doc benway

I’m not familiar with the giant woman lying under Tibet. Tibetans have a lot of interesting stories and myths. This book describes a practice that is related to Tibetan “soul retrieval.” Their idea of “soul” is quite a bit different from the Abrahamic traditions. It is more related to the balanced embodiment of the five elements. When this balance is disturbed, reconnecting to the deficient elements in nature or internally is a primary method to restore health of body and soul. In this image the standing khandro (lit. sky dancer) is the goddess of the five elements from the Mother Tantra, the most widely practiced tantra of Bön. There are five khandros, actually, each representing an element and this is the space element khandro, the mother that gives rise to the other elements. She is standing on a corpse, representing the transcendence of samsara and death of the illusion of an independent “self.”

@Cobie The circle around the letter are five colors representing the five elements in Bön cosmology. There are variations in how the rings are drawn but, in general, there are: white - space element green - air element red - fire element blue - water element yellow - earth element Some renditions leave out white in the ring, establishing white as the color of Ah. Most explicitly include white in the circle. Some versions do not include the 5 element lights at all. This is the image I used when practicing zhinè.

One of the really interesting exercises I've encountered is the practice of searching for this thing called "mind." Where is it? What does it look like? Can you hold it? Can you show it to me? What are its characteristics and so forth...? Talking about the exercise, its value or veracity, doesn't amount to much but actually spending some time with it is very interesting and potentially transformative. In the Bön tradition searching for the mind is often taught in stages. The first stage involves allowing the mind to settle enough to be able to look at it, without getting wrapped up in its activity and machinations. This is called zhiné and is often done by gazing at an object such as the Tibetan letter A for long periods of time. Once the mind has settled and stabilized enough that we're able to observe it more clearly without being overly identified with it or wrapped up in its activity, we look at it and observe its characteristics. At this point the practice begins to reveal some powerful insights. I was recently chatting with a friend who is studying Talmud and discovered a similar practice. Of course, most wisdom traditions (all?) have practices of examining the mind and discovering its nature, each I suspect doing so in its own unique and beautiful way as informed by its view, its culture, its heart. There is a wonderful teaching in Bön I've spoken of many times here called the 21 Nails, referred to as "nails" in the sense that once we have truly understood the teaching, we have nailed down the meaning in such a way that it becomes stable and decisive. From the first Nail: As for recognizing the mind and the nature of mind: Free of thoughts, Becoming the base-of-all, Neutral, Possessing the potential to arise as anything without ceasing --- These four. The base-of-all is the nature of mind. Recollected and aware, Able to arise as anything whatsoever, Liberated when released, If allowed to settle, it mixes [with the base-of-all] --- These four. The intellect is the mind. Of course, these descriptions do not attempt to define the mind and its nature, they are simply meant to serve as an aid to distinguishing between the two in our practice.

We call that thiglè nyagcig - single drop, referring to wholeness, non-duality. But for me, as a practitioner, I have to say ignorance is very real, as real as realization. I say that because both are present in my experience from time to time. To say either did not really exist would not be an accurate account of my experience. So I would go with can’t really say it does exist, doesn’t, both, neither… but easier and more direct for me to release, rest, and continue….

appear, disappear subatomic particles won’t stay in one place!

What about the logical idea that anything with an end must have a beginning? Dzogchen teaches that Ignorance begins when we separate from Nature and ends when we return, in each and every moment! Nature has no beginning or end, and embraces ignorance and knowledge alike. Ignorance (ma-rigpa) and Knowledge (rigpa) can arise and depart unpredictably in our lives. Few yogis have perfect and continuous clarity and attention. Those that do may achieve jalus at death. Though there is a discrete and tangible shift, when I really look at that it is related to memory and experience, now vs then, so that is not it…. … release, rest… … continue.

Or maybe he'll feel more comfortable raising some Hell! It's been quiet lately and the new mods will need some on the job training...

Thank you all for trusting me to help manage the site for a time. It was a great experience and I feel it's time for me to prioritize other things. I do plan to stick around as a member and enjoy the good people and interesting discussion. I want to thank @dwai for his willingness to take on the responsibility of admin, @zerostao and @ilumairen for continuing to contribute, and especially to @forestofemptiness and @stirling for their willingness to get involved. Big, big thanks to @Trunk for his wise leadership for so many years and of course @sean for making it all possible.

You should now have access... if you dare

You got it daobro

Wonderful My pleasure Yes, I find it supportive of opening the heart/mind. Sometimes I do it alone, often in combination with other seed syllables. There is a comprehensive practice working with A, Om, Hung, Ram, and Dza to open the crown, throat, heart, navel, and secret chakras. Yes, the openness can be a bit disconcerting, even destabilizing. Take it slow and don't force it if uncomfortable. For sure the connection to earth while practicing is important. Also important is to continuously release whatever comes up in the heart/mind into that openness.

Two simple practices could potentially be helpful from my perspective. First practice - opening your heart with the seed syllable HUNG (the syllable in my avatar). Connect to the feeling you have in the heart center. Be open to whatever comes up for you when you connect there. No need to engage or analyze, just experience what is there in the body, the inner speech, the thoughts, and feelings. Sit with that for a few moments and then begin chanting the seed syllable HUNG (u is pronounced like oo in book). Feel the vibration of the HUNG in the heart center. As you sing HUNG, imagine and feel a radiant, deep blue light emanating from the heart in all directions. Repeat this as many times as you would like. When you are finished, stay connected to the heart center and notice if there is any change in how you feel. In particular, be aware of and connect to any sense of openness, spaciousness, or warmth there. This could be a sense of physical warmth but also a sense of comfort, of support, of kindness - for your own struggles and those of others. Rest your attention fully in the openness of the heart for as long as it remains fresh. Second practice - sky gazing. Sit or lie down in a comfortable position such that you are able to see the clear, open sky without obstruction. Ideally the sun is behind you. Bring your attention to the heart center. Open to whatever comes up as you rest in the heart. Open your eyes, if they're not already open, and allow your gaze to rest in the open sky. Whatever comes up in the body, inner speech, thoughts and feelings is allowed to come and go without any suppression, engagement, or analysis. Just notice what comes up and continue to rest in the embrace of the open sky. As you feel the openness of the sky, feel the openness in your heart. Notice the distinction between inner and outer and how, with time and patience, the boundary becomes less well-defined. Rest your body, speech, and mind fully in the openness of the sky and the heart. Once again connect to any sense of spaciousness and warmth that may be present and stay with that for as long as it's fresh. Any questions, feel free to send me a PM.

I'm a voracious reader. My tastes jump around quite a bit. For years I read nothing but philosophy and spiritual stuff. Lately, I've had my fill of that and I've been reading fiction. Here are a few of my recent and remote favorites: Blindness - Jose Saramago Amazing allegory about the fragility of human society. Amazing. Geek Love - Katherine Dunn Surreal story about a carnival family that intentionally creates sideshow freaks In the Woods - Tana French Very poetic and unique crime thriller Kafka on the Shore - Haruki Murakami Brilliant story, beyond description, very metaphysical One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez Classic and epic Naked Lunch - William S Burroughs Beyond words.... Himalayan Dhaba - Craig Joseph Danner Young and naive American doctor trying to survive at a clinic high in the Himalayas, very cool! A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole Hilarious! The Bone People - Keri Hulme A Maori artist befriends a young white boy and his father His Dark Materials - Phillip Pullman The Road - Cormac McCarthy Middlesex - Jeffrey Eugenides Touching and haunting portrait of a hermaphrodite Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie No one has a better command of the English language than Rushdie Satan: His Psychotherapy and Cure by the Unfortunate Dr. Kassler, JSPS - Jeremy Leven Over the top! The Historian - Elizabeth Kostova Fascinating historical and fictional exploration of Dracula's myth and reality Feel free to add any comments and your recommendations, I'm always looking for good new stuff to read.

I agree. @Tommy - please keep political posts in Current Events. I've moved your post to the World at War thread there. If you do not have access to Current Events, you are welcome to request it. Thanks for your cooperation.

A thread devoted to all things cannabis. Not everyone’s cup of tea, perhaps, but a rich and varied topic nonetheless.

Some poetry - Rumi - everything! Life on Mars - Tracy Smith Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear - Mosab Abu Toha Devotions - Mary Oliver Milk and Honey - Rupi Kaur The Wasteland - TS Eliot Me (Moth) - Amber McBride Spirit Boxing - Afaa Michael Weaver Bright Dead Things - Ada Limon The Hill We Climb - Amanda Gorman Of Gods and Strangers - Tina Chang

It is not allowed. Political discussion is limited to Current Events. Thanks for your cooperation.

I’ve read different accounts. Some claim he translated it, others say he supervised or proofread a translation done by one of his acolytes and added an introduction. It seems that the Laozi was under-appreciated in Russia in his time and he made some attempts to change that. Your command of the language should help you get to the bottom of it.

I've read The Brothers Karamazov and Crime and Punishment. I was deeply affected by Crime and Punishment but found Brothers to be a bit tiresome and overly theological for my taste.

In short, yes, very much. I'm doing a slow read, one chapter a day, as recommended by @liminal_luke and am a bit more than halfway through. It took me a long time to get into the book. In the beginning I felt a bit like 'who gives a fuck about early 19th century Russian aristocracy/gentry?' Over time I've come to deeply appreciate and respect his masterful portrayal of the human condition through brief but very poignant vignettes - some serious, others farcical, at times quite theatrical or intimate and penetrating. It truly is a timeless novel despite being firmly anchored in time and space. Reading it slowly, something I've never done before, was a little frustrating at first but now an absolute delight as it has given me time to really absorb and reflect on his skill and insight. I generally blast through books, especially if I'm enjoying them. I'm glad I didn't take that approach with War and Peace. Of note for this forum, Tolstoy developed a deep appreciation for Daoist philosophy to the point of translating the Dao De Jing into Russian from English, German, and French translations.

I've read several others by McCarthy including The Road, No Country for Old Men, The Border Trilogy, Child of God, and Outer Dark. I can't really say which is his best but I listed Blood Meridian below because for me it was the most strikingly beautiful and original, even in it's brutality. Kind of like a Hieronymous Bosch painting reimagined through an impressionist lens Some of my favorites in fiction that come to mind are: Blindness - Jose Saramago Kafka on the Shore - Haruki Murakami (3 way tie with 1Q84 and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle) Naked Lunch - William S Burroughs War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy (not yet finished as I'm reading a chapter a day but no question among my favorites) Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkein One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez Blood Meridian - Cormac McCarthy City of Thieves - David Benioff Hyperion Cantos - Dan Simmons Silo - Hugh Howey Gaia series - John Varley The Sparrow series - Mary Doria Russell Geek Love - Katherine Dunne Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell The Bone People - Keri Hulme A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess Satan: His Psychotherapy and Cure by the Unfortunate Dr. Kassler, JSPS - Jeremy Leven Kindred - Octavia Butler Remembrance of Earth's Past - Liu Cixin Voice of the FIre - Alan Moore The Book of Form and Emptiness - Ruth Ozeki A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole

Slowly working my way through a brilliant book that requires a bit of patience and effort but offers worthwhile rewards. A look at the nature of reality as seen through the eyes of one of the 20th century's most influential physicists.

I’ve moved the Trump post to a new thread in Current Events if anyone wants to go there. Let’s keep politics where it belongs please. Thanks

Spirit is Randy California and Ed Cassidy's old band and soul is a genre of music that didn't really have anything to do with their sound, except maybe for Mr. Skin which was pretty funky!

This one did not sit on my nightstand, I read it in a day. One of the most beautiful books I’ve come across. A novel in verse about two young, wounded people. Breathtaking.