Hi Straw Dog
Just to share a thought on point 5, my understanding is that following the breath leads to letting go and is itself a solution to the problem that number 5 sets out to avoid as well. It results in the recognition that there is a happening, a flow of change or impermanence (anicca)...
Thank you! I found the English:
Circle of Iron / The Silent Flute - "Man in Oil" scene (flv video) | (Free File Download, File Backup, File Sharing and Publishing) fliiby.com
"a mere pimple" is the cause of our misfortune... lol
What is your philosophical understanding of the bold line below? Why does a body result in misfortune from a Taoist perspective?
Source: Tao Te Ching, English by Gia-fu Feng and Jane English, Terebess Asia Online (TAO)
Adi Shankaracharya also indicates the state isn't permanent or there is a risk of being distracted:
Important Advaitic texts, such as Pañcadasi (e.g. Chapter 7 verses 125 - 127) and Vivekachudamani (e.g. verses 327 - 329) speak of the risk of being distracted or falling, but also assert that...
I put it down to interruptions. We cannot just get on with it as sooner or later we are interrupted by our thoughts and emotions, nagging us for answers and investigation.
My view is that we don't always make it complicated deliberately but these interruptions keep popping up, uninvited and...
namaste Sumit
Sri Shankaracharya Ji wrote interesting commentary regarding the justification of the horse sacrifice in the Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upanishad, which goes into some detail on this delicate topic. I mention this in case it should it be of any further help. :)
namaste JayaBholenath
My perception without reading it whole, is that Swamiji's answer implies that the blood is not the important point, but rather a part of the whole and so his reply gives an answer which belittles the importance of the blood.
I think his words taken literally could be...
I agree with you both, Shuddhasattva and YmirGF
It doesn't really fit, because our actions are 'judged' by our karma, so to speak. Really there is no judge or judgement involved, there is simply karma and its phala or fruit. God as omniscient doesn't require a judgement day as He already knows...
I say it is because we have an image of our self or a self-image which we become comfortable with, it is constructed. So when there are selves who are different then our self-image becomes challenged by their ways, we start to wonder if we too should change and comply and that brings unrest...
I agree with this as the answer to the title, choice is all we have.
In hindsight it will appear predestined, foresight will show we can only make choices (or turn to imagination).
Thanks for the reply Romana
It has always appealed to me too, I once saw the Quakers sat in silence in London and have been intrigued ever since.
Why do you like the Quakers, what keeps you going to the meetings and events?
Yes, isn't it :)
I would say all things, because everything is mental.
It is craving for becoming or bhava:
Becoming leads to a new birth, which in turn leads to dukkha.
These are also useful:
Bhava Sutta: Becoming (1)
Twelve Nid
Compassion would be more skilful. It should not evolve into passion for a...
Hi Agorman
My understanding from a Theravada perspective is that there is a mental process of dependent origination. Most of these phenomena: lust, greed, passion, craving, hatred repulsions etc, stem from the three poisons or unwholesome roots. These roots need to be stopped when they appear to...
I agree with you Stephen.
His acts were a pre-meditated provocation against the peace and the police acted correctly by detaining him and investigating him further. I don't think it needs to imply imprisonment or fines.
There isn't a given freedom of speech to my knowledge, the English laws...