#self-realization
When one goes to Obaku temple in Kyoto he sees carved over the gate the words “The First Principle”. The letters are unusually large, and those who appreciate calligraphy always admire them as being a mastepiece. They were drawn by Kosen two hundred years ago.
When the master drew them he did so on paper, from which the workmen made the large carving in wood. As Kosen sketched the letters a bold pupil was with him who had made several gallons of ink for the calligraphy and who never failed to criticise his master’s work.
“That is not good,” he told Kosen after his first effort.
“How is this one?”
“Poor. Worse than before,” pronounced the pupil.
Kosen patiently wrote one sheet after another until eighty-four First Principles had accumulated, still without the approval of the pupil.
Then when the young man stepped outside for a few moments, Kosen thought: “Now this is my chance to escape his keen eye,” and he wrote hurriedly, with a mind free from distraction: “The First Principle.”
“A masterpiece,” pronounced the pupil.
Provided he makes and wins an argument about Buddhism with those who live there, any wondering monk can remain in a Zen temple. If he is defeated, he has to move on.
In a temple in the northern part of Japan two brother monks were dwelling together. The elder one was learned, but the younger one was stupid and had but one eye.
A wandering monk came and asked for lodging, properly challenging them to a debate about the sublime teachings. The elder brother, tired that day from much studying, told the younger one to take his place. “Go and request the dialogue in silence,” he cautioned.
So the young monk and the stranger went to the shrine and sat down.
Shortly afterwards the traveler rose and went in to the elder brother and said: "Your young brother is a wonderful fellow. He defeated me.“
"Relate the dialogue to me,” said the elder one.
“Well,” explained the traveler, “first I held up one finger, representing Buddha, the enlightened one. So he held up two fingers, signifying Buddha and his teaching. I held up three fingers, representing Buddha, his teaching, and his followers, living the harmonious life. Then he shook his clenched fist in my face, indicating that all three come from one realization. Thus he won and so I have no right to remain here.” With this, the traveler left.
“Where is that fellow?” asked the younger one, running in to his elder brother.
“I understand you won the debate.”
“Won nothing. I’m going to beat him up.”
“Tell me the subject of the debate,” asked the elder one.
“Why, the minute he saw me he held up one finger, insulting me by insinuating that I have only one eye. Since he was a stranger I thought I would be polite to him, so I held up two fingers, congratulating him that he has two eyes. Then the impolite wretch held up three fingers, suggesting that between us we only have three eyes. So I got mad and started to punch him, but he ran out and that ended it!”
Source:abigail.linn.art
Source:blessthemessy
I saw this post from one of my favorite artists. It reminded me that, even as a therapist, my role is not to “fix” someone or alter their emotions. I can simply sit and offer support.
Source:laurajaneillustrations
Source:abigail.linn.art
Frail:
Adj: (of a person)weak and delicate Easily damaged, fragile.
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Looking at the prompt for @inktober day 8, frail, I’m reminded how I used to equate frail to introverted. It’s often seen as a negative to be less talkative or “shy”. Over the years as a therapist, I’ve learned being introverted does not equate to being frail. Introverted is (for myself) more in line with being empathetic and an attentive listener while still being able to advocate for myself and clients.
Source:aolanow
Source:zeppelinmoon
The Secret History of Humanity
“We know that Adam and Eve — who bother the scientists from materialistic anthropology very much— are nothing more than a symbol.
So, the profane scientists from materialistic anthropology want to refute the Biblical Genesis. It is good for them as well as for all of us to understand that the book of Genesis is just a treatise of alchemy for alchemists. Genesis must be studied as an alchemical book, and not in a simple, literal way.”
from Gnostic Anthropology, Samael Aun Weor
It is with great pleasure that I announce the release of my new book, Shamanic Journeys: An Anthology. This book is an anthology of shamanic journeys that I have taken over my 35-year exploration of shamanism, the most ancient and most enduring spiritual tradition known to humanity. Each inner journey has a unique story about what led up to the trance experience, and what I learned from it. They were powerful life-changing events for me. Journey work is therapeutic and liberating. My trance experiences were healing, insightful and empowering. They often triggered the cathartic release of suppressed emotions producing feelings of peace and well-being. The process restores emotional health through expression and integration of emotions.
Shamanism is based on the principle that innate wisdom and guidance can be accessed through the inner senses in ecstatic trance. We can engage the blueprint of our soul path through the vehicle of journeying. Shamanic journeying is a time-tested medium for individual self-realization. We can journey within to access wisdom and energies that can help awaken our soul calling and restore us to wholeness. It heightens our sense of mission and purpose, empowering our personal evolution. I invite you to journey with me into the inner realms of consciousness.
If this pandemic never happened, then the version of who you are now would never have happened.
I think we as queer people all know the “oh” moment where you realize you’re not straight/cis but no one talks about the “goddamnit not again” moment where you thought you completely figured out your gender/sexuality only for you then to discover another label and have to start the whole process over again
Been there and sending love to everyone in the notes going thru the same shit. Remember, it’s a journey thru who you are, and not a final goal to be reached. Self-discovery is a lifelong journey that lasts until we pass on, and that is actually a beautiful thing and we should embrace that in ourselves and in others.
But also it’s great to throw up your hands in exasperation at the “oh shit” moment and experience a period of disorientation. Feel those feelings! Yell about it, whine about it, talk it out, make art about it, share your experience, journal it. It feels much better when you do.
I’ve been identifiying as some varying shade or other of gray ace for most of a decade now and Tuesday morning I’m changing the swmin my Tumblr header (and any other header I can figure out I have it) to queerand be done with it
I kind of love it when all the “oh”s fall like dominoes. Sometimes, there’s a kink in the line, and one, or three, remain standing.
Until the cat jumps on the floor with a Thump! And then, the last ones wobble, and join their siblings.
“I find I exist most authentically
somewhere between
cursive and chicken scratch—
that is to say
in written word,
not lens,
for photography fails and deceives
in so far as it tries
to contain me
in an immortalized image
whereby the eye defines me
a perceived singularity.” - d.c.
“some people will
resent you
because
you don’t give them a
reason to”
- d.c.
I think we as queer people all know the “oh” moment where you realize you’re not straight/cis but no one talks about the “goddamnit not again” moment where you thought you completely figured out your gender/sexuality only for you then to discover another label and have to start the whole process over again
Been there and sending love to everyone in the notes going thru the same shit. Remember, it’s a journey thru who you are, and not a final goal to be reached. Self-discovery is a lifelong journey that lasts until we pass on, and that is actually a beautiful thing and we should embrace that in ourselves and in others.
But also it’s great to throw up your hands in exasperation at the “oh shit” moment and experience a period of disorientation. Feel those feelings! Yell about it, whine about it, talk it out, make art about it, share your experience, journal it. It feels much better when you do.
I’ve been identifiying as some varying shade or other of gray ace for most of a decade now and Tuesday morning I’m changing the swmin my Tumblr header (and any other header I can figure out I have it) to queerand be done with it
I kind of love it when all the “oh”s fall like dominoes. Sometimes, there’s a kink in the line, and one, or three, remain standing.
Until the cat jumps on the floor with a Thump! And then, the last ones wobble, and join their siblings.
Hmmm I guess my most recent comic is more relatable than I thought….
We know that the Essence is a fraction of Soul, but with that fraction we can elaborate what the Tao calls Golden Embryo. That Golden Embryo establishes in us a perfect equilibrium between the material and spirit; but it is not possible to elaborate that Embryo if before we have not liberated the Essence, that is enclosed among the Ego, the “I,” the myself.
~ Samael Aun Weor
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