[Camo Eagle]

Originally Posted by key

But have to admit I don't have that kind of long term discipline. And the Buddhists that I have known are very centered indeed. Love me some Pema Chodron. http://www.pemachodron.org/ However, I get some mixed messages about Buddhism's acceptance (or lack thereof) of homosexuality. Some places I read that we fall under "sexual misconduct" laws of their religion and other places I read that they do not judge us. As someone who grew up under the boot of "hate the sin, love the sinner" Xtianity, this kind of gives me the willies.

Certainly don't want to discourage anyone from walking the path of their choosing, but worry that all religion, even ones without God's can be a minefield of do's and don'ts that is bound to leave someone out.

I guess any door through which we enter, can snag us on it's splinters, we must walk on through to get to (what I believe) is our shared destination.

Sacred communion with all.

I think it all depends where you visit. Much like in any path. ITs not so much the doctrines in play, but the human element.
I studied Wicca for yrs., everything was ok until I transitioned. All of a sudden as a Male I was no longer welcomed. I have since found a local grp ran by a Military Psychologist of all things, that have no problems with me at all.
When I talked to my Temple Abbott about changing my Buddhist female name to a Male one, he had no prob.. He even explained the dual nature of the Buddha.

Originally Posted by Diva

I was thinking it was my age.....as it has been easier and easier for me to purge.....I have too many THINGS....I've been going through Rubbermaid TUBS of stuff, asking myself.....HOW many times have I moved this? Never looking inside to see what it WAS.....and....um...>WHY did I keep this 1994 bill?I know, right?But since I've moved to Austin....and I'm [hopfully] not going anywhere until my ashes are floating in the Seine......I have found it empowering to 'let go' of all KINDS of stuff....physical stuff....toxic people.....anger.... regrets.... guilt....And it has really been empowering, and, at the same time giving me a great deal of peace.

I am doing the purging, letting go, thing with "stuff" lately. Its hard for me as well, but I gotta admit it felt good to get rid of some things. I use the free pg on Craigslist, and my local branch of Freecycle a lot. I recently had an op to give some much needed items to a Cancer survivor in treatment. He was so happy & said it was his best xmas gift of all. That totally made my day. Letting go is good. Keep up the good work Diva.

Originally Posted by Linus

So as I continue down this path, I decided to finally get through The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. Within the 2nd Chapter something hit home:

This made me think of the times we're in and how many people feel angry and loss when they lose their house, job, etc. We have such strong attachments to them because we associate them to our identity, which really they are not. They are things that are part of our daily activities but they are not "us".
I think of myself, as an example, often as Linus the Teacher, Linus the FTM, Linus the Partner of K, Linus the Canadian in the US, Linus the Acadian-by-descent rather than Linus, me. I think I need to work on finding the "me" of all those "beings".

[/RIGHT]

One thing I did when I started giving away items lately, was look inside to see why I needed to hold on to those things. I think some liberation surfaced when I found those answers. Yes sometimes we need to find the "me".

Originally Posted by Greyson

Linus, I am in agreement with this notion. However, I find it almost impossible to keep responding and seeing them with an open heart and compassion.
For me, after a life time of being challenged on almost everything that I am, the wounds, the damage done makes it almost impossible to move past the baggage.
I want to but each time "they" take yet another underhanded action against me and others like me.... well my best intentions and compassion seem to vanish in a moment. I then go into self preservation mode.
I'm rambling. I still hold out hope that I will take the high road.

I think you are missing a lil something. You forgot to see your progress. No, maybe you are not where you want to be on this journey, but the fact that you are aware and trying, is a big step. Buddhist call it "Mindfulness". You are present in that thought, and you are aware of your needs, thus you progress. Look inside, I'll bet you think before you speak/act more often. How many times do you walk away instead of fight? See you have grown.