Where would you look for the answer?

Question

In Japan a Shinto believer rings the temple bell. He claps his hands. Do the Spirits come?

In a Catholic church an old woman kneels in blissful silence before a statue of the Virgin. Does the real saint hear her thoughts?

In the Zendo a monk feels his psyche expand into the whole of the universe. Is his feeling true?

A muslim bows to Mecca. Does Allah hear his words?

There is only one place where the answer to these questions can be found. Where is it?

Cool Breeze,
It was in reaction to judgementalism that I posted this question.
The idea that one can know what is right, what is good, what is best for another, (usually very right-brain knowledge), does not sit comfortably with me.

Eso,
Of course my words can't describe the 'reality' of Zazen. Neither can yours.
Even Dogen's 'drop body and mind naturally' was an instruction rather than a description.
I just try to drop a hint.

Answer 1

on the prayers we make every day, im jew, it says, Ki ata shomea tefila kol pe, because you listen prayers from every mouth, the God i believe in, the God of Yisrael, who created all, and all, he listens and answers all prayers that come from the heart, it does no matter to him who you are praying, or what name do you give to your God, if you believe on your pray, it will be heared.

Answer 2

The answer is very simple.

For the Shinto believer the spirits may or may not come depending on his level of competence in his art. However, it will be of little use to him in any event as if they do not come he is living in an illusion, whereas if they do come he will contaminate his own soul by using and disturbing the spirits of those that have passed on.

For all of the others, if they are realised souls, i.e. in a state of grace or Yoga they will experience that reality. If they are not connected they too are in illusion and can be likened to dialling on a telephone line that is not connected.

For your final question, where can the answer be found I suspect you will proffer that each lives in their own reality in their hearts. Sadly this is not the case as God’s law are absolute and should they still be in illusion they will be given another birth within a family circumstance more conducive to their spiritual evolution.

Finally the place to find the answer is also simple; at the Holy Feet of the Mother!

Answer 3

The answer is to stop looking. Just sit and listen. The monk in the zendo does not expand his psyche, or anything else. He lets body and mind fall away, what is left is what there is. If you find an answer, then you have not found it. The answer is beyond words. When you are looking for it, millions of words are not enough. When you find it, no words are necessary! Be well.

Answer 4

I am of the opinion that all gods are actually one and the same. People, across time, have interpreted the one god in different ways. I am Christian Orthodox and I believe that my God is the right one. But I also believe that other gods can be the right ones. This is very complex and it depends on quite a lot of things

Answer 5

The migrating la la la who upon the wind sha sha sha

The heart, not the physical heart, but the energetic heart... the substance of life.

Answer 6

Try Yahoo answers

Answer 7

Everything happens in the mind. These experiences could be real and valid to them.

Answer 8

Wikipedia ??

Answer 9

In your soul!
No matter which name you give to the Divinity. That depends on your culture and education.
No matter what the name, it does listen to you!
(If you believe sincerely and if you are really in distress).

Answer 10

All my answers were found at the foot of the cross when in faith I gave my heart, mind and soul to Jesus.