thelerner

I believe its an existential dismissal, like after someone's long rant saying 'Would you like fries with that?'

Frig.. it was our interview. Could someone w/ scrbd get it and reprint it here; where it started. maybe cutting and pasting as normal text if possible.

Welcome I've had some tummo practice. Mostly it was longer 3 step breathing.. in.. hold..out, along with some visualizations. May I ask what your tummo practice is like? Thanks Michael

In the minds of most of the shooters they're doing something heroic. While all cultures celebrate heroes, in America we do it constantly and celebrate the anti-hero as well; the lone wolf, who plays by there own rules. My generation had Charles Bronson and Clint Eastwood, even James Bond, all murdering the bad guys with a witty quip. Getting the girl and acclaim of the unseen watching crowd. Getting things done when the 'Man' says no. Rebels for the cause of greater justice. It always amazing to see Miyazaki's Japanese anime (Spirited Away, Howls Moving Castle..) where the hero is genteel, plays by the rules even when the game is stacked against them. Wins the respect of there enemies rather then kills them. For us it demands we beware of Ends Justify the Means thinking. Think very carefully before any action that will hurt others, because once you knock down a karmic domino, you can't know what other things will fall.

This isn't sung, but maybe its related. For example doing pushups. You can use muscular strength to push yourself up, or you can feel on the down motion, like your compressing a spring, so the up is more like relaxing and unwinding. Try it. Similarly walking or jogging you can feel a compression on the downstep..loading.. and unload/spring up on the up. It makes for an interesting practice, to see if you can get that bouncy feeling. Done right, its full of energy, for awhile anyway.

I'll add his name later, a great dream teacher said -We're living in reverse: we need to take our dreams seriously and 'real life' more chilled.

Food for thought. I'm glad this was split off from the original thread because it deserves its own discussion. So.. how do you feel about Mao? Hero, villain.. did he evolve or devolve as he ruled?

The mindset of my writing was focused on China 1950s to 1970s. Decades of, imo, disaster. Rights squashed, tens of millions dead. The Cultural Revolution was a disaster and Orwellian. Should it be blamed on Communism, on dictatorship on facisism? I don't know. I didn't mean to impugn China proud history or it's many accomplishments. In the US the 50s Mcarthurism was also Orwellian. I do think that after 3 decades of stagnation turning away from Comunism and allowing capitalists concepts of ownership and free Enterprise, which had traditions in China, we're the engines for it's roaring modernization. Is it disputed that under Mao freedoms suffered, tens of millions died?

Exactly. I recently used the sad - emoji on someones telling a tragic story, and they wanted asked for clarification on what I meant, ie commiseration or meaning sad that you wrote it. This one's my all time favorite , when I use it, I'm saying 'Don't know, don't care, but its a sunny day and it's all good', which saves time over typing 'DKDCBIASDAIAG'

I like the Ninja emoji, people should know it doesn't always mean I'll be dressed in black and attacking them soon. Not always. {{\\//}}

Thanks for trying. Downloads here are tricky. Sometimes it seems I can copy and paste, other times I can 'grab/highlight' and simply 'drag' things into a post. Other times, nothing works.

That sounds fascinating. Could you ever share some of them with us?

People may want to create separate threads for some of these tangent ideas. 'Environmental-Problems and Solutions' thread..'Population-Am I alone in my worries?' and so on. this way subjects can be discussed and found in one place instead of murked up in a the Leftist thread.

The key to a lasting relationship is sweat the small stuff (& do it) <inspired by Stephen Moore article> endearing little touches make the day and the days make the life.

The board could use more moderators. If you're interested or think someone would be good then put down there names. I suspect the final decision will lie with the current moderators and Sean. Moderation isn't easy, but its probably a worthwhile experience. Maybe the way to grow wise is to put yourself in a position where you have to make hard decisions, deal with difficult people with equanimity and wisdom. If you're a serious practitioner of a wisdom tradition the board needs you. Real life tests us, being a moderator is a chance to practice and grow in leadership and judgement.

Let see if I can <bump> this up 6 years and 2 months. <BUMP>

First they have to catch me. I'm more concerned about predators, ie rabbits, raccoons, reindeer, all the nasty animals that begin with the letter R. I worry that they'd chow down on the plants while still seedlings or a third the way to maturity. Worst case scenario, I'm locked up in a Chicago prison and have to prove my street creds by saying why I'm there. 'Planting flowers", I'll tell'em, then spread my hands wide "Really big ones."

I like simple and I like the sound of Discussions of the Way. yet historically Daoist Discussion has involved more serious subjects and experienced practitioners then General Discussion. I'd hope merging doesn't lose that distinction. Its hard to make rules for it, but I like how Daoist Discussion evolved into more serious, less jokey and speculative space. Losing/watering down a serious sub-forum would be sad. Might be ways around that though.

More like a sad one. Just when think I'm a good at meditating, A single fly knocks me down.

Two reasons to meditate outside. One, sitting on the earth there is a special energy. Two, you can find out if you meditation is only 'one fly' deep. (often mine isn't)

It'd be interesting to study the 'fringe'. Groups most liable to turn fantasy play into dark reality. The forums(8chan), chat sites and comment sections that glorify violence and racism. How many of the participants are role playing, how many are inspired. Perhaps the Red Flag bill, if it comes to fruition could help. It'll certainly keep authorities busy for awhile. https://www.apnews.com/bdb661de1fe14e58951102349d5d44be "..HOW DOES A RED FLAG LAW WORK? In general, red flag or “extreme risk protection order” laws allow courts to issue temporary orders barring someone from possessing guns based on some showing of imminent danger or a risk of misuse. State laws vary, but most stipulate that only specific people — usually family or household members — may petition a court for an extreme risk protection order. In some cases, a preliminary order may be granted without prior notice to the person who is the subject of the order. Such an order typically is brief, ranging from a few days to about three weeks. Once the person who is alleged to pose a risk of gun violence has been given an opportunity to respond, a more permanent order may be granted, typically for up to a year. Importantly to Graham and other supporters, before an order can be entered, some factual showing must be made that the subject of the order poses a risk of using a firearm to harm themselves or others.." kids and gaming Personally there were video games we considered too violent for our kids and didn't allow them in the house. When they older we allowed more.. by 15 or 16 we'd allow Assassins Creed but still not Grand Theft Auto. Cartoonish violence seemed better then more realistic showing. My two boys were into Team Fortress II, cartoon violence.. and group play. Heroic action seemed better then playing a thug, though w/ game like Assassins Creed blurs the line. I thought the kids learned things from the game Advanced strategy, indepth planning, working with others.. fun interactive game play. In todays world, with smart phones and portable computers, keeping a kid from playing a violent game (or seeing porn) is a tough job, maybe impossible if they want it.

Not a bad philosophy and while it'd be nice if it were correct, I'm in the 'Don't blame God for the actions of Man' camp. Where the Universe is impartial and man's actions run the spectrum from saintly to pretty damn awful. I think much of the worlds problems are based on greed and ignorance, not so much evil. Much of what seems evil is delusion or selfishness. On the hand every now and then some people are simply evil, enjoying pain and misery of others. Very hard times can push good and so so people over the edge into evil.

not widely used, which is too bad, cause that that sounds about right, ie American 'Leftists', who might be considered Centralists in Europe, like Warren and Sanders are advocating Social Democracy Social democracy - Wikipedia Social democracy is a political, social and economic philosophy that supports economic and social interventions to promote social justice within the framework of a liberal democratic polity and a mixed economy. From now I'll use Social Democracy instead of European Socialism. More accurate but probably just as misunderstood.

Yes, I'm referring to European style socialism, not Comunism or the formal definition of Socialism. These days in the US most people think of socialism as European style government. A stronger social net and more services for higher taxes. The Canadian and European system. There should be a better name for it. Without the stigmas. I'd say Sanders is not a 'classic' Socialist, rather the European kind looking for a more equitable society without the government planning or control of business.

Actually I'm talking European style socialism. Which I admire but historically, and you know the history better then I do. When do you believe modern European socialism began? During that time, how many of those governments went bust, had to devalue, change there currency, had there leaders abruptly replaced? Were forced to swing to a stricter Capitalist approach (for awhile) to tighten the belt and get back into balance? Benefits without fiscal responsibility are a slow road to disintegration. Good socialism is best when it breeds strong entrepreneurialship. Which comes with innovation and job creation. We don't need people making 3000x more then regular workers but we need to encourage people of drive, expertise and vision. They create value, they should get to keep a solid share of there it. maybe not, it'd be scary for some but I'd willing to try medicare for all or one payer system. There'd be strong resistance and some bugs in the roll out.