liminal_luke

Compared to say Saudi Arabia, Europe is a place where people value openness, tolerance, diversity. It is these values that make Europe such a great part of the world to live. It´s also these values that have led some European countries to welcome refugees -- for better or for worse.

I´m not sure if increasing yang is synonymous with increasing testosterone, but if you´d like to increase your testosterone naturally here´s some info. http://www.marksdailyapple.com/how-to-increase-testosterone-naturally/#axzz3xGyWAhHJ

If I´m remembering correctly, Michael Winn once remarked that he thought the original MCO went up both the front and back channels, and then down the central channel where it split again into two to return up. I mention this because I was reminded of this flow from Nungali´s video.

I tried tonglen last night for the first time in years following the instructions of Pema Chodren. It helped me feel better about something that had been bothering me, and I was able to take constructive action today. Think I will add this to the things I do.

Reminds me of my friend Greg who always encourages me to eat glazed donuts. "Seventy five years from now nobody will care whether or not you ate that dunut."

swimming in what may be the deepest pool ever cenote blessings

bum bum dao... bum bum dao... bumdao bumdao... daobum

I´m no expert on German politics but let me say this: feeling guilty is not usually a precursor to good behavior. Quite the contrary. I believe it´s important that the holocaust be remembered, it´s lessons integrated into the culture. But until the German people can stand tall, acknowledging the darkness in their history but not crippled by it, they are more likely to repeat the mistakes of the past than gaurd against them. Nobody benefits from a Germany cloaked in shame and guilt. Liminal

Then Bob´s your uncle Past lives deleted email Never really gone...

I´m not sure if there are systems that develop people on some spiritual level without also helping to heal the body. Probably there are, but generally it´s hard to accomplish much in an unhealthy body. So it makes sense that bodily healing would come first. I thought the following quote from Sifu Jenny Lamb´s website about Yi Gung interesting. "Self-healing or the appearance of supernatural powers are side-effects along with the body's and mind's awakening. They are not the ultimate goal for Yi Gung."

If you want to become more yang Rocco, then so-called masculine activities -- weight lifting and whatnot-- will probably get you there: yang is as yang does. But first I´d ask how you know your too yin? Are you yin in a way that´s uncomfortable for you personally, or you just believe you shouldn´t be that way because you´re a guy? Is there anything you like about your yin qualities? Others may disagree, but I say yin is beautiful -- even for a dude. Liminal

I don´t know.

from the stench of old cod livers, fermented oil. old-school omegas

lets get married

I got A´s in math in high school, but when I first started to drive I couldn´t remember the way to the grocery store, a store our family had been going to for years. So am I an intelligent guy? Depends, I suppose, who you ask. Spiritual development, like intelligence, is a multi-faceted thing. It´s possible to be very advanced in some ways and still be a jerk. Much to the chagrin of seekers everywhere who´d prefer a more uniform perfection. Liminal

No questions for now, but wanted to send my best wishes for a productive retreat. I think it takes good karma (or destiny, not sure the right word) to arrange something like that. Hope you´ll report back about your experiences if appropriate. Liminal

I too have lots of yawning with healing sounds, as well as other forms of chi gung. I agree with Soaring Crane that it´s best to just go with it. Read in a Zapchen book that yawning is the bodies attempt to open up the diaphragm and that makes sense with my experience.

This year my mom and I are suggesting New Years resolutions for each other. My mother´s resolution for me is to write down three things at the end of each day that I´m proud of. Works for me.

Orion, I don´t really have an answer to the questions you raised, but wanted to say that I think occasional retreats can be very useful. I´ve been on several vipassana retreats. Can´t say I "enjoyed" them exactly, but I certainly learned a lot about myself.

Karl, It´s just a metaphor to make the point that I think the kind of social comparison Nikolai1 suggested is helpful. That is it. If, in your opinion, the comparison doesn´t stand up to rigorous logical analysis, please consider that it wasn´t meant to.

I hope so. Sometimes I like to imagine infinity trapped in a very tiny space, a small infinity that could fit in my pocket. Maybe the void is there too jiggling around like a loose penny.

Kubba, Donuts aren´t good for you. Unless of course we´re talking about a fresh sugar-free kale donut glazed with beet juice and sprinkled with slivered almonds. Those are rare, I grant you, but what Nikolia1 is talking about is the kale donut of social comparisons. A kind of social comparison that´s actually useful and healthy: the realization that money and fame don´t necessarily bring happiness.

to water the grass seems an impossible chore faucet tight --screw it!

As spiritual people, we sometimes make things more complicated than they need to be. It´s easy to get lost philosophizing about the evils of "ego" and such. All that thinking has it´s place, but when you feel bad usually the solution is much simpler. Here is my list of generally helpful things to do. (1) Clean your living space. Get rid of lots of stuff you haven´t used in the last 3 months. (2) Work up a sweat. Martial arts, jogging, weight lifting, hiking up a big hill. Whatever (3) Call someone you like and have a good conversation. (4) Think: is everybody giving me more or less the same advice? If so, take it. (5) Do something that makes you laugh. (6) Spend time in nature. (7) If you need money, get a job. If you can´t get a job you like, get a job you don´t like and enjoy other parts of your life for now. If you don´t know how, figure out who you can ask for help. (8) Eat nutritious food. Don´t eat junk. That´s it. For the moment, don´t worry about ego and detachment and all that jazz. Don´t even worry if you feel angry or resentful or unforgiving. Just take care of yourself and see what happens.

For Taobums ex-mods MoPai threads now optional Enjoy the time off later edit... For Taobums ex-mods MoPai threads now optional Soaring Crane takes flight