Enlightenment: The Ego, what is it? How to transcend it.

[greybeard]

Welcome to the thread doetem.
You have a good one too.
Long may you assume direct control---smiling
Chris

[Clear Light]

Daily Tao / 33 – Defense [1]

Demons who enter your circle
Must be pushed out

No matter what world you walk in — office, school, temple, prison, or the streets — there is an underworld populated with demons. These are people who are avaricious, aggressive, sadistic, and cynical. They not only take advantage of others without compunction, they delight in it. They find pleasure in seeing others suffer.

The why of it cannot be answered. There is only the fact, with no metaphysical meaning or other ramifications. It is not karma, it is not fate. If these people decide to attack you, it is circumstance. You must fight or be mowed down.

Compassion and humility may be among the most treasured of human virtues, but they are not useful in conflict. A beautiful gold statue of your most adored god is a treasure, but you would not use it as a weapon. Virtue is to be valued in the proper context; only a sword will do in battle.

Whether an attack is physical — assault, rape, murder — or whether it is mental — business intrigues, emotional abuse — you must be prepared. It is best to prepare for conflict by learning as much self-defense as possible. You will not become a bully or a monster, but instead, you will learn that you can respond to any situation. If you are never attacked, that will be wonderful. Training will still help you work out your fears, inhibitions, and anxieties. In the case of conflict, no one, not even a veteran, is ever sure that they will come out alive from a confrontation. But they resolve to go in there and give themselves a fighting chance. This in itself is a triumph over evil.
________________________________________________

[1] Oh, by way of explanation, I recently bought a copy of "365 Tao Daily Meditations" by Deng Ming-Dao with their starting date apparently set to January 1st (in the Northern Hemisphere). Now the one above, number 33, is meant for February 2nd but I've only just read through it

[ZooLife]

Posted by Clear Blue Skies (here)
.....only a sword will do in battle.

The razor thin edge of the blade is fully realized against the darkest of nights.

[Guish]

Posted by Clear Blue Skies (here)

Daily Tao / 33 – Defense [1]

Demons who enter your circle
Must be pushed out

No matter what world you walk in — office, school, temple, prison, or the streets — there is an underworld populated with demons. These are people who are avaricious, aggressive, sadistic, and cynical. They not only take advantage of others without compunction, they delight in it. They find pleasure in seeing others suffer.

The why of it cannot be answered. There is only the fact, with no metaphysical meaning or other ramifications. It is not karma, it is not fate. If these people decide to attack you, it is circumstance. You must fight or be mowed down.

Compassion and humility may be among the most treasured of human virtues, but they are not useful in conflict. A beautiful gold statue of your most adored god is a treasure, but you would not use it as a weapon. Virtue is to be valued in the proper context; only a sword will do in battle.

Whether an attack is physical — assault, rape, murder — or whether it is mental — business intrigues, emotional abuse — you must be prepared. It is best to prepare for conflict by learning as much self-defense as possible. You will not become a bully or a monster, but instead, you will learn that you can respond to any situation. If you are never attacked, that will be wonderful. Training will still help you work out your fears, inhibitions, and anxieties. In the case of conflict, no one, not even a veteran, is ever sure that they will come out alive from a confrontation. But they resolve to go in there and give themselves a fighting chance. This in itself is a triumph over evil.
________________________________________________

[1] Oh, by way of explanation, I recently bought a copy of "365 Tao Daily Meditations" by Deng Ming-Dao with their starting date apparently set to January 1st (in the Northern Hemisphere). Now the one above, number 33, is meant for February 2nd but I've only just read through it

This reminds me of the Zen story that the snake should not forget to hiss else people will walk on it. Sometimes, in my experience, one has to suck it up, bite the bullet, take a few shots and move. WE can either avoid negativity by ignoring it, laugh at it or enjoy battling it out. Like it's mentioned above, one should not be a victim of it though. It's not always nice to be nice. Deep inside, we stay unmoved but we enjoy the battle...

[Matthew]

Posted by Clear Blue Skies (here)
[CENTER]Daily Tao / 33 – Defense [1]

Demons who enter your circle
Must be pushed out

....

Serendipity indeed ZooLife Clear Blue Skies post here has given me some good things to think about at just the right time. Original intended date was me birthday too, but glad for the delay

[ZooLife]

Nobody is somebody amongst everybody through the naming of names.

Hi Nobody!

Who are you talking to?

Nobody.



P.s. If nobody pays me any mind, do I exist?

[betoobig]

Nobody says yes!
Ha ha ha ha
Much love

[Skyhaven]

That's right, I am NO body... My body is FROM the world, but I am not OF the world.

[ZooLife]

When nobody is your friend, everybody is your friend.

But then again....

[ZooLife]

[ZooLife]

It would be impossible to hide from you if you truly knew thyself.





(Have you found me yet?)

[Guish]

"As solid rock remains unmoved by the wind, so the wise remain unmoved by blame and praise." — Gautama Buddha

[Chester]

"Before enlightenment... chop wood and carry water.

After enlightenment... DO PODCASTS!!!

http://www.wakeupinyourdreams.com/bl...her-tim-freke/

By the way... I am not enlightened.

I am stark, raving enlightened!

no wait... I am a Triadox.

[Meggings]

[Guish]

[ZooLife]

Posted by Guish (here)

The irony of this quote gave me a smile.

[Clear Light]

Like an infinite seamless whole flowing on and on without end

[Innocent Warrior]

Posted by ZooLife (here)

Posted by Guish (here)

The irony of this quote gave me a smile.

I'm not improving on silence here but you can't see me smiling too, so ...

Love this quote, thanks Guish.

[ZooLife]

Posted by Rachel (here)

I'm not improving on silence here but you can't see me smiling too, so ...

Love this quote, thanks Guish.

There is no such thing as improving or degrading Silence.

I think I will improve noise with LOVE!



Can you hear it?

[Innocent Warrior]

Lol, whatever you say Zoo but perhaps you are more elegant than I at making sound.

Oops, forgot to answer your question (see, not elegant) ... yes, thank you, the noise sounds much lovelier now.

Update: Realised you're talking about silence itself. Gotcha, yes. I took the quote as talking about a moment being improved on (or not) by talking instead of remaining silent, not silence itself.