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I just copied that from someone's post on FB. It wont surprise me if those words did not even come from the Pope.

It is not necessary to believe in God to be a good person. In a way, the traditional notion of God is outdated. One can be spiritual but not religious. It is not necessary to go to church and give money - for many, nature can be a church. Some of the best people in history did not believe in God, while some of the worst deeds were done in his name. -- Pope Francis

In my eyes, Master Thich is fully enlightened.

Check out Dr Neale's Youtube page. Lots of other informative, meaningful explorations on spiritual growth and Dharma talks. Bio of Dr Neale: http://www.milesneale.com/biography/

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You could have been clearer and more upfront to mention that what you quoted was someone's interpretation of the Prajnaparamita and not words from the actual sutra itself.

Whats this 'blah blah' thing, 3Bob? Are you trying to be rude? If you are please say so, then its clear where you are coming from. Also, i dont remember reading about that 'dweller...' in the Prajnaparamita - could you kindly quote where that came from?

Unless we have reached that level, its best if we remain firmly grounded in recognising our current status, and show by our actions rather than words our own level of realisation. That was the point i wanted to put across. Surely no one can deny another if there's that wish to make known how much and how far such a one have progressed on the path, but from experience, i can say that such clamouring serves no real purpose unless it can be followed up or demonstrated via results, and whereby these results are tested and acknowledged by one's mentors and peers alike. Even though one can move a mountain, but such an act would be in vain if said mountain were to exist only in one's imagination; but if in moving said mountain allows for greater flow of water and sunshine on an otherwise deprived village, then at least some resultant benefit can be tangibly obtained from such a feat, otherwise why even bother. The Buddha lived his words, and constantly reminded others not to live by his words alone, but to work diligently towards lasting peace and freedom from the fetters. He was not a miracle man, and really had no need to make any statement of his own salvation, only showing by example that what he had obtained was nothing miraculous but a simple yet profound path that leads to the cessation of anguish, fear and self-delusion.

Apologies... what was said about 'noise'... its not to imply anything negative being discussed and shared here. Such reflections are indeed valuable, and very much appreciated.

Well said above, Seeker. Moreover, the progress ideally should not be self-determined, otherwise it becomes conceitedly foolish. Thats why great practitioners never acknowledge/proclaim their own realisations - they leave it others to verify and make the proclamations, based on the activities and actions resulting from their fruit of cultivation. Im reminded here of Paltrul Rinpoche, who epitomised this in the most genuine sense. Let the results speak for themselves - all else is just noise.

path ahead revealed it saddens me much today a man i love died

Of course you are right. Without confidence in results, where is the yardstick for 'feeling' progress, or 'feeling' that bliss of breaking through some obstacle without the guilt and all of that? (Im careful not to use the word 'measurement' in place of 'feeling'). And to let it all go eventually would also require a degree of confidence, otherwise its so easy for the subtler clingy traits to seep in and weaken the foundation. Its understandable that some would lump confidence and belief into one pile, but on looking deeper, they need not always be associated together.

welcome to Xian Tian sit at a corner if cold its ninety degrees

If you give a man an inch, he thinks he's a ruler. -- comedian, cant recall his name.

So in some ways deepening practice means lengthening those brief moments of forgetting self. It really boils down to this eventually. Self absorption is the biggest stumbling block to awakening. The more we learn to drop & forget the seriousness associated with the self, the more expansive we feel. In this expansion the welcoming spirit is a natural manifestation - others get drawn in to the circle of blissfulness with ease. Without ease bliss is not possible. So eventually some cultivators come to realise the illness of effort - they get withered from trying trying trying so finally they just give up - its usually there or thereabouts that the light breaks thru the clouds, if you get what im saying.

A song that i keep returning to come each December is a duet by Ingrid Michaelson & Sara Bareilles called "Is Love Alive". Not a very spiritual song per se, but its definitely got that wintery halo around it.

This Frenchie's a much better singer than me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBlnfqvo-aI

diamonds on silk a stroll down Fifth Avenue no gems in the snow

energy takes form form creates separation time-lapsed images

From some quarters, it is defined simply as 'breath'. In the old testament, 'breath of God' is often mentioned, descending upon the firmament, that sort of thing. Similarities in some way. Without breath, nothing else works.

You may have offended something that you are not aware of. People think its superstition, but nature spirits are often quite touchy, and if you venture into their territory disrespectfully, it (or they) tends to feel it necessary to draw your attention to the fact that what you did was an invasion of their space. This is why in Asia when someone goes into the woods or parks, they often chant some mantra and/or say something to the effect of "Please excuse my intrusion - its not intentional". For example, its taboo over in some parts of Asia, for the Chinese especially, to pee irreverently when they are in the woods for fear of offending a lurking elemental spirit or something more sinister. Some priests (Taoist or Buddhist) are able to detect if this is indeed what had taken place, so maybe an idea would be to request to see one who would be knowledgeable in these things, and they will tell you exactly what had happened and the right ritual to perform so as to placate the offended spirit. Usually some ritual offerings may be required. If it is true that you have offended an elemental spirit, its not something you would be able to shake off on your own. Sorry to be bringing you such news, but who knows, maybe its not this at all. Just try and recall if you have been into the forest or parks of late, and what, if anything, that you had done that may have caused something to latch on to you. Just passing on probable cause.

"What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret than a simple willingness to choose life". - Leo Buscaglia

The legendary Daoist sage Qiu Chuji http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qiu_Chuji Watching this movie based on his journey to meet Genghis Khan. Im really enjoying it... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdKnjWtfne8

I think its easier to cultivate new, positive habits and build on these enthusiastically than to unlearn old, negative ones. The aim of course is to eventually allow the new momentum to catch up with the old one, with the ultimate aim of letting the new habits overtake the negative patterns. Its a process that will require determination, patience and a growing confidence to stick with the change. Changes are necessary for growth.

The value of life can be measured by how many times your soul has been deeply stirred. - Soichiro Honda