The world is virtual, this sangha is real

[Nengyo]

I think were always alone even in a crowd of people.

I'm not good at this philosophy stuff, so this is just something to kill time until our wiser more experienced sangha members and teachers show up. Anyway:

Sometimes it can certainly feel that way. You can feel alone in a crowd of people, feel separated from this universe even as you immersed in it, feel sad in the midst of miracles. But you should know it is all an illusion. You are never alone. You can't separate yourself from that crowd, this sangha, those mountains, or anything else in this world. You are inextricably linked to everything in this universe. You don't have to take my word for it, it's all here in this practice.

Gassho
Nengyo

[Rich]

I heard that Ryokan who lived alone in a 12x12 hut was sometimes lonely and maybe even depressed.

Kind regards. /\

[Nengyo]

He could have had a serotonin disorder. An SSRI might have helped his practice.

[Jundo]

I think were always alone even in a crowd of people.

I feel that we are always one even when we are alone.

I also feel that we can feel alone when with other people, but we can also feel together and whole when we are with other people.

Gassho, J

[Marjorie]

so your saying im to stupid to reply and only the ''wise'' elders know. seems like since everything is so ''one' then everything knows the answer

[Marjorie]

people cause me claustraphobia and to doubt my sanity by continually saying im ''wrong' about my conclusions . just watch the replies and count how many times I would get corrected.

[Jundo]

Hi Marjorie,

Please do not feel wrong or corrected. I just hope you enjoy the company of others, and realize that we are all one.

Peace to you.

Gassho, Jundo

[Nengyo]

so your saying im to stupid to reply and only the ''wise'' elders know.

I'm not saying anyone is stupid. Some are better at writing thoughts than others, especially those who practice a lot. Anyways, it was referring to me not you.

seems like since everything is so ''one' then everything knows the answer

They do. The problem is figuring out what part of your tripartate brain knows it.

people cause me claustraphobia and to doubt my sanity by continually saying im ''wrong' about my conclusions . just watch the replies and count how many times I would get corrected.

No one can tell you how you FEEL, nor would anyone here try. I have no doubt that you have some sort of social disorder (if you say so) that causes you great distress (although claustrophobia is a fear of enclosed places, not people, crowds, or events.) However, a fear of butterflies don't make them any more or less dangerous and you anxiety doesn't separate you from humanity. Our feelings and reality are two different things.

[Byokan]

Hi Marjorie,

What you wrote there makes my heart hurt a little bit. I hope you can believe that everyone is here to support each other. We all want to be accepted, and we’re ALL afraid of looking stupid. I’m thinking you are NOT stupid, you are absolutely the way you should be. I remember you saying that you live in the woods with your critters. That caught my eye because I live in the woods with my critters too. It takes guts, smarts and independence to live this way, to take care of yourself and your animals. Maybe you don’t get along so well with people. People can be harsh, and really hurt you. Something brought you to Treeleaf, though. I’m guessing you really do want to connect? Please give folks here the benefit of the doubt, and they will do the same for you. If someone gives you a different point of view, it doesn’t mean they are correcting you, or saying you’re wrong. They’re just sharing their thoughts with you. Like I’m doing right now. Please let yourself be at ease and feel welcome here.

By the way, I agree that we're always alone, even in a crowd of people. And we're never alone, because we are all one. Both true at the same time!

Gassho
Lisa

[Marjorie]

no I was just saying my experience with 'human beings' in general.. I dont want to be "one" i want to be me.. I know the truth is that were all interconnected but the One seems to be what other persons "one" is.. I like the rainbow not a pot of mixed colors.. But it is what it is.. And most times its not what I want.. :*(

[Kyotai]

Hi Marjorie,

I hope you feel very welcome here as well.

Gassho, Shawn

[Jishin]

Hi Marjorie,

Words can not capture reality. We are always wrong when we open our mouths. Yet, we must talk because that is what humans do. Don't worry about what you write here. It's a safe place. We are here for each other.

Gassho, Jishin

[Nengyo]

no I was just saying my experience with 'human beings' in general.. I dont want to be "one" i want to be me.. I know the truth is that were all interconnected but the One seems to be what other persons "one" is.. I like the rainbow not a pot of mixed colors.. But it is what it is.. And most times its not what I want.. :*(

Marjorie I'm kind of a science nerd, so hopefully this will make some sense to you. If not disregard:

Of course you want to be you, I also want to be me, and I'm pretty sure Jundo wants to be Jundo. Understanding that we are all interconnected does not require giving up who you are. So for instance all humans are made out of mostly carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (with a touch of some other stuff.) All of our hydrogen was created in the big bang. All of our carbon and hydrogen were forged in a supernova. You, me, the neighbors dog, that weird fish at the bottom of the ocean, at one point we were all neighbors, so close together that it unfathomable to the human mind. We all share heavy elements from not one, but many supernova. We were all together in many different stars. We are not something separate from the universe, we are the universe and we are brothers and sisters forged of the same building blocks. From DNA analysis it's been estimated that every human on earth is related as at least 10th cousins. So even without any Buddhist philosophy, you can't really escape it.

However, all this doesn't change the fact that I like Star Wars, reading quietly alone, or taking walks with my son. It doesn't change what art I love, the music I dance to, or anything else about "me." It's not a call to make you into a clone, it's an understanding that fosters compassion and love for those who suffer. Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful day and I hope that one day you are able to walk alone while knowing you are not alone!

Also, what everyone else said

Gassho,
Nengyo

[Rich]

I think the way Ryokan handled this is that he became more of a child again so the "I" that caused him so much suffering softened a bit, melted away.

Kind regards. /\

[Myoku]

Marjorie,
I would like to comment on a few points. First, life to me too is often certainly not as I want it to be, and this causes me discomfort - I think thats the point of Shakyamuni Buddha, suffering caused by us not living with what is as it is. This not means we cannot try to change things. Second, I believe we all have our opinions and beliefs, thats good and fine, no one of us knows better than the other, I think we all just try to help each other here (which is certainly not the case in every forum on the internet). I furthermore believe that we are indeed alone even in a crowd, alone in the sense of separate, what you see is not what I see, we all have a different past, but at the same time we are all human, we're all sharing a lot and often depend a lot on each other, more that is obvious. But before this becomes a long winded rambling, welcome at treeleaf and thank you for your practice!
Gassho
Myoku