Thanks for blessed friends and the recent chatter in here lately....

[SageTree]

Hello Friends,

You know who are you....

I figured starting my own thread was the best way to approach this instead of muddling up someone's thread....



Just reading down all these recent Vajrayana DIR action...
Really enjoying it, learning and learning about myself.

It is somehow reassuring and invigorating to see idea and feelings I have, w/ labels on them...
that is... that people are speaking similarly to what I experience...
but with a 'language' to constructively and more efficiently express them to others.

With Vajrayana, specifically, a lot of my knowledge and understanding comes through books
and talking with people here and in other communities.


I have been to two 'working' retreats w/ Dr. Jefferey Hopkins,
where he taught from and discussed two of the books, one each time,
that he'd translated with the Dalai Lama.

So I consider that at least a brush with some formality on the matter.

I don't feel I've engaged in some of the bells and smells ritual more than ankle deep.

I've come to my practice largely through Mahayana teachings,
which consisted of various Zen groups, and one that was just 'Mahayana oriented',
which sometimes delved into Tibetan Buddhism.

I feel on my own, reading, I've come to see many of my own experiences expressed in Vajryana and I've worked further with what I've encountered there,
but again, my exposure to proper teaching is limited.

It is something I wish I could learn more about face to face, with teachers, but I'm not afforded that easily where I live.... so you folks are it... not that that is a bad thing

I guess the long story short is, is that I am grateful for your sharing as it helps me get to know myself...
And it forms a basis for seeing more clearly where I am 'at' in the midst of my understanding on Vajrayana.

I particular.... I am happy to know many of your own back grounds, where you come from and how open and loving you all in your approach to the Dharma.... which ever 'one' you are practicing .... If you feel the need to draw lines.... and perhaps addressing 3 of you for sure... that is a line where it's refreshing to see people straddling as I have a hard time either-or-ing the matter myself.

:namaste
SageTree




Thanks you all.

 

[Jainarayan]

I guess my being a pest has served a greater purpose. Maybe it's my dharma? (sorry, I am ever the wise-guy ).

Seriously, maybe it could be a sticky with some of the more pertinent threads and/or posts incorporated (syncretized? I did it again! I'm incorrigible ).

 

[SageTree]

You aren't scared to ask questions.
That is highly admirable and great quality to have.

:namaste

 

[crossfire]

I guess my being a pest has served a greater purpose. Maybe it's my dharma? (sorry, I am ever the wise-guy ).

Seriously, maybe it could be a sticky with some of the more pertinent threads and/or posts incorporated (syncretized? I did it again! I'm incorrigible ).

Questions are good!
Keep on asking! :yes:

 

[Shuddhasattva]

it's all crossfire's fault.

 

[dyanaprajna2011]

I try to add in my own thoughts, but Vajrayana isn't my strongest point in Buddhism. I do know a few things, but not alot. But it is good to see that the Vajrayana thread has been busy lately. It seems like the Buddhist DIR goes through quiet phases that can really bum me out.

 

[crossfire]

it's all crossfire's fault.

lol, alright, what did I do now?

 

[ratikala]

dear sage tree , and simmilarly all participating dharma freinds , :namaste

Hello Friends,

You know who are you....

I figured starting my own thread was the best way to approach this instead of muddling up someone's thread....

Just reading down all these recent Vajrayana DIR action...
Really enjoying it, learning and learning about myself.

It is somehow reassuring and invigorating to see idea and feelings I have, w/ labels on them...
that is... that people are speaking similarly to what I experience...
but with a 'language' to constructively and more efficiently express them to others.

in order to exchange and disseminate teachings we need lables and terminology but they are simply tools of expression as long as we can follow buddhas instructions and look less at the word and more at the meaning we will be doing well .

With Vajrayana, specifically, a lot of my knowledge and understanding comes through books
and talking with people here and in other communities.

I have been to two 'working' retreats w/ Dr. Jefferey Hopkins,
where he taught from and discussed two of the books, one each time,
that he'd translated with the Dalai Lama.

So I consider that at least a brush with some formality on the matter.

we are so fortunate to meet such opertunities ,

I don't feel I've engaged in some of the bells and smells ritual more than ankle deep.

personaly I would say it is not the most important part , but it helps many .

I've come to my practice largely through Mahayana teachings,
which consisted of various Zen groups, and one that was just 'Mahayana oriented',
which sometimes delved into Tibetan Buddhism.

I feel on my own, reading, I've come to see many of my own experiences expressed in Vajryana and I've worked further with what I've encountered there,
but again, my exposure to proper teaching is limited.

sometimes on ones own is the best place to be as we have the space for contemplation and to relate to the teachings without being swept along by the mood of a group , however there is plenty of room for both .

It is something I wish I could learn more about face to face, with teachers, but I'm not afforded that easily where I live.... so you folks are it... not that that is a bad thing

it will come when it is meant to it allways does , all we need to be aware of is to make the most of the oppertunities when they arrive , and with an open mind one will benifit from the teachings that lay in our path on a daily basis remembering that teachings dont allways come in the manner we think of them .

I guess the long story short is, is that I am grateful for your sharing as it helps me get to know myself...
And it forms a basis for seeing more clearly where I am 'at' in the midst of my understanding on Vajrayana.

I particular.... I am happy to know many of your own back grounds, where you come from and how open and loving you all in your approach to the Dharma.... which ever 'one' you are practicing .... If you feel the need to draw lines.... and perhaps addressing 3 of you for sure... that is a line where it's refreshing to see people straddling as I have a hard time either-or-ing the matter myself.

I feel that I need to clarify something where lines are concerned , and appologise that at times I may appear inflexable on some points , as from years of experience I have seen some practitioners blur lines which should not be crossed this has resulted in some very counterproductive practices .
however there are many lines that need to be disolved , in which case I am happy to egnore them .
but this is the modern dilema , we have the mixed blessing of widely available knowledge yet with it comes an increased danger of confusion .

all I would ever ask of any one is to give thought rather than reaction .

but all aside I maust say allso I have thoroughly enjoyed these recent conversations .

:namaste
SageTree
Thanks you all.

thanks also to all ,and to sage tree also for joining in , would love to hear more of your reflections .:namaste

 

[SageTree]

I try to add in my own thoughts, but Vajrayana isn't my strongest point in Buddhism. I do know a few things, but not alot. But it is good to see that the Vajrayana thread has been busy lately. It seems like the Buddhist DIR goes through quiet phases that can really bum me out.

One thing I enjoy about the Buddhist DIRs and its branches is that we can generally all talk... maybe not agree... but never the less, appreciate each others' tradition and understanding. At least not of late, has there been a lot of preaching, othering or other general negativity.

 

[SageTree]

Greetings :namaste

in order to exchange and disseminate teachings we need lables and terminology but they are simply tools of expression as long as we can follow buddhas instructions and look less at the word and more at the meaning we will be doing well .

I agree about how words are intended to be understood and used. Sometimes to go more deeply in a particular path we need the keys to fit the tumblers in the doorways we must unlock as we go. That is why I say thanks for the particular 'language' here, expressed.

we are so fortunate to meet such opertunities

Most certainly we have a great opprotunity to grow together across the globe.

personaly I would say it is not the most important part , but it helps many .

In finding my intention I am able to really engulf myself in the ritual or dance if you will, it's just not something I've spent a lot of time on.

Prostrations are perhaps one area, for sure, that I have looked upon for direction.

sometimes on ones own is the best place to be as we have the space for contemplation and to relate to the teachings without being swept along by the mood of a group , however there is plenty of room for both .

I can tell the times when I have community to be with,
and when I do not.

This month there is a solstice celebration are the Shambhala meeting an hour away from here,
I'll get in the door with that and see what I think of it.

Again.... I really appreciate talking with the online sangha :namaste

the teachings that lay in our path on a daily basis remembering that teachings dont allways come in the manner we think of them .

Quoted for Truth... off the cushion and off the mat!!!
That is where the practice happens.

I feel that I need to clarify something where lines are concerned , and appologise that at times I may appear inflexable on some points , as from years of experience I have seen some practitioners blur lines which should not be crossed this has resulted in some very counterproductive practices .
however there are many lines that need to be disolved , in which case I am happy to egnore them .
but this is the modern dilema , we have the mixed blessing of widely available knowledge yet with it comes an increased danger of confusion .

all I would ever ask of any one is to give thought rather than reaction .

but all aside I maust say allso I have thoroughly enjoyed these recent conversations .


thanks also to all ,and to sage tree also for joining in , would love to hear more of your reflections .:namaste

My friend, Inflexible isn't a word that shows up on my list for you,
other than remaining firm and true to yourself... which is good as I feel you have the balance in the right places
But that is just me

What I am saying is that you speak from your view point,
but you never do it unskillfully or in a way that promotes confusion or misunderstanding.

:namaste

 

[Jainarayan]

You aren't scared to ask questions.
That is highly admirable and great quality to have.

:namaste

Questions are good!
Keep on asking! :yes:

Be careful what you wish for... you may get it.