Sodaiho

Reply to Firstgiving in Writing Stardock Forums

So bittersweet. Be well.

True Zen in Religion JoeUser Forums

With palms together, Good Morning Everyone, Next weekend we will be at the Mountain Refuge practicing zazen in honor of Rohatsu, the Buddha's Enlightenment. When we practice zazen, we practice enlightenment. This very posture if sitting upright, attention present, with mind like Teflon, is awakening itself. We learn from this practice that we are to do what needs to be done without hindrance of the mind. The dogs need to go out, we let them out. Th

Reply to I am NOT Religious, I just Love G-D in Religion JoeUser Forums

An excellent point, subtly discerned, Leauki. God is far larger than any one religion. We cannot use text in one faith's revelation to prove or disprove another faith's revelation. He says His name is "I Am that I Am" or "I will Be what I will Be". Every group has its own capacity for understanding and appreciating God; He speaks to each in His own way that will be acceptable to them. So how is one true and the other not? Be well.

Reply to Hillary Clinton to accept Obama's offer of secretary of state job in Politics Stardock Forums

[quote]question... anyone here in joe user who is in debt but not going to pay it and instead declare bankrupcy instead of getting off of their asses? question... why should i get off my ass and work harder when it just means id have to give more to people who would not? if there are FORCED handouts, i'd rather be taking then giving. I am altrusitic, but I am not a sucker... which is why communism fails. The people at the helm need to create laws and regulations that reward doing an

Reply to Hillary Clinton to accept Obama's offer of secretary of state job in Politics Stardock Forums

[quote]It was fine until the democrats got control of congress (you know the outfit with control of the purse strings?)[/quote] Interesting. I am sure Dems share some responsibility, after all they gave Mr. Bush pretty much everything he asked for. And the President does have veto power. As to the second and third job thing. I am simply following the lead of my more conservative friends who keep telling me people need to stop w

Reply to Hillary Clinton to accept Obama's offer of secretary of state job in Politics Stardock Forums

Its not the people in power that will have to get off their asses, but the common Joe's who need to step up to the plate, re-tool themselves, start a business, work a second or third job, p[ay down their debt, and invest once again in their futures. On the upper echelon, just what has Prez Elect Obama NOT done? He has reached across the aisle, he has brought together, by all accounts, thje best and brightest of our experts to come up with a plan, he has hit the friggin'

Reply to Hillary Clinton to accept Obama's offer of secretary of state job in Politics Stardock Forums

No, but I do think its high time we got ourselves out of this shitter and the ONLY way to do that it to get to work, TOGETHER. Half the battle in any war is psychological: get your head on straight, get to putting one foot in front of the other, get to working with guys you don't really like, and you know what? The job gets done. Have some faith in America. Be well.

Reply to Thanksgiving in Religion Stardock Forums

[quote]I'm grateful for you too, SoDaiho, and our blossoming understanding of each other.[/quote] As I am to you, Sabrina. May you have a healthy and happy life. You know, in my opinion, human beings have a wonderful capacity for recognizing themselves in each other. Sometimes this wonder leads to ill feeling, but it can just as easily lead to understanding and then deep compassion and appreciation. Trouble is, most of us are so f*cked up we are afraid to go there.</p

Reply to Hillary Clinton to accept Obama's offer of secretary of state job in Politics Stardock Forums

[quote]Crap, we're really screwed now. The three biggest positions in the executive office filled by democrats who's economic plans will destroy our economy and whose military plans will leave us open for invasion! This is especially worse since the president has little to no experience, and the secretary of state will be a clone of Bill Clinton! [/quote] LOL. In case you haven't noticed our economy is ALREADY IN THE SHITHOUSE. Goodgrief. Open for invasion? By

Thanksgiving in Religion JoeUser Forums

With palms together, Good Morning Everyone, As Thanksgiving is approaching, I have been turning my attention to considering what I am thankful for. Appreciation and thankfulness should be a part of our daily practice. In difficult economic times we sometimes feel scared, our eyes are on our loses, and our hearts may feel the sting of the three poisons: greed, anger and delusion. I know I have been exp

Reply to Jewish Prayer in Religion Stardock Forums

Good Morning LW, What was the culture of gender like 2300 years ago? 1500 years ago? 600 years ago? The prayers and their order were composed over such an expanse of time and codified about 600 years ago. As Leauki points out, women were permited to go to shul and tp pray, but not obligated. These prayers were written by and for men, therefore. It is part of the early blessings, the warm-up, so to speak, as we come to God. The Reform siddur says, "Praise to you,

Reply to Darkness and Light in Religion Stardock Forums

TC, please, no worries. Make your mind like teflon. 'Works for me! I saw your new post and replied to it. Yes, we disagree a little, but heh, we have the heart of the world in our view. Bows to you.

Reply to Darkness and Light in Religion JoeUser Forums

MM, I bow to your toes. May you be well and free from suffering.

Reply to Darkness and Light in Religion JoeUser Forums

[quote]oh pu-lease!!! [/quote] LOL! What part is disturbing, the tree or my blush? KFC, you are precious. Be well.

Reply to Darkness and Light in Religion JoeUser Forums

TeacherCreature, While I understand your motives now, since you explained the deletion, I want to say that it is not exactly in good form. People besides the authors of articles are involved in discussion. There are often references given to websites, books, etc. in the context of those discussions. To delete the article is to make all that work disappear. No one was talking "behind your back". The article was not there to post t

Reply to Darkness and Light in Religion JoeUser Forums

Damn, Sabrina, I'm blushing. I gotta go hug a tree. See ya.

Reply to Darkness and Light in Religion Stardock Forums

Many JUers were holding a discussion on TeacherCreature's blog article regarding Christianity as Love. Hmmm. Its gone! What's up with that?

Darkness and Light in Religion JoeUser Forums

With palms together, Good Morning Everyone, It is a cool morning, about 36 degrees, and I see beautiful magenta colors in the clouds over the mountains in the east. Of course these colors change as the sun rises and adds more light. Everything changes with light. When we are in the dark we are more afraid. When we are in the dark we believe rumors, hear whispers, and otherwise make large what might be small. In the light a mouse i

Reply to Church Hunting in Blogging Stardock Forums

Dear KFC, I wish you and your husband well. Finding a good fit can be a bit daunting, I'm sure. My mother-in-law used to lament, "Too many choices!" Suggesting that fewer choices made one deal with things that too many choices do not provide. Its interesting to me how this works for Christians. I mean the personal judgements and all regards the "preaching" or the congregation, etc. with the apparently large volume of options, etc. In our congregat

Reply to Avodah in Religion Stardock Forums

Great Cliff Note Midrash :) Thanks for your comment! Shalom.

Reply to Language as Idolatry in Religion Stardock Forums

[quote]The study of semantics suggests that a word's power is merely that which you give it. So if you use a word like 'the infinite' to refer to your definition of divinity, you're no less restricting and idolating it than a good Catholic might by calling it God.[/quote] Excellent point, Cacto. I use this term mostly as more way of telling myself "no limits" to God than "defining" or even naming God. My caution has to do with the heart and mind of the speaker, not w

Reply to Language as Idolatry in Religion Stardock Forums

[quote]Christians call God "God" in a personal sense, the Eternal Personage. That God is Absolute and Infinite describe His Perfections.[/quote] Yes. Yet, therein lies a trap. When we consider a word pointing to a personage or thing or concept, we are essentially, creating an idol and the Infinite in His commandments asks us not to do this. Perhaps the reason is that we as human beings will confuse the thing for God and stop our spiritual inquiry believing we

Reply to Language as Idolatry in Religion Stardock Forums

LW, it is very difficult to come this non-duality in the everyday. Many attempt to do this parttime, at Church or Synagogue or maybe on weekend treks into a park or forest to get "in touch" with some unknown or unnamed thing, God, or force. The thing is, as we both have (I think) experienced, there is no need to go anywhere. We but need to stop and listen. Those weekend adventures with the divine can be pathways, but they are often ignored through the week, unfortunately

Reply to The Cost of Cars in Politics Stardock Forums

[quote]Yep most all cars bought in the US are made in the US. Dont get me wrong that some are indeed shipped but not many[/quote] Kinda makes "foreign made" and oxymoron, doesn't it. Has anyone done an analysis of the cost factors in US made "foreign" cars?

Reply to Language as Idolatry in Religion Stardock Forums

[quote]hint: think of So Daiho's deathly silence....)[/quote] Ha! LW, dualities live within a whole: each are required by the other. The Dao is both yin and yang. *Screaming from the rooftops* I will be silent!