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Chipmunk
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Hi Lori,

I have had this problem also.

It is that darn human ego.

But, you can't blame them or yourself because this is such a heady topic and eternal life and eternal death is at stake so-to-speak.

I was never able to establish an open-minded group of friends, so I became a recluse unfortunately but that is the only way I could deal with it.

In such an economically competitive society, people have to evaluate ' where you are coming from quickly '.

Religion or lack of, dress, manner of speech and body language is calculated in microseconds and at a 9 ft distance in the US and person will determine friend or foe.

Europe is different as are other countries -- isolation seems to be very Americana.

The bottom line is this:

It is not who is right and who is wrong or what is right and what is wrong because all are in a state of becoming.

The acid test is whether or not a group can serve the greater causes of a sick and dying world in harmony.

Sensitivities differ between folks.

What is self-evident to some is completely over the head of others.

Society has such dyed-in-the-wool us vs. them that there is no let's work together.

But, we can start here.

Like-minded people who can leaven the whole loaf.

How's that for empowerment ?

smile

Love, Peace, Joy and Harmony is the natural state of man, woman, nature and universes beyond.

Maintain your own harmony in your own realm.

Then strengthen that harmony before interacting with the outer world.

Peace has a power all of its own.

Yet, if you stand for Divine Love and not human sympathy, you will be challenged because the undercurrents of hate on this planet are ancient.




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Hi Lori,

I live in a very small town.In my village I am almost a paria because i am a Buddhist.Catholic religion still has a strong hold on people ,even if the church is empty with it's front
door locked.I was called a girl yesterday because I was wearing a Mala and a smaller one at the wrist.My shirt was of the color of Buddhist around the world.I have no friends on a real spiritual path.So as you can see it's not easy everywhere.

a simple buddhist named
loong

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Dear Burt -

It's sad that you don't have open, compassionate people in your area. There are definitely different "personalities" of different regions. It can be harder to find certain people in say San Francisco compared with Atlanta Georgia. But I do think they're still out there. They're just harder to track down.

Are there any yoga studios or meditation groups or similar groups in your area? That's often a good place to start, to find people with more open minds. Even if that particular group isn't perfect for you, they can then lead you to others who are. You take it one step at a time and build your own community!

I do think online communities are great - but I also think there's something to be said for having human beings near you too.


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Dear Loong -

It's very disheartening that people would want to hurt you emotionally solely because of the clothing you chose to wear. One of my college classes right now is on gender in the work place and the discussions are about how men and women are treated differently. Sometimes people focus on how women are penalized - but men have a lot of burdens put on them too.

One of my classmates is a male massage person - and he says both men AND women will refuse to work with him. They want a female masseuse instead. So just because he's male, he's being looked down on. Which is a real shame. He could be the best masseuse in the world, and people are judging him based on something wholly unrelated - his chromosome set.


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Originally Posted By: Burt B.
Hi Lori,

I have had this problem also.

It is that darn human ego.

But, you can't blame them or yourself because this is such a heady topic and eternal life and eternal death is at stake so-to-speak.

I was never able to establish an open-minded group of friends, so I became a recluse unfortunately but that is the only way I could deal with it.

In such an economically competitive society, people have to evaluate ' where you are coming from quickly '.

Religion or lack of, dress, manner of speech and body language is calculated in microseconds and at a 9 ft distance in the US and person will determine friend or foe.

Europe is different as are other countries -- isolation seems to be very Americana.

The bottom line is this:

It is not who is right and who is wrong or what is right and what is wrong because all are in a state of becoming.

The acid test is whether or not a group can serve the greater causes of a sick and dying world in harmony.

Sensitivities differ between folks.

What is self-evident to some is completely over the head of others.

Society has such dyed-in-the-wool us vs. them that there is no let's work together.

But, we can start here.

Like-minded people who can leaven the whole loaf.

How's that for empowerment ?

smile

Love, Peace, Joy and Harmony is the natural state of man, woman, nature and universes beyond.

Maintain your own harmony in your own realm.

Then strengthen that harmony before interacting with the outer world.

Peace has a power all of its own.

Yet, if you stand for Divine Love and not human sympathy, you will be challenged because the undercurrents of hate on this planet are ancient.


Burt, thank you for this enlightening post. You are so spot on -- we can start here to make the difference that can spread out in a circle of love and open-mindedness. smile

Once we learn how to open our minds to other beliefs, we can then stretch out our hands and thoughts to the communities we live in.


Last edited by Phyllis - Appalachia; 03/15/12 10:14 PM.

Walk in Peace and Harmony.
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Chipmunk
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This is true and I thank you Lisa.

There are some yoga studios around.

However, once they find that Connie and I oversee a business in the ' rough ' part of town... then, well.

It's pretty much Connie and I and the cats.

Good Friends are important but I've gradually accepted that it's not happening and I sublimate with the kitty cats.


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Hey Loong, I just had to comment on your post. Don't feel alone in your situation. I live in a town of 600 people way out in the boonies. Most everybody here is either Catholic or Lutheran. Many of these folks are good people but because my family was comprised of very diverse religions I don't fit in here by any means. They try to understand but it is usually too big of stretch for them to wrap their head around. I will say that for a time I kept quiet about who I am but now I really don't give a rip. People really cannot harm us Loong just because we are different. There is a couple that is Buddhist here but they are very quiet about it. These people are totally Cool and very respectfull. Few others know about their religion. I respect you for holding on to your beliefs even if you are alone in them. You are always welcome on the spirituality forum and you certainly have friends here. My ultimate respect to the Great Buddha, dave

Last edited by ancientflaxman; 03/16/12 09:52 AM.
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Greetings, Loong. You are most welcome here and already have a group of friends with us. I believe there are so many people who feel they have to keep to themselves so as not to upset others in a small community. It is sad that people cannot be more open-minded and accepting. In just my own family there are Christian, Pagan, Buddhist, and Native American (Cherokee) belief systems which makes us kind of like Minestrone Soup.

You are among friends here and it is good to have you with us.


Walk in Peace and Harmony.
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Originally Posted By: Burt B.



It is not who is right and who is wrong or what is right and what is wrong because all are in a state of becoming.

Love, Peace, Joy and Harmony is the natural state of man, woman, nature and universes beyond.

Maintain your own harmony in your own realm.

Peace has a power all of its own.

Yet, if you stand for Divine Love and not human sympathy, you will be challenged because the undercurrents of hate on this planet are ancient.



Wow, Dave. That is really profound. I understand about wanting to be reclusive. I get that way, too. But then I connect with people here and I realize that there are like-minded people in this world.

Loong, please keep in touch with us here. It must feel lonely where you are. How did you end up there? Did you become Buddhist recently?

And Phyllis, thank you for being my friend. smile I'm very thankful for finding this circle of like-minded friends.

There is peace here.

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Oh, Lori, what you say is so lovely. There is peace here and just like Lantern Carriers, we can extend it outwards to others in the world. I strongly hold my truth that Lantern Carriers will change our world for the better.

Thank you, Lori, it is good to be friends with you, with all of you here.

Peace and Hugs.


Walk in Peace and Harmony.
Phyllis Doyle Burns
Avatar: Fair Helena by Rackham, Public Domain
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