@Peter

For many the practice detachment has been a about detachment from desire. No desire = no suffering. Probably true only I don’t see how such a practice of detachment would not end in indifference and or unconsciousness.

I have been reading The Heart of Buddha’s Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh. The way that he describes overcoming attachment is beautiful. He suggests that rather than indifference it involves loving everyone equally. To me the idea of nonself (I hope that I am using this correctly) is relevant to because it addresses grasping. If we are all part of each other we have nothing to lose. The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying shares this concept of nonself too. Anyone we spend time with will become a part of us. As for developing compassion and empathy for people that we don’t have relationships they suggest recognising that we all have Buddha nature within us.

“To joyfully participate in the sorrows of the world“. So far every wisdom tradition I have come across asks that question. Can you engage fully in life, as it is, the wonder and the horror joyfully? Can that be Love? My intuition is that a experience of enlightenment would involve such a realization.

Many Buddhist monks are from countries that experienced war so they have written a lot about this subject specifically. They discuss empathising with the soldiers killing their loved ones. Understanding that they are often conscripted with no choice but to participate in war. Not to mention, they may be punished severely if they attempt to desert. Soldiers are considered pawns, not the agents perpetuating the war. Also, we all know the devastating impact on mental health that being a soldier can have. In this way, they were able to love the enemy harming them. Many monks who were imprisoned and punished for their beliefs chose to see that as an excellent opportunity to deepen their practice.

Tsoknyi Rinpoche shared that many masters have ego and it is a normal healthy part of being a person. His suggestion was to watch the ego and not let it drive action.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 6 months ago by Helcat.

@Helcat

I very much apricate your thoughts and sharing of experiences. I find it helpful to hear how others think about such matters. These teachings and experiences are not the easiest to communicate let alone practice.

I think at my best day I may manage 1% 🙂

As a young man I was really interested in the Norse myths. Something that stuck with me was the Odin had two ravens that would perch on his shoulders. The ravens were named Huginn (Thought) and Muninn (Memory). The ravens would gather information for Odin who then used the information to shape the world. The Ravens where also know to be speakers for the dead and Oden the Raven god.  In many cultures the Raven regarded as a trickster and co-creators of the world.

Thought and Memory, tricksters and creators of our experience of our worlds. In that context we are like Odin a ‘god’ of our creation.

Interesting how if you look close enough through the stories we tell, regardless of culture, that the hints to ‘enlightenment‘ and or ‘to see and  experience the world as it is’ are present. The Buddha laughs as ravens enjoy their tricks to get us to see.

I totally understand what you are going through. Spiritual awakening seems to be a process of birth and death. Growth is not easy because it stretches our current understanding of how things work. Hearing other people’s stories is a way to not feel isolated and to be reminded that we don’t have to stay where we are. Ultimately, all of this comes down to how much we trust God. Do you believe God truly loves you and holds you in the palm of his hand? Picture yourself walking hand in hand with him throughout your day. That is the type of relationship he wants to have with you. This is not a perfect process. I have experienced feelings of rage during my awakening over the past, but all that matters is the present. When we engage with the present, the past becomes an illusion. All that matters is love. Please visit my blog at http://www.myvastman.com to learn about how I have overcome challenges. I’ve only had it about a month, but I think you will find it interesting based on what you have posted here.

Dear Tommy:

Good to read back from you! I assume that the inappropriate content tag was a mistake on your part (?) I want to personalize what you shared:

I am an assembly of parts put together to create what can be seen, heard/ sensed by others as me; I am an assembly of parts that can see, hear/ sense, feel and think. When I die, the parts will come apart and there will no longer be what can see or be seen, hear and be heard, etc. But the Buddha nature that was me and all around me will still be in all assemblies alive and still to come to life.

Buddha nature is not something that I have, and it is not something that is separate from other living things. It’s something that I am, and that others are just the same.  It is something that all of us humans are whether we ignore it (living unethically, harming others) or acknowledge it (living ethically, doing no harm).

I cannot feel the Buddha nature by figuring it out with thoughts/words. I can feel it when my mind is calm and free of thoughts and words. The very nature of Buddha nature is, like a member said, is “simply beyond words”.

anita

Dear Tommy:

So I understood the idea of non-self correctly? That’s good to know. Thank you for helping to teach me what it means! And there are worse things than sleeping with one’s hand on a mouse, unless it’s a real-life mouse perhaps…

anita

Dear Tommy:

What got the best of you, Tommy? I am here, whether I am helping people, I don’t know, maybe just a bit here and there. People need so much more than typed words on a screen. I asked you what got the best of you but of course you don’t have to answer. I wonder if it’s health problems, I hope you are okay.

anita

Dear Tommy:

Thank you for making my day a better day by caring to tell me that I am helping people, and how. This is you encouraging me “to go on… (to) provide compassion where it is needed most”.

About looking for inspiration to continue your efforts on practice: a 5-15 minutes of a simple slow mindful exercise routine first thing in the morning may awaken inspiration: it’s not about getting in physical shape or losing weight or anything like that, it’s about setting a focus for the day. You decide what kind of exercise works for you. Mine includes crunches and the yoga Warrior 1 and Warrior 2 postures held for a couple of minutes each, as well the open chest (courage) posture.

The body is great at giving us inspiration, focus and motivation to live and to practice when the thinking brain fails us.

anita

Dear Tommy:

You are welcome. Losing weight and getting into better physical shape will make you feel younger- a feeling that can be intoxicating, feeling ALIVE again!

anita