Birch

What Steve said. I'm glad these texts exist as they offer another viewpoint on the guru-disciple relationship (wasn't the direct translation of the word "guru" more like "friend"?) I've wondered about Yogananda's relationship with his own guru. There are a couple of passages that made me think something was going on in the guru's bed. Not sure what. If I can find the pages again I'll post. But to temper again. All of these people are still, well, people (except the real avatars, but I can't get into that because I haven't met any directly yet ;-)) and they have "people-issues" - as Taomeow mentioned in her post about Ayahusca (sp?), "Absolute power corrupts, absolutely" and I'd add, even relative power corrupts. I'm tempted to go further and I realise that it would be controversial. So I'll scale back and ask "why do groupies sleep with rock stars, athletes, presidents, bosses..." And they're not necessarily female either...I added that because it sounded like I meant just women, maybe?

Snake = kundalini? Apple? Hum, no idea. Anyone? Tree = tent pole like in Taoism? Tree of life? Man & Woman = Yang and Yin (Shiva and Shakti)? Knowledge of good and evil = naming the things? Multiply = ten thousand things? I'm guessing away here. Symbols. That book is full of them. Maybe some recipes as well;-) I think worth digging deeper if you have the time and the inclination. But there are other works that many folks will be able to come "fresher" to than the bible given it's (mis)use over the years.

Mal, do you mean he manages the translation "just so" to the point where it would be like speaking with a native English speaker? If so then I'm all for. I'm starting to find out there are certain languages I find easier than others. English is terrible I often wonder how it got "chosen" as an "international language".

energiz'd would feel like six thousand suns beaming stillness in contrast

As long as God is a sociocultural imposition (make way for them, they have comfy chairs;-))in any specific shape or form then I'm an atheist. Otherwise I'm fully devout. All roads lead to Rome, some of them via Sicily.

So I guess I'm as dumb as it gets. Despite this, I still strive to undo my knowledge. My cup is empty yet it overflows. All that jazz. What's so dumb about studying things you're interested in? Does it matter where they're from? If it matters, we can at least ask the question. Where is this from? Doesn't it matter just as much "who" is doing the studying? I am preferentially biased towards Apech because he nearly almost correctly guessed where I am (but not exactly ) And I take it for myself too. What's dumb about studying things from where I'm not?

Yup, look at this place;-) You're right. I guess it's better than "Yahoo Questions"

How about you call him up and say "Hey, I saw your last FB status. Are you ok? Need to talk? you know I'm there for you". Try this for a Koan: "Since when do we ask internet for how to deal with our own lives?"

Ok, now I'm interested I was reading something the other day that concerned NOT having them (chakras)open as probably more of a good idea, per your multidimensional suggestion. As a reference to "energy centres" then we still have some ideas of "activity" vs "inactivity" and there's lots of nice literature (and teachers) who will clue people in. The "traditional" chakras (the 7 or 8) also have their TCM concordance as well as their endocrine mapping. It's lots of fun/interesting to get into but IMO takes some study and perhaps some guidance? In my posts, when I mention "3rd chakra" or "4th chakra", I'm very much talking about bodily-based issues. Yes they have their metaphysical correlations but I'm not (yet) clued in as far as multiple dimensions go. Sometimes I figure I have enough to work out in this dimension

Maybe want to cut down the retention for a while. It's only adding fuel to fire. A good therapist will help you transcend "society's fault" issues and more importantly will help you find your way of doing things. Call it "enlightened self interest." Your ideas are only that. Very small scared paper dragons you're shining too much light on. As far as practice goes, I'm with the "all in good time" suggestion. I personally have a lot of dross to kick out and there are days when I feel like total shit. Today for example. This too shall pass. I wont engage you (much) on your take on women but I've heard some of them say EXACTLY the same type of stuff about men. Stop watching shit TV that reinforces your stereotypes for a while. I'd also say you have full advantage, you're young and you can get through this. Kate

"These are not definitions, it is all about energy; you cannot escape yin and yang unless you reach paranirvana." ;-) Which would be jing-shen-void-shatter void? I don't know what it is (yet;-)) So if you're choosing path for example, do you lean opposite to your dominant element, do you strengthen your weakest, etc? Both? What about "wuxing" which I keep hearing about? And is birthday date pre-heaven or sudden post-heaven? Or maybe it doesn't matter that much? I keep trying to get my 5 pillars in various online engines and I keep ending up with contradictory information. Taomeow, any recommendations for best source? Thanks! Kate

Great post! So perhaps this may "explain" the vibe I get from my version - a rather curt and traditional old guy. I guess he reminds me of my grandfather in some ways;-) He's been nicer to me recently than he has in a while. He disproved of KAP immensely but is sort of coming around, he despises self-indulgence of any type, is a stickler for "character" and will be parsimonious with "good news" more often than not. Besides, he will always remind me it'll never last. But he sort of has my best interests at heart, I guess

water won't quench me! neither will fire sooth me now! Until I cease all.

urine down my leg despite my thirst I love you may I fall forward ---I think I goddit this time - otherwise erase;-)

"the more they start to look the same and access the same energies." -THIS!

I am, I am tempted to send you all by PM an image of the f*cking freezing cold I currently live in;-) I am not born here, silly thing to do to jump all over the world? All estimates accounting, we here have 6 weeks (average) of winter left. Anyone notice that "fire" path might be adequate here, huh, huh?

Very cool! Thank you! Having been a delinquent as far as causality is concerned, I appreciate this. Especially the attitude. We don't call a physique "cut" for nothing

Cool! Is it that simple to say the year and get a recommendation on path? I'm always a curious one when it comes to signposts. I'm also tempted by the complex;-) Do you do consultations on 5 pillars? I was thinking of asking Taomeow too. However, if my goal is to escape these definitions - does it help to know anything? Or better help just to change? Confused With thanks!

This is great! Thank you! Another reason to practice;-) It occurred to me the other day in yoga class that I had taken the position of "Ham Sa" (to use your language) vs myself who might be idealised as "SoHam". Achieving a nice mix of the two is goal (now "whose" it is is very much under discussion;-))

I was considering this the other day. Do I want a practice that is portable, can be learned fast, taught to anyone, does not rely on gizmos plugged in over which one had little "control", or do I want...well the opposite? I'm not sure

I think there's an issue with some ideas (mine too;-)) of "Kundalini awakening" as sometimes defined as shakti rushing up the spine in one fell swoop to meet shiva (i.e. the freight train ride) What is one doing in KAP? - Awakening through Kundalini? - Awakening Kundalini? I like contemplating these questions as part of practice. What is Kundalini? What is awakening? Sometimes she answers;-) And not always through practice;-)

What kind of "culture" is your friend into? Here's an example. ---------------------quote AKON LYRICS Smack That Ringtone Send "Smack That" Ringtone to your Cell Smack That Ringtone "Smack That" (feat. Eminem) [Akon:] Shady Convict Upfront Akon Slim Shady I see the one, because she be that lady! Hey! I feel you creeping, I can see it from my shadow Why don't you jump in my Lamborghini Gallardo Maybe go to my place and just kick it like TaeBo And possibly bend you over look back and watch me [Chorus (2X):] Smack that all on the floor Smack that give me some more Smack that 'till you get sore Smack that oh-oh! Upfront style ready to attack now Pull in the parking lot slow with the lac down Convicts got the whole thing packed now Step in the club now and wardrobe intact now! I feel it down and cracked now (ooh) I see it dull and backed now I'm gonna call her, than I pull the mack down Money no problem, pocket full of that now! I feel you creeping, I can see it from my shadow Why don't you jump in my Lamborghini Gallardo Maybe go to my place and just kick it like TaeBo And possibly bend you over look back and watch me [Chorus (2x)] [Eminem:] Ooh...Looks like another club banger They better hang on when they throw this thing on Get a little drink on They gonna flip for this Akon shit You can bank on it! Pedicure, manicure kitty-cat claws The way she climbs up and down them poles Looking like one of them putty-cat dolls Trying to hold my woodie back through my draws Steps upstage didn't think I saw Creeps up behind me and she's like "You're!" I'm like ya I know lets cut to the chase No time to waste back to my place Plus from the club to the crib it's like a mile away Or more like a palace, shall I say Plus I got pal if your gal is game In fact he is the one singing the song that's playing "Akon!" [Akon:] I feel you creeping, I can see it from my shadow Why don't you jump in my Lamborghini Gallardo Maybe go to my place and just kick it like TaeBo And possibly bend you over look back and watch me [Chorus] Eminem is rollin', d and em rollin' bo And all marvelous them rolling Women just holding big booty rolling' Soon I'll be on Eminem throwing "D!" Hitting no less than "Three!" Block wheel style like "Whee!" Girl I can tell you want me because lately I feel you creeping, I can see it from my shadow Why don't you jump in my Lamborghini Gallardo Maybe go to my place and just kick it like TaeBo And possibly bend you over look back and watch me [Chorus] ------------------------------------------------------quote It's kind of a scary song lyric from my perspective. No time to analyze right now. Is your friend doing well with women in general? If not, go ask someone who is. For the record, I'm a woman and I don't like pain but accept that the world is full of it. Suffering because of that is actually an option. I sometimes wonder if you haven't just idealized women in some way and are suddenly upset because you find out that that's not really how things are. It happens to me all the time (last ideal to fall was the free market) but I tend to get over it faster today than I used to thanks to practice. Wishing you well! Kate

I've been feeling something I wasn't before with MCO. As the subtitle suggests it feels like a "double" orbit with two "balls" tracking each other at opposite sides around the loop. It might just be something I'm doing (like switching between the two for whatever reason). When I try to reduce it to one "ball" it just gets harder to do. Any takes? Actually, I have a list of weird things to relate so I might go do that in the private forum;-) With thanks! Kate

Hi! I didn't manage to look at the Willy Wonka video on YT because I need to upgrade or something. Can you embed it here? I can see those. Interesting that such an experience is being taught as a method. It echoes the secret smile for me in that the practice becomes the result. Also strangely enough, as soon as I'd mentioned it, it went "back" to being 1 ball again;-) But it's starting to occur to me that being able to "see" both the inside and the outside equally well would be really useful when making any decisions about what to do about our health or our food or exercise...