ralis

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Everything posted by ralis

  1. Architects have required engineering course work to complete their degree and even in the 30's, the applied structural engineering specifications for such a projects as Hoover Dam, The Golden Gate Bridge, were everyday engineering processes. The restoration cost is around 11.5 million.
  2. Back in the 80's and 90's when a number of books were published regarding shamanism, workshops began to emerge in which the purveyors of, charged thousands to become a shaman, all in one weekend. The only equipment one needed to bring was a drum and rattle, lest I forget, a deep wallet for further training.
  3. I never said that being young or inexperienced was a negative. All I said was to not be naive when it comes to psychoactive substances. I seriously doubt that anyone who is older and perhaps wiser, will dispense much guidance on this subject to someone who is anonymous on this forum. Are you accusing me of being old and inflexible? Critical thinking is most useful in all matters of life.
  4. Especially, his cantilever design in the photo that DreamBliss included a few posts ago.
  5. You seem young and inexperienced on this subject, otherwise, why would you be here asking for reference material? Like I said before, entheogens are powerful medicine and are not to be trifled with.
  6. Comparing scientific and artistic achievements to taking psychoactive substances is a false equivalence. Bud Jetsun's idea of rough and soft entheogenic psychoactive substances has no basis in fact, and is extremely bad advice.
  7. Your classification makes no sense whatsoever and is bad advice. Bad trips can happen on any psychoactive substance. In terms of LSD doses you must be referring to 300 mcg doses which are mild to say the least. Back in the 60's, 1000 mcg doses were common and Kesey's 'Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, doses were higher. Ayhuasca, nightshades and so forth are neutral? I don't agree.
  8. Lest we forget Terence McKenna. http://www.amazon.com/Terence-McKenna/e/B000APLFMW
  9. Most are into the recreational aspect of entheogens where one trips one's brains out, as a 'far out trip', as opposed to obtaining real knowledge about one's relationship, with the natural world.
  10. For the most part, the really powerful entheogens are best left alone or under the guidance of a qualified shaman. Special preparations such as fasting, abstaining from any food, wine or drug that are contraindicated for MAO inhibitors is vital, unless, one is interested in having convulsions. There are a number of fake Amazonian shamans that are allegedly responsible for deaths of ayahuasca tourists.
  11. This one in particular is one to stay well away from. Datura was talked about in the Castaneda books. http://www.desertusa.com/flowers/datura-jimson-weed.html
  12. If you are not a practitioner, why the pretense?
  13. Interesting. Do you understand it?
  14. Light Phenomenon -- advice? ideas?

    Sounds like a migraine to me, but without the pain.
  15. I meant 'dies', 'passes away' etc.
  16. What is the next evolutionary step for humans.

    How could you resist her? After all, she is irresistible.
  17. The quote is in regards to tantra. Not certain how this applies to my statement.
  18. What is the next evolutionary step for humans.

    That could be our future?
  19. Norbu never said it was worthless, but if one hasn't been introduced to the 'natural state' first and foremost, then what good is it if one passes on without knowing one's nature.
  20. Buddhism or 'cultural tradition'?

    I believe that is correct. Although, it has been years since I read it. Perhaps the romantic ideal began with Yogananda in the USA and Europe? That ideal was in place with seekers and became a projection to Trungpa et al.
  21. Buddhism or 'cultural tradition'?

    Donald Lopez's book is very useful as a critical analysis of Tibetan Buddhism. http://www.amazon.com/Prisoners-Shangri--Tibetan-Buddhism-West/dp/0226493113/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452619582&sr=1-7&keywords=Donald+lopez
  22. Energy Center Above the Crown

    Sri Aurobindo and the Mother were able to integrate the energies of the crown and beyond, in the heart center. Their writings are well worth spending time on. https://www.scribd.com/search-tops?query=Sri+Aurobindo http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=sri+aurobindo http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=mothers+agenda&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Amothers+agenda https://www.scribd.com/search-documents?query=mother%27s+agenda
  23. This thread is free and open for discussion and I have every right to ask a question of you. It was you who directed the query to me.
  24. Exactly. Given that the subject of compassion has been discussed in the context of Dzogchen and by extension these teachings are disseminated by Tibetan Buddhists, their history contradicts their ideology.
  25. I will not entertain this kind of manipulation on your part. Wells asked you an honest question and so far that has not been forthcoming. To answer a question with a question is nothing more than dodging the issue.