Introspection

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Posts by Introspection

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  151

  Intro's quote-o-rama

  by Introspection in

  1. watchtower
  2. medical

  i guess i've been inspired by stephen's quote threads, so i'm going to start one myself.. not one particular author here, just whatever i can find:.

  q: why do you think that people are so protective of their egos?

  why is it so hard to let go of one's ego?.

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  Introspection

  Another quote from Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism by Trungpa. A note of explanation paraphrased from the book: The context is a discussion of "the six paramitas," which are six activities involved in the Bodhisattva path. The word Bodhisattva menas "he who is brave enough to walk on the path of the bodhi," and bodhi means "awake." Paramita means arriving at the other side or shore. This part discusses generosity, the first of the six paramitas.

  Transcendental generosity is generally misunderstood in the study of Buddhist scriptures as meaning being kind to someone who is lower than you. Someone has this pain and suffering and you are in a superior position and can save them--which is a very simple minded way of looking down upon someone. But in the case of the bodhisattva, generosity is not so callous. It is something very strong and powerful; it is communication.

  Communication must transcend irritation, otehrwise it will be like trying to make a comfortable bed in a briar patch. The penetrating qualities of external color, energy, and light will come toward us, penetrating our attempts to communicate like a thorn pricking our skin. We will wish to subdue this intense irritation and our communication will be blocked.

  Communication must be radiation and receiving and exchange. Whenever irritation is involved, then we are not able to see properly and fully and clearly the spacious quality of that which is coming toward us, that which is presenting itself as communication. The external world is immediately rejected by our irritation which says, "No, no, this irritates me, go away." Such an atittude is the complete opposite of transcendental generosity.

  So the bodhisattva must experience the complete communication of generosity, transcending irritation and self-defensiveness. Otherwise, when thorns threaten to prick us, we feel that we are being attacked, that we must defend ourselves. We run away from the tremendous opportunity for communication that has been given to us, and we have not been brave enough even to look to the other shore of the river. We are looking back and trying to run away.
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  151

  Intro's quote-o-rama

  by Introspection in

  1. watchtower
  2. medical

  i guess i've been inspired by stephen's quote threads, so i'm going to start one myself.. not one particular author here, just whatever i can find:.

  q: why do you think that people are so protective of their egos?

  why is it so hard to let go of one's ego?.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Introspection

  Hey, where'd everybody go? Feel free to add your favorite quotes.. I can't do it all myself.

  Here's something a little different, this may be of interest if for no other reason than the fact that you wouldn't see it that often. Someone let me know if I've posted this before, the memory is probably not what it used to be!

  Verses for Taking the Bodhisattva Vows and Generating the Mind of Enlightenment (from this little booklet they gave to people who went to see the Dalai Lama, translated by Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche)

  With a wish to free all beings
  I shall always go for refuge
  To the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha
  Until I reach full enlightenment.

  Enthused by wisdom and compassion,
  Today in Buddha's presence
  I generate the mind of full awakening
  For the benefit of all sentient beings.

  As long as space remains,
  As long as sentient beings remain,
  Until then, may I too remain
  And dispel the miseries of the world.
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  11

  How Are Christians Emancipated from Fear of DEATH?

  by Winston in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  anybody got answer?.

  the bible says those who have faith in christ are emancipated from the fear of death.. what does that really and truley mean?.

  speakers for prophet please don't answer, except in you own words.. .

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  Introspection

  Logically, if you are not concerned with your own life/mortality, then you would have no concern over the fear of your own death. The only question then is if you believe there is anyone at all alive who has as their concern the welfare of others rather than their own. For my part, I know there are, just not how many.

  BTW, what scripture is that? I am not doubting that the thought is found in the bible somewhere, I really just want to know the reference.
• 

  Some thoughts this moment ...

  by Introspection in

  1. watchtower
  2. medical

  i'm feeling pretty upset over recent events, so i don't know if this message will be very coherent.

  but i feel that i can turn to the friendly ones that hang out here in mental health.

  if you've read my messages before you probably have an idea that i have an interest in eastern thought.

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  Introspection

  I'm feeling pretty upset over recent events, so I don't know if this message will be very coherent. But I feel that I can turn to the friendly ones that hang out here in mental health.

  If you've read my messages before you probably have an idea that I have an interest in eastern thought. This may very well be taken the wrong way, but I can't control how others will understand or perceive my message, or their world view. Until recently, I had kind of a laid back attitude towards what some call enlightenment. My thought was basically, well if I stumble upon it that would be nice, but being a regular Joe is alright too. Of course, this word tends to conjure up grandiose images of some kind of spiritual superiority. But in fact, as the Buddhists explain it is simply a matter of being awake. I'm not going to preach about a 'religion' that has never seen fit to evangelize, but it seems to me that is a very good description, and a very good goal. I mean, who wouldn't want to be awake? They say ignorance is bliss, but who really wants to live in ignorance?

  So.. I think maybe it's time that we all "woke up." I would like to make a difference in the world, and the logical first step is to see things as they are, assess the situation. You know, I didn't even see the footage of the plane crashing into the WTC or anything really, but still I am so sad about it. It really isn't limited to the victims though, it's kind of towards people in general. I would like to say to everyone out there, to really have them hear the simple message that hey, we don't have to live like this. Well, there really isn't much left to be said I suppose, maybe I should take a writing class to better express my feelings.. I don't think I actually have a lot to say, but maybe it's a matter of expressing the same feeling over and over because of the intensity. Anyone want to share their thoughts and feelings?
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  53

  Christians and dubs/treated same here

  by gumby in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hey guys.

  i got an idea as to why there is the same bitterness by many/not all, on this board twards christians like there is to dubs.

  you feel you have found it to be a crock just as the borg is and it makes you madder than crap to see people duped a second time.

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  Introspection

  Regardless of one's religious belief or lack of it, there is the tendancy for people to try to prove things to reassure themselves, that their worldview is right, etc. Whether this is true of specific groups is questionable, as I'm sure there are always exceptions to the rule with individuals within a given group.

  It seems to me that all too often discussions of this type is purely academic, though. There is a difference between discussing religious issues and practicing them. Just as one example, what about "applying" the golden rule vs. talking about it? I don't think I can talk about it for very long, but it is possible to practice it in how I talk to others, and certainly one can fake a courteous message even if it isn't from the heart. (don't get me wrong, I am not suggesting you do - I think most here would have a certain distaste for hypocrisy) But it just seems to me that when you have to sit down and write something, even if it is as informal as a posting on a message board on the internet, some forethought is required. I consider myself something of a Christian still, but I suspect many atheists as well as Christians would disagree with me. But this is my approach, I simply try to practice those things Jesus talked about such as love your neighbor as yourself rather than get hung up on who he is, whether I should believe in that identity, how I can get on his good side so I can save myself etc.

  "To the extent that you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." -Mt. 25:40

  Intro, the "no class" class.
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  21

  I Got a Witness Today. Yep.

  by Farkel in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this morning i walked over to a 7/ll to get a cup of coffee.

  as i was leaving, i was approached by this very timid asian fellow.

  he wasn't in a suit.

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  Introspection

  ????

  ????
  

  As I was leaving, I was approached by this very timid Asian fellow

  What? The pic is me, the guy in the story isn't.
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  21

  I Got a Witness Today. Yep.

  by Farkel in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this morning i walked over to a 7/ll to get a cup of coffee.

  as i was leaving, i was approached by this very timid asian fellow.

  he wasn't in a suit.

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  Introspection

  I guess there are no sure ways around it, but it seems to me the key is in catching them off guard some how. Of course most witnesses in service will set their mind to it and block out all else. Maybe a matter of well placed questions? If they don't open up it just seems like there's not much you can do.
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  151

  Intro's quote-o-rama

  by Introspection in

  1. watchtower
  2. medical

  i guess i've been inspired by stephen's quote threads, so i'm going to start one myself.. not one particular author here, just whatever i can find:.

  q: why do you think that people are so protective of their egos?

  why is it so hard to let go of one's ego?.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Introspection

  Why are you unhappy?
  Because 99.9 percent
  Of everything you think
  And of everything you do,
  Is for yourself -
  And there isn't one.

  - Wei Wu Wei
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  74

  In the big scheme of things, Jesus'....

  by SixofNine in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ...suffering was not so bad.

  his "perfection" and understanding of the situation would certainly have mitigated his suffering.. his death was not really death, not in any meaningful sense.

  it was a 15 second nap, using bible reasoning.

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  Introspection

  Six said:

  ...suffering was not so bad. His "perfection" and understanding of the situation would certainly have mitigated his suffering.
  His death was not really death, not in any meaningful sense. It was a 15 second nap, using Bible reasoning.

  I appreciate how these statements were qualified in those last three words. Though I respect the Bible as many do, I would have to say that if you rely on it alone then not only are you working with a closed system, but it can in fact be a form of idolatry. (God's supposed to come into the picture at some point right? Anybody can read a book) Now I'm pretty out of touch, but I do recall that traditionally some Bibles have Jesus' words in red. What I'm trying to point out is simply that there's Jesus, and there's the Bible. One can get caught up with Christian teachings that they fail to realize that their understanding of him is really based upon preconceived ideas. I think reading what Jesus himself said is a good place to start, but sometimes other non-orthodox ideas might surprise you. For example, I find it interesting that some Buddhists think of Jesus as a Bodhisattva, which is an enlightened being that returns or forgo Nirvana in order to help all others awake. In any case, I think the lessons are found in some kind of understanding and realization rather than the nitty gritty of identity as we have in standard theology. (in the latter case, it is JUST belief) It's nice to find comfort and assurance in the scriptures, but I also think that some spiritual maturation is called for.
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  6

  don`t be fooled JW`s

  by steveykys in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  dont be fooled jw`s you say that jesus is the way to god (yeh).

  but you dont believe jesus is god you also obey the ten commandments?

  then if this is the case, you are breaking them god say don` have no other gods before me fo i am a jelous god if you are putting jesus as a way to god the dont you think god will be angry?

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  Introspection

  If you do not break the commandments regarding punctuation it may help the spirit deliver the message to others..