silent thunder

Wang Liping recommends the Wilhelm version at his retreats.

Sound, vibration, frequency, resonance... all manipulate 'physical form'. Cymatics was a fascinating inroad for me to see on a very simple level how sound and its varying frequencies influence the shapes of physical matter. I imagine this is exponentially more influential when dealing with sacred mantra sounds coursing through the human form (which is mostly a viscous liquid, in nature).

I appreciate the very point blank, blunt analysis and direct Pali translations of Ken Wheeler @dmattwads He's got a youtube series on Pali and Sanskrit, Therevada and Mahayana. His Pali translation of Citta in particular, was quite elucidating for me. You may get some mileage in hearing his take on things.

Yes complexity. and yet always another layer, under all that complexity... yin/yang... tai qi... and under that... tao the simplest of conditions give rise to complexity, which grows in patterns reflecting simplicity and when done growing in patterns of complexity, always returns to the simplest.

This is almost verbatim how it was explained to me, by two different 18th generation lineage holders.

I appreciate this description. It is resonant with and reminiscent of an awareness that arose for me during practice some time ago and has remained with me. All motion seemingly arises from, pivots about then returns to, a point of stillness.

speaking of gifts... This conversation seems to me, a gift. Thank you all.

All of these stats seem predicated on the assumption of accurate and widespread testing... Some countries are not testing like others...

In a tangential manner to the OP, I found the work and insights of Susan Harper inspired me to re=negotiate my relationship to breathing and to my spine and ribcage particularly and to all of my bone tissue... as fluid processes, not static 'things'. Intrinsic Movement. Breath fluidity. Body and (particularly) Bone Fluidity.

no appreciable distinction between spiritual and anything else to me any longer...

one more...

to me. civilization, on the whole, is wholly uncivilized.

Does a flower strive to unfold? Does a fern strain to unfurl? Is effort or training required? We each unfold according to our nature. We are never not our nature, no matter what we do, or do not... That which is... is. There is this... This is it. And you and I are This.

You're in good company in this. Buddha was not a Buddhist either... that developed later.

echo that! synchronicity...

Many aspects of meditation are unpleasant and some are downright disorienting and traumatic... depending where and how deep you reveal aspects of blockage. Perhaps this lies behind why many teachers try and shoo away prospective seekers with only a passing interest... These two quotes by Adyashanti resonate my experience of late.

I'm partial to Hatozaki Whisky. It's like liquid light. I only drink whisky at home and when I'm seeking to foster a loosened yet inquiring mindset. It brings out the contemplative, cuddly ferret in me. I enjoy a nice Amber Ale with the sun streaming through it... while chatting with friends when possible. Kim Crawford and Whitehaven, two Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand have been killing it these last few seasons... again with loved ones close and lots of topics of conversation flowing.

Before starting a form, one of my teachers would always say. Kind Heart Quiet Heart Sincere Heart and then at times, seemingly randomly during the forms "peaceful people gather power..." The smile on his face when he'd say that spoke volumes about what was at his core in teaching. From my experience, those most drawn to acquiring power, are least suited to wielding it. And this perhaps explains the proclivity of Teachers reluctant to share deep, indoor methods. Wisdom before Power. Compassion before Power. Kind Heart Quiet Heart Sincere Heart

Certainly money has value. But only within the limits of the human framework of civilization of which it is a symptom, not the causitive action. Do you find money inherently negative? In and of itself? tzujan? it's literally a paper tiger. what use is a quarter to a man alone in the desert? or a hawk? or a stream? Its equal to its inherent value in my internal world which is zilch. Money has no bearing on the quality or worth of my internal reality. I lived yeeears of my life hand to mouth, often hungry and broke... this did not affect my bliss, nor the quality of my internal life one iota. What I choose to allow myself to ruminate on and think is where the real value is found in life, or better yet, without thinking... in the pure beingness... Money has no bearing on the state of my internal world which is not predicated, nor ever was dictated by how much human valued paper i possess. I play the game and use money. I re mind my self of the sphere of its influence within the context of human civilization and i hold in mind the category and extent of its value and usefulness as it accords with my path. I play the game but do not become the game. Most of all, I do not obsess, nor worship. The Sage is in the world, but not of it. I'm no sage, but i cultivate some aspects of them as one tends a garden... i cultivate a relationship with money that is beneficial, but not obsessive. I use it within its own context to the benefit of my family and the aspects of society i support. As such I'm extremely prejudiced in where and how I spend it... many companies I will not and have never spent a dime at... many other individuals and organizations i've shared a significant percentage of my paper money with... How one relates to money (or any aspect of life) seems crucial to me... For my own benefit, I re mind my self that I bring more harm, challenge and strife to myself when I unduly worship, or demonize it, any aspect of life, be it semen, sex, booze, food, news, films, books, quotes from chinese classics, poetry, political opinions, conversations in forums... or any other aspect of life. To each its own and in its own sphere. Relating to money is a dance. If one is in civilization it will have an influence on one's life. One will dance with it according to one's nature and one's path.

A closed system... and to me, one with unfortunate tuning. The health of the tree is shown in the quality of its fruit.

Gave up news along with broadcast television/cable and satellite 11 years ago. One of my best decisions ever for long term health and clarity of mind for myself and my family and the tone of our home. What we think is a major part of our experience of reality. What i choose to consume with mind, is more important for long term health to me these days than what i eat, for it determines much of the framework and quality of my inner life. News for decades now, no longer seems meant to educate, elucidate, enlighten, or help. Its focus seems to be intentionally crafted to sensationalize, marginalize outright traumatize and manipulate feelings so you're ripe for a talking head to sell you a cure-all at the commercial break... Broadcast news is scripted by three main sources and redundant beyond belief. Surreal. Like something out of a Terry Gilliam film. Print news has a bit more leeway, but suffers the same sensationalist, manipulative craftingness syndrome.