Aetherous

All I know is that I took the first part of the DharmaSun online program...and they actually presented the Buddha jewel as being "eternal" (which made quite a bit of sense, as only conditioned things have a beginning and ending), based on the supreme continuity of Maitreya. I realize that the philosophy is a distinguishing factor in Buddhism, but this line of thinking doesn't resonate with me. Maybe one day it will, though...it was basically over my head.

I totally agree...so that's what she was doing in saying what she did?

The Buddha jewel is uncreated, therefore eternal.

Yes, it is that. The lower dantian is "true fire within the water element" in Taoist alchemical terms...when that energy is full, you could say, then it circulates through the extra vessels. You will feel it ascending the back naturally, like steam rising. The hand posture while "holding the ball" activates the middle dantian, which is "true water within the fire element". So basically, there's a lot of stuff going on under the hood.

Some people just don't have a guilt complex over their race or color, and are actually proud of it, and think it's cool to represent a particular culture. Do you know that the woman was actually racist just based off of saying that? Not calling you out or anything, I just think the racism topic in our culture right now is ridiculous. People are extremely over-sensitive regarding it...the pendulum has swung too far in the opposite direction and people's reactions aren't balanced or sensible. But just sharing my view on the side here.

From my research, stretching is good but don't only stretch it. Also activate it with very gentle concentric movements. For stretching, there are many different ways...but just go with what you find on google, and if you feel it stretching the area, you've got a good one. I prefer either standing, or kneeling with a couple of pillows beneath the knee that's on the ground for comfort. Stretching 3x a day, at least 3 reps per side, and at least 30 seconds each rep. Another option for stretching it open is to find someone who does "active isolated stretching". For activating the psoas, just do leg lifts of some sort, either lying on your back or when upright. Flex the hip without resistance...just moving the muscle through its range of motion activates it. It's not about strength training. If you only do stretching, you'll end up inhibiting the muscle...not good of course, since you want it functioning properly. It should be very awake and active during movement, but also in a lengthened state...especially its fascia, the muscle's covering. Walking will also be good to integrate its functioning into the rest of your posture.

Pinned in the pit?

Ride dragons through the stars and drink peach nectar and stuff.

Not nearly as weird as the pic in the OP, but... A guy in China apparently grows these pears shaped as Buddhas. Pretty awesome idea!

There's truth to this. It's even better than winning the world cup while one billion people watch. Peak experiences are very temporary, and the admiration of others isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Interesting idea!

Welcome, and good luck finding what you seek.

Yes, I agree with others that it's best not to pay much attention to that sort of thing. Like Chang, I also doubt that it's God or your Higher Self speaking. To believe that it is, is to go down a dangerous path...a path where you've given away some of your power and free will, and where you're at the whim of something other than yourself (be it your mind, some invisible entity, or even your Higher Self). The question of life is: what do you want out of this? What do you think is best for yourself and others? It doesn't matter what some other being thinks, or what your mind comes up with, if its message is harmful in some way. Why give credence to harmful ideas? Also, to be separate from the collective consciousness is not a bad thing...it means you're more human than others (you have more consciousness and choice, and are not so controlled by the herd or hive-mind). You have more of an ability to add something positive to the mix. Just some ideas to consider.

www.quareia.com There's currently crowdfunding to help support the beginning of her website, which she intends to be a free and open magick resource/school to all people. If you don't yet have any sort of "magick" practice, and if you want one, maybe you would find her lessons to be good. There are some that you can view right now in the Module 1 section.

What if it's positive feelings that are actually detrimental, and not the negative ones? For instance, a person who is constantly happy, never grows or changes in terms of their personality. In fact, they can devolve; they could literally become like a demon in the flesh. For an example, if you've ever watched Game of Thrones, King Joffrey is like that. He is used to getting his way and most of the time experiencing the most positive feelings (for him), and especially as times goes by, his way becomes worse and worse. An example of negative emotions being beneficial rather than detrimental: if you're scared of being hurt in a new situation, you will be more alert and ready for danger that's lurking around the corner. And who do you think makes a better friend...a person who has been hurt by others, or a person who doesn't understand pain and isn't able to empathize? Obviously, the person who has been hurt becomes a better person. The other will take advantage of friends, thinking nothing of it, because they don't know how it feels in their shoes. Maybe all of this suffering has its purpose... Another thing...an over-reliance on feelings as a guide about what decisions to make...isn't that also detrimental? I think it's better to be rational, than to react based solely on whatever emotions are present...the latter makes one a pawn of whoever can manipulate the feelings of others. That includes invisible beings, if you believe in such a thing, who may not have the same ideas of how your life should go, as you do. Take the reigns...don't be controlled by emotions. Observe them. It's a true spiritual teaching that attachment and aversion are both ways of becoming negative. To try and rid oneself of any negativity, is negativity. It's attachment to "positive" and aversion from "negative". The way out is through...you have to face these things. Facing them makes you realize you're not them, but are of a third substance. Then for some odd reason, they don't bother you anymore. I suppose like all things pertaining to oneself (body, mind, spirit), challenges faced bring positive adaptations...whereas aiming for total comfort all of the time creates pure weakness. For a cultivator, it's good to be sensitive, but it's not good to be without a filter.

.

Dealing with family members can be very challenging. Suggestions... Instead of attempting to avoid all negativity, try to just make choices that are good. Focus on what you can do, rather than what is happening to you ("when life hands you lemons..."). Let the negativity just wash over you instead of trying to get rid of it. Avoidance and trying to shut out a part of the world, is negative and makes you open to negativity from others...whereas openness and acceptance are positive. Not a feeling of openness and acceptance, but actively doing those things. Cultivating has more to do with your decisions than it does what you feel and pick up from others. It's not such a bad thing to feel bad things...that's life. It's actually a good thing to face it directly, with bravery. Once again, it's about making a choice, rather than being assaulted by unwanted feelings and trying to shoo them away. Making decisions and taking action, making a choice that goes against the current...establishes boundaries in your psychic life...which means that you won't be so "sensitive" in the negative sense of the word. Boundaries with family members are especially good. Also, I would definitely not attempt to change anyone...most importantly, family members. Just don't even talk about spiritual stuff with them, and you'll be much better off. Focus your cultivation only on yourself. Just some ideas from me on this kind of thing.

In some forms of Buddhism it's called "nimitta", which is basically like seeing your mind become still...in other forms of Buddhism they talk of the kati channel, and seeing that light has something to do with it. It's regarded as a good sign in Taoism, too...it's "the light of vitality" but there are various stages of it. Basically, most people if not all don't understand the Taoist alchemy teachings on this, so you're not going to get a complete answer. To me, in the easiest way to understand it, is that it means you're in a relaxed state during the time you're seeing it. Scientifically, it might have to do with the optic nerve.

Did you see the purple cloud like a light behind your eyelids? Or did you see it like a vision in your imagination? The former is a common practice phenomenon.

Yes, the meanings of xing and ming might be deviated by people other than actual Taoists...people such as yourself. Not trying to be argumentative toward you, but a Chinese person with an interest in Taoism (who hasn't officially trained in a legitimate school) is just not able to give definitive translations of Taoist terms.

Other Chinese Taoists define these things much differently...so I would bet that most members of this forum don't take your word for it.

Welcome Demetrios. If I were in Greece, I'd be looking hard to see if any of the "mystery schools" are still in existence.

That has a nice ring to it!

"Enter the Dragon!"

Technologically we'd have the same basic situation? Not saying the British or others are incapable of inventions...far from that idea...but the rapid increase in technology we've seen happened long after America's independence. It's hard to say truthfully that we'd be in the same or a similar situation...for all we know, things could have continued on basically as they were at that time.