To all or none, Buddhism,in my opinion ,is to rid of suffering to attain happiness,simply put. One must feel no fear,no attachments to earthly and spiritual ideas,concept,cravings and fetters.One must be free to choose his words spoken ,his actions based on his morality. Isn't everything,mere Illusions? With Metta a freed loongdragon

Hi Loongdragon,

I understand that the owner of BellaOnline has permitted you access to the forums again many months after she had prohibited you from them for various violations of forum policy.

One of those violations was that you had referred to me as "muchacha/muchacho" after I had posed a very relevant comment to one of your postings. Since I had been informed that your forum access was being permanently removed, I at that time did not ask for an apology. Since that is not the case, I am asking from you for a public apology at this time.

Dear Les, If in any way ,I have offended you,for that I sincerely apologise I will not give reasons for why I could have acted this way. My apology is as sincere as the sun rose up this morning. May the Universe give you the power of forgiveness. _/\_ loongdragon

To all or none, If someone reads the text of 783618,he/she will understand the changes that I have brought to my views on Buddhism and on Normand Joly/loong.If anyone else,was offended at one point, I publicly apologise for that. I shall not be as active ,as I was at my first stint here.This is what 783618,means. May loving kindness be spread on each and every one of you. _/\_ loongdragon

Hi Loongdragon,

I have always had the power of forgiveness but not the power of forgetedness.

Great, I hope we can all move forward. I think problems last time were exacerbated by language and cultural barriers also. That is not excusing anything that was said, but individuals are not always aware of what is or isn't considered offensive to others, so we need to be clear when we are offended and why. I also think that sometimes we editors dominate the forums and can appear very 'team-like' and that can actually discourage non-editors from participating. A friend who visited the forums mentioned this to me, so I just thought I would mention it here also. I know we are all trying to support each other, but lets work together to make others feel welcome also. Thanks:-)

Dear Lisa and all, I fully accept the blame for my words and writings,including my attitude.I am known in circles as a man that is very direct. Also at that time ,I did not realise ,even with the warnings of Lisa Shea,that I was acting in this group ,as we usually act in Buddhist groups,questionning the opinion of others. At last ,I beleive I used false pride,unconsciously at that time. Thank you for your kind intervention.Again to those I might have hurt or insulted ,my most profound apologies. With Metta _/\_ loongdragon

Loong, I am THRILLED you are back! I missed you very much; your words always gave me real mental meat to chew. Sometimes the right teacher comes along for someone and I saw you as that for me.

I look forward to learning from you again.

To Jill, Really missed you too. I will bring meat to chew on but at a slower pace. With friendship loongdragon

To all or none,

Here is a text that explains who I am;

AUTO-TOOL:Urge, incite and teach yourself by yourself!Examine and evaluate yourself with yourself!Guard yourself, aware of yourself, in yourself!Friend :-) _/\_ and you will live in Happiness ...Dhammapada 379 MASTER!For self is the master of self.For self is the protector of self.For self is the saviour of self.Control therefore yourself by taming,like one, who have bought a new horse! Dhammapada 380

Love it Looong, the Dhammapada is probably my favorite sutra. I think The Thousands is my favorite passage:

"Better than a thousand hollow words
Is one word that brings peace.

Better than a thousand hollow verses
Is one verse that brings peace.

Better than a thousand hollow lines
Is one line of the law, bringing peace.

It is better to conquer yourself
Than to win a thousand battles.

Then the victory is yours."

But you got me thinking, which verse do I think best explains me and my relationship to Buddhism? I will think on that...

To all or none,

Again what my buddhism is,it is the energy,the silent power within,the capacity to live a mindful life.All my life,actions ,non-actions,thoughts,silence of the Mind,everything is filled with Mindfullness,living Now.
loongdragon

so beautiful loong.

To Lisa,

I am blushing.

loong

To all or none,
Being able to accept,critism,nice comments,needs a certain amount of detachment,
A bit. Of humility,,and the comprehension,of others way of seeing you.

To all or none,

Open mindedness is necessary to live fully Buddhism.There are lots of questions ,unanswered,maybe later maybe never.
If one decides fully to engage on this path ,one shall often stop and think ,realise, understand ,and live it.
loong

To all or none,

Been off a few days.Not off as in not feeling well,but off in my
constant search and research on Buddhism.
One must stop ,breathe 3 times with half a smile on.Mindfulness
returns instantly.My eyes are filling with tears as I write.

The maze of Buddhism, the choices to be made, the true understanding of the meaning of even the simplest text,takes me in another Realm.I am as I write like a pool ,montionless,emotionless,ah that is where the 2 tears came from:)I am at the same time listening to a mantra that lasts
over one hour. [url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D58pigO5Dig[url] May your inside Buddhahood bloom

loong

to all or none,

When I started my journey in Buddhism,without knowing better,
my lineage was Theravada.I am now getting deeper into Mahayana.

In Theravada ,there are no prayers no music, no songs.Mahayana
does.There are Mantras ,prayers.and semi gods.

Please never forget that for me :all is of the MIND:FIRST:

I have decided to do my gallery of demi gods, people that all are
enlightened,that I can pray if I want to.

So here is my Gallery:

Martin luther King:purety,compassion for his slavers.If you have
not listened lately to:I have seen thePromised
Land in which he states,I WILL NOT ENTER WITH
YOU,knowing that he would die .Total sacrifice
for his followers.

Buddha : What to say about such a man that for 49 years walked
to spread the Dharma to one and all ,including me 2700
years later.Made the word Compassion,alive again.
HH Dalai-Lama:Enlightened also,sacrificing his life ,to try to
save his people from annihilation from the chinese.
A model of Compassion and a great teacher.

JESUS; Enlightened,He too sacrificed his public life ,to help
Change the ways of thinking,the jews had.Another one
that died trying to do good.

As you can see ,I chose my protectors very well.Encircled by a group like this i am constantly fed ,with Compassion,Loving Kindness HONOR ,Purity,Mindfulness.Helping others.

You will not find an article on such an action in Buddhist texts
but isn't this :What my Buddhism is all about:

May you protect yourselves too.

loong

To all or none.
I am planning a 'SOIREE' evening,in my village called :a 2600 year old new phylosophy.
I am well known in my village for work I did 23 years ago on spirituality for 8 years.
So as not to scare everyone, the word Buddhism will be restrained to it's minimum.It will be part presentation ,and I hope a lot of questions,there shall be I hope a good flux.
living in the country,you don't stir the wasp nest too hard.

I have not had a project in 2 years/I beleive this might be a good one for me.Everytime I meet people ,they ask where are you ?
So I am going to show myself up.

The main thing is costs?It is a project and in this Now seems fine.Kept me up part of the nite.

loong

To all or none,

Everyday ,I meet other persons of a certain age,explained my plan.Should have seen their reaction.oufff.ESpecially the eldest
You won't make me change my religion etc.Turmoil.

What I want is a peaceful exchange ,peaceful dialog.The woman said the room will empty in 10 minutes.
Told her ,that I would be in front and the door in the back for those who desire to leave.
But you should have seen the energy flying around.

Not very encouraging.Not one to let go so easily,tought of doing
a "soiree" on Buddhism" plain and simple.So if I get 10 persons ,I will get 10 persons interested,at least.
Today being 1h10 minutes ,I will go see for adds in the local newspaper,and a locale during the day .This a project.

Buddha meditated 7 years to obtain his goal.

loong

To all or none,

Buddha said,give,give,that is what I try to do with all of you.

Today worked 7 hours on learning ,to be able to share with you.

With Metta ;Loving Kindness
loong

To all or none,

I don't know if I have mentionned this before.Learned from Thich Nhat Hanh,When I wake up.Right there ,i stop all movements ,put half a smile on my face ,breathe 3 times,then I can move,repeat if you sit in your bed,this is the way to start a day;
loong

To all or none.

Remember when I started studying Buddhism ,not having found The Middle Path yet,I went stark crazy, seeing myself as a Arahat.
Would read everything I could ,went into Buddhists groups,
Took Refuge in a private ceremony,Took monks vows instead of
Leity vows.After 3 years as a monk ,I renounced
to being a monk,sexual craving ,was driving me nuts.It is easy
not thinking of sex when you live in a sangha.But in the traffic of outside life.Pretty hard of not thinking about sex.
Buddha never let a woman touch him.There is this Theravadin
Bhikkhu that never lets himself touch by a woman .This is done
so as to not awaken the craving for sex.
Now I am thanks to Lisa the editor of the group,I have come closer to the middle way.Thanks to Lisa from bringing me ,with
different views about Buddhism.Thank you Lisa Erickson.

loong

Loongdragon, i love your Gallery! Is that like your personal board of directors?

To Jilly,

I originally started this thread,for articles that was too short,
also to be like an open book on how I was seing MY buddhism.

Made my own board of directors:
Martin L.King jr.
Buddha, Dalai-lama,my deceased father
and Jesus ,not the christians Jesus Christ.But Jesus perceived,
not as a savior but like Buddha.

Thank you for your writing

With friendlyness
loong

I love your gallery too Loong, and am glad that you feel our interactions here are helping you gain clarity on your path. It is enlightening for me too. Truly all of our interactions bring us lessons and insights.

To all or none,

Recently meditated on my beleifs regarding my way of seeing and living my Buddhism.Even if Lisa Eriskson she is -no one's teacher,she says. :),I still consider mine.Her having had a Tibetan teacher for almost 20 years,is a gold mine of experience and Compassion.

We recently exchanged on the way I was walking and living my path.
She ,with her usual,frankness,and love for others,gave me pointers,more than pointers,her truth,on the way she was living hers and how I should after meditation,live mine.
Just too bad ,flowers cannot be sent through a computor,She would get a giant bouquet
With everything she has done for me,specially with her busy schedule.

Ihave,I believe,never said ,what I am about to say..P

Find someone,whom you trust and more knowledgeable than you.

First it is good on humility, then on loving kindness.

To Lisa Erickson thank for wnom you are,with deepest respect
_/\_
Loong

To all,

If trying to make one feel better,and that person after a while feels worse.Something has to be wrong.That is and was my case.
Today,Now ,Peace has reintered my Mind.Today I will start working on BARDO.Keep you posted
loong

Hi loong,

Your devastation in the loss of finances, homes and love has been my path also.

To hear you say, "Today,Now ,Peace has reintered my Mind." is a great and warm comfort to me.

Your loss was my loss.

Your bitterness was my bitterness.

Your hate and anger and headstrong fight against attachment, suffering and desire is my fight.

Your positive affirmation today is my reward.

Your hope is being renewed.

Your heart is being renewed.

Your mind is being renewed.

Do you have any idea how much joy this is bringing me right now ?

Unspeakable.

You are stabilizing.

This stabilizes me.

Sincerely,

Burt B.

I do not know what BARDO is.

Will you please teach me ?

It sounds like it is helping you.

-- Burt B.

Thank you Loong, for your kind words. I am not sure what this other exchange is about with Burt B., but it sounds very powerful.

To all or none,

Just woke up,and realizing how Buddha would have described,me,
this morning.
A living corpse,full of sores,every articulation hurting.Because abuse and aging,one leg is twisting,to support the 8 tears in the knees, the ankles have grown almost an inch,to give balance while walking.He wears elastic braces.His brain is dammaged from abuse also.Forgetting his son's name.Eyes always dry from blocked
canals,his heart,5 operations,tempted by Mara's daughters,more shall come,until he becomes a dead corpse.

To most of you ,this description might sound negative,but it is
the reality of every living being,aging,aging.To me this is my
reality.But however it is accepted,and well lived with.

To me ,a carrier made of human flesh ,bones,organs ,feces is
well understood.The part most important to me is my Mind.This is aging well.Living more and more compassion and loving kindness.Seeing each moment better and better thanks to Mindfulness and Equanimity.May you understand the aging process,
and work on the Eighfold Path ,to rid yourself of samsara.

Never been happier, never have life been so good to me.What makes my life so good is being ,more and more,capable living,more
and more in the Now

Loong a carrier

To all and none
Maybe I spoke of it recently,but am in some kind of turmoil,in my beliefs.
Hard to explain. Since,I started working on Tibetan Buddhism,been mixed up.
What I miss,ls Mindfulness,changes in my faith,behavior.For the few years, I have been in Buddhism, this is the first such episode.
Started reading ,Lisa's article on the bardos.having ptoblems with faith.

This turmoil,keeps me out of the now.

Loong

To all or none,
This morning What I am thankfull for ,is not to be a homeless person at -33 degrees,and also not having to check in recycling bins for empty cans.I am grateful to the universe for threating me so well .with what I have.As for the 2 aforementionned I have compassion for what they are living.

loong a lucky man

to all or none,
In society,there are many worlds based on Mara's form.
Last nite,beat Mara.

loong

To all or none,

Buddha said many times to give and give with Compassion.
Presently ,I found a private coach to help me regain a bit of rigor in my body,right here at bellaonline,free and with compassion
Another one a food coach is looking for a better way of eating,
again right here at bellaonline.
Always looked for someone to become abetter Buddhist,found her right here at Bellaonline the editor of the Buddhism section
all this giving is done with compassion and loving kindness.
Many thanks to Bellaonline and to the people who constitute it.

_/\_

loong

Thanks for your words of gratitude Loong. Bellaonline is an amazing creation of Lisa Shea. It offers so many wonderful training tools for the volunteer editors too. Did you know that the advertising revenue from the ads you see goes to charity? It is truly an example of how wonderful the web can be, bringing people together around the world, sharing information, learning, and giving to charity also.

To all or none,

In my buddhism ,what
I have read and put to use,is the respect of others beleifs.
I had a friend ,christian,whom I had a lot of affection for.
When he died last year of an overdose,self-inflicted,some people decided that they
would organise the ceremony of laying to rest,their way-,not minding the friend's
Family that was really mad.So was I,,,so this morning inrespect for his beliefs,his way
,I paid in a catholicc church ,for a mass,call
me crazy,but this -is the -respect ,I have for people beleifs.
Maybe by now he has been rebirthed,but for our friendship,I believe it necessary,even
If he,s gone ,however ,My belief our friendship transcends time,life or death.
This is what my mind filled with compassion,felt like doing.

With metta
Loong

Regarding my last post.i know that all is illusion.

loong

To all or none,

Today met with a Rhuandan priest,in my village.The man is pure ,not spoiled by
The north american system.Iasked him that our conversation be spiritual only..

The subject was my incapacity to have compassion for one individual.Someone
he knows very well.I stated my problem,and then he took over.This individual is all typesof programs,associations.His problem,is always taking credit for thegood he
Does and asks to be recognised for it.

The priest said tha Jesus like Buddha,asked togive,give,almost in silence.

The conclusion we came together ,the person suffers from narcissism
All the discussion was with love,
Already ,the discussion started to sink in.Imust first give myself pardon,
Then let the compassion flourish in my Mind,for myself and then for thishuman
being,that carries buddhahood inside of him.

This is part of what my buddhismis all about
Loong

Lovely story Loong, thanks for sharing. What you describe about this person is very common I think. For myself I often find it helps me to wonder why someone might act this way. In people I have known who have this need for credit, there is often a deep-seated insecurity or sense of unworthiness. So they are always seeking to be validated outside themselves. When I realize this, I can feel it in them - this sense of unworthiness, and then the compassion flows.
Usually the most abrasive people we know are the most damaged. When we really realize this, it is easier to feel compassion. Of course, this doesn't excuse other's behavior. We shouldn't allow ourselves to be abused. But we can draw boundaries and insist upon respect from others while still holding them compassionately in our heart.
I love these personal stories you share because this is how we each really practice in our daily lives, right? I will try to share more stories too, things will be less busy for me soon and I will be here more I hope...

"...while holding them compassionately in my heart..."

Lisa, that is just beautiful.

To all or none,
I also am member of buddhist groups,where exchanges are often not for a beginner.
This morning while checking ,the member that writes the most,wrote that he has disdain for homeless people,and could not have Compassion for them.

My answer to his affirmation ,was that most homeless,are mentally I'll,alcoolics,drug addicts.
So I told him you better have disdain for me.At the age of 30 almost died of abuse,had 3 mental sickness or disease,and oh yes my brain was very damaged,due to atheriosclorosis of the brain.

Told him ,it is easy to have compassion for likeable persons,but it is when a person really needs Compassion,then more than ever,let the flower of Compassion bloom in the direction of those who really need it

Loong the learner

So true! For me, it is easier for me to feel compassion for the downtrodden than for those in power who abuse their power. So it is harder for me to feel compassion for those whose views or actions I feel are dangerous, cruel, or wrong. But of course, true metta practice asks us to try and generate this too! One of the steps in traditional metta meditation is to practice generating lovingkindness towards 'our enemies' or whomever we feel is a threat to us or what we believe. I think that is the hardest one. Of course this doesn't mean we can't oppose the other's views or fight against them in public, but doing this while still holding compassion for them is the true challenge of Buddhism. Both the Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh have spoken of this, as well as many of the Lamas who were held in captivity by the Chinese...amazing really.

To all or none,

Readind the Tibetn Book of...........,I discovered that Tibetan buddhist believe in re-incarnation,not in rebith..

They remember past lives or actions as if it were their past lives.
In rebith what we might sometimes see is like :deja vue:
Memories that are not necesserely ours but impregnated in the karma
Of many carriers of such karma.

So who is right and who is wrong?

Loong

Hi Loong, I think the Tibetan Buddhist teachings are of rebirth, not reincarnation. I realize that books like The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying use the word 'reincarnation' (as do many translated Buddhist texts) but that is just because Western audiences are more familiar with this word. Tibetan Buddhism does not posit an eternal soul, spirit or essence that migrates from body to body - that is reincarnation. As with all Buddhism it instead teaches the continuation of certain skandhas, and that may manifest as memories.

This is the way I understand it anyway. What in the text has made you think otherwise, besides the use of the word 'reincarnation'?

dear Lisa ,
It's not the using of the word re-incarnation that bugs me,it is the capacity to seem to have to find in an 11 month child the
aspect a
of a deported Tibetan ,never any other country.
I read an article similar to that where a small town ,would recognise signs of past relative ,knowing it was the dead person.
A young child will look like his father.

Why is it then that never a Dalai-lama was found out of tibet.

Sorry for my writing style ,I am now in a turmoil,regarding beleifs,truth etc.

Still Are my Moderator.
loong

By the way ,he did not use ,the word re-incarnation.It is the
way the events happen that I consider it re-incarnation ,
in this book the absenbce of soul has not yet been mentionned if I remember right.
loong
p.s. Do you remember the film KUNDUN,Where a 4 years old child found in a far away destinguishes the dead lama pieces,and also everyone surprise,he opens apiece of furniture anf finds the wooden teeth of the same lama.!
loong

There actually have been Tibetan lamas found outside Tibet, although so far never a Dalai Lama. The current Dalai Lama has alluded to the idea that perhaps he will not reincarnate, and at times when speaking in the West has even seemed to suggest he may think this is an oudated custom, although I don't think he's ever completely come out and said this, as the Tibetan people are very attached to it, and him, and this custom is deeply embedded in the culture.

I don't defend it, it part of Tibetan Buddhism as 'religion', and that's not the part I relate to. But you will find that all branches of Buddhism have 'religious' arms, that have customs and traditions that are rooted in custom and culture more than teachings. This is very true of Theraveda Buddhism too, as it is practiced within many Buddhist countries. There are millions of Buddhists worldwide, and they all relate to it slightly differently. But you don't have to relate to it that way, just relate to the teachings directly, those that resonate with you, and practice, that is what matters.

Dear Teacher,

I am reading ,Tibetan Buddhism,now.To have the Knowledge of their beleifs.All the other Mahayana lineages ,I will not study.
I have made my choice,my beleifs.
S.Rinpoche writes of 4 bardos.Wiki of 6.You having been a student for many years ,what is your:beleif:?

I am slowly coming back in control of Rigpa.

Thank you for being there for me.It we were in Zen.I beleive the word would be O Sensi

_/\_
loong

Personally I do not know. I can relate to both versions, but I view these teachings as guidance for us to navigate something that is really beyond words. They are like maps. I know I have used this analogy before, but I think it is very important: We can have several maps of California, and one might be a hiking map, and one might be a water map, and one might be a road map, etc. None of them are California, but each of them will help you find what you need in California.

So it is not a matter of one version being true and another being false - they are just different maps emphasizing different things.

However, I actually tend to relate to the 6 bardo description. I wonder if Sogyal Rinpoche perhaps simplified to 4 because this book as geared for a wide audience. My understanding was that his lineage teaches 6 normally. I don't know.

To all or none,
Always trying to find subjects of interest for both you and I,am working on 4 or 5 right now.

One ,I will have to disturb,my Master/teacher.
Will keep you posted .
Loong the learner
!

I replied to your message Loong. I would love to share some of our discussion on the heart sutra here in a new thread, but that is up to you.

Dear Teacher,

After reading your text(private),I realized how ignorant ,i still am.

loong

To all or none

I once wrote:The main reason for suffering,is craving,

As I sit at my computor,at 1.45 in the nite,I realise ,that

the craving for knowledge is at this instant the source of my

sufferings.Everything being controlled by the Mind,(rigpa)in

Tibetan,I accept the fact that the level of my knowledge,is where

it is,in this now.

loong

The mind is a great tool, and striving to understand dharma teachings with our mind is what moves us forward and deeper. You have a strong, seeking, smart mind and that is a great gift on the path. But yes, the teachings are pointers and our mind can only take us so far. It is a delicate balance, knowing when in our path to seek more knowledge, and when to let go of it.

This is the meaning of 'upaya' - skillful means. The teachings are upaya, and we must strive to understand them, but they are pointers to realization, not the end-goal themselves.

Dear Teacher

In the last post,you mention when to let go!

Made a copy of your private e-mail,had it blown and a plastic film over it.Same thing with the Heart Sutra.
Cannot call myself a Mahayana if I do not understand the Heart sutra.

Been doing research on emptiness,rereading your e-mail and the Sutra.

Could the phrase:inherent absence of all phenomena,resume TheSutra?

Loong the learner

I do like the phrase 'inherent absence of all phenomena', but I always have a problem with words like 'emptiness' and 'absence' because they focus on the negation side of the practice - the process of seeing past the superficial apparent solidity and reality of things, emotions, and ideas. I think that's an important part of it, because it helps us see things as a fluid and ever-changing flow of energies, instead of as fixed.

So I like to have it balanced with phrases that focus on the fullness of all that moving, changing energy as well - the flow. So you could say 'the inherent absence of all phenomena' and the 'glorious fluidity and fullness of all phenomena' and they both can be true.

After all, when you have a moment of pure mindfulness, when everything feels still and you feel like you are experiencing life directly, in the present, it doesn't feel empty or absent - it feels full and fluid, right?

I think part of the challenge is the limitations of language, as I mentioned in that message. So some sutras and teachings (and teachers) focus on one aspect, and others focus on other aspects, we only in our own realization can they all be resolved.

It's like the story of the blind men and the elephant which I think you are familiar with - each blind man feels a different part of the elephant and thinks he has 'seen' the entire thing. Each sutra is one view of the elephant, and in our own practice and realization we put them all together into our direct experience of the full elephant:-)

To lisa

Things are getting clearer.Made more reseach again,specially on the words emptiness and form.
Emptiness ,to me,especially in the Heart Sutra,made me feel,like what was the use of
it all. Also am so glad to have finally a visitor writing a comment.IT wish this member
Would visit us more often.I have read 2 of her comments,and seems she know s
her stuff.In one of my little meditations,I asked,why,we do not hve more participants.
2 days later we have one.

.loong the learner.

To my Teacher,

Did some research on ,both emptiness and form.
The only answer I had was that emptiness is form,and form is emptiness.
So I am back to square one.

Am going to try to find more answers.

Loong

Dear Teacher,

Went to access to insight to get a definition of "Form" Text was by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
I can finally realise wat form is,.
My personnality is of the grounded type and bit stubborn.
Also please never forget my memoryproblems.
Thank you again
Loong
The learner.

That's great Loong - perhaps you will attract Francine and others to comment more...but don't get down about that, some people are very shy about commenting on the web, and of course they also have to put in their email here when they make a username which some people don't want to do (this is part of helping to prevent forum spam, it isn't used for marketing but some people don't know that) so be happy that so many people are reading your words:-)

What you say, that feeling of 'what is the use of it all' when focusing on emtpiness is exactly what I meant when I said this is only half. It is easy to get to that existentialist place, and that is only part of it. The joy of life, without projection or expectation is the other side of the coin, and they are both part of the path!! You have a natural zest for life I think, so don't lose that:-)

One teacher I had was once asked 'how do you know if a teacher is enlightened' and he said 'they are very funny.' He was being funny himself of course, but if you look at all the great teachers, it is so often true. There is a joy and love for life. Realizing emptiness opens us to joy because we are no longer caught in all our projections and expectations. We can just be.

Someone just quoted this passage on Facebook so thought I'd share here as to me it relates to what we've been disussing here:

"Nothing of saṁsāra is different from nirvāṇa, nothing of nirvāṇa is different from saṁsāra. That which is the limit of nirvāṇa is also the limit of saṁsāra; there is not the slightest difference between the two."
-Nagarjuna

We we have to reject samsara for a time as part of our practice in order to loosen the hold it has on us, but that is not the end point. Moving through that to THIS realization is what we seek...

Dear Teacher
Francine ,is a moderator regarding German dept.
Today received by mail ,the book Bardo teachings by Venerable Lama Lodo.
Also called bardo Thodrol.

Cannot wait to read it.
Loong the learner

Dear Teacher

Leaving aside Samsara.My view on Samsara is the death and rebirth at every present moment ,leading to attman.
Am I off track.? In some way ,the last few posts,have made me more mixed than
learned.What has Samsara to do with Nirvana,except for the fact thatif one attains Nirvana,Samsara ceases.Enlighten me please.

Loong
Unlearning

Dear,Dear Teacher,

Finally ,light has happened,regarding the Heart Sutra.
With my type of memory,in this instant it is clear.

Loong

Does this mean I should disregard your last question re: samsara and nirvana? Samsara is to nirvana as emptiness is to form. One does not negate the other.

Dear Teacher,

While doing research on hells and heavens,it brought me back to our site,where you had a thread on these subject, also one on bardos.
I apologise for overwriting 2 texts that are of great quality.

loong

To all or none,

Tonite,was a special nite,in 2 senses.
First I listened to a person that no one respect,for maybe an hour,He cried,told me stuff he had never told anyone.Metta
Second ,i was insulted and told stuff by a young beginner in spirituality.I never answered back,not being affected by his insults.Richard Bach ,in his book Illusions or the adventures of a reluctant Messiah,wrote:Live in such a way that whatever is said about you,even ifit were the truth,to not be affected.

When one learns detachment of everything,whatever is said ,will have no effect on him ,joy,regretjust Loving Kindness for the other.

loong
moving along

To all or none,
This morning ,I was awaken,by a phone call,by the same person
that insulted me ,last nite.He threw the same insults at me,adding,that I was an empty person ,That I should be treated for living the life I live.
This person I considered my son.

Living unattached,unattackable ,is not understdood by persons
who live for money,drinking alcool and having a lot of sex.

I wish this person Metta and Karuna.

With tender love for that person.

loong

No need to apologize Loong, some of these threads have aged out of the display here, I didn't realize they would still come up on searches, so that's good to know. These are topics we can revisit over and over in new ways however.

Dear Teacher,

I would appreciate your comment on my last 2 posts.

Loong

Do you mean your last two posts in this thread, regarding your 'adopted son' insulting you? I am so sorry to hear this. But it sounds like you are dealing with it with equanimity, even within your pain. That is all you can do. His anger is much more a reflection of his own issues than of yours. This is always the case when we incite this level of anger in someone. This doesn't mean we are always without fault, but once someone gets to the place where they are hurling personal insults, obviously we have triggered something deep within them. In this way, you are like a lightening rod. Perhaps someday he will come to a new understanding and thank you. But perhaps not - he is on his own journey and you can't control it.

All that being said, I think it is important when on a spiritual path to constantly screen ourselves for any inner sense of superiority or judgement. It is easy to fall into these inner attitudes, and if people feel it from us, they will be offended. It is not our place to criticize the way others live, even inwardly, unless they ask us for help, or we feel someone is actually in mortal danger or committing a social injustice that we feel we must stand against. So you can also use this as an opportunity to look honestly within yourself for this.

But don't beat yourself up. It is very sad and I am sorry for your loss, but practicing metta towards him is all you can do.