mat black

if mind in this context is considered another term for our 'being', (rather than the modern western notion of mere intellect alone) then: mindful = every facet of ones' being fully aware in the present moment. the full mind = entire mind if our mind is not here now, we are not aware of our entire being now. to me, mindfullness allows for awareness and integration of ones' being In the material world, forms manifest in a variety of ways - all originating from the one undivided source. to view worldy manifestations as inherintly 'good, 'bad', right wrong is an investment in duality. liking this, hating that, judjing this judjing that, the mind splits in two, it 's no longer 'full' Also, as Aiwei says, if the mind is full (mindfullness) then there is no discrimination, as a full mind (a limitless mind) is all encompassing. Didn't some master say ' before, I was in the world, now that I am awake, the world is in me' ? just my 2 cents.......(give or take, allowing for currency conversions )

Beautiful art of various themes http://www.mandalas.com/

Very well said Leidee.

On the top 5 thread, Yoda mentioned that Jesus doesn't get much coverage here. I get put out off by so many institutionalised religious connotations surrounding Jesus, 'cause it's pretty apparent that the bible has been tampered with for centuries to serve the interests of the christian politicians The Talmud of Jmmanuel is purported to be an unaltered account of the man known as Jesus and is the basis from which the subsequent gospels were written. In terms of whether it was a first-hand account of Jesus' teachings or not is still being debated. When i read it, the power of the words hit my heart. That's the only authetication i need. This link http://www.fourwinds10.com/journals/talmud/talmud.pdf has a full version in pdf with some background to it's discovery and a great peice at the end by John Grau. (which incidently reminded me of Yen Hui's post about the cat and the minds' power to create the universe) this link http://www.gaiaguys.net/Jmmanuel.htm has a 6 chapters from the Talmud with a nice introductory chapter. Interestingly, the chapter titled 'creation' reminded me of LAO TZU, and the great taiji symbolising creation embodying yin-yang as a complimentary whole Quote from chapter 34: 44. "Only human thinking can be incorrect, not the laws of Creation. 45. "For this reason, it is said that everything emanates from a unity, and a duality seems apparent only because humans, in their limited thinking, cannot grasp the truth. 46. "Since everything is a unity and everything emanates from it, no duality or trinity whatsoever can exist because it would violate the laws of Creation. 47. "Therefore people should make the two or three into one and think and act according to the laws of Creation and, further ........ 57. "A unity always consists of two parts, which are one in themselves and are a duality only in appearance. 58. "Since a person is a unity of two parts, the spirit is a unity of two parts, but both are one in themselves and one together. 59. "The body cannot live without the spirit and conversely, because spirit and body are a unity despite their seeming duality. 60. "The spirit, however, lives according to the same law, because in itself it also consists of two parts and is one in each part; thus it is one in itself. 61. "The two parts of the spirit are wisdom and power. 62. "Without wisdom of the spirit, its power cannot be utilized, nor can any wisdom emerge without spiritual power. 63. "Hence, two things are always required that are one within themselves, so there is a oneness within the unity but not a duality. 64. "Thus the law says that a human being is a unity in itself, which consists of two equal parts that form a unity, both within themselves and also together.

Flynn, you articulated exactlly what i originally intended to say, but way better than i did. The similarity to eastern wisdom is what i loved about the book as well. I mean no disrespect to anyone, but by compasrison, the conventional bible doesn't even come close to the Talmud in terms of spiritual profundity. i think whole alien/flying saucer theme is a bit unecessary as well, it just seems, among other things to give the impression of a lop-sided emphasis (especially when such images appear on the cover) I have long been interested in something which could be considered the closest thing possible to Jesus' original teachings - Much in the same way that Sri Ramana Maharshi's words are recorded verbatim (translations notwithstanding) Maybe Jesus' unaltered words are in the Talmud, maybe in the esscene new testament, maybe the gospel of Thomas. Then there's the explanation given in the 'Thiaouba Prophecy' and also the 'Urantia book' i just like reading accounts of masters (Buddha, Lao Tzu, Jesus, Sri Ramana Maharshi) because something about their words touches me deeply Ulimately, only i can find out who i am.

This drink - cocobiotic is like a coconut version of kefir. It's young coconut juice fermented with probiotic bacteria. I haven't had it yet, it sounds nice, but it does look a bit expensive http://www.amazon.com/Coco-Biotic-Body-Eco...t/dp/B000NUDTLE

In my masters' house there ia a beautiful dedication to Kaun Yin. And the heavenly Qi in the house is AMAZING For centuries, Kuan Yin has epitomized the great ideal of Mahayana Buddhism in her role as "bodhisattva (Chinese "p'u-sa)--literally "a being of Bodhi, or enlightenment," who is destined to become a Buddha but has foregone the bliss of Nirvana with a vow to save all children of God. Praise. Praise. Praise.

Homeopathy

I have experienced some severe asthma during my life on occasion of eating foods with a high MSG concentration. The reaction usually occurs 2-3 hours after the meal. It is then, only after consideration that i have realised, or made the link between the MSG in the meal and the sudden severe asthma Most of these expereinces happened years ago, leading me to think i had 'grown out' of this sensitivity to MSG But last week it happened again, and i realised that what had eaten that night had a lot of MSG in it. Here are 2 well written articles about MSG http://www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info/fac...ets/FactMSG.htm http://www.scq.ubc.ca/?p=735 If there are any other 'bums' with any MSG experiences, i'd be interested to know. Thanx, mat

Sean: "One of the longest running threads in Taoist Discussion, not sure if you were part of that, was on choosing a deodorant. " hmm maybe I should've been sniff sniff......na it's ok. Thanx permiting this discussion, and so, if I may, here's another VERY good article about MSG/aspartame http://www.dr-jo-md.com/excitotoxins.html Here's a quote from it: "Also, some of us are more sensitive to the effects of ingested toxins than others. I call us the "canaries", since we exhibit the adverse effects of these toxins more quickly than others do. So we can warn the rest of society to avoid these poisons............ Avoid excitotoxins like the plague even if you do not feel the adverse effects immediately after ingestion. " best, canary

So is this topic OK Sean? I was wondering if i could even bring up this topic, thinking 'would it warrent taoist discussion'? But, i think (and hope) the definitions of what is 'taoist' are broad enough to encompass this topic. If the great masters say that the tao can't be defined, then I suppose an MSG discussion is valid? I mean, it does at least have implicationds for physical health. In addition, as Karen pointed out, there is a great deal of politics and deciept going on behind it's marketing and promotion. I'm not into politics per se, for me, it's too emotive and based on divisive mental funtioning. But if politics are being used to deliberately decieve the populace regarding food or other essential facets of living, then i think we at least need to be made aware of it. Karen, thanx for explaining Steiner's analogy of man as a 2-fold being, it explains a lot to me. Another thing about aspartame that i read years ago, is that if the body can't adequatelly eliminate the broken down chemical componants, it pack them away as fat on the......................................hips! Have a look at people who drink a lot of the stuff and most (from my observation) have bulging hips. So in order to loose this weight, they drink 'diet' soda...........then the viscious cycle continues. This is cruel.

Thanks to everyone for the responses. My most recent experience was from eating gravey prepared by my mother A slight slip into clomplacency and...............gasp, cough etc etc The thing is, i'm still feeling the effect after 6 days, mainly as chest tightness, shortness of breath and heart disturbance. It's interesting to notice that most people (eg. all of my family) don't have any reaction to MSG, whereas it has almost killed me in the past. This is ONE example of the uniqueness of the individual, and to me, highlights the futility of generalisations. We need to know our own bodys, and not accept that if someone says 'this is OK, it's never harmed me' that it's not necessarilly good for us My 2 Qigong/taoist masters have been telling me that i'm very sensitive. I'm learning that sensitive can mean sensitive to EVERYTHING, pleasureable and displeasureable. Sensitive to beautiful (and to me, tangible) qi, during qigong and meditation,sounds, mantras, smiles, looks, mental transmissions. ...........but also sensitive to weather, loud noise, MSG!!!!! Karen, it's apparent that you have some personal (your father) and professional experience with MSG and so are well versed on it's impact on the body. It's interesting that you say it's not a sensitivity per say, as, being a neurotoxin, any reaction to it is the bodys' attempt at expelling it. Makes me wonder whether if it's doing anything to people who don't have reactions to it, but they are just not aware of it. For example, maybe its having a slow, cumulative and toxic affect on their brain, heart, liver etc...........??????????? The more research i did into MSG, the more I found how insidious it is. Particulally in the sense that it has a moorish affect on the taste receptors. Moorish meaning that the brain senses it as pleasurable, but NEVER satiating, therefore encouraging an unconcious urge to eat more of whatever food is treated with it. This being refered to as the 'umami' taste. On the point of it being a naturally occuring substance, yes that's true, but it has never been natural for us to consume it as a concentrated extract Thanx again everyone for the responses

Xeno, that was nice to read. Your relationship sounds very refined and it is the way i want mine to be (when it happens) sincerity, honesty, integrety, respect etc etc = a sanctified union may the the love continue

hi innerspace cadet, here are some quotes from the "hua hu ching" that might be relevant to you on how to apply daoism to everyday life, Ch. 51 Those who want to know the truth of the universe should practice the four cardinal virtues. The first is reverence for all life; this manifests as unconditional love and respect for oneself and all other beings. The second is natural sincerity; this manifests as honesty, simplicity and faithfulness. The third isgentleness; this manifests as kindness, consideration for others, and sensitivity to spiritual truth The fourth is supportiveness; this manifests as service to others without expectation of reward. The four virtues are not an external dogma but a part of your original nature. When practiced, they give birth to wisdom and evoke the five blessings: health, wealth, happiness, longevity and peace .......and from chapter 52........ The Tao is simple and doesn't avoid the world Why not simply honour your parents, love your children, help your brothers and sisters, be faithful to your friends, care for your mate with devotion, complete our work cooperatively and joyfully, assume responsibility for problems, practice virtue without first demanding it of others, understand the highest truths, yet retain an ordinary manner? That would be true clarity, true simplicity, true mastery And, a few things some masters have told me........... - when you eat, eat - when you defecate, defecate - when you drive, drive for others and for saftey on the road - when you smile, smile from your three eyes - when you walk, breath from your head down to your toes

Ian - the guy that invented it, Dr Ian Lyons said that the water would maintain it's charge for 50 years. Sunshine - i can feel the qi when i put it in my pocket, my friend cleared away a huge post-surgical lump of lymph with it. treating coffee with it will prevent one from staying awake all night. McLaren formular 1 racing team use it to get 25% better fuel economy for their cars. If i treat food with it before eating, I digest the meal better. In Australia, it's being used to treat water that is saltier than seawater for growing wheat. The salt is still in the water, but it is not taken up by the plant. Freefom - whatever you have sounds powerfull. Are you able to tell us more? To me, the bio disc is only a tool. I'm not trying to sell it, and i hope I didn't sound like it (i'd be an idiot if I was) tools like this are handy, convenient, useful etc. But of course, they can't be DEPENDED apon. I just wanted to bring it to peoples attention, so that they can investigate for themselves and take it or leave it. I feel the benefits, and feel the effects as positive, but i'd never let it, or any thing else become something that i need - like a dummy, or lolly pop, or whatever

a friend lent me his - and he wsa having very positive results with it

regarding taoist attitudes towards sex - not withstending the potential for varying attitudes and scope on the matter (after all, the term taoist is very generic anyway) the following is from the 'hua hu ching' which is said to be a collection of Lao Tzu's later works. is it an 'authentic' source/reference? i dunno - i wasn't around then , or if i was, i can't remember. in any case i feel that these are wise words. Hua Hu Ching chapter 69 A person's approach to sexuality is a sign of his level of evolution. Unevolved persons practice ordinary sexual intercourse. Placing all emphasis upon the sexual organs, they neglect the body's other organs and systems. Whatever physical energy is accumulated is summarily discharged, and the subtle energies are similarly dissipated and distorted. It is a great backward leap. For those who aspire to the higher realms of living, there is angelic dual cultivation. Because every portion of the body, mind and spirit yearns for the integration of yin and yang, angelic intercourse is led by the spirit rather than the sexual organs. Where ordinary intercourse is effortfull, angelic cultivation is calm, relaxed, quiet and natural. Where ordinary intercourse unites sex organs with sex organs, angelic cultivation unites spirit with spirit mind with mind and every cell of the body with every cell of the other body Culminating not in dissolution but in integration, it is an opportunity for a man and woman to mutually transform and uplift each other into the realm of bliss and wholeness. The sacred ways of angelic intercourse are taught only by one who has himself achieved total energy integreation, and taught only to student who follow the integral way with profound devotion, seeking to purify and pacify the entire world along with their own being However, if your virtue is especially radiant, it can be possible to open a pathway to the subtle realm and receive these celestial teachings directly from the immortals

i agree, and in accordance with that....................... here's a picture of Sri Ramana Maharshi

"all men"????????????????? no, not all. for those that thought this plan of yours was for real and wanted to go for it - sweet, but, sister be aware of this: for as many that participated with you in this game on this forum, there are at least twice as many that sat back and watched with no desire to even imagine your 'offer' "fascinating how we are so tied to our biological programming and must reconcile our spiritual nature with the bondage of our biological DNA... now that's something to think about..." it depends which you one you conciouslly choose to surrender to. the physical is easier, but for all the pleasures it affords, it's a road to nowhere if persued blindlly on it's own we are not bound to what you call the bondage of DNA if we make efforts to make our DNA concious some of us know how important our jing is and know that it can be sanctified by infusion of shen. in which case, propositions like yours arouse no interest whatsoever. errr, sorry about all the itallics - didnt mean that one oh yeah, and i wanted to add that i respect and agree with Seans response - very insightful Sean cheers mate

"The fundamental frquency of expression that issues from First Source- using our language to best describe it-is appreciation of life in all it's forms with a love that is absent of condition or judgment. This is a classification of love that operates in the knowlege of the largest, most encompassing dimension of existence. It is therefore the highest intelligence because it understands the purposeful unfolding of life in all dimensions in the outgoing breath of time" http://www.lyricus.org/links/downloads/ene...art_epaper_.pdf

Yen Hui, i loved reading your post. very nice. in addition to 'formal' practice ie qigong, meditation etc, one master told us once that in 24 hrs of the day you can cultivate i won't go into everything he said for 24 hrs, but some very simple things were: when driving: drive for others, for saftey and peace on the road at work: be the best employee or employer you can be at home: be the most loving brother/sister/father/mother you can be when eating, imnagine it is the nicest meal you ever had, don't read, let the qi be in the stomach when you go top the toilet, go to the toilet, do nothing else, close your eyes........... ...............there was much more he said, but the most important one: SMILE FROM YOUR 3 EYES this will enhance the shen 24hrs.

a few weeks ago i discussed with sean denty my masters ability to charge water with qi. i said i'd post a photo if i could. here it is [edit]I've added the pic for you. -- sean

SEAN - thank you very much for adding the picture - mat

my favorite book ever, start to finish

errrr, yeah, woops, didn't work did it. i accidenttly pressed post before the image loaded, then i tried later to load it but the file size was too large. i dunno