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anita

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Viewing 15 posts - 1,711 through 1,725 (of 3,964 total)
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  • in reply to: Blank Canvas #439799
    anita
    Participant

    Dear Peter:

    The insomnia factor is an amazing coincidence, glad it made you 🙂.

    Your realization has the potential to enlighten me with the understanding that the Eternal Now transcends measurements and is a state of being we already inhabit. It’s a paradox, that the peace and presence we seek require no effort because we are already part of it. The journey isn’t about achieving something new but about recognizing and embracing what has always been within us.

    I find recent events troubling… that so many people have chosen a vision I find little hope in and that I don’t resonate with. Its difficult to ‘see’ that as arising from Love, yet from the Eternal is.“- it’s natural to feel disheartened when confronted with a vision that seems to lack hope and resonance. It’s challenging to reconcile such experiences with a perspective of Love.

    However, considering it from the lens of the Eternal might provide a different perspective because the Eternal encompasses all, even the parts we struggle to understand or accept.. doesn’t it?

    I am glad that I am far away from any and all Black Friday noise, and I too wish you and everyone a good Thanksgiving Weekend!

    anita

    in reply to: Am I judgmental? #439798
    anita
    Participant

    Dear EvFran;

    So good to read from you again, it’s been a while! I am sorry though that people have let you down..

    just block them social media and disappear in silence or should I explain why I am so sad and upset?“-

    – here’s my advice: respectfully, explain your feelings first, and then decide whether to maintain contact based on their response. If they’re receptive, respectful and willing to change what is needed to be changed on their part, it could lead to a positive outcome. If they are not receptive nor respectful, block them.

    If interacting with some people is causing you significant distress, a break/ blocking them can give you the space you need to heal without the added stress of ongoing interactions.

    On the other hand, if you think there’s a chance for constructive dialogue, explaining your feelings might provide closure and possibly improve the situation. It can be therapeutic to express what’s on your mind, and it might help others understand your perspective.

    Personally, if I believe a person is not honest with me, is manipulative, etc., there is no point in explaining my feelings. No one is perfect, so I don’t expect.. honesty-perfection. Not even from myself. But I expect enough honesty and enough straightforwardness to make a logical/ sensible dialogue possible.

    Am I judgmental?“- it’s natural to have expectations in relationships, and when those aren’t met, it’s normal to feel upset. Being judgmental typically involves forming critical opinions without understanding the full context. From what you’ve shared, it sounds like you’re more hurt than judgmental.

    If you’d like to share examples or talk more about it, I’m here to listen and offer support.

    anita

    in reply to: Blank Canvas #439795
    anita
    Participant

    One more thing, Peter, you wrote: “I find recent events troubling and having me questioning my reality“- if you’d like to share about these recent events, please do.

    anita

    in reply to: Blank Canvas #439794
    anita
    Participant

    Dear Peter:

    You are welcome, good to read back from you!

    The metaphor you used, that of the fish that doesn’t know its in water suggests that just as a fish is unaware of the water it swims in, people are often unaware that they are already in the Eternal Now, and (I am developing the idea), they imagine that the Eternal will happen later in time.

    The  Eternal Now is a state of existence beyond time. It’s a no-time reality that we are part of, whether we realize it or not.

    The kingdom is here now and within you“- spiritual enlightenment/ understanding is an internal state, accessible in the present moment.

    Thank you for sharing your meditation poem, “The Temporal and Eternal“:

    “The sun rises in the morning and sets in the evening… At this moment somewhere the sun is both rising and setting / Yet the sun neither rises nor sets“-  the sun’s rising and setting are human perceptions, while in reality, the sun’s state is constant.

    “It is, we are, I am… that. All things arise from and return“- reality is a unity of existence. We are all part of a larger, interconnected whole. There is no true separation between an individual and the universe. Everything is fundamentally one, and recognizing this unity (cosmic identity/ universal self) can lead to a deeper sense of belonging and purpose.

    * Cosmic identity often involves transcending the ego—the individual sense of self—and recognizing a greater, universal self.  Embracing a cosmic identity leads to an expanded state of consciousness, where a person’s awareness extends beyond personal concerns to include the welfare of all beings and the universe. It fosters a sense of responsibility and interconnectedness. It leads to an understanding that harming nature is harming ourselves

    Back to your poem: “All movement arises from and returns to stillness/ It is, we are, I am.. Stillness All sound, language… returns to silence/… All Life arises from and returns to Love/… All time arises from and returns to Eternity/ It is, we are, I am.. Eternal/… It is, we are, I am.. that.“- thank you very much for sharing your beautiful poem, Peter. I want to have it recorded and listen to it at night time when I lie awake thinking (insomnia), so that I can rest in it.

    anita

    in reply to: Pastime to Passion #439784
    anita
    Participant

    Dear Elias:

    Welcome! It’s great to have you here.

    It sounds like you’ve made significant changes in your life and found a sense of purpose through prayer, meditation, and reading the gospel. Those practices are powerful and can bring a lot of peace and clarity.

    When it comes to your music, it’s understandable to feel frustrated if you’re not making the progress you hoped for, despite your efforts. Here are a few suggestions that might help you dive deeper into your music:

    1. Try incorporating your spiritual practices into your music-making process, perhaps meditating before you start your music practice, or even creating music that reflects your spiritual journey and the messages you read in the gospel.

    2. Set aside specific times for making music. The consistency in keeping a routine can make it easier to get into the creative zone.

    3. Sometimes working with other musicians can bring new perspectives and inspiration. Consider joining a local music group.

    4. Reconnect with the joy and passion that initially drew you to music. Try not to worry too much about the outcome and instead enjoy the process.

    5. Even though you’ve read a lot and made changes, there’s always more to learn. Consider taking some music classes, or finding a mentor who can provide guidance and feedback

    6. It’s easy to be critical of your own progress. Try shifting your mindset to appreciate the progress you’ve made, no matter how small. Recognize that improvement takes time and requires patience, sometimes, lots and lots of patience and perseverance.

    It’s clear that you have the dedication and drive. Keep (patiently) pushing forward, and don’t hesitate to reach out for support and advice. Wishing you all the best on your musical journey!

    anita

    in reply to: Son came out as bi-sexual #439782
    anita
    Participant

    Dear Arie:

    Thank you for sharing this update with us. It’s completely understandable that you couldn’t respond to each of us individually, but your gratitude means a lot. It’s truly heartwarming to hear that you have a better understanding now and are happy for him.

    Your message radiates so much warmth and acceptance. It’s wonderful to hear that you’re supporting him with such an open heart. Knowing that he came out to you and feels much happier is such a positive step. Your pride in his bravery and your unconditional support for him when he meets that special someone speaks volumes about the kind of person you are. It’s beautiful to see that kind of acceptance and love.

    anita

    in reply to: Blank Canvas #439781
    anita
    Participant

    How are you, Peter?

    Dear John, Peter, All: I want to correct the sentence I wrote yesterday after a Thanksgiving feast and enough wine to mess up the structure of my question, so here it is corrected: How can you and I, Shinnen- how can we- can we make the world a better place, just a bit, just a bit.. can we, Shinnen?

    Your sentence yesterday: “I often feel that..  I am the ephemeral seeking the eternal” is often attributed to Nikos Kazantzakis, a Greek writer and philosopher who explored themes of the human condition, and the search for meaning. I want to look further into it this Friday morning:

    On one hand, we humans are ephemeral, meaning short-lived, transient, temporary, our human life and experiences are brief and constantly changing,

    On the other hand, we are seeking the eternal, meaning something that is everlasting, unchanging, and infinite, something that is timeless and permanent. We want to find or connect with something that transcends our fleeting existence: something enduring and everlasting.

    There is a contrast between the temporary nature of human life (the ephemeral) and the longing for something permanent, a sense of continuity and meaning beyond our human lives (the eternal).

    * The longing for something eternal is a common thread in many religions, involving the belief in an afterlife or a state of existence beyond the physical world, providing hope (and fear) and meaning to followers: Heaven or Hell for Christians, Paradise (Jannah), or hell (Jahannam) for Muslims, Moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death, merging with the divine essence, Brahman) for Hindus, Nirvana for Buddhist.

    Back to Nikos Kazantzakis, I read that he did not believe in heaven or hell. Instead, he focused on the idea of striving for personal growth and meaning in the present life, living fully in the moment without relying on the hope of an afterlife.

    He wrote: “To live, to err, to fall, to triumph, to create life out of life“, emphasizing the importance of experiencing life fully, embracing both successes and failures as part of personal growth.

    He wrote: “I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free“- he doesn’t hope for heaven (or nirvana), he doesn’t fear hell.. he is free to live without hope or fear.

    He wrote: “For I realize today that it is a mortal sin to violate the great laws of nature. We should not hurry, we should not be impatient, but we should confidently obey the eternal rhythm“- he is saying that it’s a grave error or significant wrongdoing to of go against the fundamental, timeless, universal principles that govern the natural world. He advises against rushing through life or being impatient, behaviors that are contrary to the natural flow of things and lead to unnecessary stress and disorder. He recommends living in harmony with nature, following its pace, and not trying to force things.

    Back to my question to you, Shinnen: I think that helping each other is part of the eternal rhythm because human beings are social creatures, and cooperation and mutual support are natural aspects of our existence. Helping others contributes to the overall harmony and balance within communities, reflecting the interconnectedness that is a fundamental aspect of life.

    Empathy aligns with the idea of living in harmony with the natural order, fostering deeper connections and promotes a more compassionate and balanced world.

    Not judging others, whenever, wherever possible and appropriate, allows for a more inclusive and understanding society, reducing conflict and encourages acceptance and harmony, which are key components of the eternal rhythm.

    anita

     

    in reply to: Blank Canvas #439768
    anita
    Participant

    We are all seeking the eternal, simply because we can imagine the eternal. How can you and I, Shinnen- how can we- can we- make the world a better place, just a bit, just a bit.. can we, Shinnen?

    anitar

    in reply to: Why pursue meaning in life #439766
    anita
    Participant

    Dear John:

    Thanks Anita, I still lurk but don’t usually have anything to add, I noticed that I tend to repeat myself“- you are welcome, John. I repeat myself on a regular basis, what else is there for me to do..?

    Please do come back and repeat; you are welcome to repeat here, John, anytime!

    anita

    in reply to: How can I feel happy and emotionally strong #439757
    anita
    Participant

    Dear Mahvash: good to read that you are doing good. Lots of love back to you! Please write anytime you feel like it: I am here, wanting to read from you again and again, and reply every time.

    anita

    anita
    Participant

    May it be a Peaceful  Thanksgiving for you, Lulu, and for your family!

    anita

    in reply to: Alone #439748
    anita
    Participant

    Happy Thanksgiving, Lisa: may it be as happy as it’s possible for you!

    anita

    in reply to: How can I feel happy and emotionally strong #439747
    anita
    Participant

    How are you, Mahvash?

    anita

    in reply to: Fear, Anxiety and Healing #439746
    anita
    Participant

    Dear Jana:

    Thank you for asking. I’ve been listening to the Thich Nhat Hanh YouTube link that you sent yesterday, realizing how difficult it is for me to breathe in and out mindfully while listening, because being in the present (not distracted by thinking) brings me back to being a scared child. It’s the fear that fuels my escaping the present moment. Deep inside, I am still a scared child.

    anita

    in reply to: Cancer sucks #439744
    anita
    Participant

    Dear me:

    Thanks for sharing an update. I can imagine how tough it must be for you right now, but I’m glad to read that your dad is starting to eat more. Every bit of progress counts.

    It’s great that you’re looking ahead and setting goals for yourself, like getting fit and improving your financial situation. Those are positive steps that can help you feel more in control during this difficult time.

    Money can definitely make a big difference in how we handle life’s challenges, and it’s clear you want to take better care of your dad and those around you. Just remember, it’s okay to take care of yourself too. Your well-being is crucial for you to be able to support others.

    About the woman you mentioned, that sounds really frustrating. It’s hard when someone sends mixed signals and doesn’t respect your time. It’s good that you recognize the situation for what it is and aren’t letting it drag you down.

    You’ve got a lot on your plate, but your determination to move forward and achieve your goals is inspiring. Keep pushing towards your dreams, and don’t hesitate to lean on people you can lean on.

    Take care of yourself, and keep going strong.

    anita

Viewing 15 posts - 1,711 through 1,725 (of 3,964 total)