thelerner

James Clear who wrote the book The Power of Habits sends me quotes every now and then. I liked this one. E.O. Wilson, a sociobiologist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author: “The real problem of humanity is the following: we have paleolithic emotions; medieval institutions; and god-like technology. Source: An Intellectual Entente An Indian proverb on kindness and mortality: "Never postpone a good deed which you can do now, because death does not choose whether you have or haven’t done the things you should have done. Death waits for nobody and nothing. It has neither enemies, nor friends."

amazing. what happens if they play a different song? -kidding- can't help thinking there's lessons in those motions for us.

and thank you ilumairen, because I'm a little wiser having learned about Tsok. Finding a very nice story. Like all things it links to recent experience. from Brief Teaching on the Practice of Tsok By Lama Tharchin Rinpoche I have one story. A few years ago, we had a visitor from Europe who came to a tsok. He was very “professional” looking, dressed up like a yogi, with a topknot, wearing a meditation belt. When I first saw him I thought, “Wow, a real yogi came today!” Then we all did tsok together. I kept looking at his face, but it was very tight, lots of muscles very tense. At the end of the tsok offering, he came up to me and said, “Do you consider yourself a Buddhist?” I said, “Yeah, kind of.” He said, “What are you thinking, eating meat and drinking wine?! Not only that, but you put them on the shrine! How can you fit that into Buddhist philosophy?” He was really seriously uptight! I felt that if I answered his question, it wouldn’t really penetrate, so I simply said, “Yeah, we’re bad Buddhists gathering here.” Then Khenpo Orgyen Thinley Rinpoché, who was new here at the time and didn’t speak much English, asked what was said. When I told him, he said, “That’s a really good answer! No more argument.” also "..This body of ours is actually the mandala of deities. According to the Vajrayana view, all phenomena are the deity. Countless dakinis already exist in our own bodies. When scientists look into the body with their powerful microscopes, they see innumerable tiny bugs. Tantric practitioners see immeasurable deities and dakinis. We are feeding all of these deities with the inexhaustible wisdom nectar of the symbolic tsok substances. We can actually satisfy all deities with these physical bodies of ours. That’s an incredibly powerful practice. Understanding that nature, integrated with knowledge, faith, and devotion, merges all wisdom energies, mingling them in oneness." Not one of my practices but I can learn from it when doing my own brachas.

We all feel that way sometimes. often after reading the newspaper. To me, (practical) Daoism is about blending in with our environment. Syncing with it. Whether urban, mountain or forest. Living skillfully with it and the seasons with simplicity and intelligence. If thats not possible finding another place.

Hit it -->

So.. your not self awareness enough to answer my question. Thought so.

eyup, he was too good for this world and this forum. He will be sorely missed until we get another master who comes here to exalt themselves and save us.

I see you as a young guy. Smart enough to disguise there depression and angst as 'Matrix is real' philosophy. Which has been done for ages, though before sci fy it was Mara. Maybe I post too much but part of that is to lead an examined life. How to make it better, exploring ideas. Figuring out what works.. leaving bread crumbs for myself. You dismiss my posts angrily without answering the question 'How do you think you get out of hell?' Its an important question that you shouldn't ignore. As a kid, maybe between 5 to 7 there was a period where I considered I was the only one in existence and the powers that be were watching my moves. Some variation of that is probably not too uncommon. Maybe even more so with the generation after the Matrix. As an adult how I've melded that into my life is one section of my blog. Life as Dream section. Which explored the Dream author Moss's theme of taking dreams more seriously, and life less seriously or rather see life from a dream perspective, ie looking at life more symbolically. Seeking out synchronicities. Getting a little more shamanic with life, looking for the messages the universe is giving you. Not the extreme of 'its all illusion' but looking closely and thinking how external things can be sending you messages. Its a practice not only shamanic but probably religious people do more.. the looking for signs. I'm not to active with that concept anymore but its a good practice. Might create a good midpoint between Matrix thinking and reality.

I'll go for a triple, why not, don't cost nothin. I did get the Matrix idea, but was working on the 'World is awful' section. Which I believe will affect your 'reality' more then the 'I'm living in the Matrix and the controller is sadistic'. From that point of view you quickly get stuck in angry wallow mode. The more control you have over your life (not the world) the better the chances of improving it. Its not the red pill you needs its taking proper action. I get that your family was unsatisfactory. Forgive them, or move on, is a step in the right direction. Concentrate on your locus of control, not the world. The forefather of the Matrix meme was existentialism, generally they didn't lead happy lives. As reality proves itself relentless people accept it and work on themselves. The most important question to you is: Can you think of a way to get yourself out of hell? personally, trying to be a good person, helping friends & family, taking time to smell the flowers, making a good living has been my way.

Seems like a Pelican but she thought A Pelicant

No, I get your point**. I just disagree with it. sorry, your dead and in hell. If you think it requires the actions of other people to get you out, then you'll probably stay the way you are. Do you think there's anyway for you to make yourself alive and not in hell? **note I raised 3 teenagers and was once one myself. I know angst, existential depression and anger.

No, but one day we will be. Depends where you put your focus. In the West, it may be dull, the getting up, going to work stuff but hopefully we have friends and family at the end of the day. Hopefully our bodies are working alright, we're fed, clothed and sleeping in a warm place, with excellent chances the same will happen tomorrow and next week. Thats not hell, thats something to appreciate. Cause there's many who don't have that. Imo, there's more good then bad. I think most people are good, though bad ones can do a whole lot of harm. Living in massive communities creates indifference. Much has to do with where you focus. The reality is a mix. We have a responsibility to do some good, and grousing about the bad and evil, doesn't cook the rice. Here's a Zen fable. A samurai sees Zen master and asks him 'What is hell?' The Zen master looks at him and says 'You are a stupid unkempt Samurai' The samurai's face turns angry, he raises his sword and steps toward. The Zen master faces the samurai gestures towards him and says 'That is hell' Samurai sheathes his sword and bows.

If they're our enemies then they're pretty powerless. We humans tend to screw each other and ourselves the worst. No supernatural causes needed. I've met people who say they've talked to Gods. Maybe they have, I don't know. From there experiences I don't think such beings stoop down to talk with us, rather we have to meet them, at least halfway. And that takes work and faith and grace. Maybe a fair amount of luck too. While such higher beings can bring wisdom and insights, I don't think they solve a persons problems. Matter of fact, such communication can create a few new ones.

A nation needs boarders. And rules for immigration, citizenship and entry. Compassion's needed too. We are a nation of immigrants, and a nation of hypocrites. Immigrants (legal and illegal) pick our food, mow our lawns, build our buildings, take care of our elderly. We need them, for there work and there future taxes.. and there vitality; they tend to be better at the American dream, then the average American. So I'm willing to be a hypocrite to make illegal immigration hard, but not impossible or deadly.. Build fencing, but also allow in more legal immigrants, perhaps a new tier of short term status. Create a computer check in/probation program; saying where you are, what you're doing. For those doing well, a path to citizenship. For those not.. short term is short term. A real solution has to holistic. Covering what they need and what we need. Intelligence and compassion. Imperfect but not mass criminalizing. Part of that may be economic partnerships. Government and Business seeing what can be grown and built better over there. How those profits can be used and expanded to create better conditions so there's less need to risk everything to come to the U.S. Hard but worthwhile. We are too wealthy and need to be too good to allow our neighbors to live in hopeless dystopia. For there sake and ours. It won't happen overnight, it won't be perfect, but a long term plan can be made, without vilification or too much injustice and we can find a sweet spot where the most people will benefit.

I think most people get that tingly, legs falling asleep when they do sitting meditation, especially in lotus or half lotus. Bit more unusual for it to be happening while laying down. Perhaps a little stretching and light movement before hand could help. Time helps. You know what helps me keep it at bay longer, a trick I learned in Stillness Movement meditation- doing a rocking motion while I meditate. A slight bob from the waist will allow me to sit longer. That's after decades of trying to be still, I enjoy a slight bobbing. For sitting its good to prop up the butt a few inches with firm pillow. In one room I have a yoga mat rolled up tight and sit on that. For beginners its not so bad to lean against a wall a bit, but try to keep a straight back. Imo, for just sitting you don't need a whole lotta books and theory, no worries about life force.. just sit, quietly. No worries, let thoughts settle.. what should happen will. Course as I guy I need gadgets & apps but most could and should live without them.

Shared Meditation Journal- for encouragement and fellowship. Write about your meditation. What you did, how it felt, preparation.. cool down, time spent or However you'd like to journal it. Not looking for much discussion or critiquing on the thread, certainly no critical comments. Just people sharing there experience.

Yesterday I had a so so session. Set a timer for 30 minutes. Did my usual meditation, starting with concentration/breathing center of head, then down and circular from head to hara, then heart to hara, then just at hara then breathing silently, lastly letting it all go, just sitting there. It felt fine, but I ended it after 23 minutes. I thought the time was up. Sometimes 30 minutes feels short, often I've timed it perfectly but yesterday it was short. Maybe that agitation stayed w/ me cause I didn't sleep well last night. Why? either late night Sudoku (level 4) keeping me up or I wanted it too bad. Set up a self awareness loop I couldn't break out of.

If one feels as you do, with that set of preconceptions then yes. If one doesn't have those preconceptions then.. its a different truth. Not necessarily a selfish act that drains energy and creates multiple energetic bonds. Its possible to feel very good afterwards. As well as be virtuous as virgin, imo. I'm in the middle, ie be careful in choice and behavior. There are crazies and emotional bonds and STDs out there. There's also a life affirming warmth and fire that's part of our heritage. We were made to couple.

Funny how sillier threads can get the nastiest. maybe sillier isn't the right word.. maybe speculative-ish-er.. abstract..

Good question. I don't have an answer but such things influence two of my practices. When doing Yoga Nidra you often begin by by thinking of a wholesome desire. Set it and forget it, then the practice of 'mind awake, body asleep' begins. Maybe the desire percolates in your subconscious. Another practice is chanting in the shower. A kotodama, sacred sounds, particularly a canticle from Rawn Clarks Hermetic tradition, with long vowels and various imagery internal and external. The vibrations give the practice a more.. real feel. I don't know if one is better then the other. Both are valuable to me.

Me Dos. Love to see her back.

Brock Silvers book The Taoist Manual: An Illustrated Guide Applying Taoism to Daily Life Kindle Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BVX00W2/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 Had an indepth section on altars. He writes from a traditional Taoist religious point of view and has mostly scorn for modern new agey books. For $5, the Kindle version might prove valuable. from the Amazon site- "There is definitely room and necessity for a volume such as this, as it introduces the practical, religious aspects of Daoism to a broader American audience. I think it will make an important contribution to the better understanding of Daoism in the U.S. and help both scholars and practitioners alike." --Livia Kohn, Boston University

I grow a garden because i cannot grow a world. its enough right now there's a young cardinal in the bush outside my window. Fat and bright red, snow above and below him. I wish I could give him some seeds, but any movement and he would fly away.

flying in lucid dreams is a skill I wish I had. ones thats attainable too. one day night. learning to pilot an ultralight is another dream. probably easier, just $$ and time

Obviously they only show the ones who've mastered the whole art- the up And Down parts. Early on they didn't teach the down movement first. They musta lost 8, 10 practitioners. Up, up and away, never seen again. Tragedy.. and why they're only allowed to hop these days.