Learning, not judging?

There are an infinite number of subjects to discuss or contemplate.
If we are talking, or just thinking, about something - whatever it may be - isn't it more interesting and valuable to ask what we can learn from doing so, including why we are talking or thinking about that subject, than to judge the importance of talking or thinking about it?

January 4, 2015

Attaining the Buddha self.

Allah’s gift of peace.

The peace of Yahweh which passes all understanding.

The peace of Jesus, the Son of God, which passeth all understanding.

The peace of God which passes all understanding.

The peace which passes all understanding.

The peace . . .

There is the human experience of transcendent peace – that everything is all right just the way it is – rare and brief as that experience may be.

Then there are the attempts to describe that peace, and how to find it, developing and diverging over millennia of religious and cultural history.  Then there is self-righteousness – the notion that our traditions and our paths are the right ones, not just the right ones for us.

Let us strive not to better describe that peace, but to better live and share it.

Investments and relationships

In relationships, as in nature and business, 
one cannot produce fruit without first planning, planting, nurturing, and waiting.  If one is lucky, the fruit is proportionate to the effort.  
One can't draw interest without earning it: making a deposit and waiting - and even then the interest is dependent on the one entrusted with the deposit and proportionate to the amount deposited.
One can't get a life-sustaining return without first choosing, investing, and waiting - and the return depends on the wisdom of one's choice, the amount invested, the level of commitment to the investment - and grace.

Duty or opportunity

Does my universe - Life - ask a lot of me?
Or does it simply give me abilities, opportunities to use those abilities, and the capacity to form opinions about the proper stewardship of those abilities and opportunities and I mistake my own opinions - my self-imposed duties - for external demands? 

Life

Life: The acceptance of challenge, travail, pain, unfairness, disappointment, frustration and the need to forgive as the price of health, growth, vitality, fulfillment, peace, joy and forgiveness.

Efficiency vs. laziness

There is a difference between efficiency and laziness.  Sometimes it is deceptively small.  But, fundamentally, it is always big.

Examining today's choices

Like every other cell in the body of humanity, I'm going to die someday.  
Am I willing to examine how I use the gift of each day, mindful that it might be my only opportunity to make my last impression?
If so, is the balance between contribution, growth, fun, exercise and rest a healthful one?
If not, what am I afraid of?