thelerner

I like Adishakti thinking. Its better to model then command. Strangely I've gotten a lot miles out of watching Reality Shows(!?) with my kids. Its true. Super Nanny, Kid Nation, even the Apprentice. We don't just watch them, we talk through them, whats good behavior, whats bad. Human drama is played out and by discussing it we get to know each other better. We hit on subjects that might or might not come up. Frankly I'm more impressed with the power of action then thought. Do things with them, even if its a walk. I'd Iplod w/ my kids; hooking an ipod to two headphones so we can share and pick out different music. Walking w/ a camera and actively looking for shots. If they're young the best present in the world IMO is hand puppets. Its a way to talk to your kid and be silly with them. A great way to hug and attack and play.

Aikido practice will also get you over this fear. Nothing like wearing a long flowing black skirt (I call it Hakama) and grabbing other guys hands and bodies in public to get over homophobia and crossdressitopia Practicing outside is great, when the sun is shining and you're in the right location its very powerful. Remembering the feeling helps you carry it over when you're practicing in a more mundane place. A few days ago I got up early & walked outside to get the newspaper. It was so nice I had to plop down on the lawn, hit the position and meditate. People came and went, a few commented; doesn't matter, then and there was the right time.

Sounds like huge fun, sorry I can't be there. Shades of some of my old acquaintances in the 'Society for Creative Anachronism'. Good Times, good times.

LOL I don't think you can assume all Shamanic traditions operate the same way, have the same beliefs or traditions. IMO they're a hard group to generalize on. What Deci Belle said 'Not if they keep their mouths shut! heehee!!❤' is important. If your strange and showy you can attract negative attention. If you blend in, and do your strange stuff subtlety, you avoid distractions. You can get away dancing naked, covered in mud, but not in the middle of town. Sometimes the only thing that separates the mad man from the holyman is where they chose to practice.

Seems like any hardware store would have long thin wooden rods. Buy 5 or 6; tie or glue the bottom third together, figure out how to put a small round piece somewhere in the middle so the end flares out and wallah. Fast and Cheap. Don't how to keep the separator in the middle but there are probably a number of solutions. A simple ball inside might stay in, maybe just sticking a super ball in the middle would give it some heft and springiness. If they sold bamboo, you could get a thick piece and just make some long notches in it yourself. That might nicely too. Good flailing to you

Seems to me thats just postponing the problem. You end up with 'Turtles, all the way Down!', ie we came from aliens, where did they come from? Other aliens? Same problem different world. Thats not to knock aliens, just to say its the same problem. Hmnn Intelligent Evolution..there is an intelligence to it, Those who reproduce Rule, as long as conditions stay the same them, but they never do. Variety and flexibility in the genetic code make for new successes. We could be part of an alien experiment, but somehow, I don't think they're going to stand up and take credit for us. Seems to me if we're the end game or part of it, they've been incredibly wasteful. my 2 cents

I think this cartoon captures an important point. Good science (even when its not right?!) makes for good models for predicting the future. The theory of Evolution lays out a science where we can understand, track, and sometimes predict how things change. Its not a stretch to say modern farming- animal and vegetable has been based knowingly and unknowingly on it for years. So has much of modern medicine and disease prevention. As a model it works. If its thrown out and ID is taken up, then answers and predictions fall away. We're left with thats the way Gd wanted it. I think that why some are so passionate to defend it. On the other hand, sometimes it takes skeptics to push a theory further and explore its deficiencies.

Maybe. I certainly enjoy the Pangu form which is super simple.

Good stuff. I look forward to reading more and printing it out.

Hmmnn, we say your bitter because that's the way your writing comes off, accusatory and unhappy. I say you're a bit delusional/highly prejudiced because you think (and obsess over the thought) 99.999% of woman are bitches. Tain't true. Though your thinking might make it appear so due to sending out incredibly negative vibes and highly selective memory tricks. I.E any kindness shown by woman is overlooked, all slights found or imagined in real life and on internet are recorded and amplified.

The Tao Bums is good at giving advice, often ad nauseum, but I don't know if you'll find the long term mentor here your looking for. We have some very talented people here (and many less talented ) who can point you in a direction but thats all your likely to get here. The most talented are also often the busiest. You'll probably have to find the fire and will within yourself to move in the direction pointed. There is a Healing section on this site above Discussion, look through it. If you don't get any good answers here try reposting there. I think the Bums is better at giving information and sources then miracles. I see Michael Lomax aka Ya Mu is having a seminar soon on his healing Chi gung method, its very worthwhile. Santiago has an online Skype class that teaches energy work and esoteric meditations that are very good. Both will take some $$ though. Shaktimama has been having free skype lessons on spiritual evolution, you can search here and get on her list. Often instead of the highest look to the lowest. Literally bacteria in good quality yogurt. Don't underestimate the benefit of long sound sleep. Make out some very easy goals, write'em down and cross them out, even if its such mundane things as brushing teeth, eating a healthy lunch, taking a walk in the sun etc. Start small, build up.

It could be a hard path if you're not willing to put in hard work. For example, learn Hindi before you go, get CD's, language programs etc. See if you can spend a few hours a day learning it. If you can't spend two or three months learning the language I don't know if you'll be considered worthy to teach. Being conversant will help you immeasurably if you intend to travel and study. Same goes for a deep knowledge of Yoga. Odds are most Indian masters are yogic, if you can' demonstrate a depth of real and practical knowledge they might not be too accepting. You may need to adjust your attitude also. Traveling the open road you need to be open to all things. Here you tend to lecture and play at being mysterious. Making friends and contacts is the number one most important thing in travel. The only way you'll find the right connection is through others who trust you. To some extent I see that lacking in your conversations here and its vital. Read some good travel literature, one of the best is 'The Gods Drink Whiskey', a great study of an American abroad; its his contacts that allow him to move and learn, whether its from holy men, people down the hall, or at the saloon. Everywhere there are lessons, but being open and friendly opens the door. Your writing here doesn't seem open or friendly. You won't even say what, if any, practices you do. If you're serious about travel, change, be more open, make it your mission to learn to talk to people easily, everywhere. hint Don't wear a watch and ask lots of people for the time, thank them and strike up a conversation. That tactic helped immeasurably in my travels here and abroad. I'm currently reading 'Travels with Charley' by John Steinbeck right now. There is an art to it that flows from listening and humility. Steinbeck captures it beautifully, hiding his identity so he learn about America circa 1962. I digress, good luck what ever you decide to do, but remember Fate favors the prepared. Do your home work and be worthy of those you would study under.

I have a feeling many of these black magic practitioners quickly find evil entities, dark aura's and unknown enemies that are vexing you and can be gotten rid of for a price. Alas such cures only last a little while then other charms and cures and $$ are needed. my 2 cents

Very cool update. I wish there it was longer and there was feedback from the scientists watching. Its good to remember the 'power' displayed was maybe 1/10th of a triple a battery. So its not the ability he shown thats impressive. Its his calm humble demeanor, the fact he's been away (happily) from the public for 2 years in Borneo meditating.

I like walking with my eyes closed. Every 30 40 steps or when I lose my nerve I'll take a quick 'reverse blink'. Note don't try it on busy street. I feel it helps awaken my other senses.

Sure I just had coffee with him . Hmmn is doubting only his holiness a step up or a step down?? Nevermind. Can you sum up in a few sentences what you believe are the Dalai Lama's beliefs and teachings, then sum up the Nazi creeds and beliefs. Take a moment to look at them. Are they similar? Please you've put some effort into this thread. Try to do it honestly. Write down DL's cores beliefs then Nazi's and compare. Please, I've taken the time to watch your 1939 video, spend a few moments on this. Thank You Michael

Good question on who'd be considered a modern sage. I don't think John Stewart fits, but I'll name him anyway. I agree with the frying fish statement. In a dozen organizations I've seen a new person come in, try to shake things up. Inevitably there good intentions create havoc and animosity. Too much, too fast. Change may be needed, but its best when it seems to come organically and not forced, thus the great leader is the one who seems to do nothing, but some how things get done.

Hmmnnn, amazing a video from 1939, when the Dalai Lama was 4!? So..this shows the 4 year old Dalai Lama is a Nazi?? Not really. It shows amazing reaching on your part. I think you're correct and the video shows that Tibet of that era was a pretty primitive place technologically and certainly not world wise. Its isolation has been one of charms and perpetuated its mystery. I assume if any other powerful, heck if any non powerful country with electricity entered it they probably would have gotten a similar greeting, particularly if they gave goodies in advance. Its hard not to be judgmental when you're dealing with foolishness. I don't think the 4 year old mentioned in the film really understood the Nazi's aims or philosophies. I Know this; The Dalai Lama is no Nazi his views are diametrically opposed to Nazi's. The man has written a dozen or more books(edit actually around 72). He's stated his views thousands of times; he's not mystery man, in fact he's very clear spoken. If you can't see that then you don't see things in black and white, you're blind. Sorry for being blunt, I'm not a Buddhist or Tibetan, but the Dalai Lama has earned my respect as a first rate humanitarian, philosopher and teacher. He could be greatly embittered by the brutality he and his nation experienced at the hands of the Chinese but instead preaches and practices forgiveness and tolerance. He's not perfect but he's better then most and to call him a Nazi is patently ridiculous. Its stupid, moronic, illogical, deleted deleted..

It is wise, but wrong is wrong; foolish is foolish. Seems to me you're wrong, Big Time. No question about it in my mind. The Bums is relatively international, with a wide variety of members. We've had threads concerning the DL here in the past some (alright mostly) positive, some negative, but none as darkly irrational as yours with the Nazi comments. You seem to have a remarkably black and white view of the world and make sweeping, often highly prejudiced generalities.

I think we will have to agree to disagree on this one. I think you can make a good argument that old time Tibet was not the pristine wholesome religious place many in the West have idolized it to be. Still IMO you come off a little cracked when you equate the DL with so much evil. Equating him with Nazi's is ludicrous in the extreme. His work and words speak for themselves, they have for decades. If you're right (& I'm guessing no one on this site thinks that) then if someone so bad could do so much good, and have such positive inspiring teachings, then I say Hurray for the Devil, he's doing more good then the saints. One mans opinion

One book huh, I say Blank Journal, use one part diary, another for 'free' writing, copying down what comes to mind, without consciously editing. Ultimately we have all have to write our own book to figure out what we suspect, believe and know. Plus whats worth a damn.

To believe in Science as always correct is to misunderstand the concept and certainly its history. SCIENCE EVOLVES

Me too. For most of its history (though not currently), thriving entrepreneurialism and the communist party were mutually exclusive. The part about almost starving to death under Mao rings true. For millions, probably ten's of millions it wasn't almost though. His policies were murderous and backwards. His Cultural Revolution, what an oxymoron did more to destroy Chinese culture then any invasion ever had. my 2 cents. another few pennies. This is a Taoist board. When the communists took power they destroyed monasteries and imprisoned everyone connected to them. Thousands were killed, more were sent to concentrationlike work camps. Don't expect a whole lot of sympathy here for them. Its ironic at a time when established doctors were having everything taken away from them and sent to subsistence farming your story has the opposite, except both parties were in extreme poverty for a decade or 3, until China stopped being communistic. I think you're right to say Tibet wasn't a Shangri La, but its no excuse for China's shameful conduct.

I'm not in charge of the whole Shabang, The Universe doesn't ask my opinion on these hard cases, but you did, so here's what I got. I'd lean toward the punishment side. Certainly not an eternity or even life time in hell, but evil (mass killing, woman & children) for so called 'righteous' reasons is a very black mark, more so on an evolved soul then someone who doesn't know better. We all have fantasies of Comic book revenge, but real life keeps going after page 22. Its complicated, there are connections seen and unseen. Whether there is a Score keeper or not, 'Do No Harm' is a pretty good default philosophy to live with; there are times we can't, but we'd better give it adequate thought before we launch plans b & c. Doing right doesn't necessarily earn you any special brownie points in this world, but doing evil leads to a slippery slope where more evil is done.

This is a good question. Certainly you can measure length, but depth is harder. Still there are sign posts. For me, as I relax my eyes tear a little, my nose runs a bit. My breathing slows down. I actually have an App (Insight Timer) I set to ring(strike wooden block) every 18 seconds and ring every 5 minutes. It takes me 5 minutes to get to the 36 second breath cycle comfortably. Another 5 til my thoughts calm. From there I cycle between quietude and not. I have other routines, too. Half the time I'll just sit. So, time is easy. Breath cycle is measurable. Even the cycles are somewhat measurable, though don't to hung up on it. Its all about the space between thoughts. How still were you, internally, externally? How you feel afterwards is important. Michael