old3bob

destroyer does have some strong connotations, I'd say another way to get a handle on the idea is a "return" (as spoken of in the T.T.C. with the "One" said to be the first born), thus the manifest sprang forth or transformed from the Tao and the manifest returns or transforms back to the Tao; Btw, In the dualistic Bible there is a kind of related saying about the "first and the last" which i correlate to mean the first to spring forth and the last to return. the transcendent and emanate are connected, so not just one or the other except to give one a handle about same.

With avocado's normally going bad rather quickly, more so after cutting them open, they should then be consumed with little delay. Well my wife brought home a sealed but squeezable to dispense plastic bag of avocado that keeps air from getting to it resulting in a much longer useable or edible time period. (not just days but weeks) A great invention for avocado lovers! (questions in next post)

A man of many talents, with cooking being right up there!

Has anyone come across context for the big hearted Buddhist saying of, "may all beings be happy" ? Taken literally or without context it would include all Beings including those that willfully choose and or practice evil? (and which makes them happy)

depending on how far one wants to take it or turn it about suffering (which can also be the way that one takes forms of death) could also be said to be a delusion/illusion that goes poof before Buddha nature. But then the double take or connotation would be that the Buddha taught delusion/illusion as if it was real and had to be ended. Alas, more abstractions about this and that...

although it has "in the Beginning", and if something has a beginning then its safe to say that it also has an end.

for ages such is or can be so but not at end the of the cosmic cycle...thus merger sooner or later in that sense

read your own quotes don't harp at me...

for some schools but not all, granted many precepts/dharmas cross over but there are still different paths for renunciates and householders. a good monk/nun can not be a good married person at the same time or the other way around, that is common sense in human life

that is still duality (far along but not merger)

sounds like you answered your own question with quotes...

no problemo with most morphing or... .

Never in my wildest dreams did I think this string would morph to human anatomy correlations/ lessons and pointers on marriage for women!?

I'd say that "we" is used in a manner of speaking, for there is only one of us in the many of us, thus trillions of separate "we" can not remain so and realize that. What is the price to be paid well for one it's rather high namely our hard won individual mind as one of those "we". And who is ready to pay that in full, not many of "us"...which is also in a manner of speaking. The way of life for renunciate monks and nuns are not for the Dharma's of householders, yet many here who are not renunciates often quote them as if everything they say also applies to them and that they can practice same while living and working as a householder in the world.

A cat I once had used to share its hunting kills with me. For instance I once lived in the woods in an old shack and sometimes I'd wake up at night to the sound of her eating a mouse right next to my head and if I didn't wake up at that time in the morning I'd find some mouse parts she left behind for me. (right next to my head) She even dragged a rabbit kill home to share with me which I happily cooked up for both of us. (me being low on food)

a pretty big deal...

didn't mean the word but the saying related to it: "Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy." by Max Ehrmann ©1927

"desiderata" does not nix what does not need nixing.

I take some of those steps also Mark

that is very lovely, pure and transcendent Small Fur, thank you; but with most of us on Earth still dealing with and being human in the context of various types of suffering with some of it being very horrific and violent that, "happiness" is very far away although right under our noses. Btw, I'd say it is telling that long term Buddhist monks/nuns and Lamas/teachers are often not in agreement on all the teachings and interpretation's handed down and what they mean, thus the different schools there-in and students having to deal with some difficult conundrums and to whatever degree the "world" first (and or simultaneously) which can not simply be by-passed karma wise. (but its great that some have made it over the wall and left pointers on how to climb it)

watching avocados real closely for ripeness is about the only way to hit that most edible condition, and in a fast paced world that many of us live and work in that is not so easy! Btw the same goes for a lot veggies and fruits. For instance mangos come to mind which may be tough and bland or dripping with sloppy sweetness. I remember the simple pleasure of hiking through Hawaiian forests and finding wild guava trees and enjoying my fill of that fruit.

wow, didn't know avocados were such a major issue in Australia! Thanks for the information Nungali and I'm sorry to hear of those negative impacts on your environment!

the more advanced one can said to be then the more that basic humility is needed, since the higher one goes the further one can fall. Btw. I'd say the internet is no place to be giving out certain methods, but giving out pointers to find qualified teachers is another thing and meant to be helpful.

Speaking of avocados I wonder how much of a health difference there is between organic and sprayed and if organic grown in Mexico or any other country including the US is really so or how often is it so? Why... because we could ask the question of how many inspectors have the time go on site and do detailed checks with all the cuts to their agencies manpower and funding that is going on? Of course such does not just apply to avocados but to all veggies and fruits! It's a multi-million or multi-billion dollar industry with lots of competition, and there are probably many of cases of corruption that we never hear about to sell produce as organic for the higher profit while the honest farmer or farms have a hard time keeping up! (or staying in business compared to certain companies ) Has anyone out there studied up on this issue? Also with major drought or other types of climate impacts in some areas it makes one wonder how much longer the grocery stores can keep their shelves stocked without prices going astronomical. Most of us can handle say 10-20% increase's but not so well at 50-100%+ !

a tangent on that: there is no awareness for humans in the physical without the workings of prana/energy in various forms at various levels including the astral, otherwise a persons body would more or less be in a vegetative state. It could be said that the physical is the last in line of manifestation. (that many strongly identify with as being who they are along with their particular mind with nothing beyond that.