Apech

It's a very high level of relationship which can be open in this way and I admire your attitude. However I wonder if you are really happy about this situation. Whose idea was it that the marriage should be 'open' and is it balanced in the sense that you would also have other lovers? If there are children then I think they have to be given top priority but that also means some kind of harmony between the parents. Maybe you think that this is the way to achieve this but it is quite risky. Only my opinion, of course.

Just for clarity - since political systems are being discussed: socialism: a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole. fascism: a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism. In the first, ways are sought by which the people as a whole can own and run services, such as health services run by the state for the common good. In the second a single person or an elite make decisions for the many - who may be benign or not depending on his/their personality. Western countries now tend towards some kind of social democracy whereby power is handed to the elected few for a fixed period, whether this parliamentary democracy (e.g. UK) or a Presidential system (e.g. USA). Socialism does not = fascism ... that is just a daft slogan of (ironically) the right wing. I would just like to add that the National Health Service in the UK was set up in the UK following the second world war which had both crippled this country economically and caused untold suffering to its people. The feeling was that the returning 'heroes' and their families deserved a better life and that there was a moral debt to be paid in terms of living conditions and health. The problem with the NHS is that it is incredibly expensive and the doctors (who are in effect self-employed) rip the system off by charging enormous fees and 'moonlighting' on private care. If you choose to go private in the UK then you end up seeing the same consultant as you would anyway - but just a bit quicker. In terms of pharmaceuticals the NHS does not attempt to produce drugs - that is not what it is set up to do - but has to buy them from the multi-nationals, usually at high prices (for new drugs) because they are motivated by profit.

Is that John Lennon ...

So many, that I can no longer see the point.

Vsaluki, I'm not actually defending Islam at all. What I am commenting on is the disproportionate attack on Islam which is being made. I have read your post and whilst I respect the historian you quote I don't see that the acts of the Muslims in the 10th Century or when ever are any more bloody than those of Attila the Hun, the 1st - 3rd Cruscades, even Alexander the Great or even the British in India (certainly after the Indian Mutiny) - I think it is cultural bias which causes them to be singled out. I have it on good authority from those I know from the Middle East (Iran, Egypt, Libya etc.) that there was indeed peaceful co-existence of Muslims, Jews and Christians up till more recent times. This is supported by what I have read and seen on BBC documentaries on this subject. So this is what I believe. What I am in favour of is individuals being able to think and feel as they choose, based on their own experience and understanding. What I am against is having opinions and ideas shoved down my throat by those who either have power or seek to gain it. These people like to stress differences between 'us' and 'them'. They like it if we hate people who look, dress, speak or have customs that are different to ours. This is because it gives them more power and gives us, through manipulation of ideas and images, less power, or less freedom. Currently in the world the forces of political economic power are shifting and are in tension. Many countries which hold natural resources (especially oil) are Muslim and because of the desire to gain and maintain power, it is in the interest of western governments to alienate us from the these places. So for instance, Iran is turned into some kind of ogre which is ready to threaten us in various ways. While we conveniently forget the level of meddling and interference by Britain and America over many decades which has actually contributed to the current state of affairs. You quote some Islamic texts but I am sure I could find very similar ideas and so on in the Old Testament if I wanted. I am always struck how fond Christian fundamentalists are of the Old Testament and that they hardly ever quote from Jesus himself - I suppose that the 'love they neighbour' and 'love your enemy' stuff is a bit difficult for them and they prefer blood thirsty vengeance. I realise we are not going to agree over this - and its not really what I come to Taobums for anyway - but I just thought I would make my position clear. A.

Goldisheavy, I am bit surprised that someone who usually seems so rational and objective falls for all this Islamophobia. No religion is 'nice' in the way you suggest - certainly none of the religions of the book, any period of history will bear this out. Even different Tibetan Buddhist sects slaughtered each other in times past. The fact is that many Muslim countries are now in areas of huge geo-political tension (for want of a better phrase) - religion together with economic and other factors are exploited by the power hungry to cause people to project their hate and fear on another group, instead of on those who keep them in poverty, they are exploited for political purposes. For instance before the creation of the state of Israel, Christians, Muslims and Jews lived happily next to each other in the Middle East. I was, I have to admit ,under the impression that those of us that gravitate to Taobums tend to be mystics of various kinds and that we understood the difference between esoteric teachings and the different orthodoxies which are all about socio-political control. A.

Yep ... keep your melon alive!

Dear Witch, I must admit a slight disappointment at the idea that this is not some kind of astral entity ... but heh you can't have everything. At the risk of being seen to live vicariously I gave this thread and your experiences a lot of thought - to the point that I asked the I Ching for comment and got this: As usual with the I Ching you have to read it a few times to get the meaning. A.

Did you ask? I think its would only be polite to do so before you flush your liver or whatever. Of course he may give the answer "Nevermore"

multiplicity add and take away as well it's long division. (artform - you excel yourself )

Well said GiH ... let us all be free men.

Witch, Have you tried asking your entity who or what he is? It is usual for magicians to interrogate spirits when summoned. When you feel its presence just pose the question and allow the answer to come to you. As long as you don't allow your intellectual chatter to interfere you should get an answer. A.

Basically I agree with you and think that most of what 'westerners' think is down to failure to comprehend anything different to themselves. However, I do believe that there are issues of discrimination against women which are abhorent and these are probably (as far as I know) cultural and nothing to do with Islam. In the UK there have been instances of women being 'kidnapped' and taken back to say, Pakistan and forced to marry. Also there have been honour killings of women who have chosen to marry the wrong (in the eyes of the family) person or who have had relationships outside of marriage and so on. Then there is the dreadful practice of female circumcision which is particularly unacceptable to most people. I think the 'shock/horror' value of these things in the press has been mixed with attitudes towards Islamic women's way of dressing - whereas mostly the things are not related. This is quite selective as I know for instance Orthodox Jewish women also cover their hair with wigs but for some reason this is ok, while the hijab is not. Where I would criticize the Muslim leaders is their failure to stand against some of these things - and sometimes give a kind of tacit approval to some of them. If these things are not part of Islam they should say so and they have a responsibility to do so.

Un-self-fish. (forgive the interruption ... enjoying this thread ... please carry on).

No mind and yet everything All or nothing? which is it? Its both and neither. (I'm taking 'everything' as one syllable ... why not? )

Thank you for this excellent analysis. I like this:

and away we go not that we were ever here no mind, no nothing.

Pics here: Mudra gallery Some meanings here: Wiki

Serene and Vajra, Top one visited UK recently but I missed him cos I was away - I think the lower one has Chinese affiliations. Does it matter? The controversy about the HH Karmapa 17 is best avoided. If the group is Karma Kagyu then they should supply good teachings on meditation and dharma in a way which allows you plenty of time to practice, study and make up your own mind without pressure - at least that is my experience. Best thing is to go to beginner class and see how it feels.

I'm 61% Taoist ... well I suppose that's better than 0%! 96% New age? ... ooops - 9% Catholic - I feel very slightly guilty and I'm half Jewish ... wow! 1. Neo-Pagan (100%) 2. New Age (96%) 3. Mahayana Buddhism (87%) 4. Unitarian Universalism (86%) 5. Liberal Quakers (82%) 6. New Thought (82%) 7. Hinduism (81%) 8. Scientology (79%) 9. Reform Judaism (73%) 10. Jainism (70%) 11. Sikhism (66%) 12. Theravada Buddhism (64%) 13. Taoism (61%) 14. Baha'i Faith (60%) 15. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (58%) 16. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (54%) 17. Secular Humanism (51%) 18. Orthodox Judaism (50%) 19. Orthodox Quaker (49%) 20. Islam (41%) 21. Nontheist (27%) 22. Seventh Day Adventist (23%) 23. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (19%) 24. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (17%) 25. Jehovah's Witness (11%) 26. Eastern Orthodox (9%) 27. Roman Catholic (9%)

Help, Mister Wizard! With your pointy hat and wand, You cast such a spell!

Old Man Contradicton, You should seek person to person advice from someone who knows about energy. But I would suggest that your two questions are related. There is a link between abdominal tension and neck and shoulders. I would guess that your headaches are the result of chronic tension in the neck which is affecting the nerves which come out through the vertebrae and govern the upper body down to the diaphragm. Chronic tension arises through some kind of conflict in the person. The problem with dealing with tension/symptoms in one part of body (like the head) is that it is easy to miss the fact that the causes are not in the head ... they arise from elsewhere, other parts of your body which do not exhibit symptoms (until you begin to release the problem) - or perhaps it would be more accurate to say - your body as a whole. You might like to try therapeutic massage - if you can find someone - or some other deep relaxation technique which will release the whole of your body. Sexual energy is very important of course. It can drive you to seek gratification when perhaps you don't really want to spend time doing that. However its big plus point is the it is very unified - it wants what it wants when it wants it ... while the rest of your being is either wanting to consider the options and rationalise everything or to emote and feel about the situation which can be quite confusing. I would suggest that your chronic tense state is making your attempts to release sexual tension not work properly. The expectation of orgasmic release can make you tense even more - prolonged masturbation without a partner and with too much focus on climaxing (or controlling the climax) can lead to a general deadening - this is because of the fact that 'continual stimulation = no stimulation" - your sexual energy wants something variable, interesting and which promotes greater sensitivity and not less. This is my take on what you describe - obviously just my thoughts.

time's rare equipoise deep with peace and full of joys sound without the noise.

Here is previous discussion: Qi Dao I was very skeptical because of his claims about Bon roots and also ancient Siberian (I think) lineage. But he replied and came across quite well in his posts. Although I find his literature quite off putting.

Hang on while I ask this light bulb what it thinks. It would like to contribute but its only 60W and a bit dim. Oh dear. (sorry couldn't resist)