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Articles from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond Rock | Selfgrowth.com
- Dont Fall For These Three Fallacious Debating Tactics - by Submitted on Oct 22, 2009 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockThese are three of the most common underhanded tactics used in debates.They come into play as an attempted deflection from the main argument that your opponent is usually losing and can no longer argue intelligently. If you watch out for them and keep bringing your opponent back to the original ...
Views: 20930(5 votes) - The Story Of A Tree - by Submitted on Nov 08, 2007 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockOnce there was a little tree. It had a special place all to itself in a beautiful forest, and with the warm winds and gentle rains, the seedling began to grow. Soon, a few small leaves appeared, and the little tree spent the long summer days opening itself to the sun. For some reason, however, ...
Views: 9422 - The Lazy Person’s Two Step Diet (Easy)! - by Submitted on Jul 08, 2010 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockWho has time to count calories? Or shop for exotic, low calorie, super foods, (acai berries?) or sign up for all the latest fad diets? I certainly know that I don't. I remember times in my life when dieting was not a problem. Playing football and burning up three or four thousand calories a ...
Views: 7585(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: 6074 - 2 Steps to a Lazy Man’s Diet - by Submitted on Jun 02, 2010 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockWho has time to count calories, shop for exotic, low calorie, super foods, or sign up for all the latest fad diets? I know that I certainly don’t. I remember times in my life when dieting was not a problem. Playing football and burning up five or six thousand calories a day made weight ...
Views: 5668(3 votes) - A True Story of Lust and Seduction - With a Twist! - by Submitted on Jan 31, 2010 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockA True Story of Lust and Seduction - with a Twist! Twenty-six hundred years ago, Subbha the Buddhist nun was walking through a mango grove when a lustful young man blocked her path. Subbha the Nun: “What wrong have I done you that you stand in my way? It’s not proper my friend that a man ...
Views: 5375(1 vote) - Why Do We Get Angry When Someone Disagrees With Us? - by Submitted on Jan 27, 2010 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockLet's say that one person loves the president, Bush or Obama, and another hates him. Then, anything that one would write positively about the president would be hated and disbelieved by the other, regardless of whether it was true or not. A strong bias would blind the president hater to any ...
Views: 5372(3 votes) - Dieting -- The Monk Diet - by Submitted on Dec 27, 2007 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockWhen I was living as a Buddhist monk in the backwater jungles of Thailand, I learned many important lessons that have made my life much easier. One of them was how to handle food. The rules of a Theravada monk include eating only once a day, and that is in the morning. Typically, we would walk ...
Views: 5280(1 vote) - Martial Arts Training - Balancing Mind and Body - by Submitted on Aug 13, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockA very special kind of training is critical in martial arts because martial arts is about life and death. In one split second, your life will be either spared or taken, and that outcome depends entirely upon your preparation. The adversary you face will be stronger, faster, better trained, ...
Views: 5271 - Are We Really Hiding Behind Our Religions? - by Submitted on Apr 26, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockThe Catholic Church is losing folks. A recent survey reveals that 6 out of 10 Catholics feel that they are out of touch with Catholic views. Much of this might result from the pedophile cases and views on contraception and illegal immigration, but I have a hunch that this is merely the course of ...
Views: 4395 - 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: 3690(1 vote) - If You Are Not Happy Now, You Never Will Be - by Submitted on Mar 27, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockWe have all foolhardily said, at one time or another, that if we only had so and so, we would be happy forever. I remember saying it when I was a little tyke and wanted a two-wheeler, and later when I was a young man and wanted a house, three kids, and two cars! I think we set ourselves up when ...
Views: 3566 - How To Untangle Fishing Line — And Our Lives - by Submitted on Mar 28, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockWhen I was just a little tyke, way before spin-cast type fishing reels, we had to put up with basket type reels. Instead of the line freely flowing from the end of the spining reel as it does now, it would unwind mechanically, a very inefficient method for bait casting though still used for ...
Views: 3522 - Considering a Lifestyle Change? Don’t Even Think About it! - by Submitted on Aug 11, 2010 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockRemember that all-in-one 48 piece exercise gym that you bought a few years ago? You even figured out how put it together, and actually worked out for a month or two! Then the sessions got further and further apart, and finally you had to disassemble the infernal contraption and move it into ...
Views: 3177 - Silent Prayer: Part 2 - What Silent Prayer Is, and Isn't - by Submitted on Nov 03, 2009 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockWhen we think about prayer, what comes to mind is some kind of request or solicitation of God . Maybe we are ill and ask to get better, or ask forgiveness, or maybe a little help with the lottery. These are the kinds of prayers that we mostly engage in. We might also repeat a mantra, for ...
Views: 2894(2 votes) - 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: 2867(2 votes) - Running While Standing Still - by Submitted on Apr 05, 2010 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockWhat is it that we run from? What is it that takes up almost all of our waking moments? It must be very important, otherwise we wouldn't devote an entire lifetime trying to escape it. The interesting, and at the same time depressing, thing is that all the running in the world won't distance ...
Views: 2699(2 votes) - Happiness Guaranteed - by Submitted on Mar 31, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockHow can anyone guarantee happiness? Well, they can't. But we can. We can guarantee our own happiness. In order to do that, however, we must first eliminate those things that make us unhappy. So let's get started. First, think about what makes you unhappy. Take a few moments to think about that. ...
Views: 2663 - Why People Lie to Us - by Submitted on Apr 15, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockLying is a kind of "get out of jail free" card. We can do bad things, lie about them, and we're off the hook. Or it seems that we are. But really, we're just setting the hook deeper as we begin to believe that we can get away with almost anything, and our conduct becomes increasingly unwholesome ...
Views: 2658 - What Represents Truth to You? - by Submitted on Feb 27, 2010 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockTruth is not what we believe truth to be. Whatever we see, whatever we hear, whatever we think, whatever we believe is not truth. Truth manifests beyond that. We might say that our religion is truth, but our religions are no more than a set of beliefs, and beliefs can never be truth, only ...
Views: 2586(2 votes) - Living Life Unconsciously - by Submitted on Oct 22, 2009 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockDo you feel at times that you are just going through the motions, living life unconsciously? Did you know that this feeling is actually close to spirituality, more so than being entirely and endlessly enthralled with life? Now, there is a difference between living life unconsciously and ...
Views: 2584(4 votes) - Living Mechanically - by Submitted on Jan 25, 2010 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockA machine does what it is programmed to do until it eventually breaks down. Until then, it repeats its limited, repetitive actions endlessly. As human beings we are programmed as well, by our culture, our traditions, our education, but most importantly by our minds. There is usually very ...
Views: 2355(1 vote) - The Most Discouraging Things In The World - by Submitted on Aug 16, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockA glass half-empty is discouraging, but not as discouraging as how misled people can be when a glass half-full is perceived as brimming over the top. War is discouraging, too, especially wars that seem to go on forever. It's as if the countries involved grow to believe that everything is ...
Views: 2243 - 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: 2185 - Buddhism - Too Real For Americans? - by Submitted on Mar 26, 2010 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockSimilar to Christianity, Buddhism has many branches. The original doctrine that the Buddha taught his monks is called the Theravada or the Teaching of the Elders, but this very deep teaching may be too strange and frightening for everyday Americans. This unpopularity is not unusual when we ...
Views: 2174(3 votes) - Cutting the Umbilical Chord - by Submitted on Mar 13, 2010 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockIt's obvious that only after young adults leave home do they find their own potential and blossom in their own way. The bittersweet acknowledgement of this reflects a mature relationship with parent and child. This is a cutting of the umbilical chord with our children, offering them a chance of ...
Views: 2166(1 vote) - The Ladder of Your Life - Which Rung are You on? - by Submitted on Jan 21, 2011 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockIf a ladder represents our life, the rungs of our ladder represent our breakthroughs. Have you had one lately? Sometimes we think that we have arrived at the top rung of our ladder. Nothing else needs to be done. All we have to do is hold on and hope no sudden wind blows us off. And ...
Views: 2156(2 votes) - Scientists Create Life, not God! - by Submitted on May 21, 2010 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockDateline May 21, 2010. Scientists Create First 'Synthetic' Cells - Researchers Imbue Cell With Engineered DNA. - by MICHAEL SMITH MedPage Today Staff Writer. "In a development that seems likely to stir a firestorm of controversy, researchers said Thursday that ...
Views: 2101(1 vote) - A Little Mid-Forties Depression? - by Submitted on Jan 29, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockWhen we hit our mid-forties, our bodies stop fooling around and become serious about disintegrating! It can seem at times as if we age 20 years in the span of one or two years, which can be quite a shock if we have been so caught up with life that we haven't noticed the subtle, almost invisible ...
Views: 2045 - Is Your Religion Working for You? Really? (A Fresh Approach ) - by Submitted on May 28, 2010 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockHow about a fresh approach to religion? What if we observed life as it truly is? What if we tried to see the truth of life without preconceived ideas about life, without the filter of our past conditioning and entrenched beliefs? Is there an approach to life that plainly, logically, and ...
Views: 2030(1 vote) - Nothing Matters - Unless it Matters - by Submitted on Jan 06, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockThis sounds like a Yogi Berra truism, but the fact is; nothing really matters at all. Everything we do, our dreams, our aspirations - they all mean absolutely nothing. The expanse of the universe, the inconceivable endlessness of eternity, the indifference of a myriad of generations to come, all ...
Views: 2002 - Creating Bullies - by Submitted on Apr 27, 2010 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockThe first thing you want to do is scream at your kids. That makes them afraid and teaches them to become pushy themselves, connecting verbal abuse with authority and influence. (Never use compassion or loving kindness - that will make girlie men out of them). If you are dead, so to speak, ...
Views: 1960(5 votes) - The Four Noble Truths - by Submitted on Dec 30, 2007 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockThe Buddha would have made a great CEO. He was all bottom line, and the bottom line was freedom, or enlightenment. If something didn't contribute to this directly, then he didn't teach it. One day he was in a forest with his monks, and he said to them, "Which is more, monks, the few leaves ...
Views: 1958(1 vote) - How to Recognize a Saint if You Meet One On the Street - by Submitted on Feb 02, 2010 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockSaints have fourteen unforgettable characteristics that distinguish them, and when even just one of these traits are observed in someone, that observation prompts us to exclaim, "He/She is a saint!" As we read about these fourteen traits, we might think that we can become saintly too by ...
Views: 1932(3 votes) - The Most Important Thing to Look for in a Relationship - by Submitted on Dec 30, 2007 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockGood looking, intelligent, personable, self-assured, these are important, but if the most important thing is missing, the relationship could be doomed. Usually we are attracted by physical attributes, the most obvious being gender, but build, height, hair color – all of these count too. Then we ...
Views: 1909 - Seeing Everything Anew - by Submitted on Apr 11, 2010 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockTo clear the mind of past programming requires practice. It can't be done by wishing it to happen. The fastest and most trusted way is meditation, and the type of meditation that gets results quickly and surely is breath meditation. As one concentrates on his or her breath for some time, the ...
Views: 1899 - 12 Metaphysical Questions And Answers - by Submitted on Dec 23, 2007 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockQ. Does God exist? A. If there is a god, he, she, or it, or neither he, she, nor it, would not exist. A god could never be caught within the fabric of existence as we are. A god is Reality, unborn, uncreated, undying, and therefore could not exist, and therefore since we exist, we cannot be ...
Views: 1863 - 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: 1855 - When I Was A Hippie - by Submitted on Mar 27, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockIt was 1980. Janet and I were hiding out (from my creditors) at Shasta Abbey, a monastery in northern California, where we had ordained as Zen postulants. Suddenly, out of the blue, I became very ill, and when the illness worsened, I handled it as I had handled everything in the past — I ...
Views: 1815 - Jesus is the SON OF GOD! The Buddha was, ho hum, merely a man - by Submitted on Jun 05, 2011 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockThere have been occasions when I have been told that “Jesus is the Son of God and the Buddha was just a man, therefore, the Buddha is a false prophet.” Okay, I respect everybody’s freedom to voice their opinion. I also know how views and opinions are formed, and why they become so entrenched. ...
Views: 1804(1 vote) - Like Mosquitoes Biting an Iron Ball - by Submitted on Apr 19, 2010 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockThis world is an amazing place. Never-ending things to experience. Long ago this was not the case . Other than a change of seasons, nothing much happened. But today with the internet, we can be worldwide travelers while sitting in our media rooms. We can be authors and write articles, or ...
Views: 1800(1 vote) - 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: 1778 - How You Reincarnate - by Submitted on May 18, 2010 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockHuman beings go through an interesting process when reincarnating, a process that unless explained would probably go unnoticed. This article will explain the steps. All major religions recognize reincarnation. This especially true with Eastern religions. However Christianity, Islam, and ...
Views: 1768 - The Rich Man and the Beggar - by Submitted on Dec 27, 2007 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockHave you ever tried to change yourself? Tough, huh? But sometimes we have no choice. Once in a while, during a lifetime, we get a good look at what we are, and when we see what we are, we become so disturbed that a change can't be avoided. It's actually the seeing that creates the change. It's ...
Views: 1764(1 vote) - Freedom FROM Religion? - by Submitted on Apr 05, 2010 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockOnce the Buddha was asked if anyone can become enlightened, even if they were not a follower of the Buddha. His answer - a resounding; "Of course!" He even went further than that. He warned about becoming attached to the religion itself, and suggested that one only use Buddhism as a raft to ...
Views: 1753(5 votes) - H.B.I.T.S. Syndrome - The Silent Killer - by Submitted on Apr 06, 2010 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockH.B.I.T.S. is more widespread than originally thought, mainly because it goes unreported. The reason for this is that on the surface, it doesn't seem to be all that serious. But as a matter of record, H.B.I.T.S. could be called the silent killer. One of the major symptoms of H.B.I.T.S. is a ...
Views: 1751(5 votes) - The Long Sleep - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2010 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockWe look in the mirror and notice a new wrinkle. Oh my God! I'm getting old! But I'm only forty-four! Let's see, Americans live to an average age of seventy seven. That gives me thirty-four more years! Wait a minute, Japanese live to be eighty one! I do eat a lot of fish. Maybe I have thirty ...
Views: 1694(2 votes) - You’re Not Alone - by Submitted on Jun 02, 2010 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockPeople who are truly spiritual tend toward quietness. Not too many saints and prophets of old were the life of the party with a lampshade on their inebriated heads! You might instead find them out in nature somewhere, on a mountain trail, at the ocean, or in a forest, quietly reflecting on the ...
Views: 1694(1 vote) - If Easter is a Pagan Holiday, Who was Jesus? - by Submitted on Mar 16, 2008 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockCAUTION: This article and the information it contains is not for Christians who simply believe and look forward to enjoying a peaceful Easter, which is such a beautiful, spiritual holiday. If this is you, please stop reading now. If you are still here, this article is for Christians and ...
Views: 1692 - The Satisfaction of Living Simply - by Submitted on Jun 18, 2011 from E. (anagarika eddie) Raymond RockYears ago I lived a complicated life. I had a Porsche, a beautiful wife, three kids, a Tudor home in a posh Cleveland suburb and all the bills and headaches to go with it. And even though I had it made, something always seemed to be missing no matter how good it got. Within two years after ...
Views: 1686(1 vote)