The Epidemic of Uncaring Apathy

[FallingLeaves]

Originally Posted by inavalan

Who can be sure he/she is 100% right (about things that matter)? Can you be sure what really matters? Can you identify somebody who is 100% right?

As all of the above have negative answers, the next best thing is to do only what you think is right, with the awareness that you might be wrong, and have to adjust accordingly.

There are too many people doing things that they should better be apathetic about.

Is it better to do something wrong than not do anything? In some cases: definitely! In others: no!

yeah but when you are getting the love and attention you need, you really never understand how devastating it is to have to live without it. And then you say stuff like this.

[Wally]

My family culture is influenced by British "stiff upper lip" to some extent. Toughen up. certainly don't draw too much attention to yourself. Don't expect pity.
I needed more mentoring when I was younger. I was clueless. Clueless about who I was and far too idealistic. I needed counselling too if the truth be known. because I had a shocking case of social anxiety yet chose to become a teacher of all things. I had no self-awareness.

Guess your parents aren't equipped to help you with these things. I needed:

- a more realistic view of the world
- more realistic view of who i was and what i have to offer the world
- more discipline
- more effort in thrashing out career choice
- more exploration of religion and life meaning
- better juidgement of other people and their motives

[Wally]

The ideal mentor is soft and hard. Challenging you to go to the next level but always there to catch you if you fall. Encouragement and challenge. A sense of humour too.

Originally Posted by iamthat

I was intending to meditate on the theme of The Epidemic of Uncaring Apathy, but then I thought "Why bother?"

Peace.

lol

What a cheeks!

I found this poem for another thread, but thought I could post it here:



What keeps us alive, what allows us to endure?

I think it is the hope of loving,
or being loved.

I heard a fable once about the sun going on a journey
to find its source, and how the moon wept
without her lover’s
warm gaze.

We weep when light does not reach our hearts. We wither
like fields if someone close
does not rain their
kindness
upon
us.

Meister Eckhart

[Shivani Devi]

Originally Posted by janielee

I found this poem for another thread, but thought I could post it here:



What keeps us alive, what allows us to endure?

I think it is the hope of loving,
or being loved.

I heard a fable once about the sun going on a journey
to find its source, and how the moon wept
without her lover’s
warm gaze.

We weep when light does not reach our hearts. We wither
like fields if someone close
does not rain their
kindness
upon
us.

Meister Eckhart

Very nice...very nice..but I have another:

Kahlil Gibran on Love

When love beckons to you, follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams
as the north wind lays waste the garden.

For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.

Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.
He threshes you to make you naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.
He kneads you until you are pliant;
And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God's sacred feast.

All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life's heart.

But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.

When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart," but rather, "I am in the heart of God."
And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.

'tis a lesson I have yet to learn....maybe next lifetime because it is too late for me now in this one.

I just hope my circumstances will be better/different next lifetime around so I CAN learn it.

I love poems by mystics of Love, SD

Let me find another:

The minute I heard my first love story,
I started looking for you, not knowing
how blind that was.

Lovers don't finally meet somewhere,
they're in each other all along.

- Rumi

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

- Rumi

Originally Posted by Shivani Devi

'tis a lesson I have yet to learn....maybe next lifetime because it is too late for me now in this one.

I just hope my circumstances will be better/different next lifetime around so I CAN learn it.

I don't think it is too late for you, Shivani Devi. You have a spark - remember? You are smart and bright and loving when you want to be

I don't see Love as having to twist and turn us - at the beginning yes, but when we surrender to the heart, the pains lessen, the flow ebbs, the peace sets in.

I'm a big fan of Meister Eckhart, in my tradition, silence is highly valued. Inner peace, contentment. I think we are all very fortunate to be able to share space here in this virtual world. There are so many things in this world. I am grateful to have warmth here and now.

Peace, and blessings,

JL