mat black

I notice that whatever the practice, even just standing or walking outdoors, there seems to be a more energising and grounding(?) effect when done barefoot. It seems to allow the earth energy to enter through the feet. An old man told me that prior to shoes having rubber soles, the majority of shoes had leather soles which allowed the energy to come through into the feet. But the energy can't pass through rubber. So many people are disconnected to the earth because of this. Does anyone else have experience of the effeects of barefoot connection with the earth?

sarva kalikalaha vigraha vivada prasamanim sarva bhuta graha nivaranim sarva paravidya chedanim akala mrtyu paritryayanim sarva sattva bandhana moksanim _/\_

WOW!!!! That was so well said man. Inspiring. Thumbs up to Seth as well your insights. You guys are super.

It's so vast in scope. Praising all the Buddhas, Bohisattvas, Heares, Gods, etc It has a large section on ayurveda too including vata pitta kapha and other factes. Amazing

I've noticed that negativity is easy to fall into, among other things it can range from arguing with others as well being scathingly self critical. So I found some timely helpers from the book Change of Heart- The Bodhsattva Peace Training of Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche: Don't burden others with your expectations. Understanding their limitations can inspire compassion instead of disapointment, ensuring beneficial and workable relationships....... Try to resist responding negatively to difficult situations. Every moment of miserliness, hatred, jealousy or pride drives you more deeply into suffering. These poisons only further obscure the crystal, your inherent perfection. Instead, cultivate acceptance and contentment. In regard to religious tradition or objects of faith, he says this: .....Carefully determine which path works best for you. Each religion has it's own complete tradition, with it's own qualities. Spiritual traditions originate in response to the suffering of beings in a particular time and place. Each offers an approach that answers the needs of various kinds of people. Just as one meditation won't cure one hundred differnt people, the same spiritual path won't be suitable for everyone. The Buddha taught 84,000 different methods for training the mind because he saw that there are 84,000 different ways to be confused..... I noticed on the media here and other places when it comes to multiculturalism, or multi-religious societies or a forum like this TTB, we don't celebrate the similarities enough, and rather than 'respecting' the differences we often argue about them instead. From Chagdud Tulkus' book again: ........Don't criticse or judge others' paths. It's a mistake to think that yours is the best or only way. Although the basic purposse of religion is to help people, attachment to yours and aversion to others will only cause divisiveness and conflict. We must be careful not to wear the badge of our own spiritual tradition by preaching, judging or imposing our ideas on others. In the long run, each and every religion that teaches the value of extending kindness and refraining from harm benefits those that sincerely follow it. Yeah, so I kinda like that book, it's a real gem with heaps of helpful tips on life.

Mate, you should really rethink what you've said here because - and this is about as 'assertive' as I'd ever get on this forum - it is waaaay out of line. If you really understood Buddhism, you would not say this. Actually, the statement to bring about it's demise yet preserve it's wisdom is inherently contradictory. If your statement had been said about any religion or tradition that promotes compassion, peace, wisdom, understanding and harmony - whether it be Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism etc - then it would also be an eroneous and dangerous thing to say. Many genuine masters state that some of the basic purposes of Buddhism is to avoid causing harm to ourselves and others with our body speech and mind, to calm down the mind, become more peaceful, compassionate and to develop understanding of ourselves and others. Anything that can lead us to this is good and Buddhism offers many methods as do other religions, according to ones' individual and cultural disposition. Some ways of developing these qualities can be through certain practices, including rituals. If some people think that such practices and rituals are not nessecary for themselves that's fine BUT they should not be criticised and the benefits that people can derive from them should not be denied because they can and have helped many to open wisdom and compassion, allowing them to find inherent inner peace and spread that peace. When this has happened, such religions and traditions have been a means to benefit many many people as well as non-humans. So to speak of bringing about Buddhisms' demise (or any religion that can benefit the world) is a diss-service to others as it could deter them from investigating and experiencing great benefit from Buddhism or other religions of their choice.

Just like the chant of metta, the following piece also has an all encompassing scope and is accessable to anyone whether religious or secular. Dedication of Merit/Compassionate and Wise by Rev. Heng Sure May every living being, Our minds as one and radiant with light, Share the fruits of peace With hearts of goodness, luminous and bright. If people hear and see, How hands and hearts can find in giving, unity, May their minds awake, To Great Compassion, wisdom and to joy. May kindness find reward, May all who sorrow leave their grief and pain; May this boundless light, Break the darkness of their endless night. Because our hearts are one, This world of pain turns into Paradise, May all become compassionate and wise, May all become compassionate and wise. info about the chant and audio is here: http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma9/merit.html

The simplicity is beautiful, and the statement seems applicable to everyone. The following is an extract of the chant of Metta, it's also very good because it is all inclusive and transcends every type of difference whether they are man made or otherwise. May I be free from enmity and danger May I be free from mental suffering May I be free from physical suffering May I take care of myself happily May my parents, teacher relatives and friends, fellow Dhamma farers be free from enmity and danger be free from mental suffering be free from physical suffering may they take care of themselves happily............. .........May all beings all breathing things all creatures all individuals all personalities (all beings with mind and body) may all females all males all noble ones (saints) all worldlings (those yet to attain sainthood) all devas (deities) all humans all those in the four woeful planes be free from enmity and dangers be free from mental suffering be free from physical suffering may they take care of themselves happily May all being be free from suffering May whatever they have gained not be lost All beings are owners of their own Kamma (Karma) in the eastern direction in the western direction in the northern direction in the southern direction in the southeast direction in the northwest direction in the northeast direction in the southwest direction in the direction below in the direction above May all beings all breathing things all creatures all individuals (all beings) all personalities (all beings with mind and body) may all females all males all noble ones (saints) all worldlings (those yet to attain sainthood) all devas (deities) all humans all those in the 4 woeful planes be free from enmity and dangers be free from mental suffering be free from physical suffering may they take care of themselves happily May all beings be free from suffering May whatever they have gained not be lost All beings are owners of their own kamma (Karma) As far as the highest plane of existence to as far down as the lowest plane in the entire universe whatever beings that move on earth may they are free of mental suffering and enmity and from physical suffering and danger As far as the highest plane of existence to as far down as the lowest plane in the entire universe whatever beings that move on water may they are free of mental suffering and enmity and from physical suffering and danger As far as the highest plane of existence to as far down as the lowest plane in the entire universe whatever beings that move in air may they are free of mental suffering and enmity and from physical suffering and danger.

The real siddhis are the things that are neither extrodinary nor super natural. The real accomplishment is to be able to not get angry, to always be patient & compassionate. If we could never get angry, that would really be something, a great siddhi, but it's not at all easy, not to mention, not 'spectacular' either.

Mate, OK. Maybe the quake was a totaly natural phenomenon. So, in the aftermath I personally feel is that on an individual and collective level it can be of help to sincerely pray for Japan and it's people which is why I mentioned the great compassion mantra or any prayer of peace and goodwill.

Vortex, that video was gnarly. Shady things going on that we don't know about for sure. We generally won't know the exact cause of the quake. Whether or not what he spoke about was directly responsible for the quake, it is still disturbing that such things can be used for manipulation through creation of disasters. I personally feel that it would be of benefit for everyone to learn the great compassion mantra (or any prayer for that matter) and recite and dedicate for the sake of world peace and stability.

Agreed. (I added the bold coz I liked that statement) I think there are probably Bodhisattvas in most religions, also in various places within society as well. I like this quote by the Dalai Lama because of it's simplicity: "My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness"

It is abig text yes probably best to go slow. It is important for many reasons including the four clear and un-alterable instructions on purity Master hua sums it up well http://religion.wikia.com/wiki/Shurangama_Sutra commentary is here http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/Buddhism/Shurangama/Shurangama.htm

thank you for a clear and informative post styrofoam dog. and yes, the Shurangama Sutra is very thourough, very important.

Great videos Namo Prajna Paramita

I found that coffee enema suffices for this because (if done properly) it goes through the liver in a soothing and gentle way.

I've done the flush a few times. A couple of times it was horrible, other times it was very effective. Ot is a very harsh method and if done, should be well planned in advance. Drinking apple cidar vinegar evry day beofre hand, as well as taking appropriate herbs is important. It's certainly not for everyone. Yes, that is the single best bok Ive ever read on nutrition. TCM, ayurveda and 'modern' western nutrition all in one. He also says that eating a grated radish everyday is used to remove gallstones as well.

Glad to here it's going well eagle shen (J) I read your account on the link you included in the other post. I was really happy to see such a shining review of Master Tao. I wondered for ages how I could write something about my time there without saying too much, what you wrote was great. I'll try and add a couple of cents........ The Dragon Gate Daoyin from this school has many forms, hundreds actually. They range from standing, kneeling, sitting cross legged, sitting straight legged, lying on ones back and lying on one's front. There is a gentle fluidity to the movements, which among other things, are quite good at opening the channels, moving the qi, gathering qi and improving the posture. It is said that the spine and posture is a base for the qi to be healthy - given that there are so many nerves going from the spine to all parts of the body. Despite the simplicity of the forms, there is a great depth to them. Master Tao's teachings come from both a Daoist traditional lineage (he is the holder) and Buddhist teachings, eg- mantras, Guan Yin and correct principles. I remember one time the discussion was on a particular topic involving qi and various other things which was generating curiosity and interest among the class...........then Master Tao reminded us of what really matters by saying "the most important thing is to cultivate a good heart"

I respect what Vortex and Jargo 25_98 said. Mikaelz is right it begins in the mind. The thoughts of desire which begin in the mind are then felt in the body and then further fueld by the following sensations of pleasure that come from sensory stimulation. Even though it's often experienced and mostly only noticed as a bodily/physical thing, it actually begins with desires in the mind. It feels 'natural' because it is such as a deep habit carried over from many lifetimes. Energetic, bodily based practices like tai chi and qigong are good to help to harmonise the qi flow within the body so that excessive concentrations of qi and jing from sexual desire doesn't stagnate and create blockages. But in order to overcome it from it's origin, we have to realise that it originates from the desires within the mind. Purifying the mind through meditation can be very helpful. Further to that, reciting the name of a Buddha or Bodhisattva can increase the efficacy even more because as we recite their name, we align our mind with the virtues of these beings. In doing that, our habits can gradually diminish and in their place, we might then have some clarity, freedom and peace better than anything we ever imagined.

To erase bad karma. genuine remorse is a good start. Then there are practices that create good karma which can negate the bad karma earlier created. Bowing repentences, reciting the great compassion mantra, the usnisa vijaya dharani, reciting namo guan shr yin pusa. There are other ways as well, but these are suffice. If people don't beleive in karma, that ok. But those who are able to see into the past can clearly see the 'cause' that results in a current effect being experienced. Buddhist scripture has much explanation about the principles of karma. Another great source is the book "changing destiny, Lioafans' four lessons" For those who prefer to read about karma and the laws of cause and effect from a Taoist perspective, this book is a good source. http://www.amazon.com/Lao-Tzus-Treatise-Re...e/dp/0060649569

Interesting. Animals generally exhibit reactive and predictable patterns of behaviour. People can become like that if we get angry too often, or when we become too passive or lazy we can become just like a domesticated animal. It's intersting to observe the interaction and mutal emotional influence that people and their pets have on each other. Like attracts like as the saying goes. To me, the differences between humans and animals lies in our potential. It appears that humans can be just like animals to varying degrees depending on the person, but to me, here's the key difference: humans have the potential and capacity to go beyond the typical 'instictive' and reactive behavioural tendencies of animals and actually open up wisdom, understanding, compassion. Then, a human will not act or speak from a position of spontaneous reactivity. It's all up the us, it's depends on the level of effort we apply in clarifying our minds.

Wonderful Lin.

As it is said, "reverse the light and illiume within" Amitabha.

Thank you Steve. Very well said.

Actions and thoughts can create causes which involve a corresponding effect. By doing things that cause suffering to ourselves and others, as well as engaging in habits of craving and aversion we in a sense, dull or cover over our original mind of understanding, clarity, wisom and compassion. Once this has happened, unconcious patterns of behaviour can set in and we then may act them out without realising why, or what the effects are going to be. Once we are in this state for a long time, we often don't remember why we ended up and are experiencing things the way we are. The list that was provided is examples of various effects which are brought about by certain causes planted by the individual. Buddhas' teachings (as I understand them) explain for us the process at work and how to free ourselves from this cycle of unconcious karma (cause and effect), continual rebirth, and so come to realise genuine freedom and peace.