Key Elements

Yes, similar thing happened to Thích Nhất Hạnh. I'm not talking about fighting. I'm talking about being more tactful. A skill set hides things - like spirituality.

So, yes, it probably makes Shaolin monks more tactful. Tibet may be doing spirituality and other stuff too openly, and that's why the gov feels threatened and got rid of them.

But, I was wondering if they are being more tactful in doing that. You know that monks have rankings. I'm wondering about the top masters there knowing about enlightenment / spirituality and not telling it to the novice monks or lower ranking monks bacause they are not ready to hear it. Of course, if they are actually hiding it from the novice monks, they are probably hiding it from the gov.

@Prabhaker China - I really wonder what's going on there. Why did they do that to Tibet and keep the Shaolin monks? (hmm..) Could it be because Shaolin monks are much more tactful? Hiding behind the Kung Fu lies hidden enlightenment 'secrets' among top masters. Hiding from the gov. I know of a guru who does not tell the student more stuff about spirituality unless the student is ready. I met monks who appear pretty tight lipped too. I wonder if this is the case.

Do you watch Ralph from Infinite Waters sometimes? This clip really caught my attention - about being a "lighthouse."

Not everyone. I work with children. I can't stop thinking about them. I see different personalities. If you are different, you get a chance to trigger a (positive) spark in them (as a role model).

@Leo Gura I saw 2 lawyers during networking here in Hyderabad giving a pitch to startups. They said that they were giving away permanent US green cards to anyone who can invest (1 million dollars) in two hotels in New York (forgot the names). Looks like you could "buy" your way in. Yes, you're right about the "drunk uncle" idea on spreading stage orange capitalism.

@Seeker_of_truth There are still many who say, "He is not of my religion," and just do their pooja at home and that's it. Hopefully, that will change. I think there is some hope in the younger generation. If they are aware of their environment and destruction of it, they could get past that.

Oh my, that will destroy the environment, right? I already saw Jubilee Hills a new section in Hyderabad built and now they are going beyond that and made new communities like Gachibowli and Kothapet. Concrete contrete everywhere. Fewer trees. I like prominent gurus like Baba Ramdev. Hopefully, they will help guide the mainstream. I love his toothpaste - Dant Kanti. His natural products and simple lifestyle speak to the public. I sure miss Sai Baba.

@Prabhaker Yes, I agree with the materialistic part. Both sides have the wrong impression of each other. If I say I'm from the US, mainstream thinking in India would get the wrong impression of me, the individual. The same goes for the other mainstream society and probably any mainstream society. A lot of categorizations and assumptions are there. That's the material world. Mainstream relates on material, and even that is flawed. There's the wrong assumptions in clothing.

@Prabhaker Hey, I get what you're saying. Well, then the thing to do is not to become a dogmatic pointer if you want to incorporate truth into your life purpose. For example, Eckhart Tolle isn't dogmatic. Ralph from Infinite Waters isn't dogmatic. Teal isn't too. Teal is very open. She exposes a lot to the general public. That's why she gets criticized a lot. That's my impression of her. The other two - their truths are more hidden.

I like the idea of incorporating truth into a life purpose. Why not? It's beautiful. It's the most motivational. It makes life meaningful. I'm a bilingual teacher. In one of my more advanced workbooks, I could tell a story in some way in both languages on spirituality. @Dodoster Well said!

I have not read this book by Eckhart Tolle but found an interesting review on it. Here it is: Please feel free to let me and others know more about Eckhart Tolle or the book if you like.

This is true. I agree with you here. Leo gave an example in one of his enlightenment clips. He said that it's not possible to describe an orange (fruit) to a person who has never tried it. You could say that it's in between an apple and lemon, but it won't work. Nevertheless, we could still try in creative ways - like writing a book or doing art or something on it. It will leave clues.

I would say one of the reason why it's so hard to talk about Truth if you actually have some experience with it is because of projections. Some people may tell you that it's incorrect and list a hundred reasons why. So we walk around not saying anything and find some other way of saying it. Like, writing a book in third person.

Would you say this is a very hard topic to talk about no matter where you are?

@Leo Gura Tell you what, indigos (aka children or adults) who were not induced don't react like that.

Very interesting/good question. I will try to answer it, but you will have to do the thinking on your part as to what does it really mean. It's easier said than done. What is it like to find the "one?" This: Have you seen this movie? (Movie title: Avitar) How do you find and commit to the "one?" Well, here are two clips saying the same things in different ways:

I totally agree here. Why would they make a meaningful movie like this? Have you seen this movie? (Movie title: Avitar) A Hero's Journey...Leo has been talking about the Hero's Journey lately.

Why not? These are my 2 favourite clips on love / relationships so far. The same things said in two different ways. Yes. I feel that they are both right. You still have to commit to yourself fully when you're with someone. It's like you're single, but you're not.

From my understanding, it's inner peace. You are whole. You don't need anything else to complete you no matter what the situation because you are able to handle the situation no matter what. Here's someone explaining it further: This is another one of my favourite clips that I posted already: Looks very peaceful. I feel like going there for a visit to see how they live now. I wonder if they have built a good hospital nearby or have good security now. What is your take on happiness?

Here's a thought: What if happiness is an empty glass? What would you put in it? For me, I wouldn't put excitement in it. I'm not saying that excitement is bad. I'm just saying that it could get extreme - in both ways - the positive and negative. If I put peace in it, there are more chances of it being calm and tranquil. Now, bliss is heavenly joy, the enlightenment state. Although, it's a great state, it's going to pass and we still have to come back to this earth phenomenon and deal with different situations.

In such cases, would you have remained calm, like those people sitting in the tour truck?

So, bliss is peace?

Hmmm...ok. But, you just said: What's the difference between happiness and unhappiness?