Acquaintances are Better than Friends

Separation is a temptation on the spiritual journey. The belief that you can do it alone without help….of course this is the ego and it morphs into a judgement of others. For example in Christianity it is said that Jesus came to heal the sick. I would suggest that the sick are the ones infected by the ego…..left untreated it results in death.

Look at it this way: Consider the V formation of geese…all with the same goal in mind. No single goose leads the formation start to finish…..they continually rotate the lead position…..each one taking a turn at leading. View the relinquishing of the lead position as a surrendering of the ego. This surrender of ego ensures life for all and the attainment of the ultimate goal.

Of course this is the same principle at play for a race. A relay team will always reach the finish line before an individual will. We must ask ourselves how big is my relay team ? How can you not like the members of your team ? How much life is left in you if you ran the race alone ? Sort of like Pride vs Humble……:)

[sky]

Originally Posted by Molearner

Separation is a temptation on the spiritual journey. The belief that you can do it alone without help….of course this is the ego and it morphs into a judgement of others.

Not all who choose to walk their path alone judge others, it's just a way of life which suits them,
everyone is different and have individual needs.
As The Buddha taught, 'The Middle Path' sounds very sensible, for me anyhow...

Originally Posted by sky

Not all who choose to walk their path alone judge others, it's just a way of life which suits them, everyone is different and have individual needs. As The Buddha taught, 'The Middle Path' sounds very sensible, for me anyhow...

Sky,

Somehow the middle path would not seem to be indicative of the solitary path….it sounds more like one that seeks harmony……but, then, maybe the Buddha was speaking of the solitary path ?

[Miss Hepburn]

Originally Posted by Molearner

Separation is a temptation on the spiritual journey. The belief that you can do it alone without help…
.of course this is the ego and it morphs into a judgement of others.

No, it does not. And why say it as FACT!
Where do you come up with these ideas?
A temptation?

A young sapling needs to be protected from the wind and weather to grow strong.

As far as assumptions and judgments -you seem to know very little about
the monastic lifestyle choice or about why in one life of gregarious living
one might choose the next life of austerity, seclusion and more simplicity... which is perfect for them at that time.

[Miss Hepburn]

OK...Again....I will type slowly....On the Forum it has been asked by the Administrators when
quoting others that we only quote 2-3 sentences tops ...referring to the post number helps.

[sky]

Originally Posted by Molearner

-it sounds more like one that seeks harmony… "but, then, maybe the Buddha was speaking of the solitary path ?

The Middle Way Mo is balance.... as in....avoidance of two extremes of 'practical life' like (example) indulgence in sensual pleasures on the one hand and severe asceticism on the other.

[Redchic12]

Yes really good point Sky. I totally agree with you.

[sky]

Originally Posted by Molearner

For example in Christianity it is said that Jesus came to heal the sick. I would suggest that the sick are the ones infected by the ego…..left untreated it results in death.

Results in death, How ? Jesus had an ego, did He not......

[sky]

Originally Posted by Redchic12

Yes really good point Sky. I totally agree with you.

Reminds me of 'A little bit of what you fancy does you good'

[Redchic12]

Sky #68 Yeah ide like to know “how” as well.

Let’s have a look at this word ego. What is it? Isnt it a sense of self?
So if that’s the case……of course Jesus had an ego or he wouldn’t have been born in the human realm. Would he?