The Problem of Suffering and the Problem of Evil (Part Two) 

all beings suffer. and that's okay. this is about eliminating the suffering that is eliminable.

@@christopherwallis751 fair enough

yeah you're wrong, in that spiritual traditions have always gotten politicized (by some), throughout history, not just now. Politics is not the answer to anything other than political problems, but people keep trying to solve all social ills with politics, which is never gonna work, as you surmise.

@@christopherwallis751 , When it happens **within** these institutions (and not merely "to" them) it can be pretty traumatic to the over all "environment" of practice, and I would say to the original purpose of its existence IMO. A quick story in this regard, Decades ago there were some senior students of my late zen teacher who were pretty upset about something happening in the news that had no direct relationship (imo) to the practice of Zen. I cant recall the particular issue now but it was "in the news" and was not a "crisis" per se. Anyhow, they (the senior students) wanted the approval and endorsement of our teacher to join a political protest in robes and carry signs referencing our practice center. Our teacher tried several times over days in vain to bring these senior students back to the core meaning and point of practice, but they just dug in their heels and instisted that they were right in their views and just "couldn't sit on a their azz and do nothing." Finally, our teacher sort of "caved in" to their pressure (I thought) and ended up helping this group prepare for their protest. This incident for me was the beginning of the end of my own affiliation with that temple. Now, I'm NOT here saying that "protesting" is always wrong or that life "in the world" has nothing to do with spiritual practice, but that I believe things have a proper "order of operations" so to speak. I'm glad you corrected me about the mixing of politics and spirituality being common across cultures, it's just disappointing to me that in my own culture (which could REALLY use a new non-political perspective imo) - seems so bent on the same old mindset. 🙏

@@FH-ic9sd Hello, As to the first statement in your comment - Gurus or Rock stars are indeed both dependent upon (interdependent with) their followers (imo) as you can't really be one without the other. It's not a "one way street" in that regard. I think both have responsibilities that (in my observation) are sometimes ignored to the detriment of both. Second statement response - There are specific well defined practices generally under the heading of "guru yoga" that exist as meditation methods which require one on one personal relationship with a guru. These are pretty strictly defined and guarded and is not like what you mention as simply "describing all" as a guru. Aside from those specific practices however (of guru yoga), I believe it certainly is beneficial to view others as ones teacher - which is mostly about being open minded and a good listener - aka receptive. The ultimate "guru" is always your own Pure Being - which is not really your "own." That's what they call "Buddha nature" or "God consciousness"... many other names too. The whole point of ALL of this (life) is to connect with that guru. 🙏❤

@@FH-ic9sd I think what you say about "no one can fool us" is true in the absolute sense, but in the context of the relative world we can still become victims. These are indeed subtle points, and sometimes we get fooled by terms like "nonduality" and "guru" etc. This can happen when we mistake or mis-apply our ego based understand to the "enlightened" or absolute context. We are seeking "absolute" understanding, and just by that fact alone we are giving away or exposing ourselves as "not enlightened" which is dualistic. And so yes, everything is "the guru" but also, yes, the guru is a specific person. And yes, the guru is not to blame because his/her followers view her as a "guru." However, the "guru" (if they are a bad guru) is ALSO still responsible for any abuse of their position - even when it's the followers who view him/her in that position. Lastly, when I said (or when you hear) the ""true guru is within you"" it's easy to misunderstand this because as unenlightened beings when we think of "me" (as in "the true guru is inside of ME") the "me" we are thinking of is not the me that is the true guru. The "guru-me" is when there is no longer an "ego-me." But if you follow an "inner guru" that still perceives itself as an "ego-me" you would be mistaken and that mistake could be disastrous. So to follow the true guru (the true inner guru) you have to first meet him/her. Otherwise you're just following your ego.

I don't get what needs to be reconciled, in your view...?

Sorry Chris. I meant in your excellent explanation of the concept of non-dualism, where do the Tantric deities and their worship fit in? Are they for real and does prayers and devotion make any difference at the individual level with regards to suffering and evil.

that's a more complex question than I can answer here. See my more recent video titled "What you need to know..."

But those who are completely disconnected from the source of their being cannot help being so, so it would make no sense to consign them to hell. The belief systems of the world include the idea of hell simply because it's an effective way of scaring people into behaving well (according to the values of that system).

Sadly, of course that's their 'home destination,' or trauma-bonded 'cozy spot,' obeying the monopolized-AI disconnected realms of modern hells. The Awakening of the Truth, the Second Coming, is - as always - and inside job. Our personal shadow work is to uncover the Real Christ in our heart, or Siva. Buddha-nature, our Real Self. Christ Sophia awakens thru peace and heart-gnosis coming from within, so appropriate for me to find a Nondual teacher with a PhD as a Gnostic having studied some Siva. Decades ago, I thought "God made eternity, man made up the idea of eternal hell." What a great control grip, eh, I mean trip? We simply create our own little miniature version of eternity and all things in our own little heads, and what do you think, you're gonna float around and have to haunt people forever, or burn in a fire - indefinitely? What about using your thoughts to create an afterlife of joy or peace? Visit somewhere truly remarkable respectable _and_ rad? On the tragicomedy before us, in the human "condition," and worse, Humans 2.0, If a person is unwilling to see past the veils, or what is called an NPC, sadly, you might have to accept it, as all things - thoughts, spirits, and humans have their patterns, although as we know, eventually the labyrinth of lives leads to the One. If they consign to be 'hungry ghosts,' we still have to give compassion, having been there, ourselves - having felt stuck in many lives of hells - no? One day, that person will awaken from the matrix, but yet we must have strong discernment not to proselytize any of those sinners! Indeed, instead, may the majority of your vibration and energy be in alignment with love towards the Great One. Peace & thanks, zxcv70 + Christopher

the problem you perceive doesn't exist, because those were not enlightened beings after all.

@@christopherwallis751 one of the problems ... although some of these supposedely enlightened beings were considered enlightened by many , including other lineage holders of their traditions, what posits the question : Are there evil traditions ? Or all traditions have their shadows too ( patriarchal , for example ) ...? And does it invalidate all the teachings of these teachers ? I must confess also that i think Kashmir Shaivism, as far as i know and understand , doesn't adress this issue of evil and ethics very well . Abhinavagupta even wrote about esthetics, but not especifically about ethics and politics , as far as i know . Was classic Kashmir Shaivism only possible in a feudal theocratic regime ? But then , when the rival Muslims kings/emperors came the tradition was almost wiped out from the Earth, almost extinguished. Was that an evil to the Kashmir Shaivite tradition ?How a non dual Shaiva ethics and politics looks like ? Aristotle wrote about it in a Greek perspective much before Abhinavagupta. It would be very interesting to see a dialogue between them both , imo .