Aetherous

I like their name.

That's a good point...the mind craves new experiences, and gets bored with what it thinks are old ones. And also, being natural and spontaneous is good, while being rigid is not so good. I think there is a balance we can achieve, between lifeless discipline and untethered spontaneity. We can be disciplined while also being spontaneous at times. The balance comes when we always do what our duty is regardless of how we feel, but then play when it comes to things other than our duty. Paying the bills, especially if you're supporting a family, is a duty. Meditation is much less so. Still, it requires some structure...we have to do what it takes to achieve the results we seek. If that means practicing once a week rather than every day, then it's best we do that. Different techniques require different accommodations and produce different results. Some will require the discipline of multiple times per day sessions...some are best done only when you feel like it.

This is a nice book, ya'll.

I always laugh about that, as well as with Bob Flaws...two big names in Chinese Medicine.

Every coin (perspective) has two sides...we need and benefit from being around others, but we also become worse in some ways and at times need solitude away from them. "Hell is other people", it was once said. Hermits might become really kind and nice to visitors, whereas city people who are constantly around others might become jaded and behave like jerks. But loneliness is real, and our health suffers without friendship, family, and romance. A true friend lightens our heart. Seeing family after being away for a long time reminds us of our true nature, of our home and the innocence of childhood. If we need help in life, they're there for us. Romance helps us grow, and also helps us lose ourselves, and become something greater. It's possible to live without any other people around, but it's not desired. Life itself is a challenge, as are other people...so it's in line with the way of life to be around others.

To have discipline you have to get a few things in order... 1) Make a decision that you're going to do this thing. If you are still undecided about what you're doing, you're only going to sometimes do it and sometimes not. You have to decide to do #2... 2) Set a reasonable goal...something that you will actually do, and not something you'd ideally do. So for instance, set the goal of sitting in meditation for 5 minutes every day at a specific time, to start out. Have a back up plan that if you don't make that specific time, you'll do it before bed. Do 5 minutes instead of an hour. So basically, nothing is going to stop you from achieving your goal...not laziness, exhaustion, friends asking you to go out, etc. Anyone can spare 5 minutes. The only thing that could stop you is truly lack of discipline. 3) Follow through. Do it each day. Reward yourself somehow for doing it...don't skimp on your reward. ...and then when you've achieved that goal for a good amount of time, when it has become a habit, you can either alter the goal (increasing the time in meditation) or set a new goal about something else. Having a choice in front of you, and deciding to make the right choice despite a temporary agony (with a more permanent peace), is willpower and discipline.

Opinions vary...some saying the extreme, that there is no possibility for certain types of spiritual development if the procedure is done. It's possible that these ideas were from a time where they didn't fully understand science. Or it's possible that we're incapable of judging from our position what those types of spiritual development look like, and if they're no longer happening within the snipped person.

Boom. Wisdom dropped right there.

Some consider it very bad to have sex and then deny her the mutual climax. Just think...we get pleasure from giving pleasure. It's not that she's vamping you, or wants to see you weakened, in my opinion. She just wants to do what's natural.

That's a blessing. Best of luck in the journey!

You can heal yourself of this problem by chewing your food very thoroughly, until it's totally liquefied...and also going for short walks multiple times each day, such as three 20 minute walks. It's caused by qi stagnation, and phlegm. The phlegm is produced by digestion not working 100%, and the qi stagnation is caused by emotions but also lack of physical movement. By moving more often, it'll help your emotions move through you easier.

Buddhism teaches of the hell realms, where you spend many millions of times more than a human life. Not eternal, but definitely longer than desirable. I'm also 99% sure there isn't an eternal hell...but...wait a second... Actually I'm 100% sure there isn't one. Because for it to be eternal, we'd have to be there right now, and for all previous time. Okay maybe there's a hell that lasts forever after the time you check in...I'm 99% sure there isn't one... But to be certain of something that we don't truly know could be considered foolish. It's better to admit the truth...it's a possibility!

We don't really KNOW that it's untrue.

It has a cooling effect on the body.

http://www.space.com/33037-king-tut-blade-made-of-meteorite.html

Could be, although I posted that source because it cites many different studies.

http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Member%20Center/FIles/fluoridation_facts.pdf?la=en

I think it was the fact that fluoride strengthens enamel...without any fluoride, the teeth are weaker and thus feel more sensitive and painful. I don't think any detergents or abrasives would be so strong as to cause tooth pain with normal brushing. Well, I bought Tom's of Maine under the assumption that it would be healthier. If placebo effect were taking place it would be in favor of that. I didn't enter into it with any notion that my teeth would hurt.

Yes, do not swallow toothpaste. I wonder why fluoride toothpaste makes my teeth feel fine and healthy, whereas non-fluoride makes them feel weak and sensitive? Well, someone feels strongly.

Hopefully you're not buying your spring water, but getting it fresh out of the ground. Plastics aren't good. My spring water is apparently 4 ppm! Not that I'm obsessive about this subject. About absorption...that's true. If there were a reliable brand of fluoride free toothpaste I'd use it. Used Tom's of Maine in like 2010, and it was bad. Otherwise...with absorption from being in the mouth for like a minute a day, it's a pretty minuscule amount.

I think with the toothpaste, there's such a minimal amount that it doesn't really matter. And if we brush lightly so as to not agitate the gums, and spit all the foam out completely and rinse, then we're hardly getting any exposure to it. I noticed a decrease in effectiveness of fluoride free toothpastes...my teeth started hurting. Had to switch back to fluoridated varieties. People who are trying to go fluoride free should probably consider a few other things: the water source for your shower or bath having a fluoride filter so it isn't absorbed through the skin or inhaled as droplets or vapors. Not cooking (rice for instance, or soup) with tap water, not eating at places that cook with tap water...and of course not drinking it ever (considering being out at public places where there are water fountains and you might be thirsty...having a coffee from the store, etc). I suspect all of those things are more hazardous than toothpaste. The toothpaste is only potentially bad for kids, who swallow a lot of it.

And it's an awesome thing that most people didn't know previously!

What we cultivate is similar to what we attract. I've personally noticed that being angry and vengeful brings more shadow beings around...but cultivating love and high spirituality makes them go away. They also tend to be around unclean places, so keep your place nice and clean. And dispel them, as you have already done. Just what I think.

I did a little bit, but it was part of a job that was mostly assembly line work.

It seems to me that the mods and admin are doing a great job, especially with the recent people who seem to be associated with morepieguy. It's true that the mods are like the law enforcement of TDB...it's a great duty to protect and serve. Also, I'm glad someone on the forum mentioned the Veterans that are honored on Memorial Day. Thanks for remembering the fallen. Many of us take it for granted, or even question it...and some even desecrate memorials because of what they believe about this. But, honoring the honorable is virtuous.