Physics & Metaphysics

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You live in time, we live in space.
You are always n the move; we're always at rest.
Religion is our first love, we reveal in metaphysics.
Science is your passion; you delight in physics.
You believe in freedom of speech; you strive for articulation.
We believe in freedom of silence; we lapse into meditation.
~ Hari Dam, prof of Philosophy

Chan Meditation: Do It Silently, And With Sustained Effort

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A friend visited Taiwan recently, the land where Buddha dharma has flowered.
He got us a set of books on Chan meditation and its power to redefine life and death. Also, how, through Chan meditation, one can control life and create wonders in areas where even medical science has failed. The underlying current of the books was that Chan meditation is an easy option to uncover one's hidden intellectual and physical powers. It allows even the most ordinary person to turn into a great soul. It has the power to transform a person without talent to one of great talent and a frail person into a robust one.

Chan was developed by Chan master Sheng-Yen. Sheng had to flee China during the Communist takeover in 1949 and take refuge in Taiwan. The whole idea has its basis in the fact that the mind has to concentrate on one point, whether abstract or concrete. And the attempt is to bring out the individual's greatest intellectual and physical ability, hidden deep within.

The Chan way of meditation is often referred to as the ''gateless gate''. It is so because the so-called gate is both the method of practice and the path to nirvana. Similarly, it is gateless because the Chan method does not believe in any particular method to help a practitioner achieve liberation.

In Chan, remember just one thing: A practitioner cannot be self-centred. Then, the Chan gateway opens up on its own. For that, one has to give up the notion of 'i' at all stages of life while dealing with people and all other living beings. The complete elimination of 'i' enables one to acquire wisdom to deal with others as if one is dealing with oneself. Attachment is eliminated in order to develop compassion and awareness about others' hardships and problems.

Chan stresses on two major forms of practice, both roughly corresponding to the Bodhi Dharma's two entries: one through principle (silent illumination) and the other through practice. But both the methods require the same foundation: a stable and unified mind. Both lead to the same end: the realisation of the nature of the mind, which is emptiness. It is all about acquiring Buddha-like nature, wisdom and enlightenment.

In the silent illumination method, it is important that the mind is aware and clear about things around even though there are no thoughts. Both silence and illumination must be there. Silence is total concentration and illumination is the flowering of the mind as if it shines in the mind like the sun in the sky. In other words, there is complete clarity minus the worldly baggage of attachments.

In the practice method, it is as simple as helping the needy and the helpless as if you are helping yourself. It involves devotion to others, and the practice of making offerings. Exercise is necessary to keep body and mind healthy. This is the foundation for overall spiritual development.

The effects of Chan meditation take place at two levels: psychological and physical. The psychological effects are increased patience, curing of various allergies, strengthening of will power, enhancement of the power of thought, refinement of the personality, rapid calming of the mind, mood stabilisation, raised interest and efficiency in activity and the final attainment of enlightenment. On the physical level, Chan is effective in curing diseases.

In the end, it is faith that drives Chan meditation. Other factors that help promote Chan meditation are: humility, gratitude and repentance. These traits help one become humble and humane without which no one can hope to achieve the ultimate goal - nirvana.

source here

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Studying forever

"I believe people should study a little bit every day. It should become habitual, like brushing your teeth, combing your hair, having a shower or getting dressed. Study the mind, the laws of the universe and paradigms. There's enough information on those subjects to keep a person studying forever." ~ Bob Proctor

BE THANKFUL

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Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something.
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations.
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge.
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary.
Because it means you've made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those
who are also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.

by Unknown

A Touching Story

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A young man was getting ready to graduate college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted. As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud

He was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible. Angrily, he raised his voice at his father and said, "With all your money you give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the holy book.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take-care things. When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. As he read those words, a car key dropped from an envelope taped behind the Bible.

It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words...PAID IN FULL.

How many times do we miss God's blessings because they are not packaged as we expected?