onesong

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Posts by onesong

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  43

  JESUS AND ZEN

  by onesong in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  in his book " the zen teachings of jesus",michael leong presents a very different way of understanding some of the things jesus taught--thru the eyes of eastern thought.. here's a couple of examples.

  (he first explains that we should try to view jesus as a poet teaching us how to live beautifully.).

  when jesus is questioned as to the greatest commandment and his reply "you must love god with your whole heart, mind and strength.

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  onesong

  Why must everything be an object in order to be defined?

  For instance what exactly is a thought? Is it an object, concrete and tangible?

  What is an emotion?

  What is space but the absence of objects and yet we can define it.
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  43

  JESUS AND ZEN

  by onesong in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  in his book " the zen teachings of jesus",michael leong presents a very different way of understanding some of the things jesus taught--thru the eyes of eastern thought.. here's a couple of examples.

  (he first explains that we should try to view jesus as a poet teaching us how to live beautifully.).

  when jesus is questioned as to the greatest commandment and his reply "you must love god with your whole heart, mind and strength.

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  onesong

  I'm not sure about taking the magnificience, beauty, mystery and unlimitedness of life and reducing it to a chess match or baseball game.
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  43

  JESUS AND ZEN

  by onesong in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  in his book " the zen teachings of jesus",michael leong presents a very different way of understanding some of the things jesus taught--thru the eyes of eastern thought.. here's a couple of examples.

  (he first explains that we should try to view jesus as a poet teaching us how to live beautifully.).

  when jesus is questioned as to the greatest commandment and his reply "you must love god with your whole heart, mind and strength.

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  onesong

  OFG, No he only focuses on the gospels.
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  43

  JESUS AND ZEN

  by onesong in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  in his book " the zen teachings of jesus",michael leong presents a very different way of understanding some of the things jesus taught--thru the eyes of eastern thought.. here's a couple of examples.

  (he first explains that we should try to view jesus as a poet teaching us how to live beautifully.).

  when jesus is questioned as to the greatest commandment and his reply "you must love god with your whole heart, mind and strength.

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  onesong

  
  Until you get a chance to read it here are a few quotes from the book.

  "We often misinterpret Jesus because we tend to take him to 'seriously' or solemnly. True spirituality begins with relaxation. In reading scripture 'seriousness' is irreverence!" In order to understand Jesus we must have a sense of humor."

  "Deep spiritual truths appear to be self-contradictory or even ridiculous when expressed in words.True humor is needed to understand them, humor resulting from relaxation, not fear."

  "He (Jesus) is more often worshipped (or attacked) than listened to. When we really listen to him we will find that he seldom preached or moralized. What he excelled at was relating to us through his colorful stories and enlightening us with his poetry."

  "The most dangerous idolatries are those committed in the name of God. A ready example is the idolization of the words of Jesus by taking them literally rather than seeing the poetry in them. Our "punishment" for doing that is that we fail to recognize their beauty, joy and insight."

  "One of the saddest errors we have committed is to make the kingdom an event in the future. ...The kingdom is available now.; this is what Jesus meant when he said 'the kingdom is at hand' ".
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  43

  JESUS AND ZEN

  by onesong in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  in his book " the zen teachings of jesus",michael leong presents a very different way of understanding some of the things jesus taught--thru the eyes of eastern thought.. here's a couple of examples.

  (he first explains that we should try to view jesus as a poet teaching us how to live beautifully.).

  when jesus is questioned as to the greatest commandment and his reply "you must love god with your whole heart, mind and strength.

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  onesong

  It is indeed a great book that I highly recommend, here's the ISBN 0-8245-1883-7. Enjoy!
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  43

  JESUS AND ZEN

  by onesong in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  in his book " the zen teachings of jesus",michael leong presents a very different way of understanding some of the things jesus taught--thru the eyes of eastern thought.. here's a couple of examples.

  (he first explains that we should try to view jesus as a poet teaching us how to live beautifully.).

  when jesus is questioned as to the greatest commandment and his reply "you must love god with your whole heart, mind and strength.

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  2. 
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  onesong

  In his book " The Zen Teachings of Jesus",Michael Leong presents a very different way of understanding some of the things Jesus taught--thru the eyes of eastern thought.

  Here's a couple of examples. (He first explains that we should try to view Jesus as a poet teaching us how to live beautifully.)

  When Jesus is questioned as to the greatest commandment and his reply "You must love God with your whole heart, mind and strength." Leong proposes that this is a great "cosmic joke" for how can love be commanded? Jesus impresses upon us the absurdity of it by saying with your whole heart, mind and strength. What good is love that is forced--is it even love?

  So why did he say this? Keep in mind who he was talking to, people obsessed with rules and commands. Jesus was constantly trying to show the folly of trying to gain something thru strict rule following. So, it's as if he said " Ok look, you want a commandment. Here's one, try following this."

  It's a Zen way of teaching, thru paradox and irony. Another way is by going to extreme. Here's an example Leong presents.

  When Jesus says 'I say to you whoever so much as looks at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

  Now honestly, what adult heterosexual male can say he has never looked at any other woman and felt passion for her. If we were to truly take Jesus words here literally how many men are guilty of adultery--how many elders? It's as if putting a plate of hot food in front of a hungry man and telling him that if he feels hungry he's committed gluttony.

  Once again, by setting the bar so high Jesus demonstrates the uselessness of strict rules that only lead to judgement and guilt.

  These are a couple of thoughts from the book...any comments?
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  587

  Show us your picture

  by Honesty in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .

  that is, if you are able to without the prospect of facing a three-man kangaroo court appointed by jerhover to keep the congregation clean from apostate influences.. i'll go first: .

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  onesong
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  89

  What are you reading?

  by damselfly in

  1. social
  2. entertainment

  now that i'm done with school for the summer i've got some spare time to read as much as i like.

  heaven!

  i just finished "sylvanus now" by donna morrisey.

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  onesong

  Thanks for the input Poppers...btw Eckhart's new book A New Earth builds on the Power of Now and is just as profound and beautifully written.
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  89

  What are you reading?

  by damselfly in

  1. social
  2. entertainment

  now that i'm done with school for the summer i've got some spare time to read as much as i like.

  heaven!

  i just finished "sylvanus now" by donna morrisey.

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  onesong

  I want to read The Power of Now. WTF - Havn't you just escaped a weirdo BS cult?

  With all due respect, I would have to guess that you haven't read the Power of Now if you think it it has ANYTHING to do with a cult. It has nothing to do with any group or religion or organization. It will simply give you profound insight as to the magnificient depths of your being. What you are and how you can enhance your life experience. It's based on deep insight that is found in the essence of all spiritual teachings-i.e. Buddhism, Christianity, Taosim, Toltec ect. By implementing some of the ideas I personally have grown tremendously. I have a confidence, sense of security, joy and peace I've never before known. A far cry from the fear, guilt and unworthiness that a cult produces. Right now I'm reading Orwell's 1984. Holllllyyy Crap!!! I think the WT cronies may have used it as a blueprint.
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  99

  The Discoveries of Barbara Anderson - Eyewitness to Deceit

  by Dogpatch in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hey everyone!

  yesterday, may 15, 2006, gyldendal publishing company in copenhagen, denmark, published an expose' about the religion of jehovah's witnesses.

  the name of the new book is, "dommedag ma vente," or, in english, "judgment day must wait," written by poul bregninge of denmark.

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  onesong

  Thank you so much for sharing Barbara My heart goes out to you in regards to your family situation.

  Your tone, approach and perspective in writing reminded me of dear Raymond Franz.