Alessa,
Perhaps it is just me? I benefit from the posts James shares. I am curious and I might not understand immediately. I have faith that things fall into place in time.

Perhaps you are one who is ready for more?

Anita,
Dear James: I owe you an apology for my three posts in this thread. In my rush to express support for Thomas’s ideas and his mention of having compassion for people- without much awareness- I also supported the bit of pushiness/ aggression in his delivery. I regret that, James.

I seriously had no intention of being pushy. Only to ask that he bring his wisdom down to those that need help.

I never said James123 was wrong in his words. Only the audience who reads his words were not the right kind of person(s) to receive his words. And even though this forum is named TinyBuddha. Is really isn’t about seekers of absolute truth. It is more about people who need a safe place to vent or tell their tales of woe. To have a sympathetic ear. Maybe even a word of encouragement. So, I only wish that he bring his wisdom to help those in need.

Death doesn’t burn away the ego. It releases the ego due to it is part of the body. It is an aggregate and when the body dies, it is time for it to be released into its parts. If one searches for something to call the self then it can not be found. Just like looking at a car. There is no one essential thing in a car that can be called a car. It is an aggregate of the parts. The whole being more than a simple sum of its parts. What Karma was generated must find its own ending. Either in this life or the next.

I do not believe religion to be tales of the rewards of heaven nor the punishments of hell. Rather that religion is the search for someone or something greater than the self. Much like the children wishing for a real mother to come rescue them. Tales of heaven and hell are stories given to those who need them as boundaries. As guides to a better life.

Now. I do not believe in absolutes. So, definitely can be wrong. And there is never a need to believe what I say. Just that things can always be seen thru different set of eyes. Or thru rose colored glasses. Whichever you prefer.

This is only a conversation. Not a debate on who is right or wrong. There is no blame or hatred. Just an urge to bring a second viewpoint. I am sorry if my words bring the wrong notions. I think James123 bring valid points for someone who has crossed the river or who has entered the stream. However, for those of us who have not seen the truth of our nature. We reside with other tools to help us along this path.

Spirituality is the complete death of the self. We sit in meditation to not identify with thoughts. Not that thoughts are the evil that resides in us. It is to separate us from this world created by this mind. And when one can live outside of this mind, maybe one can see the real world. The absolute. It should not take the complete death of the self to realize this truth. One should not need to destroy oneself to be open to the truth of our nature. It should compliment one’s life not destroy it. The whole is more than the sum of its parts.

I do not control the body’s functions. Much like I do not control the way the world spins on it axis or the way the wind blows or the oceans waves fall. But, If I do not make myself get up and go to the store then it will not happen. And yes, it is the Ego which gives meaning to these functions. Without it, it would be no more than plants withering in the sun. Life is more than absolute truth.

Hey James123

If your realization of truth came with a lot of suffering then where is your I? Is it dead? Life is all action and effort. Without it there is nothing but misery. Make no action to better your life and nothing comes of it. Make no action to fix your heart and you are dead. The absolute exist without any effort, yes. But entering the absolute takes effort, action. You can not cross the river without taking action.

Of course, this is like polishing a roof tile into a mirror. One can not make something into what it is not. The absolute exist. You exist. You can not turn a stone into a mirror. You can kill a blade of grass but you cannot bring life back to what is dead.

There are two types of control. One which is micro management. Constantly trying to make everything into what it is not. Then there is the control of letting things go. You decide which is right for you.

I do not argue with the truth you have spoken. It is true on some level. However, this forum is not a place for such platitudes of your suffering will end with the death of your I. That should be left to those with the desire to reach such plateaus. Here, people are looking for a safe space to vent their lives and feel alive again. To find misery loves company and that they are not alone. So, I ask that you bring your wisdom down to those who need the help. To those who need an ear to listen. And a heart to help.

With respect and high regards,

Tom168

Hi James,

Preaching is spouting your beliefs in front of others. Imposing beliefs and ideas is propaganda. The difference is minor in its presentation. All beliefs and ideas are human. That is what we are. Human. With faults and problems. Yet we go on because that is what we do. Yes all beliefs and ideas arise and falls within the universe. But, people do not heal completely all at once. Realization doesn’t happen without knowing there is a separate self or ego. And one can not help others by preaching from the mountain top. But, must come down to see the people as they are and find that which relates to them.

And, as I have said before, there is truth in your words. But, they apply to a certain group with a certain state of mind to receive the words. As someone once said, teach according to the way people can learn and understand. If you do not then you will not reach all the people. Not everyone will understand, “Therefore, Only way to completely heal is realization of what You really are, which is untouched and always here, and can not be hurt, because there is nothing there.” So, if there is nothing there them why do I feel hurt??

If sellers of self improvement make you feel good then they make money??
I guess if they are selling spiritual self improvement then maybe.
Cause aren’t you preaching your knowledge. Could ask what are you selling??
But, it seems you only want spirituality to be the complete death of the self.
While that may be all good in a different context, this forum is for the healing of people hurt, abused, traumatized.
In fact, some are affected to the point of losing their self which makes things worse.

Brain washing starts with making a person lose their identity. Their sense of self worth.
Then abuse comes along and the death of self happens. The abused is treated as less than a person.
Pain becomes the staple of life.

While what you say amy be true for those in a different state of mind, the people who come here are looking for their self.
They are trying to find themselves. Look at themselves in the mirror.
Learn to know who they are. And force themselves to grow beyond their trauma.

So, I read more and more of your posts. They simply ignore the truth of those who come here looking for some healing.
What you present isn’t false. It just lacks the compassion that I would expect from one as wise as you.
What can you say to someone like Laven to bring her mind peace? To restore her self esteem?
I certainly don’t know what to say or do. But, it seems those who have experienced such things do know.
They have the compassion and the ability to reach those hearts and minds.

Sorry, I just get stick up my butt when I read stuff like,
“Spirituality is the complete death of the self, therefore your experiences, beliefs, ideas, and everything you “think” you are, including “I am God, infinite”.

What remain is real You and that’s not a belief. İt is the end of you.

That’s it.”

Yeah, I am sorry for my post. And I am not attacking. I just feel annoyed that your truths isn’t helping others.
Yeah, I think I should keep quiet from now on.

Sorry, I do not understand what kind of coaching you are providing. Physical exercise? Living a life free of trauma? How to dream or interpret dreams?

Carry on my wayward son,
There’ll be peace when you are done,
Lay your weary head to rest,
Don’t you cry no more,

Once I rose above the noise and confusion,
Just to get a glimpse beyond this illusion,
I was soaring ever higher, but I flew too high,

Though my eyes could see I was still a blind man,
Though my mind could think I was still a mad man,
I hear the voices when I’m dreaming, I can hear them say,

Carry on my wayward son,
There’ll be peace when you are done,
Lay your weary head to rest,
Don’t you cry no more,

Masquerading as a man with a reason,
My charade was the event of the season,’
And if I claim to be a wise man,
Well, it surely means I don’t know,

On a stormy sea of moving emotion,
Toss about, like a ship on the ocean,
I set a course for winds of fortune,
But, I hear the voices say,

Carry on my wayward son,
There’ll be peace when you are done,
Lay your weary head to rest,
Don’t you cry no more,

Carry on you will always remember,
Carry on nothing equals the splendor,
Now your life’s no longer empty,
Surely heaven waits for you,

Carry on my wayward son,
There’ll be peace when you are done,
Lay your weary head to rest,
Don’t you cry no more,

Kansas,

Lyrics by Paulo Antonio