What do you think is your message to the world?

[Saiisha]

Whether you consciously practice it or not, what message do you think you live, and are an example of? I'd like to think I practice peace, but I'm not actually sure if that's what people who interact with me get from me :)

[Barbara]

I've thought of this often and today (because I may change tomorrow) I think we are here to learn to love and forgive. I try to generate love every day, not with words but with actions. My work with forgiveness is for me, to keep me from judging.

[Saiisha]

I love what you said Barbara - that you try to generate love everyday, not with words, but with actions! That's how you live love, as a verb, in the doing and in the being!!

[Saiisha]

J.D. wrote: "Truth. I always try to be honest with myself and with others. This means that I live my life to the fullest as is possible and put all of myself into the things I do. I may not always have a lot to..."

This is awesome J.D! I love the integrity with which you live your life - reminds me of Gandhi's sentiments about truth: "There is no God higher than truth" :)

And I can see your commitment to not giving half-way, not holding back - even in your reviews. Continue to live your message - you're setting a great example for the people whose lives you touch.

[Barbara]

Well said, Lelly. I agree that truth is subjective, but hopefully we know what is "true" for us. That said we also know that what is true for us may not be seen that way by others.

[Saiisha]

Lelly, J.D, Barbara - great discussion - love it!! And I think we're all saying the same thing - that when we're talking about truth here, it's personal truth. Only accept what feels right within for yourself! That's basically the difference between religion and spirituality, isn't it? Accepting someone else's truth as our beliefs, versus finding our own inner truth and staying true to it.

[James]

"What is truth?" I am writing notes on the Dao De Jing and poetry and have been thinking about this. No philosopher, religious figure, or scientist knows everything. Gathering together the knowledge of every human being, IMO, we don't know anywhere near everything. We only get a small glimpse from our world and through telescopes.

I like how Stephen Mitchell puts the first line of the Dao, "The tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao."

[James]

To add: we also shouldn't be afraid to change our minds about what is truth. I remember when I was young. Oh, how little I was aware of. I have had several epiphanies and they have included discovering what I thought was truth actually wasn't.

But, back to the thread question, at this point in time, I hope my message is: James is someone who is searching for the Tao (path/way) and looking for Buddha nature.

[Saiisha]

James wrote: "To add: we also shouldn't be afraid to change our minds about what is truth. I remember when I was young. Oh, how little I was aware of. I have had several epiphanies and they have included discove..."

Thanks for adding to the discussion James! Yes, truth evolves... or maybe I should say we evolve into our truth. If we cling to "our truth" then we can't evolve - we petrify, and that's where all the wars and hatred arise from, right? And so this is the journey we're on - to grow and evolve into more of who we are!

[Ian-Anthony]

Greetings everyone!

I would echo the sentiments above.

I have always found it natural to live as honestly as possible & find the negativity that surrounds us these days to be truly bizarre.

When I left school I went straight into working for a big name animal charity whilst everyone else my age were really into themselves.

Truth is a matter of perspective for certain but I think that deep down we each comprehend when we are doing harm. That is the message that I would like to convey - take responsibility!

For cruelty, for the environment or the ill feelings caused.

Is it any surprise that we have drink & drug problems when people can't even be honest with themselves ... rant over.

[Saiisha]

Welcome to the club Ian-Anthony!

What you said is so true - we all have that inner wisdom that guides us via our own inner compass of what's right and wrong; but when people ignore it is when their problems start - all kinds of negativity, narcissism, drinks, drugs, guns and wars...