Aetherous

Some sign up to protect the innocent and preserve peace. Huge difference between that and a suicide bomber who targets large groups, for instance. Think about that for a second. The mass murdering of innocents due to phony religious brainwashing, should not happen...that is what's not in line with the Tao. Stopping that, in my view, is in line with the Tao. It's the natural response of any good person, to protect others who need protection. Life and morality are not as black and white as we first assume, but they also aren't absolutely ambiguous or unknowable. Pacifism, in my view, is a misunderstanding of what's right and what's wrong. For instance, it's right to put a serial killer behind bars...in doing so, you're preventing the murdering of who knows how many innocent people. A pacifist type would say, "it's wrong to put anyone behind bars"...but isn't that missing the point? We have to choose the better option in all cases. There isn't a perfect option. You can't expect to not be bitten if you're simply nice to the lion. It's in the lion's nature to bite you. "If you want peace (or others to live in peace), prepare for war (because there are people out there who aren't peaceful, and who will bring war to the innocent)." Just some thoughts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution The original plan: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

About the skeletal system, I'm a huge proponent of muscle energy technique instead of chiropractic. Why? Because in chiropractic, you pop a bone into alignment but what happens later? It goes back out of place and you have to go back to the chiro and get another adjustment. Why does it go back out of place? It's pulled that way due to how the body is. Why do you go back to the chiro? Because that's how they earn $. MET on the other hand resets the muscle spindles, so that the muscle holding the bone out of alignment is taken out of chronic strain and back into function (by simply activating it, or causing a very small contraction)...then the alignment occurs naturally as a result of the muscle being normalized, and the skeletal alignment is permanent in most cases. (one might wonder how muscles stay chronically contracted when we're moving all of the time...well in my opinion, we don't move in the precise way which activates those particular muscles. They aren't very natural motions. If we did for some reason, the muscles would probably reset without any need of therapy.) Another method that works along similar lines is positional release therapy. In that method, they basically shorten the correct contracted muscle and keep it there by use of an effortless posture (where that muscle is doing literally no work), which causes the spindles to reset. This method also involves a whole body approach to be most effective, not just working on one muscle but correcting all of the problematic ones. The trick to these methods is finding the exact muscle for that bony structure, the exact direction and action of movement to active or shorten it, the exact pressure, etc. It's important to find someone who is kind of an expert in these things, like a DPT or D.O. who specializes in them and does them often. No one thinks to go to these types for getting their back aligned, they think of chiros, but these are the absolute best choice if they specialize in this stuff. Another problem with chiropractic...the upper cervical methods have caused quite a few deaths due to blocking the vertebral arteries. ...more about the core, which coincides with having good posture: it's highly important to have the pelvis aligned (ASIS should be close to equal horizontal level to PSIS, and should be equal on the vertical line to the pubic symphysis)...lots of people have "lower crossed syndrome", where the asis is lower than the psis, and the pubic symphysis is lower than the asis...which is basically caused by inactive and chronically strained and shortened iliopsoas. Other muscles can come into play. Once this foundation of alignment and good posture is in place, then aligning the pelvic landmarks horizontally works best (for instance, the left asis should be aligned with the right asis, the left ishcial tuberosity should be equal to the right) which is done through muscle energy technique, by a physical therapist or something. Myofascial work would be okay alongside or after getting the bones of the pelvis good...but it's likely not going to accomplish everything...and the skeleton being aligned will naturally fix the fascia. Fascia when stretched for over a couple of minutes turns liquid, so if the skeleton is suddenly normalized, within a few minutes the fascia will have readjusted for the most part...especially if you do other posture work. ...oh and about core exercises, here are some interesting things to consider.

http://thetaobums.com/topic/20711-foundation-core-exercises/?p=295061

It's all good, nothing personal.

It always pisses me off to see someone who hasn't been there put down the people who have, or at least speak as if they actually know. But whatever...I just disagree with this opinion, although can see how it's partly true. There is a little brainwashing (for instance when I was there we said the Soldier's Creed each day out loud together)....not much, and people don't come out of it with a broken ego and an obedient attitude...they are more cocky, headstrong and disobedient than ever. I think the point of it is not to break people per se...but to put them through tough situations, to see if they could handle tougher situations, or at least begin to get them used to it. As well as give "basic training" in things like shooting, sleep deprivation, fitness, navigation, memorization, first aid, etc. Later on, they will refine those things if needed at additional training. It's really just the basics of being a soldier done in a very disciplined and sometimes harsh way. Not a robot factory. Say hi to a soldier. Find out.

And so it begins.

Just from my minor learning, this seems similar to the two aspects of dharma: 1) dharma of scripture, and 2) dharma of realization. Hearing and reflection would both be under scripture, which along with discipline/practice/wisdom would lead to the dharma of realization or basically knowing what's in the scriptures for yourself without necessarily reading them first. True understanding. One aspect of Dharma is not considered better than the other. Also, wisdom is defined precisely as the realization of Buddhahood as being: 1) unconditioned/unborn/unending 2) peaceful spontaneous presence in all beings 3) and self-aware or not realized because of any external causes. So at least in the way I've been taught, this is how wisdom would be threefold. Not saying this is the right way...it's just one way this stuff has been taught. edit: oh yeah, and then there are the two perfections or two wisdoms of Buddha 1) know the true nature of all things nonconceptually, 2) total omniscience. This stuff is complicated man...I should probably not even say anything lol.

Cool. Ft. Lostinthewoods, Misery, 2005 here. My most humbling experience has left scars, and continues to humble me. The details aren't even good to discuss. Life gets hard guys, but all it means is that you've leveled up and you can handle it. Look at how much you change after these things.

The same old ideas from me apply...this paranoia (or problem, however you want to say it) is based on delusional thinking. Just recognize the beliefs and feelings for what they are, untrue, and focus instead on things that are enjoyable. Just do whatever calms you down and brings you some relaxation and fun. Cultivate good things in your life...something that helped me a little...look through some magazines and see what looks like an enjoyable life. For instance, if you look in an outdoor magazine and see some dudes hiking through mountains. Looks like how life should be, right? So make your life like that. Whatever interests you...this is a way of cultivating your ideal, which will readjust your mind on a deep level and bring some benefit. I also suggest you forget about this astrology and consulting psychics stuff...obviously it's not helping. According to some, these practices are harmful, in addition to being useless. Don't believe that people can read your every thought...that can lead to quite a bit of paranoia. Remember that it's best for you to have no concepts or thoughts at all, just relax all the time. I know first hand how hard it is to admit that the truth which we know, is not the truth. That we are being delusional and that we have a problem because of it. But look at the facts: you're still alive. You can walk around outside and basically go anywhere you want. You have a bed to sleep in. Food to eat. Things aren't so bad, in reality. It can be helpful to remind yourself of this. Just trying to help.

Excellent idea to be idealistic.

Sometimes abused dogs do the opposite of attack. I was going for a walk about a month ago, and from like a block away I saw this woman and her dog (some kind of pitbull Labrador mix) standing there. I went to the other side of the street...and as I walked past the owner said the dog was recently taken in by her, and was previously abused. It had seen me walking towards it from that far away and couldn't take another step...it was shivering out of pure fright at a stranger walking toward it! What a horrible thing to do to a creature that isn't nearly as capable as us. As I got past them it could finally move forward. Be cautious with those who are dangerous, but don't let fear paralyze you from every one.

But you are becoming that thing. That's what the naturals do, too. It's all just a matter of knowing and doing, versus making excuses for not knowing and not doing.

You'd be very surprised. In my experience with them, the guys who appear (and even put themselves out there) as naturals, have absolutely learned from others. They basically speak casually among themselves about the subject and gain second hand experience that way, give each other very clear tips, as well as coach each other in situations that are currently happening...it's not like learning pick up stuff, it's just friendship with people who know...sometimes the way of getting women is taught from older family member to younger family member. Sometimes you just get into the right group of friends and acquaintances and they kind of informally initiate you into what they know about it all. Honestly, I've peeked behind the curtain (talked to guys who got laid like every other night in college, who I became friends with) and from that experience, I think that no one is a natural.

Not at all. We have the choice to become whoever we want to be (not just pretending, but becoming)...to create a new form of being natural. This is cultivation. It's not like the self you think you are is real, anyway. I'm not going to look them up, but there are tons of news articles, books, studies, that show how if you stand confidently for instance, you will end up feeling that way. And it definitely seems that you are that way to onlookers, if you do it appropriately. Guys should learn proper body language, tone of voice, behavior, and do it! Back in the day, it was normal for people to be told to stand/sit up straight, and pull your shoulders back, keep your chin up, etc. These days we really don't have many guiding principles in common use, and as a result we see so many effeminate guys. Of course, it's great to develop the internal balance, too. Then the external markers happen quite naturally. But there's no problem with walking around like a badass, because deep inside you are one. If you were pushed enough, if there was enough injustice and you could change things, your actual true self would come forward...the real man.

It's very unfortunate that many people think it's a good use of time, that they aren't losers, to go out and get wasted with fair weather friends...or have unfulfilling sex with strangers.

Possibly right. When I was using the StressEraser, 1:2 got me the best result. Also with a lower number of breaths per minute, anywhere from 2-6 (didn't really pay attention to that aspect of it). Pretty cool to experiment yourself.

I'm not either. Have you tried it, and it didn't work? Something that actually does help: really light aerobic movement, such as biking at a leisurely/easy pace and level of intensity for like half an hour. This info is from a university exercise physiology course.

Cool OP. Basically, inhale 5 seconds, exhale 5 seconds, hold 10 seconds, repeat (1:1:2). A somewhat similar breathing method (since the bottom of the breath is lengthened) for improving heart rate variability: inhale 5 seconds, exhale 10 seconds (1:2:0).

Strategy: leave with them to go somewhere other than the "pick up" scene, even if it's just a few steps over to the Starbucks inside of the Barnes and Noble (as simple as "come with me to get some Starbucks quick"), and it makes it seem more like you actually know each other. You are going somewhere together already, creating a memory. It's normal to call people who you know, and really awkward to call or text with someone you just barely said hi to once.

What are you doing now that you used to be against?

Whatcha mean?

At least personally, I don't like it at all when they pretend to be smarter than they are, and are just argumentative and overbearing. I guess it's similar to the guy in the article...he just wanted to speak from his intelligence and not have a real conversation and listen to what she was talking about. As smart as he might be about various things, that's not actually intelligent, is it? I find that this stuff always goes both ways, but it can be challenging to see how.

I guess you'd require experience in the current dating scene from a guy's perspective to really get it. It is another planet and one I don't like to visit. Not saying that what he said about women was totally right, but I absolutely get where he's coming from. You can also see what Mike was talking about pointed out in popular culture pretty much all of the time. It surprises me that people wouldn't be aware of this stuff...but I guess that's a good thing for you. Comedy always references the unspoken truth... http://www.theonion.com/articles/area-mans-intelligence-probably-just-too-intimidat,33916/ http://www.theonion.com/articles/why-are-all-the-good-guys-always-taken-gay-dead-or,34699/

Good post. Side note (what I think are good ideas for guys): you know, one major way that she does approach or make a move, is when you meet through networking. For example, if you have a brother, and your brother's girlfriend thinks you're a good guy, and she is close friends with a girl...if you all by chance happen to meet up for any reason, you've got a lot going for you. People are vouching for who you are automatically, without even trying to set you up together, and you're seen as socially adept without even being that. Another way is through life circumstances...for instance if you really have a reason to be somewhere, lets say you work there, and she happens to go there a lot, or maybe is your coworker...or lets say you go to college and she does too. If you're just simply friendly in that situation, you'll have a lot going for you (you seem normal and capable enough to make it in the world) and she is likely to make herself open to you. You both are there for a reason and are doing something, which I think is important. Or even doing your laundry somewhere...you are doing something necessary, lol. These things give her information that help her feel like she knows who you are already, so trust has started to develop automatically (and should be developed more). Lets look at a "pick up" example on the other hand...you're at a bookstore, approach a girl who is a stranger...by yourself...you could be anyone. So could she. It's weird already. Instinctively, anyone who is somewhere alone is not seen as being as socially adept as anyone who is with other people...it'd have been better to say hello as your friend lingers in the background. You don't have a real reason to be there...you're not doing what's necessary in life (unless you start off immediately with something like "ugh shopping for my mom's birthday is tough". For all she knows, you could be at the bookstore primarily for the purpose of trying to pick up girls, which is creepy and pathetic (in comparison to actually knowing people, doing normal things in life, having girls go after you, etc). You could be unemployed. Basically everything about it can seem shady in comparison. And for the most part, the first impression of you is that she doesn't know anything about you...that's not as good of a first impression. It makes trust hard to establish in most cases, which is what opens people up. Watch pick up videos on youtube for an example...the girls will usually just stand there and barely speak...just giggle if they're nice, give a yes or no answer, watch the guy act all weird in amusement. The guy might usually get a number (is it real?), but man it should be obvious that she wasn't open with him like she is when she's having fun with friends. Something that doesn't open people up feels unnatural. Mike is right that it's all about what feelings you're causing in her. So yeah, meeting through networking, and being somewhere with a purpose/doing things in your life (where attractive girls might happen to be), can make her approach you. Even if it's yoga class which can seem very obvious...just be friendly and be there primarily for fitness...you will likely be approached!