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What is stopping me from achieving the same results?

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Helena:
So, in essence, no matter how different we all are and where we come from - it doesn't matter.

It does not even matter whether we are young, old, male or female or something in between.

The only reason stopping us from achieving the same results, or even better results is ourselves. And this has really nothing to do with our backgrounds, culture, colour or education.

It has to do with our resolve.

All of us have our flaws, weaknesses and afflictions. No one is free from it and no one is spared from it. That is why we are still stuck in samsara. So, there is really nothing unique or special about our afflictions, negativities, flaws and weaknesses. We ALL have them. Some more than others.

We should stop glorifying these weaknesses, flaws, negativities and afflictions like they are some kind of higher force that deserve so much of our time, adoration, worship, attention, and whatever you want to call it. Because as long as we are feeding it and fueling them every second of the day, we are giving them more power and recognition. We seem to dedicate so much time and effort talking about them - whether it is to ourselves, to our families and friends, through blogs or through our shrinks - we are, in actual fact, crediting them with so much importance in our lives. Worse of all, it is when we actually allow them to rule over us. Thereby, giving them sovereignty over us in all aspects.

Is this really what we want? Of course not!

So, do the opposite. Stop giving them the time, space and day. Stop dedicating every minute of our lives re-living every single agony or pain or fear over and over again in our minds, or by talking about it - end it, shut it and not feeding more to it.

Think of how much time we spend in our heads, paying homage to our weaknesses, afflictions and negativities - just be honest and see within. You'll be surprised to find that almost every other minute is spent talking to those voices in our heads - no matter what names they can come by - be it fear, insecurity, laziness, etc.

If we seriously want to achieve greater results, stop feeding our afflictions with more conversations in our minds, stop giving them more credit by saying how painful they are or how greatly affected you are by them. All these only give them more power. TURN IT ALL AROUND. Do not give them any more power than we already have done so in all our lives.

TIME TO STOP. THE END.

DSFriend:

--- Quote from: shugdentruth on June 10, 2011, 03:51:15 AM --- Can a person achieve enlightenment if they solely have faith in the Buddhas and pray diligently??

--- End quote ---

I don't think so.

The fact that the person has come to learn about the Buddhas and to develop faith in them is a proof that he has to rely on a teacher. Faith is essential, but having a teacher is utmost to help us achieve enlightenment.

diamond girl:
All the posts on this thread gives me insights and thoughts to contemplate. In my contemplation I cannot help but think how the mind is indeed very powerful to do both negative and positive, and confuse. I do not know how to express what I am thinking and I hope that in expressing my thoughts I do not offend anyone.

In all the knowledge we share here on karma, negative afflictions, etc. and all the correct ways forward, what I read is good theory. I guess what I am trying to say is where are the results of the positive changes and practices. In the post below by Positive Change:

[What is stopping me from achieving the same results?

1. My fear. Fear of getting out of my comfort zone!
2. My resistance. Resistance to change and insecurity of the unknown!
3. My stubbornness. Stubbornness to accept criticism and accepting i could be wrong!

All three of my "reasons" are mere delusions but how does one come face to face with one's greatest enemy... oneself? What helps me I find is the reliance of my kind guru who I have put my faith on and that I trust has only y best interest at heart. Of course it is easier said than done as I still apply the same three delusions even on my guru! However, I do watch myself and i know I need to just "fall" and trust he will catch me.]

I cannot help but think, "So, we come with all the negative karma and habituations only to find a Guru and dump it all on the Guru?" I find this not very responsible. Isn't the point of spiritual practice and learning from a Guru to attain the knowledge and practices to keep ourselves from "falling" and if we do, which I am certain we always will, to pick ourselves up with the changes in our habituation from teachings and new habits? We learn to be responsible for oneself and for others, no?

Again, I do not mean any disrespect, at the end of it all, isn't it actions and results speak louder than theory. What we learn must be put to practice (action) to achieve the attainments and merits (results). Also, we speak of collecting the merits now and change now so that we can attain Enlightenment in the next lifetimes. How about thinking to achieve it in one lifetime and work very hard to have that. I mention this because the mind will use this conversation of next lifetimes as a way to not do more and achieve more this lifetime....

Barzin:
I think FEAR plays a big part in everyone's life.  Fear of getting old, fear of getting reject, fear of failure, fear of trying, fear of letting go, fear of commitments.. in fact, we have fear in almost everything we do.  We pushes ourselves but things don't go well, the fear sets in again...  The fear of not achieving the result that we wanted.

Therefore, dharma study is so important.  With a guru, it is like having a guide or a teacher guiding, teaching you until you get things right.  Without a guru, dharma texts, dharma videos from various gurus might help, but homework must be done.  There is no such thing as without practicing or learning, enlightenment can be achieved.  When setting our foot onto a spiritual journey, it is vital to eliminate the fear in us and fully believe in the dharma, Buddha and Sangha. It is almost like pushing a "refresh" button.

jessicajameson:
For me there's one thing that stops that change. LAZINESS.

Laziness to get out of my comfort zone.

I don't reinforce my negative habits by talking about it, but by not shifting my butt to change, and thereby just repeating my negative habits over and over again... coz it's easy, convenient and habituated already!!

It's scary. I know in my mind what's right, what's wrong and what I need to clarify. Yet, even knowing so - there is no shift.

I look at myself in the mirror and think: "You big, fat, lazy butt - you're going to end up boiling in a pot of oil in hell".

It's cynical and a bit morbid - but I have so much goodness around me but I choose to not use it for a greater benefit to others.

I read something today which I found SO SO APT (for this thread especially). I don't know who wrote it, I think that it was from some legendary drummer: "The noblest of dreams is nothing without the reality of disciplined behavior."

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