Hello,

That story reminds me of the child who kept calling out for his mother. But, his mother was always praying to God for help. Calling out God’s name every time she needed something. The child called out her again. The mother turned around and said to stop calling her. The child then said, now how do you think God feels when you are constantly calling on God?

Wait, another one where a woman was calling on God to let her win the lottery. She would pray night and day to win the big money. Finally God sent a message back to her. Saying, you have got to buy a lottery ticket.

I am thinking I did not say those stories right. Save me please???

[quote quote=450813]Dear Thomas,

You asked “why am I suffering”.

And i answered you. That’s all.
[/quote]
When I read that I asked “why am I suffering”, I went back to all the previous posts and looked for that. I did not find that. I did not ask why am I suffering. You put the answer out there without anyone asking. Is that not imposing your beliefs? You say spirituality is the death of the I. Where I believe that spirituality is the dropping of this thinking mind and to find the emptiness, stillness. We aren’t trying to rub a roof into a mirror. We are spiritual simply by being human. Some more than others given the choices that we have made.

Sitting in meditation doesn’t turn one into a Buddha. We all have the truth of our nature within ourselves. Meditation allows one to become free of the thinking mind. To stop identifying with thoughts. Then when we embrace the emptiness, the stillness within us, we can experience the truth of our nature. The I doesn’t need to die to find the absolute. The Zen master described enlightenment best by saying, Before enlightenment, chop wood carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood carry water.

When asked, “Is there a God?” the Buddha answered according to the need of the person. For one person his answer was “No, there is no God.” For another, the answer was “Yes, there is a God.”. And yet a third person asked, “What can you tell me about God?”. The Buddha closed his eyes and the person closed his. After a half hour of silence. The person got up, thanked the Buddha and left.

Ananda, after witnessing all three answers, asked what is the Truth. The Buddha said the first was a believer in God and if it was confirmed there is a God then his spiritual journey to liberation would have ended. The second was an atheist and if it was confirmed that there is no God then his spiritual journey to liberation would have ended. So, they were told what they needed to hear. The third person held no beliefs or preconceived ideas. So they spent the time together in meditation.

So, not so much as in surrendering to God as to be present and enjoy the moment. Take for example the story of the man who was chased by a tiger to the edge of a cliff. He jumps down to a branch and holds on. Then he looks below and sees another tiger looking up at him. The man now looks at the branch and sees a fruit. He grabs the fruit and eats it. And with that he smiles. Be present in the moment, Enjoy what you can.

I believe that meditation helps to reduce stress. Legend Bodhidharma spent 9 years meditating in a cave. So, even the enlightened ones need to just sit for a time. And of course stuff happens to the body that we have no control over which can induce stress. Just got to remain calm and stay in the present. As the inscription on the ring of the great king says, This too will pass. Just a reminder that all things do change.

Hello Anita,

I may be someone who should be commenting here as you know my opinions tend to be confrontational or just plain not nice. But, since you put the invite, here goes. You felt Anger in real life. Did you have time to choose your actions while feeling anger? I mean did thoughts arise that you were being wronged and you needed to come out on top of this one? Or did you have the calm mind to decide what to do next. Whether you needed to fight or stay silent?

I ask cause I have spent a little time in self observation. Anger tends to be a knee jerk reaction. Feeling slighted and then the thoughts comes out to support one’s position of anger. Boom, losing control. lately I can sense anger come and then I have a choice of whether to feel that anger or let it go. To stand aside and watch things unfold. Okay some people might say that if one is trying to control everything then nothing is being controlled. I see it as being able to make a choice before it is made for me.

I guess the control comes from not identifying too fast with thoughts and emotions. What I learned in my meditations is to be present. Not to force thoughts or emotions away but to let them go. Not identify with them. Just trying to be present. I think some call that mindfulness. Can’t say the state of mindfulness last very long for me.

Well, would like to hear more about your thoughts about this healing process you spoke about.

James123,

I would like to say that I am sorry to hear you had surgery. Pacemaker? It is a tough situation to be contemplating one’s mortality. I hope you and your son will be better in the near future.

James123,

There is no merging of ego or I. One grows into it as one’s life progresses. Boddhisatva do not reach for Nirvana because it is their wish to liberate all beings from suffering. Life isn’t wasted. It is spent in the honor of helping others with wisdom and compassion. Physical death is not the end.

Alessa,
Perhaps it is just me? I benefit from the posts James shares. I am curious and I might not understand immediately. I have faith that things fall into place in time.

Perhaps you are one who is ready for more?

Anita,
Dear James: I owe you an apology for my three posts in this thread. In my rush to express support for Thomas’s ideas and his mention of having compassion for people- without much awareness- I also supported the bit of pushiness/ aggression in his delivery. I regret that, James.

I seriously had no intention of being pushy. Only to ask that he bring his wisdom down to those that need help.

I never said James123 was wrong in his words. Only the audience who reads his words were not the right kind of person(s) to receive his words. And even though this forum is named TinyBuddha. Is really isn’t about seekers of absolute truth. It is more about people who need a safe place to vent or tell their tales of woe. To have a sympathetic ear. Maybe even a word of encouragement. So, I only wish that he bring his wisdom to help those in need.

Death doesn’t burn away the ego. It releases the ego due to it is part of the body. It is an aggregate and when the body dies, it is time for it to be released into its parts. If one searches for something to call the self then it can not be found. Just like looking at a car. There is no one essential thing in a car that can be called a car. It is an aggregate of the parts. The whole being more than a simple sum of its parts. What Karma was generated must find its own ending. Either in this life or the next.

I do not believe religion to be tales of the rewards of heaven nor the punishments of hell. Rather that religion is the search for someone or something greater than the self. Much like the children wishing for a real mother to come rescue them. Tales of heaven and hell are stories given to those who need them as boundaries. As guides to a better life.

Now. I do not believe in absolutes. So, definitely can be wrong. And there is never a need to believe what I say. Just that things can always be seen thru different set of eyes. Or thru rose colored glasses. Whichever you prefer.