thelerner

Yet we are more self aware (for better or worse then Lion or lamb) and we're omnivores. We get to choose. And we can choose a path that creates less pain in the world. I'm not a vegetarian, but I highly respect it and think if done right it can be a very healthy path (longer life, less disease) for many people, not all though. I don't think lions kills gratuitously in nature, it hunts to survive and when full it will lie down, or at least share watering holes with the elk. Not because of philosophy but because nature seeks balance. Are we being natural when we eat meat we don't need? Or are we taking advantage of plenitude caused by industrial meat farming that allows us to have cheap burgers on demand.

I don't know if I need that kind of friend. But really, what are the benefits of pulling the boys up? I know fear will do it protecting the jewels in dangerous situations, cold will to keep the reproductive system warm, ejaculation will cause I guess we don't need to do any advertising after the act.

I don't know. I haven't seen any Angry Hungry Gods. Why should a God be hungry anyway?? As always, you keep your gods, I'll keep mine. But I suspect yours is a dark reflection of your psyche influenced by an angry judging teachings, whereas mine is real big and real small who leaves echoes of being in time space and matter.

Our experience and prejudices speak volumes to us. You know what your studies or theological supposings tell me about the next woman I meet?? Nothing. She's an individual. I think we're happier when we stop the labeling, categorizing and theorizing. They just slows us down and filter us from reality.

Some Kung Fu schools (Lama?) have 'kata' routines done at Tai Chi speeds and use heavy muscular tension ala Charles Atlas. I've seen them demonstrated but never done them myself.

From what I've read Mayan Elders who are still alive and kicking have been trying to debunk the calendar myth for years. Hmnnn according to my interpretation of the Western calendar the world ends Dec 31st 2012 at 11:59.

Hmnn, like a spelling bee, you may be disqualified from any learning because you immediately spell pneumonia with an 'n'. In Taoism the best, may well be the lowest. 'The real' may look very ordinary. You're not looking for a Taoist master in LA, but a 'premiere' one. Are you looking for robes and magical abilities..perhaps an immortal? Good luck, but it seems to me that your quest might be in vain until you reframe your mind set.

Thank you Seth. Over and over people create ideas and generalities from foreign religions and too often its done through a key hole approach, where the actual history and tradition is ignored in favor of a preconceived idea. Seems to me SunLover is trying to squeeze Shiva into the mold of an angry old testament god and he won't fit. A god who parties with demons might not be the- sin listening and forgiving archetype he imagines. Shiva didn't kill the tiger because its a primitive or unworthy, quite the opposite its worthy, intelligent and self sacrificing. I'd add the tiger doesn't 'think' its fearsome. Its a tiger; without trying it reacts naturally in a whole spectrum of ways but when hungry, angry or threatened it is fearsome beast.

I agree. We have 100's (1000's?) of thoughts going through our head. Songs get stuck there. We create long involved day dreams. There are times we are highly susceptible and odd things stick in our minds for decades. If its a positive thing maybe you can trace it out, but if negative, I think we should 'Move on, nothing to see here folks'. The best mind is a quiet one, though as we approach it, random thoughts are amplified because they're happening in quieter environment.

I like this perspective, very large, seeing the whole and its dynamic. It also leaves room for our responsibility and what we can do versus dwelling on one aspect of doom gloom and advising everyone should give up everything (but not me, not til everyone else does).

Too rational can be unhealthy for your psyche! Without giving up too much intellectual ground, I think faith can add spice and hope to life. Plus it may be more mysterious out there then we realize.

Thanks for bringing this up. I've tried and failed wasn't successful last year. A couple people in my writers group do it. I think one finished on time, a few finished late. There is quite a bit of support in the Chicagoland area with lots of 'write ins' planned in coffee shops and University libraries.

Hmmnn, let cut to the chase, I'll ask here and p.m him. SunLover, you've been part of our community for quite a while. People here care about you and are interested in your health and plans. Are you planning to do anything actively as part of your belief in December judgement? Or do you plan to wait and let the Universe decide how its going to go. Please let us know. Yours Michael

Are there going to be recipes this time?

How many people are vegetarian in the world? Millions? Tens of millions. Only Google knows the answer. Answers He's given: Hmnn, couple of different answers. I see the number 400 million quite a bit. Interesting this piece which broke it down by country said: "India holds more vegetarians than the rest of the world combined. A 2006 survey by the Hindu newspaper (5) found that 40 percent of the population, or 399 million people, are vegetarians." The problem is people have different definitions and people themselves change. But its clear the number is in 100's of millions. We can thrive as vegetarians and while I think its a morally superior way to eat, it doesn't follow that veggies are more moral then others..cause there's a lot more to morality then what you put in your mouth. I don't 'believe' in the New Testament and think the Matthew quote was written with the thought 'the kingdom of heaven' ie Armageddon was going to happen very soon, ie a paragraphs later someone says hold up I've got to bury my father, the holy reply is 'Don't bother'. When death is eminent its good to get your house in order, but to live a life where thoughts themselves are considered evil and damning is to either live a strictly monastic life or be a hypocrite. While I can admire a monks life, I think the majority should find happiness in and of the world.

Life Is HELL. I don't think thats a Taoist view, it might be closer to some interpretations of Buddhism which interpret suffering as mans condition. But I think its an improper interpretation of Buddhism, in that its somewhat there but being in a different language the accent and exact meaning is not exact. Buddha and Buddhism can be pretty life and reality affirming. Similarly you can throw Christianity into the same Life is Hell pot, but even that would be putting imo the wrong slant on it. The dichotomy isn't just in religion maybe individuals have to choose between Life is Hell and- not so much Life is Heaven, but life can be good or bad, or lots of both.

Seems a pretty foolish statement. If you truly believe that then I wonder just how chummy you are with murderers? Do you eat with them? Are they your friends? If someone kills off your mom and dad are they really as bad as the kid eating a chicken mcnugget? If you truly can't distinguish ethical levels you're going to be very unhappy in this world. And I agree with Baiqi for shooting down the nonsensical argument of plants onpar with with animals as far as feelings thoughts and brains stems . Thats not to say we shouldn't respect plants but lets not move too far from biological reality and anthropomorph them because some joker once wrote a fictional book on it in the 70's. On the third hand I think being a vegetarian morally superior because it tends to cause less pain in the world. I also prefer paper to plastic, but there are times I end up with plastic bags. While I had a nice vegetarian breakfast at lunch I had one small piece of tandoori chicken then lots of great Indian spiced veggies.. and it was all delicious. P.S. I still have suspicions that SunLover/Tulku is a genius psychology professor who creates these posts to show them to his grad students. Pointing out the Pavlovian flow of reactionary counter arguments that show up from it.

There are a number of great teachers a thousand miles from you but so what. Even if they have videos & books its still a very limited path. I think you have to look hard at whats available near you, within an hour or so. I admire your want for a holistic art that hits meditation, martial arts, energy cultivation etc., but I think true growth is going to take a live teacher. Look with an open mind and while you may not find a world famous master, you'll find an excellent teacher (who may teach at a community center) who'll set you on a path.

Can't help thinking this might be a little bit high. The advice might be what you need live peacefully, ie surrender to the situation.If not.. Whether or not there is someone 'up there' with a score card, imo the best use of karma is to see how our actions have affected the situation. What have you done, and are you doing that is responsible for the vicious cycle(s) with your Mom? As kids get older the one way giving relationship between parent to child gets old. List the things she does for you, start with the things worth thousands ike giving you a place to stay, then work down to things hundreds etc., Then list what you give her, and/or what you do to make her happy.

I was thinking about change after reading a post from ET-Thought-: "Once a liar, always a liar. Once a murderer, always a murderer. When does a liar cease to be a liar... never! " This seems more then a little harsh. In the stresses of modern day life people do wrong; react with greed, selfishness and fear. I don't think they're irredeemable. I like to think there's hope for most people and to judge too permanently is to risk hypocrisy. Life can be a windy twisty road taking us to some strange places and down some nasty ravines. Do we change and evolve?

Nice blog, inspiring.

Being fully engaged, is a piece of it. When we're really playing we're all there; at work, we often wish we were somewhere else. Beyond full concentration there's a light heartedness to it. A feeling this is good, this all I need, I could be here forever, though thinking and analysis may break the spell.

What we want counts for little. What we do, how much we practice..is what counts. (apologies to The Secret, I'll put my money on the person who's working towards a goal not the one who's sitting and wishing real hard.) More_Pie theists could grasp what you're talking about and think just like you; The other is clueless and on the wrong path. Not much difference at all.

Imo 'powers' are best left to comic books. Until you seem people in robes flying around and having 200th birthdays its may be best to leave the idea of super powers by the way side. Instead spend a few years building a solid discipline, consistent every day. Build up concentration and a clear mind, find a system you connect with, where you hopefully have access to a live experienced teacher roll up your sleeves and do it. After you have a solid platform by all means look for the great teachers and masters, there are some out there, but don't expect them to waste time on a starry eyed nube. The masters got that way through decades of practice and probably have little patience for those who haven't put in the time and are looking for short cut secret formulas. Paths like Mo Pai seem to have pre requisites of 4 hours plus practice a day at the beginning, then get harder. But I believe deep wisdom, certain siddhis and enlightenment are possible in this life time. But paradoxically you move in there direction but don't grasp for them, cause when you do they move away.

Then We are a nasty idiot. The 30 day mentorship is about sharing with another a skill that you've honed for several years. In reality a teacher, and we have a few here, are paid to teach. We are.. amateurs.. in some cases amazingly talented ones who've worked long and hard in an area most don't know exists. Good judgement, common sense and perhaps reality checks are required for both parties. If you can gain one insight, begin to learn one aspect of a new practice, made a friend of a fellow traveler on the esoteric path then you've both succeeded.