Mandrake

Interesting, I know a couple as well.

I feel for you and your family. From what I've seen of you, I believe you are an amazing father, and surely raised an amazing human. This loss grieves me. Will certainly warn other about these games. \Mandrake

It seems as the general pattern is to clung to short sentences here and there in various western scriptures and force them to suit whatever you want them to be. As others already pointed out, your given interpretation is farfetched. There is a context to this all, and it depends on the whole book of revelations it self, AND symbolics from the old testament. Trying to get the intended meaning you want from this line induces severe conflicts with the other passages and lines in the bible - which is not acceptable since an interpretation has to fit into all lines of the scriptures - and basically uses an "anything goes interpretation" that wildly explains away all incongruencies that arise, in a chain, from the first twisted interpretation. It seems clear to me that you have very little grounding in the christian tradition. Nowhere in my life have I encountered an exegesis, either by scholars and/or Christian high-level cultivators, that were logically consistent with your hijacking of this verse. A sound exegesis would be able to provide a background in detail, with explanation and synthesis of the symbolics, the meaning of the classical greek and ancient hebrew, and providing the historical context. I naturally wonder if you, other FD followers, or your leader has glanced through western scriptures(Bible, Swedenborg, Nostradamus) in a haste, found some verses that seem to suit you, clutch to them and force them to have a meaning that suits your agenda, disregarding the context and the authorities of the traditions. After this, nothing can change your mind/interpretation, especially since there is no formalized hermeneutics. This hijacking of scriptures is absurd. One could basically open a random book, search for a verse and claim that it was a prophecy about whatever. Opening a cookbook, in a recipe one could interpret a line of "one lamb-steak" to mean the savior of the world. Context is everything, but as soon as the scripture is "spiritual" and not a book about dining, everything goes, but it is just as absurd. \Mandrake

Where in the Bible - give me exact references. I have asked for these in the past without getting any. For any cultivator, lying about what is in a holy scripture should be wrong, and avoided. Back these up or just stop name-dropping scriptures from all kinds of traditions. \Mandrake

Thanks for the link. This one clarifies the matter a bit more: In addition - why would a fig species evolve with two kinds of flowers, one that blooms every three thousand years? Genetically/evolutionally it doesn't make any sense.

This is just blatantly wrong. The udumbara tree belongs to the Ficus family, and as for all figs, the flowers are enclosed within its fruits. The 3000 year myth comes from a lack of botanical knowledge at that time. In fact, there are udumbara flowers every year, quite plenty of them. Ask some botanicians if you wish. And at least confirm some genetical links to these allegedly found flowers of a tree that already flowers. Secondly, quote the sutras and passages that you/clearwisdom.net use as a basis for this "singaling of the Holy King". Most of us other don't believe things very easily, even if it suits our magical beliefs. In another thread you wrote: I'm pretty sure they are not prophesized by these western sources. I know my Bible quite well - tell me what prophecies in there? Give us the direct verses. Nostradamus, do the same - provide us with the passages. There is no such thing as predestination. Fate is malleable and beings can change their paths through merit, wisdom and questioning their own dogmas. If predestination is brought into the picture, then somebody could be predestined to start believing in a system with a 100 million followers, although it is wrong, and because of predestination, praise the system because of the wonderful apparent results and be unable to questions her own experiences/beliefs? All the best. M

buscon, seems as if we are sitting in the same boat. I was searching for solutions to this problem some weeks ago. I read some articles about the TCM approach and they recognize quite a few causes for insomnia. Just search for TCM and insomnia and/or check out: http://www.tcmpage.com/hpinsomnia.html Qigong, as mentioned is also on my list of to do's. Wish you good luck, hope you'll get better! Mandrake

You are stuck in your views. If your view on relations is hostile, negative and pessimistic - that is what you will get and experience. Ultimately you choose how to view life and its constituents. However life favours those who choose not to indulge in the dark, but to live in the positive state. I have been through a period when I questioned any meaningfulness in relationships - was it all superficiality? No. Due to some hard-earned experience where I directly could see how people became imprisoned because of their world views only, I could later recognize that this was happening me, I could endure, question myself, and slowly find myself out. You can have extremely rewarding and meaningful relationships with both sexes even though you are 90 (contrary to the opinion of another poster here). You can make friends when you are 30, 60 or 90. However, relations are not business contracts - If I give you this, you must give that back. There is a whole spectrum when it comes to depth, character, support, mutual growth, unselfishness, love etc. - Not all relations are the same. Normally, people grow up gaining a healthy understanding of relationships. For some, this may not occur, or some unfortunate experience (which usually is given too much weight in that individuals mind: In poker you can get dealt so many cards, so many combinations - why attach to a given one?) can erode it. When you are alone, you tend to project so much untruth and cynicism on what you don't have, to over-analyze. Build up your social skills, be honest about your problems and deal with them. Just because you are lonely doesn't mean that people will rush to you. http://www.succeedsocially.com/ Regards Mandrake

I've tried the search function on the new site. I only use the Advanced version all the time and I strongly prefer the one on the old page. "Show results as posts" is VERY useful - I use "show as threads" rarely. So I believe many would appreciate if the search function was fleshed out. And maybe, since I never use the simple search function, this could perhaps be something one could change in the individual accounts? Kudos Sean - I know you have much to do already; Your effort IS appreciated! Mandrake

Be careful to learn it from a live teacher. Many years ago, when I trained from the book, I managed to hurt my right lung. Took a couple of years to heal. Warnings have popped up several times over the years, at the healing dao forum. M

Not at all, Quite the opposite: I find the debate informing and invigorating. Thanks dudes! M

"Dude, you're obviously gay. I didn't write this for gay people. This is for the average normal man that is born without hormonal issues discovering life and wondering, am I gay? and not have to go out to experience it to realize, hay I'm not. With cultivation, the issues of bisexuality come up. As you can already tell from the posts, it does come up." Ditto, I answered out of the same consideration, not because I care about you personally, and spare me the epithets and computer chair psychoanalysis - you know nothing about my environment, work or life in order to label me. And about these: "But the truth is, there will always be some that will not accept it, because you see they are a little behind in development. If you believe in rebirth, you will understand. Its the way the universe or our worlds work. " and: "Like I said, for most, the universal law is, Man is Yang, Woman is Yin. I don't think you have true knowledge of Yin and Yang. They are not just concepts. " ...why are these necessary? If these are intended for me - why these ad hominems? I really don't understand why you feel the need to comment on my spiritural accomplishments and knowledge since you know nothing about them. Your arguments seems to consist of two loops of circular reasoning: -You- assume everybody is bisexual and therefore denial exists. People deny - and this is a sign that they are suppressing their bisexuality. That it may be the simple case that everybody isn't bisexual isn't even given a chance above. The following could in similar fashion be said: Person X assumes (because of various causes) that everybody is heterosexual and that people deny this. You, dragonfire, deny this, so this is a sign that you are suppressing your heterosexuality (due to whatever reason). But would I consider this kind of argument valid? Not at all since your personal words/opinion, or mine, isn't what defines other people's sexual orientation. My subjective experience isn't everybody else's. The same kind of circular reasoning is then given for anal sex, and I consider it equally spurious. That many people simply don't enjoy it seems to be out of the question for you. I reiterate: Sex isn't just about physical pleasure - in that case we wouldn't discriminate and we would have sex with [Reader - insert animate/inanimate thing of choice] since preferences, forms, past, emotions, mental components, relations, social conditions, and so on, would be superfluous. There are lot of phenomena that are pleasurable to the body that we don't find rewarding in the end, since that pleasure is lacking in the mental and emotional realms. Conversely, just because something is physically pleasurable we don't have any obligation to engage in it. This was the principle I hinted at earlier (perhaps I should have made a more exhaustive list of examples), you replied with your view (mainly emotional appeals), which you are entitled to, of the two non-exhaustive examples I used - but your original appeal to god I would still consider a non-winner in any paper on sexology. There are working definitions of sexual orientations - for heterosexuality (just check a textbook in sexology or look up in wikipedia for example:) we have: "As a sexual orientation, heterosexuality refers to 'an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, physical or romantic attractions primarily to "persons of the opposite sex'; it also refers to 'an individual’s sense of personal and social identity based on those attractions, behaviors expressing them, and membership in a community of others who share them." and I consider that the topic should be pursued as much as possible empirically, and not by the word of a single person's spiritual experiences. People can have different insights and understandings through meditation, not necessarily the same as yours, and not everybody experiences the issues mentioned in this thread at all. Thinking about something once, or it only existing as a fantasy that doesn't work out in the real world (doesn't make you aroused but in your fantasies), having a phase in your life that passes, or attraction to one single person in your life, sliding on the kinsey scale and so on - to label anybody on the basis of this is dishonest, and no definition in the field that I know of does this either. You try to argue as follows: "Acceptance does not mean you have to act it out. Its like accepting youhave the potential to kill somebody and that you are not the lovey dubby with no ounce of evil. And the fact is, yes you have the potential to kill. The person who says oh I could not kill a fly, yet when put in a situation when somebody is threatening their family or kids, they will kill them. Accept that you could kill, but do you go out an do it?" We have the potential for all kinds of things, but does this automatically earn us a label? Qualify us as incarnate personages of this phenomena? Do you really consider your argument above as one for bisexuality? The reader can consider, using the same reasoning: You have the potential to have sex with [enter living/(non-living thing of choice], therefore you are [name of corresponding sexuality]! And just because I can think about something - no, that certainly doesn't make me capable of doing it in the real world which is where things count. Personally, I don't believe that when issues with a sexual vibration arise, that one can single out just the sexual part and conclude that it's the root matter. It is a complex bundle of issues where the sexual force tries to put light on resolving, making the whole thing visible like a tip of an iceberg. When that unique person with his/her unique individuality and past, gets rid of the internal tension and harmonizes the issues, the result will be increasing psychological well being - in a unique form for the individual - and not necessarily in bisexuality at all (which I almost consider a non sequiteur). This is my opinion, belief, based not only on my own experience. People should use their intuition, increase their understanding of causes, seek out professionals if the need be great, but certainly not throw themselves hanging upon opinion of a single individual on a forum, whether that be me or anyone else. "I think bisexuals have the best of both worlds. They will never be dateless. Those that can do it, are very open-minded. Open-minded is what we all need to strive for. Ignorance or taking sides or judging or having views is what creates friction and war. A famous taoist was once asked about homosexual behavior. He said if you can be open-minded and enjoy both, the better." I guess he was so famous that you forgot his name, and the source material of the quote? Anyway, there are differents says on the matter in taoism. We still have our responsibility. To give a different perspective on this matter: There's a distinctive difference in relationships where there is a sexual component. It's qualitative and leads to quite big differences in relating, honesty, trust and the other relations involved. To have one part of humanity, where the base of friendship, and identity is different, gives the best of both worlds, the most variety in the end. Just my two cents, food for the readers thought. Even if the post isn't directed primarily to you, dragonfire, I wish you the best. Happy that you have reached the position of ease where you stand now, even though we may disagree on other matters.

This seems just to be your fantasy that you try to project upon reality. Reasoning this way they would be no way for a person with no homosexual desires, plain or hidden, to get clearance from your claim of bisexuality since all results contrary to yours would be thrown a way and classified as 'denial'. To date I haven't come up on any population statistics or research that support this notion. Kinsey used his famous scale from 0 to 6 where there clearly were people on both ends, not feeling any attraction to the same sex and, correspondingly the opposite. I know people who prefer women, but if nothing else is around may shoot for a man. Not everybody live in redneck america or sharia land, mind you, so why don't they position themselves in the middle, where they should be according to you? And don't try that 'denial' projection again - I may believe firmly that you are satan and that all attempts from you that try to negate this constitute denial - but this kind of reasoning is emotional, it has nothing to do with a honest approach to both sides, and the matter at hand. Very well, you discovered this issues in yourself, came out of them, and now believe that everything that is remotely similar is actually identical to what you experienced. Furthermore, in the gay world, there are people who never deviate from being a top. Some of them have tried the opposite several times, and just don't enjoy it, the physical part, and/or the psychological part. But Just because it has a psychological part doesn't mean that it should be changed, or that there is some inherent right to outsiders to mess up these people. The majority clearly feel no attraction to animals or children, and why should they be changed? The same goes for men who clearly feel that their inner being would be violated if somebody penetrated them. There's even a counter movement among gays against anal sex - go figure! People who precisely because the intra- and inner psychological dynamics aren't uplifting to them stop practicing the thing, without any loss. But according to you, just because it gives physical pleasure, it should be done, ignoring the psychology/inner dimension since it is secondary? In that case you would gladly accommodate a horse, since doing else would constitute issues? Prostate orgasm and attraction are clearly not the same. I may enjoy them when I am with a woman that turns me on, but anything other would not spark up any heat or sexual dynamics, and would end up as advanced masturbation if I even managed to get a hard on. Sex is definitely more than a physical orgasm. What your appeal to god, and god creating pleasurable things, does here I don't understand - there are several phenomena that feels nice and interesting, for example heroin and datura, but "whats all the fuss about? There's not point in even going there, right?" It seems that nowadays one is allowed to say about everything negative about men, but why more men don't rise up against all slander I don't comprehend. Lastly, don't regurgitate 'denial' arguments since they can't possible be falsifiable, and they can be used to counter back with all kinds of nasty arguments.

I remember reading something about it in one book by Norman Walker detailing a lot about different juices and illnesses. He was a big advocate of raw juice therapy. Apparently raw cabbage juice had done close to miracles in cases of hemorrhoids. M

There's also a book by Robert Bruce that contains some tips that you may find useful: http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Psychic-Se...7735&sr=8-2 Anyway, it's important that you recognize the limitation of prayer. While you can ask external entities for help, they can only lead you to fortuitious circumstances, the water so to speak. The actual drinking you have to do yourself. So don't believe you can just pray it away. The battle is in your inner domain, and it's you who have control there. Those in Christianity who've worked extensively with helping people suffering from evil entities, know the connection to sin very clearly. Sin not in a derogatory sense of course, but more of a involvement with strong negativity, voluntary or sometimes involuntary. There's a reason "Righteousness" is emphasized in the Bible. Confession, strong resolve to change, and purification are very important. I would also check out pastors in the christian denominations that includes a focus on the activities of the Holy Spirit. Find somebody with experience, who is a balanced person in his emotions, spiritually and in his relations. You want to exercise wisdom in choosing your helpers. Expect strong inner opposition when you encounter someone that truelly poses a threat to the entity. Anyway, you've got much good advice from several people here. Don't give up - you deserve freedom and the best! Mandrake PS. There are also a couple of mantras that could prove useful. If you are interested, I could allways check them out. DS.

Thanks everybody. He is pretty much 100% sedentary. Sits in front of his computer all the time, so I guess that muscular/structural imbalances are part of the problem. Actually, he's not sure that he has hernia, but by his own research on the net he suspects so. Something is wrong nevertheless. phore - don't know what position he sleeps in. I'll ask. Does anybody know anything about the following: http://www.losethebackpain.com/getstarted.html ?

Jane, you rock! Your videos are really a gift, keep it up! M

Okey, I have just three statements I would like some clarification on. With 20 pages, I don't remember exactly where the posts were: 1. Someone claimed that daoist master Wang Liping studies Kunlun under Lama Dorje. Elaborate? (Where was this quote?). Where's the source? 2. A certain Tibetan Rinpoche has made Kunlun the top practice of his system. In Tibetan buddhism they have no problem giving out names clearly, referring to different teachers and mentors. This is done extensively. I am certain that whoever claimed this fact hasn't any problems with referring either, and with verifying too. 3. The claim that people would be killed in China/Tibet for spreading Kunlun(!). Eh, what? Who came up with this? The situation there would leave much to wish for, but this is just fantasy. M

Interesting, thanks!

In that case, cool to have you on the board. Nice to have some more meat on the bones. Anyway, this forum is an open discussion between free minds, between different experiences, it's about sharing. If it's like you say below, you're clearly an asset to have here, but remember that people don't come here to get "instructed", not by me, not by you. Many just chill out, and have been doing that since this board started, many years back now. Could you care to tell what Liu's teachers name was? In what cities do you find his other students? Mandrake

It was an insult, I reacted. It may be the case that you didn't think about it. The statement was a personal attack in a discussion you didn't participate in earlier. Nobody else has accused Pietro for "hero worship". The wording implies that he has been totally brainwashed by his universal saviour, no longer able to think critically. Off course, we know that's not the case. I've been part of too many discussions which degenerated because of sweeping generalizations against the personae, because of not staying on track and backing everything up, including ones sentiments, with friendly reasoning. I've faulted in this as well, but intend to stay away from this. Writing that it is tiring to argue with a beginner doesn't really encourage any further discussion, especially when there's not many arguments or earnest discourse from the experienced one. This thread has been a delight to read, hopefully it will continue. Back it up then.

Sounds like you're taking Pietro for an illiterate idiot. Mandrake

and at that I remember when I one day made my mind up to set a new record on water drinking. I think I ended up drinking 11-12 liters. Maaan, I felt awful. Folks, don't duplicate!

Wow, you really_totally_missed my point.