Kevin commented on the post Best Halloween Costume you Ever wore? by sadonna p. 8:42PM EDT
"One that stands out for me occurred back in 2003 when I was still in a particularly irreverent phase. I dressed up in a nun's costume and my friend dressed up as Austin Powers. We got them from Party . . ." more
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Spotlight
Random Question #2...
rating: 10
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comments: 9
Should the legal drinking age in the United States be lowered from 21 to 18? more
Random Question...
rating: 10
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comments: 11
Did Jesus Really Exist?
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comments: 36
Clipping Your Fingernails on the Grass
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Kevin's Feed
Kevin commented on the post Random Question... by Kevin Elliott 7:30PM EDT
"I can understand how you could lose the cheating friend if you told the other friend, but how would you lose the friend that was cheated on by telling them the truth? Could it be because you might have . . ." more
"I can understand how you could lose the cheating friend if you told the other friend, but how would you lose the friend that was cheated on by telling them the truth? Could it be because you might have . . ." more
Kevin commented on the post Random Question... by Kevin Elliott 7:23PM EDT
"Well, in this particular scenario, you actually catch one of your friends cheating on your other friend; you don't find out through hearsay. Nevertheless, good points, Dawn :-)" more
"Well, in this particular scenario, you actually catch one of your friends cheating on your other friend; you don't find out through hearsay. Nevertheless, good points, Dawn :-)" more
Kevin commented on the post Random Question #2... by Kevin Elliott 8:47AM EDT
"Interesting points made, guys. Thanks for sharing. I've heard a number of countries have their legal drinking age set at 18. I wonder how this has affected the accident rate? Does MADD have any international . . ." more
"Interesting points made, guys. Thanks for sharing. I've heard a number of countries have their legal drinking age set at 18. I wonder how this has affected the accident rate? Does MADD have any international . . ." more
Kevin commented on the post Random Question... by Kevin Elliott 8:40AM EDT
"Understandably, this is a difficult situation to say the least. I'm sure a lot of people would do nothing because they see it as being none of their business, but I don't think that's entirely . . ." more
"Understandably, this is a difficult situation to say the least. I'm sure a lot of people would do nothing because they see it as being none of their business, but I don't think that's entirely . . ." more
About Me
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People say I'm:
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Describe Yourself:My greatest interest in life is spiritual growth - maturing mentally and emotionally towards full spiritual enlightenment by confronting and resolving all my inner pain and suffering.
Right now I'm primarily working to reduce the emotion of insecurity within me and transform it into love-based emotions. The love-based emotions I regularly use are FEELING (not merely thinking) protection, care, value, respect and love for myself. I feel these emotions in gradual rotation.
It's a slow process, but it works. When I deal with negative emotions, I still feel them for a while after I finish the inner healing sessions for the day. I liken this to a person undergoing a series of operations in order to fix an ailment and improve their overall health. Sure, the patient may feel a lot worse after the procedures, but recovery time is needed before he or she can start to feel better. Experiencing negative emotions resulting from the inner work exercises is what I liken to the recovery process. Afterwards, I start to feel better.
In the "end" (this stage of the spiritual growth process), the goal is to remove all traces of inner turmoil and illusion from within in order to fully experience the Presence of God that's inside and all around us at all times. It's like cleaning out the inside of a dirty cup. Once the cup has been properly cleaned, it can fulfill its purpose. It's also like cleaning a dirty pair of glasses. When the glasses are dark and dirty, they hinder your ability to see properly out of them. However, when you take the time to clean them, they can then be used as intended.
In the same manner, when we are filled with negative emotions (fear, anger, insecurity, depression, etc.) and their corresponding thoughts and conclusions (e.g. "I'm not good at anything", "She's a slut", "What a bonehead!"), they hinder our ability to "see" (perceive - mental) and experience (feel - emotional) life accurately. But if we can gradually work to resolve our inner conflicts, we can eventually get to the place where our inner experience of life matches Reality and not falsehoods and illusions. Hell on earth can eventually become heaven on earth, one determined and dedicated individual at a time. :-)
I believe our single greatest purpose in life is to fully experience God (Love, Nirvana, etc.) and allow this life changing experience to influence all of our actions in the world. This is what I call consciously experiencing the state of full enlightenment, where we are free from all pain and suffering and only experience Peace, Love and Joy, regardless our external circumstances. Heaven (love-based) and hell (fear-based) are both experienced within, not without. We choose which one we want by the emotions and corresponding thoughts we experience on a regular basis. That alone is something to think about...
If you're interested in more information about how to begin or continue the inner healing process, I invite you to check out David F. Capps' book, The Gospel of Thomas: A Blueprint for Spiritual Growth. It's available as a free e-book download. Although it's based on a Gnostic text, the teachings are universal in scope. It helps the reader to gradually progress towards spiritual enlightenment through the inner healing process.
Our built up mental and emotional pain is what keeps us from experiencing continuous happiness in life. Gradually confronting and resolving that inner pain deals with the root problem. This book shows you how to do that.
All you have to do is go to www.energygrid.com/spirit.html, hover your mouse over David's e-book image link, right-click and select "Save Target As...". For those who prefer his paperback version, you can find it on www.amazon.com and www.gnosticwisdom.org. For those who use Amazon, simply search for "David Capps".
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I hope I have been of help to you. Any feedback on this profile or the book would be greatly appreciated.
Take care.
Kevin :-) -
On Gather, I'm Looking For ...:people who share my interests and friendly people in general :-)
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Ping Me
Displaying 10 of 19 Pings
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Svetlana Goryacheva,
Jul 1, 2008, 5:41PM EDT
Dear Kevin - thank you so very much for pinging me, for your kind and generous words and, of course, for the book - I've just began it, but I'm already impressed! :-)
Blessings and Light (BTW, my name in Russian actually means "light") -
- Sveta
Blessings and Light (BTW, my name in Russian actually means "light") -
- Sveta
Donald Hawley,
Jun 30, 2008, 12:06PM EDT
When David's book is available I would like to read it. I don't read much because I usually "get the point" or "don't get the point" early on and don't need a lot of explanatory stuff. I do think that most Christians haven't gotten what Jesus was all about, mostly for reasons of insecurity in thinking that one just "gets saved" and that's it. Instead, it's a continuous process, not only for the individuals but for man as a whole.
Carla G.,
Jun 29, 2008, 9:06PM EDT
Kevin, the more I read David Capp's book, the more it sounds like Unity principles. I really hope you'll check out a local Unity church there in south Florida. And I am definitely planning on ordering David's new book. I like the way he describes things. Thanks again for sending me "The Gospel of Thomas".
Carla
Carla
Jared G.,
Jun 29, 2008, 6:15PM EDT
Here ya go my friend:
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
The invocation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo was established by Nichiren Daishonin on April 28, 1253. Having studied widely among all the Buddhist sutras, he had concluded that the Lotus Sutra contains the ultimate truth of Buddhism: that everyone without exception has the potential to attain Buddhahood. The title of the Lotus Sutra in its Japanese translation is Myoho-renge-kyo. But to Nichiren, Myoho-renge-kyo was far more than the title of a Buddhist text, it was the expression, in words, of the Law of life which all Buddhist teachings in one way or another seek to clarify. What follows is a brief and unavoidably limited explanation of some of the key concepts expressed by this phrase.
Nam
The word nam derives from Sanskrit. A close translation of its meaning is "to devote oneself." Nichiren established the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as a means to enable all people to put their lives in harmony or rhythm with the law of life, or Dharma. In the original Sanskrit, nam indicates the elements of action and attitude, and refers therefore to the correct action one needs to take and the attitude one needs to develop in order to attain Buddhahood in this lifetime.
Myoho
Myoho literally means the Mystic Law, and expresses the relationship between the life inherent in the universe and the many different ways this life expresses itself. Myo refers to the very essence of life, which is "invisible" and beyond intellectual understanding. This essence always expresses itself in a tangible form (ho) that can be apprehended by the senses. Phenomena (ho) are changeable, but pervading all such phenomena is a constant reality known as myo.
Renge
Renge means lotus flower. The lotus blooms and produces seeds at the same time, and thus represents the simultaneity of cause and effect. The circumstances and quality of our individual lives are determined by the causes and effects, both good and bad, that we accumulate (through our thoughts, words and actions) at each moment. This is called our "karma." The law of cause and effect explains that we each have personal responsibility for our own destiny. We create our destiny and we can change it. The most powerful cause we can make is to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo; the effect of Buddhahood is simultaneously created in the depths of our life and will definitely manifest in time.
The lotus flower grows and blooms in a muddy pond, and yet remains pristine and free from any defilement, symbolizing the emergence of Buddhahood from within the life of an ordinary person.
Kyo
Kyo literally means sutra, the voice or teaching of a Buddha. In this sense, it also means sound, rhythm or vibration. Also, the Chinese character for kyo originally meant the warp in a piece of woven cloth, symbolizing the continuity of life throughout past, present and future. In a broad sense, kyo conveys the concept that all things in the universe are a manifestation of the Mystic Law.
Primary Practice
Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo--also known as "Daimoku"--is the primary practice of SGI members. Through this practice, one is able to reveal the state of Buddhahood in one's life, experienced as the natural development of joy, increased vitality, courage, wisdom and compassion.
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo
The invocation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo was established by Nichiren Daishonin on April 28, 1253. Having studied widely among all the Buddhist sutras, he had concluded that the Lotus Sutra contains the ultimate truth of Buddhism: that everyone without exception has the potential to attain Buddhahood. The title of the Lotus Sutra in its Japanese translation is Myoho-renge-kyo. But to Nichiren, Myoho-renge-kyo was far more than the title of a Buddhist text, it was the expression, in words, of the Law of life which all Buddhist teachings in one way or another seek to clarify. What follows is a brief and unavoidably limited explanation of some of the key concepts expressed by this phrase.
Nam
The word nam derives from Sanskrit. A close translation of its meaning is "to devote oneself." Nichiren established the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as a means to enable all people to put their lives in harmony or rhythm with the law of life, or Dharma. In the original Sanskrit, nam indicates the elements of action and attitude, and refers therefore to the correct action one needs to take and the attitude one needs to develop in order to attain Buddhahood in this lifetime.
Myoho
Myoho literally means the Mystic Law, and expresses the relationship between the life inherent in the universe and the many different ways this life expresses itself. Myo refers to the very essence of life, which is "invisible" and beyond intellectual understanding. This essence always expresses itself in a tangible form (ho) that can be apprehended by the senses. Phenomena (ho) are changeable, but pervading all such phenomena is a constant reality known as myo.
Renge
Renge means lotus flower. The lotus blooms and produces seeds at the same time, and thus represents the simultaneity of cause and effect. The circumstances and quality of our individual lives are determined by the causes and effects, both good and bad, that we accumulate (through our thoughts, words and actions) at each moment. This is called our "karma." The law of cause and effect explains that we each have personal responsibility for our own destiny. We create our destiny and we can change it. The most powerful cause we can make is to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo; the effect of Buddhahood is simultaneously created in the depths of our life and will definitely manifest in time.
The lotus flower grows and blooms in a muddy pond, and yet remains pristine and free from any defilement, symbolizing the emergence of Buddhahood from within the life of an ordinary person.
Kyo
Kyo literally means sutra, the voice or teaching of a Buddha. In this sense, it also means sound, rhythm or vibration. Also, the Chinese character for kyo originally meant the warp in a piece of woven cloth, symbolizing the continuity of life throughout past, present and future. In a broad sense, kyo conveys the concept that all things in the universe are a manifestation of the Mystic Law.
Primary Practice
Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo--also known as "Daimoku"--is the primary practice of SGI members. Through this practice, one is able to reveal the state of Buddhahood in one's life, experienced as the natural development of joy, increased vitality, courage, wisdom and compassion.
Donald Hawley,
Jun 21, 2008, 6:00PM EDT
Thanks for the further explanation. One thing I noticed, though, is where you think that we can dispense with "organized religion" if we have progressed far enough individually. But this is contrary to one of the important lessons of Jesus... that if we want to save ourselves we must lose ourselves in others. Personal spirituality without positive interaction with others is not spirituality, in that it is purely selfish in kind. Of course you may be among those, including myself, who feel that "organized religion" as evidenced and practiced by Christianity today and for two thousand years is now a discarded practice for those who have "grown up." It's an obsolete paradigm that most are very hesitant to give up because they haven't known anything else and because they don't want to take responsibility for their own spiritual "salvation." It seems that you and David are more advanced than that. Jerry Kays also seems to have gotten beyond that. But to throw out the idea of religion being a social movement per se because one doesn't like the paradigm of practicing Christians is to throw out the baby with the bath water. Spirituality without social interaction and group spiritual progress is a "living oxymoron." How this is to be accomplished is another matter of great importance.
Jerry Kays,
Jun 21, 2008, 12:12PM EDT
Hi Kevin, returning your ping, thanks for the wonderful note. You will make a good author I am sure as you have a great outlook and a wonderful story to write of ... the audiences are growing exponentially now.
I often sign off as I do because one individual rightly challenged me as not being humble enough to be truly spiritual as I claim and he also insisted, rightfully, that my concepts were ONLY my own opinions ... so I accommodated him by "In My not so Humble Opinion" IMnsHO. :-)
I often sign off as I do because one individual rightly challenged me as not being humble enough to be truly spiritual as I claim and he also insisted, rightfully, that my concepts were ONLY my own opinions ... so I accommodated him by "In My not so Humble Opinion" IMnsHO. :-)
Donald Hawley,
Jun 21, 2008, 11:51AM EDT
I am still rather skeptical for the following reason: One who studies "eastern religions" and "Christianity" in whatever form to learn about religion is still "behind the curve" so to speak. Religion is a living thing. Religion is a natural process and not a "once upon a time" story book fantasy. If there is a God (which I don't doubt) and if religion is a natural process by which this God communicates with His creation (which I also do not doubt) then it doesn't just stop at some point in time convenient to the psychology of the individual. I think that much of the time, people tend to stay fixated on "Jesus" and the "Cross" as a way of escaping the responsibility of searching for and making the "daring plunge" into "that which is coming" and not staying on the "bank of that which has come and passed." They can only be "religious" in the sense of staying in the comfortable shadow of those who went before and made those daring choices (such as the first believers in Jesus). But that is precisely what Jesus was about and warned us about, this propensity for hiding in the safety of what others have accepted and not daring to forge a new path for humanity as directed anew by God. I am not interested in hearing (or reading) what someone has learned spiritually from studies of ancient texts. I "done that, been there." Those who remain glued to the past are like flies on flypaper, preserved but motionless. What I want to say to people like that is, "Grow up and get on with it." This is a new day and God has spoken again just as He said He would through Jesus.
Philip Dimabo Brown,
Jun 18, 2008, 7:08AM EDT
Hi Kevin,
Thanks to you too for accepting my call... I look forward to hearing from you again.
Thanks to you too for accepting my call... I look forward to hearing from you again.
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