Wayfarer64

Been in hybernation... I've been in a few brew-ha-has here mostly to confront what I saw as shilling or over-bearing entries...(With Mr. Denty & Vaj most notably)...I never felt any real anger in these confrontations, & I think they were pretty healthy in the long-run. The Tuna/cow analogy works for me when we look from the inside out ... the structures of both are remarkably similar. But they each serve very different places in the natural system/order of this planet... as do the various philosophies we discuss here... When systems of life develop in our many and various environments we GAIN variety! All life is sacred and all life is expendable. We cherish that which we are a part of. As our consciousnesses grow we become part of greater realms of being... Each finding our own path thru the changes... love to all- Pat

It sounds like a classic choice between the "Right hand path " & the "Left hand path" The first is the socially acceptable -"usual" way that societies offer us... the Left is your path if yr not all that interested in yr society's options as much as yr own inner voice's yearnings... The 1st is safe the second -not at all- but it does offer adventure and surprise! GOALS are a good thing -usually... but also as usual the attachment to even that view of ones' future can confound ones' spiritual yearning... is there a middle way in this problem? love to all-Pat

That sounds like an open minded way to see things. I have always maintained that women are the basis of all civilization... look at how the Wild West of (our recent) yore developed.... It may have something to do with wanting to be settled somewhere to have young-uns... love to all- Pat

Easier Said Than Done Great song 1963 My pal Billy sang...

[quote The feel-good soothing rites of other religions where you pray based on "faith" are used by some taoist sects (the ones the farthest removed from shamanism and the closest-tied with buddhism), but taoism being a mysterious science rather than a faith-based need-based religion, you can get more mileage out of learning and practicing than out of wanting and asking. Thank you for this - It rings true. Faith is not what is needed in seeking, courage is needed. BEING a part of the whole in a meaningful manner, conscious of yr thoughts & actions on a profound level, while taking responsibility for who you are & what you are creating in yr life... The rest is filler to my way of thinking- love to all- Pat

When I met Seals & Crofts- the 70's singing duo, they were very devout Sufis and opened me up to their philosophy. I believe it to be the best hope for Islam to reach the next Millenium bathed in light! The Sufis I've met were wonderful folks! love to all- Pat

I agree- If I understand yr point!- The commoditization of ALL art forms is worrisome to me. Corporate execs choose what we hear for the most part ... Different ones choose what gets bought for corporate walls or added to collections -once a great boon to artists... now that is rarer daty by day... H. L MENKIN ONCE WROTE THAT -NO ONE EVER LOST MONEY UNDERESTIMATING THE TASTE OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC ! MAN DID HE EVER GET THAT RIGHT!- sorry 'bout the caps!

Ja ich Liebe es! Soft as velvet on my pallet Gracher Himmelreich

Yeah the premise is spurious at best. I have owned art galleries in NYC and shown dozens of women artists. The other side of that question is more to the point tho- is creativity considered "feminine" - I do not believe it is. In general creativity is degraded in the USA. Artists are looked down on as un-needed...But I think NOT! As noted here females can stand on there own 2 feet here more than most places on our globe... Artists are not respected here as we are elsewhere. The same with women perhaps -there is a lack of respect for nurturing in general if that is nurturing art, music or babies -it is not as valued as gung-ho masculinity in our warped socuety... If this thread is for real then the issue is important - if its just a shot - well so what? love to all-Pat

Pacccccific sssssunssssset I'm silently sifting sand through open fingers

Many Thanks for this! _I'm getting a copy for my flat-mate- he needs it!- love to all-Pat

My Sifu has died. He helped many folks along their way....I will miss him, as will so many others...

Ones' circumstances- sober or not need ...to be dealt with and experienced... state of mind means little to the spirit... But a peaceful mind works best in any case... so if booze mellows ya out - thats cool too!-(hic)-

This is very good news indeed!- I've heard tell of this tome... revelations are abounding these days.... The truth surfaces and everything becomes clear... stay awake & on yr toes out there!!!

Many thanks for yr kindnesses and compassion... The funeral and service were fine and the taps played by an U.S. Army musician was amazing... As in all funerals it is a good thing to see folks that one has been missing over the years - BUT- the occassion is meloncholy at best... This is rude and inappropriate on this thread. Learn some manners. Love to all-Pat

I don't know about self-realization being the goal of meditation...I was born self-aware and awake and haven't lost that sense of self ever... I use meditation mostly just to relax and center myself. Stubbing my toe once woke me right up when I was exhausted .. .Learn what works for you, use what you understand...

I seldom make pan-cakes, but I made wild-rice & pecan pan-cakes this AM, with a mango/ peach sauce... I had no idea that it is Father-Pauls' day here - but I am very pleased to have set the mood for the day with synchronistic joy... He was and remains an insperation to many here... I am grinning from ear to ear thinking of the happiness he offered to us ....

As I've stated in other threads, I have sought out Buddhists world-wide asking questions and seeking their wisdom. Most monks were far more interested in getting money from me than sharing any thing other than rote-learned pablum. World-wide Buddhism is a political entity with an agenda that is very similar to the Chatholic churches' agenda... Propogate Buddhism for the growth of their system... Buddhists are stuck in their world -view as much as any other faith-based organization. That is why Taoism is actually different: FAITH is not an option. faith is the enemy of reason and true understanding. Keep yr feet on the ground and yr mind will be free. Lose touch with nature -in any man-made construct, and we get lost. Taoism is based only on the natural order of growth and creativity that life shows us if we observe and are quiet in our hearts.... (Buddhism will help many gain quietude,) - but then the real work begins - and Buddhism offers nothing FOR ME beyond a mere mind-set of escapist ritual. It is a good thing in the world, but offers lME ittle understanding of how to live as a man in the world. The whole institution of begging offends me when done by Catholics passing the plate or any and all Buddhist monks begging for food door to door...These institutions have grewat wealth and they should not take from those who have been granted "Faith" and thus are hooked into the system that is just another juggernaught of tom-foolery... love to all-Pat

This may be of interest to some here... http://www.imagingtibet.org/ enjoy!

For me at this time it is the aspect of dynamic change -so apparent and strong and real in our lives that needs to be addressed. The shock of the new -to borrow a phrase... When I was a kid there were no personal computers. TV was black & white... One could find quiet places in the world. As a 4 year old vegitarian -I had to go back to meat, as there was not enough understanding of how to deal with a young vegetarians' diet back then (1958)... that is all different now! The world-wide aspect of all culture and how we in the West may have "warped" Taosit thinking seems unimportant to me ... because we are simply on a path that has opened us up to Taoist thought. I think this should be the beginning of a new way, maybe even a changed way for Taoism to be understood...

Moderation in all things even moderation.... If the job has become too much for our fearless leader Sean, it is likely to be too much for ANYONE! so a team is a likely way to go... in shifts -or rotations whatever- it's easy enough to work out the details... this is a growing entity, and its been pretty organic so far - lets let this " settle in" a short while ... an answer will arrive for us no doubt - I for one will consult the Yi Jing ASAP... and be back tomorrow with a reply... love to all-Pat

My most frequent problem has been... NOT being able to find SILENCE! I have experienced so little actual quetude - and I have saught it often... when all I could hear were the sounds of nature and NO MOTORS!!! The wind in far off trees is what I long to hear again...

I've met the Dalai Lama. He would have compassion for Vajs' narrow-mindedness ... Shake it off guys help is on the way... Its' just too bad the intrusive Buddhists here are too lame to create their own site instead of invading this one like a band of miscreant yahoos.. This too shall pass -like any other excrimental influences...They stink-up the place and are soon forgotten..