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Demons?
Demons...
Does anyone believe that some people are more like demons than buddha's.
I ask, as I have had experience being around criminals who have a sadistic sociopathic nature. who laugh at all ideas of doing good.
And who delight in causing pain, misery and hell for anyone in their way.
I personally feel that in their present state, they are more like Demons than Buddha's.
Any thoughts about this?
Does anyone believe that some people are more like demons than buddha's.
I ask, as I have had experience being around criminals who have a sadistic sociopathic nature. who laugh at all ideas of doing good.
And who delight in causing pain, misery and hell for anyone in their way.
I personally feel that in their present state, they are more like Demons than Buddha's.
Any thoughts about this?
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Comments
Strictly speaking, all are potential Buddhas because all have primordial wisdom. There are varying degrees of obscuration from primordial wisdom, and this is where we get the feeling that some are more obscured than others.
I myself am a nurse and I worked in a prison for a while. There were some that I could just feel the evil radiating from, just as (I feel) I felt profound grace and possibly even encountered angels in regular hospital nursing. Some of those people just had evil radiating off them- extremely dark energy.
Perhaps this is what is depicted in the many Tibetan and Japanese Pictures of demons and demon mind states...Some individuals are more demon like than others I guess.
I guess some are only demons through lack of self control, but wish not to be demons and seek deliverance from this state of suffering.
however, others, perhaps due to ignorance, are demons through concentrated effort in cultivating badness.
Some individuals make being bad an art form and are extremely good at being bad.
It is my opinion, that one should be very cautious when around such individuals, as meditation and having good intentions will not protect you from the bad effects that these individuals throw out. (by being near these individuals, you place yourself closer to them in the net of cause and effect, and closer to the bad effects that they generate).
I guess such individuals need to be diluted into a society of good people who will transform* them.
But, if this were to happen, then they need to be around people who are not only good, but who are very strong and very street wise, otherwise, the good just become prey for the criminals.
*Transformation comes in many different ways and I guess each individual needs to work on different aspects. I guess that is what each different meditation is used for.
Some give the individual self control, some open an individuals heart etc.
I agree with this allegorical analogy.
I think we can be demonic, even if we are not actual demons, just as we can be Godly/Deva-sh, hungry ghosts and everything else.
I know we are physically humans and that in Tibetan traditions demons may very well be depicted, although I believe that many of the Tibetan thanga art works depict realms or mind states that an individual may encounter during their journey of refinement towards their ultimate goal.
Many of these realms / mind states are depicted with demons in, I guess because of the experience of the state we become demon like or suffer at the hands of those who are demon like.
:-)
people can change, if they see the right signposts.
It's a question of willingness.
I think that's the only way to learn, isn't it?
All knowledge stems from another human source......
I agree. I'm a member of Alcoholics Anonymous, and when we share our story, we explain what we were like, what happened, and what we are like now.
I've heard many stories of people who'd done some really bad stuff; in and out of prisons; and generally 'bad eggs'.
But all of them changed into decent, caring, law-abiding human beings. It's ingrained in our practise to be as helpful as possible to others; our primary purpose is to stay sober and help the still suffering alcoholic. That's our meaning of life. But we're also taught to apply these principles in all our affairs, so we'll help anyone.
A friend of mine, whose an ex gangster/extortionist/convict (he looks very tough; he's looks the part) and whose been sober for many years runs a charity for an orphanage in West Africa, and when he speaks about it, he gets very emotional.
People can and do change.
I think that some of the things that people do when intoxicated are sometimes not their fault as its like their temporary ill due to their intoxication.
When someone is sober, and hasn't addiction problems, then that's a different story.
Unfortunately both types of badness are damaging, so, its good to keep your eyes open and watch your back. I guess this is another way that mindfulness can help, although, you have to know what to look out for, and people such as con men etc. can be very hard to catch out.
Anyway, pleased that you are on a very positive path. Hope you do well in your recuperation as I am sure you will have a very bright future.
It's physically impossible to be drunk 24/7; much of the bad stuff we've done while sober. Alcohol isn't an alcoholics problem; it's the thing that forces us to drink that needs treating. We call it a spiritual sickness, and we treat it with a spiritual programme. But we're definitely responsible for our actions, drunk or not.
Part of AAs programme is meditation, and we're left alone to work out our own meditation practice, so many AAers go to Buddhist meditation classes to find out how to meditate; they're cheap and readily available. And at these classes, they talk about Buddhism, and there's many similarities between Buddhism and the programme of AA; believe it or not.
That's what has fuelled my interest in Buddhism.
But I don't ever think people are ever inherently 'evil', or a 'demon', I just think they're extremely misguided; suffering with extreme delusions. They get labelled as 'bad' from a child, and the self-fulfilling prophesy kicks in, and they believe they are 'bad'.
Luckily enough, the 'bad' people who're alcoholics can find AA - pain is the touchstone of growth, as they say - and all we do is love them till they can love themselves. AA's 12 Step programme is a life saving, life changing phenomena. It's simple, practical, and profound.
Part of the magic of AA is being able to be part of someone's recovery, helping them, and to see broken human beings stop drinking/drugging and regain their humanity. I'm extremely lucky to be an alcoholic in AA.
I just take the 'God' out of AA, replace it with the label 'Higher Power', and I haven't a clue what that is. Maybe it'll evolve into the Three Jewels?
I agree with what Federica says about experiencing the different realms on a daily basis.
For some, more than others.
And I never graduated.
point being, environment plays a big factor in these things.
With regards to Tosh's comments regarding responsibility, fair point. Although from what I understand of addiction, the "addictive" personality, and mental illness, i think that these areas are complex in nature.
I certainly think that compulsive intoxication can be a difficult obstable in the path to ataining self control.
However, I think that a regular practice in meditation is definately a good solution and that it would definately help individuals learn self control and to develop will power, not to mention stress relief / anxiety reduction that you will gain through your practice.
If we examine Meditation from a modern medicine perspective, you will find that it incorporate CBT (thought stopping and thought replacement) and diaphramatic breathing.
Some martial arts are also good for developing will power. Especially those that you have to fight with all your mind. As this strengthens the spirit.
Beating opponents isn't important, but learning to never give in is invaluable.
Judo / Brazillain Ju Jutsu / perhaps even Aikido I reccommend.
I understand that martial arts are not suitable for everyone, such as old ladies or disabled.
As for some mental illnesses, some people who have mental health problems, seriously cant control their actions. Examples of this would be sufferers of tourettes and OCD.