Russ, at the top of your blog I explained why, as a practicing Zen Buddhist, I'm uncomfortable with this question. In Zen we ask What am I? to avoid over identifying with our individual identity. If you're unable to find my explanation, let me know.
In seminary, we were taught by a Theravada nun and she emphasized compassion as I recall. If your practice is go to the consciousness that answers "What am I?" with nothing, then where do kindness and compassion result?
As I keep repeating, I like to think that the meaning of life is to learn how to love, and more importantly, how to be loved. Where does the question "What am I?" lead to that? Or does it not? How does your Zen practice take you to compassion if it takes you to nothingness instead? What am I missing?
I really love what you're trying to accomplish. People will pay more attention with the "collar" unfortunately...however, you have the ability to get through. Great! Dave & I try on our level. Perhaps we should one day do a podcast together. ♥️😇✌️
With my first few posts, it is my intent to create a theme around spiritual independence and individual responsibility. I certainly have my own set of truths that guide me, but what is more important that I offer to people a set of tools for them to find their own truths.
At end-of-life, everyone is in a one-on-one conversation with Eternity, without any external Religious Authority, priest, guru, or spiritual leader of any kind as intermediary. It's each of us one-on-one with God. Why wait until then?
Russ, at the top of your blog I explained why, as a practicing Zen Buddhist, I'm uncomfortable with this question. In Zen we ask What am I? to avoid over identifying with our individual identity. If you're unable to find my explanation, let me know.
The Three Question Model is just that, a model.
In seminary, we were taught by a Theravada nun and she emphasized compassion as I recall. If your practice is go to the consciousness that answers "What am I?" with nothing, then where do kindness and compassion result?
As I keep repeating, I like to think that the meaning of life is to learn how to love, and more importantly, how to be loved. Where does the question "What am I?" lead to that? Or does it not? How does your Zen practice take you to compassion if it takes you to nothingness instead? What am I missing?
We'll talk. Keep up the great work!
I really love what you're trying to accomplish. People will pay more attention with the "collar" unfortunately...however, you have the ability to get through. Great! Dave & I try on our level. Perhaps we should one day do a podcast together. ♥️😇✌️
Perhaps. I've never done one, but why not?
Love this! In my mother's words, "We all have to put on our pants one leg at a time... or We all have to sit on the toilet!"
With my first few posts, it is my intent to create a theme around spiritual independence and individual responsibility. I certainly have my own set of truths that guide me, but what is more important that I offer to people a set of tools for them to find their own truths.
At end-of-life, everyone is in a one-on-one conversation with Eternity, without any external Religious Authority, priest, guru, or spiritual leader of any kind as intermediary. It's each of us one-on-one with God. Why wait until then?