thelerner

Taken from Otantra.net by Osho Yoda you spend time standing, sitting, staring, here's something for on your back IN SUMMER WHEN YOU SEE THE ENTIRE SKY ENDLESSLY CLEAR, ENTER SUCH CLARITY. Meditate on the sky; a summer sky with no clouds, endlessly empty and clear, nothing moving in it, in its total virginity. Contemplate on it, meditate on it, and enter this clarity. Become this clarity, this space-like clarity. If you meditate on open unclouded sky, suddenly you will feel that the mind is disappearing, the mind is dropping away. There will be gaps. Suddenly you will become aware that it is as if the clear sky has entered in you also. There will be intervals. For a time being, thoughts will cease -- as if the traffic has ceased and there is no one moving. In the beginning it will be only for moments, but even those moments are transforming. By and by the mind will slow down, bigger gaps will appear. For minutes together there will be no thought, no cloud. And when there IS no thought, no cloud, the outer sky and the inner become one, because only the thought is the barrier, only the thought creates the wall; only because of the thought the outer is outer and the inner is inner. When the thought is not there, the outer and the inner lose their boundaries, they become one. Really, boundaries never existed there. They appeared only because of the thought, the barrier. To meditate on the sky is beautiful. Just lie down so you forget the earth; just lie down on your back on any lonely beach, on any ground, and just look at the sky. But a clear sky will be helpful -- unclouded, endless. And just looking, staring at the sky, feel the clarity of it -- the uncloudedness, the boundless expanse -- and then enter that clarity, become one with it. Feel as if you have become the sky, the space. In the beginning, if you only meditate on the open sky, not doing anything else, intervals will start appearing, because whatsoever you see enters you. Whatsoever you see stirs you within; whatsoever you see is pictured, reflected. You see a building. You cannot simply see it; something immediately starts happening within you. You see a man, a woman; you see a car -- you see anything. It is not just outside, something has started within, the reflection, and you have started reacting to it. So everything you see moulds you, makes you, modifies you, creates you. The without is constantly related with the within. To look into the open sky is good. Just the expanse is beautiful, with no boundaries there. Your own boundaries will disappear, because the no-boundary sky will reflect within you. And if you can stare without blinking your eyes it will be good. If you stare without blinking your eyes... because if you blink your eyes your thought-process will continue. Stare without blinking the eyes. Stare in the emptiness, move into that emptiness, feel that you have become one with it, and any moment the sky will enter within you. First you enter into the sky and then the sky enters you. And there is a meeting: the inner sky meeting the outer sky. In that meeting is realization. In that meeting there is no mind, because the meeting can happen only when the mind is not there. In that meeting you are for the first time not your mind. There is no confusion. Confusion cannot exist without the mind. There is no misery, because misery also cannot exist without the mind. Have you observed this fact anytime or not -- that misery cannot exist without your mind? You cannot be miserable without your mind. The very source is not there. Who will supply you with this misery? Who will make you miserable? And the same is true from the opposite direction also: you cannot be miserable without your mind and you cannot be blissful with your mind. The mind can never be the source of bliss. So if the inner and outer sky meet and mind disappears, even for a moment, you will be filled with a new life. The quality of that life is absolutely different. It is life eternal, uncontaminated by death, uncontaminated by any fear. In that meeting you will be here and now, in the present -- because past belongs to thoughts, future belongs to thoughts. Past and future are part of your mind. Present is existence -- it is not part of your mind. This moment doesn't belong to your mind. The moment that has gone belongs; the moment that has to come belongs to your mind. This moment never belongs to you. Rather, you belong to this moment. You exist here, right now here. Your mind exists somewhere else, always somewhere else. Unload yourself. I was reading one Sufi mystic. He was travelling on a lonely path, the way was deserted, and he saw a farmer with his bullock-cart. The cart was stuck in mud. The road was rough. The farmer was carrying a big load of apples in his bullock-cart, but somewhere on the rough road the tailboard of the wagon became unfastened and the apples were scattered. But he was not aware of it; the farmer was not aware of it. When the cart got stuck in the mud, first he tried to bring it out somehow, but all efforts were in vain, so he thought, `Now I must unload my cart, then maybe I can pull it out.' He looked back. Hardly a dozen apples were left -- the load was already unloaded. You can feel his misery. The Sufi reports in his memoirs that that exasperated farmer made a remark. He said, `Stuck, by heck! Stuck! -- and not a damn thing to unload!' The only possibility was that if he could unload the cart it could come out; but now -- nothing to unload! Fortunately you are not stuck in such a way. You can unload -- your cart is too much loaded. You can unload the mind, and the moment the mind is not there, you fly; you become capable of flying. This technique -- to look into the clarity of the sky and to become one with it -- is one of the most practised. Many traditions have used this. And particularly for the modern mind it will be very useful, because on earth nothing is left. On earth nothing is left to meditate on -- only the sky. If you look all around, everything is man-made, everything is limited, with a boundary, a limitation. Only the sky is still, fortunately, open to meditate on. Try this technique, it will be helpful, but remember three things. One: don't blink -- stare. Even if your eyes start to feel pain and tears come down, don't be worried. Even those tears will be a part of unloading; they will be helpful. Those tears will make your eyes more innocent and fresh -- bathed. You just go on staring. The second point: don't think about the sky, remember. You can start thinking about the sky. You can remember many poems, beautiful poems about the sky -- then you will miss the point. You are not to think `about' it -- you are to enter it, you are to be one with it -- because if you start thinking about it, again a barrier is created. You are missing the sky again, and you are again enclosed in your own mind. Don't think about the sky. Be the sky. Just stare and move into the sky, and allow the sky to move in you. If you move into the sky, the sky will move into you immediately. How can you do it? How will you do it -- this moving into the sky? Just go on staring further away and further away. Go on staring -- as if you are trying to find the boundary. Move deep. Move as much as you can. That very movement will break the barrier. And this method should be practised for at least forty minutes; less than that will not do, will not be of much help. When you really feel that you have become one, then you can close the eyes. When the sky has entered in you, you can close the eyes. You will be able to see it within also. Then there is no need. So only after forty minutes, when you feel that the oneness has happened and there is a communion and you have become part of it and the mind is no more, close the eyes and remain in the sky within. Simple, natural, I'll have to try this one Peace Michael

Happy Bday from all of us

This is more a recipe note. Few things are as fast, healthy and easy to make as a good Hummus. Into a blender put: drained can of chick peas(garbanzo), olive oil, bit of salt and what ever you have on hand. I drop in carrots, bit of lettuce!, garlic, dried tomatoes, salsa, tahini .. anything you have around the kitchen. Blend on low speed. If its not blending add more liquid, salsa, oil even water. Peace Michael

I use the Jack Lalanne. Its opening is large enough to take in a small apple w/out cutting. I drop in the suckers seeds and all. So far it works. Only gripe is it takes longer to clean then to juice. But that is probably pretty common. Peace Michael

Peter keep checking the <People Now in Chat Room> while you are online. You are online now, and missed a great conversation w/ MatthewQi. Your perspective is always welcome and live conversation kicks it up a notch. Peace Michael

Einstein spent his last 20 years searching for TOE, the Theory of Everything, why don't we spend some time working on POE, the Practice of Everything, or Practice of Enlightenment. Lets try to do it democratically, come up things that most could agree on. I'd also rather keep it light on philosopny and heavier on practice. I'd also like people to be conscious that a beginners way is different then an intermediates and advanced. I'd like posts to keep that in mind. Light on philosopny but some has to enter in. For example; are we in latter heaven a multitude of opportunities for happeness and enlighenment or is a world of illusion and suffering. I like the idea of latter heaven. The root of most suffering is the ego screaming for things to be some Other way, when really its pretty good here. Ofcourse there no denying we're physical beings and that physical pain and deprivation can be a bitch. On the practice side, I'd say the near term goal is a trinity of quiet mind, superior health and contentment. For a beginner what should they do? Peace Michael

Confession, I haven't done it. I tell/yell/plead at my kids daily to try a fruit/vegetable/noncandy saying It won't kill you its good for you. I assume I'll try urine one of these days. But the will is weak, particularly in the morning. But spring is here, a time for new beginnings. Things I've learned. Urine is distilled, in that there is no bad bacteria in it. It probably is good for us. Its interesting that the ancient Indian advice is in line w/ Michael Winn's technique of not drinking the first or last third. A technique he used while fasting in taoist caves. A 'purist' like Ron drinks it straight and swears by it. There are books on it. I paged through one a few years ago. It is a bizarre practice. But it is a long life and there should be time to try and evaluate everything. Peace Michael

Lets think about 24 minutes in the morning for a beginner. Kinda symbolic, one minute for every hour of the day. I'd say a few minutes of vigorous shaking, starting with vigorous wrist turns until the whole body shakes and the back of the heels pound lightly and naturally. This is a great practice to relax the body, open the joints and create a good vibrational state Then 15 or 20 minutes of ocean breathing, standing w/ hands 'cupping' the hara and as you breath in, the hands move to the side. Expanding as if you were in waist deep water a wave comes and makes your hand float effortlessly up and to your side. Then as the 'wave' recedes your hand go back to hara w/ the feeling of an ocean wave going infinately inside, til you breath out again and repeat. Peace Michael

Be young w/ an old soul. Happy Bday Michael

I've been getting more into my juicer. Nothing to fancy. A carrot juice here or there w/ the some other herb added. My favorate is probably a small granny smith apple and piece of ginger. I juicem then put'em over ice and seltzer w/ a few drops of vanilla and a sprinkle of nutmeg on top. Its a fantastic homemade gingerale. Peace Michael I want to work on a good home brew rootbeer this summer. Probably Sassparilla bark and root, licorice, wintermint and burdock in brandy for two weeks, mix w/ some honey and try it over seltzer water.

Matthew, I see you take Nexium. You know the company that makes Nexium also makes OTC Prilosec. They are very similar drugs, they work the same way and are chemically very close. I think they also did a Claritin to Claritex switch when that patent came due. From what I heard, when the patent on Prilosec was up, they made it Over The Counter and came out w/ heavily marketed Nexium. Cost difference $18 a month vs $100+. Effectiveness difference, neglible. Try Prilosec, like Nexium it should be taken every day. From what a doctor has told me it can be used every day. I find it works just as well at a fifth the cost. Google it to double check, but its worked well for me and others. Peace Michael

Our fame spreads

I took Shotokan Karate for few years, Taekwondo for a few years, and Aikido for 13 years. I find the teacher is more important then the particular martial art. Don't have preconceived notions. Take a look at the martial art schools closest to your house. See several classes of each one, try to see beginner and advance classes. Don't be overly impressed by flash, hype or high kicks. Long term contracts are also a bad sign. Are the senior students talented and sincere? Peace Michael

I'm like Spyrelix, I know whole grains are better, and try to get them when available but basically I'm a Grainivore. Peas Michael Probably healthier to keep even healthy grains to a miniumum and mostly do fruits and veggies and chocolate

Tenqzake, you are describing my old Sensei's use of 'old fashioned' Kiatsu. I've been hit many times and it never felt as painful as his Kiatsu sessions ;0 . Part of it had to be some sort of endorphin release after he was done. Again he was old school, its since lightened up a good deal. Ron recommended a pressure point book that looked quite good. I'm fine, but I regularly use some of Anne Wises Healing Guided Meditations. I don't know how effective they are, but they feel really good. Peace Michael

I'm glad you started this post. It is remarkable that we talk so little about Healing, in both theory in practice. The laying on of hands crosses wide swaths of culture. In Ki-Aikido, we had Kiatsu, which as I understand has evolved from hard finger pressure (painful) along muscle lines, to a lighter energy touch. I find it interesting in Qaballic healing it is important that the healer does not intend to heal. He is just there, laying on hands with no intent. Hmmn, getting out of there ego's way? or more of a thy will and power not my own? Peace Michael

Chat room rocked. It was great to hear live from so many people. When it get real busy I wonder if other 'Rooms" are available. One way to slow things down might be to ask a question and let the person know that you will spend a few minutes listening. Agree to give someone the 'floor' for some depth. Not always but sometimes. Give the shy and slow typists a break. Having different colors also makes it easier to trace voices when the room is full. Yawn ]Peace Michael More then anything this is what the Taoist world needs HT & Bums

There is one song, Communion With Sun, on the RA album by Utopia. Yoda, you really should listen to it, I think it would be your bag. Peace Michael

Excellent I got to talk today at 9:35 to the mellow and advanced MattthewQi. Its nice to chat live. It would be even better to have more of you lugs on board. I don't know if I;ll be able to make this Sundays 1:00 Pacific meeting. Probably not, I think 1 pacific is 11 a.m when my wife and I work out. One helpful hint. Be willing to type, 'go on I'll listen for a while'. This gives people the chance to communicate ideas beyond one liners. I highly recommend using it in any electronic conversation. Peace Michael

That is so simple. Sleep outside, watch the stars, be close to the Earth. Simple, deep and natural, as soon as it warms up, I'll have to try it. Peace Michael

You are all worthless and weak. This is day 3 where I have patiently waited. Typing nonsense to myself and no one was on the Live Chat. When I entered at 9:30 central time, ah Matthew Qi was there. I could even see a Private message from him asking me to chat. But I typed and tried to private message him back. No use. He didn't respond. Another 25 minutes spent mulling around watching the blank screen. I assume Matthew couldn't see my typing. Does Live Chat work. Do I care anymore. The answer to these and other questions will be asked in the future. Peas Michael

I have her Fusion I, two CD tape. There are 4 guided meditations on it, each about 26 minutes. Some of them are Paqua oriented, ie see the 4 paqua diamond spinning. Collecting the different energies into the center. In that way, I think she is more Winn oriented (I havent studied Chia's Fusion). I find the paqua visualizations to be difficult. But they get easier as you work with them. Some of the Fusion routines feel like deep psychoanalysis. To me they're the best taoist deal imagineable. The biggest bang for the buck I've gotten. Peace Michael Minke's Tao Basics CD is still my all time favorite. I have 3 of her breathing CD's. My favorite on there is Circular breathing.

People try to get online to chat at 9:30 central time or come up w/ a better time period. Also keep your eye on your New Messages(top right). If you see other people are online, Private Message them and go to Chat. When you're on Chat stay on for a few minutes so you don't end up being Chatters passing in the nite. Peas Michael