Ties into this whole Buddhist notion that “there’s only one of us here”. There’s only God knowing thyself through “us” via consciousness – from a human perspective – “mind games”. LOL. That’s why the universe is also referred to as the great cosmic joke. Lila certainly is DIVINE. đ
Tag Archives: God
âGODâS LAWâ
âGODâS LAWâ
[An old favorite, written by James Kauffman, Ed.D., Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education at the University of Virginia. This was originally addressed to conservative radio talk host Dr. Laura Schlesinger, who said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, she found that, according to Leviticus 18:22, homosexuality is an abomination and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. This piece more recently went around the Internet, re-addressed to President George W. Bush. We use this latter version, with one addition from myself (#10).]
Dear President Bush,
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding Godâs Law. I have learned a great deal from you and understand why you would propose and support a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage. As you said: âin the eyes of God marriage is based between a man and a woman.â I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of Godâs Laws and how to follow them.
1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why canât I own Canadians?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanness–Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women for some reason take offense at this.
4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord–Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I donât agree. Can you settle this? Are there âdegreesâ of abomination?
7. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev.19:27. How should they die?
8. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
9. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton-polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev.24:10-16) Couldnât we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
[And one more, newly submitted:] 10. Very shortly after my recent marriage, I learned from Deuteronomy 22:13-21 that “a marriage shall be considered valid only if the wife is a virgin. If the wife is not a virgin, she shall be executed.” Now, as a recent widower, my question is… do I get to keep her dowry and the wedding presents?
I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help.Thank you again for reminding us that Godâs word is eternal and unchanging.
BROTHER DISCIPLES
The illustrious reviver of Korean Son (Zen) for the modern era, master Kyongho Song-u (1846-1912), had many great dharma-successors. The most formidable was Mangong Wolmyon (1871-1946). Once, Mangong and Suwol (1855-1928), an older dharma successor of Kyongho, were sitting together in conversation. Suwol picked up a bowl of browned rice, a favorite Korean snack, and spoke in the paradoxical language typical of Son/Zen: âDonât say this is a bowl of browned rice. Donât say this is not a bowl of browned rice. Just give me one word.â Mangong reached over, took the bowl from Suwol and threw it out of the window. Suwol was very pleased, âVery good. Thatâs wonderful!â
A basket of fresh bread
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said,
âThere is no better companion
on this way than what you do. Your actions will be
your best friend, or if youâre cruel and selfish,
your actions will be a poisonous snake
that lives in your grave.â
But tell me,
Can you do the good work without a teacher?
Can you even know what it is without the presence
of a Master? Notice how the lowest livelihood
requires some instruction.
First comes knowledge,
Then the doing of the job, And much later,
perhaps after youâre dead, something grows
from what youâve done.
Look for help and guidance
in whatever craft youâre learning. Look for a generous
teacher, one who has absorbed the tradition heâs in.
Look for pearls in oyster shells.
Learn technical skill from a craftsman. Continue reading
Rumi – Two Ways of Running
A certain man had a jealous wife
and a very, very appealing maidservant. Continue reading
Nasuh
Some time ago there was a man named Nasuh
He made his living shampooing women in a bathhouse
He had a face like a woman, but he was not effeminate,
though he disguised his virility, so as to keep his job,
He loved touching the women as he washed their hair
He stayed sexually alert at full strength,
all the time, massaging the beautiful women,
especially the Princess and her ladies-in-waiting.
Sometimes he thought of changing jobs,
of doing something
where he couldn’t be so constantly lustful,
but he couldn’t quit.
He went to a mystic saint and said,
“Please remember me in a prayer.”
That holy man was spiritually free,
and totally opened to God. He knew Nasuh’s secret,
but with God’s gentleness he didn’t speak of it. Continue reading
About Self-Nature
A woman once asked Zen Master Seung Sahn, “Do you believe in God?”
“Of course!”
She became perplexed. “You are a Buddhist monk, and a Zen master, at that. How can you possibly believe in God?”
“I can believe my hands. I believe in my eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind. Why not believe in God? If you believe in your true self completely, then you can believe that the sky is blue, the tree is green, the dog is barking ‘Woof! Woof!’ It’s very simple, yah?”
The woman was silent for a moment.
Zen Master Seung Sahn continued, “Buddhism teaches, ‘One by one, each thing is complete.’ That means that your mind is complete. How is your mind complete? (Hits the floor with his Zen stick.) Just this point. Did you hear that? (Hits the floor.) That point is already complete. If you’re thinking, it’s not complete. But in this moment (hits the floor), just hear that sound. At that moment, this sound and you (hits the floor) already become one, which means you and the universe already become one. This means there’s no subject, no object; no inside, no outside. Inside and outside already become one. The name for that is absolute, or truth.
“So if you keep this mind (hits the floor), your mind is already complete. The sun, the moon, the stars, and everything are already complete. Your sound and my sound are the same. This sound (hits the floor) is your substance: this sound’s substance and your substance already become one; my substance and this sound’s substance already become one. It’s the same substance as the sun, the moon, and the starsâany substance is the same substance. So Buddhism teaches, ‘Each thing has it. It and dust interpenetrate.’ This means that sound’s substance, and name and form, already become one. Let us consider ice, water, and steam. The names and forms are different, but fundamentally it is all still H2O. Water is H2O. Ice is H2O. Steam is also H2O. Name and form are different, and constantly change according to conditions, but the substance is the same.”
“But this seems so difficult, and not related at all to the question of God,” the woman said.
“Put it all down, OK? If you’re thinking, this seems very difficult. If you’re not thinking, it’s no problem. If you’re thinking, you make ‘I’,’my,’ and ‘me.’ Descartes said, ‘I think, therefore I am.’ Thinking makes I; thinking makes everything. But if you are not thinking, then what? When you are thinking, you make this whole universe, you make everything. And then ‘I’ and ‘God’ and ‘Buddha’ and everything are separate. But if you keep this point (hits the floor)âthis momentâthen you and God are never separate. It’s very easy, yah?”
Additional metaphor: Â “cover the world with leather…”
~ The Power Of Letting Go ~
Without any feet to stand on my mind disappears, I’m free falling in love. And so it is with your poetry, glory be thy heart. â„ Twin flames supernova only to re-emerge in time, but true love is forever timeless, only hot moist bliss. â„
Your heart is not open so I must go
The spell has been broken, I loved you so
Freedom comes when you learn to let go
Creation comes when you learn to say noYou were my lesson I had to learn
I was your fortress you had to burn
Pain is a warning that somethings wrong
I pray to God that it wont be long
Do ya wanna go higher?There’s nothing left to try
There’s no place left to hide
There’s no greater power
Than the power of good-bye…
Guide Through Metaphysical Moments
~
I let you go today
To find myself tomorrow
Allow you space and time
To find yourself as well
~
I let you go to know
I only had you borrowed
And wonât intend to keep you
Outside your lonely shell
~
In mystical realm
We are one soul or flickers
Which means whatever far
Weâll never be apart
~
On current human plane
We are two sets of issues
That have to be worked out
Before we can unite
~
I let you run today
Because you make me weaker
And safety of your arms
Is calling me to dwell
~
Youâd love to have me stay
But you are here to teach me
I must rely on no one
And only on myself
~
I let you go today
Because your heart is fastened
And sharing how you feel
Stirs up your ancient pains
~
It hurtsâŠ
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The Sufi Map of the Seven Valleys
Un-American Jesus
We should ask ourselves, what was Jesus’ intention? As humans, did we really embrace and live by his high-heart teachings? Do I really love, honor and serve Jesus by my thoughts and actions everyday? I should qualify my answer by stating: I am not a Christian because I love Christ uncompromisingly; for the same reason I am NOT a Buddhist because I am deeply in love with the Buddha. True Love and Knowledge is gained from direct experience, everything else is hearsay (heresy?).
It’s time to separate the wheat from the chaff, the politics and dogmas of life are the obstacle to experiencing unity consciousness and universal love. If you have love in your heart, just LOVE with all your heart. If you have peace within you, be PEACE. Manifest all that is within you and share it with the world. That is the way and the truth and the life: remembering (re-membering as in re-joining) who you really are…
Isn’t that what Jesus really wanted us to experience for ourselves? Let’s follow Lord Jesus’ example and Love ONE another. *PEACE*
Love for Enemies
âBut to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, donât try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you.
If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinnersâŠ
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