Delusions

Okay, I'm going to take a risk here and throw out that, in order to be a good husband, I am now 2/5ths thorugh the Twilight saga. It's not something a lot of people would admit, so I take pride in that at least. I finished the second book last night, and something hit me in meditation this morning. I am going to reference the book, so I guess this is a *spoiler alert*.

If you haven't read it, and you want to, watch this instead. It's one of the most breathtaking magic effects I've seen live.








Okay, so...here goes.

Bella has been left by Edward. She realizes when she does something that puts her well being in danger, she hears a voice...Ed's voice. It's not him, only a delusion. Yet she continues to put herself in harm's way in order to hear this farce.

A farce, mind you.

It's a ridiculous claim, and she knows it. But do we?

How often do we make delusions for ourselves? How often do we build someone up in our minds, and chase after that person? It's not the person who stands before us. It's a delusion. Whether it's the thought, "This person is not right for you", or "This person really means you harm" is inconsequential. It's a delusion you seek, not the truth.

Or this: You swore to never drink caffeine again. (Lame depiction, I know) However, everything around you resounds the pleasure of giving in. This, you say, is a sign from God. He wants you to do this. He's putting it in front of you.

How are you sure that these signs from God aren't delusions you're running after?

It all goes back to the self. Once you lose the self, you have no delusions to conquer. It's all impermanent. That is what rings true throughout life. Everything passes. It's nature.

Seeing things as they really are...is that so much to ask?

-Ryan

Ego

More important than politics, more important than complaining...I love discussing things such as these:







How difficult our egos can be! I have been studying many of Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings lately, and I have decided that this man has taught me more with his ideas than any other source I have ever encountered. He's truly amazing. He has made me lose my sense of "self"..He has recreated my view of consciousness. He has shown me that hurting others is one and the same as hurting myself. But his words are challenging.

Of course if you hit me I hit back. If I help you, you are indebted to me. These, through experience, is law. It's the way people communicate. It's how we interact. This web of contingencies that we learn from...they're...what's the word?

Wrong. They are all wrong.

We cannot and will not know what peace truly is without losing ourselves. Without seeing ourselves in others, in everything, we can't make progress. We're at a stalemate with ourselves.

One hand reaches for the other because it knows, without hesitation, that it is part of a greater being. Whether it believes in the community of hands, the likeness they share, or it even sees and comprehends the mind that controls the both of them, it is compassionate and unyielding in its care. It's a wonderful illustration of how to live.

True Peace

Ryan

Some Interesting Information

Just thought I would put these up. No opinion, just facts. It's hard to see past the "Blame everything on the new guy" idea, so it's always a good idea to see where this debt everyone is freaking out about came from. Notice the trends? It must be genetic.

It's odd..I have been one to say that taxes are ridiculous. It's odd that the government keeps asking for more and more...That's bad. Well, I also complain about construction on the roads all the time. I shouldn't be bothered by workers fixing things. I want to get where I want when I want. That's the typical standing.

I also don't complain when it's finished and I can drive more smoothly to where I'm trying to go.

Also, I love certain websites. I frequent uer.ca. It's nice to see other people who love the same photography. I give to this website. Why? Because I feel compelled to. I want to help them maintain this site. I feel like I own a portion of it.

We all own a portion of this country. Unfortunately, there is not a system really put into place where we feel as if we're actually heard. That is terrible, and it's going to continue that way, I'm afraid. However, it does not alter our responsibility to help maintain this country. All the things we feel we're entitled to all have someone behind them, making them happen.

But I guess complaining about the construction is normal.

There's more to see....http://www.marktaw.com/culture_and_media

DISCLAIMER

"All experience is preceded my mind,
Led by mind,
Made by mind.
Speak or act with a peaceful mind,
And happiness follows
Like a never departing shadow."
-Yamaka II

I know, I know...everyone tells me I'm not one for disclaimers. I just say what I want to say, and everyone else can filter through what they want to hear. That's the kind of person I am, right?

Wrong, I hope.

I don't want any reader to think that I am trying to come from a place of all-knowing sages that bestow their wisdom on me during their lunch break. That couldn't be farther from the truth. All I know are subjective ideas, things I have been taught, and things that come to me in meditation. I know no truths, and adhere to no false pretenses of truth. It's outside me, and I'm merely trying to understand.

So, I don't mean to offend. I state observations, and I may seem harsh, but I'm only being true to my opinions, which can be altered as well. I don't know any more than you do, but we can both learn from each other. So if I say something you disagree with, comment! I will be more than happy to start an intelligent conversation about whatever. I have some pretty out there ideas for some people, so I am looking forward to some in-depth chatter.

For now,

-Ryan