liminal_luke

Like even the most lovingly cultivated and gently potent organic bud, silent thunder's musings are not for everybody, but I'm glad they are here for those -- like occasionally me -- who need their particular medicine.

In my early twenties, a very handsome guy who went by the nickname Street Smart offered to hang out with me, but only if I smoked weed with him. I'd never gotten stoned before and was kind of scared but like I say, a very handsome guy. We laughed a lot and afterwards we went out for pizza. That afternoon was the first and last time I smoked pot. Since then I've dedicated myself to various Daoist practices and, while I've had many interesting experiences, I would not describe myself as an energetic dynamo. Would I be more "spiritual" if I'd continued to get high? They say that correlation cannot prove causation but I urge my fellow Bums to learn from my experience and not take any chances. If you want to build your chi, smoke often.

The owner of the site is @sean. I think he actually created the site as well though I'm not sure about that. You could certainly send him a message through the site though he hasn't been around much lately so I'm not when or if he'd get it.

I'd say let your daughter's happpiness be your guide. If your daughter has friends and seems happy, that's huge.

I'm particularly intrigued by the possibility of applying awareness to relationships, in particular to the listening part of conversation.

You didn't come across as condescending at all. I admire your animal husbandry.

None at all -- that's the point. The porkchop came from an innocent hog likely raised in unhog-worthy conditions. I'm generally opposed to the vegan argument that all meat-eating is cruelty but agree with them about industrial farming. Given my druthers, I'd rather eat happy hogs who roamed muddy pastures at will; unfortunately, such meat is hard to come by in these parts.

I just ate a delicious but ethically suspect smoked porkchop. I'm typing on a laptop that was likely made in China by people working for slave wages. I probably won't vote in the next presidential election, not even to save the US from Trump. So yeah, given the magnitude of my sinning, I can't get too excited about cloned tulips.

Can it be both? Taoist master Robert Peng has a saying: I am in chi; Chi is in me.

For us northern hemisphere dwellers, today (9/23) is the joyous occasion of the fall equinox. Following the teachings of Healing Tao teacher Michael Winn, I consider the equinoxes and solstices especially potent days for spiritual practice. May all of us bask in the special feeling of balance and centeredness the day affords. And if you live in the northern hemisphere -- Happy Fall!

I don't think the mods would hand out suspensions merely on the basis of page-count but perhaps kakapo is prudent to avoid endless contentiousness. In any case, our cautious bird has indicated his terms. Why not respect them? These kind of internet arguments almost never result in satisfying surrender anyway.

...

Elsewhere on the forum, Bums are asking themselves if "everything is perfect"? On some very cosmic above-my-paygrade level everything might be perfect, but in my daily life it's hard to escape the sense that things might be improved a tad. Which is why I'm delighted to announce: Fairy Balls are perfect. As you might imagine, I speak from experience.

....

Hi Learner, If you're going to practice this form, I'd encourage you to learn and do the whole thing. My sense is that, perhaps more than than most forms, performing just a part is of limited utility. I like to practice very slowly but that could be just me. As for what to expect, I suspect this varies widely with the practitioner. For me, sometimes the form evokes a very sweet, peaceful feeling. Sometimes I find myself standing straighter or breathing deeper. If the form appeals to you, I'd advise committing to daily practice for some period of time with an attitude of curiosity and adventure. Be patient. Your experience is apt to be uniquely your own.

I was just playing around, @old3bob. My comment wasn't meant to be taken seriously, one way or the other.

This is the natural evolution of internet conversation. Start talking lurkers and soon you'll be discussing the ethics of (innocent?) nipple brushing at topless beaches. Did it happen to you? Me too. Anywho, jump on in lurkers -- the water's warm.

After pirate Mark left the seafaring life, our hero Daniel was, temporarily, mathematically marooned. But Daniel was not sad, at least not infinitely so, because he knew he had a Self, god-dammit, a beautiful and unique frickin' self, and the world was full of wonder, not empty at all as some silly internet fools opined.

I'm a little hazy on the timeline but believe I lurked for years before posting. Now I'm up to 6,177.

Not odd at all, imo. If you're reading posts, you're part of the community. Glad you're here.

I think I'm going to go back to lurking.

What if a lurker is pressured to post and then we all change our minds? Will the mods send a message: we really wanted you to speak up, but on second thought...

I guess I just don't get it. What about lurkers bothers you? Are you irked that they're freeloading, getting access to all this cool information but not contributing? To me it's like wandering into a fancy art gallery when I have no intention of buying. If the viewing stokes my appreciation for art I think it's all for the best. And who knows -- someday I might buy. Sometimes people lurk because they think -- rightly or wrongly -- that they don't have anything to say. Sometimes people lurk because they're sensitive and know that the sometimes harsh back-and-forth of social media dialogue isn't for them. Sometimes people don't have a good grasp of English. People lurk for all sorts of reasons and I figure it's their decision and not really my business.

Somebody should write a dystopian short story about lurking Bums who are forced at threat of banishment to post. "But I don't know anything about non-dualism, your honor. I'm only 13."

I'm kinda the opposite. I'd love to think I have an audience of hundreds thousands of eager PPD readers clamoring to read my writing but alas...