My real name is Reena Gerlach

[Buck Edwards]

Engaging in acts of kindness and compassion holds great importance in the quest for enlightenment in my opinion. 

Why? Kindness fosters connectedness. Connection with Others. Acts of kindness and compassion  foster a sense of connection and empathy with others. By extending kindness and compassion, we recognize the inherent worth and interconnectedness of all beings. This sense of connection can deepen our spiritual understanding and promote a sense of unity. You need that fabric of connectedness. I have seen great changes in my life since my compassion practice, especially loving kindness meditation. Any opportunity in this regard should not be wasted. In fact I would feel guilty if I did that. Anything that births itself from kindness will never be lost in vain. Kindness is a virtue, a gift that keeps giving. You'll never see it until it actually does. 

Kindness and compassion are considered virtues in many spiritual traditions. Cultivate virtues. Engaging in these acts helps cultivate qualities such as empathy, generosity, forgiveness, and love. These virtues are seen as essential for personal growth, spiritual development, and living a meaningful life. Bind them to yourself. See every act as an opportunity. 

Suffering exists due to a dualistic nature. Nothing is really separate. Alleviating Suffering. Suffering of some form will always exist though.compassion is often motivated by a desire to alleviate the suffering of others. By showing kindness and compassion, we contribute to creating a more compassionate and caring world. This can bring comfort, healing, and support to those in need, and it can also enhance our own sense of purpose and fulfillment. Why bother to alleviate suffering right? Welll... When you reduce the burden of suffering you stop the cycle of suffering. Again this is a principle of vompassion. Spirituality without compassion is like a car without fuel. You can't really go anywhere with it. It wouldn't make sense long term. In its absence, everything is egoic. 

We have an inherent self centeredness anyway. Practicing Non-Attachment is ideal.Engaging in acts of kindness and compassion can help us develop a sense of detachment from our own desires, ego, and self-centeredness. It shifts our focus from personal gain to the well-being of others. By letting go of self-centeredness, we open ourselves up to a deeper spiritual experience and a greater sense of interconnectedness. This also fosters our inherent non duak nature. 

 

Edited September 13 by Buck Edwards

[Buck Edwards]

I felt shy and sexually deeply repressed when I joined this forum in March 2023. I felt awkward almost scared to enter a male dominated forum like this. I remember having a formidable presence. How could a shy girl like me exist on here? It was merely impossible in my mind. I decided to take up a male username of Buck Edwards and somehow survive on this forum as a man and pretend to be a man. I thought this would be a safer Idea. I wouldn't get much attention or lousy messages from men leering at me. Neither would I have to constantly defend my position as a woman. It felt freeing. It felt I could do this. I did well and thrived for over a year. It felt non threatening. Over time I got tired of role playing as a man and it didn't suit me. I was fed up. I couldn't keep up the facade anymore. I just love being a woman and wouldn't want otherwise. My deepest feelings couldn't have been expressed role playing as a man. So I gave up. My husband was by my side. I felt hopeful and confident. That day I stopped that facade and came to my normal self. Yes it was an identity crisis I was battling with.. It was hard on me. I had my insecurities as a woman. I felt like I would get a torrent of messages from men. I have felt shy all my life. Even boarding a bus full of men frightens me. I can feel awkward around men. It's just how I feel and have been raised. I mostly grew up around females. My dad was the only male member in my family. My dad was a sturdy figure for me. Finally in July I felt liberated. My male pseudo name I adopted for this forum is stuck and that's alright. My real name is Reena. I finally feel confident enough to use my real name on this forum. 

Edited September 13 by Buck Edwards

[Buck Edwards]

I'm slowly discovering new positive affirmations. 

One is "I woke up feeling refreshed."

 

[Buck Edwards]

The next affirmation is - I'm free. 

 

[Buck Edwards]

The other affirmations - 

I love my husband. 

I'm attracted to my husband. 

I'm in love with my husband. 

I feel hot for my husband. 

 

 

[Buck Edwards]

The next affirmation is - 

I feel free on this forum. I have a powerful grip now. I feel more confident and comfortable now. 

 

Edited September 13 by Buck Edwards

[Buck Edwards]

Move away from negativity and move towards confidence. 

[Buck Edwards]

I'll keep my anxieties at bay. 

[Buck Edwards]

Journaling is an effective technique for dealing with trauma. Much of my life has been dealing with trauma. 

 

[Buck Edwards]

A prayer for upgrading my knowledge database. 

 

[Buck Edwards]

[Davino]

Nice to meet you Reena. Hope you feel comfortable in the forum

We are grateful to have conscious and mature women arround here

I felt quite shy in sharing my real picture but afterall I'm happy I took the step. Each day I feel more comfortable in my own skin. Wishing you a nice day

[Buck Edwards]

@Davino thank you. 

[Buck Edwards]

Maha mrutunjaya mantra. 

[Buck Edwards]

 

[Buck Edwards]

[Buck Edwards]

In the end hard work wins. I worked very hard to come wherever I am. 

                         

 

Emotional Labour as Leo calls it. 

 

 

[Buck Edwards]

Spirituality has been making an interesting comeback in recent years, or perhaps an entrée into the mainstream, with a new generation of young gurus and “spirit junkies” making it hip to be spiritual. Many of the lessons draw from religious tradition, yogic philosophy and meditation, and the idea of a greater, or universal, consciousness. One concept that’s been central, now and in some traditions over the millennia, is the idea of getting out of our own way, or giving up control to some higher power/consciousness/energy, whatever that may be. In other words, being “in the flow.”

                      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 14 by Buck Edwards

[Buck Edwards]

But what’s really fascinating about this idea is that it’s not actually specific to spirituality: many people talk of feeling, under the right conditions, like they’re in the flow, as if something greater has taken over and they’re simply letting it happen. Writers, artists, musicians, designers, athletes, and many others have experienced this state of flow, or being in the zone.

 

 

 

Edited September 14 by Buck Edwards

[Buck Edwards]

The simplest metaphor is that it’s like driving a car with one foot on the break and one on the gas. ” In the analogy, the gas is our brains’ the natural function, and the brake is self-referential processing. If you take foot off the break, the brain functions more effortlessly. Our brain is like ‘thank god, you got out of the way.’ And that’s when we get into the flow.

 

 

 

 

Edited September 14 by Buck Edwards