paulno

Ohh, I see. Suffering is not bad then. Got it. Very deep. The word you're looking for is apathy. I guess every selfish teenager is enlightened?

If that's the case I just grounded an incarnation of Shiva for constant sass. I should maybe rethink this.

In Korea I would alternate several times. Hot tub, cold tub several times.

 

I often would be hungover and surrounded by naked Korean dudes..some of who would be passed out naked on the floor. I can't say I missed that part so much

 

Now I just start hot and finish cold inthe shower. After a few weeks my body almost craves the cold water.

ROFL I was gonna say, really helpful for morning energy and hangovers.

Considering a set of all knowledge for that period, not a single Jewish, Roman, or Greek historian, scribe, or writer mentions before 95 CE the Jesus Christ depicted in the gospels. There are no artifacts, no works of carpentry, and no physical evidence that a Jesus Christ ever existed.

I did not contradict myself,...I never implied Jesus did not exist, in fact I strongly agree that an historical Jesus did exist, as mentioned in post #7,...but this is not the Jesus invented for the New Testament.

Done. Thanks.

Most men would kill the truth if truth would kill their religion. --Lemuel K. Washburn

 

Imagine you spend your life identified with sometime, say Economics, and all of a sudden Economics becomes obsolete (check out minute 11:00 - 17:43 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCWNgSa7GvA ).

 

People don't want to know what they thought was meaningful may be meaningless.

 

For the most part, my two posts above are indesputable.

 

V

Indisputable? No, they are very disputable. Also, I'm not a Christian.

Can anyone truly say ANY of the Sacred Texts of the major religions (and I'd say most of the minor ones) are 100% accurate from the first day they were originally penned?

You know I really dig this forum even though I really don't post that much. There's incredible wisdom and some genuinely great folks hanging here. But, something I've learned from coming here is Fundamentalist Christians do not have the market cornered on hatred and bigotry. Call it being naive. <shrugs>

Spong has always been one of the most progressive scholars of the Christian faith. He has some very interesting lectures and articles. One that I found to be maybe of interest here is him speaking about a time he knelt in prayer with Buddhist Monks. I wish more would follow his example.

I'd like to say for someone who knew a small amount about Eastern Philosophy, meditation, Chi, Kundalini etc. This site has been an invaluable resource. As far as disinformation and agendas go its the internet. Not sure its really possible to fully escape it.

Would one thing of wrestling/grappling as a martial art? If so I think even the earliest cultures have bouts documented in some way.

Very interesting. Ty Stig. I must say from the little I know about Taoism, in my opinion its some of the most expressive writing I think I've ever read.

Hey, guys. Wondering if Taoists who follow the religious end more than just the philosophical side pray? Was wondering about the prayers and whether or not its done kneeling, lotus pose, standing etc. How widespread is prayer in Taoism?

I believe I read somewhere there's chanting which could certainly be deemed prayer. At least in my book. But, unsure if there's prayer in more of a western sense I'd say.

The truth of Christian is enough to render it null and void,...but "Most men would kill the truth if truth would kill their religion"

 

Christianity is a refashioning of Gnostic mythology into a religion that advocated slavery, dependency, ignorance, and submissive obedience. This new religion was never a threat to Rome, but rather, it was one through which its adherents, servants of Rome’s ruling class, were morally obligated to suffer meekly what Caesar wished or, as Titus 2:9 says, to please their masters in all things. Christianity is a pro-Roman religion. Did not Paul say that Roman magistrates were only a threat to evildoers or that the man who rebels against his master is opposing God’s will? What Roman would want to persecute the philosophy that said that tax collectors are God’s ministers (Romans 13:6)? It was the Jewish zealots and Gnostic Christians who threatened Rome, not the anti-Gnostic Paulines and neo-Christians.

Christianity is not a refashioning of Gnostic mythology. The Gnostics themselves were mostly Christian and at the very least practitioners of Abrahamic religion. Not the other way around. It didn't "advocate" slavery. Paul says slave traders will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus tells slaves to be obedient to avoid further persecution.

It is not a pro Roman religion. Rather, the Romans refashioned it as such. I think about 90% of people who grew up in the Western Hemisphere know that Pontius Pilate ordered the death of Christ. Not to mention for a long time Christians were massacred by The Romans. He doesn't say tax collectors are his ministers. He says they are his servants and the chapter is very much about honesty not about the glorious Romans.

I could go on and on pointing out falsehoods in your post. Vmarcus, I too have a huge problem with a lot of what goes on in Christian communities. But, your complete hatred for all that is Christian is glaring. I mean how could you begin to deny it?

I'd second Shamanism. I'd say its also the earliest precursor to what we know as science as well.

Of course, but what I'm expressing is that detachment in and of itself will not lead to enlightenment.

Thank you for replying. No, I don't think this by itself will. I think compassion, humility, self-reflection etc are also important parts of getting there.

To practice humility, is to practice pride.

 

To anticipate hope, is to empower fear.

 

To seek positives, is to attract negatives.

 

In Tibetan literature, the realization of truth and the process of spiritual development is reached at the level of Avadhuta, a state of enlightenment in which the distinctions between good and evil no longer exist.

 

That is a scary, frightening proposition for the morally minded.

 

Osho said, “Morality can only be imposed from without when we are asleep. It can only be pseudo, false, a façade, it cannot become your real being…morality is bound to be nothing but a deep suppression. You cannot do anything while asleep; you can only suppress. And through morality, you will become false. You will not be a person, but simply a “persona”—just a pseudo-entity. . . . Only a dishonest person can be moral.”

 

Kind of a challenging idea,...wouldn't you think?

 

V

I'm not sure we're on the same page. I don't ,for instance, see Osho as someone who can answer a question about humility. Not sure if its about striving either. I think its about wisdom, experience, and self reflection.

Nonattachment to views is for those who are very advanced and have gone beyond views. They have eradicated the view of duality (split between mind and objects) and the view of inherent existence (that things including self and mind exist independently). It is impossible to eradicate these deep tendencies without deconstructing them through right view. Nonattachment to view comes naturally as a result of right view, but you can't start off with it. It is a result not a cause.

 

Humility and compassion, while very good virtues and very helpful, are not deconstructive. One can be very compassionate and humble but still cling to a self.

Detachment, also expressed as non-attachment, is a state in which a person overcomes his or her attachment to desire for things, people or concepts of the world and thus attains a heightened perspective.-Wikipedia

This is also how I see it. Letting go of the greed, jealousy, and egoism. I'm not sure you have to follow an 8 fold path, the 10 commandments, or any set of spiritual rules to get there. However, I'm also saying, if you do it doesn't automatically exclude you.

Would you think that the Abrahamic belief systems are in any way nonattached, or seek unattachment?

 

Did you ask if someone who doesn't believe in Traditions or the supernatural, can reach enlightenment?

 

http://www.buddhanet.net/ans73.htm

I also said ancient philosophy, traditions, or ceremonies. Part of nonattachment is nonattachment to views. I think its beyond just religious experience. Just wonder if its the person more than the system. Also, if someone without a "system", so to speak, could achieve the same results through utter humility and compassion?

I almost think it depends on the person more than the faith, religion, philosophy etc. The journey to get to a place of nonattachment and wanting to be a smaller part of something bigger takes a lot of ego killing and work. Its a journey I'd say most are not willing to take the first step towards.

I often wonder if someone who doesn't believe in the supernatural, in ancient philosophy, in any tradition, ceremonies etc. Could this person reach the same stages as those we see as enlightened or holy?

Non, has your condition improved any? Please, give us an update. Hope you're doing better.

I'm probably one of the lesser experienced people here when it comes to martial arts, only taking a few classes here and there. I've always giggled watching people not touch their students, and then having said students jumping backwards as proof of some force from being cultivated through intense whatever.

At the same time, I sort of felt guilty about laughing. Thinking maybe its just my lack of understanding and ignorance on this matter. I'd like to thank more experienced people for posting here and very much confirming my suspicions.

It may exist in some way, shape, or form. But, most of the people Youtubing it aren't very believable in my opinion.

Been reading some Ruthless Truth blog and their book based off the blog, Brutal Beginnings. Man, these folks seem like a weird Amalgam of a Zen Master and Andrew Dice Clay. However, its intriguing and beyond thought provoking. I have tons of questions but am a little afraid at getting cursed out if I ask. LOL