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chaski On about 18 hours ago
Stalker





Tree at Floydgirrl's Window,
#16New Post! Jul 31, 2020 @ 03:59:35
@dookie Said

Three minutes seems a mite too long to me but I get your drift.

I tend not to bother with goals (the Pure Land way of "no calculation" ). Always home, but the journey goes on.



@gakINGKONG Said

I travel but even when I'm at the house it doesn't feel home. Disease, illness, death, corruption, broken lives. This life isn't pure. Heaven on earth is different than this.



I disagree with GAK... this life is pure.

I to travel... a lot... I bet more than GAK... certainly more than anyone I have known in my life (my girlfriend comes close)... my 1st international trip was at 7 months old... my last international trip was about two years ago (too long ago).... my travels in the USA have continued until roughly 6 months ago... not counting travel within a 50 mile radius of where I live...

I feel, have always felt, more at home traveling than I ever have at "home"... I speak 3 languages fluently... another two or three well enough to get on... and am presently studying another to become fluent...

Yes... there are/is "disease, illness, death, corruption, broken lives" in the world... but the joy an wonder of this world (given to us by god) far out weigh any fleeting false pain.

If "you" believe in "god" (and love "him" ), a wondrous gift has been given to "you" not embracing it with joy and love can only be the highest of insults to your "god".

If you don't believe in god, then you have at best a fleeting moment to embrace all that you can of this superbly wondrous planet.

Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven is with in you... i.e. already within you... if you ignore heaven than you insult god and hell is your just reward.
dookie On December 16, 2023
Foolish Bombu





, United Kingdom
#17New Post! Jul 31, 2020 @ 06:54:22
@nooneinparticular Said

One of the few values I carry in my heart is that every piece of information is meaningful, even if it's false or in contention.



I'm more into every moment being meaningful. Obviously I'm often wandering around on auto-pilot, devoid of mindfulness, but the idea is about what I once read of Alan Watts, to “Stop measuring days by degree of productivity and start experiencing them by degree of presence.”

Some mornings you can switch the TV on and hear the latest from "the world" or simply look out of the window and watch a bird having a bath in our little birdbath, fluttering and dipping its head into the water.
dookie On December 16, 2023
Foolish Bombu





, United Kingdom
#18New Post! Jul 31, 2020 @ 08:24:11
@gakINGKONG Said

I travel but even when I'm at the house it doesn't feel home. Disease, illness, death, corruption, broken lives. This life isn't pure. Heaven on earth is different than this.



@chaski Said

this life is pure.




I read once a theologian who interpreted the words from Genesis, of God looking at His creation, "and saw that it was good" as meaning, not perfect in the sense of being one side of all the opposites, but as "good for purpose "

What was the "purpose"? Christians might say a place of soul making. Eckhart says:-“In giving us His love God has given us the Holy Spirit so that we can love Him with the love wherewith He loves Himself.”

Well, I tend to convert theistic language (or let others do it for me. ) Here is Hiroyuki Itsuki from his book "Tariki: Embracing Despair, Discovering Peace." (Just to add, Itsuki was no cloistered philosopher. His book contains a lot of autobiographical detail drawn from his younger days living as a refugee in conditions of suffering thankfully beyond my own experience. His faith was hard won)


"The Other Power (Tariki) derives from the true and full acceptance of the reality that is within us and surrounds us. It is not a philosophy of passivity or iresponsibility, but one of radical spiritual activity, of personal, existential revolution. Its essence is the spontaneous wondrous force that gives us the will to act, to 'do what man can do and then wait for heaven's will.' Importantly, Other Power is a power that flows from the fundamental realization that, in the lives we live, we are already enlightened. This enlightenment does not come easily. It is born of the unwelcome understanding that, despite our protestations, we are insignificant, imperfect beings, born to a hell of suffering that defines human existence. But in this hell, we sometimes excounter small joys, friendship, the kind acts of strangers, and the miracle of love. We experience moments when we are filled with courage, when the world sparkles with hopes and dreams. There are even times when we are deeply grateful to have been born. These moments are paradise. But paradise is not another realm; it is here, in the very midst of the hell of this world. Other Power, a power that transcends theological distinctions, avails us of these moments. In the endless uncertainties of contemporary life, Other Power confers upon us a flexibility of spirit, an energy to feel joy, and the respite of peace. "

So, this for me is the Pure Land. Not some imagined "other" beyond the horizon of death.
gakINGKONG On October 18, 2022




, Florida
#19New Post! Jul 31, 2020 @ 11:39:55
@dookie Said

I read once a theologian who interpreted the words from Genesis, of God looking at His creation, "and saw that it was good" as meaning, not perfect in the sense of being one side of all the opposites, but as "good for purpose "

What was the "purpose"? Christians might say a place of soul making. Eckhart says:-“In giving us His love God has given us the Holy Spirit so that we can love Him with the love wherewith He loves Himself.”

Well, I tend to convert theistic language (or let others do it for me. ) Here is Hiroyuki Itsuki from his book "Tariki: Embracing Despair, Discovering Peace." (Just to add, Itsuki was no cloistered philosopher. His book contains a lot of autobiographical detail drawn from his younger days living as a refugee in conditions of suffering thankfully beyond my own experience. His faith was hard won)


"The Other Power (Tariki) derives from the true and full acceptance of the reality that is within us and surrounds us. It is not a philosophy of passivity or iresponsibility, but one of radical spiritual activity, of personal, existential revolution. Its essence is the spontaneous wondrous force that gives us the will to act, to 'do what man can do and then wait for heaven's will.' Importantly, Other Power is a power that flows from the fundamental realization that, in the lives we live, we are already enlightened. This enlightenment does not come easily. It is born of the unwelcome understanding that, despite our protestations, we are insignificant, imperfect beings, born to a hell of suffering that defines human existence. But in this hell, we sometimes excounter small joys, friendship, the kind acts of strangers, and the miracle of love. We experience moments when we are filled with courage, when the world sparkles with hopes and dreams. There are even times when we are deeply grateful to have been born. These moments are paradise. But paradise is not another realm; it is here, in the very midst of the hell of this world. Other Power, a power that transcends theological distinctions, avails us of these moments. In the endless uncertainties of contemporary life, Other Power confers upon us a flexibility of spirit, an energy to feel joy, and the respite of peace. "

So, this for me is the Pure Land. Not some imagined "other" beyond the horizon of death.


how very fancy

dookie On December 16, 2023
Foolish Bombu





, United Kingdom
#20New Post! Jul 31, 2020 @ 11:49:38
@gakINGKONG Said

how very fancy




I would say that "fancy" belongs to those who can only try to imagine some heaven elsewhere, beyond the grave

But each to their own.
dookie On December 16, 2023
Foolish Bombu





, United Kingdom
#21New Post! Jul 31, 2020 @ 16:14:11
During my Oxfam shift, business being slow ( ) I ruminated on this......

I think that when we seek to sum up "things as they are" (are they "hell", "heaven/pure land" or whatever) we need to recognise that Reality itself is dynamic, a constant becoming ......not simply one thing or another, set in stone.

Dogen refers to this: - "that the vision of ‘things as they are’ is never of a fixed reality/truth; the power for self-subversion and self-renewal is inherent in the vision itself. Thus ‘things’ seen as they are are transformable. Every practitioner’s task is to change them by seeing through them. From Dogen’s perspective........ 'seeing' was changing and making."

(Hee-Jin Kim, from "Dogen: Mystical Realist" )

It suggests that "faith" is not belief in a particular form of Reality, but more a potential to be co-creators, and (per another thread) further insight into being "made in the image of God", participators in the redemptive work of Christ.

I think all this is far from having some sort of self-consciously didactic intent in whatever we say and do. Ideally our words and acts are spontaneous. Like all great art, it in effect has no meaning. As Meister Eckhart says :- "Love has no why". Possibly why some on one side of the imaginary divide claim that "eastern" ways are virtually nihilism.


Anyway, if the above is just mumbo jumbo or even too fanciful, you only need to move along and find a thread more to your liking.....
gakINGKONG On October 18, 2022




, Florida
#22New Post! Jul 31, 2020 @ 22:24:37
And I'm Lutheran.

See here all about that.

Not Chinese. Not New Age. Christian.

I'm traveling about the United States and if I'd like to know more about my religion, I'll open the top drawer of my night-stand and read the Bible they put there.

I also have a soft-copy on my phone.



Have fun with finger-painting.
chaski On about 18 hours ago
Stalker





Tree at Floydgirrl's Window,
#23New Post! Aug 01, 2020 @ 00:52:55
@gakINGKONG Said

And I'm Lutheran... Not Chinese.



Well, the Lutheran religious sect does seem to be pretty heavily weighted to white people... that must make you happy.



It is odd that you worship a guy from the Middle East, instead of a god for whose image you were made: White.
dookie On December 16, 2023
Foolish Bombu





, United Kingdom
#24New Post! Aug 01, 2020 @ 07:52:58
@gakINGKONG Said

And I'm Lutheran.



Some claimed in the past that they were "Children of Abraham" but it didn't cut much ice with John the Baptist. Something to do with the need for genuine "fruits".

I note your mention of "New Age". Not sure if you are inferring anything. I am Pure Land Buddhist. The particular "brand" began with Shinran, who pre-dates Luther by more than 200 years. Shinran looked back to the Buddha, and Buddhism in general, which pre-date Christianity by more than 400 years.

Maybe you are alluding to what you see as some sort of eclectic mix in my posts? If so I would just say that "faith seeking understanding" has a long tradition in the Christian Faith. Further, I never exclude the possibility that Christ - as you would say - has touched other hearts, other ways, than those that appeal to me.

Whatever. You are free to continue to post "how very fancy" and "have fun with finger painting" and suchlike. If it amuses you.
gakINGKONG On October 18, 2022




, Florida
#25New Post! Aug 01, 2020 @ 20:31:42
@dookie Said

Some claimed in the past that they were "Children of Abraham" but it didn't cut much ice with John the Baptist. Something to do with the need for genuine "fruits".

I note your mention of "New Age". Not sure if you are inferring anything. I am Pure Land Buddhist. The particular "brand" began with Shinran, who pre-dates Luther by more than 200 years. Shinran looked back to the Buddha, and Buddhism in general, which pre-date Christianity by more than 400 years.

Maybe you are alluding to what you see as some sort of eclectic mix in my posts? If so I would just say that "faith seeking understanding" has a long tradition in the Christian Faith. Further, I never exclude the possibility that Christ - as you would say - has touched other hearts, other ways, than those that appeal to me.

Whatever. You are free to continue to post "how very fancy" and "have fun with finger painting" and suchlike. If it amuses you.


If only it did.

The servers are failing for the TFS website. We may have a year. I doubt it. I won't spend that time chasing you or your ideas.
dookie On December 16, 2023
Foolish Bombu





, United Kingdom
#26New Post! Aug 01, 2020 @ 20:38:53
@gakINGKONG Said

If only it did.

The servers are failing for the TFS website. We may have a year. I doubt it. I won't spend that time chasing you or your ideas.


How WILL you spend the time?

And just to say, by speaking of "my ideas" you simply avoid intelligent discussion.

So.....how WILL you spend your time?
gakINGKONG On October 18, 2022




, Florida
#27New Post! Aug 02, 2020 @ 01:18:23
It is finished.
gakINGKONG On October 18, 2022




, Florida
#28New Post! Aug 02, 2020 @ 01:32:08
And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said,

"What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me."

For he was saying to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!" And Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He replied,

"My name is Legion, for we are many." And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him, saying, "Send us to the pigs; let us enter them."

So he (Jesus) gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.
chaski On about 18 hours ago
Stalker





Tree at Floydgirrl's Window,
#29New Post! Aug 02, 2020 @ 01:33:43
@gakINGKONG Said

It is finished.


Not true.

@gakINGKONG Said

And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said,

"What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me."

For he was saying to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!" And Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He replied,

"My name is Legion, for we are many." And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him, saying, "Send us to the pigs; let us enter them."

So he (Jesus) gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.



You are still here.
dookie On December 16, 2023
Foolish Bombu





, United Kingdom
#30New Post! Aug 02, 2020 @ 07:49:36
@gakINGKONG Said

It is finished.



Except it wasn't was it?

Once more, amused or not, you felt compelled to indulge - without discussion or argument - in further versions of "how very fancy" and "enjoy your finger painting" but this time using the Bible to suggest God knows what (!)

Pretty poor mate. Pretty poor.
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