thelerner

pretty much everything I write is my perception you realize this is your perception? you should go outsi.. never mind.. your invested in this thread, fine, keep it up its going great. and Nungali, posting 6 times in a row.. seems.. overkill.. just my perception.. clap clap out..

Motion to close the frickin thread. People had there say. Then it got stupid, then it got nasty. All its doing now is generating bad will.

Amazing that Asheville got to be a hot spot of western Daoism.

Its easy to make assumptions. Still, odds are they were far more shamanic. Living closer to nature, they knew the earth, sky and seasons much more intimately then we do. They followed a much more animistic path, seeing all things as living, oft with gods that ruled over them. Dance as prayer, group dance was probably the norm. From aborigines you can easily see how that flows trance dances. The shamans spent there lives searching out and connecting to spirits.

South: The Endurance Expedition by Shackleton is number two on The Art of Manliness 50 Best non-fiction adventure books to read. Number one is Through the Brazilian Wilderness by Man of action- Theodore Roosevelt. Gives a nice description of each book. Yet 4 British Mums I linked to in a video OP, crossing the Atlantic in a small row boat, facing a hurricane, losing their electric water purifier.. is a feat imo, of bravery, guts and will that is just as inspiring, perhaps more so because they're not manly men doing it for God Country & Survival, they were middle aged regular people who set a long hard dangerous goal and never gave up til it was done. https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/50-non-fiction-adventure-books/ The Art of Manliness 50 Non-fiction Adventure Books 1. Through the Brazilian Wilderness by Theodore Roosevelt 2. South: The Endurance Expedition by Ernest Shackleton 3. Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer 4. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer 5. Wind, Sand, and Stars by Antoine de Saint‐Exupery 6. The Journals of Lewis and Clark by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark 7. Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose 8. Farther Than Any Man: The Rise and Fall of Captain James Cook by Martin Dugard 9. Death in the Long Grass by Peter Hathaway Capstick 10. The Man Eaters of Tsavo by Colonel Henry Patterson 11. The Four Voyages: Being His Own Log‐Book, Letters and Dispatches with Connecting Narratives by Christopher Columbus 12. Arabian Sands by Wilfred Thesiger 13. The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons by John Wesley Powell 14. High Adventure by Edmund Hillary 15. Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Journey by Alfred Lansing 16. Jungle: A Harrowing True Story of Survival by Yossi Ghinsberg 17. Touching the Void by Joe Simpson 18. Into the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick 19. Alive by Piers Paul Read 20. Skeletons on the Zahara by Dean King 21. Over the Edge of the World: Magellan’s Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe by Laurence Bergreen 22. The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann 23. Adrift: Seventy Six Days Lost At Sea by Steven Callahan 24. The Marsh Arabs by Wilfred Thesiger 25. Kon‐Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl 26. The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger 27. In Harm’s Way: The Sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors by Doug Stanton 28. The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry‐Garrard 29. High Exposure: An Enduring Passion for Everest and Unforgiving Places by David Breashears 30. The Travels of Marco Polo by Marco Polo 31. Annapurna by Maurice Herzog 32. Between a Rock and a Hard Place By Aron Ralston 33. K2: The Savage Mountain by Charles S Houston & Robert H. Bates 34. The Darkest Jungle: The True Story of the Darien Expedition and America's Ill‐Fated Race to Connect the Seas by Todd Balf 35. The Race for Timbuktu: In Search of Africa’s City of Gold by Frank Kryza 36. Cabeza de Vaca's Adventures in the Unknown Interior of America by Alvar de Vaca 37. True North: Peary, Cook, and the Race to the Pole by Bruce Henderson 38. Touching My Father's Soul: A Sherpa's Journey to the Top of Everest by Norgay 39. A Man On the Moon: Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts by Andrew Chaikin 40. Mawson's Will: The Greatest Polar Survival Story Ever Written by Lennard Bickel 41. The Vinland Sagas: The Norse Discovery of America by Anonymous 42. My Life as an Explorer by Sven Hedin 43. Of Whales and Men by R. B Robertson 44. The Kid Who Climbed Everest by Bear Grylls 45. The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain 46. Trespassers on the Roof of the World by Peter Hopkirk 47. On Horseback Through Asia Minor by Frederick Burnaby 48. The Man Eaters of Kumaon by Jim Corbett 49. Brazilian Adventure by Peter Fleming 50. Into Africa: The Epic Adventures of Stanley and Livingstone by Dugard

Talisker Whisky has an amazing race. Rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic. Small boats by definition. An amazing feat. They had 28 entries. I was reading about 3 brothers who finished in 30 days 9 hours, a new world record for a 3some. There's a short 5 minute film on the site that is inspiring to watch= https://www.taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge.com/ I'm inspired to grab a glass of Talisker whisky, drink to the brave hardy sailors and.. uhmn, well thats about it at the moment. isn't that sad, cause I see one boat is the Granddads of the Atlantic; which I believe are grandfathers who made it. Here's 4 middle aged mums who did it- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwVrYWHjqLI Watching the 44 minute video now. The ladies were making good time, hoping to finish in 40 days, until Hurricane Alex hits. Doing -4 to 5 knots per hour, there attempt to outrun the storm is.. impractical. They finished in 67 days 4 hours! Many facinating videos on the race over the years. RACE FACTS Each team will row in excess of 1.5 million oar strokes over a race. Rowers will row for 2 hours, and sleep for 2 hours, constantly, 24 hours a day. More people have climbed Everest than rowed an ocean. Over €6million has been raised for charities worldwide over the past 4 races. At its deepest, the Atlantic Ocean is 8.5km/5.28 miles deep. The waves the rowers will experience can measure up to 20ft high. There are two safety yachts supporting the teams as they cross the ocean. The 2013 winning Team Locura arrived in Antigua with a blue marlin beak pierced through the hull of the boat. Each rower is expected to use 800 sheets of toilet paper during their crossing. The teams are supported 24/7 by two land-based duty officers. In the 2016 race, solo rower Daryl Farmer arrived in Antigua after 96 days, rowing without a rudder to steer with for nearly 1200miles/40 days. Each rower needs to aim to consume 10 litres of water per day. Rowers burn in excess of 5,000 calories per day. There is no toilet on board – rowers use a bucket! Each rower loses on average 12kg crossing the Atlantic! Rowing the Atlantic, what mythical feat to accomplish. Chicago To Mackinac Island is a mere 315 miles. I believe its the longest fresh water sailing race. If you hug the coast you add another 120 miles to it. I could probably row there. If I had a boat. Experience. Endurance. Guts. Life Insurance.. It'd probably take me longer then 30 days too. Depending on how well the restaurants and hotels along the coast were doing.

Much wisdom in that. In news, what bleeds leads. We end with a skewed view of life. Yup. Sometimes parents are good role models for learning what not** to do. People are enough of a mixed bag that you can appreciate the good, and with time and distance forgive the bad. ** I have a theory we spend our lives taking turns becoming and rebelling against our parents.

Hits google. Actually there are some. They see men as frightening Incels, some agree with incels others have body and/or relationship issues. The internet can amplify fears and insecurities. Even without it, the world can be a scary lonely place. Coping by vilifying the opposite sex is not going to move one in the right direction Diving into the net, I see femcels, volcels. I remember being single and looking, as awfully scary. Like continual job interviews. Get turned down enough and you get gun shy.. angry, at woman, at yourself. And that anger at woman, left unchecked is gonna set up a feedback loop thats going to add to ones problem. My dad has some 'incel' in him. It kept him from being a good husband. It also just kept him out of a first rate senior resort living. After passing the physical and financial standards, they wouldn't let him join their community, said he was too misogynist. There are costs to looking at the world through red colored glasses.

Isn't there a large middle ground, where people want to hook up and have realistic views of the opposite sex? Realizing that they themselves aren't rich, great looking or that charismatic and want to find a good person? That the opposite sex are human like themselves; don't view them as evil or manipulative, that they can be warm caring funny sexy entertaining aggravating engaging. If Incels can't reach that point of understanding. If they use social media to reinforce how victimized they are by woman, then there's little hope of a satisfying relationship. Not the end of the world, but too bad. Men and woman compliment each other. A good relationship is a warm hearth. Loneliness is tough, its bitter. I wish it was easier to meet and have fun, to shelve the pressure, sexual and otherwise. I met my wife 25 years ago at what was called a Gail Prince singles meet. It was at a large night club, not that there's as many of those, for better or worse. At the beginning of the party you filled out cards with your name and phone number. There was an interesting rule, that if someone gave you a card, you couldn't give them a card back. Strange but it made psychological sense because you didn't have to commit to anything or hurt peoples feelings. Anyhow the party would divide up the room by asking questions like what your favorite ethnic food. Then get people together in small groups of equal men and woman. And have them discuss why. My future wife and I broke the rules by giving each other cards at the same time. It was a decent way to meet. Too bad coffee houses and bars don't have safe designated meeting areas.

One guy I respect was Doc Glenn Morris, rip. His definition of enlightenment was purely electric. Not what you thought or preached, it was how much juice you had; if your circuits/meridians were clear and qi/chi/energy was running strong, Kan & Li, Kundalini. He had tests.. from clarity of mind to unusual strength.. to well.. mostly he saw it with his 3rd eye. But would we see it? Idk. Course it also didn't mean you were sane or could teach, just that you made it through Kundalini and stabilized it. If you're interested in his work. Look up KAP. https://kundaliniawakeningprocess.com/blog/kap-explained/ Dr Glenn J Morris’s Kundalini Awakening Process Explained: What is Kundalini? “Kundalini is the ancient, accepted term for the biological and spiritual potential of the human body – a tiny replica of the huge potentials that exist in nature (think lightening) and the cosmos (think “Big Bang”). In 99.99% of people, kundalini goes unharnessed, lying dormant deep within their nervous and endocrine systems. In the unawakened human being, these systems are poorly connected, “rusty,” poorly synchronized, and unable to carry much more “signal” than keeps that person alive. Kundalini awakening occurs when the various parts of the brain, spine, and nerve ganglia, along with the different endocrine glands, begin to rejuvenate, better link, and synchronize. The gonads, adrenals, and digestive glands (connected to the experience of lower emotions) connect to the master glands at the heart, throat, and brain. These systems rapidly rejuvenate, function more efficiently, and begin to carry larger quantities of bio-electric (neurotransmitter and endocrine) traffic through the body. It’s a little like comparing a 56k Modem to a Broadband T1 line. EEG and EKG scans show that “awakened” individuals have more efficient mental and biological processes. Kundalini is what causes the great visible physical illumination, charisma, and healing abilities of saints and prophets. Every art lover has seen countless representations of the “illumination of the sages” – the halo and golden sheen around saints and holy figures of all traditions. Kundalini has been symbolized by the caduceus (medical staff entwined with snakes), Moses’s burning bush, the Oroboros (the world-encompassing serpent swallowing it own tail, Excalibur (King Arthur’s sword), the Apostolic flame, the Descent of the Dove, the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, and more. Kundalini is responsible for the powerful intuition, and mental and nervous-system domination of legendary martial arts masters like “Book of Five Rings” author Miyamoto Musashi and Aikido’s founder Morihei Ueshiba. The presence of kundalini, which is also the “enlightened body” of esoteric buddhism, grants many of the siddhis, or miraculous powers like heightened intuition, expanded charisma, personality, willpower, and genius. Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Einstein were all “awake” More importantly for the genuine seekers, the increased vital energy (prana or qi) in the body of the awakened individual makes the last step through the door to absolute awareness (the fully enlightened mind) that much easier when in one-pointed meditation.” What Dr. Morris’s KAP is, and what you can do using it… Dr. Morris’s Improved Kundalini Awakening Process is a simple set of skills that engages the actual physiological shifts experienced during kundalini awakening, and then smoothly expands the body’s neural and endocrine networks to make the physiological shifts permanent. Rather than using abstract rituals to engage the biological changes indirectly, KAP is an ordered, synchronized practice of the biological phenomenae of kundalini arousal and awakening, using movement, emotion, breathing, visualization, and directed sensory awareness to awaken and move kundalini, evolving the consciousness as the neural and endocrine signals evolve. The sequence of skills, some traditional, some modern, assembles into a daily practice of approximately 40 minutes daily, with supplementary skills that can be done in free moments throughout the day, or even while doing mundane activities. KAP’s side effects are an added bonus: all of the KAP skills not only develop biological and metaphysical capacities, but also serve the KAP practitioner in work and family relationships and in times of both stress and great enjoyment.

I wonder about asking your wife if she'd be open to both of you working thru a book on sensual massage? Or regular massage. Get back into mutual touching that way and see if any doors open. Part of it is being honest or semi-honest and letting her know that you have shoulder and back tension and it'd be wonderful if she could learn to give you a good massage and you would do the same for her. A worthy weekend project, finding the right book, right oil, making the time.

You make 6 or 7 wrong assumptions above. I admit my post was provocative, sarcastic and abrasive, (I'll even throw in rude) for which I apologize. But its not my Daoist religion?? I'm not sure what 'cult of orthodox quacks' you think I belong to. This is an eclectic site, not just Daoist. People here follow diverse teachings.. You are projecting much. Like, do you think all China is Daoist? actually I don't care. You don't have to be blind but you have to be able to listen and not have so much attitude. Otherwise guys like you end up in Mo Pai or its equivalent. There's nothing wrong going solo. In truth I am, though I listen and am influenced by people here I respect. Much of my current meditation regime comes from Spotless. Is he a master? Don't know, but he knows more then me. As do many here. If I'm respectful I can pick things up. The soloists path is twisty but hopefully moving in an upwards trajectory. I'm happy spending my time in 'good and better', not looking for perfect. I don't think people are going to be coming out of the wood work to 'prove' anything to you. If you have specific questions you should create threads asking them. Or don't. Why post questions if you don't have an open mind. You don't have to believe what people say, but to discuss you can't immediately attack others views. Discussion has some back and forth to it.

I have have test tubes and chemicals. I could mix up a batch of something and sprinkle it on aspirants and see what color it turns thus producing the evidence you're looking. What kinda powers you looking for? Superman, Wonderwoman.. Aquaman? No.. probably Doctor Strange.. he's got another movie coming out so you can see him. If you'll only listen to Masters who can levitate, well.. good luck with that. I got 3 words for you Western Mo Pai.. Look to the Magus book, that's got high level guys shooting fireballs, destroying villages, a level 35 killing off a level 27. Cool stuff.. dude. <kidding sortof> I think there are lineages and traditions and excellent teachers that, if they connect with you, one should commit and learn from them. The conceit that one doesn't require instruction is often the ego blowing smoke up one's ass. That's not to throw common sense out the window either. There are frauds but they're more often the ones touting powers. Imo the best you can do is find wisdom that'll improve your spirituality, mind and body. You want powers look to an electrician, you want wisdom look to the wise. While siddhi's happen, most traditions seem to think aiming for them rather then letting them happen naturally is a mistake.

Don't stay away too long, but taking a break is a probably a wise decision. Walking away from an annoying person or situation is one of life's great pleasures. And when we back, our tolerance is higher, til drip drip drip..

I was noticing that new posters have been sparse lately in the Welcome section and was wondering if there was a slow down.

There's a story behind this book. In the waay back, when the world was young, my mom took me to a college intro weekend. I learned about Bradly U, my mom wined and dined with other parents and the faculty. A professor sees my mom has book in her purse and asks what she's reading. Now my mom has 2 books in there- The Brethren- a book about the Supreme Court and The Stainless Rat Saves the World. My mom proudly pulls out The Stainless Steel Rat There was a woman equally at home watching ballet or the latest Bruce Lee flick. Opera or the Rocky Horror Picture Show. i miss her.

I'm hoping that-

definitely, until my wife comes in.. and asks some cutting question like.. What do you think you're doing**? then i feel young again. **ie finding books to donate, once I had a pile it occurred to me I could stack'em up like card house..maybe get'em to 5 or 6 feet high.

Megamind if we started a thread 'What You Got Out of Your Practice', you couldn't participate because it'd be ridiculed and/or its secret?

and without his care and feeding the thread would eventually die and there would be no attention or advertising, positive or strongly negative.

I'd want to see the greening of a couple of deserts before spending a whole lotta money on Mars. And who knows, maybe AI is a tool that can do it. Autonomous solar machines, to plant seeds, water them, dig the trenches, irrigate.. learn what works and keep doing it with endless patience. There was a Robert Zelazny short story about such machines that was very good.

You don't think that's true going the other way? That men aren't looking/hoping for the most attractive partners? As time goes by, the grownups evolve whats important to them and find partners. Or don't change and get lonely and angry.

The eternal question. Q. What happens when the overly passionate meets the overly protective?

72 hours, thats easy. When I did Kaishan Golden Bell qi gong, it was 100 days! though for those less serious students like myself, they did a have an herbal tincture to take if one slipped.

I'm working on tolerance and appreciating diversity.. it ain't always easy. We can fight 'pollution' by not engaging it and posting on topic and positive.. diluting it. sometimes the pollution is thought provoking.