Siliconvalley1

Missed this one earlier, didn't know Shri Shibendu had a website. Thanks Dwai... He is very non-assuming, does not charge and initiates folks mostly into the first Kriya. His technique is slightly different than the one taught by SRF folks but it seems now that Lahiri Mahasaya himself taught several modifications. Incidentally, Shibendu's son Ujwal Lahiri lived next door for a while and I had the good opportunity of talking to Shibendu now and then for a few weeks. From the website it does seem that he travels and teaches actively ... Thanks again for sharing this link

Tara, Manjushri and Avalokiteshvara who battled bloody with these 'aliens' are Predators then?

One can argue as long as one simply wants to, irrespective of whether it makes sense What I meant to say was, in spite of all the flowery attempts to justify the hatred, it is quite evident - through historical accounts, iconography, texts etc. I am sure every religion has similar aspects to it. A fundamental Islamist may do it on a larger scale with jihad, a fundamental Christian may burn Pagan practitioners and a fundamental Buddhist may express this hatred through such literary accounts and iconography. These elements exist in Buddhism as well and there is really no reason for the holier-than-others attitude exhibited by "some" Buddhists. This is especially true from a sociological viewpoint more than a philosophical one. Intolerance is not really disagreement as some here have tried to portray. There may be a difference in the way of expression and degree of intolerance, but there is really no fundamental difference between any of the "isms" in how they view the other religion or treat those who disagree with them - intolerance can be intellectual, physical, verbal and so on ... but when stripped to the bare, it is simply intolerance.

People are hurt by things others say and that is why they are called people. A similar reaction is seen here where some jumped to support him, didn't they? So the challenge and contest part is true from the other side of the fence as well. I don't think many people who have issues with Namdrol or E-Sangha are interested in making a demon out of a moron or even in a topic related to Hinduism. It is the fundamentalist attitude that "his opinion is right and other's is wrong and those who disagree with me will be banned, shouted at and humiliated" is what we are talking about. And there is no dearth of examples for such behavior of his. Moreover, this has nothing to do with Hinduism as I believe the Hindus never really cared much for Buddhism and most still don't. That is a social and historical fact. But there were several disparaging remarks made about Zen, how it can only be a beginners practice and so on which were severely contested by the Zen folks. It is this violent argument of Namdrol that it is only his interpretation of Buddhism that is correct that people have hated. If at all he did just that, he would probably be okay (like we are here ) but he lashed the moderator's whip on those who contested his views. No one is trying to make a demon of Namdrol I guess.. only trying to show that he is a human after all and no mahasiddha to be infatuated about and accepted blindly ... And I (a 'biased' Hindu following an incomplete path ) is not even the one saying this, the ones saying these are well-known Buddhists and Academicians ...

There are obviously better ways of expressing his "realistic, respectful" opinions on others than this: It is better to be a bad Buddhist than a Good Christian

S N Goenkaji has warned repeatedly not to learn from a book, especially not Vipassana. And he does not charge for his teaching. I have taken about 10 retreats with Goenka's group in the last decade and they are extremely helpful, even after learning the actual technique. I doubt if Vipassana can be really learnt from a book, especially the Goenka form, without taking at least one 10-day retreat. Most often, shamata is all one can get to with the best of efforts. Vipassana the Goenka way can be extremely intense and bring up many things, including energetic corrections. There seem to be other versions of Vipassana though that seem safer to be practiced without direct supervision. If you're interested, I can pull up some details but I think the stress on the dissolving aspect is less pronounced there. And if you want to be reaaaallly wicked demonoid has all the ten days worth of Goenka's instruction.

Totally true ... I hope there comes a day when I can go someplace and just be without my ipod and macbook.

Leon, Like many others suggested, AYP seems to be the good option among what is available free. I have my own reservations on Anna-Ravi, Bikram, Sant mat Kundalini kinds of Neo Yogas. If one observes the construct of the Yoga system, even before the times of Patanjali who organized it, it is spiritual in nature. All the different yogas - Bhakti, Jnana, Hatha etc. are spiritual in their own sense. They are all there and what is picked depends on the individual, his taste, goal, qualification etc. If by "spiritual", you mean enlightenement, all of them are meant to take you there. Hatha Yoga, through bodily discipline is meant to awaken Kundalini and help one overcome the sense of limited individuality. Kundalini Yoga is really a subset of Hatha Yoga with greater focus on the Tantric aspects. Raja Yoga aims to achieve the same through a dispassionate disciplining of the mind. Bhakti yoga teaches surrender, prayer, service and meditation on mantras and forms to reach the same aspect. Jnana yoga, which is generally not taken up directly by all, is probably not a good start for the beginner. Traditionally, one practiced Hatha Yoga for three years, followed by three years of Raja Yoga, one year of Bhakti Yoga before finally entering the path of Jnana Yoga. While this is a practical approach, it is observed by many that sticking to one of them is sufficient in itself. In the current cosmological cycle named Kali Yuga, it is believed that Japa yoga or recitation of a mantra is the best and safest yoga and this is taught in Gita, the Hindu scripture. Mantra Yoga has in it elements of bhakti, raja, karma, kundalini yogas - gradually preparing one for Jnana yoga. A good addition to mantra practice would be some hatha yoga exercises, mainly for health and physical wellbeing. The SRF correspondence course is inexpensive and involves a mantra practice at the higher stages and that may be a good option if you plan to stick with something for a long time. Soham/Ajapa Yoga, said to be the predecessor of Anapanasati before the advent of Buddha, is a good option to start with as it again involves mantra, simple breathing, visualization and mindfulness.

Seriously some nerve No wonder there is a cry of protest from some Buddhists when even the word Christian occurs in the same sentence as Buddhism. There is nothing similar between the two (except may be the above one) If you notice the entire thread, bias is not about other religions, which of course is evident there, but even on other sects within Buddhism. Some nerve to point out the inconsistencies of the perfect E-Sangha ah?

These may be of some help: Link 1 Link 2

Can someone can post a quick review of the book Energy Work by Robert Bruce? The reviews on Amazon seem to be mostly from Bruce's students. Would like to know if the book is some New Age thing or worth a read. I am not very familiar with his teachings except for the Astral Travel stuff he taught in late 90s. Thanks in advance ...

Amazing Person ...

Thanks Mikael.. The Theta thing seems to be similar to the concept of groups like Theta Healing and others.

Me too!!! And they crash less frequently after the latest firmware update

Golden advice Do you do any zazen/anapanasati/vipashyana type of exercise as well? I would ...

I am not sure how good the following are, but these are what I use: 1. There is the Richard Wilhelm/Cary F. Baynes translation which seems pretty okay to me. 2. Alfred Huang's book on I Ching seems very detailed. I admit however I have read in only in parts. 3. For a novice, to start with, Oliver Perottet's book seems to be the best. 4. Anthony Clark & Richard Gil's book for quick reference.

Well I do understand the simple thing that Reiki is not Ki but is all about Ki. I ask this because the school of Reiki teaches Ki as having an inherent intelligence of its own due to it being termed the "Universal" life force and not having to be led through actions or intent. But you seem to feel the other way about Chi. So is the Ki they talk of different from the Chi you're speaking of?

A Question for Xabir ... One must be watchful for those who would say the Buddha's teachings are unquestionable. Basically, Buddhism is meant to be a struggle to constantly test our understanding of the world. One should neither accept nor reject unproven the teachings of the wise, or even the Buddha. The Buddha tells the Kalamas to not just believe religious teachings because they are claimed to be true by various sources or through the application of various methods and techniques. He urges that direct knowledge from one's own experience should be called upon. He also counsels that the words of the wise should be heeded and taken into account when deciding upon the value of a teaching. Of course Dignaga, Dharmakirti and medieval Sautrantikas have their peculiar position on what is a Pramana or an authority but the above Sutta seems to be simple and clear and acceptable in validity to most Buddhist traditions. So, how do you interpret this sutta? Do you validate the theories you write about through direct experience or assume them to be true based on logic, common sense, authority of the sutta or someone who claims to have validated them? I would be genuinely interested to know as my area of study is Vajrayana to be specific where there is an explicit statement in Tantras like Kalachakra or Guhyasamaja to accept in good faith the teachings therein, much on the lines of Hindu Tantras like Mahanirvana. What I am interested to know though is what is the Mahayana/Theravada position on teaching or propagation or even debates based on authorities other than direct experience.

So, are you suggesting Ki (of Reiki) is not Chi?

Eight years rather, but the Advaitins or Vedantins (even the non-dual schools) in general have been accused similarly as well. Are the accusations totally inappropriate, no - are they fully correct - no again. It's all really perspective and how one sees it. At different stages, different realizations come and there probably is no practical use in fighting them, classifying them hierarchially or stop looking for newer horizons. But is it not possible to accomplish that effort towards what we might think is evolution with least friction with oneself, the environment and the Tao? Probably that is where compassion fits in. Hevajra says: Refining leads to compassion and compassion refines further. I am not picking a fight really ... neither digging to find old, wise sayings just ran into your old post while looking for a Taoist quote of Lin's.

Well, I agree with what you said earlier ... I hope you continue to "evolve" but without making statements which you cannot later retract ... Also, as you accept you are still "evolving", why are you so violently protecting your current belief apparatus which may change later or even simply drop off? You were arguing on the other side of the fence an year ago, your position has now changed but not the argument. Is there not a lesson here? Not just for you but for many of us

This might be a good read.