bax44

ditto.

Last week I was meditating in the morning for about an hour and this girl I went out with a few times about a yr and half ago popped into my head randomly. Later that day I was going to starbucks by my place and was thinking itd be cool to see her again.. and then, there she was in the car in front of me. I live in a pretty good sized city so its not a likely event.Stuff like this has been occuring a lot to me lately. The song thing you mentioned happens a lot too. Where all the sudden certain lyrics or rhythms for the songs resonate more for some reason and ive had where a song will keep recurring in meditation and then I keep hearing it on the radio in the days after. I dont pretend to know what any of this signifies if anything but the thing with the girl kinda freaked me out a bit it was almost as if I brought her into my reality unintentionally haha.

Cool picture

I've noticed a lot of people become very robotlike when discussing politics.

Where's the fun in that?!? Cyborg me!!

I don't get the people coming in telling others to "back off" and don't "be too hard or get personal" w the op. it's fine if you agree w some or all of his assertions however lets not pretend he hasn't put some assertions out there that have attempted to paint many here with as broad a brush as possible to fit his own agenda. It goes both ways and after all he's the one telling us spirituality has to go so he should expect some kickback especially seeing as he's been plenty confrontational himself. And I still see people bringing up religion like it's somehow relevant to the ops argument. It's like when someone can't really get everyone to buy into the assertion spirituality is bad they immediately jump to the religion argument as of they are one in the same, something protector has done time and again across these glorious last 20 pages.

That's your argument? And those are your points? You make a lot of pre suppositions about a lot of people and quite frankly some of the points your making are not only obtuse but could be quite insulting to some. I know for myself my "self conning" spiritual practices have gotten me through health crisises, addictions, and some horrors that go quite deep. Stuff that modern medicine and science in all it's wisdom could do absolutely nothing for, except offer me another pill that just made me into more of a zombie.. To becoming a more content person. For you to assume these pursuits were me "conning" myself or being ignorant of objective reality is quite alarming. In fact spirituality for me has forced me to face objective reality as you put it face on and had made me stronger in a number of ways that are too many to mention. Spirituality has actually been the hardest thing I've put myself through because I've had to face myself and my fears and my faults all head on. It's been painful and scary at times but I had no choice. For someone to just toss this shit aside like I'm playing games in never never land and pretend that it's just about shooting fireballs from my ass is pretty as I said obtuse. But ya, if that's what spirituality was to me then I'd say fuck it too because you'd be right. But even then, if they aren't hurting anyone, who gives a damn? But I don't think most people here really believe that's what it is in fact I can't clearly define it for you except for what I've said above.

Who says the books don't work? They've worked for their intended purpose-control, for centuries. But you don't care about that part of it apparently...Why would anyone try selling it to you? You're the one telling us it "has to go", so I highly doubt anyone here is really interested in selling spiritualityit to you. I know I ain't. No one else here is claiming "science has to go", so actually the burden of "selling" anything is on you and I gotta say you started off somewhat ok but now your like Apollo creed in rocky 4 vs the Russian. Your hobbling more than just a bit. I think if you go and re read your own posts objectively you might actually agree. And forgive me for thinking you were actually against all the harm religion has done as opposed to just being against the words that were written down eons ago.. It seems your good at manipulating words yourself, so again my original point stands. Do with it what you will, but at this point do you even know what you're arguing about?

Your last sentence said precisely what I was getting at and much less harshly than I did, CT.

You totally twisted what I was saying but I'm not surprised as it seems to be your mo. I'm not defending religion at all. I was using "religion" as an example to show the same type of behavior you are seemingly against in religion, etc you are using in this very thread parroting science as the only right way. I think you've made it pretty clear you feel science is the only way forward. Am I correct? Because if I am then your viewpoint is just as backwards and stone aged as these institutions/beliefs you are so valiantly striving against in this thread. I'm more interested why you are feeling the need to attach yourself so strongly to this belief, and are so headstrong in it that you feel the need to blather on with the boorish links, word games, etc. science is great but as many have pointed out is hardly omniscient and hardly infallible.

Op underneath all of your huffing and puffing and bravado all I'm seeing is the same type of effort to control and pursuade that you accuse religions and spiritual gurus of. All I see is someone trying to tell us spirituality bad! Science good! As if things are this black and white. You admonish religion for its propensity to control and dictate but out of the other side of your mouth act as if there's only one true way. I hope you see the irony in this.I find your entire premise rather hypocritical and at this point nauseating. You had some valid points in certain posts so it's a shame.

Valley stream do you mean the practice of retention itself was causing suffering in your marriage? Sorry to pry just curious what you meant by that if you feel comfortable answering

Coming on a forum where you know people are into spirituality and trying to convince them It has to go seems like an awfully big waste of time to me. Maybe time better spent studying astrophysics or something more useful.

I'm here and I've never claimed to have psychic powers. In fact I've rarely seen that topic even broached on this forum apart from as an aside occasionally in threads on other topics. Of course I've only been here about a year so maybe before that? Either way it feels like the op is insisting that we all fall into his definition of spirituality just because we post and read here. At this point I'm not even sure what his argument is, as it feels like it's changed quite a bit.

I've read a lot online of how science has began studying things like meditation(often considered a "spiritual" pursuit) and have proven some pretty profound changes to the brains of those who partake. Mostly in their brain wave patterns etc resulting in more "happiness"(I know that's not really quantifiable but). There was another study that someone posted just recently on gete where scoence has put forth the theory that consciousness contunues for some time after death. many wouls consider this spiritual for sure. Point is why can't science and spirituality kind of co exist? You seem to be pitting the two at odds w each other when the argument can easily be made that the two can be blended for sure in certain instances.

Ya I agree religion has definitely caused a lot of wars but just bc you eliminate that doesn't mean humans won't find new things to fight about. Just like ct I was immediately thinking of how those things you mentioned could lead to different types of war. Maybe that says more about me who knows:)

Forest gump and cloud atlas being used as examples of happiness or taoism or wu wei or what have you leaves a lot to be desired in my humble opinion. Just my 2 cents. Carry on.

I dont really have an issue with the rest of your post, but the bolded...are you really sure about this? If anything most governments have too much power. Unless you meant this in another way.

I've found meditating before bed helps even if for only like ten min.. Although I think during long retention streaks some wet dreams are inevitable. Don't beat yourself up over them for the most part you've no control over it. Actually may be signs your brains trying to heal itself. I feel much less drained after wet dreams than I do if I abuse myself in front of porn for hours. One is healthy, the other is not. Hope that helps.

Lately have been feeling very drained of what id call "masculine" energy. Like that fire in your belly that drives you to achieve, be better, etc. I suffered a prolonged illness this summer where I lost 10-15 pounds. It seems the only time I get some of this spark back is when I go on long retention streaks. When I release, its as if my soul leaves me lol, leaving me vulnerable and over emotional. I practice meditation at least an hour a day and workout when my energy level allows. anyone with any ideas? practices? Ive had low T on and off for years but this lack of "drive" is making life difficult for me at times.

its not at all

Mmm breast milk... Ok sorry I had to hope no one was offended:)

Wow great explanation! Gonna start this today I think.

This is ridiculous, in my opinion, and in my own personal experience. Ive meditated between 1-2 hrs a day for about a year and a half and have experienced some pretty profound changes. The idea that one needs do devote 6 hours a day to meditation to see results is bizarre. Also Ive had many sessions that didnt "feel" like I was even meditating and noticed the next day feeling much different. Actually I can remember a difference even after my first 10 minute meditation. I think its not helpful to beginners to put these kind of limitations on meditation. I know if Id have read a post like this when I was just starting Id have just said screw that, because thats just overwhelming. anyways thats my 2 cents. Im sure longer is "better" however Ive had some pretty profound meditations where I only went for 40 min. It all depends.

Thx for the suggestion. I actually have the book "the way of energy" and was doing zhan zhuang back in December. I only stuck with it for like a month cuz for some reason I was getting nightmares while doing the practice. For some reason after having meditated for like ten months at that point anytime I'd try a new energy practice I was really really sensitive to them. I never did the one with the groin centered stance I mostly did the regular standing w knees slightly bent followed by "hug the tree". I remember feeling pretty refreshed after each session but stopped like I said cuz of the crazy dreams lol. So it's basically like hugging the tree but lower correct?