Thank you all, for your questions, thoughts and debate. I'll continue to check this thread until it scrolls into Cafe history. And, I may have a followup, in a new thread, unless someone else wants to talk about it, regarding tonglen practice and what I see as its expression of the "no negative energy" principle.
A comment to reinforce my gratitude:
Firekeeper commented that I seemed to be trying very hard to express a thought here. His timely comment reminded me, that when I get all teacher-ly about something, it's usually because I need to apply the lesson first to myself. Having this forum debate and challenge me keeps ego in check, and highlights where I need to shine a light in my own dark closets. So, I must be needing to work out something powerful about my own perception of "negative energy", to find a deeper measure of peace. Talking, writing, out loud about it, has been a wonderful way to build up my courage to again, light and learn my path. Thank you, deeply!
See your true radiant face, and go in peace.
Blessings,
Aronaya
