347-The earth is slippery- Buddhism in daily life

347-The earth is slippery- Buddhism in daily life

Author: Shaolin-Rainer March 14, 2023 Duration: 6:01

The earth is slippery

This principle was valid in the belief system of the Aztecs, an advanced civilization that existed between the 14th and the early 16th century.

40 years ago I was in Mexico with my parents, the temples made a great impression on me, until today I can't get the monumental structures out of my head. People, animals and plants adapted perfectly to their habitat, my visits to the pyramids of the past peoples were a "highlight" in my life.

From my visits to Mexico, this sentence has remained in my memory: "The earth is slippery".

According to the beliefs of Mesoamerican civilization, anyone could slip on the slippery earth; "evil," like "good," was not separate from each other in the continuing tradition of indigenous religion, but was directly opposed to each other as part of life. The various chapters of contemporary history have shaped this area; against all odds, the fusion of spiritual influences has enormous presence to this day.

And yes, the earth is slippery, at any time we can slip, fall, hit the ground.

Anyone can slip, but how do we deal with our mistakes?

What do we know about the religion of the Aztecs and the Mayas, the Incas? Little! The conquerors did a great job, had quickly sealed the fate of the New World. Little is left of the culture of the Central American inhabitants, but this phrase has been handed down: "The earth is slippery".

What has this continent seen over the centuries, oppression and enslavement came as original sin by the Europeans, the traumatic background is still not sufficiently processed.

Main god of the polytheistic people was "Huitzilopochtli", the god of the sun and war, mostly represented as a jaguar. Due to the change of the ongoing generations there was the concept of natural selection, the "tree of life" was understood as evolution in their culture!

I liked the spiritual philosophy of the "slippery earth" very much, again and again I have to think about it.

I trust in the future, every person is allowed to "slip" once, because the earth is really very slippery.

Buddha's teaching is very similar to this view, also we today's people should give the fellow human beings who slipped again a chance, we as a part of nature are allowed to make mistakes, our fate is written according to Buddha, therefore we are not at fault.

The transformation to a soul being is based in the concept of "enlightenment", in forgiving, in love and in forgiveness.

Our greatest glory is not to never fall, but to rise again every time.

- Nelson Mandela - former President South Africa - 1918 to 2013

God obviously loved ordinary people, because he made so many of them

- Abraham Lincoln - 16th President of the United States of America - 1809 to 1865

Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de

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You'll find a quiet, practical companion in Buddhism in daily life-Mindfulness in every day tasks, hosted by Shaolin-Rainer. This isn't about abstract philosophy; it's a hands-on guide for weaving the principles of Chan Buddhism directly into the fabric of your ordinary day. Rainer's voice serves as a gentle guide, offering short lectures that bridge timeless Asian spiritual practices with contemporary Western life, making ancient wisdom feel immediately accessible and useful. Each episode is a down-to-earth session, whether it's a guided meditation you can do while washing dishes or insights on finding stillness during a commute. The core of this podcast rests on the transformative power of mindfulness and genuine self-compassion, presented as tools to soften emotional struggles, nurture a sense of healing, and cultivate a quieter confidence. You'll encounter practical discussions on self-acceptance, approaches to managing anxiety, and the integration of movement practices like Yoga and Qi Gong as extensions of mindful awareness. Ultimately, tuning in is an invitation to discover the spiritual awakening hidden within your own routine, turning every task into an opportunity for presence and peace.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Buddhism in daily life - Mindfulness in every day tasks
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