Another Newbie

[Fuken]

Hmm, Resort base in Qutar was not my fate. Maybe the ACE? The whole air element got hijacked by CENTCOM as soon as we got in country. So it was just the Command element, Battalion landing team 1/1 and MSSG-15 on Falcon.

[Dainin]

Hey Karl,

Welcome! I am very glad that Treeleaf is serving you.

I don't think I mentioned this yet, but I was also in the military. I was a combat medic in the Army Reserves. Came very close to going to the Gulf in '91 while a senior in college. But after receiving my "get ready to go" orders, the cease fire was called. I too wonder how my life would have turned out had I gone.

Gassho,
Keith

[will]

Hey Karl. Welcome.

Gassho Will

[Bansho]

Hi Karl,

Welcome, glad to have you around. I was never in the military, but I did work for a company in the defense industry at the beginning of my professional career.

Gassho
Ken

[Jarkko]

Welcome!

Gassho
Jarkko

[paige]

Hi Karl,

What was the Unitarian church like? I find Unitarianism rather interesting, though not enough so that I've ever attended a service.

Welcome to the forum.

-paige

[Ankai]

What was the Unitarian church like? I find Unitarianism rather interesting, though not enough so that I've ever attended a service.

I still attend, quite actively. In a nutshell, the Unitarian Universalists are a "Church" only in the sense that they explore spiritual truths. In my congregation, services are entirely "Lay-led," while others do have full time ministers.
There are no "creeds" or beliefs to which one MUST adhere... rather, Unitarians are committed to finding their own truths, helping one another do the same, and moving together in a direction that will facilitate both the individual and group's efforts in that regard as well as binding together of people who have diverse personal beliefs toward the common goal of serving one another individually and serving the local community as a body.
In my group are (obviously,) a Buddhist, several christians, some Jews, a few Secular Humanists, a number of Wiccans, and an Asatruar. One woman is an athiest. Additionally, UU congregations are open to ANYONE... rich, poor, gay, straight, healthy, challenged, etc... and all have an equal say in congregational decisions and matters. While I wouldn't call what we do "Worship," all those diverse people and htheir beliefs focus on common ground rather than difference, and are able to work spiritually and communally. The only "sins," I suppose, would be some sort of "fundamentalist" apprach to others, or any type of judgementalism.
A typical service begins with the ringing of a bell (at my fellowship, and many others, it happens to be aa singing-bowl,) then a period of meditation and opening words, the lighting of a candle or lamp in a chalice (denominational symbol of the search for truth and wisdom,) and then some singing, sharing of joys/concerns, and a program. Usually the program isn't a "sermon," but is rather someone sharing spiritual or social insights. We've had speakers from the local Buffhist monastery ( wonder who set THAT up...) guys from the ACLU, a Franciscan monk, people from within the UU denomination, a Wiccan priestess, etc... all just in the last few months.
this was a lot longetr than intended. Hope that gave you some idea.

[Jundo]

The Unitarians (I know best the Universalist Unitarians) are generally very, very nice to Zen Buddhists. The Zen Sangha where I was an assisting teacher for years sits daily in a UU building, and all fits together.

This friend of mine (James Ford) is perhaps the most connected Unitarian Zennist, as he is ordained as minister/teacher in both ...

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m ... i_88702686

Gassho, J

[Ankai]

Yeah, it's been my experience that Zen has an extremely heavy presence within UUism, (often because the UU's are more accessible locally,) and many Zen practices are part of UU services every week in congregations around the country.

[Ankai]

By the way- is anyone in or from the NJ area?
I live up in the mountains now, but grew up looking at Manhattan out my window.
Any locals?

[Dainin]

Hey Karl,

By the way- is anyone in or from the NJ area?
I live up in the mountains now, but grew up looking at Manhattan out my window.
Any locals?

While I'm orginally from CT, I lived in NYC for 7 years ('88-'95). I also lived for 1 year in Jersey City (Hamilton Park - the Newport/Pavonia stop on the PATH).

Gassho,
Keith

[Lynn]

Hi there, Karl! Welcome!

I'm one of the military types here...I'm the mom of a soldier doing his second tour. He's in Balad at the mo. He's Army aviation and is a crew chief for the Black Hawks.

Hey, have you read the book "War and The Soul" by Dr. Edward Tick? If not, I can't recommend it highly enough. He's a psychiatrist who has treated vets for PTSD and explores the topic of the warrior from many different angles. It's one of the most poignant and beautifully written books on PTSD and war I've read. When I saw my son after his first tour I saw all his signs and symptoms of PTSD. I know he wasn't treated for it and I hope it's not going to get worse with this second tour.

Anyway, my deepest gratitude and compassion beyond all words to all of you who have served and any of you who have loved ones serving.

In Gassho~

*Lynn

[Ankai]

I'm one of the military types here...I'm the mom of a soldier doing his second tour. He's in Balad at the mo. He's Army aviation and is a crew chief for the Black Hawks.


I was with the 642nd Aviation Support Battallion, (though not a flyer,) and stationed at Camp anaconda (AKA "Mortaritaville") in Balad.
We had nothing but hawks.
Send him my best, and tell him to avoid the shower stalls at the pool.