Best Of
Re: The Elephant in the Room
@Dakini said:
Who is P to go around deNazifying other countries? Who appointed him as the Grand DeNazifier? He should focus on achieving that in his own country.
And how does bombing hospitals, theaters (that also happen to be bomb shelters full of citizens), schools, etc. relate to his deNazification excuse? The deNazification story was mainly for his own audience in Russia. Older Russians have traumatic memories of the Germans during WWII. To many Russians, the term "Nazi" doesn't relate to Jews, it relates to Hitler's view that Slavs were inferior people, useful only as factory workers and common laborers. "Russia is our Africa!" Hitler declared to the rest of Europe and its colonial powers.
So framing his venture in Ukraine in this way, P thought it would be viewed as a worthy cause, a justifiable action. Of course, the public in Russia have no idea how horrific the war really is (no one inside Russia is allowed to call it "war", on pain of imprisonment), except for the young people who still have internet access to discussion forums outside of Russia, and other foreign news sources. I'm told the BBC is still broadcasting into Russia.
P recently threatened Serbia, should they dare to join NATO. So far, he hasn't had the nerve to threaten any eastern NATO countries (Romania, Estonia, Poland).
Powerful Nations have been 'bullying' smaller nations for years...More often than not invade smaller often weaker countries under false pretence ...Russia is no exception...
Along with the bombs dropped and guns fired, "both" sides Ukraine (along with the West) and Russia are deeply involved in a propaganda war...
Hence why the first causality of war is the truth...and the truth is "rarely" black & white...
Shoshin1
Re: Books that changed your life Redux
It's weird seeing the word books and still thinking it foreign. The only difference is I dine using the ears.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - J. K. Rowling
I read this at a pivotal age and delighted in the freedoms and mischief, and lamented deeply in the heartbreak.
Children of God - Mary Dorian Russell
I forgot how I came across this, but we find teachers in the strangest of places.
Hunger Games series - Suzanne Collins
Distracted me from a bad break-up 
Alcoholocs Anonymous - Anonymous I think?
It's amazing this one didn't do it for me. I might re-read this one soon.
More spiritual in nature:
Bhagavad Gita - Eknath Eswaran
The first piece of literature that truly sparked my spiritual thirst.
Buddha - Karen Armstrong
Thoroughly in love with the story telling. It consumed me as I listened. The spark was lit aflame.
No-Nonsense Buddhism for Beginners: Clear Answers to Burning Questions About Core Buddhist Teachings - Noah Rasheta
I was determined to get to the bottom of it. 
The Noble Eightfold Path of the Buddha - Urgyen Sangharakshita
I was determined to get to the bottom of these too!
In The Buddha's Words - Bikkhu Bodhi
Because I thought I was tired of hearing other people talk.
Of course what they're all about is only as good as my memory...
What book hasn't changed your life?
@Jeroen The difference is we ask "What video game changed your life?"
Re: From Buddhism to belief in God?
What about the afterlife? Have you given any thought to where your soul / consciousness goes after death? Should that have any bearing on your practice?
Bunks
Re: From Buddhism to belief in God?
Hi Paul, I haven’t been here for a month or so, just checked in and saw your post. Very much resonated with me, as I go through the same thought processes. I’m in North Wales, incidentally.
My sometimes difficulty with Buddhism is like yours. The absence of God. And sometimes, maybe I feel there’s a dourness and absence of joy (notwithstanding the joy that can derive from non-attachment etc).
How do I combat this ? Take the best things from different practices. I talk with and pray to God. I chant with a Hare Krishna friend and group. I meditate and attend online Buddhist meditation groups. Pure land Buddhism has a deity, a realm and chanting. There’s a temple in Malvern - Bright Earth - online zoom meetings and ceremonies.
In short, I can be all things, there’s no obstacle to this, make your own rules.
Ringo Starr described himself as a Christian Hindu with Buddhist tendencies.
Try reading ‘Faithfully religionless’ by Timber Hawkeye, a former Buddhist monk.
Alex
Re: The Elephant in the Room
@Shoshin1 said:
At the beginning of the invasion Putin said he is ridding Ukraine of Nazis, "Denazifying Ukraine"... much of the Western media were quick to point out that Ukraine's president is Jewish...but no mention of the far right neo nazi groups being funded/supported by Western governments to fight against the Russian troops...Don't get me wrong Putin is dangerous and can't be trusted, however there is some truth to his claims about the far right groups in Ukraine, not dismissing the fact that Russia like many Western countries also has its far right neo nazi groups...
Also an interesting article from Al Jazeera ...
Hence why the first causality of war is the truth...and the truth is rarely black & white....
Who is P to go around deNazifying other countries? Who appointed him as the Grand DeNazifier? He should focus on achieving that in his own country.
And how does bombing hospitals, theaters (that also happen to be bomb shelters full of citizens), schools, etc. relate to his deNazification excuse? The deNazification story was mainly for his own audience in Russia. Older Russians have traumatic memories of the Germans during WWII. To many Russians, the term "Nazi" doesn't relate to Jews, it relates to Hitler's view that Slavs were inferior people, useful only as factory workers and common laborers. "Russia is our Africa!" Hitler declared to the rest of Europe and its colonial powers.
So framing his venture in Ukraine in this way, P thought it would be viewed as a worthy cause, a justifiable action. Of course, the public in Russia have no idea how horrific the war really is (no one inside Russia is allowed to call it "war", on pain of imprisonment), except for the young people who still have internet access to discussion forums outside of Russia, and other foreign news sources. I'm told the BBC is still broadcasting into Russia.
P recently threatened Serbia, should they dare to join NATO. So far, he hasn't had the nerve to threaten any eastern NATO countries (Romania, Estonia, Poland).
Dakini
Re: Getting better "blog"
@marcitko said:
My grand-recovery-plan is... not going to plan... 😃 but I have
- continued to drink the fruit smoothie in the morning
- slept on the floor 4 times
- went hiking twice
- sometimes: journaled, kept a gratitude journal, meditated
I get knocked down but I get up again ❤️
Bunks
Re: Getting better "blog"
I took steps toward attending a zoom course from The Buddhist Society on fundamentals of Zen Buddhism today. I really enjoy what I have experienced so far of the classes. These lecture + Q&A based approaches add an additional facet to other approaches of learning.
I've also started building a relationship with my breath beyond simple observation, seeing it more as a welcome friend who's company I enjoy immensely. I have observed within myself I spend more moments fully immersed in the present and for longer with this type of emotional connection to the breath. It is also fun and feels wholesome.
Through uncovering, I am finding my heavy solitude and intrapersonal focus through life has made my understanding of skillful relationships poor and should be one of the next focuses of my practice.