Enlightenment Is Now

Religious Reflections

On despair, hopelessness and boredom in the modern world -

Today, this present moment is the result of yesterday.
Tomorrow will become the manifestation of today. 
This year is the result of last year,
and it will become the foundation for next year. 

This current life and current reality is the best time of our lives.
This is our source of change with which we can reshape our lives and this world.

Today is a new opening and the gateway to great hope. 

The spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth settles in my being. 

My spirit penetrates all things as my mind wills.

Heaven, Earth, and I become One.

I am One with the Way of Heaven and Earth.

While standing over a pot of jook (& thinking about inevitability having to clean the sticky rice out of the slow cooker) a string of thoughts came through my mind;  

Life is seemingly predictable now, and our expectations are high

Knowing the possibilities, and that predictability makes me sigh

All of the “answers” and possibilities shown to me through a screen

but which one is me?

Having the internet is a blessing and a curse in so many ways

No question ever has a right answer

Circling and circling into madness

We are all simultaneously right while also wrong

We all have thoughts and feelings too,

so by default we are as special as you

I think I know all the possibilities so what do I do?

Feeling connected feels good

Expanding and contracting

Favor the external and you will deplete

Stoke the Ministerial fire to be complete

Hot and cold

All directions

New religious movements

All one spirit

Interest and will -

Support the base¹

No more burn out -

Turn off the thoughts

We are all connected

Enlightenment is now²

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ahhh revision - this is a work in progress, all thoughts are works in progress

I have by the turns of fate found myself in a religious community of a “new religion for a new age.” A young religion that attaches itself to a Buddhist structure. Since it is a fairly new religion being just over 100 years old, one could easily minimize the group. Most commonly new ideas are likened to a cult or are untrusted. But maybe all religions are cults but that does not denote badness necessarily. There are also ways to differentiate between religions and cults.

Traditional Buddhism in my eyes is too disconnected for one, saying that it is all illusion and that nothing exists disregards much of our current material struggles.³ Buddhist typically renounce earthly belongs however my denomination does not. My denomination does not have a sacred lineage either but that does not deter me.

Among other differences people question if it is truly Buddhist and to that the answer is that it is and it isn't. No question has a right answer, all perspectives are valid and thats how we find ourselves in this trouble.⁴ The Buddhist group which I find myself in believes enlightenment to all and that it is attainable now. So instead of squabbling with people online whether something is or isn't I choose to trust in what I know and in those I trust.

For the past three years I’ve been reimagining my (half-baked) thesis paper from undergrad. I wrote then about the need for new religions so it’s funny I ended up in one without trying, it merely fell into my lap. Until then I will continue to learn more of world religions, ancient and emerging in hopes to make some sense of my purpose.

Purpose
Unifies us:
It focuses our dreams,
Guides our plans,
Strengthens our efforts.
Purpose
Defines us,
Shapes us,
And offers us
Greatness.

Earthseed The Books of The Living verse 51

I wish and pray sincerely and truly, Where my hands touch the world, Where my feet walk on the ground, Where my voice echoes through the hills, and where my mind is penetrating, that we, All together, all together, share a true affinity for attaining great enlightenment and Reaching out to all living beings

원하옵니다. 원하옵니다. 간절히 간절히 원하옵니다. 내 손길 닿는 곳, 내 발길 머무는 곳, 내 음성 메아리 치는 곳, 내마음 향하는 곳 마다 우리 모두 다함께 우리 모두 다함께, 성불제중 인연이 되어지이다.

1. Will is controlled by the kidneys (water), support the will by strengthen the low back and through breathe work. Also support your home base.

2. it can and must be, however no one else can do it for you. Suffering is eternal so enlightenment is now. It is simply a state of mind.

3. I have not studied classical forms of Buddhism, this information was gather by speaking with a group of young Buddhist online. This is merely my perspective on those who follow traditional canons and is by no means a complete picture of the vast religion.

4. One of my favorite teachers often would respond to questions with the answer “yes, no, and maybe”