Fa Xin

Great post my friend It seems the more we clear ourselves, the more the world* clears, too. *The world being the people you interact with each day, family, friends, neighbors and strangers that your circle overlaps with. Not CNN...

Sounds pretty helpful and compassionate to me. My view is that going out of our way to help others can be unnatural... If we are truly open to help others, they will sort of find us. And the more open and willing, the more people will find us. Maybe the Bodhisattvas don’t go out of their way either? I don’t know, just some thoughts. Sorry to disrupt the thread. I’m turning this into “bodhicitta” instead of “citta”

Very interesting take on the bodhisattva outlook. Do you still feel drawn to help others anyways? Also, do you find Zen and Thai Forest tradition blend well together? Thanks for your time

Hello, unreasonablyreasonable and welcome. Your membership is approved and we're happy you found your way to us. We look forward to accompanying you on some of the way that you still have to go. Please take the time to read the post pinned at the top of this Welcome page and take a look at the forum Terms and Rules. This covers all you need to know when getting started. For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day. Good luck in your pursuits and best wishes to you, Fa Xin and the TDB team Hello unreasonablyreasonable, Welcome. I almost forgot about emptyflower but that was a great forum. I enjoy how much of a melting pot TDB is, and I think it’s one of its strengths. Enjoy! You are welcome to jump right in to the ongoing discussions, revive an older thread, start a new thread of your own, or start a discussion in the "Newcomer Corner" sub-forum to expand on your introduction or ask general questions to help you get started. May you enjoy your time here. Fa Xin

Nice quotes lifeforce. And it is nice to see you back. Do you have a particular branch of Buddhism you gravitate towards or practice? Any one stand out for you as more clear than others? My own relationship with buddhism started as a young kid reading zen books. I seem to have ended up in Tibet/Dzogchen lately (it may be the pretty colors that attracted me... 😀) Cheers

What’s cool about this period in time is you can choose to do almost anything with your life. I could go to the airport, buy a plane ticket for China tonight, land and seek out some monastery. Well I may need a passport and a little cash, maybe a good electronic translator. But it’s within the realm of possibility. The only thing stopping me would be my own fears and desires. I have friends who live in an ashram close by. They are an older couple, they don’t have phones, computers or even a car. They take a cab once every few months to the local market and pay cash for the essentials they can’t grow. Most of the time is spent working at their center, and doing some sort of meditation practices. So it can be done, if you desire that. We have to remember, though ... even if we manage to live a life free from society, it doesn’t mean our minds will be free.

This needs repeating.

Hello, Feral, and welcome. Your membership is approved and we're happy you found your way to us. We look forward to accompanying you on some of the way that you still have to go. Please take the time to read the post pinned at the top of this Welcome page and take a look at the forum Terms and Rules. This covers all you need to know when getting started. For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day. Good luck in your pursuits and best wishes to you, Fa Xin and the TDB team Welcome Feral, There is something very comforting about finding your own way, and Taoism seems to naturally radiate a sense of peaceful harmony. Also, I find the less one thinks one knows, the more they are able to see. I look forward to reading more of your posts. You are welcome to jump right in to the ongoing discussions, revive an older thread, start a new thread of your own, or start a discussion in the "Newcomer Corner" sub-forum to expand on your introduction or ask general questions to help you get started. May you enjoy your time here. Fa Xin

Never trust a man dressed like a pirate (see the narrator)

In the Old Testament, we are given the 10 Commandments which fall into two categories: 1) How to Worship God properly (Don't misuse the name, keep the sabbath holy, Don't keep idols...) 2) How to Treat your Neighbors (Don't kill, don't steal, Don't bear false witness...) In the New Testament, during the Last Supper, Jesus gives us a New Commandment: John 13:34 -35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” And the previous verse, John 13:31 "When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once." This concept is powerful. Where before they were two (God and Man which were separate), they are now unified into One -- Love your neighbor, and you in turn love God. The two are not separate. Matthew 5:17-20 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Writing and rewriting is a great idea too. Though I do enjoy your accent, Dwai. I’ll PM you for some voice acting details... 😄

Great idea. I will definitely try this. Though I may have to hire a voice actor... I sound nasally recorded! 😄😆

Yes, I have to do the same. It becomes an exercise for the brain. I make little things like that a challenge. Like remembering I parked in lot “C4”. Or when I order food and they tell me “Order number 93”. I try to remember things like that, as if a game. I have a friend who has an amazing memory. He remembers the most obscure things, details, it’s impressive. But he’s wound about as tight as you can get. Just a ball of nervous energy. I see that he holds onto a lot. Given the choice, id rather be happy and forgetful. 😊

Ive really seen this with my school studies. Having to memorize things like anatomical structures, microbiology and pharmacology stuff - all very exciting *rolls eyes* Energetically I can feel myself “holding onto” the information, very big words and classifications - holding onto the information until the test. After the test I let most of it go. But until then I really have to try and have an intention of remembering it. For better or worse, my natural state seems to be blank! Lol.

I guess my view is that I view samsara as a beautiful display of potential and energy.

Is there anything wrong with the game of life though ? Are we to think everyone else is wrong, and we are the ones who live in truth ?

In theory, it may be correct, yes the past is gone... but how many truly view the world in this way? I know I don’t. The people in my life are very much still alive, and continue to play a part. I think life should be lived, and not denied.

"Jesus said to them, "If you fast, you will bring sin upon yourselves, and if you pray, you will be condemned, and if you give to charity, you will harm your spirits. When you go into any region and walk about in the countryside, when people take you in, eat what they serve you and heal the sick among them. After all, what goes into your mouth will not defile you; rather, it's what comes out of your mouth that will defile you." - Gospel of Thomas 14

Hello, Wyrdone, and welcome. Your membership is approved and we're happy you found your way to us. We look forward to accompanying you on some of the way that you still have to go. Please take the time to read the post pinned at the top of this Welcome page and take a look at the forum Terms and Rules. This covers all you need to know when getting started. For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day. Good luck in your pursuits and best wishes to you, Fa Xin and the TDB team Welcome Wyrdone, Welcome (back to the practice). Life gets in the way, but it's good to know the Tai chi and qigong is there when you need it, for whatever reason. I also find many books hard to understand, but things like YouTube and forums I've found are very helpful to bridge the gap between teachings and our understandings. Enjoy You are welcome to jump right in to the ongoing discussions, revive an older thread, start a new thread of your own, or start a discussion in the "Newcomer Corner" sub-forum to expand on your introduction or ask general questions to help you get started. May you enjoy your time here. Fa Xin

Hello, Joseph, and welcome. Your membership is approved and we're happy you found your way to us. We look forward to accompanying you on some of the way that you still have to go. Please take the time to read the post pinned at the top of this Welcome page and take a look at the forum Terms and Rules. This covers all you need to know when getting started. For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day. Good luck in your pursuits and best wishes to you, Fa Xin and the TDB team Welcome Joseph, I enjoy Dzogchen teachings also. There are many paths and traditions represented here so I’m sure you will enjoy. 😊 You are welcome to jump right in to the ongoing discussions, revive an older thread, start a new thread of your own, or start a discussion in the "Newcomer Corner" sub-forum to expand on your introduction or ask general questions to help you get started. May you enjoy your time here. Fa Xin

Hello, aaria, and welcome. Your membership is approved and we're happy you found your way to us. We look forward to accompanying you on some of the way that you still have to go. Please take the time to read the post pinned at the top of this Welcome page and take a look at the forum Terms and Rules. This covers all you need to know when getting started. For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day. Good luck in your pursuits and best wishes to you, Fa Xin and the TDB team Welcome aaria, Good to hear you’re getting into meditation and the mystical path. I hope the forum can help you on your way. 😊 You are welcome to jump right in to the ongoing discussions, revive an older thread, start a new thread of your own, or start a discussion in the "Newcomer Corner" sub-forum to expand on your introduction or ask general questions to help you get started. May you enjoy your time here. Fa Xin

I think that’s the point of it. It cleans you out. 😊 Fruit juice can have a laxative effect.

Hello, matthewmerlin, and welcome. Your membership is approved and we're happy you found your way to us. We look forward to accompanying you on some of the way that you still have to go. Please take the time to read the post pinned at the top of this Welcome page and take a look at the forum Terms and Rules. This covers all you need to know when getting started. For the first week you will be restricted to ten posts per day but after that you can post as much as you like. Also, until you’ve posted fifteen times in the forums, you’ll be a “Junior Bum” with somewhat restricted access and will be allowed only two private messages per day. Good luck in your pursuits and best wishes to you, Fa Xin and the TDB team Welcome matthew, Quite the impressive list of background practices. There’s a few people on here that do Kashmir shaivism. Not sure about legit Mo Pai... but we do have neigong people. I wish you luck on your search. Enjoy the forum! You are welcome to jump right in to the ongoing discussions, revive an older thread, start a new thread of your own, or start a discussion in the "Newcomer Corner" sub-forum to expand on your introduction or ask general questions to help you get started. May you enjoy your time here. Fa Xin

Excellent reply... thank you for sharing your thoughts. I think you are right. It does seem that the Daoist tradition is more open to the feminine principle! Or at the least, aware that there must be a balance. This feminine aspect does exist in Christianity, but does not exist in the mainstream Church. This goes back to the story of Mary Magdalene being the true "lineage holder" and successor of Jesus, but that she was rejected by Peter and some of the others on account of her being female (or so the story goes... ) Regardless of this story, my own path is very in-line with the feminine aspect of the Christian tradition, and why I think someone like Tau Malachi is valuable, as he is out there, sharing that lineage of Mary Magdalene and the divine feminine in Christ. There are deeper symbols on the feminine principle, too. The two Mary's for example. One is the "Virgin Mother", the "virgin" being the secret, pure, unrevealed, Holy. And Mary Magdalene, the "whore", who is available to all who ask...being the revealed Sophia (wisdom), the worldly representation, who is said to be continuously incarnating to help those who need it. It's a side of the tradition (or a tradition on it's own) that isn't discussed much, but there is a power there. I've even heard it said that the "Second Coming" of Christ will be in the return of feminine light to the world. Who knows... Cheers! Thanks for the fun discussion.

Good observation. Any idea why the difference?