Nanashi

Perhaps Shugendo would be a good fit-- combined elements of Tibetan Buddhism with Taoism and some folk shinto. http://www.shugendonow.com/Shugendo_Now/Welcome.html or Shugyo (deep mind-body training). http://www.lion-gv.com/v08/shugyo/html/what_is_shugyo.html

Yes, I agree-- it is often exhausting-- mentally taxing. I like your train of thought there, and from what you told us about your practice and diet, you have an excellent foundation to build upon. I hope you can succeed in your endeavors. Remember though it may be difficult to chase two rabbits, catching neither. Focus your energies into certain channels at a time, and other efforts may be easier afterward.

Hm, your situation actually doesn't sound that bad. It takes time to overcome sexual frustration, maybe that is it. In time, it may take a decade or two-- time is relative. By then, you'll have either found someone to love (or many meaningful people along the way) or have mastered self-discipline to a point where you don't need sexual satisfaction by being or onanism.

Non, I can empathize with your points and plights, but you have to keep a cool head, lest you go insane. I suggest to stop drinking tap water (most already do not), it can mess with your hormones and cause other chemical imbalances. Also, stop eating most snack foods-- here's a small chart of unacceptable amounts of mercury that is somehow commercial allowed to be contained in food stuffs, outlined by the IATP:

"I think we agree, the past is over" -- GW Bush Another, from the famous philosopher:

In light of the new age of aquarius, and all the current astrological events that coincide with a shift in consciousness, I think all buddhists, taoists and shintoists should join forces to awaken their fellows-- let us bring awareness and enlightenment to the masses. shugenja.bmp

In 1962 Inouye was elected to the U.S. Senate, succeeding fellow Democrat Oren E. Long. He is currently serving his eighth consecutive six-year term ... Inouye was also involved in the Iran-Contra investigations of the 1980s, chairing a special committee from 1987 until 1989. During the hearings Senator Inouye made a statement about the existence of a 'secret government' within the United States that had been involved in the Iran-Contra affair. He summarized the coverup by the US Shadowy Government involvement by saying: "There exists a shadowy Government with its own Air Force, its own Navy, its own fundraising mechanism, and the ability to pursue its own ideas of the national interest, free from all checks and balances, and free from the law itself."

A good thing about AA is that is has a spiritual system-- the method is traditional, but you can substitute "god" for anything, as with most social organizations. The problem with AA is that it isn't solely spiritual: it is also a process in the judicial system. A lot of the people attending meetings are ordered by the court, criminals-- within varying degrees. I have accompanied a friend to a few meetings at different places. One was run down with hardcore addicts (people who have tried to kill themselves) and another that was completely bourgeoisie. The latter leaned more toward religion. But statistically, I heard several years ago, the success rate for AA was 12% for addicts quitting their addiction, whereas the success rate for people quitting on their own was at 12%. So maybe it depends on a person's level of discipline for freedom from their vice.

It is clear that Lao-tzu and the Tao-te-ching advocates anarcho-primitivism. Let us return to the trees, my brethren!

Toss up between Tieguai Li and Han Xiang Zi.

I love Han Shan's poetry... thanks for linking to that documentary, it was a pleasure to watch.

Average American's finances: http://www.visualeconomics.com/the-american-familys-financial-turmoil_2010-04-29/

Appech: haha, true-- I was just thinking for this particular topic, more focus should have been on the article itself than the tangent. But, of course, you are right about that is what happens to most threads. Anyway, here is a timeline ( http://www.iamthewitness.com/DarylBradfordSmith_Rothschild.htm ) of the Rothschild family, you can ctrl+f for communism and its names (Mao, Marx). Few nations can modernize on their own, through their own merit and resources-- it takes funding. Before the IMF, there were the banking families.

Communism was created by a Rothschild through various agents (Lenin, Marx) to be a false duality against capitalism-- something for people to fight over. It was never meant to be sustainable, given the greed of man. The real problem with any system of economics and governments is corruption-- even philosopher kings are fallible. There is no utopia in them; with all the technological wonders we enjoy, there will the horrors of inequality and exploitation. The only true utopia existed when man was still apart of nature: as nomadic animals. This has been an interesting discussion, but I feel it deserved its own thread. It diminishes the impact of the OP article.

If consciousness is a slave to the body; the body is a slave to nourishment. To receive nourishment in modern times, most must look to the masters of production, which will enslave both the mind and body. It is a tricky cycle to overcome, but there are various methods which only the seeker can find on their own. There is help available, but some of those paths are also a form of slavery. Be wary.

I just saw it last week; pretty funny.

If a murderer stops murdering, is he still called a murderer? The seasons change, but the pattern of changing seasons does not. Ha, the realm of philosophy is slippery-- psychology is just tricky. Hard to say if people ever change, or if their habits/desires lie dormant, growing in power from latency. I guess that doesn't really help, heheh.

Interesting note: http://www.cathletics.com/forum/archive/index.php?t-784.html Haha, try not to become addicted!

Marblehead: Right, that wasn't directed specifically at you, I was just generalizing. This is off topic, but I'm curious-- did you sign up for the war, get drafted, or were you already in the armed forces when it began? You are lucky to come out with a good head on your shoulders (even if it is made of marble, heheh just kidding). I personally know a few Vietnam vets who served in different fields-- a weapons specialist, a cook, high command, and they all seem to have been warped by the experience.

Marblehead: Ah, that is true, I see now. I suppose the other precepts are more intended for a martial artist audience or an ascetic than everyday bourgeoisie life. Thanks for your time in discussing this with me.

Marblehead: Musashi only participated in one war as a teenager; his dueling career and subsequent legend were formed in a time of peace. I can see the world of today being just as dangerous (in certain parts). I still think the list is applicable today just as it was 400 years ago. Like I said, I can understand if it doesn't fit into your personal philosophy, but wholly disregarding it as antiquated musings seems a bit rash.

Regarding Marblehead and Jesus comments: I didn't quite get what you meant earlier-- You said you respected him (or his teachings, later), but don't respect how he died? Then you mentioned serving god and country being idiotic, which threw me off that discussion, as that wasn't even brought up by me (but I do agree). I'm not trying to be rude, just clarifying. I respect Musashi more than Jesus, if Jesus even existed. Seems like he was, or his abilities were, fabricated in later times to "help" or "control" people. Enlightenment through the sword is the purpose of Musashi's precepts, so I can understand why a lot of people can't fathom why they'd be useful.

Ganbatte. I suggest the water, too. I usually do a week of fasting every december for Rohatsu.

Marblehead: Sure, good points. I don't really care about Jesus or Christianity, I just was speaking of even though he was killed, people still respect and honor him.