of tolerance. And all of that in one of the most religious societies in the world. The whole idea of a “last word” and “the only book you’ll need” removes a lot of incentive for learning and progress, I think.
great advise, eat what you can chew and spit out what you cant chew
duality, every religion has its good and bad sides. take what is good and ignore its bad side.
but buddhas advise to any teacher, inspect and discern the man with his breath speech or is his talk matches his walk. if his breath speech is off dont follow him. because a foul breath stinks the joint.
Re: Listening to the heart
@idlechater said:
define heart.
I would call it “the seat of the emotions”. In Far Eastern languages the words for heart and mind are the same, interestingly.
Jeroen
Re: From the non-dual book pile…
I’ve been exploring the non dual book pile a little more, and have settled upon a book called Ordinary Freedom, by Jon Bernie. Judging from a little paging through it, it’s going to make a worthwhile read. They are all short excerpts from spoken teachings during satsangs and at retreats, collected in a book of 200 pages or so.
I just wanted to touch on the first excerpt, where Jon defines enlightenment as ‘being here’. I thought it was a beautiful phrasing and very true. He goes on to say, just be here and observe, you don’t need to analyse or make right or examine or explain, enlightenment is what remains when all those drop away.
He says, becoming conscious means letting go of all control. That's why meditation practice can be useful for our physical body that is conditioned to control, defend and hold. Meditation can let you see where the holding happens. You sit, and stop, and note what is physically, emotionally, energetically going on. The physical body is a great mirror.
Off to a good start.
Jeroen