A Person Can Meditate to Become a More Efficient Killer
A reputable Buddhist and scholar sent me this link; it has attached to it the usual vitriolic comments with a few, far too few, sane ones as well.
www.washingtonpost.com/local/shooters-interest-in-buddhism-prompts-debate-about-stereotype-of-peaceful-faith/2013/09/18/f0ecd938-1fcf-11e3-94a2-6c66b668ea55_story.html?tid=pm_pop
www.washingtonpost.com/local/shooters-interest-in-buddhism-prompts-debate-about-stereotype-of-peaceful-faith/2013/09/18/f0ecd938-1fcf-11e3-94a2-6c66b668ea55_story.html?tid=pm_pop
posted by Maggie Ross at 3:01 pm
13 Comments:
So, ... what? The comments run across a wide spectrum of views seems to me.
One can become an efficient killer by regular target practice. One can be more efficient killer by keeping the eyes open when pulling the trigger, so many approaches to efficient killing these days .....
The article sits squarely on the idiotic level, even as news.
Then you do not, I assume from what you write, think that the way the different churches and religions treat mentally ill people is an issue?
I beg to differ. In my experience, churches deal very badly with mentally ill people (with the possible exception of Tassajara). They are the blobfish in every congregation.
What is more, it isn't just the mentally ill people who are treated this way, or the physically challenged, but rather anyone who is not in lockstep with the majority, or who has the temerity to think for him or her self.
The Buddhists have started a discussion that all religious organisations need to undertake.
No. The issue here is how one person treats one other person. It is not institutional. The only worthwhile definition I have ever heard, in reference to what any church must do, is this. ATTEND TO THE PERSON immediately to your left and ATTEND TO THE PERSON just to your right. That's it, IMO, the only thing which will DO a speck of good. Institutions, otherwise, are almost always a mask put on to deflect that very specific heat.
Blobfish, your reference, are quite common. So are Buddhists. Like Christians, THEY talk all of the time. ENDlessly talking. I refer you, as a fit example, to Edo Shimano or/and theshimanoarchive, or, just google Zen teachers and sex in the west.
Look it up.
You may well be right about "need" but, when all this talking stops, nothing will have happened, institutionally, worth a damn.
This world, right now, truly makes me feel sick clear down to the bones.
Curious: I was under the impression that blobfish are endangered, and that's why they're the mascot of the Ugly Animal Conservation Society.
One on one you are correct in your ideal, of course; with humans who are different from the run of the mill, it's sadly a different story.
The institutions still need to have this conversation—in every generation.
And yes, they all talk too much.
Sorry for the heat but darn it Maggie, every one IS a blobfish. sooner or later a bumpkin and not a Buddha. That is the whole point, is it not?
Compassion.
I was rather under the impression that even blobfish have Buddha-nature...it's a both/and
Yes universal compassion is the point...but it's a bit more paradoxical...
well perhaps, it is both/and as it regards the lowly blobfish. It is as well no knowing.
Tell me truly master! Does even a blobfish have this Buddha nature?
Eeeiyeeeeeeeeeeee! Not much wind on this one.
Thank you. Feeling better.
Hi Maggie,
I'm on my kenosis path. It seems I'm in the stage where I need to learn patience. I remember reading that as one approaches the 'event horizon' the desire is so great it turns to indifference. I can feel I'm getting very close. Do you have any advice for me as I continue onto my goal?
(What is the goal?, you might ask. It seems the goal is to reach a place where I can truly start anew with no baggage. God and I will climb up and up together as Paul described in his letter to the Phillipians. My mind will clear, etc.)
Thanks so much for all you do.
Hi MS,
I don't know much about the kenosis path that you refer to but I'd suggest that you keep you baggage and make friends with it. It keeps one humble. I also have a feeling that you should drop your goal. I think that it will only get in the way. I'm no spiritual director so don't put too much stock in what I say, trust yourself.
Kevin
Well put, Kevin. Thanks
Shunryu Suzuki: "if our practice is only a means to attain enlightenment, there is actually no way to attain it." This is similar to Eckhart's saying that if you are doing anything special you are not seeking God. The Way has no way...
MS,
Try this exercise.
Rewrite this (your) assessment of the kenosis path but this time exclude all personal references, in other words, do not use the words I, me, or mine as descriptive of how it goes.
Hi MS,
Another suggestion from another entirely unqualified POV.
You may well be in or entering into a useful phase in the process called kenosis.
Continue on being watchful of this tension (desire/indifference) you are feeling. Feelings fluctuate. Don't try to hard to identify or name any of this tension, try not to fight against or for it. Don't hold on to any feeling or to any idea which comes in reaction to or affirmation of such presence.
Simply go on noticing ... and, as gently/quietly as you can, resist the urge to self evaluate.
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