Mandrake

Well, these things aren't really cheap bling-bling that you can collect and put around your wrist. In reality, maybe 500$ per hour is way too little? Mandrake

I took a set of Reiki Tummo attunements and courses years ago. Wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Just did nothing for me. As SFJane wrote, didn't raise my energy level one milliamp Send your money to me instead please?! The strongest impression, or strongest lacking impression was that of people embodying some real wisdom. Instructors, students, no one. All the best M

Well, there's not really any more substance to these claims than political correctness. As if people need to be born with something in order to defend how they live. Anyway, say that a various group - redhaired, blacks, mortadella-lovers or whatever, actually weren't as fit spiritually as the rest, would we be ready to acknowledge it? I don't believe so. M

Hehe, between the two populations, I've never seen more pain, angst, intrigues and loneliness either. What this has to do with truth I don't know. Some friends of mine have ton's more fun than I when they are on dope or similar interesting stuff. Truth? Naaah, especially considering they don't flaunt the darker side. Note: Nothing personal M

First of all, "White" and "Black" don't have the same connotation in Tibet as in Europe, when speaking about magic. According to my memory, in Tibet you have four colours of magic, three additional ones to black. None of them are polarized into good and evil as in our western traditions. All the best Mandrake

I concur, comments like the ones earlier, clearly show a superficial understanding of a very deep concept. I get a feeling that it was used in order to act out some feelings of superiority. If little knowledge, better to make more humble statements. All the best Mandrake

Pero, you don't have to doub - DC simply isn't the Tibetan version of Chan. Several masters have practiced both which would be pointless if Chan was just a version of Dzogchen or vice versa. Chan belongs to the Sutra-vehicle, DC is based on tantra. The methods are radically different than those of Chan. M

Go for it. Study it in-depth for a while and get a deeper understanding of the system, then you are allways better off choosing what to do next. Make sure you get a good teacher though. Here in Europe we seem to be quite fortunate. All parts of the system are well thought through, footwork included, which some obviously don't understand. "Hand chasing" is just derogatory and shows a nil understanding of what it is about. Find out somebody who can demonstrate and clarify all the subtle points Good luck thaddeus! M

Got my computer back. Three months wait for changing an adapter seems to be called customer service nowadays. I think we both talk past each other here. I asked a question for specifics. I've encountered several people claiming this influence on Ch'an buddhism, anything from mild influence to Ch'an being a taoist creation. My point with the origin joke was just to show how easy it is to make a generalist statement and appropriate whatever you would like without giving specifics. Specifics: doctrinewise, practicals, whatever to give some real support to claims. Then it would have been a much more fruitful discussion. Now, some people obviously interpreted my tone and statements as anti-taoist/fanatic puritan/whatever, but this is a position others have placed me in. To make a contrast: Far fewer times I see buddhists or daoists eagerly state the buddhist influence on daoism (scriptures, some doctrines, temples, daoist religion as a countermove) and I get a feeling that some western daoists want to give daoism the credit for what they perceive as the unique part of ch'an/zen. These kinds of sentiments seem mostly emotional, since the main points of Ch'an are firmly grounded and derived from the buddhist sutras pivotal to it's philosophy and practice, such as the heart sutra, vajracheddika, shurangama, Lanka'avatara, Vimalakirti Nirdesa and other sutras. But arguments on this level are few and far between. By my earlier comment it should be clear that I understand that Ch'an as a vehicle didn't introduce buddhism to China. This is unnecessary, you're battling against windmills not me. No need to try mind reading, it results in paragraphs like this. Sure, I may not use many smileys, but because of text looking cold on an internet forum doesn't mean that the person behind is too I think I stated this before in clear enough terms. The adoption of the chinese poetic and metaphorical way of expression in contrast to the very dry, analytical style of the indian scriptures was a stroke of genius. I never claimed otherwise. In Japan, the chinese influence from daoism was quite small - Confucianism was the rave in the aristocracy and came to exert greater influence on Zen. Confucianism is from China as well. This fear of Chinese influence seems to be something you've encountered more than I have. To reiterate, there is a difference between a person using your clothes, or being your offspring. Mandrake

Aren't you supposed to let dogs, for example, fast a quite often? Does only good for their health. From my own observation, my studies and productivity are much more heightened when I eat less. Planned for quite a while to try to fast 1-2 times, I'll see how it goes when I finally incorporate this in my routine. The main point, at least in my case, seems to be the amount of carb's I eat, oils and fats are okey. I guess you should be conscious of how sedentary you are. If you don't move too much, you can cut out a lot. If you do some heavy work, increase intake. Probably one reason for these weak CRestriction people you mentioned Yoda. Another reason that comes to my mind is that in order to get enough of certain nutrients you have to eat a lot. Cutting food without increasing the nutritional value in proportion would lead to trouble. /Mandrake

Padmasambhava stated, "Male or female, there is no great difference. But if she develops the mind bent on enlightenment, to be a woman is better." Mother of Knowledge, p. 102 (oral translation by Tarthang Tulku) If you've put your determination to prove tibetan buddhism is misogynist and female deriding/hostile, ok, carry on, believe what you want. But, For Gods sake, there are more people than June Campbell and the Trimondis. Ignore the plethora of realized FEMALE practicioners, ignore the SAMAYA, the scriptures, ignore that over the past thirteen centuries THOUSANDS of monks have been cast out of the monasteries for having affairs with the local girls, ignore all the mass of experience of ordained westerners - male, female, homosexuals - that speak against June and Trimondis. I could go into detail, but to what avail? Believe what you want. To any reader who truelly is interested in Vajrayana and tibetan buddhism: Go to an appropriate forum dealing with TB/Buddhism and speak with the people there, and out of respect, do a little bit reading and thinking, get the symbolism and practices explained for you. Best of all, meet up with a live practicioner. Cloud Recluse, the thing that you wrote/quoted about Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana, is frankly, silly. The reason that I, and probably others see no point and interest in countering these hypothesises, is the same reason that Christians (been one) wouldn't be interested in the challenge to refute that the pope is Satan, the pentecostal are reptiles, and the holy ghost is alien energy trying to turn the earth into a marshmallow. Nobody is protecting the infallibacy of institutions, this matter should be clear. Also, that high practicioners are also found outside the monastic community in Tibet. Buddhism, Daoism, philosophies in East and West - for all means, but now I'm off here. Back to my studies. M

But exactly how did it mix? It is a trifle matter to heave out generalist statements. "Buddhism came to china from India, but first it went to Sweden, and since it liked Scandinavia very much, it stayed there awhile. Suddenly it remembered and hurried back to Middle Kingdom, flourished and so on." Buddhism existed in China before Bodhidharma. And, the daoists and confucianists where very hostile against buddhism in the beginning. A daoist emperor even tried to eradicate it. The buddhists had all reason to, and did keep their doctrine together without much incentives to "mix" it.

Another thing, there are people with negative experiences, and because of inherent bias, their accounts get more noticed. However, I know quite a few of homosexuals_and_women that have been thoroughly loved and accepted in their Tibetan Buddhist practised and encounters. EVEN in such practices as sexual. And more, at this point, there are lots of WESTERN ordained and experienced tibetan monks AND nuns. Go and read their version. The way the Trimondi's handle quotations and references (very few citations from buddhist texts), the argumentation, and how they have limited their sources of information boggs this document down. Again, it is NOT an academic paper. Another thing, there are people with negative experiences, and because of inherent bias, their accounts get more noticed. However, I know quite a few of homosexuals_and_women that have been thoroughly loved and accepted in their Tibetan Buddhist practised and encounters. EVEN in such practices as sexual. And more, at this point, there are lots of WESTERN ordained and experienced tibetan monks AND nuns. Go and read their version. The way the Trimondi's handle quotations and references (very few citations from buddhist texts), the argumentation, and how they have limited their sources of information boggs this document down. Again, it is NOT an academic paper.

From Wikipedia: "Additionally, in the draft constitution of future Tibet, the institution of the Dalai Lama can be revoked at any time by a democratic majority vote of two-thirds of the Assembly. It is also worth mentioning that the 14th Dalai Lama has stated "Personally, I feel the institution of the Dalai Lama has served its purpose." " And remember that the four main schools of Tibetan buddhism have their own leaders, so the DL isn't a supreme dictator or something. Cloud, about June Campbell, I read some excerpts some years ago, so it isn't very fresh in my memory. But the thing here I find obvious is her own ignorance. If she comes deer-eyed and jumps into everything without checking and being cautious off course she will be taken advantage of. We ARE responsible for our actions. It isn't as if she was locked up in a dark cellar where some outlander raped her. If she had really studied eastern philosophy and buddhism, she would for example have read "Personal Instructions from My Totally Excellent Teacher" by Peltrul clearly discussing the risks with teachers and the careful responsible response needed. Further on, in these traditions (including the Indian), traditionally you should examine your would be guru meticuously for TWELVE years before accepting him/her as such. (The 12 years stated by DL as well, if you're interested) If I have been singing in the catholic quoir for several years, am devout and learned, and then the priest suddenly wants to stick his dick inside me in the confession booth, well duh: 1. I don't 2. I don't believe all priests use the CB as their red light chamber.

Ok Wayfarer, I could continue with drawing arguments from buddhist history and development in China, but let's be more concrete. What exactly in Chan/Zen is Taoist? Give me particulars, it will help to discuss this topic. Mandrake

Well well, I don't know why I care, but if you are given document A, you may as well read B. The best thing I could do would to write an essay adressing all the points in the Trimondi-doc', one after another. Until then check out for example this site (link to kalachakra writings): http://www.berzinarchives.com/kalachakra/index.html Has extensive information of Buddhism, especially Tibetan, and much material on Kalachakra including material on common misconceptions. By all means, do your due diligence, and btw, vajrayana isn't only KC. Mandrake Excerpt: "One of the more perplexing and most easily misunderstood aspects of tantra and its ritual is its imagery suggestive of sex, devil-worship, and violence. Buddha-figures often appear as couples in union and many have demonic faces, stand enveloped in flames, and trample helpless beings beneath their feet. Seeing these images horrified early Western scholars, who often came from Victorian or missionary backgrounds. Even nowadays, some people believe that the couples signify the sexual exploitation of women. Others imagine that couples in union represent the transcendence of all duality to the point that there is no difference between "good" and "bad." They think that, consequently, tantra is immoral and not only sanctions, but even encourages usage of alcohol and drugs, and hedonistic, criminal, and even despotic behavior. Some go as far as wildly accusing well-respected tantric masters of plotting to take over the world and that the Kalachakra teachings were the source of Nazi ideology and are the inspiration for modern Neo-Nazi cults. Curiously, such paranoid accusations parallel the Nazi obsession with blaming the Jews for all the evils of the world. Extreme caution is required."

The taoist connection to Zen/Chan is overstated. I don't know who came up with this thesis and why it is so persistent. Virtually no one ever speaks about the influence of confucianism, which has been a little bit bigger than tao. Allthough the indian Dhyana sect, when entering China, was so formidable to adopt the existing litterary and cultural style of expression, this didn't turn it into daoism. The very analytical writing style of indian buddhism was changed into something that suited the chinese better. The Zen buddhist vision, cosmology and practices are not daoist. Mandrake

To just rip things out of their context doesn't give a fair view. There's a point here that's not only found in buddhism. That the body undergoes transformations in advanced cultivation, isn't exactly a cultivation secret. Taoism has plenty of it. One of the biggest fortunes you can have in life is to have a sound, healthy body, that's not an impediment to your spiritual search, with whole, keen mental faculties so that it's possible to practice in this life. We all are entitled our opinions, off course. But could you inform me why taoism wouldn't accept the 3d noble truth? I could argue that it accepts the 4th as well. Reading daoist scriptures, you encounter teachings on morality, on different concentration realms, but ok, not much on prajna. And as allways, nothing to be taken on blind faith. That's the error of the individual, not buddhism, which states the importance of confirmation through personal experience. There are ample information on the net if you really want to understand Vajrayana. To say it's about visualising consorts is to downgrade and diminish this system, like making a feather out of a hen All the best! Mandrake

Amazing! What pisses me off is that commentator: " Relax.... you're doing good... nice and easy, relax your legs.." Common - like Blaine is a fucking beginner that doesn't know what he's doing! Do you know what kind of training he went through, prior to this?

BTW, how did it go with that silver stuff? I remember you wrote that your mom tried the nebulizer. How's she doing? I'm trying to get my dad to buy nattokinase. Think it can do wonders for him, but aargh - he's just to lazy/uncaring. I'll probably end up buying it for him (smart bastard!!). Mandrake

What? Did he get it all wrong - it's "nine-bottle-wind" not "nine-minute-wind"! What a fighter!

Hahahah! Sorry, but something about that wording, 'joy of ejaculation' is just so ... Anyway, personally I don't agree. For me, there is some joy in orgasm, mind you - not ejaculation. If I ejaculate I can feel it in my whole body, and that physical feeling is no good. No joy there for me.

Somewhere I found a link discussing this. Essentially the other claimed that he may have used aliases and a set up story to conceal his teachers or something. Will try to find it. Don Juan Matus, Real or imagined?: http://www.geocities.com/the_wanderling/don_juan.html Castaneda http://www.angelfire.com/electronic/awakening101/carlos.html Even though the books may be fiction, they contain a lot of good thoughts in a nice setting! Mandrake

CR - no, I'm sure he has a lot of good input concerning chigung. Don't worry. If you liked his style of writing, you may be interested in Robert Bruce, kind of writes directly about the experiences he makes on his journey. Lot's of info lacking, but it's non pompous as well, and personal. Mostly about OBE (which I don't practice adn advocate), but also about his own energy building system. Regards Mandrake