Symbols

[juantoo3]

Originally Posted by Phi

Juantoo, it is often the case that words are taken out of context, I do agree with you there. However this one was not first taken out of context by yours truly , but has been taken out of context by so many for so long that there are truly few that bother to check context for this well-known saying.

Very well, it's just that I hadn't heard that one taken out of context before. My bad, apologies.

I did research the context previously, and again just a short time ago, after a Christian told me that if one of my beloved twin stepsons, who was serving in Iraq at the time, got killed, it was because of that very verse that he "should have known better than to live by the sword." He felt he had every right to say this to me, and so he did:

That person better steer clear of me, I WILL put them straight on this in a big hurry!

it is a right for which, among other rights, many soldiers died. It was very hurtful to me worried as I was, and stunned me, so it was not until later that I wished I had told him to "live by the word, so he did not die by it."

"No greater love hath a man for his friends, than to lay down his life." I defend our military from all sorts of crackpots and cowards all the time. I mostly hold my tongue here as a courtesy, but if someone wanted to go toe to toe, I would defend our military to and with my dying breath. That person had NO right to tell you such a cold, cruel, callous, selfish, ignorant thing.

Tell your son he has my warmest regards, and most sincere respect, gratitude and admiration.

[juantoo3]

Originally Posted by Phi

Juantoo3: In re:
[these are in the positions of power, and would hold the authority to administer death "by a word." My money would be on them cooperating with the A/C-government-religion, either knowingly or unknowingly, wittingly or unwittingly.
Hmmmm, the A/C-government-religion? ( Is that a battery by Delco? )
Are we a little off topic here?? Is this paranoia regarding current politics??? Orrrrrr.....
But then I did mention Revelations...If you want to go there with me, maybe it's time for a new thread?

Now that I better understand the path you were pursuing with your musings, would you mind very much if we just dismissed this aspect. I have my thoughts, but I really don't like to go there unless specifically asked.

[Phi]

Originally Posted by juantoo3

Very well, it's just that I hadn't heard that one taken out of context before. My bad, apologies.

That person better steer clear of me, I WILL put them straight on this in a big hurry!

"No greater love hath a man for his friends, than to lay down his life." I defend our military from all sorts of crackpots and cowards all the time. I mostly hold my tongue here as a courtesy, but if someone wanted to go toe to toe, I would defend our military to and with my dying breath. That person had NO right to tell you such a cold, cruel, callous, selfish, ignorant thing.

Tell your son he has my warmest regards, and most sincere respect, gratitude and admiration.

Thanks diggin'buddy, your support for me and my stepson warms my heart.
He is home now, and getting married on April 3! But unfortunately his twin is now headed for Afghanistan then possibly to Iraq. Keep them both in your thoughts for me okay?

[juantoo3]

Kindest Regards, Phi!

Originally Posted by Phi

Thanks diggin'buddy,

Anytime! I can dig it, if you can dig it!

your support for me and my stepson warms my heart.
He is home now, and getting married on April 3!

OH, out of the frying pan, into the fire? Tell him congrats!

But unfortunately his twin is now headed for Afghanistan then possibly to Iraq. Keep them both in your thoughts for me okay?

I will.

[Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine]

Originally posted by Phi
But unfortunately his twin is now headed for Afghanistan then possibly to Iraq. Keep them both in your thoughts for me okay?

Originally posted by juantoo3
I will.

Ditto.

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine

[Sacredstar]

Dear Phi

"live by the word, so he did not die by it."

Never a truer word said Phi now being realised by new biology www.brucelipton.com

There is now scientific evidence that when a person changes their thoughts, attitudes and beliefs it can have a very positive effect on their physical, emotional well-being and their prosperity.

Dear All

I share the understanding that the tree is the tree of life and represents sentient beings. I have written a piece about this maybe I will start a thread to share it. Water can represent the divine feminine and emotions.

Love beyond measure

Sacredstar

[aged hippy]

Hello Vajradhara,

You asked: "it seems that many traditions have a tree in their symbology, usually this tree is a symbol of the life process for the tradition in question.

what is the purpose, in your opinion, of using a tree rather than another plant or geographical feature, such as a river or mountain?"

It seems to me that the reason to use a tree is that a tree is a simple metaphor for something which brings forth fruit, and the reason that this particular metaphor is used is that it's easy to observe and understand.
Our flowers (actions, etc.) if fertilised bring forth fruit which contains a seed, which will - on falling to the ground - produce yet another tree which produces flowers, etc., etc.

This - it seems to me - is similar to the Vine metaphor used to describe the Christ, although in this case the Vine clings to and grows up the Tree of Life.


You said: "indeed, the world view is cyclic in the eastern traditions and as such, the wheel represents the normal experience of our lives, but also (remember... alot of this is tied to I Ching) the supramundane aspects as well. it seems that the western view of things is such that things are linear rather than cyclic, which could explain why something such as a tree (has a beginning and end) is used rather than a wheel which has neither."

The tree can also be seen to have a 'circular' rhythm to it, in that it regenerates in Springtime, produces flowers and leaves, then fruit, and then apparently dies, only to be re-born the following Spring. This seems - to me - to be precisely the same metaphor as the Wheel, it goes around and around.

Maybe this is why ever-green trees were sacred to many European cultures, they never 'died' in Winter, and so they represented constant, on-going Life.


I don't wish to tread on anyones' toes here, but there are passages in the Christian Bible which appear to support an early belief in reincarnation, when seen in this light the tree - rather than other plants (many of which live for only one year), or a mountain (which is unchanging) makes perfect sense as a metaphor.



That's how it seems to me - though i have been known to be wrong ....