I thought this reading was nice... Short, but nice lol. I liked the part when it says "God is love." I believe God is love too... cuz when you have love in your heart, it's probably the best feeling in the world. When people walk around with hatred, hating on others, arguing, gossiping, making fights, etc., it does them no good. It causes a lot of stress and depression and just a lot of crap they dont have to worry about.
I know it's hard to forgive those who do you wrong, or who make you mad, or say something bad about you, but when you find it in your heart to forgive them, it makes you feel better, like a stronger person, and then you just forget about whatever made u feel bad. It's hard at first, because you just want to get revenge. But when you think about it, that's having hate in your heart, and its causing you to stress over how to "get them back". lol. If you just think to yourself, "they didn't really mean that" or "they're having a bad day and took it out on me by mistake" or even those who intentionally try to hurt you, just know that they know not what they do... i dont know if that makes much sense to some... basically saying that, if someone does something to hurt you, yea they know its hurting you, but they might not know how much it is hurting you, otherwise, they might not even do it. that's just an example, ...it still might not make much sense, but i understand it in my own way.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Thoughts on Jesus of Nazareth
In this reading, it has the Parabole of the Prodigal Son. I like this story. It was a story of a father who had 2 sons. The younger son asked for half of the estate, so his father gave it to him. Then the son exchanged it for money, and took off somewhere and live a life full of sins. When he realized that what he was doing was getting him no where, and that no one would feed him where he was, and that even the hired men of his father got fed, he decided to go back and apologise to his father. He said "Father, I have sinned against God and against you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Let me be like one of your hired men". His father, immediatly took him in without a hesitation, and forgave him, and fed and clothed him. The other brother was upset that his father forgave his brother, because he obeyed his father all this time and his father never kill a calf for him n made merry... So the father said, "Child, you are always with me, and everything i have is yours. But it was proper to make merry and rejoice, for your brother was dead, and he has come back to life; he was lost, and is found."
I really like this story. Because its so much more important that the brother who was "lost" and who lived a life of sin, recognized his mistakes, and came back to his father and apologized. The other son was always with him, so im sure the father appriciated that and was glad of that, but when your son leaves and does all things things that he prolly shouldn't be doing, its probably the best feeling to a parent (who's forgiving, cuz not all are that forgiving lol) when they come back home, and are truely sorry for what they have done, and who want to live right again.
I really like this story. Because its so much more important that the brother who was "lost" and who lived a life of sin, recognized his mistakes, and came back to his father and apologized. The other son was always with him, so im sure the father appriciated that and was glad of that, but when your son leaves and does all things things that he prolly shouldn't be doing, its probably the best feeling to a parent (who's forgiving, cuz not all are that forgiving lol) when they come back home, and are truely sorry for what they have done, and who want to live right again.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Thoughts on Hui-Hai
I really liked this reading. It makes a lot of sense. I like how in the beginning it talks about all these things that the monks try to do... "trying to empty your minds, straining to attain enlightenment, blabbering about your understanding of the Buddha Dharma" and then it says "all this is a waste of energy". I think this is true. And i think that this reading was saying to just be yourself. Do what feels right to you. Dont try to be something you're not. You're already equipt with everything you need.
I like the question and answer part of this reading too. "Dwell upon non-dwelling". Dont dwell on the past, because it is already gone. Can't be changed. Dont dwell on the future, because it isn't here yet. It might not even hold what you think it holds... And then, dont dwell on the present, because it it here and gone in a flash. I guess it just is constantly changing. So dont dwell on it! lol.
I like how it says "...the mind was never born and can never die.... and this is the form of our original mind, which is also our original body." kinda gets you thinking like... was our mind in existance b4 our bodies? maybe it shudn't be thought of in that way. Because if you think of it like that, your trying to make it too logical, and i think its something that just cant be logically explained. Like God. lol. Maybe this is our spirit/soul. Some mite believe we dont have one, but i believe we do. And maybe its not so separate, like our bodies are. Maybe somehow they're all kinda connected... but who knows.
I like the question and answer part of this reading too. "Dwell upon non-dwelling". Dont dwell on the past, because it is already gone. Can't be changed. Dont dwell on the future, because it isn't here yet. It might not even hold what you think it holds... And then, dont dwell on the present, because it it here and gone in a flash. I guess it just is constantly changing. So dont dwell on it! lol.
I like how it says "...the mind was never born and can never die.... and this is the form of our original mind, which is also our original body." kinda gets you thinking like... was our mind in existance b4 our bodies? maybe it shudn't be thought of in that way. Because if you think of it like that, your trying to make it too logical, and i think its something that just cant be logically explained. Like God. lol. Maybe this is our spirit/soul. Some mite believe we dont have one, but i believe we do. And maybe its not so separate, like our bodies are. Maybe somehow they're all kinda connected... but who knows.
Thoughts on Pai-Chang Reading
I liked this one because, like it says in italics, it's "short and sweet". Although its "short and sweet", im not quite sure i got the full meaning out of it. Probably because im not sure what they mean by sage.
I think when it says "there is no mind and there is no truth. You are simply free from unreality and delusion", that it means, if you realize that there isn't really a mind, there's no thought and perception of how a person might think things are. They just are. And if there's no truth, then there's no lies or untruth... so again, things just are. You're free from unreality because, if there's no truth (or what we call reality), then there's nothing to be "unreal". And when things are a delusion, its when you think something is "real/truth" but in reality, its just you thinking that. It's neither true/real or untrue/unreal. it just is.
When i went back over that paragraph and read it, it made me feel confused. But when i was writing it, it makes so much sense. I think that's how these writers are.... What they write makes all the sense in the world, but the person reading it may not get it the first time through; maybe not ever.
Its kinda like... what is real? and what is fake? what is it that makes something real or fake? i think its our own perception on things. if we learn to let go of this perception, we can see that things just are, and not worry about things. (and when i say are or is, i dont mean the opposite of aren't or isn't. i dont know of any other way to put it in words tho...)
I think when it says "there is no mind and there is no truth. You are simply free from unreality and delusion", that it means, if you realize that there isn't really a mind, there's no thought and perception of how a person might think things are. They just are. And if there's no truth, then there's no lies or untruth... so again, things just are. You're free from unreality because, if there's no truth (or what we call reality), then there's nothing to be "unreal". And when things are a delusion, its when you think something is "real/truth" but in reality, its just you thinking that. It's neither true/real or untrue/unreal. it just is.
When i went back over that paragraph and read it, it made me feel confused. But when i was writing it, it makes so much sense. I think that's how these writers are.... What they write makes all the sense in the world, but the person reading it may not get it the first time through; maybe not ever.
Its kinda like... what is real? and what is fake? what is it that makes something real or fake? i think its our own perception on things. if we learn to let go of this perception, we can see that things just are, and not worry about things. (and when i say are or is, i dont mean the opposite of aren't or isn't. i dont know of any other way to put it in words tho...)
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Thoughts on Dogen Reading (The Practice of Meditation)
Out of this whole Dogen reading, this was the part that i understood the most. it explained how to meditate, which to me, doesn't seem like its too hard to do. I haven't deliberately tried it, but i think i might have done it before unintentionally. Maybe not full meditation... like i wasnt sitting like they said you should sit, or i wasn't in a necessarily clean room lol. but it was quiet (of course) and my mind was clear.
I think that in a way, i do this most nights when i need fall asleep. It use to be that if i couldnt fall asleep, it'd worry me, and that would keep me awake even longer until i was jus exausted. And then after that phase was over, i went through this phase of it being hard to sleep because of little noises i'd hear through the house. I'd hear cracking (like the house settling), or i thought i was hearing movements in my room.... kinda scary! I think sometimes i'd let my imagination get outta control because a couple nights, i could hear someone walking in the hallway, as if they were creeping around, but really it was no one. I'd sometimes feel like as if there was a presence in my room, and one time it was so strong that i got up and went into my parents room and slept on the floor. Can u imagine? i think i was 18 or 19... Omg... there's just so many stories, and i dont think they're all my imagination, if u kno what i mean..... But anyways back to the story lol.
So i figured out one nite, (after many nights of restlessness lol), that if i clear my mind of ANY thoughts, (thoughts of what happened that day, hunger thoughts lol, even thoughts of being somewhere pleasant, like a field on a nice summer day, or out on the water just floating on a raft), that i would just fall asleep. And it worked. And now i do it everytime i fall asleep. (Sometimes i still hear stuff, or feel like someone's there, but i just try not to think about it, and i hurry up n clear my mind so i can fall asleep faster lol b4 its starts to worry me lol)
I think that in a way, i do this most nights when i need fall asleep. It use to be that if i couldnt fall asleep, it'd worry me, and that would keep me awake even longer until i was jus exausted. And then after that phase was over, i went through this phase of it being hard to sleep because of little noises i'd hear through the house. I'd hear cracking (like the house settling), or i thought i was hearing movements in my room.... kinda scary! I think sometimes i'd let my imagination get outta control because a couple nights, i could hear someone walking in the hallway, as if they were creeping around, but really it was no one. I'd sometimes feel like as if there was a presence in my room, and one time it was so strong that i got up and went into my parents room and slept on the floor. Can u imagine? i think i was 18 or 19... Omg... there's just so many stories, and i dont think they're all my imagination, if u kno what i mean..... But anyways back to the story lol.
So i figured out one nite, (after many nights of restlessness lol), that if i clear my mind of ANY thoughts, (thoughts of what happened that day, hunger thoughts lol, even thoughts of being somewhere pleasant, like a field on a nice summer day, or out on the water just floating on a raft), that i would just fall asleep. And it worked. And now i do it everytime i fall asleep. (Sometimes i still hear stuff, or feel like someone's there, but i just try not to think about it, and i hurry up n clear my mind so i can fall asleep faster lol b4 its starts to worry me lol)
Thought on Dogen Reading (Manifestation of the Truth)
I think that out of all the Buddhism readings, this is the one that i understood the most. And this was really really hard to try to understand. lol. I feel like... the reading is trying to give all these analogies and examples... and it just confuses me, and i then i think... are they trying to confuse me so that i can realized something else??? like that im confused and i dont need to be?? lol I feel like my mind is starting to fry... from trying to interpret everything they say haha. So I just give up in trying to understand it, and try to just look at the big picture.... (?).
The other Buddhism readings were just like words on a page that made since gramatically, but when i read them, i could understand what they were saying, but not get the deeper meaning of it... (if there was any deeper meaning), and so i forgot what the other readings were about. i dont think this reading will stay with me for much longer lol... so i decided to write about it A.S.A.P. after i read it lol. I'd like to fully understand what it's saying, but it just seems like too much thinking....
The funny think is... just a second ago, a HUGE question mark just popped in my mind hahaha that's how confused i am about all these buddha readings. I think when the teacher is explaining it to us, it's easier for me to understand. I'm not big on reading anyways.... I think if i hear somthing its easier for me to understand.
Maybe i'm making this harder than it's suppose to be. Maybe this is what they want me to realize...? lol
The other Buddhism readings were just like words on a page that made since gramatically, but when i read them, i could understand what they were saying, but not get the deeper meaning of it... (if there was any deeper meaning), and so i forgot what the other readings were about. i dont think this reading will stay with me for much longer lol... so i decided to write about it A.S.A.P. after i read it lol. I'd like to fully understand what it's saying, but it just seems like too much thinking....
The funny think is... just a second ago, a HUGE question mark just popped in my mind hahaha that's how confused i am about all these buddha readings. I think when the teacher is explaining it to us, it's easier for me to understand. I'm not big on reading anyways.... I think if i hear somthing its easier for me to understand.
Maybe i'm making this harder than it's suppose to be. Maybe this is what they want me to realize...? lol
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Thoughts on Yehiel Mikhal of Zlotchov
I liked this reading...
I think its true... that we're nothing without God.
I like the points that it makes... "When they are not attached to God but to earthly things, they think that they exist, and they are great in their own eyes. And how can they be great, when one night they exist, and the next night they die?" It goes to show that we really aren't that great. lol Even with our medicines n technology, it doesn't save us in the end. We all die one day. But i think if we believe in God our souls will be saved.. we'll live eternity through Him.
I think that us, being part of His creation, are great. I'm major is nursing, and in my Bio classes, like physiology and anatomy, it is so amazing to me how He created us. The way our bodies work is sooo amazing to me. Like, how did He know to put this or that in there? or to make certain cells do certain things?... etc. N then its like DUH, He created it! lol. He created everything, so He knew how to make it all work together. We can't live without Him. Even those who don't believe in Him still come from His creation; a woman and a man.
I think its true... that we're nothing without God.
I like the points that it makes... "When they are not attached to God but to earthly things, they think that they exist, and they are great in their own eyes. And how can they be great, when one night they exist, and the next night they die?" It goes to show that we really aren't that great. lol Even with our medicines n technology, it doesn't save us in the end. We all die one day. But i think if we believe in God our souls will be saved.. we'll live eternity through Him.
I think that us, being part of His creation, are great. I'm major is nursing, and in my Bio classes, like physiology and anatomy, it is so amazing to me how He created us. The way our bodies work is sooo amazing to me. Like, how did He know to put this or that in there? or to make certain cells do certain things?... etc. N then its like DUH, He created it! lol. He created everything, so He knew how to make it all work together. We can't live without Him. Even those who don't believe in Him still come from His creation; a woman and a man.
Thoughts on Shmelke of Nikolsburg
I liked this reading...
I liked how it's saying that even if someone does you wrong, you still need to love them and forgive them. I think this is true... They can't help it if they're wrong... like it said,"...And will you have no mercy on Him, when you see that one of His holy sparks has been lost in a maze, and almost stifled?" We're all wrong at some point. I'd want someone to forgive me if I did something to hurt them or offend them. Maybe i was having a bad day... Maybe my perception of the situation was off... Maybe there was a misunderstanding... There's so many reasons that people may be wrong... But i feel like who are we to judge what's wrong?
And like it was saying in the beginning, "How do we deal with the wicked-the tourturer, the rapist, the terrorist, the child-molester - and with the hatred and greed in ourselves?"... i mean, i think we need to forgive these ppl... even though they've done so much hurt upon ourselves and others... and i think it's easier said than done. But i believe that it can be done. Umm... im not sure what to physically do with these people, like put them in jail or something lol to keep them away from children .... i mean, we wouldnt want serial rapist or child molester to keep doing what he's doing... but i definately think we should forgive them.
I liked how it's saying that even if someone does you wrong, you still need to love them and forgive them. I think this is true... They can't help it if they're wrong... like it said,"...And will you have no mercy on Him, when you see that one of His holy sparks has been lost in a maze, and almost stifled?" We're all wrong at some point. I'd want someone to forgive me if I did something to hurt them or offend them. Maybe i was having a bad day... Maybe my perception of the situation was off... Maybe there was a misunderstanding... There's so many reasons that people may be wrong... But i feel like who are we to judge what's wrong?
And like it was saying in the beginning, "How do we deal with the wicked-the tourturer, the rapist, the terrorist, the child-molester - and with the hatred and greed in ourselves?"... i mean, i think we need to forgive these ppl... even though they've done so much hurt upon ourselves and others... and i think it's easier said than done. But i believe that it can be done. Umm... im not sure what to physically do with these people, like put them in jail or something lol to keep them away from children .... i mean, we wouldnt want serial rapist or child molester to keep doing what he's doing... but i definately think we should forgive them.
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