Naked woman on man's back, how do you free yourselves?

It pains me to see some of my friends obsessed with intense "dislike" or “hate" for someone. No matter what the topic is, or what happens that is all they want to talk about.  I feel their pain, and wish I could help them free themselves and see other things in life.  

The following story has helped several friends, and I hope it helps some of your friends.

Two Buddhist monks were waiting for the flooding to recede on a stream so they can cross it. A pregnant woman joins them and all the three waited for a few hours and started talking about crossing it any way.  The woman asks the monks, if they can help her cross.

The Monks looked at each other, and the junior says “No” to the lady, while the senior monk asks her to ride on his back and he will carry her over across the flooded stream. So they crossed and the senior dropped her and the monks resumed walking.

After about 5 minutes, the junior could not hold it anymore and blurted out, “You are supposed to be a role model for me and resist touching or feeling a woman, and instead you carried that woman on your back, her whole body was rubbing against yours, her breasts were pressed on your back and you were holding her legs… did you enjoy that? 

The senior monk realized the gravity of the situation and stopped, looked into the eyes of the junior and said. When I dropped that woman 5 minutes ago, she was out of my mind,  but you are still carrying her.   

I dealt with two individuals this week, one of them dropped and the other one propped the question again. So, I tried this time with religion, he is a Christian and I mentioned to him that “forgiveness” is the central theme in every religion including the teachings of Jesus. Forgiving brings relief and freedom.

The kid is an Islamophobe, I asked, do you want to know what Islam says about it? He reluctantly shouted what?  The person who God loves most is the one who forgives, he said really? Looks like he is going to study about it and I hope he does and frees himself up.

Do you have people you need to forgive? Do it now, and find the relief from obsession with dislike or hate for the other. You'll be happy that you did.

Thank you

Mike Ghouse, President
America Together Foundation
(Foundation for Pluralism)
Dallas | Washington
(214) 325-1916 text/talk
...............................................................................................................................
Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator onPluralism, Islam, India, Israel-Palestine, Politics and other issues of the day. He is a human rights activist, and his book standing up for others will be out soon | He is producing a full feature film ” Sacred” to be released on 9/11 and a documentary “Americans together” for a July 4 release.  He is a frequent guest commentator on Fox News and syndicated Talk Radio shows and a writer at major news papers including Dallas Morning News and Huffington Post. All about him is listed in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at www.TheGhousediary.com – Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.

Paryushan - a Jain festival of forgiveness

Michami Dukkadam (We ask for your forgiveness)

(Note to my Jewish friends; what appears to be the hateful swastika symbol here is not that symbol, this symbol has been in use in India for over a millennium, it symbolizes four directions, four seasosn of life )

Paryushan is an annual festival that Jains*** celebrate all around the Globe, it is either seven or nine days celebration depending on the sect; Swetambra or Digambra, they observe fasting for seven days or 9 days and conclude it on dus laxan. Through out the days the observe the fast, they abstain from ill-will, ill-thought and ill-actions, just as Muslims do for a month in Ramadan. It is a beautiful way of refreshing our souls on an annual basis.

There is a beauty and joy in forgiving and be forgiven. It brings Moksha, Mukti, Nirvana, Nijaat, salvation and true freedom to every soul. Indeed, the idea of forgiveness is central to every religion; that was Jesus's focus, the dearest person to God is one who forgives, says Mohammad the prophet and Sri Krishan reiterates that thought in Bhagvad Gita. If all the psychologists in the world were asked, what will bring the most freedom to the mankind, they may be tempted to say "Michami Dukkadam".

In the Jain tradition of humility and forgiveness; SAVVE JIVA KHAMANTU MEMETTI ME SAVVE BHUYESU,VERAM MAJAHAM NA KENAI"

"I forgive (without any reservation) all living beings (who may have caused me any pain and suffering either in this or previous lives), and I beg for the forgiveness from all living beings (no matter how small or big) to whom I may have, knowingly or unknowingly, caused pain and suffering (in thoughts, speech or action, in this or previous lives, or if I have asked, or encouraged someone else, to carry out such activities). (Let all creatures know that) I have friendship with everybody and have no revenge (animosity or enmity) toward anybody."

Michhami Dukkadam
(We ask for your forgiveness)

Indeed, that phrase resonates with me. I had talked about the meaning of Michami Dukadam in several congregations, including the one celebrating Najma's eternal journey and again at the funeral prayer at the mosque in Richardson. It was a perfect Michami Dukadam between me and my late wife Najma. Thanks to the Jain tradition.

The Jains have been practicing this tradition for thousands of years and I join them in the Jain tradition of humility and forgiveness I say Michami Dukadam. I am pleased to share the perfect message from Dr. Vastupal Parikh.

I just wrote an article about Ramadan - which is similar in meaning at:
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2009/08/ramadans_spiritual_discipline.html
Please mark your calendars for the 5th Annual Unity Day on Sunday, september 6th at 5:00 PM - Details at www.UnitydayUSA.com

***** Jainism is a full fledged religion like Hinduism and Buddhism and none is an offshoot of the other as it is often mis-understood. Jainism is contemporary of Buddhism. Both the faiths are life centered where one's deeds (Karma) determine his or her spiritual, physical and mental well being. Although Mahavira is referred to as God in common parlance, in the system, he is the 24th tirthankara- the enlightened one, ( an equivalent of a messenger or a prophet in the abrahimic traditions) who wrapped up the entire philosophy of the 23 earlier tirthankaras. Jainism dates back to the Mohenjadaro civilization some 5000 years ago. In Dallas, oops, it is in Fort Worth, we had an exhibition of the artifacts from that period at Kimbell Art Museum several years ago, it was a fascinating experience.

Mahatma Gandhi's non-violence approach emanates from Jainism and the idea of validity of multiple paths of the foundation for pluralism ( www.foundationforPluralism.com) has its origin in the idea of Anekant Vaad from Jainism. We have a Jain Temple in Richardson, a suburb of Dallas, and if you want to enjoy the best vegetarian food, go to the temple on Sunday Mornings!

Thank you.

Mike Ghouse
# #