tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875695.post2765987937889383492..comments2024-02-07T21:24:37.121-08:00Comments on Blogtrotter: "Thinking myself into certitude"John L. Murphy / "Fionnchú"http://www.blogger.com/profile/16616876266772470719noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875695.post-72937083198165162072012-03-02T18:36:57.004-08:002012-03-02T18:36:57.004-08:00Time , Circumstance, and Teachings: The Kempon Hok...Time , Circumstance, and Teachings: The Kempon Hokke’s Struggle with the Soka Gakkai and the Nichiren Shoshu<br /><br />http://kemponhokke.blogspot.com/2012/01/time-circumstance-and-teachings-kempon.htmlMark Rogowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05176132114346404556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875695.post-57563201539538664002012-01-08T05:23:16.628-08:002012-01-08T05:23:16.628-08:00Dare I offer that perhaps what you seek is ritual....Dare I offer that perhaps what you seek is ritual. The forms of ritual vary widely, from our familiar rosary,to chanting, to the knots on a Jew's prayer shawl.<br />All that matters is that our particular ritual calms us, and helps us feel safe.<br />When we feel safe in our minds, our souls can breathe and expand. Our expanded souls do not need answers. Indeed, they forget the questions At least this has been true in my life.<br />Peace,<br />sophieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875695.post-28933020995342423852012-01-06T21:24:33.680-08:002012-01-06T21:24:33.680-08:00Anonymous, no matter who you are, I sympathize. A ...Anonymous, no matter who you are, I sympathize. A dear friend told me awhile ago that the Dalai Lama advised seekers to stick with the tradition within one was raised, but as I was reflecting today (before I read your moving comment), was what do we do when that tradition lacks meaning for where we're at now? Where to then?<br /><br />I compare my childhood fervor and confident identity with my postmodern flux and searching skepticism, and I wonder, as you do. May we learn to let the "help me," the acceptance of what will be will be, to guide us and live within us as it does you as a seeker. I sense that you're learning to let go of trying to answer it all, and to simplify as you learn to make--as the lamas say--friends with yourself. For those of us raised in a harsh, fatalistic, guilt-inducing culture, this is no easy task.<br /><br />I reckon from my own limited forays the past few years into studying Buddhism among other paths that my understanding's barely nascent, but I sense you're at the portal of ultimate wisdom and the enlightenment you've so long sought. Namaste, pax tecum, m'anam-chara.John L. Murphy / "Fionnchú"https://www.blogger.com/profile/16616876266772470719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875695.post-57560129691639083102012-01-06T19:56:56.056-08:002012-01-06T19:56:56.056-08:00Fio, As I read your post, I felt my heart reach ou...Fio, As I read your post, I felt my heart reach out to the words.<br />A fellow seeker, I too have explored many paths. At one point, I was a teacher of meditation and yoga.<br />At some point, I realized I was trying to liken my spritual life to baking a cake: ie: one cup of service, 1 cup of prayer, and I would bake myself into a belief that had a physical shape and 'flavor', that would be recognizable to all.<br />Needless to say, it didn't happen.<br />Over the years, I have always had a simple silent plea from my soul to the great Whatever. It is always the same two words 'help me'. No bargaining, no promises of future actions, just 'help me.' Tragedy or illness are not necessary components of this. Sometimes it is as simple as having a conversation with an out of sorts neighbor. "help me" is whispered, and suddenly I 'see' that grumpy person, and know his feet hurt and his heart aches, and he is doing his best. Impatience is replaced with patience and acceptance.<br />I find comfort in the age old Mass of our ancestors, it helps me feel part of an ever expanding circle, that will likely continue in some form long after I am gone. In the end, being part of my 'tribe' and knowing it will continue, has come to have a lot of meaning for me. A sure sign of impending old age perhaps, but I take my comforts in whatever form they present these days.<br />I know this doesn't answer your request for further research, and you introduce a most interesting study, I wish you well, and thank you for your kind words.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31875695.post-91396394578853700942012-01-01T13:50:23.780-08:002012-01-01T13:50:23.780-08:00I append this exchange with a reader of this blog ...I append this exchange with a reader of this blog via FB, as he can't post here directly. <br /><br />Him: <i>Although "technically non-theistic" Soka Gai is nevertheless entirely 'superstitious', which places it squarely in religion territory -- and, imo, perverts any usefulness of buddhism's exhortation to accept reality. Its central proposition, that meditating to a mandela will channel undefined cosmic 'energy' and effect changes, is unprovable and unfalsifiable, as any result or non-result is made to fit the hypothesis. In Feynman's classic judgement, it's "not even good enough to be wrong." Only the dullest of minds -- or most desperate of hearts -- would rest their hopes for happiness on what is merely prayer an exotic packaging.</i><br /><br />My reply a bit edited: <i>I find myself looking in from the outside with interest, intrigued by its "every day in every way I am getting better and better" attitude--since this clashes w/ my skepticism. As a cultural phenomenon and social movement it merits analysis. I'm intrigued by how sociologists of religion gave it more leeway than I expected. What's under-examined is how the results, as you say, fit the hypothesis. Both the US and British surveys skim over [even if they do raise, the US one with an admittedly few dissenters and the British with "compensatory" factors mentioned in passing] this crucial "central proposition." Note that "Time," "SG in America," and "Encountering" all were aided by SGI's aegis, and ponder.</i><br /><br />P.S. I await an in-depth study of how psychologically, and not only sociologically or socially, the result-oriented approach jibes with the mentality applied by SGI's teachings and regimen. Building on these books reviewed by me, I'd welcome a rigorous and extended investigation. If anyone knows of one, please contact me.John L. Murphy / "Fionnchú"https://www.blogger.com/profile/16616876266772470719noreply@blogger.com