Guest guest Posted December 20, 2007 Report Share Posted December 20, 2007 Greetings and Namaste! In the northern hemisphere, especially in the northern latitudes, our nights have lengthened as we move towards the winter solstice with its longest period of darkness in the year. In a sense it's the darkness that calls forth the light. This age is known in the Eastern traditions as the dark age, Kali Yuga, where the Light of Dharma, the Light of Love, the Light of Spirit is most challenged by the darkness of the ordinary ego mind - individual and collective - with it's profound ignorance and emptiness driving it into states of craving, fear and mad grasping at power. We all see how this is inflicting untold suffering and death on countless beings. This nearly overwhelming darkness calls to each one of us to bring forth the Light. The Buddha said he chose to take birth in Kali Yuga because of its darkness and this being the time of the greatest need of all beings for relief from suffering. Whether we see ourselves as honoring our Buddha nature or our Christ nature or our Divine nature or our Goddess nature or simply our highest human nature - by radiating Light into the darkness through our acts of generosity, compassion and loving kindness we are serving the Divine in all Her forms. We must never give in to the numbness that this time of tragic suffering on such massive scales can bring. You are that seed of Light, that flame that can always beat back the darkness, always. When the ordinary ego mind awakens and discovers its purpose is simply to serve through love and compassion, it also sees how insignificant it is, how small in comparison to the task the Divine has given it - to relieve the suffering of others. It can feel overwhelmed until it sees that it can fulfill that Divine command by simply helping whoever is near in whatever way it can. That simplicity sets us free from overwhelm and numbness and the ego inflation of trying to take on all suffering only to collapse. We can always take action, however small, to bring love, compassion, patience and kindness into the world. May our every breath, every thought and every act help to alleviate the suffering of others. This is the way of Christ, Buddha, bodhisattvas, sages and saints of every tradition. This is what it is to realize our most sublime human nature. A Prayer of Blessing May you awaken to the mystery of being here and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence. May you have joy and peace in the temple of your senses. May you receive great encouragement when new frontiers beckon. May you respond to the call of your gift and find the courage to follow its path. May the flame of anger free you from falsity. May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame and may anxiety never linger about you. May your outer dignity mirror an inner dignity of soul. May you take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention. May you be consoled in the secret symmetry of your soul. May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven around the heart of wonder. ~ John O'Donohue ~ Author of Anam Cara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2007 Report Share Posted December 20, 2007 That was like a breath of fresh air... thank you dhyana! love & light ~Jen~ , " novalees " <Novalees wrote: > > > > Greetings and Namaste! > > In the northern hemisphere, especially in the northern latitudes, our > nights have lengthened as we move towards the winter solstice with its > longest period of darkness in the year. In a sense it's the darkness > that calls forth the light. This age is known in the Eastern > traditions as the dark age, Kali Yuga, where the Light of Dharma, the > Light of Love, the Light of Spirit is most challenged by the darkness > of the ordinary ego mind - individual and collective - with it's > profound ignorance and emptiness driving it into states of craving, > fear and mad grasping at power. We all see how this is inflicting > untold suffering and death on countless beings. This nearly > overwhelming darkness calls to each one of us to bring forth the > Light. The Buddha said he chose to take birth in Kali Yuga because of > its darkness and this being the time of the greatest need of all > beings for relief from suffering. > > Whether we see ourselves as honoring our Buddha nature or our Christ > nature or our Divine nature or our Goddess nature or simply our > highest human nature - by radiating Light into the darkness through > our acts of generosity, compassion and loving kindness we are serving > the Divine in all Her forms. We must never give in to the numbness > that this time of tragic suffering on such massive scales can bring. > You are that seed of Light, that flame that can always beat back the > darkness, always. > > When the ordinary ego mind awakens and discovers its purpose is simply > to serve through love and compassion, it also sees how insignificant > it is, how small in comparison to the task the Divine has given it - > to relieve the suffering of others. It can feel overwhelmed until it > sees that it can fulfill that Divine command by simply helping whoever > is near in whatever way it can. That simplicity sets us free from > overwhelm and numbness and the ego inflation of trying to take on all > suffering only to collapse. We can always take action, however small, > to bring love, compassion, patience and kindness into the world. > > May our every breath, every thought and every act help to alleviate > the suffering of others. This is the way of Christ, Buddha, > bodhisattvas, sages and saints of every tradition. This is what it is > to realize our most sublime human nature. > > > A Prayer of Blessing > > > May you awaken to the mystery of being here > and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence. > May you have joy and peace in the temple > of your senses. > May you receive great encouragement > when new frontiers beckon. > May you respond to the call of your gift > and find the courage to follow its path. > May the flame of anger free you from falsity. > May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame > and may anxiety never linger about you. > May your outer dignity mirror > an inner dignity of soul. > May you take time to celebrate the quiet miracles > that seek no attention. > May you be consoled in the > secret symmetry of your soul. > May you experience each day as a sacred gift > woven around the heart of wonder. > > ~ John O'Donohue ~ > Author of Anam Cara > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2007 Report Share Posted December 20, 2007 Greetings all! It is so good to read words like these: " May our every breath, every thought and every act help to alleviate the suffering of others. This is the way of Christ, Buddha and Bodhisattvas, sages and saints of every tradition. This is what it is to realize our most sublime human nature.... " and to read the other similar, simple and beautiful truths. About a year after my awakening my wife " just happened " to buy The Power Of Now by Eckhart Tolle. I had not told her about my awakening yet (though she commented everyday about the remarkable " change " in me!). She had no idea what the book was about. She " just bought it " . Tolle's experience was my experience (though I prayed for my intensity of bliss to lower itself so I would be able to continue working and living with my wife---I did not want to scare her away!). I decided to join a group discussing the Power of Now (and similar books). All they are comfortable with is posting quotes from the books they have read. They appear afraid " to help others " . Many in that group actually say " you cannot help others " . This kind of attitude bothers me. The attitude of this group invigorates me! Happy Awakening--Everyone! :) Stephen , " novalees " <Novalees wrote: > > Greetings and Namaste! > > In the northern hemisphere, especially in the northern latitudes, our > nights have lengthened as we move towards the winter solstice with its > longest period of darkness in the year. In a sense it's the darkness > that calls forth the light. This age is known in the Eastern > traditions as the dark age, Kali Yuga, where the Light of Dharma, the > Light of Love, the Light of Spirit is most challenged by the darkness > of the ordinary ego mind - individual and collective - with it's > profound ignorance and emptiness driving it into states of craving, > fear and mad grasping at power. We all see how this is inflicting > untold suffering and death on countless beings. This nearly > overwhelming darkness calls to each one of us to bring forth the > Light. The Buddha said he chose to take birth in Kali Yuga because of > its darkness and this being the time of the greatest need of all > beings for relief from suffering. > > Whether we see ourselves as honoring our Buddha nature or our Christ > nature or our Divine nature or our Goddess nature or simply our > highest human nature - by radiating Light into the darkness through > our acts of generosity, compassion and loving kindness we are serving > the Divine in all Her forms. We must never give in to the numbness > that this time of tragic suffering on such massive scales can bring. > You are that seed of Light, that flame that can always beat back the > darkness, always. > > When the ordinary ego mind awakens and discovers its purpose is simply > to serve through love and compassion, it also sees how insignificant > it is, how small in comparison to the task the Divine has given it - > to relieve the suffering of others. It can feel overwhelmed until it > sees that it can fulfill that Divine command by simply helping whoever > is near in whatever way it can. That simplicity sets us free from > overwhelm and numbness and the ego inflation of trying to take on all > suffering only to collapse. We can always take action, however small, > to bring love, compassion, patience and kindness into the world. > > May our every breath, every thought and every act help to alleviate > the suffering of others. This is the way of Christ, Buddha, > bodhisattvas, sages and saints of every tradition. This is what it is to realize our most sublime human nature. > > > A Prayer of Blessing > > > May you awaken to the mystery of being here > and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence. > May you have joy and peace in the temple > of your senses. > May you receive great encouragement > when new frontiers beckon. > May you respond to the call of your gift > and find the courage to follow its path. > May the flame of anger free you from falsity. > May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame > and may anxiety never linger about you. > May your outer dignity mirror > an inner dignity of soul. > May you take time to celebrate the quiet miracles > that seek no attention. > May you be consoled in the > secret symmetry of your soul. > May you experience each day as a sacred gift > woven around the heart of wonder. > > ~ John O'Donohue ~ > Author of Anam Cara > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2007 Report Share Posted December 20, 2007 Greetings all! It is so good to read words like these: " May our every breath, every thought and every act help to alleviate the suffering of others. This is the way of Christ, Buddha and Bodhisattvas, sages and saints of every tradition. This is what it is to realize our most sublime human nature.... " and other similar simple and beautiful truths. About a year after my awakening my wife " just happened " to buy The Power Of Now by Eckhart Tolle. I had not told her about my awakening yet (though she commented everyday about the remarkable " change " in me!). She had no idea what the book was about. She " just bought it " . Tolle's experience was my experience (though I prayed for my intensity of bliss to lower itself so I would be able to continue working and living with my wife---I did not want to scare her away!). I decided to join a group discussing the Power of Now (and similar books). All they are comfortable with is posting quotes from the books they have read. They appear afraid " to help others " . Many in that group actually say " you cannot help others " . This kind of attitude bothers me. The attitude of this group invigorates me! Happy Awakening--Everyone! :) Stephen , " novalees " <Novalees wrote:> > > Greetings and Namaste! > > In the northern hemisphere, especially in the northern latitudes, our > nights have lengthened as we move towards the winter solstice with its > longest period of darkness in the year. In a sense it's the darkness > that calls forth the light. This age is known in the Eastern > traditions as the dark age, Kali Yuga, where the Light of Dharma, the > Light of Love, the Light of Spirit is most challenged by the darkness > of the ordinary ego mind - individual and collective - with it's > profound ignorance and emptiness driving it into states of craving, > fear and mad grasping at power. We all see how this is inflicting > untold suffering and death on countless beings. This nearly > overwhelming darkness calls to each one of us to bring forth the > Light. The Buddha said he chose to take birth in Kali Yuga because of > its darkness and this being the time of the greatest need of all > beings for relief from suffering. > > Whether we see ourselves as honoring our Buddha nature or our Christ > nature or our Divine nature or our Goddess nature or simply our > highest human nature - by radiating Light into the darkness through > our acts of generosity, compassion and loving kindness we are serving > the Divine in all Her forms. We must never give in to the numbness > that this time of tragic suffering on such massive scales can bring. > You are that seed of Light, that flame that can always beat back the > darkness, always. > > When the ordinary ego mind awakens and discovers its purpose is simply > to serve through love and compassion, it also sees how insignificant > it is, how small in comparison to the task the Divine has given it - > to relieve the suffering of others. It can feel overwhelmed until it > sees that it can fulfill that Divine command by simply helping whoever > is near in whatever way it can. That simplicity sets us free from > overwhelm and numbness and the ego inflation of trying to take on all > suffering only to collapse. We can always take action, however small, > to bring love, compassion, patience and kindness into the world. > > May our every breath, every thought and every act help to alleviate > the suffering of others. This is the way of Christ, Buddha, > bodhisattvas, sages and saints of every tradition. This is what it is > to realize our most sublime human nature. > > > A Prayer of Blessing > > > May you awaken to the mystery of being here > and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence. > May you have joy and peace in the temple > of your senses. > May you receive great encouragement > when new frontiers beckon. > May you respond to the call of your gift > and find the courage to follow its path. > May the flame of anger free you from falsity. > May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame > and may anxiety never linger about you. > May your outer dignity mirror > an inner dignity of soul. > May you take time to celebrate the quiet miracles > that seek no attention. > May you be consoled in the > secret symmetry of your soul. > May you experience each day as a sacred gift > woven around the heart of wonder. > > ~ John O'Donohue ~ > Author of Anam Cara > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 20, 2007 Report Share Posted December 20, 2007 Thank you Dhyana. I particularly like this sentence and the prayer too. " May our every breath, every thought and every act help to alleviate the suffering of others. " Linda , " novalees " <Novalees wrote: > > > > Greetings and Namaste! > > In the northern hemisphere, especially in the northern latitudes, our > nights have lengthened as we move towards the winter solstice with its > longest period of darkness in the year. In a sense it's the darkness > that calls forth the light. This age is known in the Eastern > traditions as the dark age, Kali Yuga, where the Light of Dharma, the > Light of Love, the Light of Spirit is most challenged by the darkness > of the ordinary ego mind - individual and collective - with it's > profound ignorance and emptiness driving it into states of craving, > fear and mad grasping at power. We all see how this is inflicting > untold suffering and death on countless beings. This nearly > overwhelming darkness calls to each one of us to bring forth the > Light. The Buddha said he chose to take birth in Kali Yuga because of > its darkness and this being the time of the greatest need of all > beings for relief from suffering. > > Whether we see ourselves as honoring our Buddha nature or our Christ > nature or our Divine nature or our Goddess nature or simply our > highest human nature - by radiating Light into the darkness through > our acts of generosity, compassion and loving kindness we are serving > the Divine in all Her forms. We must never give in to the numbness > that this time of tragic suffering on such massive scales can bring. > You are that seed of Light, that flame that can always beat back the > darkness, always. > > When the ordinary ego mind awakens and discovers its purpose is simply > to serve through love and compassion, it also sees how insignificant > it is, how small in comparison to the task the Divine has given it - > to relieve the suffering of others. It can feel overwhelmed until it > sees that it can fulfill that Divine command by simply helping whoever > is near in whatever way it can. That simplicity sets us free from > overwhelm and numbness and the ego inflation of trying to take on all > suffering only to collapse. We can always take action, however small, > to bring love, compassion, patience and kindness into the world. > > May our every breath, every thought and every act help to alleviate > the suffering of others. This is the way of Christ, Buddha, > bodhisattvas, sages and saints of every tradition. This is what it is > to realize our most sublime human nature. > > > A Prayer of Blessing > > > May you awaken to the mystery of being here > and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence. > May you have joy and peace in the temple > of your senses. > May you receive great encouragement > when new frontiers beckon. > May you respond to the call of your gift > and find the courage to follow its path. > May the flame of anger free you from falsity. > May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame > and may anxiety never linger about you. > May your outer dignity mirror > an inner dignity of soul. > May you take time to celebrate the quiet miracles > that seek no attention. > May you be consoled in the > secret symmetry of your soul. > May you experience each day as a sacred gift > woven around the heart of wonder. > > ~ John O'Donohue ~ > Author of Anam Cara > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 Very interesting and a lovely poem. I sometimes feel overwhelmed when meditating on the world's suffering or the enormity/complexity of a global awakening. I try to remember that my human limitations don't necessarily apply. These subjects do often make me feel insignificant. I suppose in a way that can be a good thing when trying to become aware of the ego. , " novalees " <Novalees wrote: > > > > Greetings and Namaste! > > In the northern hemisphere, especially in the northern latitudes, our > nights have lengthened as we move towards the winter solstice with its > longest period of darkness in the year. In a sense it's the darkness > that calls forth the light. This age is known in the Eastern > traditions as the dark age, Kali Yuga, where the Light of Dharma, the > Light of Love, the Light of Spirit is most challenged by the darkness > of the ordinary ego mind - individual and collective - with it's > profound ignorance and emptiness driving it into states of craving, > fear and mad grasping at power. We all see how this is inflicting > untold suffering and death on countless beings. This nearly > overwhelming darkness calls to each one of us to bring forth the > Light. The Buddha said he chose to take birth in Kali Yuga because of > its darkness and this being the time of the greatest need of all > beings for relief from suffering. > > Whether we see ourselves as honoring our Buddha nature or our Christ > nature or our Divine nature or our Goddess nature or simply our > highest human nature - by radiating Light into the darkness through > our acts of generosity, compassion and loving kindness we are serving > the Divine in all Her forms. We must never give in to the numbness > that this time of tragic suffering on such massive scales can bring. > You are that seed of Light, that flame that can always beat back the > darkness, always. > > When the ordinary ego mind awakens and discovers its purpose is simply > to serve through love and compassion, it also sees how insignificant > it is, how small in comparison to the task the Divine has given it - > to relieve the suffering of others. It can feel overwhelmed until it > sees that it can fulfill that Divine command by simply helping whoever > is near in whatever way it can. That simplicity sets us free from > overwhelm and numbness and the ego inflation of trying to take on all > suffering only to collapse. We can always take action, however small, > to bring love, compassion, patience and kindness into the world. > > May our every breath, every thought and every act help to alleviate > the suffering of others. This is the way of Christ, Buddha, > bodhisattvas, sages and saints of every tradition. This is what it is > to realize our most sublime human nature. > > > A Prayer of Blessing > > > May you awaken to the mystery of being here > and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence. > May you have joy and peace in the temple > of your senses. > May you receive great encouragement > when new frontiers beckon. > May you respond to the call of your gift > and find the courage to follow its path. > May the flame of anger free you from falsity. > May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame > and may anxiety never linger about you. > May your outer dignity mirror > an inner dignity of soul. > May you take time to celebrate the quiet miracles > that seek no attention. > May you be consoled in the > secret symmetry of your soul. > May you experience each day as a sacred gift > woven around the heart of wonder. > > ~ John O'Donohue ~ > Author of Anam Cara > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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