Vulnerability

I have run a thread such as this on various Forums. With mixed results.......😀

I was just looking back. Way back in fact, 2009. Interesting reading through. In a way I recognised my contribution but there were a few "Krapp's Last Tape" moments where connection to the past was lost.

But fortunately my vulnerability remains. I haven't gathered a collection of "beliefs" and "justifications" to blot out the wonder of Mercy and Grace, of unexpected gifts; or Beliefs that shut out others who do not share them. I am still able to see that [i]the earth brings forth fruits of herself.[/i] And I am grateful. Or as we say in the Pure Land:-

Namu-amida-butsu! (Or, "thank you, I am grasped, never to be abandoned, and things - everything - will [i]become so of themselves beyond my calculation[/i])

Looking back at a previous thread I saw that I was up to my usual tricks of quoting quite often. Here are some words of Jack Kornfield, who learned his trade amongst the various meditation masters of the Theravada Forest Tradition in Thailand:-

[i]Underneath all the wanting and grasping, underneath the need to understand is what is called the "body of fear." At the root of suffering is a small heart, frightened to be here, afraid to trust the river of change, to let go in this changing world. This small unopened heart grasps and needs and struggles to control what is unpredictable and unpossessable. But we can never know what will happen. With wisdom we allow this not knowing to become a form of trust. We rest upon what has laughingly been called "the Firm Ground of Emptiness"...........giving up the ego's territory and trusting in groundlessness.
[/i]

In other words, remaining vulnerable. Not trusting in "ourselves" or any "decision" or "choice" we have made for whatever "god" our conditioning, culture and circumstances have created for us.

A final word on the positive nature of vulnerability.

Some here are certain of themselves. For them, no doubts.

Yes, almost 2 billion Muslims can have "certainties" that will eventually evaporate. So for the Jewish people; the Buddhists, the Hindus.

All such can live and proclaim [i]their[/i] certainties yet [i]are wrong[/i].

But as said, for some here, no such possibility. They proclaim themselves immune to error. The beliefs that give structure to [i]their[/i] lives cannot possibly be false. And they pray for others to see their "truth", claim others have no excuse for not recognising it, etc etc etc. Such people in fact have no faith. They simply lack imagination!

The opposite of faith is not doubt. It is certainty.

The positive nature of this is not far to seek. To actually have Faith and Trust [i]not[/i] in one's own decisions, choices or beliefs, but simply in Reality itself/God Himself. In pure Grace.

we say "kwesbaarheid"

where "kwes" means being shot and there's a wound, there is hurt /pain

very good q

even if there is fear and dread, through it we learn to be cautious

trying to hide from the possible hurt , can go so wrong

we touch something magical when we are vulnerable

the brave dare

We should always be truthful, and loving! We are all sinners 😁

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness"

No matter the book or the source. A truth found throughout the entire world of faith.

Sometimes the old [i] sakkhaya-ditthi [/i] becomes rampant and takes itself far too seriously.

Faith is often very funny.

It really is.

😀

I'm out of here.

I need some fresh air.