Monday, September 26, 2011
Humility and Obedience
I had a sponsor once, the partnership was brief, she told me that my higher power wanted to give me a Cadillac. Several years ago this was. She told me, I was offended, "You're hanging on to a Volkswagen."
I wanted the Volkswagen.
Several years later I learned. I really learned. That the Volkswagen didn't want me.
Never did. Never will.
A Daily Text from Just Love Audio, Sept 26, 2011
Anything at all that God has in mind for me is better than anything at all that I will ever have in mind for me. Don P.
There was once a teacher who bowed to his students at the beginning of each class. When asked why he did this, he replied. "Right now these young people are students. But God has a plan for each of them, and only God knows what they will one day become. Therefore, I bow to them now in order to honor them - not for what they are, but for what they will become."
God has a plan of greatness for each one of us as well. A great person in the eyes of the Lord is simply the one who aspires to know Him, love Him and serve Him no matter what our circumstances or station in life may be.
Let us aspire to greatness through humility and obedience to God's will.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Doubt and Disgust
September 23, 2011
One Sunday it was discussed how Jehovah became disgusted with the Israelites. They repeatedly doubted him. Yet he cared for them. The evidence was abundant. He freed them from slavery, saved them by parting the Red Sea and provided for their basic human needs. Desiring more, demanding immediate gratification, the Israelites expressed the desire to return to Egypt. Jehovah became enraged with disgust. Often have I doubted your affections for me.
see also "god don't like ugly"
One Sunday it was discussed how Jehovah became disgusted with the Israelites. They repeatedly doubted him. Yet he cared for them. The evidence was abundant. He freed them from slavery, saved them by parting the Red Sea and provided for their basic human needs. Desiring more, demanding immediate gratification, the Israelites expressed the desire to return to Egypt. Jehovah became enraged with disgust. Often have I doubted your affections for me.
see also "god don't like ugly"
Friday, September 23, 2011
Matthew 6:28+ See Also Luke
On this date : August 3, 1976
I was in Penn Station on my way home from Washington
DC where I had stayed with my uncle and his family.
Before I left Amtrack, I took my bible out of my suitcase and put my
feather squishy pillow in it's place.
I went into the bathroom near the Long Island Railroad ticket counter. The place has since been remodeled and those old bathrooms no longer exist.
I Somewhere, somehow my suitcase just vanished !
I was totally frantic. I was left with only the bible in my hands.
I had some really really nice clothes for a change and they
were all in the suitcase !!! After running around fraught
with discouragement, trying to find someone to report it to,
I sat on some steps and opened up the bible to just any
page and THIS IS EXACTLY what I read !!!!
Matthew 6:28-7:2
28 "And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! 31 "So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. 32 Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, 33 and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. 34 "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.
I got up from where I was sitting and immediately and got on the next
train home !!!!
RECOMMENDED READING
The story of Uncle Ry and the Moon as appears in
Author Muth, Jon J.
Title Zen shorts / by Jon J. Muth ; [illustrated by Jon Muth].
Imprint New York : Scholastic Press, c2005.
Description [20] p. : col. ill. ; 29 cm.
Zen Stories: The Thief and the Moon
By Daniel Stambler
For more articles visit www.eolife.org
This famous Zen story is about Ryokan, the Japanese Zen master who lived alone in a hut at the foot of a mountain. He lived in abject poverty, eating local plants and the rice that neighboring farmers would sometimes give him. His little hut was empty, he slept on the ground and spent his days meditating on a rock.
One evening a thief crawled through the window (the door, as always, was unlocked, unbeknownst to the robber), but discovered that there was absolutely nothing to steal in the hut. At this point Ryokan returned from his walk and caught the thief searching the room.
He approached the thief and warmly shook his hand. The thief was so surprised. Ryokan told the prowler, "You must have come a long way to visit me, and you shouldn't leave empty-handed." Ryokan looked around the empty room, but he too couldn't find anything to give him, so he took off his only robe and handed it to the robber.
"Please, take my clothes as a gift," Ryokan said.
The thief was too astonished to say anything, and he took the robe and slunk away into the cold night. Ryokan sat naked and gazed at the full moon through the window. "Poor fellow," he mused, "I wish I could have given him this beautiful moon."
A wise fool or a foolish sage?
In Zen literature Ryokan is the wise fool, the figure who challenges our concepts of how things should be and reminds us of a more essential way of being. In this story the fool is depicted as the perfect host. A host to a robber, no less!
But one could ask if Ryokan is condoning the thief's criminal way of life - even rewarding him for it, by giving the thief his robe? Shouldn't Ryokan at least have tried to talk to the guy and instruct him in some basic morals? Wasn't it his responsibility as a Zen master to help the robber realize the folly of his wayward life?
Ryokan's skill
Of course, that is just what Ryokan does in the most effective way. In Buddhism there is the notion of "skillful means," which is knowing the best thing to do in each situation, and doing it. It will always be different, and there are many examples of how the Buddha would teach differently according to each person's needs and inclinations.
In a simple metaphor, while water puts out a wood fire, using water to extinguish an oil fire will not help.
Thief or Master - everybody is worthy of love
If Ryokan scolded the thief, or even dragged him off to the police, he would have done just what the thief would have expected. The thief would probably continue to think of himself as a thief with everyone against him. Ryokan sees the person behind the thief, and shows him that he cares for him as an equal human being. He offers him the hospitality that Ryokan believes is due to every person who steps into his hut.
Ryokan instructs the thief in the most important lesson there is, that he is a human being worthy of respect and honor, of love and friendship. Perhaps then, after being seen as such in the eyes of Ryokan, the thief will begin to view himself as much more than a thief and act accordingly.
Ryokan is a rich man
There is something even deeper going on here, however. A naked Ryokan gazes wistfully up at the moon and wishes he could give it to the poor chap. Ryokan, naked and cold in his empty hut, still can look up at the moon with wonder and appreciate its sublime beauty. He has nothing in the world, but at the same time he has everything.
Ryokan feels so deeply connected to the world and to others that he feels absolutely no lack. The gift that Ryokan really wishes to have given the robber is the awareness of our deep connection with the world and a sense of completeness which lacks nothing. This connection cannot be stolen or bought, but only realized within oneself. Naked and poor, Ryokan was the richest man in the world. If only he could have given the thief that moon!
Focusing on what you have and not what you lack
A feeling of lack is one of the most pervasive emotions in our lives. Sometimes we don't even fully recognize it, but immediately run for what we believe will fill our lives, thinking that the next thing on our agenda will make us happy or satisfied.
We could be craving something small - like a cup of coffee - or something as big as a relationship or career. And many times the more we fill our lives with things we think we need, the less fulfilled life may seem to be.
When was the last time you actually took the time to watch the moon with sweet joy and wonder, not needing anything else in that moment? Are we able to give ourselves and others the gift of a simple moment? Even when we don't see it, the moon is always full. An eternal light in the night sky. So why not, give yourself the moon?
SEE ALSO:
The following book is highly recommended by Amazon readers:
Author Burns, David D.
Title When panic attacks : the new, drug-free anxiety therapy that can change your life / David D. Burns.
Imprint New York : Morgan Road Books, c2006.
Description x, 449 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.
From Amazon's Product Description : "When Panic Attacks" is an indispensable handbook for anyone who’s worried sick and sick of worrying. . . .Prpven, fast acting techniques that have been shown to be more effective than medications. Dr. Burns also shares the latest research on the drugs commonly prescribed for anxiety and depression and explains why they may sometimes do more harm than good.
Available at East Islip Library
A STORY ABOUT LETTING GO
There is a story that says in Africa (and India), the natives use a
technique to catch monkeys. They hollow out one end of a coconut and they
put peanuts or a banana inside. The monkey puts his hand into the coconut to
grab the food. The monkey will not be able to remove his hand from inside the
coconut. The monkey starts to be filled with immense fear and monkey is easily
caught. He doesn't realize that all he has to do is open its hand and let go.
Likewise, if we let go of what we hold onto, we would be free as well.
I was in Penn Station on my way home from Washington
DC where I had stayed with my uncle and his family.
Before I left Amtrack, I took my bible out of my suitcase and put my
feather squishy pillow in it's place.
I went into the bathroom near the Long Island Railroad ticket counter. The place has since been remodeled and those old bathrooms no longer exist.
I Somewhere, somehow my suitcase just vanished !
I was totally frantic. I was left with only the bible in my hands.
I had some really really nice clothes for a change and they
were all in the suitcase !!! After running around fraught
with discouragement, trying to find someone to report it to,
I sat on some steps and opened up the bible to just any
page and THIS IS EXACTLY what I read !!!!
Matthew 6:28-7:2
28 "And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! 31 "So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. 32 Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, 33 and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. 34 "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.
I got up from where I was sitting and immediately and got on the next
train home !!!!
RECOMMENDED READING
The story of Uncle Ry and the Moon as appears in
Author Muth, Jon J.
Title Zen shorts / by Jon J. Muth ; [illustrated by Jon Muth].
Imprint New York : Scholastic Press, c2005.
Description [20] p. : col. ill. ; 29 cm.
Zen Stories: The Thief and the Moon
By Daniel Stambler
For more articles visit www.eolife.org
This famous Zen story is about Ryokan, the Japanese Zen master who lived alone in a hut at the foot of a mountain. He lived in abject poverty, eating local plants and the rice that neighboring farmers would sometimes give him. His little hut was empty, he slept on the ground and spent his days meditating on a rock.
One evening a thief crawled through the window (the door, as always, was unlocked, unbeknownst to the robber), but discovered that there was absolutely nothing to steal in the hut. At this point Ryokan returned from his walk and caught the thief searching the room.
He approached the thief and warmly shook his hand. The thief was so surprised. Ryokan told the prowler, "You must have come a long way to visit me, and you shouldn't leave empty-handed." Ryokan looked around the empty room, but he too couldn't find anything to give him, so he took off his only robe and handed it to the robber.
"Please, take my clothes as a gift," Ryokan said.
The thief was too astonished to say anything, and he took the robe and slunk away into the cold night. Ryokan sat naked and gazed at the full moon through the window. "Poor fellow," he mused, "I wish I could have given him this beautiful moon."
A wise fool or a foolish sage?
In Zen literature Ryokan is the wise fool, the figure who challenges our concepts of how things should be and reminds us of a more essential way of being. In this story the fool is depicted as the perfect host. A host to a robber, no less!
But one could ask if Ryokan is condoning the thief's criminal way of life - even rewarding him for it, by giving the thief his robe? Shouldn't Ryokan at least have tried to talk to the guy and instruct him in some basic morals? Wasn't it his responsibility as a Zen master to help the robber realize the folly of his wayward life?
Ryokan's skill
Of course, that is just what Ryokan does in the most effective way. In Buddhism there is the notion of "skillful means," which is knowing the best thing to do in each situation, and doing it. It will always be different, and there are many examples of how the Buddha would teach differently according to each person's needs and inclinations.
In a simple metaphor, while water puts out a wood fire, using water to extinguish an oil fire will not help.
Thief or Master - everybody is worthy of love
If Ryokan scolded the thief, or even dragged him off to the police, he would have done just what the thief would have expected. The thief would probably continue to think of himself as a thief with everyone against him. Ryokan sees the person behind the thief, and shows him that he cares for him as an equal human being. He offers him the hospitality that Ryokan believes is due to every person who steps into his hut.
Ryokan instructs the thief in the most important lesson there is, that he is a human being worthy of respect and honor, of love and friendship. Perhaps then, after being seen as such in the eyes of Ryokan, the thief will begin to view himself as much more than a thief and act accordingly.
Ryokan is a rich man
There is something even deeper going on here, however. A naked Ryokan gazes wistfully up at the moon and wishes he could give it to the poor chap. Ryokan, naked and cold in his empty hut, still can look up at the moon with wonder and appreciate its sublime beauty. He has nothing in the world, but at the same time he has everything.
Ryokan feels so deeply connected to the world and to others that he feels absolutely no lack. The gift that Ryokan really wishes to have given the robber is the awareness of our deep connection with the world and a sense of completeness which lacks nothing. This connection cannot be stolen or bought, but only realized within oneself. Naked and poor, Ryokan was the richest man in the world. If only he could have given the thief that moon!
Focusing on what you have and not what you lack
A feeling of lack is one of the most pervasive emotions in our lives. Sometimes we don't even fully recognize it, but immediately run for what we believe will fill our lives, thinking that the next thing on our agenda will make us happy or satisfied.
We could be craving something small - like a cup of coffee - or something as big as a relationship or career. And many times the more we fill our lives with things we think we need, the less fulfilled life may seem to be.
When was the last time you actually took the time to watch the moon with sweet joy and wonder, not needing anything else in that moment? Are we able to give ourselves and others the gift of a simple moment? Even when we don't see it, the moon is always full. An eternal light in the night sky. So why not, give yourself the moon?
SEE ALSO:
The following book is highly recommended by Amazon readers:
Author Burns, David D.
Title When panic attacks : the new, drug-free anxiety therapy that can change your life / David D. Burns.
Imprint New York : Morgan Road Books, c2006.
Description x, 449 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.
From Amazon's Product Description : "When Panic Attacks" is an indispensable handbook for anyone who’s worried sick and sick of worrying. . . .Prpven, fast acting techniques that have been shown to be more effective than medications. Dr. Burns also shares the latest research on the drugs commonly prescribed for anxiety and depression and explains why they may sometimes do more harm than good.
Available at East Islip Library
A STORY ABOUT LETTING GO
There is a story that says in Africa (and India), the natives use a
technique to catch monkeys. They hollow out one end of a coconut and they
put peanuts or a banana inside. The monkey puts his hand into the coconut to
grab the food. The monkey will not be able to remove his hand from inside the
coconut. The monkey starts to be filled with immense fear and monkey is easily
caught. He doesn't realize that all he has to do is open its hand and let go.
Likewise, if we let go of what we hold onto, we would be free as well.
Zen Proverbs
My house burned down . . . I can see the moon !
http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/zen/sayings.htm
Don't seek Truth, drop opinions
Before enlightenment — chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment — chop wood, carry water.
After enlightenment, the laundry.
The tighter you squeeze, the less you have. ~Zen Saying
If you understand, things are just as they are; if you do not understand, things are just as they are.
Losing an illusion makes you wiser than finding a truth. ~Ludwig Börne
http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/zen/sayings.htm
Don't seek Truth, drop opinions
Before enlightenment — chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment — chop wood, carry water.
After enlightenment, the laundry.
The tighter you squeeze, the less you have. ~Zen Saying
If you understand, things are just as they are; if you do not understand, things are just as they are.
Losing an illusion makes you wiser than finding a truth. ~Ludwig Börne
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