doc benway

Sorry I know I'm being a bit of a dick... it happens sometimes It must be because it is a Fire/Fire day today on the Tibetan calendar...

Peace

I just came across a poem that made me think of our discussion here... It says what I was thinking and so much more! (PS - I fixed all the errors where he accidentally wrote He/Him rather than She/Her) The Living God She who is in you and outside you, Who works through all hands, Who walks on all feet, Whose body are all ye, Her worship, and break all other idols! She who is at once the high and low, The sinner and the saint, Both God and worm, Her worship - visible, knowable, real, omnipresent, Break all other idols! In whom is neither past life Nor future birth nor death, In whom we always have been And always shall be one, Her worship. Break all other idols! Ye fools! who neglect the living God, And Her Infinite reflections with which the world is full. While ye run after imaginary shadows, That lead alone to fights and quarrels, Her worship, the only visible! Break all other idols! ~ Vivekananda

I hope you don’t delete. Once out these little poems (can feel trite or presumptuous to the discursive mind but they ) have a life and may serve as a little yeast cell for someone.

PS - science can be a bitch! 😉

You can take your time and respond as you see fit. My style doesn’t change much. Everything I’ve posted is within the scope of the OP. Modern science has many branches that are relevant to the OP. I’m starting with your most basic assumptions. You can ignore those if you choose. 🤞🏽

Making sense does not define science. Science has nothing to do with being believable or beyond doubt. In fact, science is rooted in doubt. If you want to define science, maybe begin with the scientific method or model. By definition, the scientific method is a method of procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses.

Yes Where does our body end and our environment begin? How independent is the body? Can you give me an example of a body existing without its environment? Only two? Please define those two and demonstrate that all other ways to describe internal human function are incorrect. Let's see how you respond above first... You mentioned two but never defined them. The current foundation of biological thought starts with organsim-environment. The two are inseparable. Any discussion of taijiquan, qigong, and zhan zhuang should be in a greater context, IMO. Here are some articles coming from publications of "true science" https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10333975 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10333976 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10485609 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10885546 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12795206

And as you allude to above, the separation between body, mind, brain, and environment is entirely artificial. The skin bag that surrounds our internal organs does give the strong impression of independence, but that is arbitrary and fleeting. Any theory of Qi should accommodate this. Here's some common sense Western science: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10333975

I appreciate that I agree, playful roasting is cool although anything digital can be easily misconstrued - I wasn't pointing anyone in particular but the general tenor and pile-on vibe I was feeling... I appreciate you owning your choices and discussing with me.

I find you to be one of those exceptional ones, whether you realize it or not... 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Yes, corrupted is more accurate, thank you. I also minimize the activity of believing in my life. I prefer to know or to simply be ok with not knowing until knowing is there.

Thanks for that, yes I agree and my response is based on that premise. I find it more depressing to think the greed and corruption is inherent in the human condition as opposed to an outside interference. I don't subscribe to this premise personally. I do believe it to be the inevitable shadow side of humanity. The silver lining is that it is something that gives us the opportunity to be the best we can be and grow to our ultimate potential.

Another favorite

Hoping the revolution is simmering in the USA!

Maria Rita doing a cover of O Rappa's Minha Alma I might have posted this before but I can't really get enough!

I would feel much better knowing aliens run world governments. It's depressing to think that much greed and corruption is possible in humanity...

@virtue I know nothing about virtue but he/she was quick to jump in and say some nice things, that's cool! @ilumairen She is an intelligent and passionate badass who I admire

I've already said this elsewhere but, once again, welcome Josh (I hope it's ok I refer to you that way). I hope you enjoy your time here. We're an eccentric and lot with lot's of spice, a bit of knowledge, and nice variety.

I’m pleased you have your understanding. Mind is different.

It was a reaction to your post. I am referring more to the spontaneous thoughts that come and go from time to time.

If I watch my thoughts, I notice that I never choose them. One moment they are not there and in the next, a thought is there, unbidden and unselected. If I leave it be as it is, it soon is gone again. Certainly we can choose to think about a topic or reminisce or plan but generally, they simply appear and the subject matter is unpredictable.

The ignore function can make this place much more appealing to our individual tastes. I don’t think I have anyone on ignore at the moment but it comes in handy from time to time.

Wow, some really beautiful people here offering love and wisdom to someone in need. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽