Relying On No-one But Yourself

[adept]

Just some thoughts I thought I'd share from personal experience.

 

To really study and practice the Way, we must become self-reliant, allowing our own minds and hearts to guide us.

Break free from the shackles of organized religion, cults and spiritual groups. Become a solitary cultivator and tell very few people of your practices.

Be yourself, not how other's want you to be.

Cut back on 'spiritual' books. Too much, and clouding of the mind and confusion arise. If you must read spiritual literature, limit yourself.

Get out in nature, as often as possible, preferably alone and use every one of your senses to experience the wonders of life.

Meditation, contemplation, and observing the workings of the world and universe are all that's really needed.

We must become both teacher and student.

 

 

Zhuangzi Chapter 2:

 

'If you allow your mind to guide you,

who then can be seen as being without a teacher ?'

[GrandmasterP]

If that's what suits them then that's a good way for those that like it.

Others may feel happier in a group setting.

It's all good .

Horses for courses.

Hermits, Monks, Temple dudes, Lay people, posters, teachers, learners, teachers who keep right on learning.

Each to her or his own.

Edited April 7, 2014 by GrandmasterP

[thelerner]

Yeah, I don't think you necessarily have to 'live' there permanently, but getting back to basics and leaving the baggage of civilization behind is a cycle we all need.

[Bearded Dragon]

Yeah, I don't think you necessarily have to 'live' there permanently, but getting back to basics and leaving the baggage of civilization behind is a cycle we all need.

 

I think so. Bouncing from the pressure of civilisation creates a higher potential for the appreciation of stress free living. It's like if you live somewhere peaceful then take a holiday to a busy city you feel that difference moreso when you get home. It's a good lesson on perspective.

[sunchild]

true will is forged in the fires of hell

[Yascra]

true will is forged in the fires of hell

 

This is a comment based on remembering which of the possible roles as "tortured" or "torturer"?

[Yascra]

Zhuangzi Chapter 2:

 

'If you allow your mind to guide you,

who then can be seen as being without a teacher ?'

 

Still, all that living people seem to be interested in is "lineage" aka "association", and if you refer to "Vajradhara" you might be worshipped for that when you'll be dead, but as long as you're alive they'll call you a faker or mentally ill.

[silent thunder]

I'm ready to rely on someone other than the victim and the judge.

I rely on breath.

[Yascra]

I don't understand what's so great about breath. It's a mechanical way to put air in your lungs. Nothing less but necessary for survival, but also nothing more than that.

[adept]

Still, all that living people seem to be interested in is "lineage" aka "association"

 

This has been the way of the majority of humans who are spiritual seekers, since the dawn of time.

Lineage, association, club, sect, tradition etc all have someone at the top who makes the rules.

If we step away from all the religious trappings, and focus all our energy and intention on the essence, then all will be revealed.

[ChiDragon]

I don't understand what's so great about breath. It's a mechanical way to put air in your lungs. Nothing less but necessary for survival, but also nothing more than that.

 

There are alot more to that about breath. The farther one neglects it, the less one knows about it. One breath off is a few seconds off for survival.

[GrandmasterP]

+1

Breathing is pretty much essential.

Edited April 9, 2014 by GrandmasterP

[Rara]

Just some thoughts I thought I'd share from personal experience.

 

To really study and practice the Way, we must become self-reliant, allowing our own minds and hearts to guide us.

Break free from the shackles of organized religion, cults and spiritual groups. Become a solitary cultivator and tell very few people of your practices.

Be yourself, not how other's want you to be.

Cut back on 'spiritual' books. Too much, and clouding of the mind and confusion arise. If you must read spiritual literature, limit yourself.

Get out in nature, as often as possible, preferably alone and use every one of your senses to experience the wonders of life.

Meditation, contemplation, and observing the workings of the world and universe are all that's really needed.

We must become both teacher and student.

 

 

Zhuangzi Chapter 2:

 

'If you allow your mind to guide you,

who then can be seen as being without a teacher ?'

Yep. This happened with me over the last few years. I read so much I became confused and disrupted. And if I followed a movement, I soon realised that it just wasn't me.

 

Taomeow actually put out a great post in another thread along these lines. On returning to the Tao, strip away all the influences picked up from parents, teachers, adverts etc that has created the "fake" you.

 

Books can help though (otherwise, what is the point in Zhuangzi?) but this is because we as people need an awakening in this modern day (of thousands of years) to guide us away from our silly egos.

[Rara]

I don't understand what's so great about breath. It's a mechanical way to put air in your lungs. Nothing less but necessary for survival, but also nothing more than that.

Meditation on breath is needed for some! People I know panic and set their asthma off.

 

That is just one of many examples I can give.

[Rara]

 

Still, all that living people seem to be interested in is "lineage" aka "association", and if you refer to "Vajradhara" you might be worshipped for that when you'll be dead, but as long as you're alive they'll call you a faker or mentally ill.

It doesn't matter what people are interested in...

[Gerard]

+1 plus the following:

 

1. The person who taught me Bagua

2. Natural environment

 

That is all in my particular case...for others it may differ to a certain degree, also depending on their circumstances, but ultimately the following golden rule applies to all:

 

Solitude is the path to purification.

 

That's the only way you will gain wisdom and reach the ultimate goal for your present rebirth...whatever it might be: a more evolved human, a bodhisattva, a non-returner or any other kind of saint regardless of the tradition being observed.

[dee]

I tell people about my cultivation in the hopes that it can inspire others. I wish to tell them of a place that I once was and no longer am.

I don't parade as someone who is better; but I just try and show how it can help in daily life.

 

I share with the purpose of helping.

 

Solitude is the only path you can take.

[idiot_stimpy]

I think relying on no-one but yourself is taking full responsibility for yourself and being independent.

[zerostao]

 

Edited April 14, 2014 by zerostao

[spiraltao]

What is your definition of breath and/or breathing? If I may kindly ask...

I don't understand what's so great about breath. It's a mechanical way to put air in your lungs. Nothing less but necessary for survival, but also nothing more than that.

[Chang]

Just some thoughts I thought I'd share from personal experience.

 

To really study and practice the Way, we must become self-reliant, allowing our own minds and hearts to guide us.

Break free from the shackles of organized religion, cults and spiritual groups. Become a solitary cultivator and tell very few people of your practices.

Be yourself, not how other's want you to be.

Cut back on 'spiritual' books. Too much, and clouding of the mind and confusion arise. If you must read spiritual literature, limit yourself.

Get out in nature, as often as possible, preferably alone and use every one of your senses to experience the wonders of life.

Meditation, contemplation, and observing the workings of the world and universe are all that's really needed.

We must become both teacher and student.

 

 

Zhuangzi Chapter 2:

 

'If you allow your mind to guide you,

who then can be seen as being without a teacher ?'

 

I fully agree with the proviso that one must first be taught what to do to progress in any given endeavor. For that you will require a teacher who, hopefully, has already achieved that which you aspire to. It is then a matter of keeping to your path with the desired destination in mind and not allowing yourself to be sidetracked by spiritual tourism.

[Captain Mar-Vell]

...

God helps those who help themselves.

...

[Marblehead]

...

God helps those who help themselves.

...

But if there really is no god then we need to get up off our butt right now and start doing something.

[Captain Mar-Vell]

...

Yup.

...

[Chang]

"Demand much of yourself and expect little of others. Thus you will be spared much vexation."