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This detail of the whole image is to me one of two things: 1. An analogy of sex with agricultural work, the erect penises symbolize the hoes "fertilizing" the earth/soil. Or... 2. The historian of religion Mircea Eliade in one of his books writes about ancient peoples communal orgies on cultivating fields. This was seen as work done by the community in order to fertilize the fields. Do you know if ancient egyptians where into this @Apech ?

Well, I guess that I've created a reputation of seeing sex references in sacred art where others don't see any of that, so this time I've waited for someone to point it out first. My conclusion is that either you are a pervert like me or there are some erect penises in the image.

It's all right Apech, I've had a wedding today so the same happened with me. Tomorrow then... Enxadas, yes.

Detail of what's inside the "circle"

Blame us, it's fine

Yes, Apech we want to buy the damn vacuum cleaner 😆

Enlighten us...

Why do you say that? It reminded me of one of our most missed members that had cardiovascular disease and other health issues which managed to prolong is life with that regime.

I guess the only thing that makes sense to me as a reply is that faith in the path is needed. As much as we would like to share something that would make it easier for someone else we just can't because things need to be lived. A few can point the way though, that's all. I frequently compare this discussions with a pĺaygroung of teenagers (in modern times children not teenagers I guess) discussing sex. Too many are pointing the way sharing their imaginary experiences and feats having zero experience. This makes others more insecure and lost and terribly anxious towards the experience. Others even read some books and are absolutely shure they have the answers, knowledge as a shield against insecurity. The ones that have some experience know that the truth is intimate and somehow feel unable to share much of the experience that they've had if they were to tell the absolute truth. Yes, they can only say to others "relax, your time will come." , isn't it? The time will come for all of us. If we have some faith in that we will relax and make it easier. No need to rush the seasons.

Hi Daniel Just to call your attention to DDJ 70 where this is referred, "therefore the Sage wears a coarse cloth on top and carries jade within his bosom."

"To speak rarely is natural..." DDJ...23...I'm confused now....is it in the DDJ 23 or The Dao of lurkers ? 🤭

99 lurkers of TDB on the wall... yeah feels like getting drunk and sing all night long...

Chapter 3 of the yoga sutras of Patanjali is all about this matter. You will find it easely online.

Actually it's metal cages

Those I knew about. The Japanese make them grow in plastic boxes.

Yes, and no noticeable difference in taste. My interprrtaion of it is that it was a genetically modified watermelon and I should have been warned before buying it. Are you telling me it is a natural thing?

Even items without any label at all can be full of surprises. I remember buying a watermelon and when I got home and opened it, yeah it was juicy and tasty but yellow inside...it took a while for my brain to process that, if it did at all.

But didn't the Buddha taught and encouraged the attainment of the jhanas? Forgive my poor knowlwdge of buddhism, what am I missing here?

This one is a teaching of which school of buddhism?

Would you like to expand on that, Apech?

The great Baruch Spinoza created a whole philosophical system based on that, just in case you wish to check him out someday.

Would anything in nature feel or sense things as you do? Humans indeed are the most disgraced creatures in nature being caught in the prison of psychological time. What would our view of nature be if we were freed of that, if we emptied our minds like the DDJ suggests? Did Lao-Tzu see or feel things as others around him did? 20 What's the difference between yes and no? What's the difference between beautiful and ugly? Must one dread what others dread? Oh barbarity! Will it never end? Other people are joyous, like on the feast of the ox, Like on the way up to the terrace in the spring. I alone am inert, giving no sign, Like a newborn baby who has not learned to smile. I am wearied, as if I lacked a home to go to. Other people have more than they need, I alone seem wanting. I have the mind of a fool, Understanding nothing. The common people see clearly, I alone am held in the dark. The common people are sharp, Only I am clumsy, Like drifting on the waves of the sea, Without direction. Other people are occupied, I alone am unwilling, like the outcast. I alone am different from the others, Because I am nourished by the great mother.

Sorry to traumatize you. Didn't mean to put that image in your head.