thelerner

I don't know if he's guilty or not. Not for sure. Yet there are I think are 7 or 8 woman who've come forth as well as people connected to the mall and acquaintances who've backed it up. Seemingly his trolling the mall for teens was open knowledge. But that's not slam dunk, it could be a political smear, but that's still quite a bit and making these accusations opens you up to insults and threats. Literally death threats. When questioned about it instead of no, it was 'Generally no..' a kind of answer which to me means, sometimes. Also his talking about always getting the mother's permission, seems to imply his dates, when he was 30+, lived with their mom. For me there's enough smoke to show fire. What does it mean. Well nothing legally. It's smearing a long time political judge who's been removed from office twice. As I've written its political, finding skeletons in the opponents closet and bringing them out for people to see and judge the worthiness of the candidate. Old game. One I'm sure Moore has used himself as well as the religious and martyr cards. This fits a bias, but there's a stereotype of a self righteous fundamentalist who does what he wants because he believes it God's will. True believers who'd justify almost any behavior as biblical.

Poor sentence structure on my part. I didn't mean to aim 'damning' at dating younger, though a 30+ year old trolling malls for teens is bit creepy, imo. Damning was a poor choice of words, shoulda used contrary or adds doubt. The word 'Generally' before a 'no' statement, is damning or better yet puts doubt on it. Ie- I generally never drink alcohol, tends to mean I sometimes do, or if evidence comes in to the contrary I'm not lying, I said 'generally' never. Reportedly when Hannity pressed Moore on whether he had dated girls in their teens when he was in 30s- “Not generally, no,” the former judge said in response. Seems like a good prosecutor would ask if that meant Yes, No, or Sometimes.

lie detector tests have been largely discredited or at least found inconclusive. I believe not allowed in court (googled depends on the judge). Still people take them and perhaps they'll show up here. Course you could have Moore take them to, but they shouldn't be considered gospel. They create enough false positives and negatives to be questionable. Especially if the polygraph tester or people around them have bias's. I find Moore adding the word Generally, to the question if he dated teens in his 30's to be somewhat damning. If someone said 'Generally, I'm not a serial killer', I don't think you'd want to spend the weekend with them in a cabin.

nver mind. didn't add to the conversation.

From what I've heard its the feeling that the form was handed down with those instructions and other lines of the teaching it are incomplete without them.. the 'empowerments'. Understandable. Winn even admits he's changed the form a bit. Anyhow, there's a simplicity to Pangu that is wonderful. Winn has a short gi gung form that has sun and moon in it. I'm sure if it was picked up by another teacher, modified and used without the visualization he might also feel the interpretation was problematic.

We all howl at the moon sometimes. Caught at the wrong moment we are at our worst.. random factors align and people lose it. Often on others who don't deserve the attitude. Knowing that it happens and cutting ourselves and others some slack, seems an essential skill in life. Without a constant flow of forgiveness, we'd carry too much mental weight.

I've heard that. Still, I enjoy Winn's interpretation and think I get something out of it. Perhaps I'll have an opportunity to learn it from the Master Wei's school one day.

I enjoy Pangu, a short form, easy to learn with good energetics. I learned it from Michael Winn. Here's a video of it-

I'm a bit more positive towards woman. I see most men and woman good, not perfect, prey to selfishness, greed and violence. Bad can do alot of damage. Life is complex, sometimes trying to do good creates unforeseen disaster. Spoiler alert>There's differences between men and woman. Men are more aggressive. Woman more nurturing. That runs on a spectrum ofcourse, but men have more testosterone, woman have more of a nesting instinct. I wouldn't mind seeing a Matriarchy for a bit. See how it works out. I think the human race can use a little more mothering right now. Doesn't have to be dramatic, but I'd like to see more woman in governing positions. See how it goes. What countries have more woman in government. I wonder if countries doing well have more active woman in governing positions? Hold on let see if google knows.. it does- http://www.businessinsider.com/world-economic-forum-countries-where-women-have-most-power-2016-7/#4-nicaragua--47-of-senior-government-officials-in-nicaragua-the-central-american-republic-are-female-this-combined-with-the-fact-that-41-of-all-parliamentary-members-are-women-helps-make-the-country-one-of-the-worlds-best-for-female-political-power-20 " To measure political equality, the WEF took three separate measures; the number of women in a country's parliament, the number of female ministers, and the number of years since 1965 that a woman has been head of state. The three measures were then collated and each country given an individual score out of one. " The Top 3 give woman much credit- Iceland, Finland & Norway - progressive, countries with high livability, equality, good places to live. Number 4 Nicaragua, I don't know how well that's doing 41% of parliament is female. 5 Sweden- good country. 6 Ireland, great bars, good music 7.Interesting Rwanda.. no idea 8 Bangladesh.. I know its poor. 9 India.. 10 Bolivia 11 Germany. UK is 23rd.. the list just goes to 23, US not on the list. I don't know if the above list proves my point or not. I'd say in general the higher woman countries are more progressive, but wouldn't countries that keep women out of politics be 'old' fashioned at best, misogynist at worst? They seem to be mostly good livable countries, one could do much much worse in this world. The top 3 shine as far as life style and happiness of the population. Looking at this site- http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/17-best-governed-countries-world-a7417096.html The Best governed countries, you see much overlap. Neither sex is better, but there are differences. We want good people in government. All things being equal, I'd prefer to have more good women involved, cause we've had the other way and I see room for improvement.

Not exactly the same case, ie she's an adult, not a teen and he acknowledged and apologized for it. Also they'd been doing a comedy skit for the USO that had a groping scene in it. That doesn't excuse the act, but he kept with it after it was over. Poor behavior, but far different then Moore is alleged to have done. Early in Moore's campaign he reportedly dissed so many other Republicans that many don't feel the need to back him and some feel hostility towards him. It'd be easy to say don't judge til there's more evidence, instead some are throwing him under the bus.

If its any consolation, on the micro-level, within individual families, there is a solid shot at matriarchy or at least equality. (in my book good equality is sharing and each to there strength) In many 'macho' cultures where woman traditionally played second fiddle, often wives were strong, decision making heads of the household in most matters. 'Soft' power to be sure, but power nonetheless.

Random thoughts Compassion is good, but not enough.. it doesn't cook the rice. <as my sensei would say> So, help, when you can. Knowing you can't help everyone or every time but when possible.. try.. Doing something, something real, helps them, helps you, helps the world a little bit. Cause maybe deeds echo on, and a little kindness brings on more.

hmnn, the further path- Before enlightenment, carry water, chop wood- bitch about it During enlightenment, carry water, chop wood After enlightenment, sign book deal, give lectures After after enlightenment, indoor plumbing, personal servants.

bump. an old thread. funny how we got from Walmart to aliens so quickly. Fear of Walmart, we didn't know nothing.. wait til Amazon took over..

I don't think its a criminal case, not this long after the fact, time limitations and all. Rather its politics. Simply the multiple recollections were brought up now to discredit Moore. Standard operating procedure (sadly) in politics for both sides; not even modern politics, its always been done. Doesn't mean they're true or not. Odds are they are, but proof for or against, other then circumstantial is undoubtedly not available. What's interesting is that it may help as much as hurt. This is Alabama and there's a reflex to protect your own. Moore's people are framing this as a mud slinging frame against a high standing moral leader. And it partially is. At what point do we forgive past indiscretions? The Weinstein scandal has opened up a season for reviewing old sexual misdeeds. Years ago, society was much more permissive or rather men were. There was a different cultural standard, one that was grossly wrong to woman, but pervasive. So you see George Bush I, being accused multiple times and probably guilty, because such slap, grab and grope were so wide spread. I think you have to separate the man now, from the person then, especially if they've owned up to it and apologized. Course probably depends on the person and situation. It helps if they haven't set themselves up as moral leaders too.

It's a hard subject with widely disparate writers. The poetry, metaphor and cultural terms lead interpreters on different paths. Not a bad idea to get familiar with several of them and decide for yourself what works. That being said, I'd personally side with Cleary over Semple and strive for ever quieter breathing rather then a set breathing pattern. There's a good chance some of the confusion is because it is incomplete. ie "The firing process is not openly described in the Secret of the Golden Flower, because according to Liu Yiming, one needs to be guided by an enlightened teacher. " from http://thesecretofthegoldenflower.com/summary.html an interesting source. I've gotten interesting insights from the many different sources I've read, even Osho(!?), but without a teacher, it feels like the Golden Flower has treasure at the end, but is a hard to read map. My blogged thoughts on it- https://www.thedaobums.com/topic/37570-golden-flower-thingamabobs/

While I'm unfamiliar with the two styles of tea, I'd wager mixing them wouldn't do any harm. If you're worried just mix a little of each and drink cautiously. Should be no problem unless the teas are euphemisms for something. Lately I'm making small pots and usually mixing teas. So far no explosions.

I was interested and googled the description. I found this in a review of the book from Amazon by Ger Agrey-thatcher 5.0 out of 5 starsTranslated by Thomas Cleary October 11, 2009 https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Golden-Flower-Thomas-Cleary/dp/0062501933 Definitely worth chewing on. IV Turning the Light Around and Tuning the Breath This doctrine just requires single-minded practice. One does not need to seek experiential proof, but experiential proof comes of itself. On the whole, beginners suffer from two kinds of problems: oblivion and distraction. There is a device to get rid of them, which is simply to rest the mind on the breath. The breath is one's own mind; one's own mind does the breathing. Once the mind stirs, then there is energy. Energy is basically an emanation of mind. Our thoughts are very rapid; a single random thought takes place in a moment. Inward breathing and outward breathing accompany each other like sound and echo. In a single day one breathes countless times and has countless random thoughts. So should one have no thoughts? It is impossible to have no thoughts. Should one not breathe? It is impossible not to breathe. Nothing compares to making the affliction the medicine, which means to have mind and breath rest on each other. Therefore turning the breath should be included in turning the light around. When you sit, lower your eyelids and then establish a point of reference. Now let go. But if you let go absolutely, you may not be able to simultaneously keep your mind on listening to your breathing. You should not allow your breathing to actually be audible; just listen to its soundlessness. Once there is sound, you are buoyed by the coarse and do not enter the fine. Then be patient and lighten up a little. The more you let go, the greater the subtlety; and the greater the subtlety, the deeper the quietude. Eventually, even the subtle will be interrupted, and the true breathing will appear whereupon the substance of mind will become perceptible. This is because when the mind is subtle, breath is subtle; when mind is unified, it moves energy. When breath is subtle, mind is subtle; when energy is unified, it moves mind. Stabilization of mind must be preceded by development of energy, because the mind has no place to set to work on; so focus on energy is used as a starting point. This is what is called the preservation of pure energy. Buddha said, "Place the mind on one point, and everything can be done." If the mind tends to run off, then unify it by means of the breath; if the breath tends to become rough, then use the mind to make it fine. If you do this, how can the mind fail to stabilize? Generally speaking, the two afflictions of oblivion and distraction just require quieting practice to continue unbroken day after day until complete cessation and rest occur spontaneously. When you are not sitting quietly, you may be distracted without knowing it; but once you are aware of it, distraction itself becomes a mechanism for getting rid of distraction. As for unaware oblivion and oblivion of which you become aware, there is an inconceivable distance between them. Unaware oblivion is real oblivion; oblivion that you notice is not completely oblivious. Clear light is in this. Distraction means the spirit if racing; oblivion means the spirit is unclear. Distraction is easy to cure; oblivion is hard to heal. Using the metaphor of illness, one that involved pain or itch can be treated with medicine, but oblivion is a symptom of paralysis, where there is no feeling. A distracted mind can be concentrated, and a confused mind can be set in order; but oblivion is unformed darkness, in contrast to distraction, which still has some direction. Oblivion means the lower energies are in complete control, ruling in negativity and darkness. When you are sitting quietly, if you become drowsy, this is oblivion. Repelling oblivion is simply a matter of tuning the breath. The "breath" in this case is respiration, not the "true breathing." Nevertheless the true breathing is present within it. Whenever you sit, you should quiet the mind and unify your energy. How is the mind quieted? The mechanism is in the breathing, but the mind alone knows you are breathing out and in; do not let the ears hear. When you don't hear it, the breathing is fine; and when breathing is fine, the mind is clear. If you can hear it, the breathing is rough, which means the mind is cloudy. Cloudiness means oblivion, so it is natural to feel sleepy. Even so, the mind should be kept on the breathing. Just maintain a subtle looking and listening. What is "looking"? It is the light of the eyes spontaneously shining, the eyes only looking inward and not outward. Not looking outward yet being alert is inward looking; it is not that there really is such a thing as looking inward. What is "listening"? It is the light of the ears spontaneously listening, the ears only listening inward and not outward. Not listening outward yet being alert is inward listening; it is not that there really is such a thing as listening inward. Listening means listening to the soundless; looking means looking at the formless. When the eyes do not look outside and the ear do not listen outside, they are closed in and have a tendency to race around inside. Only by looking inward and listening can you prevent this inner racing as well as oblivion in between. When you sink into oblivion and become drowsy, get up and take a walk. When your spirit has cleared, sit again. It's best to sit for a while in the early morning when you have free time. After noontime, when there are many things to do, it's easy to fall into oblivion. Also there's the need to fix the length of time of meditation; it is only essential to set aside all involvements and sit quietly for a while. Eventually you will attain absorption and not become oblivious or sleepy.

Attempt to pull thread back on course: What I've learned from hobby- gardening 0. Prep work begins in the fall, put layers of mulch (leaves, grass & coffee grounds) over your garden before winter. They'll protect and break down into humus. 1. Don't jump the gun, and plant to early. The cold makes for weaker stunted plants. 2. Grape tomatoes (like Sweet 1000's) are fool proof, regular tomatoes can be picky, heirlooms are painful snobs. 3. Protect your garden when young from animals (it's not all lovey dovey, you are in competitions from a thousand thieves, bunnies, bugs, etc.,), trellis it well too. 4. Keep it watered. 5. Eat it, don't let things go to seed, lettuce especially gets bitter fast. Drink those veggies w/ a blender. 6. Plant a garden infront of your house- it's great to walk outside and grab a couple sweet grape tomatoes. 7. Imo, thin narrow gardens rock. Easy to plant and weed. You can literally put down bags of soil on your lawn and grow from the bag one season, then remove the bags and keep planting the second.

When I want to feel my heart during meditation, I use the sound hAaaahh. It helps me focus on it. addon> I enjoyed reading Small Furs many insights into the Heart. Also, I find humor helps balance out the heart. Not in excess and not the haha type, rather keeping a simple smile and not taking things too seriously. Seeing the humor in situations, like discussions on the heart devolving into a mini flame war. Good humor disarms and joins people together, keeps you from taking offense.

How long since I've known Silence? I listen The light bulb buzzes, my son plays loudly, Outside a car passes, my house breathes. Even in meditation, my subtlest breath is audible, my heart thumpity thumps, my pulse shakes me. Yet I've known Slence and one day wll return to t.

I agree with Aetherous, though maybe not extremely but in most of our societies, money, the ability to make a good living is important, a requisite for life's necessities, conveniences and freedom. In a hunting society its important to be able to hunt or gather, in Capitalist and European style Socialism it's likewise important to be able to earn a living, all the better if its a good one. To be obsessed with it, is bad, but to have enough is good, and that means training. That's not to denigrate living simply, but even that takes a modicum of income. I've met hobos who live on the charity of others and that can be a very hard life.

Here here.. like the police they have a damn hard job and deserve our appreciation.

Best I can do is downgrade desires into preferences, ie I prefer this to that, but it's all good, cept when its not.

These aren't specifically taoist rituals, but tend to be purifying. (Teacher Ya Mu was into burning Cedarwood as I recall). Ye olde taoist rituals were very shamanic. There is much crossover. I seem to remember burning cedarwood (also sandalwood and sage) being purifying. I prefer the sharp wakeful pungency of clove oil. High quality incense tend to be purifying in some circles, as is bathing with salts. As a twofer you can shower and use a salt scrub w/ oil on yourself. My veggie friend say- Eat fruit for energy Eat vegetables for strength. I'd add: Light foods lift you up- good to a point, heavier and meatier foods bring you down- which can be centering. by my desk I have a small 10ml bottle of cedarwood oil for sniffing, it'll probably last forever, as well as clove oil and lemon eucalyptus.