tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30912075.post6468801634365582550..comments2024-01-03T17:02:06.646+00:00Comments on ASTROTABLETALK: A Critique of the Horse's MouthBarry Goddardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10050835957098177925noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30912075.post-22041304098175246082009-04-18T09:07:00.000+01:002009-04-18T09:07:00.000+01:00Just a note about authority and institutions. I l...Just a note about authority and institutions. I like your comment about Kamtrul Rinpoche's two answers (one from the books and another from his own thoughts) and would add that the authority of the earlier tradition learned from the books in those institutions is quite important, if not necessary for those nuns to get to the point of being able to have the answers and make choices on their own. Another point is that whatever we consider critically is often a reflection of our own pre-existing realities. when you say "you are surrounded by people learning and doing more or less the same things, then where is the room for the individual and his/her talents? The words brain and wash come to mind. You end up with people who are sincere and well-meaning, but who lack the confidence to progress in the world, and substitute for this an inflated sense of themselves as ‘spiritual’ beings, unlike the rest of us who are immersed in the ‘mundane’ and doomed to endless rebirth" you are transferring a lot of your own self or preconceived notions of monks and nuns onto them. as far as I know, their studies for them are means to become individuals with their own talents and they do not consider themselves spiritual beings with inflated sense of themselves, as you call them. This is totally a western projection. In fact, there is no term "spiritual" being in Tibetan, it's a western creation entirely.<br />I do like a lot your comment on the 1000 armed Avalokitesvara about religious/spiritual (note your use of the word!) groupings -- informal network that helps people unfold their individual gifts and talents and might add that again, this is probably spoken for with western society in mind where Buddhism, or whatever else is just tools, (as you put it) to sustain an individual in the pursuit of happiness. This is not really the point in Buddhist traditions, whichever you choose to follow or not. The perspective is just much more larger than just one lifetime.<br />Anyway, it is curious to find a long blog on Tibetan Buddhism on an astrological site, thanks for things to think about ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30912075.post-5038881250493239212008-08-26T03:14:00.000+01:002008-08-26T03:14:00.000+01:00What a refreshing piece of writing. I'm no monk, b...What a refreshing piece of writing. I'm no monk, but I've spent a good chunk of time sitting regularly over the last 5 years or so. It is a good thing, a good tool. But, just that - a tool and nothing more.<BR/><BR/>One time during a long sit, it just occurred to me that I'm observing my breath, but I'm ALWAYS breathing. It's not some separate thing while I'm sitting. I'm sure I'll go back to sitting - like I said, it is a helpful tool. But I, too, am sick of self-righteous sanhas and the secret egotism of many dharma teachers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30912075.post-27621293715747512202008-08-22T01:31:00.000+01:002008-08-22T01:31:00.000+01:00Because realistically, which of us has ever encoun...<I>Because realistically, which of us has ever encountered perfection? It's a nice ideal, but is it something you can realistically feel is possible for you? Or for anyone? </I><BR/><BR/>I think I saw it when I was young. "When I was a child, I caught a fleeting glimpse, out of the corner of my eye..."<BR/><BR/>Yes. It's real.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30912075.post-33838779335821723152008-08-19T20:25:00.000+01:002008-08-19T20:25:00.000+01:00Another thing D, total agreement with the idea tha...Another thing D, total agreement with the idea that certain social and developmental passages are necessary first before engaging in intense monastic exposure. (unless that person is most unusually inclined). Plus, many of their parents seem to have an alarming disconnect with their own human emotions, perhaps making matters worse. <BR/>Then again, I just have a problem with excess religion ruling one's life. If a person is basically a good person they are likely to remain so, if they're an asshole then all the practice in the world is unlikely to change them much.<BR/>I have long believed too, erroneously or not that removing young boys from their mother particularly as early as age two to be raised by monks (who may have been badly treated by their assigned surrogate parents)is the cruelest 'tradition' of all.<BR/><BR/>My own son hasn't much of an interest in any faith as such, but tells me he feels comforted and good those times that I practice meditation, etc.. It's okay with me whatever he decides or doesn't decide someday, but he instinctively feels something wholesome is going on at those times I shut up and sit down.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30912075.post-43878274559150922492008-08-19T19:51:00.000+01:002008-08-19T19:51:00.000+01:00Dharmaruci, what well expressed commentary. I've j...Dharmaruci, what well expressed commentary. I've just a minute, but for now wish to say I share your frustration with what is and what isn't Dogma and the gold nuggets that reside in that futile game of which is which.<BR/>I too have long history with Chogyam Trungpa, he is my old, old friend. Practice is everything, otherwise there is not quite the expansion of consciousness where the 'magic' comes in. You know, where the phenomenal world talks to you, where coincidences pop out of nowhere.<BR/>With my experience of Trungpa, he could reach in and change your state of being. He was truly your genuine spiritual friend who displayed what particular Hopi elders did with transcending and playing with the elements.<BR/>So whether or not I personally can't stand being around "groups" of people who follow him or other buddhist teachers (I can't help feeling NO one is genuine and bolt), it's a different story when everyone is practicing say, for a dathun (month-long meditations).<BR/>I presume Trungpa must have perceived me as an impossible student, though I was one of the very fortunate early ones who spent much time and personal interaction with him.<BR/>But, like you say, the guilt trip I'm so well acquainted with being raised catholic, and being thrashed with wooden objects by Sisters of Mercy, I'm particularly turned off by buddhism's psychological self-hatred in disguise...which is incredibly damaging unless you've practiced enough to understand you've simply lost or shed the desire for certain things. Then again, getting older and naturally having more mature inclinations probably helps more than anything.<BR/>But I sure miss Chogyam.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30912075.post-70735467364222462602008-08-19T14:28:00.000+01:002008-08-19T14:28:00.000+01:00This makes "perfect" sense to me ! And from my exp...This makes "perfect" sense to me ! And from my experience I can relate to all your comments.<BR/>I wonder a little about the astrology behind Tenzin Palmo and her life? I know mine has an influence on my relationship to groups, institutions etc....<BR/>I feel a backlash of feminism is trying to imitate men, dont know if she is doing that or creating a something new?<BR/>Thank you very much, its amazing being able share in all this thought and discussion and yet still be sat on my sofa in Ditchling!<BR/>Best wishes SuzieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30912075.post-22803461567720818042008-08-18T20:47:00.000+01:002008-08-18T20:47:00.000+01:00interesting...I'm glad you get out of lost Neptuni...interesting...I'm glad you get out of lost Neptunian World!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30912075.post-16933054213898781172008-08-18T15:40:00.001+01:002008-08-18T15:40:00.001+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Alalehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11820723423045457448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30912075.post-36961463890688369882008-08-18T15:40:00.000+01:002008-08-18T15:40:00.000+01:00WOW !WOW !Alalehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11820723423045457448noreply@blogger.com