Dear Anita,

Taking sides? You should alway do what you feel is right for you.
I should never tell anyone what they should or should not be doing.
Only point out alternatives. Aggression? Hmm, guess it came across all wrong.
Maybe I should spend more time just sitting?
Oh, going with the flow is always beneath your feet because there is only now.
If you want to reach the source of the flow then it starts here, now.
Doesn’t help when one is just given answers??
The journey is just as important.

James said, “Love is not being alone or isolated.
İt is sharing, caring and compassion.

Why does all teachers, Sufi’s and prophets dedicated them life to share these with humanity?

Because, when body and mind are surrendered or returned to factory settings or so called self returned to source, this is what body and mind’s condition. Love, sharing and caring, and telling to Truth is inevitable.

I am here not to pat people, I am here to help, care and specially warn.”

And I have asked you to share your wisdom and compassion with those who come here for their suffering.
I don’t know. Have you done anything else than start your own topics and replied to them.
Have you posted help and advice on another’s thread for hope?
Have you lent that compassionate ear to learn of other’s pain and suffering?
Sorry, this is not an accusation. Only questions.

Dear James,

All I ask is to look into the mirror (metaphorically speaking) and say those same things. Cause I can see how you hold tight to those beliefs of yours. Not asking you to stop believing. Just to take a second look.

What seems to ring true for me is the mind is what moves. And, the mind is therefore only ever temporarily still. The enlightened mind sees emptiness even as the mind has thoughts, or bodily activity. Dogen believed that there is no difference between the mind in stillness and enlightenment itself, only that the meditator may not realize this. A good teacher can actually point out this enlightened mind so that the student can learn to practice in it.

There are those who seek emptiness or the realization of the “no-self”. The mistake is thinking it is separate or something to achieve. The belief that the death of the self is needed to attain freedom from suffering. One can not polish a roof tile into a mirror. You can not make yourself into something you are not already. So, Zen believes one is already enlightened. Only one has to realized this thru experience. Much like walking around thinking one has no head. That the head was lost. Then suddenly realized the head has been there all along.

A person can learn many things and become a auto mechanic or plumber or electrician or whatever. But, one can not learn to become enlightened. Understanding takes us so far. Words are the vehicle that takes one to the edge. Then the jump must be made to cross beyond the mind’s ability to understand.

Sorry for the rant.

Dear James,

I just used the mirror to show you what you have done. Accused me of being a liar. And, I showed you what that is. Then, I tried to lighten the mood. If one looks at Jesus then you can see that he knew his destiny or his fate. All the pain and suffering. Yet, he went thru it. God’s will if one believes in God.

Dear Anita,

Not fatalistic. One can still believe in free will and making choices. That was never denied. However, destiny and fate have a way to coming about. I grew up being taught Christian values or religious instructions. But, as a child I grew to distance myself from such things. My brother believes in God whole heartedly. I do not. So, I do not argue with him. I only hold a mirror of what he says. Then ask him questions to bring his ideas to the front. It has been a roller coaster.

Dear Alessa,

Thank you for your view. Much appreciated. Yes, it is important to find a good teacher. I am glad to see your understanding is better than mine. I do enjoy humor. Like how does a computer or AI find out one is human. By clicking on all the fire hydrants in a set of random pictures. Being reduced to a bunch of choices one makes. LOL. Are humans more than a set of choices?

Real spirituality comes when one finds one’s spirit. Can you show me your spirit?

One does not choose one’s fate. What is destined will come to pass.
What you see as a door is a device of your own making. No one is making an empty mind.
That is not enlightenment. The awakened mind does not dwell upon the body. So when the body dies and decays,
the awakened mind does not die and decay.

When the wind blows and the flag moves, what is it that moves?
Is it the flag that moves?
Is it the wind that moves?
Or, is it the mind that moves?

Living out of control is the fastest way to die.

If God calls then what makes you believe that you have a choice of whether to go to him or not? I think Alessa is right in her thinking. If the true God calls then what makes one believe that there is a choice? If the maker of reality chooses you then how does one deny the will of God? One can not. When one returns to the source then one becomes the source.

And after physical death there is no desire so there is no good or evil. There is no freedom. All that you are is this mind in this body. All that you are, .. are these thoughts that have travelled thru this mind. This is what happens when one identifies with the thoughts. Freedom comes from dropping this mind. When one is in meditation and the mind is absolutely quiet, this is the enlightened mind. Emptiness is the liberation. Not emptiness as in nothing. But the emptiness as the whole. Much like in quantum mechanics. Everything is possible in the nothingness. Don’t let death find you before you experience this.