All This $earching... For What?

[hyok]

.........

Edited August 14, 2014 by hyok

[Brian]

Yeah.

 

You're missing something.

[hyok]

.........

Edited August 14, 2014 by hyok

[Captain Mar-Vell]

...

 

I think it's up to you to discover what you are missing.

 

...

[Brian]

I'll tell him tomorrow, if I remember.

 

Strangely related to hotdogs.

 

...And Br'er Rabbit...

Edited December 17, 2013 by Brian

[hyok]

............

Edited August 14, 2014 by hyok

[Captain Mar-Vell]

...

 

I don't mind responding.

 

I don't want to argue.

 

I'll give you some free advice.

 

If you are asking for something, don't be so rude about it in future.

 

...

Edited December 17, 2013 by Captain Mar-Vell

[thelerner]

I think Ajahn Brahm (Monk/writer/teacher) summed it up well.

Monk has monk suffering.

Poor man has poor man suffering.

Rich man has rich man suffering.

 

He explained it much better but the way out of suffering isn't to become something else. Monks work very hard, being poor sucks, being rich can have a thousand worries.

 

The monk, poor man and rich man can move beyond suffering by following Buddha's precepts. Or attuning themselves to flow with the Tao.

 

 

'For What' lies between

Skillful means and surrender.

Mindfullness and emptiness.

Wisdom and naturalness.

Edited December 17, 2013 by thelerner

[Captain Mar-Vell]

...

 

Monk has monk suffering.
Poor man has poor man suffering.
Rich man has rich man suffering.

He explained it much better..

 

I think those three lines perfectly express a profound truth, thelerner.

 

Thank you very much.

 

And thank you hyok for your part in the learning process.

 

...

[Brian]

Yeah. You're missing something.

Oh tell me wise one. What am I missing???

I'll tell him tomorrow, if I remember.

 

Strangely related to hotdogs.

 

...And Br'er Rabbit...

"...Fat kids, skinny kids, kids who climb on rocks

Tough kids, sissy kids, even kids with chicken pox..."

 

 

 

 

 

Tao is indifferent to hot chicks and homeless people and the rich. As with sex or alcohol or sausages or politics or enlightenment, money becomes a problem when it becomes the goal. Nothing wrong with success with money, or success with health or success with intellectual pursuit or success with basketball or success with fashion modelling or success with monastic poverty -- unless any of these things (or anything else) become destructive to yourself or to others. Regardless, though, the Tao seems indifferent.

 

As to the folks doing yoga on Ventura Blvd., why would you think that all suffering looks the same, or that it is superficially apparent? For that matter, why would you assume that all paths lead to the same peak? Anyone who has spent much time in the woods knows that's just silly -- and besides, it isn't the mountaintop but the hike itself that matters. (Aside -- I sometimes encounter hikers (literal hikers on mountain trails, that is) who can't wait to get to the destination so they can snap a couple pictures and get back down to their car so they can go do the next thing. I think they're missing the point, too.)

 

I've never understood this fascination with suffering, though.

 

So, the folks in Sherman Oaks aren't hiking on the same trail as the folks you are addressing here -- heck! they aren't even on the same mountain. They seem happy because they think they are approaching the summit. They ARE happy in this regard, and many will be blissfully unaware that they followed a sidewalk in a city park yet believed they were mountaineering. If you think their bliss sounds appealing, join them! The money thing isn't really the issue -- I'm sure there are equally shallow & happy people within your own socio-economic comfort-zone pursuing short-term goals someplace nearby right now. Alternatively, you can follow a different path and not worry about whether they "look happy."

 

Personally, I no longer pursue much of anything. I have more than some and less than others in pretty much any category I can think of and I'm OK with that. Sometimes I'm glad when it stops raining and other times I'm glad when it starts, but mostly I'm glad to be on the trail -- and I enjoy pausing from time to time to check out some moss or enjoy the vistas.

 

What about ol' Br'er Rabbit? Well, he got in a bind when he expected equitable treatment. And the Tar Baby? Well...

 

"...de Tar-Baby, she keep on sayin' nothin'..."

 

 

 

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~UG97/remus/tar-baby.html

 

 

Edited December 17, 2013 by Brian

[shanlung]

 

 

"...Fat kids, skinny kids, kids who climb on rocks

Tough kids, sissy kids, even kids with chicken pox..."

 

 

 

 

 

Tao is indifferent to hot chicks and homeless people and the rich. As with sex or alcohol or sausages or politics or enlightenment, money becomes a problem when it becomes the goal. Nothing wrong with success with money, or success with health or success with intellectual pursuit or success with basketball or success with fashion modelling or success with monastic poverty -- unless any of these things (or anything else) become destructive to yourself or to others. Regardless, though, the Tao seems indifferent.

 

As to the folks doing yoga on Ventura Blvd., why would you think that all suffering looks the same, or that it is superficially apparent? For that matter, why would you assume that all paths lead to the same peak? Anyone who has spent much time in the woods knows that's just silly -- and besides, it isn't the mountaintop but the hike itself that matters. (Aside -- I sometimes encounter hikers (literal hikers on mountain trails, that is) who can't wait to get to the destination so they can snap a couple pictures and get back down to their car so they can go do the next thing. I think they're missing the point, too.)

 

I've never understood this fascination with suffering, though.

 

So, the folks in Sherman Oaks aren't hiking on the same trail as the folks you are addressing here -- heck! they aren't even on the same mountain. They seem happy because they think they are approaching the summit. They ARE happy in this regard, and many will be blissfully unaware that they followed a sidewalk in a city park yet believed they were mountaineering. If you think their bliss sounds appealing, join them! The money thing isn't really the issue -- I'm sure there are equally shallow & happy people within your own socio-economic comfort-zone pursuing short-term goals someplace nearby right now. Alternatively, you can follow a different path and not worry about whether they "look happy."

 

Personally, I no longer pursue much of anything. I have more than some and less than others in pretty much any category I can think of and I'm OK with that. Sometimes I'm glad when it stops raining and other times I'm glad when it starts, but mostly I'm glad to be on the trail -- and I enjoy pausing from time to time to check out some moss or enjoy the vistas.

 

What about ol' Br'er Rabbit? Well, he got in a bind when he expected equitable treatment. And the Tar Baby? Well...

 

"...de Tar-Baby, she keep on sayin' nothin'..."

 

 

 

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~UG97/remus/tar-baby.html

 

 

 

HA HA HA

 

You more eloquent than I am.

But then, what can an idiot add to what you said.

 

I enjoy seeing the moss too.

Maybe I should check out the moss in your neck of the woods.

And perhaps to watch them grow, or if not enough time, to watch them breath.

 

 

 

 

Taoistic Idiot

[RiverSnake]

Oh tell me wise one. What am I missing???

 

Clarity….more clarity and balance needed.

 

My 2 cents, Peace

[Marblehead]

They seem happy, at least on the surface. Life is supposed to be suffering ...

I will first suggest that your premise here is false and therefore invalid.

 

Life is about living. Forget your subjective opinions. They matter only to you, no one else. Sure, some think that way as well but I will suggest that they too are in error.

 

Others have spoken well. Not much more for me to say. Tao has no preferences - it just is. And that's life - it just is. But we all can suffer if we wish to do so. I will pass on that though, thanks anyhow.

Edited December 17, 2013 by Marblehead

[Stosh]

Hello Tao Bum homeless suckas,

 

Do you know what makes the Tao Bums different? Because every now and then, someone comes along and spits out some nuggets of truth. Drew Hempel comes to mind. Darren Hamil. A few others have come and gone and come again.... and cum again (in the privacy of their own homes of course). The rest of the mind-numbing dog shit thats spilling over the seams of YOGA-Ga-ga-ga-ga on the internet as well as real life, that's what reality is, right?

 

On Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks California, there's a really hot 24 year-old girl who teaches Brikam Yoga. She's been christened by some Indian guy, Sing-something, who certifies people for the bargain price of $299.99 per class. This girl's class is packed, and yo, guess what? People really like it. People like it because its easy and friendly and everyone is attractive and they leave with a sense of positivity. And what's wrong with that? Nothing. Different paths leading up the same mountain, right?

 

They seem happy, at least on the surface. Life is supposed to be suffering and from what I've gathered I think that's pretty true, for me at least. So why, on Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks California, does this seem to escape this truth? Are they doing something wrong? Am I missing something?

 

OR... do they have more money than most people???

 

That could be it.

 

If ilberation from Samsara is a big part of what we're trying to do, then money is the motherfuckin' crux of it all.

 

Lesson: If spiritual development is what I seek, then monetary success will not be in the picture for it goes against the will of The Tao.

 

True? False? You tell me....

Money is a 'side effect' of what one does it doesnt guarantee youre happy with what youre doing or not, neither would it indicate any spiritual progress, nor deny it. Sure with cash its easier to get your external situation to agree with your ideas of happiness for a while , but it can also hinder you by affecting where it is you look for peace. To me a permanent escape from the rat race is far too much like promoting ones death, (which makes zero sense for several reasons)

so Id say 'false' that money is the crux of it all. The crux is to learn to live well , "gather ye rosebuds while ye may" because soon enough you'll be food for worms, and you will find out what the next go-round is if things do go-round... and if they dont, well,, you lived well .

[BaguaKicksAss]

From all I've seen money tends to be completely and entirely irrelevant to happiness. Oh sure we are all happy when we have some... for a time... but it seems to go back to people who are genuinely happy go back to being happy, and people who are genuinely miserable tend to go back to being miserable... no matter how much or little money they have.

 

Also, the happy overpriced yoga goers, are they overall happy in their lives? Or is it more like everyone laughing and saying they love everyone when going to the bar? .

[soaring crane]

Tao has no will.

[Jadespear]

Some people search to find. Some people search to get away. Some people search to lead others astray.

 

If anything in this era of time has become more controversial than money... I don't know what it is. Money as a medium of exchange is a form of social power. People like to accomplish things so they can feel god about themselves and what they are interested in...duh. Its called competition. From the moment we enter the world, we are being influenced by our surroundings and how our relation to it dictates our point of view on the struggle that life, is.

 

I agree, there is so much nonsensical mindless talk on the net now. Its actually funny, how much people believe in some of the things they have been told and even funnier how they try to defend them against the reality of life.

 

..."Many of the truths we cling to, rely on our point of view."

 

"If you know how to be satisfied, you are rich." - Lao Tse.

[Friend]

From all I've seen money tends to be completely and entirely irrelevant to happiness. Oh sure we are all happy when we have some... for a time... but it seems to go back to people who are genuinely happy go back to being happy, and people who are genuinely miserable tend to go back to being miserable... no matter how much or little money they have.

 

Also, the happy overpriced yoga goers, are they overall happy in their lives? Or is it more like everyone laughing and saying they love everyone when going to the bar? .

Money works because it is a symbol of trust that one

owning favor one can exchange for something with relative value.

Beside it is as I believe can lead to happiness under condition

and can be categorized from my view with the pyramid by Maslow.

Which also render us to different defintion what happiness is predominant.

 

It is a seeking in the outside for values to set a standard when happiness is

and this makes guru attractive and especially when to their standards

is pricey as it people believe the difficult one can get it the less other people

get it and that it must be precious that only the few can have.

 

The socialisation make us believe to compete and be victorious in the process.

Here one has to find and search for something to happy over and over again

by setting a new and more different goal each time.

 

Even the values are set so that people think the "rare" it is and "more time was

invest" or "more difficult it was to attain" it, then the more precious it must be

as it is "special". The feeling of "exclusivity" and "privilege".

The words of "hidden", " secret", "most powerful" are used often.

Especially if also given entrance test and high failure rate to challenge.

 

So lets say someone goes monthly to a $2000 workshop will have only

less than a handful people and say "Only if you are special you can do it"

compared to someone who make those for $200 and say "Everyone can do it"

It is the mind fallacy that something cost more and is not much avaible

is more precious.

 

If people have a different amount of money to spend as standard then

the higher equivalent amount is needed to cause a feeling of risk.

It is same when you come from a country which has say a fellow with low wage of

1000UnitA you go then to a country where one exchange it to 1.000.000UnitB

and lets say for a meal you pay 2 UnitB while a month wage would be 5000 UnitB.

In the moment one has turned into someone rich.

 

While when compared to the own standard in the country

one has to have 4000 UnitA to be considered rich.

The mind fallacy in the other country that happens often

(which because people come from such a country told me)

is that they think it would be so easy to get money but forget

that the equivalent is also risen and maybe is even worse than

in Country B. Say for the living Country A will eat up 90% for

home, food, electric, water,travel while Country B only use up 60%.

 

I was said that the people in Country B was so envious and jealous

of their familiy member who go to Country A to work and send Money

to Country B while these one where working 14 hours and 7 days without

vaccancy eating little and owning a room and bed.

Country B believe he must live better then them.

The good story was the Country B familiy member was go to Country A

also and they were apologizing afterwards to the other family member

in Country A.

 

This is when people believe they are happy when they have reach the goal,

while I find it wise to follow saying that the way is the goal.

Happiness can be created by pursueing a higher or new goal over and over again.

But Buddha show that the getting rid of an desire also leads to Happiness.

When others have a car and one does not have one because one dont "want"

one then a spot is gone where competition and fighting can happen.

 

Because one has no car , nobody can steal, scratch it, steal your way, give

you fines for driving too fast, anger with parking, making of driver licence etc.

 

So it sounds very well but that doesnt mean one has no car but to reduce the

attachment to it and choose common sense.

 

The problem a human is often facing are worries.

Worries leads to "anxiety of maybe's" and mostly are about the worth

of oneself, the others and the things one can name.

 

Suffering comes by giving the worries to label the things that happens

with all of the things that are perceived at that moment.

The thought creates the believe, the believe creates the action.

 

The suffering is always there at the same time as the happiness

because they are the same coin. It depends on the inside how one perceive

the coin. So one comments of lost or win in Zen Story someone said : Is it so?

One has the option to react postive or negative or to interfere by thinking first

or let go of judgement. It is a different mind set when one one stay in bed

and think :"I dont want go out of bed" and "I like to stay as it is comfortable".

 

To have money to live and chase for money are two different thing.

So living a modest life will reduce the need to chase for money.

Someone who has much desire and want or has a family, house, dog, 3 cars

and children,security, pension, and has a low wage job should not wonder that he is suffering

lack of money, health and short of privat time.

For a standard of life a certain success is needed to maintain.

 

Chinese say : "One loss - one gain"

 

The meditations are part of going back in contact with oneself and nature,

to take time for oneself, where else one tend to say "I have no time for s.th"

and by this to realize one is part of the world

that all are suffering in their own way which creates

compassion for oneself and others but also have their own ways to deal with it

and so acknowledging their free will.

 

This will stop the filtering as one takes time to be aware and see things

that was always been there but never given attention to see the details.

On the way to Tao there are many things and these things will be there

when they have to ....but it is like a toy... when one is adult then one just

remember and one stop play with toys...

unless one has a child and use it to share time in their world and have fun with him.

 

So I think.

[Marblehead]

"If you know how to be satisfied, you are rich." - Lao Tse.

I just wanted to repeat this.

[silent thunder]

Lost most of the desire to search for anything.

I prefer being...

[SonOfTheGods]

 

 

Strangely related to hotdogs.

 

 

The Tao Buns

 

see what I did there?