Shanna #2

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/25/04 5:27:47 AM,

Chinese Medicine writes:

 

<<

 

Here, Here. If one's consciousness isn't in line with their actions

 

there is much suffering indeed.

 

Lon: I think I know what you mean but I don't think you've stated it

properly.

 

 

 

Shanna: The Shen is primary in treatment and

 

diagnosis according to one of my teachers who said this on the first

 

day of my TCM education. However, IMHO in order to attain

 

enlightment we cannot strive toward such but must focus on the

 

alleviation of suffering for ourselves and others in the here and

 

now.

 

Lon: This is often just a way out for the worst part of ourselves right ? " Im

a good person, I treat tibetan reguges, leave me alone " . Striving toward the

absolute is the *only* way to embody virtue or for consciousness to evolve.

And yes, even our own enlightenment should be for the sake of others. Most who

even think about enlightenment are just craving releif for themselves.

 

 

 

Enlightenment is a state which may or may not descend on us in

 

a future here and now. In this way there is space for enlightenment

 

to exist, not as a state of perfection but as a dymanic process

 

which magnetically would allow us to return to it when suffering the

 

slings and arrows of existence.

 

lon: Well, I wouldn't sit around and wait to get hit by lightening. If I was

really interested I'd at least go fly a kite with a key attached in a storm.

The part of ourselves that wants to wait is not interested. And, let's be

clear, enlightenment as I use the term is the goal of healing. It is ultimate

healing. And, it means simply seeing what's True uncolored by personal

experience

and acting authentically in the world based on the perception.

 

Shanna: But " absolute " ? A slippery slope I think as I have

 

said.

 

 

Lon:: The post-modern mind cant deal with absolutes because everything, even

the Absolute itself is thought to be equivelent. Good? Bad? Its all the same.

This results in a horizontal flatland with no verticality and, as it turns

out, no morality or authentic spirituality. TO see one's self as the absolute

would be delusion........but to live humbly in its presence and to strive

relentlessly toward it cultivating virtue for the sake of virtue alonne is the

only

life I can see that's worth living.

 

 

Shanna-I know needles can help but I think this is an organic process

 

which requires the active participation of the patient on and off

 

the table in the ever-present here and now. Are we in agreement?

 

 

Lon: Yes. Stability of the Will (zhi) is the foundation of all practice.

 

 

Regards, Shanna >>