Aetherous

I think it's as simple as calming the mind. Lets think of the mind as being this analogy of "light". Normally, our attention (light) is going here and there, outward into the world, out into our imaginings, etc. We live shining outwardly, within the objective (or intersubjective) reality...even introverts who are thought to be inwardly focused, are "outwardly" focused on things such as their nervous sensations in their bodies, thoughts about what others are thinking of them, etc...we are all preoccupied with what some Buddhists would call the illusion. So to "turn the light around" is simply a matter of having the light not go outward, as it usually does. It's not like we find ourselves "out there" and then make a U-turn and return to the source of this light, necessarily, as the saying implies. But we simply keep the mind centered...keep the spirit in its original seat...calm the waves and rest in naturalness. The light shines within instead of out. Some say that the cavity of the spirit is the center of the head, some say that's the center of the chest, some say it's the center of the abdomen...regardless of what people say, truly still your mind and it will be working. Perhaps it's all three centers. Tilopa's six nails can take us there easily, which will give an experiential impression that can inform our intellectual comprehension of it. Just my amateurish view.

Do you guys have any sources, specifically about Sophia according to the Greeks? I've been looking but haven't found much of use so far. I think Frater UFA might be putting Greek thought through the Qabalistic lens, rather than saying that Greeks were exposed to Qabala and were really talking about that.

It would be really cool to know a practice that promotes blood circulation (one that specializes in treating it as a medical condition; something that goes beyond simply moving the blood through moderate exercise). Some people think that blood stasis has a lot to do with the signs and symptoms of aging.

http://www.charitynavigator.org/

I don't really know the answers here, but for what it's worth, I have some experience mixing different systems that don't work well together (Kunlun method, and another which is considered a fire path). They basically can't be practiced within the same half of a day. Most people wouldn't notice any problems at first and would just push ahead, but in my experience it essentially canceled out the positive effects of both systems (whereas the benefits would have been there if they had been done on their own), and slowly started to cause a negative effect which would accumulate. One system cultivates the body a certain way...another system cultivates the body in an entirely different way...sometimes the two ways don't work in harmony and you'd be best choosing one method of development. Especially considering that practicing both causes the effects to cancel each other out...we do all of this spiritual stuff in order to achieve something, so what's the point if our goals aren't reached? Sometimes methods of cultivation require coherency in order to be effective...adding more methods upon methods might just make a bunch of random noise, internally. Think about a farmer who is trying to grow a garden in the midst of a pig pen...it's not smart, right? Keep them separate for the better effect. Only do one for the best (most coherent) effect...a farm that specializes in pigs is better at that particular thing, than a farm that does a little bit of everything. We tend to come to spiritual or healing practices with this assumption that all bodies work the same, energetically...but in fact, there are very different forms of cultivation out there. There are different types of human bodies resulting from different methods of cultivation. One particular thing that I recall Max saying not to practice with Kunlun...alternate nostril breathing. I had a bad experience with that and would never mix the two again (within the same day). All this being said, the Kunlun system has a lot of fire methods, as well, to be learned by those who end up going to apprentice or other training with Max. For some reason all of those practices seem work in pretty good harmony with one another, as compared to mixing fire practices from certain other systems with Kunlun.

It only applies regarding them potentially being in a long term monogamous relationship with me...which depends greatly upon whether there will be compatibility or not. The type of woman to get tattoos 99% of the time won't jive with my vision whatsoever...not to generalize or typecast, which I know people have an aversion to...but there is truth to what I'm saying in regard to me and my experience. In any other context though, I personally strive to be a friend to all...perhaps every once in a while I think a person has done something to be undeserving of receiving goodness from me, as a knee jerk reaction...but ideally everyone is always worth my time. Just not in terms of being married to them! Yup, totally.

Fresh air is important. Have a window open in a clean room, in a non-polluted area...or be outside. I like a couple of methods...one is to just breathe naturally, so that a positive feeling is generated. Another is to inhale deeply the fresh air and feel it being absorbed fully by the body. I think it's good to do these for only a couple of minutes at a time each.

Don't worry, you are an enjoyable personality, and your reaction to tattoos being considered trashy by some is understandable.

You think certain people aren't worth your time? Not saying anything about you personally, in fact I appreciate your presence on the forum, but that response just goes to show it's the type of character I don't want to be in a committed relationship with (which by the way is vastly different from every other type of relationship). Hidden consequences...people judge all of the time about everything. I can't even have an opinion about who I will be with romantically, without the thought police trying to lock me up.

Sometimes these might not even be obvious...the obvious ones are, for instance, not being hired at most places if you have a tattoo on your hands, neck, face, etc. However, less obvious ones are for instance, when someone automatically puts you into the relationship-abyss because you have tattoos (the abyss being a black hole dungeon that you don't escape from; you don't ever have a chance at a relationship with that person). I'm one of those people...I wouldn't start a relationship with a woman with a tattoo sleeve or anything similar, just as a matter of principle. I'm even cautious about women with one or two small tattoos...even if they're cute or something. I view them as being very trashy and not in line with the character of person I want to be in a relationship with. Think what you want about me and my seemingly harsh opinions, but there are many like me. There are hidden prospects that are lost because of having tattoos. Everything in life has consequences for better or worse. Also...perhaps in some cultures (Maori) they are viewed as good, and to be without them would be harmful to you and others...while in other cultures such as Chinese, they're viewed poorly and are actually harmful in those cases. Harmful to yourself, your prospects, your reputation, your family's reputation, etc.

Yueya, that reminds me of this song... Although I didn't personally think it was so bad to do a trust exercise with wild animals. Taking away their freedom is the worst aspect of it all in my mind, and even that isn't so horrendous...there are much worse things.

The best chili I had was this shop that two women ran. It might have been called 2 Girls Chili or something along those lines...a small business venture that closed down within a year unfortunately. Their chili was very fine ground beef...I think what they must have done is simmered the ground beef in water for like 12 hours at least, in order to have the proteins break apart. Then it was a type of pretty spicy and oily dark red sauce...and they simply put a big spoonful of sour cream on top. There were two kinds: plain beef, and another kind that included kidney beans. I've never seen it done quite like they did it, and I have looked for it!

I'm a big fan of prayer to God. Not everyone is into the idea...it's unpopular in our intellectual and material age to even speak of such things. But it's beneficial to do it! You get to talk directly with the all-knowing all-powerful. There is always some benefit from doing it. People not into such ideas for whatever reason, might view their prayer as being similar to manifestation type stuff. Perhaps it is primarily that...but perhaps we also miss out on cultivation spiritually if only viewed in that way. Many Buddhists, for instance, depend on the development on devotion. How can we be cultivating any sense of humility if we view ourselves as Gods, and assert that there is no higher power than ourselves?

Full implies fulfilling. What's fulfilling is virtue, or in other words: being a good person at all times. This is incredibly challenging, if not impossible...but you get out what you put into things. The harder it is, the greater the satisfaction at having done it.

Curious if there is any other information in that text on this divine tortoise idea. I've heard of a "tortoise" being in the same area of the body in Ayurvedic teachings.

I'm of a differing opinion...only in practices that require the tongue to be raised should it be done. Or if your school of training tells you to do it all day long, then it's for their purpose. Otherwise, this is an unnatural thing that causes a certain effect in the body. I think just behind the teeth, even touching the teeth slightly with the tip of the tongue, make the ren and du connect more. An idea: aim the tip of the tongue at DU-28. But if the tongue isn't up, it's not like the ren and du have no communication with one another. They always do. The tongue being further back stimulates the brain in various ways.

Here's an easy solution in the midst of Chinese medicine terms... Do what's most natural. If you find that white tea seems really enjoyable and good in the moment, then it's good to have that. If you feel like you've had a lot of it, then take a break. Too much of a good thing diminishes how good it seems. If something is said to be healthy, but it doesn't feel ideal and you'd rather have something else, go for that something else. Go to the grocery store or farmers market and find the thing that seems most appealing...have that. The body seeks to heal itself, and gives us signals of how to do that. Sometimes these signals are part of the Chinese Medicine diagnosis, and are also part of the treatment. For instance, a person with excess heat is really thirsty for cool drinks...they should have them! Because it will help protect the body fluids and yin, and will cool them down by opposing the heat. Doing what's unnatural is not the way to health. It would be fine to have opposite types of drinks in a day, but is only ideal if the body really enjoys them.

I don't really do law of attraction stuff...but it can help to have your list of things you want, and then ask yourself/imagine "how would I feel if I had this right now?" As an example: "how would I feel if I suddenly got a check for $30,000 with no strings attached?" There might be feelings of shock and disbelief, and there might be feelings of ecstaticness and relief. It can help to write them down as they're experienced, as you keep asking yourself this. In my experience, there are fleeting moments of really being able to feel as if it were true (and there are other moments of just stumbling upon your own mind and not being able to feel it), and in those good moments, the positive feelings are what help give power to the desire manifesting. At least that's one idea from a LOA book. Another idea is that it's good in the beginning to focus on realistic desires. Getting $30,000 for doing nothing is less realistic than getting hired for a job that you have an interview with, for instance. In my view, it's a challenging path to really go for LOA. You get your hopes really high, only to be dashed on the rocks of reality from time to time...just that is like a rollercoaster ride of drama, as compared to other spiritual practices that cultivate equanimity. Using your mind, your imagination, your emotions, self analysis, being responsible for what happens in your life...that's all REALLY draining to your energy sometimes. You're also "playing God" to some extent...not that we should be powerless beings, by any means, but it's like being given matches without having learned about the consequences of houses burning down first. We are messing with karma directly...perhaps if we aim strongly in one direction, our life kind of gets screwed up in other areas? There's a lot to contemplate regarding it...or perhaps there's not, and we are really supposed to be using our minds to the full extent in order to live well.

There is a Taoist story of an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. "Such bad luck," they said sympathetically. "Maybe," the farmer replied. The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. "How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed. "Maybe," replied the old man. The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune. "Maybe," answered the farmer. The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son's leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. "Maybe," said the farmer. "You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you." - Walt Disney. Perhaps these horrible things happening to these people who did wrong by you, was just what they needed in order to become more in touch with their humanity...to live more meaningful lives. If we got everything we wanted, perhaps we'd become spoiled monsters. It's good that you questioned whether you're a good or bad person, too...because good people don't wish ill on others, even if those others mistreat them. To be crystal clear...regretting that you wished ill on others, because maybe it had some sort of effect, is not what makes a good person...it just means you're afraid of your own power, and let yourself go in an inward rage, rather than think ahead to consequences of that. Good people simply don't wish ill. Not saying I'm a good person...there are many times that I wish to strike back when wronged. That's because my heart is still corrupt...that's why it's considered a path of cultivation, and not a destination. There are others far more advanced along the path, who don't automatically go into striking back mode. Just something to think about.

Is it true Gnosticism that believes the God of the Bible is evil? I thought that was like an offshoot. edit: nevermind, don't know where I got that idea, but it does seem according to wikipedia that the demiurge idea is central to Gnosticism. I was under the impression that the early Christian gnostics mainly differed because they were more about experiencing divinity for themselves and seeking truth...basically seeking omniscience.

Once I was watching a neighbor's cat, and it came and sat on my arm and purred...I let it and thought that it felt kind of cool and was a sign that it liked me or something. But then I experienced numbness and tingling in that spot...like the cat had bad qi or else took mine from the area. I've never been a fan of cats.

1) Be natural...when unnatural, the energy (along with awareness) stagnates. A large part of being natural entails the mind releasing. We're most natural when we're sleeping...when the mind and sense of self are uncontrolled by our conscious self. Some forms of meditation help us to be more natural and let go of the self...although to some extent, all things that take any sort of effort and require any sort of practice are unnatural...but just saying that isn't very helpful - people need a practice that helps them realize that they don't need a practice. On a similar note...practices that focus or deal with the body and its energies cause stagnation...whereas practices that release the mind from the body, free the body's energies, so that it can heal itself to some extent. One such practice is having a meditation object outside of you that you calmly look at, in order to release the monkey mind...but that's a lower practice that isn't very natural. 2) Be in nature...when you live indoors, focused on doing various things (like computer, reading, work, socialization, etc), your attention is boxed in and not so expansive. When you go outside, there is a lot more to connect with all around you. By doing so, your awareness literally expands. So be in nature and connect with the environment as a part of it. Nature really helps us expand because it's relaxing and beautiful. 3) Be well rested...we require basically 8 hours of sleep normally. In order to get to sleep, it helps to wind down and be apart from unnatural lighting. So if the evenings are devoted to taking it easy, perhaps reading a good story, then we are more prepared to rest well when sleeping. It's good to sleep earlier than we're used to. A body that's not well rested doesn't have the lubrication in its engine, in order to support a more expansive state of awareness...so if you do methods that expand the awareness, perhaps the body will be clunking along trying to keep up, rather than running smoothly. Also to have lubrication, to be well oiled, we need to eat enough normal food so that we're satisfied and nourished. 4) Expanded awareness is not the same as hyper-vigilance. Relaxation is very important. A nervous system that is acutely aware of every little sound can be very on edge...and being on edge actually distracts our awareness from being expansive. Expansive implies a freedom from attachment and aversion to anything. The clinging mind opens up and releases, so that everything washes over you, rather than affects you. 5) The more you learn, the more your mind is able to pick up on...and the more your mind is able to pick up on, the more you're able to learn more! Learning is literally expanding your awareness of things. To the unlearned, all talk in the world is just like a buzzing noise which only sometimes means something...whereas to someone who understands everything, all talk is understood. Areas of your city that you haven't visited yet are just like dark regions to your mind. Go explore them, and they will come to light for you...your awareness expands into them. Learn about new subjects, like history for instance, and suddenly you'll find that other people have been discussing that stuff while you were completely oblivious and focused on Kim Kardashian or something. It's not necessary to know everything...but in learning, it's good to learn very clearly. Don't just skim over the new topic you're casting light on...really master the knowledge. Really walk over the new area of town multiple times, finding new aspects each time. Try new things.

Same here...I wonder how many people were brought to the spiritual path because of that band.

One teaching in martial arts is that when you prostrate, if you take the person you're prostrating to outside of your peripheral vision (if you can no longer see them), then you're opening yourself up to trouble. Another is that if you fully prostrate, you expose the back of your neck, which is the perfect place for a sword to slice. I could physically prostrate before anyone without meaning it mentally, such as in the case of being required to. I could mean it mentally or emotionally, but may or may not physically do it...if I really respected the person. Or in simply being compassionate toward a person, it's like an energetic prostration is happening...so their deservingness of receiving a prostration might not even be there, as it is in the case of someone who is to receive honor or respect for some reason. I personally find it very awkward to do the prayer position to someone in order to thank them, or to bow to them...outside of the context where the people involved are in spiritual pursuits, where they're respectable, and where it's the common practice to do it often.