thelerner

If we consider Star Wars to be included in Super Hero movies, the first one or two of the new trilogy were fascinating examples of racism-ishness. Maybe it was unconscious but Spielberg insulted Blacks, Jews, Asians with seemingly blind abandon. While blatant, I don't think it was intentional, rather its an example how its easier to write stupid stereotypes then create new vibrant races and individuals. Poor, sloppy writing (where editors see you as a well dressed emperor) rather then intentionally exposing yourself as an ass. Which led to going too PC and trying too hard in the last two films. Heck, most of the time an ethnicity is prominent in a film, most of its adherents find it cringe worthy. Disney runs into this all the time. Bending over backwards (now, not so much in the past) not to look racist and repeatedly failing.

I think until you're involved in the field, its surprising how hard it is to produce good movie/TV. It's expensive as hell, and only as good as its weakest link, and there are dozens of links. From writer to wardrobe to Key Grip. Your Gaffer doesn't gaf and a million dollar scene is garbage. Pressure from above, egos from below, time constraints, money constraints, pressure to hit the lowest common denominator while remaining true to your art. Every decision second guessed. Every story line and actor choice examined for political correctness and conspiracy worthiness. For all the criticisms in the West we are used to incredibly high standards. Even mediocre comedies and sitcoms have top names and talents. Yet with all that, it's still mostly wasteland. Go figger

Beyond books, I really treasure an audio CD, I got years ago. Thought I was ripped when I first heard it. Just tones. One set of equal tones, going from 8 seconds in- 8 seconds out moving to 46 seconds in to 46 seconds out tone. Plus a second set that used 1-4-2 set for breathing starting with 4in- 16hold-8 out, going into extraordinarily long breathing rhythms. <addon Yogic tones by Silent Ground> The point was to put it into an MP3 player set to repeat each 'tone' over and over. Thus no theory or instruction, just let your breath follow the tones. These days there are lots of breathing apps you can set to do the same thing. But this was simpler because once you felt comfortable with one rate, you can hit >> and move to the next, and see how long you could comfortably keep it up. After doing Wim Hof breathing I'll do 10in 40hold 20out- repeat. The big benefit of slow breathing is it slows the mind and when you stop; go au natural, your breath remains long, your body more relaxed.

hmnn, what are you against chanting or showers? Try both, if you want I'll give you pointers but I get the feeling it'd fall on deaf ears. Once a person falls into the 'Only I am practicing the real thing. Everyone else is living in delusion' learning nose dives. I've seen many people with the same attitude, study for years, then switching from old real thing, to new real thing. Not every wants to be a monk or master, let them find there own way. I admire the hardcore, but the elitist who looks down on other arts, and householders.. can become a fundamentalist trapped in dogma. Who'd probably go further if they kept an open mind.

eh, don't tell my rabbi but..they didn't seem that smart in the bible . It's easy to forget what a hard life and superstitious time they lived in. Not saying we're smarter, but human nature is human nature. I posit the opposite. It's a slow windy path, but progressive ideas of living in peace, accepting people outside our tribe/religion/color are gaining more traction in modern times. Not so long ago, racism was casual and widely accepted. In my short lifetime I've seen from 1960's to now, I've witnessed amazing progress. Sadly progress can be reversed. Especially when hard times hit; human nature looks to the strongman who'll straighten things out as long as we give him our allegiance, gold and freedom.

Yet, a well done modern zoo, leads to much greater awareness of wildlife. We wouldn't care about many species across the globe if we hadn't seen them in a zoo. They spark awareness and ecological concern. They incorporate education, often deeper then casual visitors know. Plus modern zoo's have breeding exchange programs that keep vital genetic diversity in rare species. In increasing cases they are keeping endangered species alive, even re-establishing them in the wild. Very important in this day and age. If wishes were fishes we'd probably catch them, skin and filet them. They're not. Instead imo, we should support good zoos. The people who run them are probably doing more good then we know. Bad zoos, with old fashioned small cages are another story.

I (proudly) have not yet been assimilated. Know Oneness, Be singular. not that I've gotten to Oness yet.

, Others always do. That's why they're Others and not Me.

Respect empathy and caring. You can find many stories about people who've talked to the Dalai Lama and how impressed they are by his presence. He exudes respect, empathy and caring. He listens well and speaks gently.

Good point. I'm glad people are protesting it. I just wanted to point out American signatures against a foreign cultural event don't carry much weight. Hopefully we all have our causes, something to fight for, trying to make the world a better place. Mine is chickens. Through Heifer.org I give a small flock of chickens out each month to some needy family. Thus I'm actually having birds eaten- hopefully after a lifetime of supplying of nutritious eggs. Worse I may be contributing to avian sexism since roosters are more likely to be eaten early. life is complicated, do what you can to help others.

idk, in the US, we have millions of dog lovers. While few of us have many encounters with horses these days, hopefully the bond is unbroken (by most) on our side. To Aetherous It should be stopped, but signatures from the U.S to China, or even expressing U.S disapproval of a Chinese cultural event, might prove not only ineffective, but possibly harden there position. I did some research on this a few years ago. Some Westerners were buying up dogs to protect them, but that was drops in the bucket, especially if didn't know what happened to such 'saved' dogs later on. Its usually foolish to get involved in another countries civil war, or to take a stand against anothers countries 'uncivilized' traditions. But you can help native oppositional groups. Smart ones who know which cultural buttons to press. Being from another culture, our best efforts might have the opposite effect, ie 'I'm from the U.S and I'm here to judge you and tell you what to change', doesn't work well historically.

One book I read (decades ago) said there is the million dollar point, and the 2 dollar point. They are easy to confuse with each other or get the pressure wrong.

I don't think signatures will do anything. If Chicago got 300,000 signatures from China to stop Rib Fest, I don't think the participants would be moved. It'd probably be considered a joke. Maybe one level under wearing protest bracelets 6,000 miles away. Still, it'd be good to stop it. You'd probably have to work from inside out. Take a slow route, trying to stop the one in 10 years, not this one or the next. By inside out, I mean see what respected humanitarian organizations there are in China. What they're doing.. Get there input. Understand the problem through their cultural lens. Go back a few 100 years and 'peasant' outrages leading to massacres against cats were common in Europe, especially France. They were considered symbols of aristocratic excess. I wonder if there is some vestige of that in modern China? Cats serve a useful purpose. Dogs are one of man's closest animal allies, we've bred them for loyalty.. to us. Killing and eating them breaks an ancient bond. Back on track. It's not signatures from America (US disapproval means balls to them). A PR campaign is what's needed. Not to tell Chinese it's wrong, but rather to appeal to... .... ... something cultural.

Don't know if this is relevant but on some websites mouse clicks don't work. I've found cntrl C and cntrl V, ie using the keyboard instead of the mouse (once text is highlighted) can copy and paste where the mouse fails.

I guess the devil's in the details . I have little expertise in these matters but can't help but think in most cases hypochondriacs shouldn't read medical dictionaries, those obsessed with aliens and abductions should stay away from reading books and becoming 'experts' in the matter. It's possible that whatever the cause of the phenomena, giving it more attention keeps it going.

As AussieTrees points out. His most prevalent super power is compassion, awareness and wisdom. I wouldn't expect to gain too more then that from a decade or two study of the man and his ways. Course then again- compassion, awareness and wisdom count for much.

Forgive me for my suspicions but this also seems like a V-origin, evilgod, who has been banned a few times. Hopefully not, and they've moved on to other saner things.

after two years.. bump

How to learn wisdom? First through the ears. All good traditions have dharma speeches. Stories and parables that give examples of right action and explain and resolve the best and worst of human nature. For example podcasts like InfiniteSmile and Zencast or they come in a variety of flavors, traditions and religions. Second experience, putting yourself out there. You don't grow if you don't show; up in situations that challenge you. Making mistakes, having victories; learning and growing from them.

I've been working with a Guided Meditation that does just that (one of Kim Walsh's), after relaxation, the sky darkens, the stars fall and fill you with shiny sparkle dust that light up your endorphins and put a smile on your face. Will it make you happy 24/7 no, but it feels good while your listening. Maybe trains you a little to be happier, a bit. But reality is tough nut to crack and wishes are not fishes. A good attitude does wonders, but only goes so far.

I think we have courts of justice, so that we don't have individuals seeking out personal revenge. Justice serves beyond revenge. Families need rules, society needs rules, laws even. Less is better but even the best need some. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time. Justice should include a measure of education, rehabilitation and means of recompense to those hurt. Lastly to serve as warning to others not to break the law. For me, peace is easier, after justice has been served. If its not served, if all is forgiven you can create monsters who continually repeat and get worse. One can forgive and still seek justice.

We had an old thread here that was based on analyzing some old pictures. I couldn't find it, but this image is worth some group analysis. Ultimately we'd need to find where they came from, how old they were, but without that, what do you make of the images?

In my limited knowledge much feng shui is simply good psychological placement. Having roots in human psyche and to some extent defensive positions.

It all circles back. In the first season of Daredevil its the darn Chinese (actually Kunlan'er Madam Gua) are the ones bringing the opium and buffalo skulls into New York. Darn them. People will complain no matter what they the writers/producers do. In Doctor Strange they made the Ancient One from looking to be oriental old guy to middle aged white woman (Celtic?). The very talented woman ended up with lots of hate mail because of it. Still she did a good job in the role. Nothing wrong with shaking things up a little. Sometimes these things are as agenda'd as a producer being good friends with an actor and saying what the hell. Though its true there is currently a comicbook backlash against the Great White Saviour complex. Though as people pointed out, main characters tend to be inviolate, until they hand over the mantle, to there (often) black side kick- (Captain America to Falcon, Ironman to Iron Maiden, Green Lantern to a black Green Lantern, Thor to Lady Thor, Spiderman to Morales..) Wait a second, Lady Thor wasn't black. Morales is probably Hispanic, still whatever point I was going for was roughly hit, in hand grenade kind of way.

Yeah, I yawn and sometimes my eyes will tear, not that there's any emotion reason. It's always been an interesting phenomena. Doubt its a nefarious spirit, maybe some shared psychological tidbit from our collective early experiences?