Michael Sternbach

You did refer to ten levels (the "highest" one being the level of the Buddha) in a recent chat, my friend, but I agree with you that the matter is far from being so simple. There may in fact be an infinite number of levels which equates having no levels at all.

That's really something only your heart mind can tell you. Don't listen to anything that I, or anybody else, or Jeff (for that matter) says, unless you resonate with it on the inside. For the highest or most Divine being resides within your Self.

Or would be necessarily occupying a high post in an organized religion or sect.

Songtsan, Who said that high level beings are not available for chats? Are you aware that there are eight individuals residing on the 8th of totally 10 levels (according to Jeff's system, that is) regularly posting on TDB? But I won't tell you who they are! Michael

Well, I would say that's one horny deer looking for deer ladies.

If you go there with thinking: "They have something I don't have", that's a negative focus. I too think you should see the event as an opportunity. My advice: Involve at least one reasonably attractive, non-related female in a chat there! If this doesn't lead to anything else, that's fine - consider it an exercise. Plus you will feel less alienated. On the other hand, it could be you who catches the bridal flower bouquet.

No, all I remember is some conflict breaking loose once on a Daoist thread, whereafter CD was banned for two weeks. I couldn't really understand what had happened (and soon gave up trying). No kidding!

When it became obvious that he was about to get banned, he took his hat, apologizing to everybody he had unfortunately annoyed. Additionally the door was slammed and locked behind him nevertheless, and the key thrown away. I also keep wondering about the reason. I found it particularly regrettable as he and I were in close interaction on an interesting TTC thread at the time. It looks like some members felt intimidated by him. He had been banned temporarily more than once. I guess he couldn't adjust sufficiently. I understand the man is accustomed to quite a different cultural environment and even needed help writing in English. Possibly I missed some stories though.

Neo-Platonism merged with Hermeticism. Hermeticism is a kind of universal science that includes philosophy, psychology, cosmology, astrology, alchemy, magic, numerology etc much like Daoism does. A more apt comparison might then be made between Daoism and Hermeticism. The two systems have many parallels, although they are often approaching their topics from somewhat different angles.

Well, I don't know if it's helpful for you, but my attitude would be: If she isn't interested in me, I'm not interested in her. Of course that's easier said than done once you are madly in love with somebody. If you don't mutually resonate, it's far better you find out before that.

Songtsan, you are a liberal.

DreamBliss, I agree with you that one's path to a successful life doesn't have to be a conventional one. The latter is just so much easier for most people! It is challenging and requires a good deal of creativity and nerves to go your own way and create your own world. But being the way we are, you and I have little choice in this. So many spiritual teachers remind us that we should focus on doing what we came here to do in the first place, which we will recognize most of all by our enjoyment of it. Success even in material terms is supposed follow. (Nothing wrong with a little practical intelligence here, to be sure.) It is important to find a partner who shares or at least understands this way of thinking. That's much easier when you are already very successful with it of course, but why wait? Why not pursue all your topics in parallel and let events unfold as they will? But a dating website like OK Cupid is hardly the place to find this person. Specifically addressing women with an interest in LoA (etc) would be much better. Why not start your own local LoA study group? Most attendants by far would be women. Women seeing you in a far different light than the ones on a dating website! Talking about your one-time date - I am little surprised that she apparently isn't ready to reach out to you now. Establishing continued contact would really have been your part when you met her first. But no regrets, please. It's possible that it wouldn't have worked out anyway. And from all experiences you can learn something. There will be others. On the next occasion, just make sure that you exchange phone numbers before saying bye, even at the risk that she politely declines. All you can lose is a little ego - but there is potentially the love of your life for you to win! So seize an opportunity before it's gone. On the Lovers card above, that is the meaning of the man holding the woman's wrist for you!

I appreciate your explanation of the astonishing subtleties of the "face palm". You seem to be speaking out of daily experience with all its variations. Truly enlightening!

First off, I more or less had to use this deck because it is the only one the OP has at hand. But regarding your criticism of The Lovers, a similar objection was once raised on the Aeclectic Tarot forum - to which deck creator Ciro Merchetti replied: On the same thread, several other posters demonstrated their proper understanding of this card, e.g. a poster called Ryver: A very thoughtful comment by a woman who seems to know what she is talking about.

No... Run and seek cover while she is loading! "We cool, man!" - Of course! I for one never said that. Partially because I wouldn't want that kind of job myself. However, for having fun with your girlfriend, you will need a certain amount, so if the 9-5 job is not for you, I suggest you get creative and do your own business thingie. Now wait a minute... In the warrior's code, there's no surrender. If our advice sounded too conventional, then couldn't this be not least because you were approaching the topic in a conventional way? Or am I the only one who feels that your dating website is something like a "meat market", where customers will usually sort the non-appealing offers out according to conventional criteria - long before they even think of clicking on the links to your videos (and all that) that would show them what a unique and amiable person you are. What you need is an increase of spontaneous real-life encounters. For which the situation with that lady is a good example. You are definitely heading in the right direction! To look at that encounter as step 1 on your journey to a relationship, as you said, is a really good approach. I must confess that your post made me think though. I admit that we "spiritual people" should be able to provide something that goes People magazine. I concluded that a little Tarot Magic could help. For this, the Gilded Tarot deck you have will serve you well. Basically, the only other thing you need is an "altar". Any desk or table will do. I recommend employing a few additional things, however. Such as roses, red candles, clear or rose quartz, aphrodisiac incense, and/or romantic music. Nungali's arrangement above is a nice example. These things are not indispensable, but a little extra effort may pay well as you are signalling to the Universe that you are serious. Now you want to lay out three cards in a horizontal row from left to right, pausing after each of them to do some visualizations and affirmations: The Star - Inviting the Universal Force of Manifestation that is easily able to fulfil your wish. The Empress - Represents your ideal woman! Strongly visualize your ideal mate; how does she look, move, talk, walk? The Lovers - Now see yourself together with that very special person in an intense and mutually fulfilling relationship. Imagine all the fun things the two of you are doing together as if they were happening now! Use affirmations (aloud or silently) like: "Here I am with my wonderful girl. She loves me deeply, and I love her just as much." - Or whatever sounds right for you. Important: Don't just say the words. Feel them. Mean them. That's all! And when your done... let it go. Don't keep thinking about it! Leave it to the Universe to work things out and lead you to the right place at the right time. You can leave your altar the way it is and occasionally meditate with the spread. But boy, what if mum sees it... It's fine if you wrap up your things now. What you have done is sending a strong signal to the Universe, telling it clearly where you want to go, back up by the language of analogous symbolism. As a LoA representative, you may tend to think that it suffices do such an exercise in your imagination alone. Often, that's indeed all it takes. However, in my experience, although your psyche is indeed ever the gateway, visualizations are greatly amplified if you "anchor" them in the physical world by doing something in the physical world using physical objects.This is typical of the magical/shamanistic techniques of many cultures. Chances are we won't even have to evoke an elemental spirit as an astral helper.

Oh I see... "Face palm" is describing an act of auto-aggression! Good to hear that you seem to have a heart for animals. I was afraid you might intend to hollow this guy out, stuff him and exhibit him as a trophy between the kangaroo and the croco.

In fact, just like a human individual, the "magical cosmos" can perhaps most simply be differentiated into Corpus Mundi - The Body of the World - Earth - Human equivalent: Body - Element Earth Anima Mundi - The Soul of the World - Planets - H. e.: The subconscious - Element Water Spiritus Mundi - The Mind of the World - Fixed Stars - H. e.: The conscious personality - Element Air Unus Mundus - The Source of the World - Prime Mover (Infinity) - H. e.: The superconscious - Element Fire Of course, all these levels have their own sub-levels. This is a bit compiled from various sources and mixed up with my own thoughts. Some popular versions leave the fourth level out which I here call Unus Mundus (borrowing a term from Duns Scot) and which Plotinus calls The One (thank you, ZYD, for this hint). Based on above model, it makes sense to assume that eventually, the individual on its highest "infinite" level blends with the Source as there can be only one Infinity.

Really? I must have missed a lot, then. Probably because I rarely look at the politically minded threads. The purpose of my posts above was mainly to demonstrate that we all may have different ideas about who should be allowed back and who shouldn't. Or can some consensus be found? Edit: I would support inviting ChiDragon back, for he really contributed something unique to the Daoist threads. (But again, I don't really know what has happened in the beginning of the year.)

Although I didn't follow the story in every single case, I believe that they were all exiled for a reason...

Yes, in many Asian countries many young women are open to western men of all shapes and ages, much more than what you usually observe in Europe or America.

Deleted.

Could we then allow ChiDragon back inside too, please?

DreamBliss, I won't jump in this time to defend you since you said you prefer that I don't. But against Nungali's APERADFP, I advise using the Kenpo technique "Thrusting Wedge": As the opponent's hands shoot towards your face, quickly thrust out your own arms, deflecting his arms to both sides while your thumbs gauge his eyes. As opponent's hands come back to his face in agony, seize his right wrist by your left hand and pull him into a right vertical elbow to the chin. Follow up by scraping your right hand down through his eyes so it ends up in front of his groin. Where it is of course perfectly placed for a low blow using a back fist strike. If that ain't enough to stop him, be free to give me a call for further advice... But seriously... Can we keep ideas of physical violence off this thread, please?

In that case, your mind must also have been usurped by society. As you would yourself prefer a good looking, young and well shaped partner. Yes! Oh... Didn't I just read: "I can change my physical appearance. My body is my creation." Conflicting beliefs there stalemating you, buddy? What can we learn from Seth about the topic? Don't get me wrong: I didn't mean that you should wait for anything. There are good reasons why want to get in shape anyway, no matter what. Keep multitasking and take things the way they come! Also, I am aware that physical beauty is not the measure of all things, of course. There is so much more involved in real life. (Just think of Carrie and Doug! ) Where even the way somebody smiles can make all the difference! - The problem with a dating website is that individual subtleties don't have much weight, you are sorta reducing yourself to a data sheet. Good thinking there! Good thinking once again! By leaving the age question open, you look like somebody who just doesn't care much about it. Remember, the choice is always yours if you actually want to meet a particular person who contacts you...

I hope I was not too straightforward... Sagittarius style.