Tommy

There is another thread about this Rudi here on this forum https://www.thedaobums.com/topic/55319-rudi-authentic-neigong/

In many Asian languages, the number 4 sounds like the word for death. And the number 2 sounds like the word for easy. So 42 is a number to be weary of as it is easy to die. Superstition as far as I am concerned. But, if you feel that there is something to seeing or hearing things from the past or future then do what you must. For me, it is about being here, now. It is about being concerned for the things in my control here and in this present moment. For me the problem with getting information from the past or future is that one never knows the value of that information. What if the information from the future was false. Then all your present actions are based upon those false information. Which then leads you down the wrong path. But, keeping the mind in the present then one's actions are based on present information or what is really based on what is known to be true. Worrying about stuff that you believe to be from the past or future only seems to be adding to the issues you are having. It isn't simplifying the your life. It isn't making you happier. Yes, make notes. But don't let it rule your life. Well, that is how I feel about this. My opinion.

I believe that good and evil is mostly subjective depending upon which side of the fence one is sitting on. For instance, people of the French revolution thought of Marie Antoinette as evil. She was the daughter of royalty forced into a marriage of convenience. Ignored by her husband and others in a foreign land, she did what she knew best. To have parties and enjoy the life of a royal. The French looked upon her actions as evil because it was a mockery of the poor French. And so they tortured her (kept her locked away from her son and daughter) and ending her life by beheading her. Was she really evil? Or was the French who killed her evil? What you say about good and evil is a very simplistic view. That evil is obvious and good is obvious and the two are easily distinguished. Sometimes it isn't that easy. But, hindsight always tells us that it is.

Sorry, I do not have anything beyond this physical body as far as I know or experienced. I do not see awareness extending beyond this physical body. When (more realistically is "IF" not when) I drink alcohol, the mind or awareness is affected. If there was an awareness beyond this body then it would not be affected by alcohol or drugs. So, as far as I know, there is nothing beyond this body. I have found no spirit and no soul. So, when I die, this person ceases to be. Memories disappear. Whatever I was to begin with before birth is what I return to. If at all. You speak as if you know that there is something beyond. Hopefully that has come from your experiences in life. And wishing, that they prove true after death. I do not doubt you. I personally just haven't experienced such things. This makes life a bit more precious to me.

That seems to be a wonderful state. Once when I first started to do meditation more seriously, I had an experience where thoughts stopped. It felt so weird at the time. Never expected something like this. So, I forced myself to return to thinking state because it felt more like me. Now, years after, I have found that,... that quiet has a draw. When with thoughts, I find there is a sense of me. When there is quiet, the sense of me expands to an alert awareness. Motivation to act comes from my thoughts. But the sense of awareness comes from the quiet. Probably doesn't make much sense. But, that is how I have experienced it.

I am surprised you agreed at all. But, there almost always seems to be a exception to the rule especially when it comes to generalities.

I do not believe it was the great mystics or sages that brought about laws which society abides by. Rather it was the rulers of the realm which created the laws. They defined the offenses and the punishment. And also provide the organization by which the laws was dispensed. Divinely inspired thinkers did not create civilization. The first recorded civilization were the Sumerians and the first recorded laws were the Code of Ur-Nammu in the Sumerian city of Ur. Civilization believed to come about thru people living together in close proximity. Laws came about as the ruler of the realm needed to keep order in the land. In the words of Mel Brooks, "It is good to be the king." Or better known as Might makes right. Free will was thought to be brought about by Eve and Adam eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge. Having knowledge of good and evil gave a person choice. The ability to choose their actions. There is the law of man and there is the law of the divine. Each overlaps the other. So far, I do not agree with your premise. Can you expand on your thoughts about this so as to present a more solid argument??

Wait, ... you go back in time? (can you really time travel?) And step into the dream again and do experiments to test your hypotheses? Sometimes you do that with a friend watching the scene IN the dream? That is one heck of a friend to be able to watch the scene in your dream. Sorry, just about everything you said in that posts makes me wonder why I can't go back in time and have my friend watch me in my dreams. What is wrong with me?? Sterling said, "But when you finally woke up you would dismiss them outright." So time travel to the past isn't possible?? LOL

Sometimes it takes a stranger to point out something is wrong. It just takes a bigger/humble person to be able to accept good advice.

Sounds like stuff that myths and legends are made from. "Thousands of years of work that protective beings have done". If I was writing a novel then I would like to use that. Would you mind? There is no doubt that "there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy". "most orthodox shrinks know nothing of the other side". Thumbs up. Sterling said, "Demons and voices are "makyo" Thanks for the reminder.

Yeah, but they must have been quite frightening while it was happening??? And that still doesn't answer my question of whether it was an outside force or the mind preventing you from moving forward???? Sorry, just not looking forward to having demons and voices in my head.

How do you sit in silence or quiet when there are demons and voices? Are these outside forces? Or is it the mind fighting to not let go? For me, I have not experienced demons or voices other than my own which presents memories of the past which make me want to jump out of my seat. But, remaining with the alertness and sitting quietly, eventually the mind quiets and less and less thoughts arise. IDK. I hear of some people who have experiences of lights and colors while sitting in meditation. Personally have not had that experience. Don't know if I am doing this wrong or not. Or maybe just too early??? Not looking forward to demons and voices.

What you said does make sense. There is a sense of me in my sitting of what I had hoped was quiet. The sense of me comes with passing thoughts. When they are let go, there is a sense of presence or awareness. I am alert and I am here. Sometimes that disappears. Not that I am lost in thought but that I just lose awareness of the moment. Then the thoughts return and the sense of me appears again. When it does then I can return to being alert. Aware. Sometimes it feels like a snake chasing its tail.

God is invisible? Is love visible? I do not see love as being visible but I do see the effects of love. Hugs, kisses, gifts and happiness. So, maybe God is invisible?? But maybe, the effects of God is visible if one knows what to look for?? Is boredom a justification for mischief? Or is that just a human explanation of events?

Two men visit an abbot at a monastery at different times. The first man said, “I’m thinking of moving to this town. What is it like?” The abbot asked, “What was it like in your old town?” The first man responded, “It was terrible. Everyone was full of hate. I did not like it there.” The abbot said, “This town is very much the same. I do not think you should move here.” The first man left and the second man came in. The second man said, “I’m thinking of moving to this town. What is it like?” The abbot asked, “What was your old town like?” The second man responded, “It was wonderful. Everyone was nice and friendly. I was happy. Now, I just wanted a change of scenery.” The abbot said, “This town is very much the same. I think you will like it here.”