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Articles from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond Rock | Selfgrowth.com
- Death Is The Doorway To Life — Three Ways To Prepare (Part 1 of 3) - by Submitted on Mar 10, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockApproximately 100 million people die every year.That's a lot of people. Death is a common occurrence, but we hide from death's reality in many ways. In third world countries, there is no funeral director that takes care of everything and neatly makes up the body as if it is asleep. In third ...
Views: 1285 - Mother Teresa May Have Gone Through These Seven Stages - by Submitted on Mar 09, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond Rock1. Christian: Orison (Introversion) – Christian meditation and prayer. Conversion: Here a practitioner converts from an external to an internal emphasis, as the search for Truth, or God begins. Practitioner has good intentions, and prays or meditates occasionally. Eastern: Practitioner begins ...
Views: 936 - A Question Of Values - by Submitted on Mar 09, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockValues could be defined as beliefs in which we have an emotional investment. If we study the values of rural areas throughout the world, we see that a pastoral, agricultural life naturally propagates ethics and ideals that create harmony between people, such as thrift, honesty, quietness, ...
Views: 1088 - Three Gateways To Freedom - by Submitted on Mar 09, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockThese very special gateways are usually spurned by just about everybody. When the gateways conspicuously pop up in our lives, as they regularly do, we do back-flips to avoid them. They are distasteful, in some ways frightening, and make us feel absolutely miserable. So why bother discussing them ...
Views: 516 - Low Cost Health Insurance - by Submitted on Mar 09, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockIMPORTANT: Always check with your medical and mental health care professional before beginning any new regimen. 1. EXERCISE: Brisk walking: Three to five miles a day. Neck roll: Twice a day. (Do this exercise slowly and carefully until your neck and spine become loosened up). Touch your left ...
Views: 969 - Should We Question Authority? - by Submitted on Mar 09, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockWhat are our authorities? The Church, our government, law enforcement . . . our boss? And why should we question them? Better to leave well enough alone and just follow along - much safer. Plus, there is a certain amount of security in just following along, and it’s easier than questioning; ...
Views: 2172 - A Good Deed Never Goes Unpunished! - by Submitted on Mar 09, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockPerforming any deed, good or bad, has repercussions. A bad deed obviously sets us up for a load of bad karma and bad luck. But how could a good deed, that sets us up for good karma, punish us? The punishment comes from the illusion that someone performed the deed. When we perform a deed from a ...
Views: 1094 - When We’re Not In The Moment - by Submitted on Mar 09, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockI was lying on the floor of my little hut in Thailand suffering from one of the many tropical fevers to which I seemed to succumb, and I saw, for the first time in my life, that nothing truly mattered. I found myself directly in the moment. Given the fact that as a Buddhist forest monk I was not ...
Views: 747(1 vote) - The Last Five Steps Of Sainthood - by Submitted on Mar 08, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockThe first five steps of sainthood spelled out in my previous two articles on the subject are not too difficult to understand. These last five, however, can be challenging, especially to common, non-saintly folks like us who might not have personal, deep discussions with God to fall back on! ...
Views: 766 - What Middle-Class America Doesn’t Understand, And The Fed Does - by Submitted on Mar 07, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockLet's say that a caveperson makes some baskets. Other cavepeople like the baskets, and trade some fruits and berries for a basket. This is legitimate. But let's say that an enterprising caveperson prints some money, and uses that to pay for a basket. Then, the basket maker only holds a piece of ...
Views: 608 - Climbing Mountains Of Mist - by Submitted on Mar 07, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockWe create mountains for ourselves to climb. We trust that over the next peak will be our final salvation, our complete happiness, that for which we have been searching. But as we climb our mountains of mist, we find only more mountains, more mist. Our mountains are made of mist because we ...
Views: 699 - Sociopathic Relationships - by Submitted on Mar 05, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockAlthough you may never know it, people you look up to, love, and respect could easily be sociopaths. They give themselves away by exhibiting strange combinations of controlling behaviors, such as being charismatic, calculating, extremely confident, while warmly embracing those who fall under ...
Views: 1481 - Fighting For What’s Important - by Submitted on Mar 05, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockThe most tenacious fighter wins. This is true in war, politics, religion, and all aspects of human relationship. The times when we don't have to fight, the times when we can live without fighting, we call peace. However, there are those who say that peace is not sustainable because peace creates ...
Views: 748 - Sainthood — The Two Intermediate Steps - by Submitted on Mar 03, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockHave you ever wondered what makes a saint, a saint? We have heard expressions such as, "He has the patience of a saint," but what other qualities do saints have that sets them apart from us normal people, and how have they attained these qualities? Were they just blessed by God because God liked ...
Views: 822 - Seven Indicators That Meditation Is About To Go Mainstream - by Submitted on Mar 02, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockAlthough meditation is thousands of years old, it is relatively new in the west. Here in America, new ideas seem to introduce themselves at three levels. First, a new idea is viewed as threatening and it is feared. Later, it is made fun of, ridiculed and laughed at. And finally, it is accepted ...
Views: 663 - First Steps Toward Sainthood - by Submitted on Mar 01, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockThe first steps are not ones we typically think of; therefore, they can only be understood from a perspective of the deepest understanding of human nature. Having nothing to do with being nice, being compassionate, doing good works or feeding the poor, they involve something more subtle; which ...
Views: 726 - Religion: Last One Out, Please Close The Door - by Submitted on Feb 28, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockA recent report from the prestigious Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life comes down to this - Christians are getting restless. The report, other than indicating the consumerish attitude of modern religion shoppers, may indicate a deeper trend; it could mean that religion, as a mystery, as an ...
Views: 678 - Meditation – What’s In It For You? - by Submitted on Feb 27, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockWhat can we expect to gain from meditation? Nothing, in the beginning, except for a somewhat annoying practice that always seems to get in the way of our doing something more important! If we are half-way serious about our practice, however, we will persevere, and eventually get to a point where ...
Views: 596 - The Man Who Knew - by Submitted on Feb 26, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockThere once was a man who thought that he knew. He thought that he knew about life and the afterlife. One day, he was asked how he knew, and he replied that the knowledge was given to him. Who gave it, he was asked, and he said that it was given through his holy book, and that he was certain that ...
Views: 911 - An Article About Nothing - by Submitted on Feb 25, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockThis article is about nothing. Therefore, after you read it, you won't know anything more than you did before reading it; it will be a total waste of your time because I have nothing to say. I mean, what can be said about mountains so high that the snow never leaves their peaks, and as we gaze ...
Views: 679 - Seven Warning Signs – Is Your Organization Becoming A Cult? - by Submitted on Feb 24, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockWe all remember the Jim Jones tragedy, which resulted from a deadly combination - a charismatic leader who knew how to influence and control people, and weak willed followers who couldn't discriminate between fact and fiction. In the cramped confines of a cult, rationality goes out the ...
Views: 1409 - Made In China - by Submitted on Feb 23, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockHere is a recipe for disaster: China and other Asian countries, being pressured at home by rising inflation, is forced to raise prices on all those goodies we buy at Wal-Mart, but not high enough to encourage us to compete again. This would be a formula for runaway inflation along with job ...
Views: 1127 - The Obama Phenomena - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockCapitalism is an economic system based on private ownership of capital. Our rewards are in direct proportion to our efforts - no free lunch here. If you are energetic and intelligent, connected and educated, you should do fine. If not, you could easily end up living on the streets. This system ...
Views: 794(1 vote) - Compromise Or War — You Decide - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockWe compromise every day. With every moment, with every thought. Should I do this or that? Should I go here or there? If we didn't compromise, we would not consider choices, and if we didn't consider choices, then we would be less than animals, and we wouldn't survive. Making compromises reflects ...
Views: 948 - The Third Level Of Education - by Submitted on Feb 21, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockAsk any educator today about the purpose of teaching, and they will more than likely say that it is to bestow knowledge, not much different from programming a computer. But is that the true purpose of teaching, or is that only an obsession with past, dead information? Another educator might say ...
Views: 625 - New Frontiers In Spirituality - by Submitted on Feb 20, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockPeople of all religions and spiritual persuasions are attempting to get at the root of their faiths. They are doing this by deepening their awareness and examining religious beliefs instead of just reading more books. They are searching for real answers this time to their deepest questions - ...
Views: 611 - Middle-Aged Suicides - by Submitted on Feb 19, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockAccording to Patricia Cohen of the New York times, A new five-year analysis of the nation's death rates recently released by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the suicide rate among 45-to-54-year-olds increased nearly 20 percent from 1999 to 2004, the latest year ...
Views: 688 - The Old and New Politics - by Submitted on Feb 18, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockSomething quite dramatic is happening in the political arena - a new vision nothing like the old politics of greed, hatred, and spin. Accustomed as we are to division, bickering, and animosity, this will take some getting used to - and may not happen in this cycle – but it is coming. Voicing ...
Views: 923 - The Most Important Person in the World - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockSome say that moms are the most important people in the world, after all; where would we be without moms? And dads too. We wouldn’t be at all!! Sisters and brothers can be very important in our lives, and in many ways create the foundations of what we are by testing us throughout our life’s ...
Views: 1062 - Purpose, and the Religious Left - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockAn excerpt from Wikipedia.org (Religious Left): “The Christian Left holds that social justice, renunciation of power, humility, forgiveness, and private observation of prayer (as opposed to publicly mandated prayer) are clearly mandated by the Gospel text . . . Bible scholars observe that early ...
Views: 628 - A Flower - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockHave you ever considered the flower? It doesn’t live long, but while it does, it displays itself so beautifully. It doesn’t concern itself with tomorrow, or yesterday; only this one precious moment is important as it unfolds its petals. It positions itself so that it doesn’t crowd the other ...
Views: 760 - Middle Age Muddle - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockWhen we hit middle age or thereabouts, it's not unusual to begin asking questions such as, "Is this it?" Before that, we are busy with kids, careers, and all the things that, as we become older, begin slipping through our fingers like water - without our even realizing it at times. Whatever we ...
Views: 700 - Understanding Ourselves - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockHow do we go about understanding ourselves? This is a very important question because if we don't understand ourselves, how are we going to change? Do we wait for divine intervention to create our pure hearts, or do we do something proactive? If we are not sure, then why not try both ways and ...
Views: 799 - Christian Meditation - Why It's Becoming Popular - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockWalk into any busy Zen center and you will more than likely find Christians practicing meditation. Many famous Christians, including Thomas Merton; Trappist monk, poet, writer and social activist, recommended meditation as a means of directly communicating with God. Whatever we can do to calm ...
Views: 1013 - Meditation Can Help Depression - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockWASHINGTON (AP) People who tend to the elderly, change diapers, and serve up food and drinks have the highest rates of depression among U.S. workers. Overall, 7 percent of full-time workers battled depression in the past year, according to a government report . . . When we work with old people, ...
Views: 671 - Build an Ego in Just Three Days - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockDay One: The best-built egos are ones that are well designed, so the first step is to acquire a great set of plans. These are available at any convenient party in the neighborhood. Just mingle around and you will see all kinds of egos being built right there before your eyes, and all you will ...
Views: 1764 - Test Your Faith (Take the Quiz) - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockScore your answers as follows: Strongly agree -- 1 Agree -- 2 Disagree -- 3 Strongly disagree -- 4 At the end of the quiz, add up your score and check the results. Good luck! 1. My God is the only true God. 2. I would defend my religion to the death. 3. Only my faith insures salvation; ...
Views: 3677(1 vote) - The Seven Levels of the Bible - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockThey say the Bible has seven levels. If the level at which one understands the bible determines one's status in the next world, or heaven, one's understanding is very important. So, at what level do you understand the Bible? This understanding would manifest as the first idea that comes to mind ...
Views: 6057 - How to Beat Loneliness - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockYou know the feeling; a forlornness, a crushing despondency filled with despair and hopelessness; a desperate reaching out for anyone who might hear your apprehensive, silent cries of anguish. You will do most anything to relieve the terrible feelings of dejection, and begin looking for someone ...
Views: 1844 - Our Basic Problem - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockThis is an article about the root problem that forms the basis of our many problems, from the shooter who randomly kills on campus, to the worry that plagues us daily; to the restlessness we feel when we are bored. This problem is seldom explained adequately. Tragedies are usually explained by ...
Views: 885 - Is Your Spiritual Life Working? Seven Areas to Monitor . . . - by Submitted on Feb 16, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockThese seven areas are not necessarily the ones we think of or connect to when discussing the spiritual life. They are not only unusual, but authentic measuring sticks if we truly want to determine what progress we have made. Some of the terms may be unfamiliar, but their strangeness doesn't mean ...
Views: 921 - The Edible Bible - by Submitted on Feb 15, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockYears ago, I thought of manufacturing and selling edible Bibles. The book would be condensed, including only the most frequently quoted scriptures with pages made of a thin, wafer material similar to Catholic Holy Communion hosts. The idea was to cut out your favorite scripture and then eat it, ...
Views: 794 - A Step beyond Positive Thinking - by Submitted on Feb 14, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockA positive attitude is a great benefit. With a positive outlook, we can psychologically reap the advantages of happiness without relying on necessarily positive results. Even if things fall apart, our positive outlook regarding how good things will be in the future keeps us satisfied. For ...
Views: 876 - Obsession With Food — and Other Reasons Why Diets Don’t Work - by Submitted on Feb 13, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockCounting calories, ordering special diet meals, measuring out portions - these are indications that we remain mesmerized and captivated by food - food has taken over our entire lives with no escape; food is an addiction no different from heroin, and maybe more dangerous because we think that ...
Views: 592 - Meditation Practice – Managing the Insights and Energy - by Submitted on Feb 12, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockA common mistake made by new and intermediate meditators is the frittering away of the insights and energy that result naturally from meditation practice. Unless a meditator knows how to manage this energy and insight, he or she will fall into the trap of a premature re-embracing of the world. ...
Views: 615 - Future Life – but no Past Lives? - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockIf our spirit has not lived before, from whence did it originate? Where did it come from? If we didn't have the momentum of either a collective or individual spiritual past life to propel us into this one, are we therefore only accidents of nature; random romantic moments between eggs and a ...
Views: 734 - The Donkey and the Elephant (A Fable) - by Submitted on Feb 10, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockOnce upon a time, in a magical land far across the sea, there lived together a donkey and an elephant. This was very difficult, because they both had such different ways. The elephant loved to trample trees and make a lot of noise, while the donkey nibbled on lowly grasses and said almost ...
Views: 946 - A Day in the Life of a Buddhist Forest Monk (Evening) - by Submitted on Feb 09, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockEvenings are a blessed relief in Thailand; warm, but without the smothering heat of the day that gratefully surrenders to the night’s relative coolness. If I wasn’t in my solitary hut meditating in the evenings, I would be in the main hall at dusk chanting along with the other monks, or maybe ...
Views: 1423(1 vote) - A Day in the Life of a Buddhist Forest Monk (Afternoon) - by Submitted on Feb 08, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockIt's four p.m. I have been napping and doing walking meditation since the morning meal. My hut is deep in the forest, situated on the upper end of a massive, flat rock, with large, flat rocks on both sides and deep ravines separating them (havens for cobras). Surrounding everything is dense ...
Views: 1266(1 vote) - A Day in the Life of a Buddhist Forest Monk (Morning) - by Submitted on Feb 07, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockIt's two-thirty a.m. I light a small candle, hang up my mosquito net, and put on my robes. The forest is quiet now in this backwater rural area of northeast Thailand. I have been meditating since 10:00 p.m. in my tiny hut. The narrow, half-mile trail through the forest is about 930 steps, ...
Views: 2853(2 votes)