Aaron

Hello Easy, Would it bother you if I pointed out that you are doing exactly what you seem to be condemning? In my mind, admonishing someone for being an absolutist is the same as being an absolutist. Perhaps what should be said, is that frugal speech often requires one to determine what one needs to address and what one wants to address. In truth very little that we do needs to be done, rather we do it because we want to do it. Anyways, just some points that I wanted to bring up. Aaron

I think you'll find that most Buddhists, the ones that aren't on the forums at least, don't feel the need to convert or preach. They are quite content living life in an ordinary fashion, rarely giving sagely advice or advocating Buddhism. In fact I have many friends that are Buddhists that never once talked to me about Buddhism and still haven't. Don't let the few be the example of the many. Aaron

Hello Kali, Two questions. First, what's wrong with mental masturbation? I believe masturbation, sexual or mental is healthy, it allows one to experience the bliss of a relatively benign act. Second, how do you know I am not the beautiful snowflake? From what I know, I am not just the beautiful snowflake, but also the pile of horrible smelling dung on the floor as well. Aaron

Thanks for the clarification Vaj. Well said. Aaron

When explaining the great mystery, words can never suffice, but they are all we have. We strive to do the best we can, but no one is perfect. It is best to look deeper than just what you hear. Oftentimes the answer is not in the word, but what lies behind the word. Aaron

To clarify, I meant detached from everything that exists, in the sense that they understand their true place within "reality", that the world that they see is a construct of the ego, that in reality they are not attached to it, except for their own perception. When one talks about emotional detachment, I think it's very easy to confuse the idea with the notion of "Spock-like" logic, which it isn't. Rather it is, as I stated, a state of consciousness that arises when one becomes aware of their actual connection (or lack of connection if you prefer) to reality. For the Taoist, they see the former, a connection to the real and physical world through the emptiness (Tao) that exists, for a Buddhist, they come to see that they are detached from the real and physical world through understanding the emptiness that exists. (Again it's not the easiest thing to explain, so if someone feels they can do a better job, please do.) Aaron

I've never actually believed that the Sages existed quite as people tend to believe, rather I see them more as Archetypal figures that Lao Tzu presents as an example of Tao in practice. Much like Jesus is viewed by Christians and Buddha is to Buddhists. Aaron

When I was much younger, life was rough for me. I spent my early childhood and teen years in an abusive and strictly religious household. After years of feeling not quite good enough, I decided I'd had enough and I prayed to God one night and although I can't remember my exact words said something to the effect of, "God I'm very sad and I don't want to live anymore. If you can't give me a reason to live I'm going to commit suicide tomorrow." I wasn't expecting an answer, in fact I expected to go to sleep, wake up the next morning and take a bottle of sleeping pills and drink some beer. That night as I slept I had a strange dream, in that dream I was stabbed by a man and I died and my body began to float, well bob is more apt, then suddenly I was someplace else. What I experienced was beyond description, except to say it was a vast empty space, no land, no up and down, just emptiness and throughout this emptiness there were balls of white light floating around. As I looked around, trying to take in what was happening, come to grips with what seemed quite strange, I realized that I was being drawn towards a being that was obscured from my sight by bright beaming light. As I came closer I felt an immense sensation of peace and calm coming from this being. The being spoke to me in my mind and said (to the best of my recollection), "Aaron, everyone is alive to learn a lesson. Until you learn that lesson you will keep coming back here and from here you will return to the world. When you return you are reborn either in the past or future. Once you learn the lesson, you will pass on from this place. If you commit suicide, you are only putting off the inevitable." That's all this being said. He never directed me to what the lesson actually was, nor did he tell me how to learn the lesson, only that there was a lesson to learn. For a young man raised in a strict southern baptist family, it was all so different and strange. Before that moment I'd never believed in reincarnation, in fact I would've thought it to be quite mad, but afterwards there has never since been a doubt in my mind what will happen to me when I die. To say that it changed my life is an understatement. I went from a God fearing Christian to a young man in search of the truth. The reason I mention this is that I can never prove to anyone that this actually occurred, it's my own private experience, a very powerful experience that has never left me. For me to diminish someone else's experience is not only wrong, but hypocritical. If someone says they've seen a dragon, then I believe they've seen a dragon. There's no argument there, nor any reason to argue the point. We each desire something out of life and oftentimes what we desire is completely different from everyone else. If we could accept that it's fine for people to be different, that our differences actually help to enrich our experiences, then I think the world would be a much happier place. I think in a way we are quite lucky to be alive now, because there are many places in the world that are moving towards that acceptance, even if it seems to be coming along slowly. As for my lesson, well who knows if I've learned it. I spent years trying to find out what it was and finally gave up and just gave in to living my life and learning what I could. No one needs to become enlightened, eventually, in my opinion, we all will be enlightened. Sometimes I think we're all just shards from the same great ball and that one by one, as we begin to remember where we come from, we return to there. I may be wrong, and if so, then so be it. I enjoyed everyone's posts on this thread. I was hesitant to post this, perhaps because of my ego, but in the end I thought it might be good to share, since it adds one more experience to the vastness of the human experience, something we are all a part of. Aaron

John I appreciate what you've said. I do think there's this idea that enlightenment is an attitude, but I don't think that's necessarily so. Enlightenment is by definition the state of being enlightened. Buddhists believe enlightenment is the state of being free of ignorance, suffering, and desire (according to wiki). I think I like the more practical definition which is that enlightenment occurs when one becomes enlightened, or in lay mans terms, understands fully the problems at hand. If we take the former, then we have to follow a specific dogma's definition of what enlightenment is, and to me that is restrictive. The latter, however, allows us the freedom of becoming enlightened without requiring us to abide by a strict criteria. For me, I'll never say I'm enlightened, rather I'll say I've come to an understanding. When one comes to an understanding of the true nature of Tao, I think there is a profound change that occurs. I think on the journey to that awareness ones attitude slowly diminishes, until they finally have no attitude, no preconceived notions of truth and untruth, or right and wrong. One's actions begin to arise from Tao, rather than from self. That doesn't mean that one stops making decisions, but rather one begins to understand on an innate primal level what actions should be taken and what one's shouldn't. To come back to attitude, attitude is very much a man made construct, it holds no place in enlightenment in a practical sense, rather it is a construct of the ego that we are encouraged to create, as if our attitude defined us as people, which it doesn't. If you think enlightenment will free you from suffering in a physical or mental sense, I think you might be mistaken, rather enlightenment allows us to understand the true nature of how things occur. One thing that you realize is that being ordinary is quite in tune with Tao. Being a master of qi, communing with spirit, or redirecting your sexual fluids to your brain has little to do with it, as someone else said, they're nice tricks, but that's what they are, tricks. There's no reason one can't pursue these types of practices, but one should also keep in mind that they can distract you from what's really important, becoming aware of Tao so Te can arise. True awareness of Tao, being able to practice Tao (which isn't a good description of what I'm saying at all really, but the best description I can come up with), well that is an entirely different thing. When one is in harmony with Tao, then Te will arise on it's own. It has nothing to do with a state of mind, but rather a non-state-of-mind. Actions arise in response to what's occurring around you, on an intuitive level you understand what needs to be done and what doesn't. I know I said this before, but I think it is important to clarify the difference. When one speaks of enlightenment, one needs to keep in mind that the state of enlightenment for a Taoist (another term I dislike using) and a Buddhist are different. Taoists are not so much about detaching as they are reattaching, the reason they use the phrase detach is because it is a common descriptor of an awareness and state of consciousness that occurs when one becomes "enlightened", in fact the way one who is practicing Tao reaches this state is by understanding that he is attached to everything in existence, while a Buddhist seems to come to this understanding by concluding that they are detached from everything in existence. I'm not sure if that makes complete sense, but that's the best I can come up with. With that said, if you've read this far, then I hope I've been able to explain another perspective of enlightenment to you, and I hope that you might be able to accept that having a change in attitude is not bad at all, but that there is more to it, and I definitely think you're on the right track. Aaron

Hello Starjumper, I'm not saying that there aren't psychics, I'm just saying I've never met anyone who had any kind of supernatural ability that wasn't proved to be a fraud. My advice is that most of them are out to stroke your ego so they can get money out of you, after all that's usually how they make their money. Aaron

I try not to judge. I let others make their choices. I share my experience and if someone decides it's something that they can apply to their life, good, if not, then so be it. It's not that important anyways. If man didn't kill one another over religion, they'd find something else to kill one another over. Aaron

I think the problem that we'll find is that we already have too many people for the earth to sustain. What will happen, in my own opinion, is that a great calamity will befall us, much like the plague. I have a firm belief that mother nature corrects imbalances and in this case, I think that's probably the most likely way it will correct it. Of course if it doesn't, then we'll all be an ancient civilization for someone to find in a couple hundred thousand years from now. Honestly, the future is very bleak. Not much hope whichever way you look. I refused to have children, because I couldn't see bringing them into a world that is destined for destruction. I intend to adopt, there's no reason a child who has been brought into this world shouldn't find a loving and caring home. Aaron

Actually no. A psychic learns early on to read the body language and pay attention to the inflection of his customer (/mark). They are also aware of the general fundamentals of human nature. When applicable and available, they will make use of research, studying their mark as much as they can, so that they can tell the customer (/mark) what they wants to hear. For instance a psychic can tell you this, "I can tell that you have a great deal of spiritual power. You were once a great man in a previous life. You were a king of many lands and people feared you. Wait! Wait I'm getting something else, there's a force following you, watching you! They watch you because they know you are a great power. You must be careful you do not stray from the path!" Now compare that with... I can tell by the way that you play with your wedding ring, that you're stressed about something, most likely your marriage, so I'll just make a generalized comment about your wife and see what pops or if you're clothes are disheveled, you haven't shaved in a week, and you're talking in a pressured way, I would say that you are probably alone, but you don't want to be alone (who really does). I'll make a general comment that I see you meeting someone, a grey haired woman named Mary(/Lisa/Susan/etc. the most popular baby names from the sixties). She'll need your help, it's very important that you help her (fail safe remark, since she doesn't need to request your help and if you do meet her, you will either feel like she needs your help or be too shy to help, either way, I can put the blame on you). From what I can tell you are really into new age stuff, so I'll make some comments about spiritual energy, balance, and such, make sure to stroke your ego and make you feel powerful. I'll keep track of your responses, physical cues and vocal cues, to see which way to go... and viola, I'm psychic." Anyways, that's just the easy stuff. A good psychic will be able to notice a lot more than that. Actually the Mentalist does a pretty good job of exposing a lot of the tricks. Aaron

3bob is alluding to the fact that St John witnessed Jesus in a vision using his 3rd eye. He's quoting text to corroborate his argument. I think it's best to keep in mind that Revelations shouldn't be taken literally, it's all figurative. Also keep in mind that the translation you read (NIV, KJV, etc) are all decided upon by a group of theologists, not academics. They decide the translation based on the tenants of their own sect, rather than academic merit. (Which is exactly what the Taoists and Buddhists do). One reason I hold no faith in religion. Aaron

Hello Starjumper, I would just keep in mind psychics tell you what they think you want to hear. They don't get paid to tell you that you were a serf in the middle ages or King Edward's butler. My father was a conman. He used to enter a town, borrow as much money as he could from as many people as he could, then high tail it for someplace else. I learned early on to spot the liars and the fakes, sadly all the psychics I've met are fakes. Aaron

Hello TheJourney, I thought you might be able to appreciate chapter 65 of the Tao Teh Ching. Here's Wu's translation- In the old days, those who were well versed in the practice of the Tao did not try to enlighten the people, but rather to keep them in the state of simplicity. For, why are the people hard to govern? Because they are too clever! Therefore, he who governs his state with cleverness is its malefactor; but he who governs his state without resorting to cleverness is its benefactor. To know these principles is to possess a rule and a measure. To keep the rule and the measure constantly in your mind is what we call Mystical Virtue. Deep and far-reaching is Mystical Virtue! It leads all things to return, till they come back to Great Harmony! ----- Aaron

Hello Gold, In my opinion, it is best not to put yourself in a situation where you need to sit on a branch. Aaron

I would recommend that if someone wants to truly understand the importance of family, then one needs only look at the relationship between a child and their mother. After all, "Mother is the name for God, on the lips of every child." If this is true, then the same can be said for Father. In the end, the one that we respect the most, is the one who controls our very existence, who by providing for us, keeps us fed and cared for. As far as what we teach our children, I think it is far better to teach them how to fish, then to provide them with fish. Of course the most important thing we can do for our children is be there when they need us and to let them go when they don't. Aaron

He who knows nothing, has nothing to share. He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know. Aaron

I hope things work out for you Manitou. I know when my father passed on, he had made me executor of his will. I was only 21 years old, the youngest of the children (two minutes younger than my twin to be exact) and not so wise. I couldn't understand why he had chosen me (I wasn't even his favorite child). In the end I let everyone have what they wanted, no arguments. I was more concerned with my father's passing than what he owned. Now, many years later, I understand that's what my father knew, that of all the kids, I was the most sensitive (sentimental) and that I valued him more than what he had, that I would give the others what they wanted, rather than horde everything for myself. Today I have nothing of my father's, except for his memory, but that's enough really. Aaron

We are not all enlightened. Enlightenment exists only in the minds of men, there is no real enlightenment, it's a construct, just as good and bad are constructs. The value that they have is based solely on the person who places value in it. With that said, if you value the knowledge you've gained, I applaud you, but I would also remind you that no one likes a know it all. Perhaps if you can begin to understand how your actions are effecting others, you can reach an even deeper understanding of the truth. With that said, very few people will be able to get everyone to like them, but I think those people closest to the Tao have a natural way of living that attracts others to them. I would suggest that if you really wish to reach enlightenment, then you should focus first on understanding what not being enlightened is and then realize that neither of them have any meaning whatsoever, except for the meaning you give them. Aaron

Enlightenment just means that we've come to develop a greater understanding of something. If you feel like you've been enlightened, you probably have, just keep in mind that there is a difference between being enlightened and being a Sage or becoming aware of the mystery of Tao. The Tao Teh Ching tells us that, "He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know." There are numerous warnings about people who profess to tell the "truth" (or lack thereof). For instance it gives us a good measure by which to decide whether one is a Sage (has reached full enlightenment) or is merely a confused soul, the first is that no one can argue with him. The second is that he puts others before himself, the third is that he does not compete with others, the fourth is that he has an actual awareness of Tao and understands that explaining Tao is like explaining the color red to a blind person. You can describe it, but really the only thing they'll understand is that there is something that is red and that it can be found in things. Aaron

Hello Manitou and Strawdog, Thank you for your kind replies. I think I did a lot of introspection and with that introspection I learned a great deal about myself. The thing is, introspection helps you on one level, but there is something deeper that must be done for a change to occur (in my opinion). Examining yourself in an honest way, understanding how your actions can effect the world around you, is a truly liberating experience. You begin to see things on a different level, you see the way you are connected, even when you believe you're not. Your actions take on a whole new meaning. I was going to make this longer than it needs to be, to talk about returning to innocence, of giving up "right" and "wrong" and abiding by love and compassion, but it doesn't need to be said. I hope each of you are doing well and that life treats you well. Aaron

When one looks at these ancient texts one should also keep in mind that the Catholic Church essentially destroyed all texts that they believed were not "inspired from God". This could've very likely have been an agreed upon text, but one that was suppressed and eventually destroyed for the good of the church. There are numerous books from the first few centuries that were popular, but deviated from the approved theology of the Council of Nicea, and that ended up suffering the same fate. In fact it wasn't until recently that people have started questioning the role Judas played in Christ's death. Of course, like Buddha, none of this can really be corroborated as fact, it's merely here say. Yes there was a man named Jesus, yes there was a man named Buddha, but in the grand scheme of things, nothing we know about either man can be deemed as fact. If you like what you hear, then listen, but I always recommend taking it all with a grain of salt. Aaron