No God

[sky]

Originally Posted by r6r6r

There is a reason why cities have parks.

.."The practice of mindful walking, says Thich Nhat Hanh, is a profound and pleasurable way to deepen our connection with our body and the earth. We breathe, take a mindful step, and come back to our true home."....

https://www.lionsroar.com/how-to-med...ng-meditation/

Yes one of my favorite ways of Meditating, close to Nature. You don't need to sit in a room in a certain posture on a cushion to benefit.

[BigJohn]

I like taking long hikes into the mountains....
Some of my best experiences have been out in the mountains in a meditative state.
Not to far from were I live is a wilderness.... I wonder if the local people venture into the wilderness.

[r6r6]

Originally Posted by BigJohn

I like taking long hikes into the mountains....

Some of my best experiences have been out in the mountains in a meditative state. Not to far from were I live is a wilderness.... I wonder if the local people venture into the wilderness.

In a boat on a calm lake or river in the mountains on a calm pleasant day.

Oh gee I'm not coming back. Just live their an hunt me bear for bearskin clothing in those rough winters. Then I can mediate out in the snow on a cold calm and pleasant 0 degree day.

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by r6r6r

In a boat on a calm lake or river in the mountains on a calm pleasant day.

Oh gee I'm not coming back. Just live their an hunt me bear for bearskin clothing in those rough winters. Then I can mediate out in the snow on a cold calm and pleasant 0 degree day.

Talking about boats..... were I lived once, I use to get on a boat (sometimes several) per day. Miss those days. I live in the desert so for the most part, our rivers have no water.

[BigJohn]

My wife is a Buddhist. One of her many stories goes like this:
She was on a boat and a foreign white woman sitting behind her would put her feet up on the back of her seat. She told the woman numerous times not to do that. Finally, my wife went and threw her off the boat.
After the woman was rescued, the police asked my wife why she threw the woman off the boat. She related to the police the above narrative. The police understood. It turned out the police were on my wife's side. In some Buddhist lands, pointing or trying to put your feet on somebody's head is extremely offensive.
Now my wife could have moved to another seat, but I highly suspect all of the seats were taken.

[winter light]

Originally Posted by r6r6r

Void? I dont understand what or where this void you speak of exists. Please clarify for me as best you understand it.

Best way to describe is Tao in Tao Te Ching. Though it's an evolving understanding and experience. I felt the word "void" was appropriate because it allows everyone to apply their own understanding to it.

I think I understand what it means when a human is present at a party, meeting, school etc.

I think I know what it means when a human has awarness also ex consciously awake not asleep and can hear, or see, or hear what is going on around them directly or via radio, tv or others telling them information.

A bit more than that. In comparison, I am referring to an enhanced self and situational awareness.

[r6r6]

Originally Posted by winter light

A bit more than that. In comparison, I am referring to an enhanced self and situational awareness.

1} adrenal rush --fight or flight--- is one option that fits that bill,

2} others not to mentioned here at SF,

3} other hormonal rushes that stem from being pregnant,

4} other hormonal rushes that stem from ..??? and enhances our ability to be keyed, tuned-in, extremely focused, etc

Originally Posted by winter light

I don't know. This is a very challenging topic. But to the degree that Buddhism cannot accept sectarian beliefs it cannot be universal. I cannot say I have studied a great deal of Buddhism but from what I have read the Buddha refused to answer questions about the nature of God. That is not the same thing as saying there is no God. Or that there is a God.

And the fact that he refused to answer speaks volumes, not about the irrelevance of the question, but rather to the difficulty of sharing the universal Dharma in a way such that it can transcend beliefs without abandoning the person who holds them. To me the relationship is the point, not the beliefs. One must approach the beliefs of another with great care.

Nail.

Head.

Hit.

[Gem]

Originally Posted by Altair

Yes Gem. Though there are still possibilities that what people experience is genuine. I get it, the mind can conjure up images that we 'want' to see, and I'm skeptical about most stories, yet what we see may also provide a glimpse of what is beyond. I don't think it's as easy to discern as you think it is.



Buddhism contains baggage as well. One can practice Buddhism and forget about karma or reincarnation but still these are central in Buddhist spirituality. You talk about breathing, but what if you stop breathing. Is there anything left, if so what, and where..?

I just mention breathing because anyone can feel what it's like, and that represents what it is to look and find out. Without imagining anything, just see it as it is in the way it is actually experienced by you. It is the truth as you experience it.

[Gem]

It's not to accept the beliefs, it's just that sectarian beliefs are not relevant. You can feel the breath moving and you know it's real in the most direct sense, and this regardless of any belief. People think their beliefs are important, but really, it's just imaginary thoughts. This not to say I rubbish them - it's only saying it doesn't matter. Anyone can feel the breath moving regardless of all that.

That is a key in meditation. The truth as it is. The truth of yourself. Religion is just imagination made real with robes and rituals, just dressed up with symbols and acted out. Different religions dress up and act out in different ways, but everyone is breathing. There is no Buddhist breath, Hindu breath and so on.

No one accept the breath because it is not a made up thing. It's simply true, and instead of believing you are breathing, you simply look and see for yourself that you are.