The Church of Reality

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I wonder what I'll find out next!

This is Magger Frane's 'blog.

Identities

They dressed and acted like Americans, shopping and eating at places like Wal-Mart and Pizza Hut.

-- FBI Director Robert Mueller, speaking of the Sep. 11 terrorists

My Identities:

Human
Male
35
Queer
Citizen of the United States of America
Green
Analytical
Corporate Tax Attorney
Single
Orphan
Intelligent
Romantic
Introvert
Buddhist
HIV-
Long-Distance Runner
Asthmatic
Manic-Depressive
Philosopher
Neo-Pagan
Artist
Polymath
Meditative
Empathic
Sensitive
Self-willed

But, perhaps every label we apply to ourselves is the beginning of repression. Perhaps we use some of these labels to suppress those desires we are most afraid of in ourselves.

For a true spiritual transformation to flourish, we must see beyond the tendency to mental self-flagellation. Spirituality based on self-hatred can never sustain itself. Generosity coming from self-hatred becomes martyrdom. Morality born of self-hatred becomes rigid repression. Love for others without the foundation of love for ourselves becomes a loss of boundaries, codependency, and a painful and fruitless search for intimacy. But when we contact, through meditation, our true nature, we can allow others to also find theirs.

-- Sharon Salzberg

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TERMS OF SERVICE: All the original contents of this web site are copyrighted by Magger Frane as of the date of publication. You expressly understand and agree that your use of this 'blog is at your sole risk. You expressly understand and agree that Magger Frane shall not be liable for any damages resulting from your use of this 'blog. Any dispute, controversy or difference arising out of, in relation to, or in connection with, the foregoing, which cannot be settled by mutual agreement, shall be ignored.

DISCLAIMER: Use of semi-advanced computing technology does not imply an endorsement of Western Industrial Civilization (nor does it imply that I believe this technology was reverse-engineered at Roswell).