VeeCee

I like the look of the whole banner on the front. Maybe you could reprint just the text in a larger size on the back.

Agreed. I use them if I am really down and they seem to rebalance me. I use smoky quartz, which seems to work well. Have also used others, which are associated with specific chakras.

I use crystals occasionally. I find them particularly helpful for grounding and centering.

Ah - come on. Just one more! I promise I won't call you names.

Did play flute a VERY long time ago. Have always been drawn to piano and guitar, but have not take the time to learn.

Very similar to what I've read about chakras, although one book I have talks about higher chakras too. Earth & Higher earth - located below feet, deals with material connection Base - base of spine, survival instincts Sacral - below navel, creativity and procreation Solar plexus - above navel, emotional connection and assimilation Heart - over heart, love Higher Heart - over thymus, unconditional love Throat - throat, communication Brow - forehead, intuition and mental concentration Crown - top of head, spiritual connection Higher crown - above head, spiritual enlightenment

I was very into Jung a year or two ago - which lead some very interesting reading about mythology, religion, the tarot, etc.

Hello. Is that you in the avatar?

"This is the last time this year."

And there was a mention of TB!

What - you're not here for the reptilians??? Welcome.

Yeah baby!

Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

Isn't that the point of retention? Oh - that's self-cultivation. Sorry.

Michael was not being cynical - he was speaking from experience. A marriage is work - it is love in action. When you think something is important, you make a commitment to it - whether it is cultivation or a relationship. Well put - but be prepared to back up those words with action. As you should. Good Luck to both of you.

Nice thoughts Michael. Thanks for sharing.

I thought you were in a committed relationship?

Agreed.

Pietro, I am not surprised that you stand by Vortex. However, I stand by my question of what does any of this have to do with cross-cultural issues? V.

Thanks rain. Agree with you on many of your points, but I'm still not sure how we went from cross-cultural issues to sexual abuse.

Very interesting, Pietro. Thanks for sharing!

Cam - Thanks for your kind words. I am certainly not trying to turn this thread into a flame against men. Some of my best friends are men. I think you're right that it has a lot to do with how our society deals with sexuality, which is certainly not healthy. Would like to see western culture take a different attitude - but it's so engrained in our society that I think it will take a long time to turn it around. V.

All right - let's be clear about this. Both men and women can be good or bad - it's not a gender thing. I have a problem when people start making broad-brush statements about all men are this or all women are that. Vortex - I did not say your stats were concocted. You said that most stats used by "feminists" are concocted! BTW - all of this discussion about whose stats are correct does not address the original question on this thread. So how 'bout we drop the sexual abuse issue and start talking about cross-cultural issues.

Okay - first off, I find this conversation really offensive. Vortex - you have no idea what it means to be a woman in this culture or any other. You have not been sexually abused by a father, or an uncle, or any other male figure who you looked up to, admired, and thought was looking out for your best interest. I have been. My sisters have been. Other women I know have been. So don't start spouting off about concocted figures from some poll done decades ago. Hundun - thank you for your reasoned response. It is gratifying to know that some men actually DO get it.

I think there is a big difference between being physically ready to have children and being emotionally ready to have children. Most people under the age of 20 simply are not emotionally ready for that level of responsibility. I was 35 when I had my daughter, and it was still a big adjustment. I think one of the things that is different now days is that we have a much longer life span - nearly twice as long as it used to be. What has happened is there is a very long extended adolesence - well into the 20's. But that doesn't change the fact that most people are physically ready for sex in their teens. I think society needs to accept that and take the responsibility for teaching safe sex rather than abstinance (which is the same thing as sticking your head in the sand IMO).