thelerner

That's about right (for the Big Burn in Nevada). Here's what Lakes of Fire is more like: <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6v1mt_8P63U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Here's some writing about older Burning Man adventures- http://thedaobums.com/topic/14600-learning-to-burn/?p=191747. I don't think I finished my write up of the 2013 burn or started a writing down stuff about last weeks regional, which was pretty mellow.

me too. Just got back from the regional Burning Man in Michigan called Lakes of Fire. Lots of campfires, many big ones, the last burn is epic, so large they have a fire truck nearby and half dozen firemen on call. 4 days of drinking, socializing and finding ones utopia.

I'll add to the list later, for now let me talk about a book that combines travel adventure and philosophy very well. Don't be put off by the name. Its written by a Buddhist professor here in Chicago who takes a job teaching in Cambodia. I learned alot from it. The Gods Drink Whiskey: Stumbling Toward Enlightenment in the Land of the Tattered Buddha (Plus) by Stephen T. Asma http://www.amazon.com/The-Gods-Drink-Whiskey-Enlightenment/dp/0060834501

Depends on the country and time. Yet I think if it wasn't a time of war carrying a sword or any kind of large or flashy weapon was rare. More likely to call attention to yourself and create problems. I'm thinking last 200 years. In the late 1800's Japan abolished carrying swords. I don't think China was ever that much of a sword carrying society, outside of soldiering. Though some Chinese Knife can be pretty machete-like. Probably more common is a knife or cane. A knife being utilitarian and/or easily hidden, and there a couple of arts that had formal routines and katas for canes, since you could carry one innocuously. Famously Okinawans who were forbidden to carry weapons developed farming tools like nunchuks for self self defense, still such things were private and probably not taken into common areas.

I'd be against it, certainly not without a 'master' level mentor who'd be there with you. If such asceticism appeals to you, then try fasting- keep it safe. Find a position where you can selflessly serve a needy person or organization, literally karma yoga. Or hit the road, even if its for a short while, do some camping, get back to nature, away from people.

first time, I got 17, eyes of the cat . woulda done better if I'd been prepared, i think.

Speaking of urine, I wonder if the human stuff repels any pests? I thought that wolf urine keeps some animals namely deer away. just musing..

Hmnn, you think it annoys him when people reply to his posts. Goth darn it, hadn't thought of that. Still, the d00d needs advice. badly, and that's what i'll give him. maybe a new car is what you need. It'd perk you up. Perhaps a chevy. something you can drive to a levy. see I bet you're not feeling empty after reading that. You're also getting attention, and who'da thunk that's what your after?

last thought, join a Goth group. ba bye. except this:

Actually the 90's were no picnic either. <kidding.. sort of> maybe you can use this experience. This state of blah. Take advantage of it. The blessing of it is- no distractions, an unusually quiet mind. That's pretty powerful. It'll probably pass by itself, but for now, if you can muster the will power, meditative practices might be much deeper, ie gain the equivalent of years of practice in months. Use this space of time skillfully.. maybe

I've gone through periods of melancholy. Everything blah.. not as bad as depression, but empty and aimless. Thing is, it passes. As Churchill once said 'When going through hell, keep going'. Don't burn bridges or make rash decisions when you're in a funk state. Keep going, keep up your responsibilities, your friendships; at least go through the motions. Life will throw something at you sooner or later and you'll snap out of it. And occasionally snap back in. It'll be faster if you keep going about every day life and not give in. Force yourself to get out, take walks, meet people, learn something, go somewhere. These things are kindling to get the fire back.

Things like the military industrial complex that was growing out of control. Lets remember too the early 1930's conspiracy where some leading industrialists had formed an embryonic plans to force Roosevelt to accept a new part of an executive branch that would acquiesce to them. It was found out and disbanded early enough so they main players were embarrassed and not prosecuted. Random thoughts: In the 1920's when Wilson was president the boogie man was anarchists. Politics is expensive and feed at big businesses trough. What we consider corruption was mostly legal in the past. And hopefully some of whats legal now will be considered illegal in the future. The book came out in 1960's where the communist scare was picking up major steam. I thought Kennedy was known for assembling the 'Best and Brightest' ie elite which turned into a everyone agreeing with each other which led to some disastrous policies. So even letting the 'smart' guys rule has its problems. Matter of fact I prefer pragmatists to idealists. Idea who's time has come: strict term limits. I'd add: There's also a very human element to the 'things aren't as good as they used to be' paragraph. In some ways it's not so much nefarious as possibly the reminiscence of every long time politician and business man and old person in general.. things aren't as good as they used to be- They know that America is not a place of which it can be said, as it used to be, that a man may choose his own calling and pursue it just as far as his abilities enable him to pursue it; because to-day, if he enters certain fields, there are organizations which will use means against him that will prevent his building up a business which they do not want to have built up; organizations that will see to it that the ground is cut from under him and the markets shut against him." The above might be a song sung by every generation. Its a popular tune repeatedly loudly by all sides. Its the rallying call for most of the Republican candidates, gimme that olde tyme America.. that sweet spot between June 3rd 1954 and July 8th 1955.

dilution is right, I've heard urine should be 1parts to 7. Avoid using when sick. actually this good article (How To Pee in Your Garden) says 10 to 1 or more: http://www.nwedible.com/how-to-use-pee-in-your-garden/ also http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/human-urine-is-an-effective-fertilizer/

I think we have to make our own purpose. and it can change and evolve as we get older.

amazing.

I like it, but its still very speculative to me. At what point (and what path) in the journey do you think people get that recognition?

I like this Youtube site. FightMediocrity- Good synopsis of business and self help books, efficiently and memorably presented. https://www.youtube.com/user/phuckmediocrity/videos

I know grains. Just saying some old Taoist traditions were anti-grain (Paleo before paleo was hip?). Not saying they're right or wrong. Just the way it was. I was looking for the actual books it came from and stopped when I found this: For example: from http://taoist-mind.blogspot.com/2012/08/what-is-taoist-diet-ezinearticles.html 'The Third Immortal King told the Emperor: "You attain the Tao by avoiding all grains. You will never again have to follow the rhythm of the moon and plant or harvest. "Now, the people of mysterious antiquity, they reached old age because they remained in leisure and never ate any grains." As the Dayou zhang (Verse of Great Existence) says: The five grains are chisels cutting life away, Making the five organs stink and shorten our spans. Once entered into our stomach, There's no more chance to live quite long. To strive for complete avoidance of all death Keep your intestines free of excrement!" While many ancient Taoists practiced abstention from grain, this is not absolutely true. There are many accounts of Taoists who ate, or who literally begged for rice. It may be that grain abstention was more of a purification process, or a sort of fast, leading up to important rituals, ceremonies or rites, like taking long medications, fasting, taking elixirs, and so on. Modern In more recent times, the typical diet has radically changed to focus on being PRIMARILY grain based, rather than practicing a total abstention from grain. Although there are some radical people who claim to never eat, they are often ridiculed by the media and later found out to be "starving" for attention rather than being a true ancient style Taoist. The modern Taoist diet essentially follows the basic yin-yang and 5 elements theory, and relies heavily upon un-processed whole grains, fresh vegetables (particularly root vegetables) and very little meat.'

Games seems to be- how much can I feed my ego. The old, I am godlike everyone else is a sheep. I am awake everyone else is asleep. For me, better to play the opposite. everyone is divine and special in there own ways. or even harder- everyone is a reflection of me.

A good cheap and very effective supplement is psyllium seed, ie metamucil. Unlike most you see results in 24 hours. Taken for a few days it seems to scour the bowels and lower digestive track, plus balances sugar and insulin, makes you feel fuller. Its not to be taken every day, but for a few days a month its probably helpful.

Taoist diet seem to be about keep it natural, keep it seasonal and somewhat anti-grain. So, no processed food, eat with the season (not that you much choice for most of history) and traditionally grains were an evil worm kind of thing. I think in modern times out of necessity, grains entered into some monasteries, but the oldest writings, I think, were against them.

Seems pretty shamanic. Here's Mr. Dundee doing it. Odds are the movie took the scene from a real life capability.. maybe.

Lead to gold - any guide books out there?I have such a book. I am willing to lend it out for 1.25 Trillion dollars in gold or lead.

Thanks, good site, connecting people with organic farms then setting up room and board situations. I'm sorry that there's a $40 or $50 membership fee for it, but maybe thats the way of the world.

Nikolai1 mentioned this site- http://www.diggersanddreamers.org.uk/ and asked if there was a similar one for the U.S. I don't know. Nice site though. Links to The Utopia Experiment, Intentional Communities Symposium, New Eurotopia- listing 430 progressive communities across Europe. As well as general Resource guides, directories and Noticeboard. Is there a similar site for the U.S, Canada or elsewhere? Where one can find Communal Living Links and such?