Michael Sternbach

DreamBliss, Frankly, I feel you are approaching the problem too superficially. Alrighty, you desire a partner who is young and crispy. Nothing wrong with that per say. But fact is that usually boys and girls of a comparable attractiveness get together, as a scientific survey showed. An obvious exception to this are Japanese Sumo wrestlers with their lovely lotus flowers, but they are national heroes plus they are stuffing their futons with yen! So realistically speaking, if you want to have to cuddle with, you should try to approach as closely as possible! Which I honestly think you are not that far from if you get rid of, well yeah, quite a lot of pounds. And just as honestly, I doubt that LoA or occasional ecstatic dance will get you there, let alone any time soon - even though visualization could help you very well to increase your motivation to accomplish it and maximize your results! In that King of Queens video I linked above (the one that stupidly doesn't get played in your country), Carrie is pushing Doug to pursue his fitness training more seriously - and that's the way for you to go as well, my friend. I am not sure how conscious you are about what and how much you eat? I am aware the LoA position that whatever we eat can be used to our best advantage blah blah blah, but there is a biochemical level to our existence that you should not neglect, thinking that you are (already) standing above it. In a nutshell: A regime of regular cardiovascular exercise (3 times a week 30 minutes would be your first goal) combined with a low fat/low sugar diet would after a while not only dramatically improve your chances in any kind of dating setting but also be a good investment into your general health. Remember... even you are not getting younger!

Dawei, thank you so much for starting the "Tarot Bums" on my request. I am confident that having a sub-forum wholly dedicated to Tarot will be welcomed by all the TDB members who have been talking about Tarot previously on a number of scattered threads, A few words for kindling the conversation... Many associate Tarot exclusively with "fortune telling." That's its most popular function, and indeed, it can be used for divination with amazing results, much like the I Ching. In this context, I personally don't see Tarot's value most opf all in predicting future events. It is a matter open to philosophical debate to what extent the future is fixed, and therefore can really be foretold. However, I - like most people who experienced this first hand - don't doubt Tarot's usefulness for uncovering and understanding what is happening in current (or even past) situations, on levels of both outer and inner reality. Thus, it can be used for reading what is happening in somebody's conscious and unconscious mind. Its symbolism is the language of the psyche. That's why C.G. Jung thought of Tarot as a complete system of Archetypes. On these grounds, Tarot offers solutions for all kinds of difficulties in life. Therein lies its great potential not least as a means of psychotherapy and spiritual growth. I was using it to that end in my work with psychiatric patients and self help groups in the 1990s. Again much like the I Ching, Tarot is considerably more than just a divimatory tool, however. It is a holistic system of metaphysical philosophy. A picture book of wisdom whose symbols come down to us from time immemorial. Virtually a Theory of Everything. Wow. While Tarot stands on its own, it ties in with other metaphysical systems such as Astrology, the Kabbalah, and Hermetic Philosophy. Many contemporary academics deny such connections, insisting that Tarot started its career as a simple pack of playing cards, despite its obvious roots in both Christian and Pagan spirituality. Some scholars - admittedly rather few in number so far - also highlight the parallels between traditional Tarot iconography and Alchemical illustrations. http://tarotforum.net/showthread.php?t=223881 http://images.brera.beniculturali.it//f/Documenti/so/solabusca_english2 Yet another application of the Tarot is as a tool of Magic (or Magick, if you prefer). In a sense supplementing its use for divination - which could be defined as passive or receptive - by employing the same imagery for actively effecting change in the psyche as well as in external reality. Needless to mention, a lot more can be said on all the aforementioned and other aspects, but I hope this will suffice to inspire some of you to share your own views. Best regards, Michael

In Switzerland there is talk about giving each citizen the equivalent of $ 2000 monthly as a basic support provided by the state. People who are not content with that amount would be free to seek additional income, of course. Many in this country think that the concept is feasible and argue that doing away with all different kinds of rents would allow the governments to shut down some of its departments and thus save a lot of money. I personally like the idea but I'm not sure if or when this concept would be accepted by the Swiss populace.

There are four states of matter, and it is remarkable that the fourth state, plasma, is in fact what a flame consists of. The ancients got it right with their four elements, and that's just one of many examples where a basic assumption of Magick has its equivalent in objective reality as shown by modern science.

Angelica sinensis is an aphrodisiac said to influence a female's orgasmic experience.

Well, I am pretty much stuck with her 1984 smash hit 99 Luftballons (the original German version, of course ). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfPTC7-wCL8 Oh, those Golden days when song texts weren't 90% composed of ugly words like "nigga" and "motherfucker"... <Sigh>

Anyway, I think this is the right forum to talk about such matters with individuals (as Dusty suggested), as there are plenty of people around with certain, let's say, complexities regarding their gender/sexuality.

No, seriously, DreamBliss, I think dating websites may simply not be the way for you to go as they don't offer you somebody like you enough opportunity to convey what is special about you. But who knows, maybe the Universe indeed wants to you to download a partner right from the Internet (it just waits for a suitable Moon position), so there is certainly nothing wrong with continuing this dating website thing if conducted in a relaxed manner. By the way, are you doing your LoA homework? Anyway, remain open to other possibilities. Get out and join various kinds of social gatherings, preferably of a light hearted and light headed nature, and TALK TO GALS. Remember, you are good at talking. Whenever I wanted to find a partner, I just seized every opportunity, got rejected repeatedly, but had my successes too.

No, there is still

On another level, it ties in with strongly influential past lives in the opposite sex, imo.

Chi can easily be transmitted over any distance without any physical medium whatever. But a contact via a phone or a computer screen may focus and amplify the psychic connection. Jeff, Dawei and I are sometimes having fun experimenting with such things in the chat room. Be free to join us.

Certainly you can use what we came up with elsewhere. I don't expect any copyright issues. No apologies required. The idea was all yours, I just encouraged and supported your follow-through. I am actually not too convinced that this will make your wish come true directly, but I know that whatever you invest so much thought and energy into will pay off, one way or another, maybe even quite apart from the Internet. It's called the Law of Attraction... Good attitude. Body shape deltas in relationships? Regarding this, I found a fairly educational video:

To make it oblique sounds about right. The thing is that people on a dating website tend to gloss over whatever is peculiar about them, so any suggestion of ingesting drugs could easily be understood the wrong way. There is always the risk that you find some unbridgeable incompatibilities when you actually start dating somebody, of course. Nevertheless, certain things of a more personal nature you should talk of when the time is right - the female should already know you well enough by then to see them in proper context.

Yes, there is some truth to that. Many illustrations of the ancient geocentric world model are clear as to its metaphysical side which, in essence, remains valid, even though on the physical level, the model is seemingly incorrect. I write "seemingly" because the question of the "correct" center is a philosophically and scientifically intricate one.Some of us talked about it not too long ago here: http://thedaobums.com/topic/37665-the-location-has-no-center/

It's pretty good now! I think you should replace the close-up picture though. Also, I would drop the acid dropping (etc), it makes you look too much like a junkie.

Okay, but I wouldn't count on it that the members of OKCupid are so willing to make choices against their animal nature. The secret of marketing is understanding and making use of human instincts.

Nonetheless, I can't neglect the opportunity to mention the parallels I see here to Roger Penrose's Conformal Cyclic Cosmology. This latest edition of the Big Bang theory (which Penrose had co-founded in the 60s) proposes that prior to the Big Bang there was another Universe that eventually developed to a stage of infinite/zero space-time - thus providing the condition for the Singularity that stood at the beginning of our current Universe. There could then be an infinite series of Universes, or subsequent incarnations of the Infinity that both separates them and manifest itself as them. In CCC, the only medium that connects the current to the previous Universe is indeed the gravity waves resulting mostly from the collision of black holes in the late stage of the latter. They (in)formed the structuring of matter (dark or otherwise) in our early Universe. Of course, modern cosmology would be able to observe this only on the physical level. As some Sanskrit comes in handy right now, I think of Karma as information coming over from a past incarnation (of a human being or of a Universe alike), to a degree predetermining and structuring the entity's new manifestation. In between there is a state (or should I say, a non-state) of Pralaya, Chaos or Kabbalistic Infinite Light in both the metaphysical traditions and in CCC. I hope so. I'm saw this all along. As much as I always enjoy reading your posts, I do feel that you are somewhat overloading the OP's mental circuits too.

Great, you actually listened to us! (For better or worse.) No problem, I got a few good chuckles out of it. Yep, that's indeed what it boils down to. But you should also add certain things. (More about that in a moment.) Right, don't volunteer any information that could be used against you. But you have to make yourself come to life for the reader, so don't give 'em just dry facts. Now let's not throw your baby out with the rosy bath water. You should show your fans something personal that they can relate to. A self-composed love poem would be really nice. Perhaps also one or two of your Zen photos if you can post them. Tells them a lot about you at a glance. Yeah, that sounds good. Keep the mystery alive! Yes, Bes' presence really helps this thread. A most reassuring event, DreamBliss! <Pat, pat...> Considering how well you went on with the lady, it might really be a good idea to stop in at her working place, especially if it's something like a store. What bad things could happen? Trying to get at least her email address for sending her "some stuff that might interest you" would have been a good move, but you did well enough for the beginning, just remember this for the next close encounter. Yes, that's the core of the problem. Hey, you are heading in the right direction!

If you haven't lost the Dao in the first place, you will find it everywhere. If you have lost it, you need to go back to the first place to find it again. A stressful and hectic way of living is as detrimental to your Qi as an overly inactive lifestyle. The Dao will be found wherever there is balance between Yang and Yin.

The thing is that females are still instinctively searching for males that are suitable for supporting and protecting a family of eight. They can't help it, it's a subconscious tribal/animal thing. The more closely you approximate that idea, the better then. Talking about which, many women like wide shoulders and strong arms, so you do want to post a close-up picture that presents your guns (only the ones in the upper region of your body, man!).

In summary, you come over as somewhat too apologetic and insecure. You would be an easy victim for a certain kind of woman; it's just too bad that you don't have a lot of money. My advice: Subtly (!) underline your uniqueness, creativity and humour. And let them find out the rest about you once they got hooked.

Hi DreamBliss, How are you doing? Please do not feel offended by my comments on your OKCupid profile. You know that I look at you as an individual of great creativity and spiritual sophistication, but I do feel that you need to reconsider how you present yourself. Specifically, I suggest the following edits: That's a going a little too fast. Why not simply demonstrate these traits by saying things like: "I am an aspiring writer about philosophical and spiritual topics." This would be a good moment now to link to your Zen photography, videos and Blog! But for Heaven's sake, don't link to this thread! Let's take another look at your introductory sentence: Well, English is not my first language, but Wikipedia says: Bear in mind that probably nobody on OKCupid except you is completely honest about themselves, and the reader will tend to take that into account, so a statement like "I am geeky/nerdy" can easily translate to: "Watch out - I am a total freak!" Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a little... but not very much! Instead, you may want to convey that you are original, humorous and imaginative. Then you start defining your interests. Here I think you are using too many negations, highlighting what you are not interested in (but are ready to take on yourself if your baby happens to be into that stuff - "yawn"). I would keep it all positive, for example: "I like going on long walks in nature." End of the story! If she is indeed into hiking/camping, she can extrapolate from there that you will probably make for useful company. Oh boy... I'd say, let her find out by herself under what circumstances you like to take off your clothes. Sounds like you are looking for a good Samaritan. The part about bills and money is rather ambiguous without an extensive introduction into LoA first (which doesn't belong here). You might also be understood as saying that you are wasteful. True, but that will serve to repel a number of non-atheists, even though you said one moment before this that you are open to all religions. There should be enough time for talking about controversial topics with your honey later... ...and one of daddy's cigars? "I allow myself a fine Scotch occasionally." - Sounds better, if you think you have to mention Scotch. Next, should you be talking about drugs? Notwithstanding the subtlety of your comments, to me they read like: "I'm in for a trip any time - let's just try not to overdose." As alcohol and psychedelics are not of great importance in your life, why do you want to mention them on your profile? If you don't, the reader will assume that you are neither extremely pro nor con, which is close enough an approximation for starters. How about: "When it feels right, having a child with you, my darling, would be wonderful. But first, let's just keep practising how to go about it for awhile!" No offence, but you sound like a looser here. Where did the positive thinking go? No "friendship zone", please. It's "take your chance, Sweetie!" I seriously doubt that many readers got that impression so far. Why remind them of the possibility? So kind! But I am afraid that would look better on "Christian Dating"... If the female shares your interests, she won't wish to wait for months or years! If she does, then she is most likely a fanatic follower of some religion - in other words, upholding what you consider sexual repression. Let me break to you that the sex-after-marriage thing is no longer that popular, and bringing it up here makes you look somewhat... retro. Then (don't worry, we're almost done), among "The six things I could never do without", include 1. You but delete: You shouldn't be even saying this much! I do find the "typical Friday night" part cool though. :) The "You should message me if" part is pretty good, too, for the most part but I suggest a few modifications: Skip that altogether, or we're back on "Christian Dating"... Just some thoughts.

Yes, the context of the spiritual literature before the Copernican revolution is always the astrological cosmology of Aristotle/Ptolemy (based on even earlier models). This was also the common denominator for the Christian, Islamic and Jewish scholars. Much like modern cosmological ideas are accepted among intellectuals globally nowadays. As ZYD highlighted, once we embrace the Oriental (Chinese) system, we are on a ground somewhat different from the Occidental Platonic/Aristotelian/Hermetic system. Both systems form a fairly coherent and consistent framework for the respective alchemy, magic, medicine etc. of their culture. Their perspectives are neither mutually exclusive nor can they simply be superposed. ZYD's quantum analogy is particularly apt. For illustration, quantum chemistry continues using about three diverging descriptions of the orbital shells of an atom, as each offers a particularly good computational approximation to some of the observations. However, what an atom "really" looks like nobody can tell. It is often rewarding in scientific research to compare and connect different outlooks to each other if done with the adequate care; .even if a full unison ultimately can't be achieved, a lot of insight is gained on the way. There are, and always have been, different perspectives on these things, even within the boundaries of a single system. You will probably find sooner or later that many views are valid in their own right and coincide with certain others to form a more complete scheme. This in itself is a most fascinating and rewarding study if you are scientifically inclined. It may contribute to the evolution of a metaphysical system. (Yes, the metaphysical sciences are evolving like any other sciences, they are not set in stone. For example, Western astrology was synthesized from a fusion of elements originating in different times and cultures.) Your questions touch on varied and wide topics, and deserve consideration far beyond what I am able to provide right now. I am however currently working on a book that addresses several of them. Here are some threads on your topics that provide useful links and other information. Astrological associations of the Tarot: http://skyscript.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8589 The 36 decans and the Tarot: http://skyscript.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8480 Zodiac with 24 sectors, Western and Indian version: http://skyscript.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8117 http://skyscript.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8248 Relation of the Chinese zodiac to an early Occidental system: http://thedaobums.com/topic/37872-origin-of-the-chinese-zodiac/?hl=zodiac Western and Chinese astrology compared (planets and elements in the Western and Eastern systems): http://skyscript.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8289 You may also want to download: http://www.golden-dawn-canada.com/pdf/shemhamphorash.pdf And perhaps some other books from the website of the Golden Dawn Canada. It is a true cornucopia.

If you were THAT subservient, I'm not surprised that the three women walked off eventually. A trace of army sergeant is not always a bad idea in a marriage. But I am happy for you that you are in peace and content despite (because of?) those separations. That's all that matters after all.

I have developed an astrological take on this: In a natal chart, the Sun represents both the conscious personality and the inner (or higher) self. This confused me for a while. On speaking with other astrologers and alchemists, it occurred to me that the ego was in fact "identical" with its highest potential self, although the latter will be actualized to varying degree in different individuals.