Spiritual Effort ?

[Guest guest]

Thu, 30 Dec 1999 19:52:42 +0800

"Ruben" <rubenn

Spiritual Efforts and the New Millenium

>One starts the spiritual journey with >spiritual efforts with DESIRES for

>getting inner peace or Liberation.

 

Yes, but one has to start somewhere.

>Irony is what I see when a person said that >spiritual efforts include:

>1) prayers and meditation

>2) dedication of daily actions to God as we >are His Puppets

>3) chanting of the Lord's Name

>etc.

>#1 and #3 are also puppeteered! There is no >goal nor destination as we

>are all part of GOD, The Light and merely >deceived by the mind.

>These ARE the kind of mental sufferings we >want to avoid through

>spiritual efforts and they too come into the >spiritual efforts!!!???

 

Yes, it is a bit ironic, but life is full

of irony.

 

My Buddhist friends wanted to have a quiet

New Year's Eve

together, with some mantra chanting,

prostrations, readings and meditation.

 

I was asked to come along and strongly

considered doing so.

Even though I do not count myself a Buddhist,

partaking in the quiet rituals and

peaceful ceremonies of my friends

would have been a nice start of the new year.

Prostrating would have been no effort, it would

have been showing respect for my friends'

beliefs and in a way prostrating to them.

 

We are leaving a century that has seen its

share of intolerance of other ppl's

beliefs, customs and traditions.

 

As I see it, the best spiritual effort

we could make for and in the new millennium

is toward tolerance and acceptance, even

of those traditions and acts that we do

not personally like or believe in.

 

But of course, even this effort should be made

with joy and no feelings of "must do" or "should

do".

 

I wish all listmembers safe and fun millennium

celebrations and new year filled with peace

and happiness.

 

Best regards,

 

Amanda.

 

 

 

Angelfire for your free web-based e-mail. http://www.angelfire.com