{"id":4427,"date":"2024-02-18T20:16:10","date_gmt":"2024-02-18T20:16:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zatma.org\/?p=4427"},"modified":"2024-02-18T20:16:10","modified_gmt":"2024-02-18T20:16:10","slug":"the-path-of-suffering-part-seventeen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zatma.org\/?p=4427","title":{"rendered":"The Path of Suffering – Part Seventeen"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n

The Path of Suffering<\/h1>\n

Part Seventeen.<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/picture><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
FLY<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
FEB 18, 2024<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
1<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Share<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/picture>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Introduction<\/h1>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Words are revealing when used properly and understood correctly. Let\u2019s take science \u2014 a word for a materieal world belief system. There are signs that declare, \u201cI believe in science.\u201d Science for the most part sees human beings as objects.<\/p>\n

Therefore, human beings, like all objects, are measured in degrees of value.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a closer look at\u00a0science.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Omniscience\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>is all knowledge\u2026the prefix\u00a0omni<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0includes all knowledge when paired with\u00a0science<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Science<\/strong><\/em>, however, is just a tad bit of knowledge. That\u2019s the meaning.<\/p>\n

YET, it seems we have acquiesed to making a tad bit of knowledge into Truth\u2026which becomes\u00a0acquiescience<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0without basis, a reluctant acceptance. It is inexplicable.<\/p>\n

Reluctant because we know\u00a0science<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0is a tad bit of knowledge – a small part of a limitless, enormous knowledge that is immeasurable. Science, being a tab bit of knowledge is not settled, although there are those who think science is settled.<\/p>\n

Everyone, however, knows this existence is constantly changing.\u00a0That Truth<\/strong>\u00a0is settled. The following piece addresses\u00a0That Truth\u00a0<\/strong>as a universal principle.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n<\/div>\n

For all those in doubt, Yao Xiang Shakya speaks with a spiritual doubter about the essentials of spiritual conversion in\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Eating God: The Universal Principle of Conversion.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Eating God. The Universal Principle of Conversion.<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Communion with a Doubter.<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

By Yao Xiang Shakya<\/p>\n

I rise at 4:00 am to the sounds of a whimpering, hungry, sick, old dog. Waking up in the kitchen I recall the question given to me, \u201cDo people really believe that the bread and wine turn into the flesh and blood of Christ?\u201d As I open each little amber bottle of medicine and place the many capsules into the bottom of his bowl I answer, \u201cI certainly hope so! Just as I know these food supplements strengthen his heart muscle and boost his immune system.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the silence and darkness of the early morning I stand before the granite counter carefully placing each capsule, tablet, and spoonful of the powder into the empty dog bowl. With wholehearted effort I concentrate on the numbers and amounts as I mix water with his dog food into the dissolving granules. He sits close by in soft anticipation for what I offer him. He is hungry after a long night of restless sleep. I kneel down as he sits looking up at me and place his food bowl in front of him. He glances at his bowl and waits for my words. He sits in perfect form and looks up and does not move until I say the word, \u201cFree.\u201d I watch what has been a familiar ritual between us now for some seven years. I am relieved and happy to see him gorge and gobble down what is offered hoping it changes into his body and blood for the better.<\/p>\n

\u201cConversion\u201d I whisper, \u201cis a universal principle. Everything converts.\u201d<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know for sure what the change will be, but I do know the medications, his food and even the water will convert into something that is undying and timeless. Everything is recycled as if it is the first time. It is all fresh in the transfer from the bottom of the bowl to the bottom of his belly. I see his breath change; his cough diminishes and his appetite strong. Change remains an unending truth. I am cheering for him as he eats his biscuits and drinks his water.<\/p>\n

I hear the doubter say, \u201cWell,\u00a0that<\/em>\u00a0is the result of science! The pills are supposed to work. That is different from bread and wine changing into the flesh and blood of some dead guy?\u201d<\/p>\n

I laugh and unfold a thin sheet of paper and show the doubter the tiny print. It\u2019s the many warnings and cautions that came with his medications.<\/p>\n

\u201cRead it carefully, you might change your resolute doubts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing is foolproof here.\u201d I say looking the doubter right in the eye. \u201cI don\u2019t claim certainty. Just as you can\u2019t claim it doesn\u2019t become flesh and blood. Certainty is not the nature of the universe. If it were, there would never be a plane crash. We\u2019d make sure of it because we love certainty. But certainty has a real downside which is often overlooked.\u201d<\/p>\n

These remarks silence the doubter\u2019s claims for just a moment allowing me to continue.<\/p>\n

\u201cCertainty kills our inner need to revere and know what is sacred. It makes us into smug nutters. It happens in science, and it happens in religion. It leads to a sense of superiority. It sets off a domino effect of judgment where you forget that the measure you use to judge will be the measure used to judge you. You\u2019re better off not getting involved in certainty such as wanting to know some narrow proof.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sighs of disgust arise. The doubter asks in a pugnacious tone. \u201cWhat does this all have to do with the business of the bread and wine, and flesh and blood? HUH?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Well\u2026 I think you\u2019d agree that it is hard to tell whether the medicine works to prolong his life or whether it doesn\u2019t. If you read the fine print, some dogs fall dead, suddenly from this medical cocktail. Pinpointing what happens despite the belief in the scientific method is ambiguous at best. No one can say for sure, at least about the results. It\u2019s sophisticated guesswork, but guesswork none the less. It must be. To be other than guesswork is to eliminate the laws of nature. But there is something we can say for sure! We can say for sure;\u00a0conversion<\/em>\u00a0is a universal principle. We do know some conversion of what we eat, and drink occurs. Change is a certainty. I don\u2019t need a scientific method or even a scientific education to know that. In fact, science relies on conversion and so does religion. But this may be as far as we can go together, as far as science and religion can go together.\u201d<\/p>\n

The doubter looks up and I reply to his wide-eyed gesture. \u201cI see I have your attention.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe doubter reluctantly acknowledges that change is a law of nature.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood. I\u2019d be worried if you didn\u2019t acknowledge it. SO\u2026change regarding the medicine I give my dog and the offertory of bread and wine all share the same law, it changes from one thing into another.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d The doubter sighs still willful.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe question then seems to be in regard to the change into the body and blood?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell. I suppose I could ask you to prove that it doesn\u2019t\u2026how do you know it doesn\u2019t? But you don\u2019t need to answer it because you can\u2019t prove that it doesn\u2019t. Nor can I prove that it does using the same methods you use. I use different methods. I do not use the imperfect but useful scientific method. Any scientist worth his salt would be curious enough to lay down his sword long enough to inquire about a different method. Wouldn\u2019t he?\u201d The doubter nods ever so slightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cA scientist who doesn\u2019t, runs the risk of being stuck in a paradigm. Kuhn in the 1960\u2019s tried to shake up the paradigm shifts in science to be more revolutionary. It might be revolutionary for you to drop your scientific view and see for yourself a spiritual one. Surely, that is possible?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am not sure that I can.\u201d The doubter in halfhearted honesty shifts just a little.<\/p>\n

\u201cFair enough. I am not trying to convert you, because I can\u2019t anymore than I convert the medication I gave to my dog. He might be one of those who suddenly drops dead from this medicinal concoction. I don\u2019t know and neither do you. The best we can do is to take a chance because we both realize the truth of uncertainty and the law of conversion.\u201d<\/p>\n

The doubter coughs. I continue.<\/p>\n

\u201cProof, a verification of some sort actually results in statistical breakdowns. A certain percentage benefit and a certain percentage do not. For all I know you might benefit from my method, and you might not just like the dog. It\u2019s always a wait-and-see situation. We cannot get out of the laws of nature although we want to influence the change, but there are no guarantees. It\u2019s not a matter of belief either. Science and surprisingly religion agree on this point. Both seek to act in hopes of a particular change occurring. Both want to effect change in a particular direction. In the dog\u2019s case, science wants to lower the death rate and increase the vitality of the dog.\u201d<\/p>\n

The doubter thinks.<\/p>\n

I continue. \u201cAre you with me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUmmmm\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am not surprised that you remain skeptical. Your methods have trained you to be doubtful. Fine. Fine. Fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not apples and apples?\u201d The doubter laments.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. It\u2019s not. \u201cThe method of religion is different than the method of science.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you still look doubtful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is this method of religion you speak of\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a\u00a0mystical<\/em>\u00a0method.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh brother!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t say magical, I said\u00a0mystical<\/em>. It is the immeasurable, universal principle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like boloney. What\u00a0exactly<\/em>\u00a0is the method?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an expressive, active method.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the old saying\u00a0the proof of the pudding is in the eating of it<\/strong><\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you saying you have to wait until the results to know if you got it or not?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot exactly. Yes and no. It\u2019s intuitive. Science waits to see whether the rat dies or lives. Religion knows death is inevitable. What I am saying is that\u00a0you gotta do it yourself<\/em>. Religion, the\u00a0mystical\u00a0<\/em>method is a do-it-yourself, sorta trial and error approach.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat sounds\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDifficult?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Well, if you are after certainty and a formula and a surefire approach\u2026yes, it would be difficult. But let me say at the outset it\u2019s an adventure that requires a forfeiture of how you think it should go for how it is. It\u2019s direct. It\u2019s a solitary surprise of the nature of reality.\u201d<\/p>\n

The doubter covers his face with both hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou look mystified.\u201d<\/p>\n

They both laugh.<\/p>\n

I continue.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe expressive, active method affords a large array of means. It\u2019s a diverse approach, grand and magnificent. It\u2019s closer to art than science but tends to use whatever is available. It makes us lucky. The luck is in the assortment which is a direct reflection of the Divine.\u201d<\/p>\n

The doubter shifts again, edgy with anticipation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWanna try it? It doesn\u2019t require much\u2026hmmmm\u2026specialization or apparatus.\u201d<\/p>\n

Doubtful the doubter assents to the query.<\/p>\n

\u201cOK. You are in luck. It\u2019s up to you to try it. So, here\u2019s what I\u2019d suggest. Take the question \u201cDo people really believe that the bread and wine turn into the flesh and blood of Christ?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Keep it in mind. If you have trouble remembering it, write it down and keep it with you. Ok so far?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWonderful. Wonderful. If That Truth is too difficult, remember the medicine given to the dog. Do you believe that Truth? And if yes, then what keeps you from believing in the bread and wine?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. This is what we Zen practitioners call\u00a0taking medicine<\/em>. But just as in any regimen, there are numerous medicinal selections. This is one. And just as I think the medicine I give my sick dog helps him, I wish the same for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The doubter sits up and remains quiet. The doubter shifts as he searches for a pen and paper to write something down.<\/p>\n

I end with\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Everyone knows this worldly existence is constantly changing.\u00a0That Truth<\/strong>\u00a0is settled.\u00a0That Truth\u00a0<\/strong>is a universal principle.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/picture>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/picture>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/picture>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n

http:\/\/www.asinglethread.net<\/a> – http:\/\/www.zatma.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Thanks for reading Practice Reminders! Subscribe for free to receive new posts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
1<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Share<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Path of Suffering Part Seventeen. FLY FEB 18, 2024 1 Share Introduction Words are revealing when used properly and understood correctly. Let\u2019s take science \u2014 a word for a materieal world belief system. There are signs that declare, \u201cI believe in science.\u201d Science for the most part sees human beings as objects. Therefore, human… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"off","neve_meta_content_width":70,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4427","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/phd6fo-19p","jetpack_featured_media_url":"","post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zatma.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4427","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zatma.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zatma.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zatma.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zatma.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4427"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/zatma.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4427\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4429,"href":"https:\/\/zatma.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4427\/revisions\/4429"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zatma.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4427"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zatma.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4427"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zatma.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4427"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}