Apech

But instead it was

It could have been so ...

Happens a lot to me - maybe I should stop sleeping with insects.

Not just actions but intentions also.

In what way are paper bags which rot down naturally more harmful than plastic?

Yes bad karma is an inexact and dubious expression but I think you know what I mean.

karma means action but the word is often used to mean the results of action. So simplistically harmful acts generate harmful consequences for self and others. So the question would be is looking at porn harming anyone?

As Stirling says its about what generates bad karma I guess. What do you think?

The energy body and physical body are closely interlinked. Is this not so? I guess there are two questions really, one about porn and one about masturbation itself. As I am (still) a Buddhist I tend also to think in terms of the lay vow regarding sexual misconduct. In the Tibetan texts I read which are Gampopa's Jewelled ornament of Liberation and Patrul Rinpoche's Words of my Perfect Teacher - the guidance is oddly unhelpful. I have always felt this about this precept and suppose it is because mostly these things are written for monks where obviously there's a prohibition on any sex. Gampopa for instance says there are three categories of sexual misconduct - that of 'family', 'owner' and Dharma. So the things he prohibits are - Incest (family) Sex with someone 'owned' by another - husband, king etc. And five sub categories relating to Dharma, which are: - with one's wife improper parts of the body, in an improper place, at an improper time, improper behaviour. The first means oral and anal sex (improper parts) The improper places are near a lama, or monastery, stupa and so on. Improper times are during a retreat, when pregnant, while nursing a child, when there is light (!) Improper number is more than five times a night !!!!! Improper behaviour means masturbating or having intercourse with a male or hermaphrodite in the mouth or anus. !!! This was written in the 11th Century and you can see what their priorities were then - for instance women were 'owned'. Elsewhere it is said you should not have sex with a prostitute paid for by someone else. The worst 'sin' was to have sex with your mother who is an arhat. This brings very bad karma. So note. Nothing about 'consent' or rape!!! Nothing about love as distinct to lust. Gampopa's book is helpful in every other area of dharma practice and so on - but on this subject just a little bizarre. Nothing about porn - I don't know if it existed as such and many religious icons show yab-yum intercourse (not porn of course).

As I said to ralis I was only stating my view. Of course many things are harmful energetically, drinking alcohol for instance, but people still do them. Also some forms of pornography involve exploitation of women in particular and so on. Which, I think, can create harmful energetic presence even for the viewer. Feel free to disagree.

I was stating my opinion, Ralis, not quoting any authority. You are free to disagree.

I think he means energetically harmful - which it is.

Apech of DaoBums with magic staff

a group of DaoBums fighting in a forest

O Senhor Doutor, Many years ago this kingdom of DaoBums was ruled by a wise and brave king. His judgements were fair and his words mellifluous, such that the populous would gather just to listen to his pronouncements of peace. Each day he would ride the boundaries of his realm accompanied by his faithful knight Sir Luke, who, as he was not known of a woman, was the purest of hearts. This king was known to all as His Majesty Steve of the Internet. One day as they were out riding they saw a white Hart darting through a wooded grove. And as they looked they thought they heard the sound of trumpets and the joyous plucking of harps. In wonder they followed the Hart over mountain and dale, until a great light came down from heaven and a Westerly wind howled through the air. A great melancholy filled their hearts and they sat, their cloaks lifted by the wind, gazing into that great light. At last the King sighed and said to Sir Luke: - Verily this is a sign from heaven ... and I must take my leave and moderate no more. When he returned to the Vale of Daobums all the people, dressed in simple rags came out of their hovels and weeping begged him not to leave. But his mind was set and his countenance was firm. - I must go, he said. And from that day on, all those who moderate, do so in memory of the once and noble King Steve and his trusty Sir Luke, hoping in some small way to emulate their greatness. Chapter 7 Vs. 9 to 11 The Annals of Daobumia PS. I only mention this as being new you may not be familiar with the lore of Daobums.

Funds? Do you mean finds?

Someone walked past our front door today. I thought they would knock but they didn't. I don't know who it was or where they were going. It left me wondering if it will happen again one day. It might.

I put the black bag of garbage in the big green container for collection.

Europe has something like 48% more forestation since the end of WWII - but it is not natural being more pine and eucalyptus used as a resource. I believe most predictions suggest the world population will peak at 9 billion and then decline quite rapidly. Our problems might become those of a species in decline - who knows?

You should focus on body first not mind or breath. Although you should regularize you breath. Focus on body part by part allowing all unneeded tension to drain away down through the soles of your feet. Don’t get frustrated or use much intent. Just sit like this until it becomes natural and full.

I take that headline as a personal attack.

What you see today is a direct consequence of the post war liberal consensus. Because this includes a fake interpretation of personal freedom. True freedom means to follow Dao, fake freedom is following personal wants and gratification.

Make a post which gets the most downvotes ever.