Best Of
Re: Can the mind be conditioned into enlightenment?
@Kerome said:
@mindatrisk said:
Do the points that I make have merit or not? And if they do not, then provide your counter-arguments. But attacking me only reveals the insecurity in your position and in your thinking.In a way it is trolling, you are being deliberately controversial and emotive in order to elicit a response. If you really were so concerned about doing good in the world you would be out there doing it, not “trying to understand”.
This is nonsense. You want to meditate to enlightenment before acting, but you want me to act without understanding? And what is wrong with being controversial? What is wrong with being emotive? It's like none of you live in the world. There is no feeling, no heart. These things MATTER. And the best most of you can do is reduce everything to meme wisdom. And then if someone says that your meme wisdom doesn't really add up, then you get upset and insult them.
If what you want is a safe space, then you can have it. If you want a little group of you patting each other on the back then you can have it. But don't be surprised when this forum dries up for good. Real life is tough, painful, gritty, dirty, and people are going to bring it here looking for answers. They are going to have questions, and when you share your wisdom, they are going to challenge it because life is not that simple and easy.
Really, this place use to thrive. It was active and buzzing. I've been here what must be close to ten years, and still I get called a 'troll'? I think you guys need to think very carefully about your contributions here. This discussion is an embarrassment.
Re: Anarchism and Buddhism
My life is my example.
Ah ha! Actions are our loudest words ... I knew it! 
lobster
Re: Anarchism and Buddhism
@David said "I can't convince you that equanimity depends on not taking sides nor that everyone is deserving of compassion."
Well I thought of something new to say, so I'll jump back in (I know, that didn't last long, did it?)
The idea that I don't believe that everyone is deserving of compassion is a strawman, and something you've decided I believe because I don't agree with you. Don't be that guy.
What I do believe is that the only kind of equanimity you can have from not taking sides is the equanimity of an ignoramus or a sociopath. You have to either not know or not care either way. So perhaps I just don't want to reason the way that you are reasoning.
And no, I don't believe you are a sociopath. I just believe you are really, really confused and overly hung up on semantics. That is, you would care about seeing someone enslaved, and you would take the side against slavery, you just don't want to call it being "anti-slavery." This is utterly meaningless, but this is at least what I want to think about you- because the alternative is much worse.
Sam8
Re: Anarchism and Buddhism
@David said "I am for freedom."
I take this to mean that you have chosen a side on the issue of slavery/anti-slavery. Which undercuts everything else you said. I cannot reason otherwise.
I think if we continue this we'll just be repeating ourselves, so I'm just going to leave it there. Have the last word if you want, I'm going to move on now. Have a nice day.
Sam8
Re: Can the mind be conditioned into enlightenment?
Once it's a laugh, twice it's a giggle, three times it's a bore.
And sadly, for me, it's a repetitive chore.
I note your approval, @Kerome, but it does nothing to either ameliorate nor endorse the matter.
And if anyone is in any doubt, yes, I am speaking as Moderator.
federica
Re: Anarchism and Buddhism
@David said:
@mindatrisk said:
I worked for a food charity in London that had been set up by an anarchist punk. I was in charge of the volunteer team so I thought I'd experiment with it. Basically, I showed them what tasks needed to be done, and then left them to it to organise themselves as they wished, and to perform the tasks as they saw best. It worked a treat! They were much happier and much more fulfilled because, I guess, it engaged and invested them in the tasks, and they felt a sense of freedom and responsibility... and adulthood. They felt respected rather than patronised, which is what tends to happen with authority figures.I'm going to have to reread the definition of anarchy sometime because anything organized by an Anarchist seems patently absurd.
Yes. I don't think you truly understand the philosophy of anarchy, only the vulgar and popularized caricature of it, if that's what you think.
Jason
Re: Just for fun: the random, useless announcements thread!
Meditation over Zoom meeting: check
Accept people into the session: check
Set alarm (30mins): check
Ring the singing bowl three times: check
Become so absorbed that you ignore the alarm and continue for around 10 more minutes and then suddenly notice everyone has left: priceless
Hahahahahahah!
Kotishka
Re: Just for fun: the random, useless announcements thread!
@Kerome What?! 250 mbps! What sorcery is that?!
The internet company said our building (1906 ca.) had such an old infrastructure that 10mbps was the maximum speed available... haha!!!
Kotishka
Re: Growth through joy?
@lobster said:
@mindatrisk said:
Yep, that's all! I've put it on my Christmas list, and - fingers crossed - Santa thinks I've been a good boy this year. I do also need some new trainers though.Santa needs new trainers.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas
I'll leave him my old ones by the fireplace.