Comments for Our Man in Nirvana: Realizing Things Unseen

Comment on Begin It Now…. by lightmagic

lightmagic — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:35:03 +0000

Hope has two beautiful daughters: Their names are Anger and Courage; anger at the way things are and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are.
Augustine of Hippo

Comment on Begin It Now…. by lightmagic

lightmagic — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 02:51:34 +0000

We tend to emphasis the individual—not able to see the Forest (Oneness) for the trees.

I am not detached from anything. I do not walk around thinking it is all ponies & rainbows. Here in NYC, no different than anywhere else, there are horrendous things—homeless-Children & Families, filth, folks living with addiction & mental health issues. It is not about closing our eyes—and more importantly our Hearts. It is seeing all this, giving a sigh then saying “I am That”.

All we see are parts of ourself. We are all addicts of one sort or another. We all have poverties with which we live.

And we all have nobler aspects and aspirations.

All I am pointing to is to focus on those parts of ourself. Acknowledge that folks are doing the best they can. We can all become better people. As you said: Change or Transform. That is why we are here.

And to truly know, to the depth of our perception, that we are all sparks of Love, looking to unite with each other so that we might be stronger & brighter and more who we are meant to be.

Comment on Begin It Now…. by dangerousideas

dangerousideas — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:46:23 +0000

I think the “we are all one” idea is a very macro-cosmic point of view. I don’t disagree with it (I mean one of my primary homepage statements is “everything is everything”), but we can’t ignore the fact that we live in a world in which we perceive, act and interact as individuals. I feel that it is in no way wrong or inappropriate to point out vicious, harmful, corrupt, abusive actions perpetrated against individuals and society as a whole by others (state, corporate, institutional or individual). That is the only way to change things and make the world a better place. You are a monk, and perhaps for personal and/or theological reasons you’ve chosen a life of detachment, but for most of us this is neither a practical way to live nor a way to help solve the many problems facing us. I don’t believe in an omniscient, all powerful ‘god’ who ‘controls’ the universe, nor do I believe in heaven and hell, but I do believe there’s such a thing as good and evil and it behooves us to recognize it and do something about it if we can. I believe we should condemn and stop those who commit genocide, hold others in bondage and slavery, practice torture, rape and pillage the earth out of greed, or for that matter abuse innocent, helpless animals and children. And if they represent some part of ourself, it is our responsibility as sentient, self-conscious beings to recognize and either change, transform, sublimate or supress those parts of ourselves that would act on those inclinations and emotions. Anyways, that’s the way I see it.

Comment on Begin It Now…. by lightmagic

lightmagic — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 17:30:26 +0000

Hi Lisa,
Thanks for the comment.

I feel the intent behind “OTHERS ARE MERELY MIRRORS OF YOU” is, that what we see & experience in others is only a projection of aspects of ourself. Since we are all One, how could that annoying thing that I experience that “other” person doing be anything other than an attribute of myself?

And, likewise, for all the “good” things we experience.

We are all flowing in the energy of the Universe—call it God, Love, Peace or Harmony. So we are in it and it is us.

Therefore, no projection. No finger pointing. No aversion or clinging. Only Union. Or awareness of the Union.

Hope this might clarify.

Love to You.

Comment on Begin It Now…. by awaken2sun

awaken2sun — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 17:08:03 +0000

Thanks for sharing this…I find nearly all of this to be true, although I’m not sure how I feel about:

OTHERS ARE MERELY MIRRORS OF YOU. You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects to you something you love or hate about yourself.

I love people who are musical and patient, but I would certainly never ascribe those qualities to myself. I dislike qualities including lack of integrity, laziness, lack of discipline, evilness, etc., and I suppose I could look at those qualities which (I hope) are latent within myself and find them.

I’ve heard this statement before and it doesn’t ring true with me. I would love your thoughts on that.

Comment on Begin It Now…. by dangerousideas

dangerousideas — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:35:03 +0000

Hmmm… I don’t know. I agree with a lot of the statements above, but some I don’t (eg: “A lesson is repeated until learned” and “Others are merely mirrors of you”). Haven’t read the book, but it all sounds a bit simplistic and doctrinaire to me; more on the level of theology than philosophic inquiry or reasoned deduction. But as a basis for discussion and thought these are good jumping off points. Thanks.

Comment on If I Had Not…. by awaken2sun

awaken2sun — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:22:47 +0000

Daiken…what a beautiful post. The world is made of music and I feel blessed that there are people in my life like you that remind me of that. Thank you for sharing this beautiful moment in your life…and making it part of min.

Comment on It Is You…. by shelleyme

shelleyme — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 12:01:51 +0000

After reading about your experience and meditating on the Buddhist chant ‘The Song Of The Jewel Mirror Awareness’, these words came into my heart…Look into a mirror and say to your reflection, “How do you know me?”

Comment on It Is You…. by awaken2sun

awaken2sun — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 16:19:48 +0000

This is really beautiful Daiken…and a much needed reminder for, unfortunately, to some extent, during the past month, everything that has happened in the past year has caused me to lose my patience and some of my faith.

Comment on ReUnion — You People, Remember! by rosendo

rosendo — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 19:42:09 +0000

I recall the story and the fiery young woman of which you speak~

Cooler heads prevail and you seem to be the yin to her yang~

Fire and Ice shall meet again and woe to the driver of the bus and the occupants unaware…a mist will fill the air and fog the windows, making it impossible to ignore the duo of destiny~