doc benway

And just about everything else!

Victims of homicide are often participants, not always innocent bystanders... Do you think size and strength are determining factors for expressing violence? They are potentially useful characteristics, but deterministic? Are larger, stronger women (men) more likely to be violent than smaller women (men), for example? Who is doing the recruiting and initiating the conflict? Male or female? For sure they are more often in a position to be subjected to such manipulation in most societies. How often do they volunteer vs become victims of manipulation? I don't mean to imply an answer to any of these questions but they are worth considering if we are interested in this topic. I disagree with this point. I think crime statistics show very clearly that men are more prone to violent behavior than women. I'm not saying it is solely due to an inherent 'defect' or trait or even genetics. I suspect it is multi-factorial - genetics, cultural, societal, etc... It would be very interesting to have an opportunity to live in a world, particularly a technologically advanced society, with predominately female leadership and see if there are significant differences. I personally agree with the Dalai Lama on this topic but I could certainly be wrong. I doubt it will ever happen in my lifetime so this is just an empty thought. It is interesting that in Bön and Buddhism, compassion is generally represented by the male deity while the female deity represents wisdom. I have a friend who is a shaman in Mexico. We once had a very interesting conversation about this point, to which he also subscribed, from his shamanic perspective. The whole question of the nature of gender differences is an interesting one to me and it doesn't necessarily have to be judgmental. In terms of survival, there is certainly a normal and necessary component of violent behavior, particularly among hunter gatherers. In "civilized," agrarian society, I would suggest that it is far less necessary but far more prominent, at least on a larger and more destructive scale. There are many human characteristics which were valuable from an evolutionary biological perspective but become maladapted and dysfunctional in more technologically advanced society. This tendency towards violence seems to be one of them. I'm currently reading a book that I received as a gift that discusses Buddhism from the perspective of evolutionary biology. It's very interesting and well written. Just some random musings...

No doubt women have the capacity to be warriors. I've seen women in my family transform into demons when their children are threatened. My wife's nickname among our kids is "two-guns."

My comment wasn't directed at men in general. I was more focused on paternalistic leadership and the pervasiveness of war. However... It doesn't seem that women have the same propensity for violence. Approximately 96% of homicides worldwide are committed by men. http://www.unodc.org/documents/gsh/pdfs/2014_GLOBAL_HOMICIDE_BOOK_web.pdf

Sadly, it seems to be those that are skilled at taking life who rule. Not those who are capable of creating it. http://mentalfloss.com/article/31274/6-modern-societies-where-women-literally-rule

I'll miss you roger. You are a breath of fresh air. Fare well

There are vendors in Thailand, and I imagine elsewhere, you capture living creature with the intention of selling them at Buddhist festivals for just this sort of ritual. Very misguided.

Alchemy implies transformation. In that sense, Daoist alchemy and tantra are comparable. The word alchemy, as used in Daoist practice, does relate to working with energy but it is not a generic term for "energy stuff." For example, there are lots of Daoist energetic practices (taijiqun, qigong) which are not necessarily a part of alchemical methods. Daoist alchemical methods and Buddhist tantric methods include working with energy centers (dantians/khorlos/chakras) and paths (jingmai/tsa/nadi) and the subtle energy (qi/lung/prana). While Daoist and tantric terminology and paradigm are somewhat different, the parallels are clear, especially if you have the chance to practice each under the guidance of a master. We need to be a little careful with knowledge and experience gained solely from books and self-exploration. There is far more to cultivation than information and an experienced guide is essential.

Tibetans do revere books and texts and yet they caution their students that it is essential to learn from a credible and accomplished teacher. Books are a way to preserve and transmit the Dharma from generation to generation. They contain all of the information but there is more to spiritual growth and awakening than information, hence the need for a teacher. On a Tibetan shrine, nothing is placed higher than the written word, not even a statue of Buddhas or Deities. A Tibetan would never put a book on the floor or ground or step over it, it is a constant reminder of the value of education and the power of words. You make a good point about the importance of dispelling superstition, fantasy, and projection surrounding Buddhist teachings, I would extend that to all spiritual or religious teachings in fact, including Daoism. I do see this happening in the west. My own teacher is very much committed to a progressive, practical approach to the Dharma, as is the Dalai Lama. On the other hand, there is enormous power and value in esoteric teachings that we, as westerners, may not yet understand and there has been a problem with giving high tantric teachings and empowerments to people who are not ready for them. I'm reading an excellent book right now called Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright. It's something I never would have bought for myself but my wife gave it to me as a gift and, despite my skepticism, I'm thoroughly enjoying it. Wright is the author of The Moral Animal, The Evolution of God, and Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny. He brings a scientific context, particularly that of evolutionary biology, to the Buddhist view and practices. Highly recommended.

The spiritual head of the Bön tradition, His Holiness 33rd Menri Trizin Lungtok Tenpai Nyima, left the body on September 14th at 625pm New Delhi time. He was instrumental in bringing the Bön teachings out of Tibet shortly after the Chinese invasion and is responsible for helping to spread the teachings to the West. I had the good fortune of meeting him last year when he presented teachings on the A-Khrid lineage of Dzogchen in New Jersey. He was very warm, knowledgable, and generous. His teaching style was strongly rooted in tradition yet flexible, full of good humor, and love for the Dharma. He will be sorely missed and unanimously celebrated within the Bönpo community. Here is a link to a biography of His Holiness for anyone interested. ཨཱོཾ་མ་ཏྲི་མུ་ཡེ་སལེ་འདུ།

That is certainly one situation in which terma have been discovered or received. There is also the aspect that terma have been hidden for protection during times of war and persecution (the latter is particularly applicable to Bönpos). These may then be discovered or revealed in times of peace when we are again free to practice the Dharma.

I have. I've also noticed issues with electronics, it's interesting. Several friends and family members have had cell phone issue over the last few days as well.

If the OP is still in need of help in this area, most Bönpo lamas and geshes are able to address these concerns. The tradition is made up of the Nine Ways of Bön, some of which are rooted in the early, shamanic ways of Bön. The second vehicle, the Way of the Shen of the Phenomenal World, teaches rituals, remedies, and practices related to external forces and harmful energies. Many traditional Tibetan medical practitioners are trained to help with such problems as well. Right now is a difficult time due to the recent passing of His Holiness, the spiritual head of Bön. Most of the high lamas and geshes are in India right now participating in rituals related to his death and upcoming funeral. Some have stayed behind at US centers but are very busy with similar practices. You can reach out to any of a number of Bön centers in the US and abroad. Here are a few in the US: Ligmincha.org Bonshenling.org Yeruboncenter.org Olmoling.org If the OP wants to PM with his location, I can help you find a center close to you.

The Dzogchen of the Bön tradition has been passed through 3 lineages - A-Tri, Draspa Korsum, and Zhangzhung Nyengyud. The Zhangzhung Nyengyud is an unbroken, oral tradition (unlike all other Dzogchen traditions which have been lost or hidden and recovered through terma) dating back at least 24 generations before the 8th century. The Bönpos venerate two 8th century masters - Tapihritsa and, his student, Nangzher Lopo as the first to write down the oral teachings. Prior to the 24 masters of the oral tradition it is said to have been associated with 9 Buddhas.

Fare thee well!

I feel deep sympathy for Wayne and his poor mother who now has to live and die with the suicide of her child. I'll respectfully disagree. There is a flexibility to non-attachment, something very much lacking in Wayne's suicide, the blog, and his "red-line events." This is important. I think a common problem leading to nihilism is isolation. Wayne led a very isolated life. Many people who followed him, likely feel isolated. We need to connect with other people - physically, emotionally, intellectually, spiritually. It is a type of nourishment. We live in community with others, that is a fact, and yet we can be so fully isolated. And communicating online is no substitute for human connection. I would urge these folks to connect with others, seek out support. Spend time with your family and loved ones. Make new relationships. Repair old wounds. Let shit go. Don't follow Wayne's example. Live his words in ways that he couldn't, or chose not to. Life is worth the candle in so many ways! Seeing that and living that is wisdom. I'm sorry if anyone is offended but I feel it needs saying.

If you have Netflix access, check this out. It's quite beautiful. http://m.imdb.com/title/tt6541634/

The external reality of solidity is very familiar but not fundamental. The essence is clear and unbounded. A direct experience of unbounded spaciousness can cause profound fear, vertigo, disorientation. Not only is it a matter of clinging ego but a feeling of the loss of integrity of the body and external reality. If you can rest in that more fundamental essence, that space, there is a deeper realization of reality. Let go... Rest with confidence and trust This last part is often lacking and shows the importance of things like devotion, lineage, renunciation, and so forth. It can require a lot of courage, even faith, to let go fully

Wonderful quotation and apt. Thank you, this will require some time and consideration to process.

From my perspective, the significant development here is not so much related to Awareness, Life, Sentience, Insentience, or even Emptiness, but rather the letting go. That is essentially my practice in a word, or two.

Thank you for sharing that perspective. I think it is very valuable and true. Taking it a step further: Once meditation begins in earnest, it is extended beyond the cushion and brought into the whole of life. At that point, the limits we previously determined through living can be revisited and, perhaps, transcended? Even on the path of meditation, that same advice to engage in life in all its richness and explore limits is equally valid, perhaps more. The difference being that there is a broader perspective, perhaps a bit more wisdom and compassion - one foot in the game and one firmly rooted deeper.

My favorite translation is Revealing the Tao Te Ching by Hu Xuezhi

Stretching / calisthenics would work just fine. I have use a daily stretching routine I learned from a kung fu teacher years ago. Yoga is wonderful but only if it is a good fit for you. A friend gave me a book some years ago called Kum Nye: Waking Up for Beginners by Stephanie Wright. I can't attest to the origin of the practices but it did wonders for loosening my hips, especially.

How much of our precious time and energy does this topic require? My intention is to offer ilovecoffee and those he claims are in hiding here my compassion and understanding. I may not agree with your choices and conclusions but it is not for me to choose for you, only for myself. If you feel that MoPai is your only way forward then you have my support. Every point that needs to be made about MoPai and it's variants has been made (many times over). We all have the information we need to make our decisions and move on and no one is going to change anyone else's mind on the subject. Anyone contributing further to this thread or this topic knows exactly what will come of it from experience. Is that really what we want out of this site and our precious and limited time? I intend to let go of the topic entirely. Warm wishes to all of you.

I've had some training in the methods but I'm not ready to do it myself yet. You use a relatively small room that is set up to make things as easy as possible. You feel your way around in the beginning. Over time I understand you begin to develop enough familiarity that the darkness is not such an obstacle. You give up things like shaving. You arrange for someone to bring simple meals on a set schedule. It is precisely done for the prolonged sensory deprivation. The practices themselves are relatively simple.