rex

Always worth sharing:

Just some thoughts on this: Lineage practices based on experience may use specific visualisations. Here efficacy over the centuries may trump intellectual doubt. The subtle body may be ideoplastic and adapt to the goal of practices, though I'm not saying one can make up any old nonsense. Visualisations may lead to spontaneity, the process and subtle body end up runnning things themselves without mental manipulation.

The practice over time of lojong and the six paramitas.

There a lot of cross-overs and similarities between the different systems - chi/prana - tao yin/hatha yoga - channels etc. Each have their own deeper aspects too. You've got to start somehere, so perhaps go with what you have access to? Work out what you want to achieve - a calm mind and a strong body? You may have to be pragmatic and work with your circumstances. Can't really comment on the spiritual attacks apart from suggesting living a grounded life by exercising, eating and sleeping well and upkeeping any daily resposnibilites you may have by focusing on the here and now for the common good. Watching comedy films and developing a sense of humour also helps. Just don't get all serious and worried. Still there's no harm in buying a protection amulet too ...

This book offers level headed guidance and advice, inviting readers to embark on a series of self clarifications. It’s also a good reference book: https://www.amazon.com/Kundalini-Yoga-Swami-Sivanan-Radha/dp/0394748840/

This is the basis of the Kan and Li formula. Sorry - just noticed that this has alreay been mentioned further up.

I think there're a number of different reasons for this for different folk. In no particular order, these could be because they're Still searching for a path/way Still learning (aren't we all?) and are genuinely confused Over-emphasing the intellect Procrastinating instead of practising Genuinely seeking clarification and a way through mental blocks Simply enjoy talking about the many facscinating topics that appear on the board Enjoying an environment where they can safely talk about various topics, which may be in stark contrast to their off-line environment. Axe grinding Trying to make sense of and contextualise their experiences Proselytizing Shit stirring Are sorted and genuinely sharing Aren't sorted and genuinely sharing Enjoy debating Are bored Seeking out like minded indivduals Seeking healing and wholness Enjoy trolling etc ...

It certainly has CT! Been doing alright thanks! I trust you have too? May you also have a blessed year and enjoy the causes of great liberation and peace, today and always!

You’re back CT! Fantastic!

Autobiographical?

One possibility - the Virtuous Circle.

Some pureland approaches are purely devotional, though there are some which rely on applying specific esoteric techniques. Irrespective of sophistication of approach from blind faith to confident faith, the exoteric to the esoteric, devotion is a key theme that runs throughout the Mahayana.

The aspiration is one lifetime, though in practice many lifetimes are mentioned. There are Pure Land approaches where practitioners pray to be reborn in a buddha's pure realm to continue their path quickly free from the ravages of samsara.

Haven’t read the quotes or followed the links but In Mahayana Buddhism there is the Path of the Cause and the Path of the Result. The Path of the Cause takes as its base and starting point the ordinary deluded mind which trains in aspirational and actional bodhichitta, developing virtues and generating merit which provides the cause and lays the path to eventual enlightenment. The Path of the Result takes the inherently enlightened nature as its base and works on stabilising its embodied expression.

An email list I'm subscribed to has mentioned an interesting approach of assigning a Tarot card from the major arcana to the current year which represents the overall collective theme of the year. 2019 is represented by The Hanged Man (Card 12) : 2 + 0 + 1 + 9 = 12. Think of the stanadard divinitatory assocations but extrapolate it to the collective. Not an easy card, and see how it accords with this 2019 forecast: https://austincoppock.com/2019-yearly-the-road-we-travel/

This is the modern world so naturally many will argue this point. There are older ideas relating to the Macrocosm and Microcosm. Esoterically, Buddha taught the Kalachakra which gives a detailed account of the relationship between the two. It’ll be interesting to compare the news with the forcast on a month by month basis as the year unfolds.

Is it ok to consider planets too? Here’s one forecast for 2019: https://austincoppock.com/2019-yearly-the-road-we-travel/

Desire

Could never get on with this book or feel enthused enough to persevere with it. There is the view that it is a 20th Century fraud: http://www.nickfarrell.it/kybalion/ http://www.nickfarrell.it/it-is-not-your-fault/ http://www.nickfarrell.it/ancient-kybalion-discovered-british-museum/ In fairness this view is one particular person's view and I don't know how widely accepted it is.

Obsession with practice as opposed to the obsession with samsara? Sounds like an irregular verb - they’re obsessed, I’m diligent and they’re complacent.

If you can pick up a cheaper copy here's another one. Good on myth, history and social/cultural contexts: https://www.amazon.com/Offering-Flowers-Feeding-Skulls-Popular/dp/0195167902/

Yes, that's it.

Sounds really positive - especially as it appears to be spontaneous and not contrived.

I’d say that if the destructive instinct is still there, then the fullest potential of human existence hasn’t been reached. Though having said this, there is the myth of a perfected being that fell from grace ...

I don’t acknowledge the validity of the scenario. Can’t you have both? It’s not as if they’re mutually exclusive. In fact they form half of the four immeasurables, or since you’re keen on Pali terms, tbe four appamanna.