don't quite buy it

[old3bob]

 

There is that saying that if there is something you don't like then its a reflection of what's in you,  or a problem of yours.  Well I don't quite buy that huge generalization, granted it may be true in some cases but not in others... hells bells does your introspective head hurt hurt?

 

Edited 4 hours ago by old3bob

[steve]

I consider it an invitation and an opportunity. I do buy it in that sense because over time it has proven itself to be true... for me.

If it doesn't seem to be true in a particular instance, rather than write if off as wrong, I allow the possibility that maybe I just didn't discover the connection... yet.

The way I approach it is this - 

When something elicits reactivity in me, I turn not toward the thing that I "don't like" so much but toward what I am feeling - in my body, in the inner and outer words and stories, the feelings, memories, expectations, and so forth.

Almost invariably, I make discoveries that show me something about myself. 

I find a lot of value in that process.

YMMV

Edited 4 hours ago by steve

[old3bob]

19 minutes ago, steve said:

I consider it an invitation and an opportunity. I do buy it in that sense because over time it has proven itself to be true.

If it doesn't seem to be true in a particular instance, rather than write if off as wrong, I allow the possibility that maybe I just didn't discover the connection... yet.

The way I approach it as this - 

When something elicits reactivity in me, I turn not toward the thing that I "don't like" so much but toward what I am feeling - in my body, in the inner and outer words and stories, the feelings, memories, expectations, and so forth.

Almost invariably, I make discoveries that show me something about myself. 

I find a lot of value in that process.

YMMV

 

If someone has worked out related types of karma on a subject then it is no longer in them, which does not mean they can't like it and thus fight for dharmic truth... Btw there was a world of hurt that Gandhi (and countless others over the ages) did not like and who thus fought for truth!!

 

Edited 4 hours ago by old3bob

[stirling]

Reality is just reality. The world is just doing it's thing. Your "suffering" is created by your resistance to accepting the reality of this moment.

 

Quote

If you wish to see the truth
then hold no opinions for or against anything.

 

To set up what you like against what you dislike
is the disease of the mind.

 

When the deep meaning of things is not understood
the mind's essential peace is disturbed to no avail. - Tsin Tsin Ming, Seng T'san

 

The "deep meaning of things" in this case is having the Wisdom to see and rest in the Tao, or "emptiness". Being present with reality as it is now is "alignment" with the Tao.

 

The idea that what you like is "dharma", and what you don't like is "adharma" only exists in your mind. The suffering of attachment or aversion to what is happening is entirely yours. It is an entirely relative mental construct. 

 

A terrorist might decide that blowing up a marketplace full of women and children to resist his current government or religious leadership is a good thing. Another might think that action is an unspeakable horror.  Invading foreign nations, fighting world wars, genetic engineering - these are all things that have been called good OR bad depending on the person who observes. 

 

This doesn't mean we can't work to be kind, or support causes that bring peace and harmony to the world, but having some wisdom about the nature of reality CAN mean that we don't get lost in our dialog about attachment or aversion to the outcomes. It is folly to think that world will ever be entirely peaceful, or meet our personal requirements for what is "perfect". The world has always been like this, and always will be.

[Cobie]

 

6 hours ago, old3bob said:

There is that saying that if there is something you don't like then its a reflection of what's in you,  or a problem of yours.  Well I don't quite buy that huge generalization, granted it may be true in some cases but not in others...

I totally agree. And I think these “reflection” ideas are meant to be used to improve yourself; not to shut up other people.

 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by Cobie

[old3bob]

 

Apathy is apathy not something high and mighty or deep...

 

[Nungali]

worse still is when some individual sets themselves up as such an adviser ... a sort of 'judgmental guru ' and also  individuals adopting it to project out onto others ;  'would be Louise Hay's'  ; to some unfortunate ; ''Oh, you stubbed your toe ? Why are you afraid of moving  forward ? '' 

 

I want to shove their judgmental little faces in it !   I remember once ,  being in our amenities block , we were flooded in , I had a double middle ear infection  - terrible and no medication . This New Age bitch walks in and asks what is wrong with me   ( as I am obviously in a great deal of pain  and hanging on to a sink to even be able to stand up )  I tell her , does she offer assistance , pain relief she might have at home ... any thing  even remotely kind ? NO ;

 

'' OH really ( and even in a smarmy , I am smart , look what I know about , voice  ) ... what is it you dont want to hear then ?''

 

Me '' I will tell you what I dont want to hear , some  inconsiderate new age, self appointed  'guru' scoring points on my  pain and suffering  so they can appear clever .'

 

I read once where someone asked their Rabbi about this ; if an accident or sickness might carry a  special message for you . The Rabbi said , of course it can , God works in all sorts of ways .  The person protested a bit and explained some things , like I mentioned above . The Rabbi was ; '' Wait a minute , I didnt understand you , what I said was true but are you saying some people are interpreting the meaning and significance of these for others ? What ! That's outrageous ! How dare anyone try to interpret or  give the meaning to someone else  about God's particular and private dealings with them ! '  That is between you and  God !  That isnt even the job of a Rabbi ! ''

[Cobie]

@Nungali Yes, I’m familiar with the problem with some of the laity in the church I go to. 
 

 

Edited 19 minutes ago by Cobie

[old3bob]

 

On a tangent about judgement;  I have to say that to me Master Jesus hit the nail on the head when He said to a gathering that was getting ready to stone a woman to death,  "let any among you without sin cast the first stone",  and none could.