Spiritual Friendship

[Heishu]

This news is not what I had hoped for.

My hope for now is that Chet rethinks his decision but whatever he does I wish him the best.

I do agree that if someone chooses to participate they should do so as best they can.

Life sure has a lot of lessons to be learned.

I am not happy about how this lesson turned out.

Gassho
Alan

[Nindo]

That's very sad.
Kinda ironic outcome of a thread with this title and intention.
In which Chet was called a troll and told to shut up.
I wish him well.

[Jinyo]

I am very sad that Chet has left - hope he returns.

[Amelia]

Again,

[Omoi Otoshi]

Chet can only be Chet and only Chet knows what he must do. He trusts himself. Sometimes we may fool ourselves, but if he is certain he needs to be away from Treeleaf for a while, then it may be so. He'll be back. I hope. If not, then that is so.

Gassho,
Pontus

[galen]

Although I've not been here for long, I will miss him.
Very often he brought in different aspects, opinions, and ways to see things - and he dared to express them.
I do hope he comes back...

And I very much agree with you on Chet here, Limo.

It seems some are always attempting to chase him away, our way or the highway. And wonder if what they are practicing, with the continual talking down to him from a seemingly higher view, says more about them then him, and could make others confused on what this practice really is about.

He and I sometimes push a few buttons, when seemingly they may need pushing depending on perception, and it all works out, lessons await continuously.

I was enjoying the conversation with Chet, miss ya Chet, my best!

Also enjoyed Jundo's take on giving it a try, thats what this is about. I may be more like Chet in that, I move rather slow to group things, patience is the key. I have sat through some of the 4 hour ceremonies, so it could be said I jumped in, maybe not to everyone level or judgment of such.

Thanks for this thread and your posting, Nindo!


Gassho

[galen]

Hope he comes back too. I know what it feels like to be holding a position, and the whole thing becoming more intense by being opposed and feeling isolated. It's painful, and I just want to disappear after the dust settles.

Gassho. kojip

Kojip... do you really hope he comes back ? It seems you did your best to run him off?!


Gassho

[galen]

That's very sad.
Kinda ironic outcome of a thread with this title and intention.
In which Chet was called a troll and told to shut up.
I wish him well.

EXACTLY!


Gassho

[Dosho]

Just to be clear, when I used the phrase "shut up" I was referring to sitting on a zafu instead of asking so many questions! I was NOT telling him he couldn't post. I've chatted with him since he left and I believe Chet is well aware of the spirit in which my comment was intended.

I did not want Chet to leave; I very much wanted him to stay and hope he feels free to come back if he chooses. My post was an attempt to empower him, not quiet him.

Gassho,
Dosho

That's very sad.
Kinda ironic outcome of a thread with this title and intention.
In which Chet was called a troll and told to shut up.
I wish him well.

EXACTLY!

[galen]

Just to be clear, when I used the phrase "shut up" I was referring to sitting on a zafu instead of asking so many questions! I was NOT telling him he couldn't post. I've chatted with him since he left and I believe Chet is well aware of the spirit in which my comment was intended.

I did not want Chet to leave; I very much wanted him to stay and hope he feels free to come back if he chooses. My post was an attempt to empower him, not quiet him.

Gassho,
Dosho

Its all good, Dosho. It is what it is.

Other threads in the past you have attacked him, and while I did know some of his history, he was doing no harm, the only harm it seemed was he did not fit in your box, and it just seems unbecoming of a Buddhist, esp a priest in waiting (or wanting).


Gassho

[Rich]

Some go away for awhile and don't announce it, others announce it in the going away but coming back thread. In Chet's case Jundo announced it but I'm a little puzzled as to why his account was deactivated. The last time it was deactiviated he was kind of being obnoxious but in this case he was just being disagreeable. Jundo, I understand there may be personal issues with Chet that prevent you from disclosing anything further.

I did feel a little uncomfortable with the tone of some of the comments directed at Chet. In general life sometimes presents us with people and questions that we strongly disagree with but we have to answer in a respectful and considerate way no matter how much we disagree. IMHO

[Yugen]

"....it just seems unbecoming of a Buddhist, esp a priest in waiting (or wanting)."

It is legitimate I believe to raise whether or not a verbal/written attack has taken place, in the context of a discussion of right speech or skillful means - to claim that an individual has attacked another and then proceed to issue an attack or attribution regarding someone's intentions does not advance the discussion except to demonstrate an example of harmful speech. If one has a concern to seriously discuss with a colleague regarding that individual's behavior/intentions in the sangha, might it best be done via PM? Public snarkiness does not strike me as helpful....

Deep bows
Yugen

[Dosho]

Galen,

I feel confident that Chet would not describe any of my posts as an attack, but for a moment let's assume he would: To what posts are you referring?

Gassho,
Dosho

Its all good, Dosho. It is what it is.
Other threads in the past you have attacked him, and while I did know some of his history, he was doing no harm, the only harm it seemed was he did not fit in your box, and it just seems unbecoming of a Buddhist, esp a priest in waiting (or wanting).

[Wordsmith]

I've been practising by myself for a a couple of years, although not in this tradition. I came here specifically to try and make spiritual friends. Not because I thought it would help my practice, particularly (although I think it will) but because I thought it would be nice to discuss dharma matters with other people who are on the same path, and to learn from those who have already scouted ahead.



Ian

[galen]

Some go away for awhile and don't announce it, others announce it in the going away but coming back thread. In Chet's case Jundo announced it but I'm a little puzzled as to why his account was deactivated. The last time it was deactiviated he was kind of being obnoxious but in this case he was just being disagreeable. Jundo, I understand there may be personal issues with Chet that prevent you from disclosing anything further.

I did feel a little uncomfortable with the tone of some of the comments directed at Chet. In general life sometimes presents us with people and questions that we strongly disagree with but we have to answer in a respectful and considerate way no matter how much we disagree. IMHO

Thanks Rich for posting what I was thinking but held back. He was taking a break, but I also was wondering if he was cut off, not knowing how all this works, but I was wondering. So he will not see the many of us that are sad about this on here. He caused harm only to a few here, and while he is not perfect, who in the hell among us is? The man's earnest and his heart is into it even if it does not match others perceptions of what is Right. So do we just throw out oneness when it gets inconvenient, instead of compassion and bearing with?? Is not he apart of us all? It seems some of this hypocrisy even comes from the top, I do not get it, when all of a sudden a discomfort is a time for duality and separation. Saddened by the `whole deal. Thanks for you courage here, Rich.


Gassho