Recent content by JonDD22

I know that the Zen Master Hakuin discussed samadhi and various samadhi experiences he had. And I know that some literature equates the samadhi experience to the nirvana experience. I think there may also be discussion of it in the writings of Swami Vivekananda and of Sri Ramakrishna. I...

I have read some of the Gnostics texts. I found them very interesting and engaging. I remember reading one by St. Peter in which he described the nature and origins of evil. It was so completely spot on, it could be applied to the way greedy CEOs are abusive today. Or any of the many...

thanks for sharing these anecdotes. It is much appreciated. Wonderful to hear stories of interesting and amazing people. Always inspiring.

That is wonderful...truly wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

When I was younger, I thought the idea of elders teaching me something was ludicrous. As I have gotten older the thought of passing something along occurred to me. But, since I make a huge mess of every endeavor I engage, I question my own worth in doing something like that. But, the best...

World's Worst Music Presents, Mrs. Elva Miller... Back in the 60s, she did this comedy act by taking a popular song and utterly destroying it. Making into a completely unbearable experience, watching her ruin popular tunes. here she is, destroying "Downtown" +++ and destroying "A Hard...

Chihuahua Stress Reduction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLu2CFDBJk0

Yes, religion absolutely evolved out of the shamanistic practices that preceded it. By studying existing Stone Age cultures in the modern world, a better insight into ancient cavemen has emerged. Some now believe that the cave paintings of ancient man, were not art, so much as cast spells to...

as to crafting one's own world view and spirituality and challenging existing norms? Sure, I feel all that is great. But, like anything else, everything in moderation. Otherwise, we are just going to the supermarket and picking the spirituality out that we want and not engaging the...

regarding dissent from Church doctrine. Well, St. John of the Cross and St. Francis of Assisi were both, for a time, considered heretics by no less than the Pope of their day. I know that the Pope in St. Francis's time reversed his views and came to regard him as a saint. I think the same was...

I'm 60. But my knees are 73, my back is 84 and my brain is 102. I like the thread. Got a task or two to do, hopefully return soon.

I love it when I somehow wake up at 3 AM, on a clear night, when everything is quiet...go out in the backyard and look at the constellations.

Longhorns were my favorite college team, growing up. Haven't watched much college football in years, but always like them. Never was a big Notre Dame fan, until the movie "Rudy" came out. After that, you know, always liked them. Now, my wife works for a major Catholic university, so if I...

Fully agree. There was that book "Christian Zen," written by three Catholic monks about the similarities between Christianity and Zen Buddhism as regards morality. And, of course, the work of Thomas Merton. Yes, I certainly have heard the teaching about sticking to one path and certainly have...

Good tune. My ex, Ann, when her cat would do something obnoxious to the furniture, she would stare at the cat and scold her, "Ruby, you little slut..." So, I think the piece of music is apropos. They are hustlers, selling their little warm bodies as heating pads, as comfort, while secretly...