Guest guest Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 What is the purpose of my life? Why do I live? Why do I " work " ? Why do I " do " ? These are the questions I have asked myself many times. I can't say I have found any " real " answers because none of my answers have stayed. Why do I " work " ... Why do I " do " ... when paece, happiness, inner love is not dependent on things outside, on the results of what I do or what I accomplish... Why do I " do " ... when all that is really important to me is paece... and, when peace is not dependent on anything that I do? Do these questions occur to you too? Have they EVER occured to you? Have you found any real answer to them? Can you share that answer with us without telling us how " enlightened " and how " beyond all these questions " you really are??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Nisargadatta , " adithya_comming " <adithya_comming wrote: > > What is the purpose of my life? > > Why do I live? > > Why do I " work " ? > > Why do I " do " ? > > > > These are the questions I have asked myself many times. > > > I can't say I have found any " real " answers > because none of my answers have stayed. > > > > Why do I " work " ... > > Why do I " do " ... > > > when paece, happiness, inner love is not > dependent on things outside, on the results > of what I do or what I accomplish... > > > Why do I " do " ... > when all that is really important to me is > paece... > > and, when peace is not dependent on anything that > I do? > > > > > Do these questions occur to you too? > > Have they EVER occured to you? > > Have you found any real answer to them? > > > Can you share that answer with us > without telling us > > how " enlightened " and how > " beyond all these questions " > you really are??? > I've been asking myself the same question, Arvind. You have duties of a householder. Children. Wife. Parents. I am finished with my householder duties. So I work to try to save my home, to drive my car and pay insurance to drive to work to... seems like a cycle no? So do I love what I do? I am learning to love it, more and more each day. I am learning to love the elderly I take care of, and no longer am surprised at them or myself in our interactions. Much to savour in this. It's all about acceptance. And the journey to. Perhaps some poems or stories garneered for later. However, the time I am interfacing in these groups with folks such as you, and sky and stefan, and patricia and robert and toomie and lulu and all the others who have come and gone is where I'd love to spend most of my time. That and living in Costa Rica operating a bed & breakfast with my family and inviting all of " you " to break bread sing a song and sit silently in presence. with a great big bear hug, Anna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Thanks a lot for your kind, generous and loving reply, Anna! As I read in religeous books, many spiritual books and read the history and psychology of religeons and spirituality - I was repeatedly told that finding " true purpose " was really important for most/all humans and that pretty much all humans had that 'question'. To me this question is even more important because in general, I am not a very disciplined, organized, well-planned guy. And, I think without having a real inner purpose that I find compelling enough - it would be difficult/impossible to do so. Finding a real lasting purpose has become even more important since I had a shift and understood that 'who I thought I was'... was just a 'story' that I told myself. I asked if not for that " me " then for " whom " and " why " ???? Please allow me forward something from another list to illustrate it little better: -------------------------------- Thanks for your reply, SD! Please allow me to ask it another way. What are the guiding principles in your life? When presented with choices how do you make decision on which one to choose? What guides and dictates your " goals " ? What guides and dictates your " objectives " ? What guides and dictates your long and short term planning? What makes you " endure " physical hardships? When faced with situations that are not 'pleasurable' and comforting to the body... what makes you bear them... for what end? Regards, Arvind. > > Dear AC, > > Life has a purpose? Is that true? > I can not find any proof of that. > Can we find something real and meaningful in an illusion? We can > think that there is, but it is only more illusion. > > I have heard Katie say that the first lie was " I " . > So, I live? I work? I do? > They are all really good stories, but for me, they are simply > stories. They are all part of this illusion we call " our life " . All > just part of the complex story we have written to avoid the Truth > that we are Peace, Love and Happiness. > > I do not expect anyone else to believe this, for it is based upon my > own experience. When I first did The Work on " I am " and found that > the turn around was at least as true, if not truer " I am not " , my > mind was literally blown. I also found that " I am not " was the most > peaceful of the two choices. If " I am " was true then " doing " seemed > to go along with that and that doing brought with it responsibilities. > > I can assure you that it took awhile to become comfortable with the > concept that my life has no purpose, but once I did, I became much > more peaceful. > > Now, when it appears that I have all these preferences, it seems > really insane. How can " no one " have preferences? So, I inquire > into these preferences of mind and I see that they are merely habits > of thinking. > > I notice right now that I prefered to type this post rather than to > take a walk? And I am aware that non of that is true. > > Love, Steve D. -------------------------------- Nisargadatta , " anabebe57 " <kailashana wrote: > > Nisargadatta , " adithya_comming " > <adithya_comming@> wrote: > > > > What is the purpose of my life? > > > > Why do I live? > > > > Why do I " work " ? > > > > Why do I " do " ? > > > > > > > > These are the questions I have asked myself many times. > > > > > > I can't say I have found any " real " answers > > because none of my answers have stayed. > > > > > > > > Why do I " work " ... > > > > Why do I " do " ... > > > > > > when paece, happiness, inner love is not > > dependent on things outside, on the results > > of what I do or what I accomplish... > > > > > > Why do I " do " ... > > when all that is really important to me is > > paece... > > > > and, when peace is not dependent on anything that > > I do? > > > > > > > > > > Do these questions occur to you too? > > > > Have they EVER occured to you? > > > > Have you found any real answer to them? > > > > > > Can you share that answer with us > > without telling us > > > > how " enlightened " and how > > " beyond all these questions " > > you really are??? > > > > > > I've been asking myself the same question, Arvind. > You have duties of a householder. Children. Wife. Parents. > > I am finished with my householder duties. So I work to try to save > my home, to drive my car and pay insurance to drive to work to... > seems like a cycle no? > > So do I love what I do? I am learning to love it, more and more > each day. I am learning to love the elderly I take care of, and no > longer am surprised at them or myself in our interactions. Much to > savour in this. It's all about acceptance. And the journey to. > Perhaps some poems or stories garneered for later. > > However, the time I am interfacing in these groups with folks such > as you, and sky and stefan, and patricia and robert and toomie and > lulu and all the others who have come and gone is where I'd love to > spend most of my time. That and living in Costa Rica operating a > bed & breakfast with my family and inviting all of " you " to break > bread sing a song and sit silently in presence. > > with a great big bear hug, > Anna > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Arvind, thank you for your questions and your invitation! Nisargadatta , " adithya_comming " <adithya_comming wrote: >What is the purpose of my life? >Why do I live? >Why do I " work " ? >Why do I " do " ? >These are the questions I have asked myself many times. >I can't say I have found any " real " answers >because none of my answers have stayed. Oh yes, I can relate to that. Because no answers have stayed I started to ask " how " . How is it possible... I live and I do not even know what that " I " is... if there is any at all. It is so strange and amazing. Maybe it is better to be a living question than a living answer? >when peace, happiness, inner love is not >dependent on things outside, on the results >of what I do or what I accomplish... >Why do I " do " ... >when all that is really important to me is >peace... >and, when peace is not dependent on anything that >I do? I found, if I want to do something or not... it is all happening anyway. Every morning the curtain opens for another act. Nobody is asking me if I want to be part of it. Music and dance, but also struggle for peace, love and happiness, all is part of it. >Can you share that answer with us >without telling us >how " enlightened " and how > " beyond all these questions " >you really are??? Haha! This is difficult, man! Who knows what kind of stuff spiritual people will read between my lines. If it sounds confused... thats maybe it. Love Stefan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Have you tried not to live, not to work and not to do ? ( Shakespeare ) I find it is impossible not to live, that's why I live. I find that life is easier to bear with some money, that's why I work. And I find that not to do goes against my nature, that's why I do what I can to help enlighten others and reduce their suffering. Lulu What is the purpose of my life? Why do I live? Why do I " work " ? Why do I " do " ? These are the questions I have asked myself many times. I can't say I have found any " real " answers because none of my answers have stayed. Why do I " work " ... Why do I " do " ... when paece, happiness, inner love is not dependent on things outside, on the results of what I do or what I accomplish.. . Why do I " do " ... when all that is really important to me is paece... and, when peace is not dependent on anything that I do? Do these questions occur to you too? Have they EVER occured to you? Have you found any real answer to them? Can you share that answer with us without telling us how " enlightened " and how " beyond all these questions " you really are??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Nisargadatta , Lulu Dong <lulu.dong wrote: > > Have you tried not to live, > not to work and not to do ? ( Shakespeare ) > > I find it is impossible not to live, that's why I live. > I find that life is easier to bear with some money, that's why I work. > And I find that not to do goes against my nature, that's why I do what I can to help enlighten others and reduce their suffering. > > Lulu Gassho, Lulu Stefan and Arvind > > > > > What is the purpose of my life? > > Why do I live? > > Why do I " work " ? > > Why do I " do " ? > > These are the questions I have asked myself many times. > > I can't say I have found any " real " answers > because none of my answers have stayed. > > Why do I " work " ... > > Why do I " do " ... > > when paece, happiness, inner love is not > dependent on things outside, on the results > of what I do or what I accomplish.. . > > Why do I " do " ... > when all that is really important to me is > paece... > > and, when peace is not dependent on anything that > I do? > > Do these questions occur to you too? > > Have they EVER occured to you? > > Have you found any real answer to them? > > Can you share that answer with us > without telling us > > how " enlightened " and how > " beyond all these questions " > you really are??? > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Nisargadatta , " anabebe57 " <kailashana wrote: > > Nisargadatta , Lulu Dong <lulu.dong@> wrote: > > > > Have you tried not to live, > > not to work and not to do ? ( Shakespeare ) > > > > I find it is impossible not to live, that's why I live. > > I find that life is easier to bear with some money, that's why I > work. > > And I find that not to do goes against my nature, that's why I > do what I can to help enlighten others and reduce their suffering. > > > > Lulu > > > Gassho, > > Lulu Stefan and Arvind > > > > > > > > > > > What is the purpose of my life? > > > > Why do I live? > > > > Why do I " work " ? > > > > Why do I " do " ? > > > > These are the questions I have asked myself many times. > > > > I can't say I have found any " real " answers > > because none of my answers have stayed. > > > > Why do I " work " ... > > > > Why do I " do " ... > > > > when paece, happiness, inner love is not > > dependent on things outside, on the results > > of what I do or what I accomplish.. . > > > > Why do I " do " ... > > when all that is really important to me is > > paece... > > > > and, when peace is not dependent on anything that > > I do? > > > > Do these questions occur to you too? > > > > Have they EVER occured to you? > > > > Have you found any real answer to them? > > > > Can you share that answer with us > > without telling us > > > > how " enlightened " and how > > " beyond all these questions " > > you really are??? > > Anyone attempting answering your question is making a fool of him/her self. Not unusual among seekers on-the-path-of-enlightenment tho. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 --- Johan <yohansky wrote: > Nisargadatta , " anabebe57 " > <kailashana > wrote: > > > > Nisargadatta , Lulu Dong > <lulu.dong@> wrote: > > > > > > Have you tried not to live, > > > not to work and not to do ? ( Shakespeare ) > > > > > > I find it is impossible not to live, that's > why I live. > > > I find that life is easier to bear with some > money, that's why > I > > work. > > > And I find that not to do goes against my > nature, that's why I > > do what I can to help enlighten others and reduce > their suffering. > > > > > > Lulu > > > > > > Gassho, > > > > Lulu Stefan and Arvind > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > What is the purpose of my life? > > > > > > Why do I live? > > > > > > Why do I " work " ? > > > > > > Why do I " do " ? > > > > > > These are the questions I have asked myself many > times. > > > > > > I can't say I have found any " real " answers > > > because none of my answers have stayed. > > > > > > Why do I " work " ... > > > > > > Why do I " do " ... > > > > > > when paece, happiness, inner love is not > > > dependent on things outside, on the results > > > of what I do or what I accomplish.. . > > > > > > Why do I " do " ... > > > when all that is really important to me is > > > paece... > > > > > > and, when peace is not dependent on anything > that > > > I do? > > > > > > Do these questions occur to you too? > > > > > > Have they EVER occured to you? > > > > > > Have you found any real answer to them? > > > > > > Can you share that answer with us > > > without telling us > > > > > > how " enlightened " and how > > > " beyond all these questions " > > > you really are??? > > > > > Anyone attempting answering your question is making > a fool of him/her > self. Not unusual among seekers > on-the-path-of-enlightenment tho. /////// I do not agree. It appears some may not attempt to answer questions or communicate because they *know* they will expose their foolishness. I do not mean people new to the *beliefs* alleged to be held here. I mean people who have been at this for a long time and who have participated in the development of their own particular interpretation of the ideas. Read the books, new people. It appears the developers tend to sit back in their assumed enlightenment and once in a while step in to tell others how foolish they are, or to discourage communication to make their approach to not being exposed the norm. Or, they join-in to show their approval for someone who appears to *believe* as they do. Result: grid-lock Noel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Nisargadatta , Noel <noel_beau wrote: > > > > --- Johan <yohansky wrote: > > > Nisargadatta , " anabebe57 " > > <kailashana@> > > wrote: > > > > > > Nisargadatta , Lulu Dong > > <lulu.dong@> wrote: > > > > > > > > Have you tried not to live, > > > > not to work and not to do ? ( Shakespeare ) > > > > > > > > I find it is impossible not to live, that's > > why I live. > > > > I find that life is easier to bear with some > > money, that's why > > I > > > work. > > > > And I find that not to do goes against my > > nature, that's why I > > > do what I can to help enlighten others and reduce > > their suffering. > > > > > > > > Lulu > > > > > > > > > Gassho, > > > > > > Lulu Stefan and Arvind > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > What is the purpose of my life? > > > > > > > > Why do I live? > > > > > > > > Why do I " work " ? > > > > > > > > Why do I " do " ? > > > > > > > > These are the questions I have asked myself many > > times. > > > > > > > > I can't say I have found any " real " answers > > > > because none of my answers have stayed. > > > > > > > > Why do I " work " ... > > > > > > > > Why do I " do " ... > > > > > > > > when paece, happiness, inner love is not > > > > dependent on things outside, on the results > > > > of what I do or what I accomplish.. . > > > > > > > > Why do I " do " ... > > > > when all that is really important to me is > > > > paece... > > > > > > > > and, when peace is not dependent on anything > > that > > > > I do? > > > > > > > > Do these questions occur to you too? > > > > > > > > Have they EVER occured to you? > > > > > > > > Have you found any real answer to them? > > > > > > > > Can you share that answer with us > > > > without telling us > > > > > > > > how " enlightened " and how > > > > " beyond all these questions " > > > > you really are??? > > > > > > > > Anyone attempting answering your question is making > > a fool of him/her > > self. Not unusual among seekers > > on-the-path-of-enlightenment tho. > > /////// > > I do not agree. > > It appears some may not attempt to answer questions or > communicate because they *know* they will expose their > foolishness. I do not mean people new to the > *beliefs* alleged to be held here. I mean people who > have been at this for a long time and who have > participated in the development of their own > particular interpretation of the ideas. Read the > books, new people. > > It appears the developers tend to sit back in their > assumed enlightenment and once in a while step in to > tell others how foolish they are, or to discourage > communication to make their approach to not being > exposed the norm. Or, they join-in to show their > approval for someone who appears to *believe* as they > do. > > Result: grid-lock > > Noel > -What is the next question beyond a question. It always has a tendency of being insatiable. Why not accept things as they are. -In Zen they instruct to cultivate a beginner's mind; Be willing to not be an expert. Be willing to not know. Not knowing is nearest. Not knowing is most intimate. Fayan was going on pilgrimage. Dizang said, " Where are you going? " Fayan said, " Around on pilgrimage. " Dizang said, " What is the purpose of pilgrimage? " Fayan said: " I don't know. " Dizang said, " Not knowing is most intimate. " - *** Very close to the teaching's of Nis, IMHO So… …live life as it comes. *** From a lecture by Abbess Zenkei Blanche Hartman. > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 --- Johan <yohansky wrote: > Nisargadatta , Noel > <noel_beau wrote: > > > > > > > > --- Johan <yohansky wrote: > > > > > Nisargadatta , " anabebe57 " > > > <kailashana@> > > > wrote: > > > > > > > > Nisargadatta , Lulu Dong > > > <lulu.dong@> wrote: > > > > > > > > > > Have you tried not to live, > > > > > not to work and not to do ? ( Shakespeare ) > > > > > > > > > > I find it is impossible not to live, > that's > > > why I live. > > > > > I find that life is easier to bear with > some > > > money, that's why > > > I > > > > work. > > > > > And I find that not to do goes against my > > > nature, that's why I > > > > do what I can to help enlighten others and > reduce > > > their suffering. > > > > > > > > > > Lulu > > > > > > > > > > > > Gassho, > > > > > > > > Lulu Stefan and Arvind > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > What is the purpose of my life? > > > > > > > > > > Why do I live? > > > > > > > > > > Why do I " work " ? > > > > > > > > > > Why do I " do " ? > > > > > > > > > > These are the questions I have asked myself > many > > > times. > > > > > > > > > > I can't say I have found any " real " answers > > > > > because none of my answers have stayed. > > > > > > > > > > Why do I " work " ... > > > > > > > > > > Why do I " do " ... > > > > > > > > > > when paece, happiness, inner love is not > > > > > dependent on things outside, on the results > > > > > of what I do or what I accomplish.. . > > > > > > > > > > Why do I " do " ... > > > > > when all that is really important to me is > > > > > paece... > > > > > > > > > > and, when peace is not dependent on anything > > > that > > > > > I do? > > > > > > > > > > Do these questions occur to you too? > > > > > > > > > > Have they EVER occured to you? > > > > > > > > > > Have you found any real answer to them? > > > > > > > > > > Can you share that answer with us > > > > > without telling us > > > > > > > > > > how " enlightened " and how > > > > > " beyond all these questions " > > > > > you really are??? > > > > > > > > > > > Anyone attempting answering your question is > making > > > a fool of him/her > > > self. Not unusual among seekers > > > on-the-path-of-enlightenment tho. > > > > /////// > > > > I do not agree. > > > > It appears some may not attempt to answer > questions or > > communicate because they *know* they will expose > their > > foolishness. I do not mean people new to the > > *beliefs* alleged to be held here. I mean people > who > > have been at this for a long time and who have > > participated in the development of their own > > particular interpretation of the ideas. Read the > > books, new people. > > > > It appears the developers tend to sit back in > their > > assumed enlightenment and once in a while step in > to > > tell others how foolish they are, or to discourage > > communication to make their approach to not being > > exposed the norm. Or, they join-in to show their > > approval for someone who appears to *believe* as > they > > do. > > > > Result: grid-lock > > > > Noel > > > > > > -What is the next question beyond a question. It > always has a > tendency of being insatiable. Why not accept things > as they are. > > -In Zen they instruct to cultivate a beginner's > mind; > > Be willing to not be an expert. Be willing to not > know. > Not knowing is nearest. Not knowing is most > intimate. > > Fayan was going on pilgrimage. > Dizang said, " Where are you going? " > Fayan said, " Around on pilgrimage. " > Dizang said, " What is the purpose of pilgrimage? " > Fayan said: " I don't know. " > Dizang said, " Not knowing is most intimate. " - *** > > Very close to the teaching's of Nis, IMHO > > So… > > …live life as it comes. > > *** From a lecture by Abbess Zenkei Blanche Hartman. /////// Johan, Do you see that while you are asking me and others not to ask questions YOU are asking a question: Why not accept things > as they are. though you do not use a question mark. And, do you see that you are not doing what you are asking me and others to do, that is, accepting things as they are? (In this case, that some of us are asking questions.) Noel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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