Jainarayan

For those of you, if any, who revere deities, I'm just curious who your deities are. I myself have on my tiny altar a framed 4x6 print of taijitu inside the bagua with the character for Tao in Chinese, and the first four lines of the Tao Te Ching in a nice script. That is higher and centered. I have images of the Jade Emperor (my avi); the Eight Immortals; Guanyu (left side of course); a small photo of my deceased parents; small resin statues of Fu Lu Shou. I have a print of Xuanwu; and two 4x6 prints of Men Shen for each of my entrance doors.

France. Female pujaris do exist. Pujaris are mainly brahmins, but not exclusively.

He's full of shit. There is a western white woman convert to Hinduism who is studying to become a pujari (priest). His comments and thinking are the kind superstitious silliness in religion that make me crazy; it's religious elitism. And personal pujas are done daily by hundreds of millions of people.

The grains to avoid if one is avoiding grains (non-celiac gluten intolerance or celiac), are wheat, barley, rye and possibly oats. Corn is technically a grain but it is not in the wheat family. As much as I'd like to become vegetarian, the only thing that works for me is paleo. I'm sensitive to not only wheat, but other carbs, being insulin resistant. Unless one is insulin resistant, other carbs... potatoes and other root vegs., quinoa, legumes, rice, corn should be no problem. Stay away from beer... barley.

Said by whom? I think it depends on the direction you're coming from and who says it. A synonym for 'void' is 'nothingness', which according to the following philosophies, never existed. However, nothing/void is something, as was pointed out to me once upon a time. Abrahamic: God is, was and always will be (so said Sister Mary Corrections Officer); God as First Cause created ex nihilo. Buddhism and śūnyatā: Not what most people think. It's not total nothingness. It's inherent emptiness. Nothingness never existed. Hinduism (Vaishnava specifically): "Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be." Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita 2.12. This is not unlike the Abrahamic concept of God always having existed and will always exist. Except that in Vaishnavism nothingness never existed. Creation was not ex nihilo. Sikhism holds similar views. Taosim: I don't know enough to speak about it, but my understanding is that again, there was never nothingness.

I had a lot of childhood, teenage, and early adult issues. Hell, I've had issues all my life related to things that happened to me. Something I learned, mostly through therapy (though not everyone needs it) is that one has to put things where they belong. That is, leave them in the time they occurred, and consider that the people who did these things were working with what they had to work with. For example, my parents were born in the early 20th century, 1908 and 1913 to be precise. They were very ignorant, bigoted, racist and self-centered people. Being the last of 5 surviving siblings, with a 12 year age gap between me and my next (older) sibling I was essentially an only child. I blamed my parents for a lot of things that did and did not happen in my life. But I can't change it, because they were who they were. I was not physically abused, but I'll go as far as saying I was emotionally abused. I still struggle with some anger and resentment, not with them anymore, but with what my partner and in-laws did to me; rather, I allowed to happen. It's not easy, and it is a fight to put things where they belong, which is not in the present day. And if the same things keep happening, it is we who are to blame. There comes a time to draw a line in the sand, to put one's foot down, regardless of the cost in personal relationships. After all, those you have to draw a line in the sand for aren't giving a rat's ass about you, now are they? That's just my p.o.v. Oh, and deep breaths help also.

I can see myself physically in a mirror, but I only see myself, my personality, mentally. Maybe that applies to everyone, I don't know if it does. In my case it comes from a lot of so-called soul-searching, reflection (no pun intended), and contemplation (call it meditation?). Some things I like, some things I don't. I have an inkling of how others see me. I like the lyrics of the Leon Russell song Magic Mirror, which I contemplate often: "Magic Mirror, won't you tell me please, do I see myself in anyone I meet? Magic Mirror, if we only could try to see ourselves as others would."

Unless I miss my guess, it sounds like the o.p. is rebelling against the rules, regulations, rituals and pontifications one finds in most internet discussions and in religions. This is something I can relate to. I've been following a thread elsewhere about the Laws of Manu in Hinduism. Most of them are totally ridiculous for this day and age, yet some people feel they are to be adhered to. I call it superstitious siliness. Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it. – The Buddha Dualistic thinking is a sickness. Religion is a distortion. Materialism is cruel. Blind spirituality is unreal. Chanting is no more holy than listening to the murmur of a stream; counting prayer beads no more sacred than simply breathing; religious robes no more spiritual than work clothes. If you wish to attain oneness with the Tao, don’t get caught up in spiritual superficialities. Instead, live a quiet and simple life, free of ideas and concepts. Find contentment in the practice of undiscriminating virtue, the only true power. Giving to others selflessly and anonymously, radiating light throughout the world and illuminating your own darkness, your virtue becomes a sanctuary for yourself and all beings. This is what is meant by embodying the Tao. - Lao Tze Hua Hu Ching Chapter 47

I didn't want to hijack http://thetaobums.com/topic/31411-if-you-practice-zhan-zhuang-for-how-long-do-you-stand/ but it piqued my interest again in zhan zhuang, but with an added twist. I have a hard time incorporating traditional meditation (whatever that is) into my puja, spending time at my shrine to feel the deities' energies, after I say the prayers, wave the light, ring the bells, etc. I found this little blurb http://www.naturalawareness.net/standing.pdf that made me think "why not start to learn the postures and techniques, and practice them as part of my puja as my deity meditation?" The .pdf says This is the essence of beginner's meditation. Thoughts?

That's pretty much the thought I have. I'm reading The Teachings of Ramana Maharshi. He points out the importance and benefits of meditation, especially nāma japa. That Zhan Zhuang is technically āsana, it fulfills two purposes as I see it... physical discipline and āsana for meditation since I can't do any cross-legged āsana (back surgery and residual nerve issues).

I feel the same way when I see photos from the HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) of pigs in gestational crates the HSUS is trying to get outlawed. The crates are so tight the pigs can barely stand up, if at all, much less turn around. The HSUS is trying to, at a minimum, get the crates and pens enlarged. Because of all this I'd like to go lacto-ovo veg. but at this point I'm still at feathers and fins; nothing with mammary glands, hair or fur, though.

The word atheistic is thrown around too much wrt Buddhism. I think a better word would be non-theistic, because afaik, the Buddha never addressed the issue to begin with. He refused to answer because pondering it was an obstacle to enlightenment. It was only later exegeses and people's agendas that started slapping labels on Buddhism that really are not supported by any scriptures. Eta: this refers to a creator God or supreme God. Buddhism is fairly crawling with deities, regardless of their status.

I recite this also. There are three versions. Notice the references to Vishnu and Shiva at the end of the long versions. Curious.

I've thought about doing just cardio for a while; I'm dieting also... Weight Watchers. I lost 30 lbs in 6 months in 2012, then I fell off the wagon. But I'm back to it. I prefer walking as my cardio, either outdoors or on a treadmill. Sometimes I break into a trot, but not often. I used to be a runner, but at 200 lbs it's a killer. I walk at a pace of about 3 mph 2-3 % incline on the t'mill. What would be the pace for walking meditation, and length of time? These are all new think-outside-the-box concepts for me, breaking the old gym rat paradigm, which I'm ready for. Twenty years of traditional weight training is more than enough. I like body weight exercises, and believe it or not, kettlebell swings.

Very good, thanks. I can see why the extra weight and the movements in restricted planes of motion can impede one's progress. The extent of my weightlifting is going to be conditioning and "toning" (ye gods, I'd be hanged, drawn and quartered at bodybuilding.com for using that word ). I need to lose about 25-30 lbs, most of it is fat, but some will be muscle, which I'm perfectly fine with.

Yet one more question semi-related to this from the The Inquisitive One: Backstory: I was a powerlifter back in the day, pre-surgery for lumbar and rotator cuff injuries, ironically not from the gym. Anyway, I have always absolutely hated working my legs via squats and other leg work, but I did gain size and strength. It was a love-hate relationship. Now my approach is different... strength, stamina, conditioning, athletic physique. The Question: Is standing meditation, especially horse stance a good substitute for traditional leg work, or at least an adjunct to machine leg extensions, hamstring curls, walking and/or jogging? The gym has a safety squat machine (not a Smith machine, another padded and back support kind), but I am absolutely burned out on traditional leg work. I really prefer not to do it. The days of tree trunk legs and a squatter's ass are back in the Cretaceous. Please say "oh yes absolutely!" (it would help if you mean it) that Zhan Zhuang is an effective substitute ... I implore you! I beg you on bended knee (OK, a bit melodramatic there ).

Thanks. I do intend to do just the simple, basic, natural standing posture as you describe it. From this link http://www.naturalawareness.net/standing.pdf I'm thinking it would be:

That's actually a good point. Nama japa is to draw close to one's yidam or ishtadeva, and ultimately receive darshan. It might be a strain to control the mind and body during zhan zhuang and concentrate on the deity.

Exactly how I feel.

Thanks. If you don't ask, you don't learn. That's a great idea of visualizing Maa Kali, or even Sri Shiva, since he is the destroyer of negativity, and the creator of the new. Nama japa could definitely fit in. I would not have thought of that because Vishnu (Krishna) is my ishtadevata, whom I could meditate on as you suggested for samadhi and/or bhakti. Unlike other Hindus (and I am definitely unlike other Hindus ), I don't have a problem with using different mantras.

Heh heh, I don't come anywhere close to practicing them. I guess that's one reason I'm back (on Earth).

Maybe so-called "flashes of inspiration" come from the akasha. After all, we are part of the fabric of the universe and existence and might be tapping into it.

I don't know how accurate this is, but it might be a start: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akashic_records#Accounts_of_purported_akashic_access

If I may, this is something I think 90% of the world would balk at because it showcases humility and forgiveness in the extreme: Eight Verses of Mind Training By Geshe Langri Thangpa 1. By thinking of all sentient beings as more precious than a wish-fulfilling jewel for accomplishing the highest aim, I will always hold them dear. 2. Whenever I’m in the company of others, I will regard myself as the lowest among all, and from the depths of my heart cherish others as supreme. 3. In my every action, I will watch my mind, and the moment destructive emotions arise, I will confront them strongly and avert them, since they will hurt both others and me. 4. Whenever I see ill-natured beings, or those overwhelmed by heavy misdeeds or suffering, I will cherish them as something rare, as though I’d found a priceless treasure. 5. Whenever someone out of envy does me wrong by attacking or belittling me, I will take defeat upon myself, and give the victory to others. 6. Even when someone I have helped, or in whom I have placed great hopes mistreats me very unjustly, I will view that person as a true spiritual teacher. 7. In brief, directly or indirectly, I will offer help and happiness to all my mothers, and secretly take upon myself all their hurt and suffering. 8. I will learn to keep all these practices untainted by thoughts of the eight worldly concerns. May I recognize all things as like illusions, and without attachment, gain freedom from bondage.

Made aware.