Your First Post

[Pathless]

In a couple of other threads, people have mentioned looking recently at their first posts on these forums and being like, "Wow, I used to think that?"

I thought it would be fun and entertaining for us to dig up our first posts--or the earliest that we can find--and create a mashed-up, taped-up collage of days gone by.

Who knows? Maybe synchronicities will hapeen and various old posts from different threads will combine in new and enlightening ways.

Or, maybe it will just be an amusing pastime.

[Pathless]

My first post, or the earliest one as far as I could tell:

Originally Posted by Pathless

I agree with Vajradhara when he says that this thread has veered from its original intention. Let's take a look back at the original posting.

Samabudhi responded with the implication that the Dali Lama is a Bodhisattva:

I agree with this, although Vajradhara disputes it on a technicality:

I don't think I am as learned of a Buddhist scholar as Vajradhara, and I have to admit that I get turned around and lost with this whole idea of "Bodhisattva" and "Buddha." I do agree with the general sentiment of Samabudhi's post. To me, what he is saying is that it is one thing to sit and meditate and seek enlightenment, but there is more to the process than just that. After a person becomes "enlightened," the natural thing for them to do is to seek to guide others along a spiritual path; they want to share their salvation with the world. Indeed, this is an inevitable step in spiritual progress. If someone reaches samadhi and feels "enlightened," it doesn't end there. They have to go on developing themselves, and part of how that is done is by guiding others, which is the Bodhisattva path. I'm not sure, but I think "Bodhisattva" is part of the journey to "Buddhahood." It gets a little sticky, to my mind. After all, if "Buddha" means enlightened one, and "Bodhisattva" is one who guides others along to enlightenment, and therefore must be enlightened him- or herself, then does it not logically follow that a "Bodhisattva" is a "Buddha?" Perhaps Vajradhara can clear this up.

At any rate, to address the original post: I think that it is possible to live in the material world and utilize the materials of the world in a non-attached way. When all the materials in the world are used with non-attachment, for the welfare and spiritual progress of others, basically no karma is generated. And this is the Bodhisattva path. Looking at it this way, the Dali Lama's 'fear for' and 'attachment to' his life are not really that, since he is not living for his own sake and salvation, but for others'. To put it another way, he has gone beyond; that is, he is not seeking "enlightenment" or "Nirvana" or what-have-you, because he is already in that state. This idea that one can have human form but already be "liberated" may be surprising to some people, but I don't believe it's so uncommon; all the great spiritual teachers of humanity have been "Bodhisattvas" in this way.

http://www.comparative-religion.com/....html#post5847

[juantoo3]

Cool idea for a thread!

More like my fourth or fifth post:

Originally Posted by juantoo3

Susma,

I too, am ignorant of "computerese", it's all geek to me. But I do use "context" to assist me in figuring out what somebody means by a term. "Avatar" also seems to have a connotation in wicca, but since that was not the context in which it was being used, that is not the context in which I accepted it. (I have more to say to the issue of context, but I will post it on another thread, since this one seems to me dedicated to issues concerning the formatting of responder's unique identities.)

Which explains, at least in part, what you say here. As concepts from one venue of thought/philosophy/religion transfer to another, it seems natural to use terms that relate, even if the concept does not wholly transfer.

It seems to me a curious observation from a Catholic, the use of pictorial icons. The difference being that these "avatars" are not symbols directly worshipped here, merely representative identification. My desire to use a Native American symbol stems from my heritage, and my purpose is much like that of a "nickname". Since Coyote has been my nickname for years, I live daily giving credence to my nickname. Coyote is me, therefore all I do gives credit to Coyote. I can just as easily post here without an avatar, it really makes no difference to me. Even without a pictorial icon, all I do gives credence to Coyote. Note here, credence is not worship. I do not worship Coyote, I relate to Coyote.

Is this humorous, or ironic? Or perhaps, humorously ironic? And then there is the issue of being culturally acceptable not only to relate to, but also to actually name a person after, a religious figure, yet take issue with a pictorial representation as an anonymous representation of a forum participant? Am I missing something?

I was buttin' heads pretty early on...

and I never did find a suitable coyote avatar.

[Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine]

Originally posted by Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine
Hello Zdrastvuitsye, hola, shalom, salaam, konbanwa, namastar ji, hej, greetings, etc.

My name is Phyllis, but my "double translated" name is Sidhe Uaine (which is Gaelic for "foliage spirit".) I know two of the members on board (I, Brian and bananabrain) from a forum that is now closed, so I decided to follow them here.

I'm kind of caught between two paths: Jewish and pagan, and my spirituality is best described as "dance floor". I mean, I express my spirituality through dancing instead of through the "traditional" methods of words since words can have two or more meanings but actions rarely have more than one. I don't follow Reclamation Judaism since I need a much freer way to express my feelings towards the Higher Powers.

I'll answer almost any question asked, but I thought I'd just say hi.

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine

This was mine (here's the thread): http://www.comparative-religion.com/...hello-390.html

[wil]

I can't find my first post...don't exactly know how.

But this appears to be the first thread created.

Originally Posted by Thread: Name of God

I think we are the creator and the created.

In Him I live and breathe and have my being.

Being everywhere present, being that the kingdom is within, being that Jesus says we are all children of God, as him, being that he says we can do as he, our brother...I and the father are one.

We are all one...part and parcel of God.

Ours is but to realize our birthright as Jesus did, and lift the separation we created between earth (material) and heaven.

namaste,

I've grown to taking the 'oh' out of G!d. The rest is still me.

And I still get insights simply by responding. I like the way my fingers wrote 'oh' instead of 'o'. As I don't feel the 'oh' is in G!d, my relationship is much more resting in the ample bosum of a grandmother, where there isn't a care or concern in the world, all is warm, soft, and right.

I often get chastised for not using the 'oh' in G!d, I like both the exclamation point, and the 1, G!d, G1d, I think when I started it was G-d.

[Alex P]

Firstly... What an awesome thread!!!

You know looking at most of my posts... i was pretty much just telling and not being told... You know? Littler slower now, I sense a change in pace..

[Gatekeeper]

My first post, I think - I was under the name Cage at the time? Cool idea for a thread, btw...

I'm kinda at a crossroads, and don't know which way to go. On one hand, I desparately want salvation, but on the other, I fear it may be wrong.

I know it sounds silly, but let me finish...

Ask a child, any child, which is right: To let someone else be punished for what you did, or to accept responsibility, and suffer your own consequenses?

You see, this is my delima, I can't bear the thought of letting Jesus pay for my sins, when I myself should be held accountable. I somehow view it as bieng wrong, and I'm unsure as to how God views such a practice. It's more about principal than anything else, I think? What's done is done, but even in mind, I find it irresponsible, and unjust, and wrong.

I have a son, and if he were punished for something someone else did, I would be very angry. Why would it be any different for God? Wouldn't it be better for me to accept responsibility for my own actions, instead of allowing another to bear the burden that is rightfully my own?

I know that the penalty for sin is death, but would God NOT look favorably on my decision to be responsible? (To willingly die for Jesus' name sake) In my mind, this would be more honorable. I love Jesus, and I think it is unjust for him suffer for my sins, if only in mind, and principal. (Jesus deserves better, imo.)

Jesus said to: "Pick up your cross, and follow me"; Is he hinting that 'I' should do as he did, and allow myself to be punished for my own sin debt? He was raised up after taking sin upon himself (At which point he was no longer 'perfect' being made sin for us, right?) Why wouldn't I be raised also?

Would God turn me away for wanting/trying to do what I think is right?

I'm very confused, and it's starting to affect my peace. I want to do the thing which is right. I love very deeply, and this 'love' has nearly convicted me to pay for my own. I will never deny Jesus, but I might deny him my sins...

~Cage~

Whew, I still feel the same, but to a lesser degree. I know/believe now that we will always be responsible for our actions no matter what we hold true in mind - Call it karma, or simply reaping what you sow - We are responsible [imo]


Here's the thread: http://www.comparative-religion.com/...hics-5006.html

[Snoopy]

How do I find my first post? My last one ain't my first, if you get my drift. It was something dull like Hi I'm Snoopy in the Introductions. No change there then. But I was made very welcome. Ha Ha you fools

This thread is gonna be like a remix album

s.

[Gatekeeper]

Originally Posted by Snoopy

How do I find my first post? My last one ain't my first, if you get my drift. It was something dull like Hi I'm Snoopy in the Introductions. No change there then. But I was made very welcome. Ha Ha you fools

This thread is gonna be like a remix album

s.

I just looked up my user name, and all the posts come up. Then, I went to the very last page, and viola - you have your first post.

Here's my VERY first - quite boring.... http://www.comparative-religion.com/...-you-5007.html

[Tao_Equus]

Well I managed to dig up my first post from 20:10:05.....

I have had many many experiences which suggest to me some kind of future-seeing is at work. Unfortunately all the dreams I have felt to have a premonitionary air to them have come to nothing. But those that I have had while fully awake, lucid and sober () are another matter entirely. It can be a place, and object, a song or simply a word that stimulates me to feel what I would describe as a reverse deja-vu, (ie I get the sense something will happen as against the sense that this has happened before.) These tend to represent pivotal events in my life and have happened sometime a decade preceeding thier fruition.
People have tended to suggest here on this thread that premonition can give you the opportunity to change the course of events.......I am however more sceptical. I am more swayed to the camp that believes our perception of time to be an illusion with us experincing it in a linear way for any number of practical reasons. Thats not to say I wouldnt like to have the opportunity to go back and change some things though.

Seems to me Im like a broken record

I found that through a remembering the thread name not by checking my own archive. Anyone tell me how to access older threads?, Dauer mentioned it but I cannot see what he suggested.

Tao

[Alex P]

James brothethat only logs the previous year, if you have been here over a year... Go to advanced search, search under your user name for posts and next window down make sure it says something along the lines of: [past year] and in the next section choose [and older]

[wil]

Originally Posted by Alex P

James brothethat only logs the previous year, if you have been here over a year... Go to advanced search, search under your user name for posts and next window down make sure it says something along the lines of: [past year] and in the next section choose [and older]

That did it I found it! This is my first day at CR, and I was already using G-d?

Spiritual fascism If you christian you gotta take the log out of your eye...

Dali Lama says...You know you are enlightened when everyone you see you see as enlightened...

Kabala...all paths lead to G-d

I think my favorite though is those that say that everyone is exactly where they need to be according to their consciousness....all sounds good until they finish in their head....and that is where your consciousness says you need to be.

Life is good, like the title of this site...I think comparison to others is what allows us to see where we are... isn't saying that others are judgemental being judgemental?

and then

Re: Jewish Calendar was easier without techonology now we have nano second leaps periodically to cooridinate with our nuclear clocks...

There was a woman once in a class complaining that we had to conform to this man made mistaken 2005 calender..

To which the teacher replied, 'Which man made mistaken calendar would you like to use?'

Everything is arbitrary...and most current knowledge is based on current knowledge which at some point in time will be ancient knowledge and with the youngsters of the day will say...."can you believe they believed that??"

and then

Re: What is Truth?! Truth to me...

God is not created in our likeness.

Priests, Rabbis and Theologians eventually learn that Genesis is a good story, an analogy, a parable... at first it hurts.

God's 'word' the 66 books were accumulated from a few hundred spiritual texts by a group that decided to create the Universal (the latin name catholic) Church as the churches that sprang up from the various diciples and Jesus's brothers varies from an expansion on Judaism to a variety of messianic and 'christian' teachings. (popularized by being able to become a member of the 'chosen' without having to go through circumcision or follow the hundreds of commandments and dietary rules..)

Sunday became the sabbath to satisfy those that worshipped the Sun God...helped Constantine keep order...move the birthday to December and take care of the solstice...the bishops had a fist fight and decided on the trinity and a vote to make Jesus a diety.

Truth is a lot of power trips, control issues, got involved in creating differing interpretations and versions of the bible. Differing religions created differing commandments, and if you are King you can put together your own group and create your own version...

There are some great books and great stories with wonderful deep meanings, virtues, and morals to be culled from the book. But some stuff wouldn't have slipped through had it been done today...like the op/ed political satire about Jonah and the Big Fish, not unlike Gulliver and his Travels or Rocky and Bullwinkle, if you want to get away with tough political stances sometimes you have to make up wild stories to keep from getting burned at the stake.

Studying Bible and Biblical history is interesting, when the books were written (and rewritten) who wrote them, what their agenda was. Heck we even had the gall to rearrange the old testament books to insure it ended on a bad note so we could have 'good news' to follow.

All that being said, a little fiction, a tale with a moral is not an issue, steep it with plenty of numerology and asterology to satisfy everyone...keeps people involved. Just because McGiver was just a made up TV show doesn't mean I can't think 'what would McGiver do?' (WWMD?) and think outside the box to get myself out of a situation. To the same end I can use bible stories as examples in my life today...to assist me in making decisions.

I just hope I never have a group of men banging at my door wanting to 'know' the angels I am protecting inside....because I probably won't offer up my virginal daughters. It is lines like that that make me embrace metaphysics....because if God is good omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent, it obvious I can't read that translation litterally.

But I know as in all spirtual books, the Gita, the vedas, the tao te ching, the Koran, I know there is truth...sometimes like valuable minerals...it takes some digging.

namaste,

[Pathless]

Originally Posted by juantoo3

Cool idea for a thread!

More like my fourth or fifth post:

Susma,

...

Ah, yes, Susma Rio Sep. He was such a quirky character. A bit like a bird of prey sometimes, he seemed to me, the way he would pick at things... and pick... and pick. Or at least that was my perception of him at the time.

I wonder if he is still around at all? Hi, Susma!

[Alex P]

Originally Posted by 17th Angel

We do, I guess some of us just cannot -read- English...

Heh... Sorry brah.

[juantoo3]

Originally Posted by Pathless

Ah, yes, Susma Rio Sep. He was such a quirky character. A bit like a bird of prey sometimes, he seemed to me, the way he would pick at things... and pick... and pick. Or at least that was my perception of him at the time.

I wonder if he is still around at all? Hi, Susma!

It's been quite a while since last I saw Susma around here.

I didn't know what he was up to at the time, but after a while I kinda figured out that it was just the way he was and not just taking a personal swipe at me. Not sure why, but I came to associate him with a court jester. I do miss him, and hope he is well wherever he is.