Fa Xin

"If you want to be a more spiritual person, you don't achieve that by doing MORE of whatever activity you consider spiritual. If you want to be more spiritual, expand the definition of what you call spiritual, to include more of the activities you do in a day." -Wu De (Global tea hut)

Feel free to post wherever you'd like... General Discussion would be fine too.

Hello, Seito, 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 Seito, Good to have you here. Looking forward to reading your next posts. Nice to hear your practice is deepening too. 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

My palms are flowing...with pain!!!

I’ll have to try this for kicks!

The stories convey a teaching/transmission from a Sophian lineage. Stories are a powerful tool. I made a post about how to use stories earlier in this thread.

Good quotes thank you for sharing! I especially liked this one.

Chances are when your outside around trees you absorb their energy.... but it is very subtle and hard to feel. I would point to the way you feel after being outside for a period of time. Some would say it’s the fresh air or the sunlight. I would say it’s all of these things, including the trees. Just being outside and open to the landscape, you will already be connecting in some way. Just takes practice to feel it.

"Lady Mary was teaching people in the countryside, for she was not inclined to go into the cities. Many people were coming out to see her and to listen to her teachings, for they had never heard anyone speak with such presence and authority, and Yahweh and the Anointed were unknown to them. When Mary taught, she would also banish unclean and dark spirits from people and heal people and many signs and wonders happened. Mary was teaching outside a town and a woman said to her, "Holy One, miracles were few before you came among us, but now they are abundant. Even your companions perform wonders!" Mary said to her, "Miracles are few because there are few who have faith and know the light that is in them, and few understand that they are part of the miracles they seek. You marvel at wonders, but do not know the power of God in you and that you are sons and daughters of the Most High. If your heart is good and your mind is clear and you cleave to the Anointed who dwells in you, nothing will be impossible to you. Have faith and seek acquaintance." "Miracles" St Mary Magdalene by Tau Malachi

I actually don't practice AP, so I don't know. But my friends who do practice it have mentioned him as being one of the best around. He has a ton of material out. Good luck

Good reminder about not to overuse it. Like any plant medicine, it’s good to respect the healing properties and not overdo it. Also, I’m sure you’re aware but “holy basil” and regular basil are different species of plants. Just so people reading this in the future don’t get it confused.

Robert Monroe is a name to google

Yes, I guess it depends on the terms, the toolsl and how they're used. I'll try an example... I've become very comfortable with myself in social situations lately. I'd say that has been empowering. But I haven't really done anything to have that happen. It's just happened on it's own as a result of me letting go of wanting to control. Would that be called self empowerment? If so, there's no way I could teach it to someone, because I didn't do anything... it just gradually happened. Conversely, when I've tried to be more confident in social situations, like dressing a certain way, or standing up straight or talking about certain things, I've only seemed to increase self consciousness. It's when I don't try that good stuff happens. So the "no self" thing seems to be working in empowering me. Another paradox, I see them everywhere! lol

Well I hope you are enjoying your time here in some way. Or else take a break of some sort There are some days where I stay clear of the forum. I think it's necessary in any online format, though, whether social media, forums or simply reading the news. One could blame the people on the forum itself. But I'm not sure how far that will get someone, short of driving people away. It's like walking into a bar and standing up on a table, and telling everyone they are loud and annoying, that this bar used to be better when it was quieter or more serious... What does everyone, having a good time, do with that? Ahh yes, the good old days! Things are cyclical though, and tend to change over time. Maybe you'll like it a lot again, as some time passes.

Good ideas. Feeling the stuff is the only way to get through it.

Yes good point. Everyone is doing their own thing! It makes the world go round. For me, the conversation was more about what has worked in my life. I did years of self-empowerment. It’s good, depending on your goals. I’ve found the path of “no self” works even better for me. Ymmv

Yes, please reach out if you need. My door is always open - as are most people’s here.

Yes, we all know how you dislike the forum. You mention it a lot.

Many times construction workers will spray paint markers for future work. I see many X’s, circles and other symbols all the time in my city. You should keep an eye and see if they do construction there later.

Agreed... The "Self-empowerment" outlook is not one I vibe with. Kind of goes in the opposite direction of where I am pulled

I totally understand... you try to help, and some people just don't want it or care. It can be frustrating. I do feel like the desire to help others is one that should be nurtured, but the *expectation* that the other person will accept help must be let go, less you lose the desire & care for others, and replace it with cynicism. It's ultimately what the spiritual practice is all about, of course. Learning to accept people who push all of your buttons, all at once. It's not letting them walk all over you, but rather it's not letting them take up space in your mind, rent free. The TTC 7 is good food for thought: It has no desires for itself; thus it is present for all beings. The Master stays behind; that is why she is ahead. She is detached from all things; that is why she is one with them. Because she has let go of herself, she is perfectly fulfilled.

"Want to meditate with me???" *eyes wide and staring*

That's why spirituality is the LAST thing I talk about, especially when just meeting someone. It's a sure-fire way to scare people off... unless that's what you want to do. Then have at it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heyoka This is where the term "sacred clown" comes from. I took this part from wiki because I found it interesting. Really fascinating role to play (whether aware of it, in the case of the heyokha, or maybe not in others...)

Good post. Many times I am surprised if I “empty my cup” what turns up. There can be wisdom in any moment, and is sometimes delivered by a “sacred clown” 😀