|
SubscriptionsSites I Read
|
|
|
|
| There's more to this water walking business, it would seem.
In Buddhism, there is this idea apparently, of the actor, the acted upon, and the action all being unreal. As such, having the ability to walk on water would perhaps be pointless. That's probably too strong. If not pointless, then rather a byproduct of one's spiritual development. It could well be a harmful byproduct at that.
I do not know how the 3 Circles of Action meshes with synchronicity but it bears investigation...meditation, even.
| | |
| ...as if!
Fasten your seatbelts. I'm pretty sure I don't know what I'm talking about.
I have a hard enough time doing the right thing relative to just myself. When I start trying to take cognizance of others...oy! That's when it gets really terrible.
I have a real problem with the Master's saying that is commonly referred to as the Golden Rule. It seems every time (and I'm sure that I exaggerate) that I treat others as I would want to be treated, I am somehow doing it wrong, doing them wrong. I have to spend a lot of time figuring out how they want to be treated, and then treat them that way. That's much more difficult. I would rather that others not have that difficulty with respect to how they treat me. But there you go.
I can't imagine that if I were, somehow, to gain merit, that I would release this merit for the good of all beings. It sounds like a good idea. But what if "all beings" don't want me to do this? It's not as if I have been able to ask them, have I? Didn't we learn that, on a test, that any answer with "all" in it is inevitably the wrong answer?
It may be that this advice hides subtle clues, subtle ways of gaining merit. It's not about you. Don't make these choices for yourself. I get that. Sometimes we follow the forms and find out why the forms are right only after we have followed them. I get that.
I am temperamentally disinclined to believe that I can generate merit in any cosmic sense. But I am not selfish in this regard. If I have done so, you are welcome to it, should you so desire (word chosen advisedly!).
All the BEST to you!
Sylvester
| | |
| ...your responsibility is to Pay Attention.
There's that very old saying: we have two ears and one mouth - this should tell us of the proportion in which we should listen and in which we should speak.
It has been fruitful to try to come up with topics for this blog. Lately, they resolve themselves without even the need to start writing. This unfortunately is not fruitful for the blog. Still, it is one of the reasons this blog is not a mistake.
| | |
| (eliding)
Chesed - Daath - Binah
Tower - Star - Moon - Sun
| | |
| This story has been bugging me.
A man, at the behest of his guru, goes into seclusion on an island for 14 years so that he may search for enlightenment. At the end of 14 years, he returns to his guru and reports that he can walk on water. The guru thunders "You fool! In 14 years that is all you achieved? Any peasant can do what you do simply by getting into a boat."
As I write this, I am reminded of the verse: "Teach us, dear Lord, to number our days that we may apply ourselves unto wisdom."
And yet, I imagine our hapless chela having a conversation (perhaps, a monologue) with his guru something along these lines:
I'm not sure, master, why I have been given the gifts that I have. I am not sure why if 2 plants, both working to bring forth a flower in their season, one must bring forth a common daisy and another a queenly rose.
Maybe in some way this was my choice or my failing. Maybe on the other hand spiritual achievment is completely or partially a contradiction in terms. The gifts and callings we are given are a matter, ultimately, of God's grace. And God, whether with my tacit approval or not I do not know, has decided that I need to be able to walk on water.
I understand that anyone can cross the water in a boat.
But have you ever tried walking on water?
It is so much fun! The expressions people have are just precious! Sure, you have to exercise your compassion somewhat. I mean, you wouldn't want people to fall out of their boats and drown.
It's really quite amazing to be able to set foot on the waves, feel its moods through your feet, easily move to where you can see its secret places.
I can see that this ability will make me a circus freak. It's not the same as a great hero or great doctor, but I am sure they must experience being mobbed for what would seem no good reason when they would wish for a quiet walk down the street.
I'm not sure if this ability is a gift, a pennance, both, or something else. But I have it now. Calling me a fool, while perfectly accurate, will not help me understand what I am to do, what my responsibility to my gift is, if any.
| | |
|
