Hapiness
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I've just come home from an evening of meditation and a meeting with a Tibetan Lama. To clarify: I met a buddhist monk, and not the furry and spitting animal. :) Anyway, it started with 2 x 20 minute meditation sessions in the Karlstad cathedral. Odd place for meditation it seemed. But it turned out that the church has had regular meditations for quite some time. I was surprised that the meditation sessions are inspired by Zen-buddhism. After the meditation, which was quite stress relieving(!), we went across the street to another of the church's buildings, where the Lama (Geshe Pema Dorjee[^]), talked to and with us about topics such as love, compassion and meditation for about 1.5 hours. We also had tea and sandwhiches, and a generally gemütlich (what's the proper english word...?) time. What I took with me from that was not christ, buddha, or anything else in that magnitude. What I took with me, was a very valuable lesson. It transcends religion. The simplicity of it is so elegant and beautiful, that anybody can do it. *drum roll* A genuinely good person, without hidden agendas, and nothing but unconditional love for everyone, changes people. Merely the presence of such a person, makes you happy. It's as if it's a highly contagious disease. And right now, I feel like I've gotten a really bad infection with this disease, because I feel great. I can only hope I'll carry the disease tomorrow, so that I can spread it around. -- An eye for an eye will only make the world blind.
*atchoo* regards, Paul Watson South Africa PMW Photography Gary Wheeler wrote: It's people like you that keep me heading for my big debut on CNN...
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Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: and a generally gemütlich (what's the proper english word...?) time. You could try here[^]. I think it means something like that warm and fuzzy feeling you get when a new C++ class compiles clean for the first time. :) Chris Meech I am Canadian. [heard in a local bar] Remember that in Texas, Gun Control is hitting what you aim at. [Richard Stringer] Nice sig! [Tim Deveaux on Matt Newman's sig with a quote from me]
Chris Meech wrote: I think it means something like that warm and fuzzy feeling you get when a new C++ class compiles clean for the first time. Exactly! :-D -- An eye for an eye will only make the world blind.
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I've just come home from an evening of meditation and a meeting with a Tibetan Lama. To clarify: I met a buddhist monk, and not the furry and spitting animal. :) Anyway, it started with 2 x 20 minute meditation sessions in the Karlstad cathedral. Odd place for meditation it seemed. But it turned out that the church has had regular meditations for quite some time. I was surprised that the meditation sessions are inspired by Zen-buddhism. After the meditation, which was quite stress relieving(!), we went across the street to another of the church's buildings, where the Lama (Geshe Pema Dorjee[^]), talked to and with us about topics such as love, compassion and meditation for about 1.5 hours. We also had tea and sandwhiches, and a generally gemütlich (what's the proper english word...?) time. What I took with me from that was not christ, buddha, or anything else in that magnitude. What I took with me, was a very valuable lesson. It transcends religion. The simplicity of it is so elegant and beautiful, that anybody can do it. *drum roll* A genuinely good person, without hidden agendas, and nothing but unconditional love for everyone, changes people. Merely the presence of such a person, makes you happy. It's as if it's a highly contagious disease. And right now, I feel like I've gotten a really bad infection with this disease, because I feel great. I can only hope I'll carry the disease tomorrow, so that I can spread it around. -- An eye for an eye will only make the world blind.
And the first place you thought of sharing was the soapbox?!!! Somehow, that just doesn't seem right... :~ "Capitalism is the source of all true freedom."
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I've just come home from an evening of meditation and a meeting with a Tibetan Lama. To clarify: I met a buddhist monk, and not the furry and spitting animal. :) Anyway, it started with 2 x 20 minute meditation sessions in the Karlstad cathedral. Odd place for meditation it seemed. But it turned out that the church has had regular meditations for quite some time. I was surprised that the meditation sessions are inspired by Zen-buddhism. After the meditation, which was quite stress relieving(!), we went across the street to another of the church's buildings, where the Lama (Geshe Pema Dorjee[^]), talked to and with us about topics such as love, compassion and meditation for about 1.5 hours. We also had tea and sandwhiches, and a generally gemütlich (what's the proper english word...?) time. What I took with me from that was not christ, buddha, or anything else in that magnitude. What I took with me, was a very valuable lesson. It transcends religion. The simplicity of it is so elegant and beautiful, that anybody can do it. *drum roll* A genuinely good person, without hidden agendas, and nothing but unconditional love for everyone, changes people. Merely the presence of such a person, makes you happy. It's as if it's a highly contagious disease. And right now, I feel like I've gotten a really bad infection with this disease, because I feel great. I can only hope I'll carry the disease tomorrow, so that I can spread it around. -- An eye for an eye will only make the world blind.
:-D Absolute faith corrupts as absolutely as absolute power Eric Hoffer The opposite of the religious fanatic is not the fanatical atheist but the gentle cynic who cares not whether there is a god or not. Eric Hoffer
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And the first place you thought of sharing was the soapbox?!!! Somehow, that just doesn't seem right... :~ "Capitalism is the source of all true freedom."
Well, since it touches on the topic of religion, and I don't want to stretch it in the lounge, I figured the soapbox would be a good place. -- An eye for an eye will only make the world blind.
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:-D Absolute faith corrupts as absolutely as absolute power Eric Hoffer The opposite of the religious fanatic is not the fanatical atheist but the gentle cynic who cares not whether there is a god or not. Eric Hoffer
Yeah, I noticed my mistake this morning. I was hopping nobody would notice.. :D -- An eye for an eye will only make the world blind.
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:-D Absolute faith corrupts as absolutely as absolute power Eric Hoffer The opposite of the religious fanatic is not the fanatical atheist but the gentle cynic who cares not whether there is a god or not. Eric Hoffer
He probably could have spelled it with a 'y' and I wouldn't have noticed it. That is why they hire a tech writer to fix my papers at work. :) _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
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I don't want to be cynical, but the Billy Graham crusades have the same effect on people, and it passes just as quickly. Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++
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Christian Graus wrote: I don't want to be cynical, but the Billy Graham crusades have the same effect on people, and it passes just as quickly. So do Benny Hinn's "Healing" Crusades. Kyle Edwards
Benny Hinn is an idiot. Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++
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brianwelsch wrote: cozy is pretty close. Yes, that's pretty nuance I was looking for! brianwelsch wrote: That's the trick, isn't it? I believe so. And I believe the converse applies as well: an unhappy face makes another unhappy face. Which is why I believe it is important to cheer up anyone who is down. brianwelsch wrote: Sounds like a great time! It was indeed a great time. Unfortunately the meditation sessions are at the same time as my shorinji kempo practice, so I will not be able to go there as often as I'd like. :^) -- An eye for an eye will only make the world blind.
Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: an unhappy face makes another unhappy face The Dark Side is the more powerful, in the short term. But it can be transcended. Spreading happiness is easy, and wins you a much nicer bunch of groupies. Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: I will not be able to go there as often as I'd like. Make the time, Grasshopper... Balance in everything is essential to a happy life. Focusing too closely on one aspect of life can cause us to miss so much else of value. Climbing a great mountain is a wonderful achievement, but failing to take the time on the way up to admire and appreciate the wildflowers is an opportunity missed forever. The sum of the little things is always greater than any of the big things. Kempo will always be there, but how often do you get to meet a Lama? Much as I love Tai Kwon Do, I let it slip sometimes to enjoy other things that are transient in nature, such as a wild mood that makes me want to wander. I've discovered many delightful places that way, and met some wonderful people, by following my whim of the moment. But I always know that I can go back to TKD and pick up where I left off, so much richer for the experiences during my absence. It really doesn't matter that I'm 6 months overdue for my 2nd degree - when I finally get there, I'll be so much richer for the things I've seen and done in the interim. Take the time to meditate - maybe you can set aside a weekend a month or so to pursue it. The spiritual side of life is the important part, the only bit you get to take with you. The rest is important, of course, but this is far more important. I'm sure that your Kempo Master would agree...:) "...putting all your eggs in one basket along with your bowling ball and gym clothes only gets you scrambled eggs and an extra laundry day... " - Jeffry J. Brickley
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Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: an unhappy face makes another unhappy face The Dark Side is the more powerful, in the short term. But it can be transcended. Spreading happiness is easy, and wins you a much nicer bunch of groupies. Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: I will not be able to go there as often as I'd like. Make the time, Grasshopper... Balance in everything is essential to a happy life. Focusing too closely on one aspect of life can cause us to miss so much else of value. Climbing a great mountain is a wonderful achievement, but failing to take the time on the way up to admire and appreciate the wildflowers is an opportunity missed forever. The sum of the little things is always greater than any of the big things. Kempo will always be there, but how often do you get to meet a Lama? Much as I love Tai Kwon Do, I let it slip sometimes to enjoy other things that are transient in nature, such as a wild mood that makes me want to wander. I've discovered many delightful places that way, and met some wonderful people, by following my whim of the moment. But I always know that I can go back to TKD and pick up where I left off, so much richer for the experiences during my absence. It really doesn't matter that I'm 6 months overdue for my 2nd degree - when I finally get there, I'll be so much richer for the things I've seen and done in the interim. Take the time to meditate - maybe you can set aside a weekend a month or so to pursue it. The spiritual side of life is the important part, the only bit you get to take with you. The rest is important, of course, but this is far more important. I'm sure that your Kempo Master would agree...:) "...putting all your eggs in one basket along with your bowling ball and gym clothes only gets you scrambled eggs and an extra laundry day... " - Jeffry J. Brickley
You speak wise words. :) -- An eye for an eye will only make the world blind.
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Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: And it does affect you, because you are empathic (unless you're a sociopath) Its a possibility, I'm the kind of guy who would suspect Yoda of having an alterior motive. Cultivating that kind of reaction in people is whats kept them in saffron and gold statues for 2,500 years. Ryan
O fools, awake! The rites you sacred hold Are but a cheat contrived by men of old, Who lusted after wealth and gained their lust And died in baseness—and their law is dust. al-Ma'arri (973-1057)
Ryan Roberts wrote: whats kept them in saffron and gold statues for 2,500 years. I hate to be a spoilsport, but the Church has inspired far more hatred, murder, rape, and pillage than any eastern philosophy - in a much shorter timeframe - and they have much larger hordes of gold. Obviously crime pays, if you are smart enough to hide your tiny soul under a blanket of piety, and manipulate your followers with emotionally-laden arguments that make the idea of giving up life for a future reward believable. Ryan Roberts wrote: suspect Yoda of having an aulterior motive Me, too. But I'd still trust him because I think his hidden agenda is probably much like my own.:-O "...putting all your eggs in one basket along with your bowling ball and gym clothes only gets you scrambled eggs and an extra laundry day... " - Jeffry J. Brickley
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Buddhism is more a philosphy than a religion by western labels. I just try to be someone I would like to know. Elaine :rose: The tigress is here :-D
Trollslayer wrote: I just try to be someone I would like to know. That's my goal in life, and for the most part, I'm succeeding in that, according to reports I hear. "...putting all your eggs in one basket along with your bowling ball and gym clothes only gets you scrambled eggs and an extra laundry day... " - Jeffry J. Brickley
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ColinDavies wrote: From the little research I have done they don't appear to carry any real bad diseases. Rhode Island was in the national news again--what is it with this tiny little state, anyways? An organ donor had some nasty virus that she caught from her pet hamster. Her organs infected and killed four other people. Healthy people never even notice if they have the virus, apparently, but organ recipients, with immune suppression drugs, weren't as well off. Marc My website
Latest Articles: Undo/Redo Buffer Memento Design PatternI'm trying to imagine what she did with a hamster to acquire a disease, and failing completely.:^) "...putting all your eggs in one basket along with your bowling ball and gym clothes only gets you scrambled eggs and an extra laundry day... " - Jeffry J. Brickley