Stories from the Net

[northape]

Translation of a story from a net blog I follow:

I remembered a Byzantine text we read at university. It told of a certain temple of a Syrian saint where the sick would sleep to receive healing.
And so, a paralytic arrived there, suffering from something like paralysis and unable to walk on his own. In a dream, the saint of that temple
appeared to him and told him to have relations with a woman who was also there, and who had been deaf and mute from birth. The paralytic
naturally thought this was a demonic delusion and did not act on it. But the saint appeared to him repeatedly in his dreams, not only with
admonitions but also with threats. In the end, the paralytic gave in and crawled in the middle of the night towards this woman. Seeing him,
she got scared and screamed at the top of her lungs, "Help!" He also got frightened and ran away as fast as he could.
And so, both were healed.

 

[northape]

Only Duty Remains. Dharma (translation from the same place)

It's strange how many sometimes expect the emergence of a new world. And they see it in the most heated conflicts... But if no new ingredients are thrown into the global cauldron, where this brew has been simmering for centuries, how can one expect anything new? People are made of people. Previous ones. Nothing different can come from them but the same people. People want to rise from their knees, but there's little point in that if you're in a pit. The question isn't whether freedom is even possible, the question is how to get out of the pit.

I can't help but recall the questions to which Buddha responded with silence – about the structure of the universe, its finite or infinite nature, the existence or non-existence of God. He replied – when a certain person is wounded by an arrow, the most important thing for them is to remove the arrowhead from the wound, to be healed. Not who shot the arrow, what metal the arrowhead is made of, and so on. Sometimes life seems unthinkable without this knowledge, but it's a kind of genius's autism. High souls, born into this world, cannot find satisfaction in the activities of this world and therefore seek it beyond, expanding the boundaries of common knowledge and simultaneously common ignorance. But the existence of geniuses is not an excuse for the crudeness, the stiff-neckedness of our world.

Geniuses are as much prisoners of crudeness as all of us. And so, it gradually becomes clear that our science is not directed towards the benefit of society. And it couldn't be – simply because scientific geniuses showed everyone new spaces, and it was implicitly assumed that new spaces for life and activity were a good in themselves. But it turned out not to be so – simply because people are still the same, made from past people. Because one must change within oneself so as not to defile new places even faster than what we previously destroyed and consumed. And when it turned out that new spaces for life are not a good in themselves, we became bewildered, like children – this is our current state, although all that's required is to return to the commandments "thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal...", and to return unconditionally, without tolerance as a way to avoid duty, without democracy as a way to suppress the awareness that there is no choice. Only duty remains. Dharma. We simply have to live by the commandments, or we will all perish. And no democracy will save us from our own all-consuming ignorance.

 

[Seagull]

Only Duty Remains. Dharma (translation from the same place)

It's strange how many sometimes expect the emergence of a new world. And they see it in the most heated conflicts... But if no new ingredients are thrown into the global cauldron, where this brew has been simmering for centuries, how can one expect anything new? People are made of people. Previous ones. Nothing different can come from them but the same people. People want to rise from their knees, but there's little point in that if you're in a pit. The question isn't whether freedom is even possible, the question is how to get out of the pit.

I can't help but recall the questions to which Buddha responded with silence – about the structure of the universe, its finite or infinite nature, the existence or non-existence of God. He replied – when a certain person is wounded by an arrow, the most important thing for them is to remove the arrowhead from the wound, to be healed. Not who shot the arrow, what metal the arrowhead is made of, and so on. Sometimes life seems unthinkable without this knowledge, but it's a kind of genius's autism. High souls, born into this world, cannot find satisfaction in the activities of this world and therefore seek it beyond, expanding the boundaries of common knowledge and simultaneously common ignorance. But the existence of geniuses is not an excuse for the crudeness, the stiff-neckedness of our world.

Geniuses are as much prisoners of crudeness as all of us. And so, it gradually becomes clear that our science is not directed towards the benefit of society. And it couldn't be – simply because scientific geniuses showed everyone new spaces, and it was implicitly assumed that new spaces for life and activity were a good in themselves. But it turned out not to be so – simply because people are still the same, made from past people. Because one must change within oneself so as not to defile new places even faster than what we previously destroyed and consumed. And when it turned out that new spaces for life are not a good in themselves, we became bewildered, like children – this is our current state, although all that's required is to return to the commandments "thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal...", and to return unconditionally, without tolerance as a way to avoid duty, without democracy as a way to suppress the awareness that there is no choice. Only duty remains. Dharma. We simply have to live by the commandments, or we will all perish. And no democracy will save us from our own all-consuming ignorance.

Isn't it because of human greed and jelousy, hatred and so on that is the problem? Are people simply missing the point of life entirely.

 

[northape]

Isn't it because of human greed and jelousy, hatred and so on that is the problem? Are people simply missing the point of life entirely.

Maybe that's part of the broader moral decline we're experiencing today. The point of life nowadays is to have the biggest and the latest. And we can't even put it all on politicians or billionaires, because they came from the people. It's our global issue. We're chasing a techno-dragon, forgetting what makes it all possible. Without this planet and its ecosystem, all our techno-fantasy is pure nonsense. Even most of the technology we use today was created by people who lived in a much cleaner environment and had a certain set of cultural rules.

I'd say start with yourself. Live a morally sound life and do your best in this place. Find your own reason for life and love. Let people fix themselves, and when you have an opportunity to serve, do it without any agendas. Living freely with dharma behind you will lead you the right way.

 

[Tripolation]

Personally speaking I think that the politicians and billionaires hold a much higher responsibility to change themselves than anyone else in this world. I am completely biased. I am sick and tired of watching sociopaths and psychopaths work there way into the top 1% and then do nothing to help humanity. These elites are what are causing the world to be as lop sided as it is. Inequality is out of control. They want us to behave, obey, and keep on doing the same shitty jobs for less and less money while they make more and more. It's profit above people and that kind of scenario is not sustainable. There is unrest in the world because of this terrible inequality.

I for one would join in on a revolution at this point. I would have no reason not to. I am tired of the way the world is. Something has to change. And in speaking with changing oneself, well, I have done the work, I have the compassion in my heart to join a revolution and harm none. It's time to no longer obey. It's time to disobey. It is always the courageous trouble makers that change the world. There is an imbalance, it's about time to straighten it out.

These hoity toity rich, power hungry uber elites won't change themselves. They are out of touch. They have no care in the world on their billion dollar yachts.

 

[northape]

Personally speaking I think that the politicians and billionaires hold a much higher responsibility to change themselves than anyone else in this world. I am completely biased. I am sick and tired of watching sociopaths and psychopaths work there way into the top 1% and then do nothing to help humanity. These elites are what are causing the world to be as lop sided as it is. Inequality is out of control. They want us to behave, obey, and keep on doing the same shitty jobs for less and less money while they make more and more. It's profit above people and that kind of scenario is not sustainable. There is unrest in the world because of this terrible inequality.

I for one would join in on a revolution at this point. I would have no reason not to. I am tired of the way the world is. Something has to change. And in speaking with changing oneself, well, I have done the work, I have the compassion in my heart to join a revolution and harm none. It's time to no longer obey. It's time to disobey. It is always the courageous trouble makers that change the world. There is an imbalance, it's about time to straighten it out.

These hoity toity rich, power hungry uber elites won't change themselves. They are out of touch. They have no care in the world on their billion dollar yachts.

I'll be honest, I hate it here. It's not because I don't love life, but because I hate the culture and society I was born into. It's so fake that I have no words for it at this point.

Revolutions never solved anything. You will only get some breathing room before some other prick starts similar idiocy. That's what I meant when I said that politicians came from the people. Our general level is just low, and all we see today is a result of it. Maybe it's different on your side, but people here will never change anything. At the end of the day, they are cowards and too afraid to lose anything - be it a job or, God forbid, their life. And many of them see no problem with anything, either. They're easily swayed with the help of modern psychological tools via social media. Our jobs are just slave labor for nothing, and all the fine promises will never be a reality. So, at this point, I've given up on culture and society.

When my direct obligation to my parent ends, I'll find a nice mountain somewhere and end this journey. I never saw anything worthwhile in the Western approach to life, and the freedom that is my birthright was taken from me without my consent. For years, only spirituality and plant medicines have given me the willpower to stay alive. I'm totally fine at this point with finding a tree where no one would disturb me and sitting there until this body withers away. Dying free and with love in my heart is all I wish for.

 

[Tripolation]

I'll be honest, I hate it here. It's not because I don't love life, but because I hate the culture and society I was born into. It's so fake that I have no words for it at this point.

Revolutions never solved anything. You will only get some breathing room before some other prick starts similar idiocy. That's what I meant when I said that politicians came from the people. Our general level is just low, and all we see today is a result of it. Maybe it's different on your side, but people here will never change anything. At the end of the day, they are cowards and too afraid to lose anything - be it a job or, God forbid, their life. And many of them see no problem with anything, either. They're easily swayed with the help of modern psychological tools via social media. Our jobs are just slave labor for nothing, and all the fine promises will never be a reality. So, at this point, I've given up on culture and society.

When my direct obligation to my parent ends, I'll find a nice mountain somewhere and end this journey. I never saw anything worthwhile in the Western approach to life, and the freedom that is my birthright was taken from me without my consent. For years, only spirituality and plant medicines have given me the willpower to stay alive. I'm totally fine at this point with finding a tree where no one would disturb me and sitting there until this body withers away. Dying free and with love in my heart is all I wish for.

I understand the feeling. Revolutions occur by a change of thinking first and foremost. All it takes is someone pointing the right direction and a lots of change can occur rather quickly. The revolution is in our minds. We all know something ain't quite right with the way the world operates. Something has to give at some point. I hope that any revolution that does occur is peaceful, I hope it ushers in a new way of being where we take a good look at the world and figure out new ideas to provide a sustainable and more equal existence on this planet.

Everything is so divided right now. There is a tension in the air. I don't blame you for not wanting to take part anymore. I for one am a fighter, I'd like to think maybe even a spiritual warrior if I may be so bold. I just want the world to be better than it is. My point with the revolution is those that need to change and can implement massive positive change won't, they can't because they don't see a problem here. They hold all the power and they do not wield that power justly or honestly. It is going to take the 99% to do something about it. The tipping point is pretty close. Some day many people will say enough is enough and enact some real positive change.

We may end up with the same old thing after some time. Maybe that might happen.. maybe.. History has repeated itself many times because we keep putting up with the same people that rise to these powerful positions. Who knows... maybe we will learn from our mistakes. We have the capacity for change. The one thing I know without going off on some tangent, is that the world is pretty messed up and needs to change. It has to. It will change for the worse if we allow it.

Yes.. we all need to take personal responsibility to interact with this world in a peaceful way. I think many in this world are good damn people and not much change is needed. They just need some good leadership and better ideas to strive for. Point many people in the right direction and they will go. I find most people do the right thing. I think that you must get up and fight when needed, fight for my child's future, fight for a better life for my neighbors and community. Fight for the good people. I would rather fight than sit under a tree. Sounds peaceful but I just could not be peaceful sitting there knowing that I could help.

I don't know how to change this world. I just see the problems and am waiting for critical mass to get tired of it. Look at the French Revolution as just one example. You can look at what is happening in Nepal for a current example of what is coming. The younger generations are not going to live like this. I give my daughter and her generation full confidence to find the right way, to change the world for the better to stop repeating the same mistakes. I have to believe in them. It's not always the same people from the same people. Some wonderful and great people are born out of hardship and struggle.

I am both cynical and optimistic. It really is a terrible strain to feel this way. At the end of the day I just try and treat everyone I can with kindness and compassion. That is all I can do for now. When the time for action ever comes, I am more than happy to stand up and do my part. Silence is violence in some instances.

 

[northape]

I'm an optimist at heart and would love to apply myself to something I believe in. Sadly, I see no such movement today, and my fighting spirit is near depletion. We all have our lives that guide us and condition our expression. If I had a family and children, my desire for something better would be stronger. At this point, I have left it all to Earth and God to deal with.

We had a recent revolution in my home country in 2020. Millions of young people went for a peaceful demonstration. They were met with police, tear gas, and prison sentences.

Later on, there was the biggest exodus of young professionals from the country. And the West answered by closing the land, because they couldn't achieve a fall of the old government. So, even revolutions can differ. You're talking to a guy from an ex-Soviet state. The amount of crazy I've seen leaves a permanent mark for life.

All I want is peace for myself and my fellow humans.

 

[Tripolation]

I know you are an optimist my friend! You have a beautiful heart! It can be easily seen in your writing.

You are doing exactly what you need to do. Be the light. We can't all lead revolutions but we can inspire revolutionary ideas. Ideas never die.

I am very sorry you have seen some terrible things in your life. Humans are a bit lost right now, you are not alone in how you are feeling. I feel ya, I see ya and I hear ya. This too will pass. It's going to be ok.

 

[CosmicRiver]

When my direct obligation to my parent ends, I'll find a nice mountain somewhere and end this journey. I never saw anything worthwhile in the Western approach to life, and the freedom that is my birthright was taken from me without my consent. For years, only spirituality and plant medicines have given me the willpower to stay alive. I'm totally fine at this point with finding a tree where no one would disturb me and sitting there until this body withers away. Dying free and with love in my heart is all I wish for.

I understand and i totally respect that, but i find it disheartening that some of us don't see no other way, that the kindest, most caring people have to feel like this. I hope you can find a way before that day arrives

 

[northape]

I understand and i totally respect that, but i find it disheartening that some of us don't see no other way, that the kindest, most caring people have to feel like this. I hope you can find a way before that day arrives

@blig-blug contacted me too about my idea to end things. Sorry, I am writing from my perspective, and it sounds a bit different in my head.
After my work with medicine, I'll never try to actively end anything. My belief is that you will just pop up here again with a similar script.
What I meant is that I won't actively look for a place in society or work for food. My plan is to find a spot to be left alone and leave everything to God.

Sadly, even India is different nowadays, and you need a visa to stay, whereas centuries before, if you could get there, that was it. But there are still places in the Himalayas and Andes that are just too inhospitable and far from civilization. Lots of abandoned villages are scattered all over South America and other places. So if God allows, I'll reach one of those remote spots.

I see no end to the modern struggle. It is just like a sailboat in high winds - moving here and there. To stay sane, I need to let it go and return to a simple lifestyle.
Thanks for your good wishes and understanding. May we all find peace, love, and light. May this difficult period in human history bring something beautiful in the end.

 

[Seagull]

It's always been human experience to have people take advantage of good/kind ones and the nasty people keep getting a get out of jail free card.
My believe is that we do get tested in the same way with power, if it changes you for worse then you failed.
Ofcourse many times we fail but im sure one day we will all wake up from this dillusion.

Personally speaking I think that the politicians and billionaires hold a much higher responsibility to change themselves than anyone else in this world. I am completely biased. I am sick and tired of watching sociopaths and psychopaths work there way into the top 1% and then do nothing to help humanity. These elites are what are causing the world to be as lop sided as it is. Inequality is out of control. They want us to behave, obey, and keep on doing the same shitty jobs for less and less money while they make more and more. It's profit above people and that kind of scenario is not sustainable. There is unrest in the world because of this terrible inequality.

I for one would join in on a revolution at this point. I would have no reason not to. I am tired of the way the world is. Something has to change. And in speaking with changing oneself, well, I have done the work, I have the compassion in my heart to join a revolution and harm none. It's time to no longer obey. It's time to disobey. It is always the courageous trouble makers that change the world. There is an imbalance, it's about time to straighten it out.

These hoity toity rich, power hungry uber elites won't change themselves. They are out of touch. They have no care in the world on their billion dollar yachts.

I tottally agree and follow your believe.
And let me just say that we are far beyond critical mass but the problem is we are still being brainwashed and entertained endlessly that the balance and scale is artificially weighted towards even more power for the powerfull dictators that run the show.

 

[northape]

My believe is that we do get tested in the same way with power, if it changes you for worse then you failed.

I believe the medicine also tests you with power. At least, I saw it in my work with oral brews. You are given a choice between healing and power, without any moral guidance from the medicine. From what I saw, it was fine with either choice, but it would determine your Path in the future. It's basically Star Wars stuff: good versus evil. Power leads toward witchcraft and manipulation, while healing work leads toward God. The choice is yours to make.

And let me just say that we are far beyond critical mass but the problem is we are still being brainwashed and entertained endlessly that the balance and scale is artificially weighted towards even more power for the powerfull dictators that run the show.

This stuff goes back to Roman times and even earlier. We simply went our own way after the last civilization reboot. Even the narrative that we are the pinnacle of humanity is part of it. The farther back you look, the better it gets: in architecture, morals, and philosophy. I'm a full believer in Kali Yuga at this point. If a full moon makes people act crazy, how much do other arrangements of heavenly bodies play into our psychology? This place is far more mysterious than what we believe.

My threads keep derailing into philosophy and modern problems. Intent is everything, as they say

 

[Tripolation]

II think It's important to talk about the things that bother us in this world. We can put it out there and look for solutions or faults in our logic or thinking. Sometimes I feel very passionate about how troubled the world is. I wish I had some grander vision of how to improve the world.

I find that I want someone to blame, I admit that, and I passionately feel like I place the blame mostly on these 1%. feel like they are the ones who are lost and need some direction. After thinking about this thread a bit I came to the conclusion that I need to accept the world as it is, including these 1% peeps that drive me crazy.

Accept them and the world just as it is and move on from there. Not wanting it to be another way, this is the only human family we have, I accept them all for all of their faults. That is not to say I approve of many negative things in this world, I see it, I am not blind, I hear it, I ain't deaf, but I will not ignore it. It is acknowledged and I move forward from here releasing my anger towards these 1% lost souls.

I can't change anything with anger. I can with love and compassion and I direct it towards them right now. I can imagine being rich and just forgetting the rest of humanity, getting lost in all of my success and all that comes with it. I can see it within myself. I understand. Not sure if I am on the right track with my thinking here. I am working around strong feelings here and at time these feelings blind me to seeing the whole picture. I am trying to take the eagle view, so to speak.

Northape you got me thinking about something. I think you wanting to go off someplace and detach from the world is a total human reaction, it's completely justifiable. Perhaps you using the Śrāvakayāna or Pratyekabuudhayana vehicles right now, the solitary buddha, you find your own way towards enlightenment. I don't think there is anything wrong with that at all. Removing yourself from the drama because you know all the actors. Hesitant to teach spiritual knowledge to those who would not understand in a lost world. I think no matter what path you choose, I honor that choice. Bodhisattvayāna is the third vehicle which is taken out for a spin by very few. Nice ride but hard to drive.

Anyway.. putting out some good energy your way Northape!


There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
-Edith Wharton

 

[northape]

I find that I want someone to blame, I admit that, and I passionately feel like I place the blame mostly on these 1%. feel like they are the ones who are lost and need some direction. After thinking about this thread a bit I came to the conclusion that I need to accept the world as it is, including these 1% peeps that drive me crazy.

We have no other choice but to accept it if we want to be sane. Hate or aggression in any form is a poison. When I see any of it manifest in my psyche, I do all in my power to rebalance. Only love is the answer, but sometimes it is very hard to pick it.

Northape you got me thinking about something. I think you wanting to go off someplace and detach from the world is a total human reaction, it's completely justifiable. Perhaps you using the Śrāvakayāna or Pratyekabuudhayana vehicles right now, the solitary buddha, you find your own way towards enlightenment. I don't think there is anything wrong with that at all. Removing yourself from the drama because you know all the actors. Hesitant to teach spiritual knowledge to those who would not understand in a lost world. I think no matter what path you choose, I honor that choice. Bodhisattvayāna is the third vehicle which is taken out for a spin by very few. Nice ride but hard to drive.

My mind is a mix of everything under the Sun at this point. Yes, I'd put myself in a solitary buddha category, aspiring for a bodhisattva path
I feel in my Heart that's the way to go, but it's hard to put others before myself, especially with all the nonsense around. I would love to escape into some long-term solitary retreat, but this life doesn't allow me. So my karma is different. Maybe given enough merit, I could finally get a few good years

Lately, my faith in reincarnation has grown so strong that I don't really bother with the current situation. I feel like I woke up in the middle of a series of lives and have all it takes to consciously work for liberation. My ego and habits create a lot of problems, but even that is kind of fun. They could never touch my Heart in millions of years. It feels like I'm doing my best for the one who will inherit my flame.

Oh, I'm fully open to sharing everything I know, but I don't believe it's of great value. True wisdom lies in Silence and a heart connection. You don't need words to transfer it. That kind of knowledge may use words as a vehicle, but has very little to do with the words' meaning. Bodhichitta is love, as Garchen Rinpoche says, and love is what this whole play is about. There is only One Soul here. May we all find our true nature

I love you, @Tripolation

 

[rkba]

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
-Edith Wharton

Or, we are the candle and Reality is the mirror.

 

[northape]

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
-Edith Wharton

Or, we are the candle and Reality is the mirror.

Can't we be both at the same time?
Paradoxes are everywhere if you dig deep enough. I don't know how anything works here, but it feels like magic.
If I forget about myself for a moment and just listen, all that remains is like a sunlit open space. Somehow, I associate it with Love.

 

[rkba]

Can't we be both at the same time?
Paradoxes are everywhere if you dig deep enough. I don't know how anything works here, but it feels like magic.

Sure, your core-perception can be anything.

Somehow, I associate it with Love.

I 'feel' that Love is a frequency that may have the greatest capacity of re-connecting to The Indescribable (Consciousness / God / Magic / One).

It could be that the disconnection from The Indescribable is creating the spark, providing the 'light' that reflects back from the mirror of Reality (Trip's mirror circle?).
Maybe we are indeed reflective as well and this spark of light bounces forth and back between the mirrors, giving us a Life Experience, until we melt back into the Indescribable. Only to be separated again, ad infinitum.

Maybe the 'bad' frequencies extent the duration of separation and thereby serve an important purpose to extend the Experience.

We're all dying to get back, but not too soon.

Everybody 'feels' how it works, but nobody can communicate It, not even to themselves. The Paradox of Life.

 

[rkba]

Or maybe the duration is somewhat fixed and the Love/Hate frequencies, and all other 'opposites', give Life a spectrum to 'choose' from.

In the end it doesn't really matter, as long as we enjoy the Ride!

 

[northape]

I feel like Love is the only vibration I could fully surrender to. In my early days with Acacia, I had a ceremony where my heart center blew open.
The intensity of love I felt was just too much for my little body. I spent hours pouring it outside to the neighborhood, the country, and the planet.
Funny enough, this source had more than enough, and I had my hands full with just giving it all away. It felt like I would explode otherwise.
I could easily surrender and disappear into that. It was the source of all good, unconditional light. Our egos would be a complete opposite, in my opinion.
However, scriptures say that love is the building energy of everything, be it good or evil. Darkness is a nice energy too, if you have sufficient maturity to work with it.