Hello Alessa,

I think you are trying to say that understanding helps to bring the body back to normal function using medication. But, it really isn’t about the science. I know we are of the body. Our consciousness is tied to the body. Being sick pulls the mind down. Being healthy lets us do other things. I think Buddhism is more about finding the experience of the truth about ourselves. Without the experience, there is a small understanding of ourselves. With that experience, our understanding expands greatly. And yet, the external world stays pretty much the same.

Medications, yes, I do take quite a few now. But, there doesn’t seem to be any unwanted side effects. So much is tied to our bodies. Guest that is why they call it a spiritual journey??

Hello Roberta,

Thanks for the Admonishment. I completely understand the need for actual practice in one’s life. Talk is just the mind going over and over the same steps. It doesn’t bring one further along the path. But, being human, we all do need to have the mind settled with understanding to move forward. Well, at least, that is my belief. So, yes, more practice.

Oh, the idea that there are phases or that one is moving in steps toward enlightenment, it is all ghosts or phantoms. It is all a trick of the mind. One is either on this side of the experience or on the other side. One can’t polish a roof tile into a mirror. But the work must be done to enter the stream.

This conversation has been a great help to me. Thank you all.

Hello Roberta,

It seems like an easy thing to do. To separate the pain from the suffering. But, it is not. When I feel sick, it feels like I am suffering although it is only being sick. When pain attacks, it is hard to say this is only pain. Maybe many more years of meditation might help to separate the two or to go thru the pain and drop the suffering.

Lately, I have come to realize how much I am my body. Everything this life offers comes thru this existence thru my body. Pain and pleasure. Enjoyment of tasting foods. Spent many hours pondering what the heck I really am. So, when this body dies, so will this ego. This thought that I am and I exist. Memories will be lost. Identity will disappear. I still don’t know what I am besides this body.

Then, I question whether experiencing enlightenment will really reveal the truth and show that one is more than this body? We live such a short life. My sister passed away in her early forties from Cancer. I do fear Cancer. Pain. The doctors had her on morphine in the late stages. It isn’t that I don’t want to see the broader aspects. Rather painful experiences pull me back.

Oh, I still wish to believe in Buddhism. And try to spend time just sitting. Hoping for the path to liberation starts to light up the way.

Tommy

Hello Alessa,

Was the lost post more thoughtful or considerate? If yes then I take it with both hands and gratitude. If not then your second post was full of kindness and I am thankful for that.

My friend was patient and wise. Me? Not so much. I tend to be the bull in the China shop. For me, I would have said that she needed to talk with her husband and find out what is wrong. Putting the blame for her distress squarely on his shoulders for drinking. But, confrontation doesn’t necessarily get the result one wants.

Hi Roberta,

Thanks for the reply. Yes, the orange seed will not grow into an apple tree. And some seeds will not grow because the conditions are not right for them to grow. I always thought of that as Karma. When one spends one’s life fighting all the time, the energy is dark and that is what one attracts. Some people think of Karma as instant justice. But as far as I know there is no agency to produce this type of justice. i could be wrong?? Honey versus Vinegar? I think each has its uses. One can clean a teapot full of mineral settlements with vinegar better than with honey. But, honey goes better with the cup of tea.

I truly enjoy the responses. They are enlightening. Hopefull they will someday help me make a few steps forward. Thanks.

Tommy

Hello Alessa,

My wife liked Backstreet boys “AS Long As You Love Me” or Roxette “It Must Have Been Love”. But, she goes back to Chinese songs. And she loves those Chinese serial dramas. Sometimes she get caught up and can’t stop watching them.

Daughter is taking Calculus and Child development and other classes. Some of the math I never had. Like “Interval notation of domain and range”. Watching a few YouTube videos on that to help explain it to her. I was much happier helping her with simplify The fifth root of some number with a few variables. Or rationalize a denominator. Remember the polynomials. Determining if something is a function. Math today has gotten much more complicated than when I took Calculus or differential equations. Changing the domains to make solving the differential equation easier. I guess I must seem stupid next to her now. Can only encourage.

How is your son doing? Pre-school? They grow up so fast. From beginning to walk to getting their high school diploma. Learning to drive. Enjoy the voyage. Did you get the dishwasher installed? Such a time saver but I still do them by hand.

Not to forget this Thread is about Zen stories.
A tired and worn out soldier asks a Zen master to show him heaven and hell. The Zen master severely insults him, and as the old soldier pulls his sword out with rage in his heart. Ready to strike down the Zen master. The Zen master then says, “Open are the gates of hell.”. This causes the soldier to suddenly awaken and bow.

Note: This isn’t something a Zen master would do to all people cause not all are ready to receive the nudge to see the truth of one’s nature. Stops the rational mind for the spirit to understand.

Hey Alessa,

All is well. Daughter is getting ready to go to College. Orientation is on Friday. Then classes start the following week. She is fearful of the next few days. Different school and bigger school and confusion as where classes are. So far, I just give her the ideas of what she needs to do and she finds a way to get it done. Very proud of her. Have to keep in mind that she is mentally disabled. Has been since she was diagnosed in preschool. She has to get the college to acknowledge her disability and get more time for testing. She has to work harder to keep up with the class.

My life? It is to keep everyone happy. Cook, clean. And whatever else so things go well. My wife is the bread winner since I retired. Social Security isn’t so secure. And no pension. She is also the reference to any medical or health issues. Yeah, got a family structure. Being poor sucks.

Got another song. “y outube.com/watch?v=nsHfeiGrFqo&list=RDMM&index=5”
The Sad Pacific. Came from a movie about two guys who grew up together.
If you haven’t realized, my wife came from China. That is why I listen to so many Chinese songs. When my wife asked me for American music, the only thing that could think of .. was Fleetwood Mac Rumours album which I heard in my youth. She wasn’t thrilled. Guess I got weird taste.