[puzobok]

I find the basic Buddhist Dhamma attractive, as far as I understand it, and also am able to relate to what seems this forum's emphasis on present day living and ethics.

In terms of infinity there are infinite possibilities and I feel that we have heaps on our plates in regards to the great problems facing humanity without becoming overly esoteric re the cosmic future.

Since joining almost six months ago I have read numerous books on Buddhism that seem to place the emphasis in less practical areas. I read of hungry ghosts, samadhi, hells and a void like Nirvana and don't find any of this very practical.

Ram Dass writes of the story of a king offering a beautiful horse to an old yogi if he could go into deep samadhi and be buried for a year. As the story goes he is forgotten and left for ten years years and on arising says "Where is my horse?
I take this myth to be an example of the strength of 'attachement' but it certainly comes across,to me, as overkill.
Ram Dass also seems somewhat ambivalent about mind changing drugs, even though he uses these examples as only stop gap measures.

I can appreciate the need for myth and metaphor; it is used in all religions and my personal view is that this tends to over cook or separate far more essential down to earth issues.

I suppose only further thinking, reading and application of what I currently feel more relevant will help slowly with these problems serving as grist for the mill.

Thanks for your time and forebearance.