Let Go of The Need to Save The Planet by Thich Nhat Hahn

[Simulist]

Hi, HoL. I don't know if there really is absolute truth, or not — but what I'm pretty sure of is that the human brain isn't adequately equipped to process it fully, if there is.

Because of this, it seems fairly clear to me that those who propagate "must believe" statements about some supposed "absolute truth" really don't know what the hell they're talking about.

Robert Anton Wilson called it being a cosmic shmuck and he may be right.

The absolute truth is, it reflects you back to yourself and gives back what you hold up to it. But regardless of what you call it, or what you see and experience, and I can say I've seen a great deal of astonishing things over the last three months of this experience, things it's clear many other artists and writers have seen too, from Van Gogh to Wyeth, Tolstoy to Garner (and Barney Bubbles!) it is the most amazing experience. And it is real, more real than anything else in your life up to the point that it finds you. I haven't even described it fully to my closest friends, so I'm not about to describe it in such detail here. Seek it with all purity of heart, and it will know you, but be warned, you may not like what you find.

I've also had what appeared to me to be very powerful and moving spiritual experiences myself, Harvey. It isn't that I doubt their integrity; I merely doubt my own ability fully and accurately to comprehend them. Similarly, I also question others — especially everyone who imagines that s/he's found "the Answer."

We can all see how other people's BS ("belief system" or "bullshit") makes them blind and "stupid" at times, but we find it very hard to notice how our own BS is doing the same to us. This is what anthropologists call "acculturalization." Following Gurdjieff, I prefer to call it hypnosis... Every politician knows how to induce hypnosis, and very damned few people on the whole planet know how to de-hypnotize themselves. The world is not governed by facts or logic. It is governed by BS (belief systems).

— Robert Anton Wilson

I agree.

[Harvey]

I merely doubt my own ability fully to comprehend them. Similarly, I also question others — especially everyone who imagines that s/he's found "the Answer."

Thought that's what I said.

From my experience you see what it's in you to see. As much or as little as you contain reflected, and it can educate you in the direction you lead.

[Hammer of Los]

..

It all rather depends on how good your eyes and ears are.

Beliefs?

One of the many tenets, or KEYS in my Philosophical Doctrine is the practice of thoroughgoing agnosticism.

Try it.

I think some folk call it Buddhism without beliefs.

Look for the symbols, the archetypes, the things that resonate with YOUR heart. The things you KNOW are GOOD and PURE.

Also look for epiphanic moments, memories and dreams that are particularly poignant or memorable.

Did someone round here mention synchronicities once or twice?

Let them teach you the meaning of your own life.

It ain't easy, let me tell you. In fact, you have to give up a very great deal, possibly everything you have the strength to give up.

Oh, and you have to battle and slay the Greatest Demon born of your fear and hatred and confusion and anger and despair and self loathing.

In fact, its a bit like The Supreme Puzzle, or Deepest Mystery of Life.

Not that I have the faintest clue what I am talking about.

It just appears that way sometimes.

Just remember, appearances can be VERY deceptive.

After ALL, it's not as if you are actually living in a Material World of Time and Space as conventionally understood.


ps Sorry to Harvey for any trouble I've caused. It is super lovely to see you still around.

..

[Harvey]

This hug's for HOL

[Simulist]

I merely doubt my own ability fully to comprehend them. Similarly, I also question others — especially everyone who imagines that s/he's found "the Answer."

Thought that's what I said.

I really wasn't sure, but appreciate the clarification.

[No_Baseline]

Dear lord, HOL, this is the way I felt before I...completely gave up and threw in the towel about seven years or so ago. I was so completely into symbols, signs, and archetypes that it drove me crazy, and I started to feel the 'arrows' were there just for that purpose.

I feel a longing, almost everyday, to return to that doctrine that you just described and that I outlined below...but I just can't...either I wasn't interpreting things correctly, or conversely, if I was, either way I didn't know what the hell it meant or what I was supposed to do...

But I am so very glad to read your response, as it resonated in me within an instant of reading it.

Post Re: Let Go of The Need to Save The Planet by Thich Nhat Hahn
..

It all rather depends on how good your eyes and ears are.

Beliefs?

One of the many tenets, or KEYS in my Philosophical Doctrine is the practice of thoroughgoing agnosticism.

Try it.

I think some folk call it Buddhism without beliefs.

Look for the symbols, the archetypes, the things that resonate with YOUR heart. The things you KNOW are GOOD and PURE.

Also look for epiphanic moments, memories and dreams that are particularly poignant or memorable.

Did someone round here mention synchronicities once or twice?

Let them teach you the meaning of your own life.

It ain't easy, let me tell you. In fact, you have to give up a very great deal, possibly everything you have the strength to give up.

Oh, and you have to battle and slay the Greatest Demon born of your fear and hatred and confusion and anger and despair and self loathing.

In fact, its a bit like The Supreme Puzzle, or Deepest Mystery of Life.

Not that I have the faintest clue what I am talking about.

It just appears that way sometimes.

Just remember, appearances can be VERY deceptive.

After ALL, it's not as if you are actually living in a Material World of Time and Space as conventionally understood.


ps Sorry to Harvey for any trouble I've caused. It is super lovely to see you still around.

..

[Harvey]

[quote="Harve

I really wasn't sure[/quote]

I suppose that's because there's so little I can usefully say of an experience which is subjective and inexpressible.