latest update 05 Jul 10
from the centre
by howiemac 12 Jun 10
These teachings are shared not as dogma or as truth that you must believe, but in the hope that they will be helpful to you. If you resonate with some of what is being said then make it your own. And if you don't, then throw it away.
....(more)
latest update 10 Jun 10
teachings of Shunyamurti
by howiemac 05 Jun 10
Shunyamurti is a qualified psychologist, a student of Indian mysticism, and founder of his own spiritual community The SatYoga Institute. His writings get obtuse at times, and overly intellectual for this site, and of course he promotes his own spiritual school and methods. However I find considerable value in most of what he writes and says, and so I regularly quote from his writings, extracting what I see as the essence, relevant to this site.
I have now gathered some of these articles here, as episodes of this article.
Other articles, in other sections of this site, inspired by Shunyamurti, and quoting his writings, include:
....(more)
I have now gathered some of these articles here, as episodes of this article.
Other articles, in other sections of this site, inspired by Shunyamurti, and quoting his writings, include:
....(more)
latest update 17 Feb 10
the wisdom of Thich Nhat Hanh
by howiemac 17 Feb 10
Oprah Winfrey talked recently with Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk, an 83-year-old native of Vietnam, who joined the monastery when he was 16, and valiantly opposed his own government during the Vietnam War. Nhat Hanh's actions gave birth to "Engaged Buddhism" — a movement that involves peaceful activism for the purpose of social reform. He led the Buddhist Peace Delegation to the Paris Peace Talks in 1969, established the Unified Buddhist Church in France, and went on to write more than 100 books, including the 1995 best-seller "Living Buddha, Living Christ". He eventually settled in Southern France and founded Plum Village, the Buddhist meditation practice center and monastery where he still lives.
At the end of his discussion with Oprah, he describes it as "A moment of happiness that might help people".
I found much of what he said to be inspiring and very clearly explained, and so, in the spirit of helping others, ....(more)
At the end of his discussion with Oprah, he describes it as "A moment of happiness that might help people".
I found much of what he said to be inspiring and very clearly explained, and so, in the spirit of helping others, ....(more)
latest update 20 Jan 10
Bahai leaders held captive
by Al 15 Jan 10
I don 't have much faith in news papers but this gives the basic idea of what is going on here, I copied this from here-
"
http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2009/03/10/News/Bahai.Leaders.To.Be.Put.On.Trial.In.Iran.For.Religious.Affiliation-3666910.shtml
Baha'i leaders to be put on trial in Iran for religious affiliation
Seven followers of the Baha'i religion are in jail because of their beliefs
By: Michael Allen
Issue date: 3/10/09 Section: News
....(more)
"
http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2009/03/10/News/Bahai.Leaders.To.Be.Put.On.Trial.In.Iran.For.Religious.Affiliation-3666910.shtml
Baha'i leaders to be put on trial in Iran for religious affiliation
Seven followers of the Baha'i religion are in jail because of their beliefs
By: Michael Allen
Issue date: 3/10/09 Section: News
....(more)
The New Age Movement
by howiemac 05 Jan 10
adapted from wikipedia
The term New Age refers to the coming astrological Age of Aquarius, an age of love, light and humanity (unlike the previous Age of Pisces).
The New Age movement is a decentralized Western social and spiritual movement that seeks "Universal Truth" and the attainment of the highest individual human potential. It draws from elements of older spiritual and religious traditions, and includes aspects of astrology, esotericism, metaphysics, alternative medicine, psychology, music, collectivism, sustainability, and nature. New Age spirituality is characterized by an individual approach to spiritual practices and philosophies, and the rejection of religious doctrine and dogma. Another term for the movement is Mind-Body-Spirit.
The term New Age refers to the coming astrological Age of Aquarius, an age of love, light and humanity (unlike the previous Age of Pisces).
The New Age movement is a decentralized Western social and spiritual movement that seeks "Universal Truth" and the attainment of the highest individual human potential. It draws from elements of older spiritual and religious traditions, and includes aspects of astrology, esotericism, metaphysics, alternative medicine, psychology, music, collectivism, sustainability, and nature. New Age spirituality is characterized by an individual approach to spiritual practices and philosophies, and the rejection of religious doctrine and dogma. Another term for the movement is Mind-Body-Spirit.
History
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keep 'em busy
by marley 22 Dec 09
a festive link, courtesy of alladin:
http://www.youtube.com/user/souljamming#p/u/0/5sSiMVsJ0v8
happy midwinter to everyone
http://www.youtube.com/user/souljamming#p/u/0/5sSiMVsJ0v8
happy midwinter to everyone
latest update 23 Oct 09
Real Personality Development Course.
by mbbhat 08 Oct 09
I would like to post the matters related how one can build up himself and to what extent he can develop himself. So far, I have not written any useful thing here. I am just going to begin now. I also do not know how to use this forum. I am a learner as well as an effortmaker. So if any mistakes happen from me, please excuse me.
Any comments/criticisms will be accepted/treated without any negative attitudes.
Thanks to the most beloved World almighty God father and all his children who are playing their part as members/guests here. ....(more)
Any comments/criticisms will be accepted/treated without any negative attitudes.
Thanks to the most beloved World almighty God father and all his children who are playing their part as members/guests here. ....(more)
God is the Self
by howiemac 10 Sep 09
David Godman notes, in his introduction to The teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi, that Maharshi's statements on God
Godman explains that these contradictions "are largely a reflection of the differing levels of understanding he encountered in his questioners. Those who worshipped personal Gods would often be given anthropomorphic explanations. They would be told that God created the world, that he sustains it by his divine power, that he looks after the needs of all its inhabitants and that nothing happens that is contrary to God’s will. On the other hand, those who were not attracted to such a theory would be told that all such ideas about God and his power we ....(more)
appear to be riddled with contradictions: on one occasion he might say that God never does anything, on another that nothing happens except by God’s will. Sometimes he would say that God is just an idea in the mind, while at other times he would say that God is the only existing reality.
Godman explains that these contradictions "are largely a reflection of the differing levels of understanding he encountered in his questioners. Those who worshipped personal Gods would often be given anthropomorphic explanations. They would be told that God created the world, that he sustains it by his divine power, that he looks after the needs of all its inhabitants and that nothing happens that is contrary to God’s will. On the other hand, those who were not attracted to such a theory would be told that all such ideas about God and his power we ....(more)
latest update 24 Jul 10
The Buddhist Blog
by James Ure 16 Jul 09
http://thebuddhistblog.blogspot.com/
by James Ure
by James Ure
This blog is a journal of my humble travels as I try to follow the middle path of Buddhism. Take my hand and walk with me for awhile.....(more)
Inner Guidance
by howiemac 09 Dec 08
I found the following, at http://beyond-the-illusion.com/files/Channeled-Info/Ascended-Masters/god-1.txt , and thought it was worth sharing:
Telepathic Communications - To Tom H. Smith of Spirit-Earth - August 11, 1993
"I AM. I love you.
I send love to all those on the Earth. I am love. I want every single person and every single plant and animal to know the depth of my love for you. My love has no end. I want each of you to KNOW this in your heart and your soul. I love you now, and I will love you the same after the many Earth changes have occurred, regardless of which path you may choose. I want you to know and believe this more than anything about your entire being. I have blessed your creation. Therefore, I have blessed your life with love. ....(more)
Telepathic Communications - To Tom H. Smith of Spirit-Earth - August 11, 1993
"I AM. I love you.
I send love to all those on the Earth. I am love. I want every single person and every single plant and animal to know the depth of my love for you. My love has no end. I want each of you to KNOW this in your heart and your soul. I love you now, and I will love you the same after the many Earth changes have occurred, regardless of which path you may choose. I want you to know and believe this more than anything about your entire being. I have blessed your creation. Therefore, I have blessed your life with love. ....(more)
latest update 01 Jun 10
Avyakt BapDada
by howiemac 08 Aug 08
BapDada is the founder of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU), Lehkraj Kirpalani, self styled as Brahma Baba, (Bap) Kripalani claims to be combined, when speaking, with the soul he names as Shiva, who in turn is claimed to be the supreme soul, i.e. God, (Dada: Father).
Kirpalani left his physical body in 1969, but apparently remains in control of the BKWSU in avyakt (subtle, incorporeal) form since that time, as Avyakt BapDada. Avyakt BapDada speaks regularly through a trance messenger, Dadi Gulzar of the BKWSU, and summaries of many of these speeches are contained here. ....(more)
Kirpalani left his physical body in 1969, but apparently remains in control of the BKWSU in avyakt (subtle, incorporeal) form since that time, as Avyakt BapDada. Avyakt BapDada speaks regularly through a trance messenger, Dadi Gulzar of the BKWSU, and summaries of many of these speeches are contained here. ....(more)
latest update 09 Dec 08
Huna wisdom
by howiemac 09 Mar 08
Huna
Huna is the wisdom and practice of the shamanic kahuna (experts), of Polynesia and Hawaii. Kahunas travelled the seas for eons, navigated by the stars, irrigated the fields with water, and lived by the oral tradition whereby secret teachings were passed from healer to healer. There are very few words in the training of a kahuna, and the instruction focusses on keen observation and awareness of one's self, one's feelings, one's beliefs, and one's patterns. A kahuna learns how to handle their self in their own universe, at all times, under all circumstances.Huna is a path to enlightenment. It takes us on a journey that regenerates our wholeness from within. We will develop heart and character. We learn to love the self, to receive unconditional love from within, and to give unconditional love from the heart. We learn to say "yes" to life. We become more aware of the nurturing and loving aspects of the Earth. We feel loved and supported by nature, and connected to all of life ....(more)
New Thought
by howiemac 04 Mar 08
(adapted from wikipedia)
The New Thought Movement or New Thought is a loosely allied group of denominations, organizations, authors, philosophers, and individuals who share a set of metaphysical beliefs concerning healing, life force, visualization, and personal power. The New Thought Movement developed in the United States during the mid to late 19th century and continues to the present time. It promotes the ideas that:
The New Thought Movement or New Thought is a loosely allied group of denominations, organizations, authors, philosophers, and individuals who share a set of metaphysical beliefs concerning healing, life force, visualization, and personal power. The New Thought Movement developed in the United States during the mid to late 19th century and continues to the present time. It promotes the ideas that:
- God is all powerful and ubiquitous
- spirit is the totality of real things
- true human self-hood is divine
- divine thought is a force for good
the Law of Attraction
by howiemac 01 Mar 08
(adapted from Wikipedia)
The Law of Attraction states that "like attracts like", that a person's thoughts (conscious and unconscious), emotions, beliefs and actions attract corresponding experiences: "you get what you think about", "your thoughts determine your experience".
The Law of Attraction states that "like attracts like", that a person's thoughts (conscious and unconscious), emotions, beliefs and actions attract corresponding experiences: "you get what you think about", "your thoughts determine your experience".
History
The Law of Attraction is closely associated with New Thought beliefs and practices: it was recently popularized by the 2006 film The Secret, but it also has a long standing in other esoteric fields such as Hermeticism and Theosophy, and the idea behind it is found in Hinduism. ....(more)
latest update 18 Nov 08
interfaith
by howiemac 19 Feb 08
The following is the preamble from the United Religions Initiative charter, as published on their website:
http://www.uri.org/Charter.html
I am very impressed by this charter, and feel I can and should stand behind it unreservedly.
"
We, people of diverse religions, spiritual expressions and indigenous traditions throughout the world, hereby establish the United Religions Initiative to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings. ....(more)
http://www.uri.org/Charter.html
I am very impressed by this charter, and feel I can and should stand behind it unreservedly.
"
We, people of diverse religions, spiritual expressions and indigenous traditions throughout the world, hereby establish the United Religions Initiative to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings. ....(more)
The "I AM" conception of God
by howiemac 02 Feb 08
Here is another conception of God that touches a chord in me:
Barrett, David (1996). Sects, 'Cults', and Alternative Religions: A World Survey and Sourcebook :
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascended_Master_Teachings : ....(more)
Barrett, David (1996). Sects, 'Cults', and Alternative Religions: A World Survey and Sourcebook :
The (I AM) movement teaches that the omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent creator God ('I AM' - Exodus 3:14) is in all of us as a spark from the Divine Flame, and that we can experience this presence, love, power and light - the power of the Violet Consuming Flame of Divine Love - through quiet contemplation and by repeating 'affirmations' and 'decrees'. By 'affirming' something one desires, one can cause it to happen.
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascended_Master_Teachings : ....(more)
latest update 25 Jan 08
Dogma and Practice
by Right Life 19 Jan 08
Man, I had a real bee in my bunnet recently. Funny how little niggling thoughts stop you in your tracks. I am a low-level Buddhist, in that it is the belief system that so far in my study strikes a chord. I go from periods of intensive study, to attending classes, to not being studious at all (busy with other things or having a break to reflect). I am in a break period at the moment.
I have been vegetarian for quite a few years now, and that is one of the reasons why Buddhism appealed to me. Buddhism teaches that one should strive to not harm to any living being. So, no killing of animals for food. Buddhist teachings seemed to reinforce my commitment to vegetarianism.
In the recent past I encountered Buddhist friends who, while being more knowledgable of Buddhist philosophy than I, eat meat without any apparent sense of conflict. I was quite confused by this. When I questioned them on this, the reply was that you don't have to be vegetarian to be a Buddhist. Now, I am ....(more)
I have been vegetarian for quite a few years now, and that is one of the reasons why Buddhism appealed to me. Buddhism teaches that one should strive to not harm to any living being. So, no killing of animals for food. Buddhist teachings seemed to reinforce my commitment to vegetarianism.
In the recent past I encountered Buddhist friends who, while being more knowledgable of Buddhist philosophy than I, eat meat without any apparent sense of conflict. I was quite confused by this. When I questioned them on this, the reply was that you don't have to be vegetarian to be a Buddhist. Now, I am ....(more)
The concept of God
by howiemac 29 Oct 07
I would like to discuss the concept of God, in relation to some of my own experiences. In my early 20's as I grew out of my atheism (pushed out of it by a number of supernatural experiences) I developed a "feel" for something beyond this mundane world, something that transcends it, and which was communicating with me through what I now call the drama, ie this mundane life - as our communication grew and I found myself being very obviously helped through difficult episodes in my life, I decided that this was God that was with me looking out for me - though I generally described it to others as "my guardian angel".
My conception of God was, I guess, based on the Christianity I had been indoctrinated in as a child - I imagined a wise old man in some realm beyond who was always smiling on me, and, with a great sense of humor, was looking out for me and teaching me things as I stumbled along on my spiritual searching, This being seemed able to manipulate events in my life any way he liked ....(more)
My conception of God was, I guess, based on the Christianity I had been indoctrinated in as a child - I imagined a wise old man in some realm beyond who was always smiling on me, and, with a great sense of humor, was looking out for me and teaching me things as I stumbled along on my spiritual searching, This being seemed able to manipulate events in my life any way he liked ....(more)
Truth
by marley 20 Oct 07
What is Truth?
The following is from translations from "The Gospel of Buddha" by Paul Carus (1894):
"
And the Blessed One thus addressed the brethren:
"I myself having reached the other shore, help others to cross the stream; I myself having attained salvation, am a saviour of others; being comforted, I comfort others and lead them to the place of refuge. ....(more)
The following is from translations from "The Gospel of Buddha" by Paul Carus (1894):
"
And the Blessed One thus addressed the brethren:
"I myself having reached the other shore, help others to cross the stream; I myself having attained salvation, am a saviour of others; being comforted, I comfort others and lead them to the place of refuge. ....(more)
Carlos Casteneda
by roy 18 Sep 07
Don Juan saidThe Teachings of Don Juan
I am going to teach you the secrets that make up the lot of a man of knowledge. You will have to make a very deep commitment because the training is long and arduous.
A man goes to knowledge as he goes to war, wide awake, with fear, with respect, and with absolute assurance. Going to knowledge or going to war in any other manner is a mistake, and whoever makes it will live to regret his steps
....(more)