Wayfarer64

OK I'll bite!- Is it because those who apply their "expertise" in these investigations have not first extracted their heads from their butts?

The sea meets the stones I met The Stones, Mick was rude Songs outlive The Stones

So far so good!- Politics is often a spark to anger amongst men... politics as we have it today is pretty antithetical to what "harmony" could be found in forming societies & systems of governance... And of course there is a huge expansive variety of systems to argue for/against... Which again leads me to believe that politics as a whole is worrisome to any one seeking harmony - even if they never heard of Taoism!!! I have run for public office and see our political system here in NJ USA as very corrupted and loathsome...I do not want to run for office again... But then if that is so - who is to change it??? That is the paradox of politics as well- who wins if only the rats win the rat race?- not the folks who have to live under inept self-serving leadership...(as we had with GWBush in my opinion...) ooops is that too political a thing to say here ? I hope not! So Taoists -particularly those of the Confucian way - tend to hope for good leadership through fine administrators and sage advisors - which is why the place of leadership is so often- "the 5th place" of the YiJings' hexigrams. As so often if not usually - it is that of the ruler of the hexagram to use more precise language...In other words - he who advises the actual figurehead of power...holds the power for real! So it seems that -it is assumed that politicians can be lead by their underlings - which may or may not always fit the scenerio- or work out well. - again the last administration comes to mind... But as to left and right sorts of politics - I think any time may warrant activities that would not be appropriate to other times - and that is what leadership is about - understnding what powers may be at hand and what the best course of activity should be... enuff for now- love to all- Pat

Hi from Jersey yrself!- I know no herbalists near by but suggest the whole earth center in Princeton as a good place to start..

No More Illusions Everything is Expanding So Super-size me!

Man that does hurt some !- The healing advice already given covers what I would offer, but add do not strain yrself before the interview, use the injury to improve yr posture - if you have to grunt through any pain do it rather than trying pain-killers for the interview! The story is sweet -how it happened so use it to show what a mensch you are!

Welllittle 1 -that is interesting- Toxisity may be a factor... like any virus or flu - it spreads through contagion, where are yr oxigen masks indeed! But NO! We do have a bubble of fresh air here - created by good will and brotherly/sisterly love - as all is one in the Tao!

Jen- It sounds like an avoidance issue, fear of intimacy etc...If yr avatar is you -than you are indeed attractive, so do not blame yrself! MPG- The women of Maduro- just North of Eastern Java are reknowned for their muscle use & do have amazing powers ... But that is taught by training which begins very early in life and is practiced and refined as they grow more worldly... So back to your problem Jen- that may not be a practicle solution...- Raising the guys' Yang energy levels may help ... Red meat - in small quantities -the old oysters for dinner has some merit too, protien in general may help him... Ginger tea Ginsing too... It sounds like you've little luck in love... Better days ahead!

Religion is vaccuos... empty as a shell- and it is a shell-game as well! the way of life that one strives for - is where the energy is driven... If you hope to become a better person - just follow the golden rule... if you want to become enlightened - meditate until you give up... that will lighten your mood anyway! ( or reach some new light source within you)... The Way is just the best way you can manage to be for yrself & the greater harmony of the life around ya... love to all- Pat

Once you get over yourself- you will find that you are already part of the greater oneness... - the non-duality of being in yr own Tao -the way you should be as it were... another way to say this is... Transcending the self (ego) is the start, then a blissfull awareness developes and you are at one -...

I am something of a Luddite. No car, no TV, an antiquated cell phone that costs only $10 per month- (TuYo) - I've often lived with no electricity, an out-house and a pump for water... Such experiences I cherish as much as any... I was at home in a very simple way - easy on the world and easy on me too... This transhumanism seems down-right evil-minded to my way of thinking....The natural path is the only one for me, my brothers & sisters... the only way.... in harmony with the world - not trying to change the paradigm of natural life or to build on silly wishes- to bring back ones' father!!! meditate and delve into yr subconscious mind -you will meet yr father there... I am still in contact with every one of my loved ones who have died and there are several! Those connections are more real to me than this cyber- chat is. communicate openly and honestly and trust nature (the actualized Tao!) to win in the end!

A lonely light calls with no voice to claim its own My eye now has ears... sorry this will be a tough one to use!

Back in the 70's I lived on a few different communes, in Wisconsin, Vermont, New Hampshire, & Washington State... Each was different - but the common ground was keeping a sustainable economic structure to keep us alive and warm/cool and healthy. Mostly we farmed - or created items to wear - - silk screening T-shirts with various designs was a good $ maker... Being self sustaining for food is tricky and needs to be organized by folks who know what they are doing... The political structure was important - chores needed doing and kids needed everything... etc... Creating a monastic retreat may be more viable for what you have spelled out... I for one would not enjoy -nor want to be part of any regimented situation, offering the opportunity for group activity is one thing schedualing it is another... good luck with this idea tho- it may be a good beginning.- love to all-Pat

Welcome to the Tao Bums!- I bet you'll like it here...See ya 'round cyber-space...-Pat

My hearts warmth goes forth for ya bro! The Tibetan book of the Dead helped me to send my mom onward a few years back- It offers some down to earth advice on dealing with death and dieing... sharing warmth and heartfelt joy with those we love - especially as they depart this realm is the greatest good we can offer to each other- It aint easy being strong sometimes, when we are helpless to cease the changes we fear the most... But ceasing the fear is easier...changes bring the new forward and we go on changed - stronger or sadder but still united as spiritual beings - My thoughts are with you.- Pat

Sit down, trake a deep breath... remember that you are a part of a compassionate universe that offers no ill will nor pity nor reason beyond life itself... Experiencing disarray is a good thing! the rearrangement will follow soon enough... Change is the only constant - so give it time and a new way will be offered - if not here - than there - where ever tyou may take... you...

My thoughts and my hearts' warmth are with you. As are so many here- That yr own compassion offered that kid some real warmth is reason enough to have done the deed & now added to that you share the story. The sharing of human kindness radiates and grows, as is the case with any act and story of compassion... The joining of beings in open-hearted trust is a great blessing everywhere on our planet... I'm glad you've shared all this tender- heartedness with us. Your son must be very well loved and I bet he knoiws it too! stay strong and secure that yr path has the gumption of rightiousness! - But don't get too "cocky" or mybe "self-rightious" is the better term- humility in rightiousness counts far more than any hubris - Love to all-Pat

I am not familiar with magical powers. I draw strength from the earth and the sun... The air that I breath and the natural bounty of nature - if thats magic sobeit! Initially I would have called it Holy Terror! But once I realized that the fear I experienced was feeding them I just became angry and cool and determinded to take them to a place where they had no power over me or anyone else... The nature of evil is cowardly - because its own consciousness has nothing to back it up, no inherent "rightness" to draw strength from... Feeling the pOwer inherent in doing the right thing for the right reasons gives us each all the strength we may need.... no matter what ism we draw from- love to all- Pat

Yeah- thats the question! Do we have a spirit that lives on ? & - is that part of our consciousness meant to go on without the life form it once inhabited? - I think there is a difference between the spirit and the life force of beings... One goes on, the other disperses... We build up life force (qi) through practice and growth but that is not the same as developing a spiritual strength to act in the spiritual realm of consciousness- Thats only my view of course but it is one that I have experienced... love to all- Pat

Haven't most of us drifted away and back again as our lives offer less time &/or new directions? The huge influx of new people should be an awakening - even as old questions and subjects are re-asked - any actual wisdom found here seems to be offered with open hearted trust in the nature of those who seek ( be it understanding of the Tao- or its many off-shoots here)... The questions don't need to be answered... But, the seeking needs to be continued. Just because that is the nature of those of us who do the asking & seeking... We want our minds opened and expanded; & our spirits enabled to share with others who seek the spiritual linkage this scene offers to all and any! If this site isn't tendering the juice ya need - then you should give it a rest or seek else-where... But Pietro -as you have been a source of much needed insight and humor and good will - that would be a great loss for us who remain- That Sean has gone missing for now... is something I've noticed as well - but I assume there is need for his amazing energy elsewhere...That RJ is still able to twist our noses -(thanks cat) - allows (me at least) to gain perspective and insight on the real growth that has been offered here for so many... We can still laugh at our foibles and the folly that is just us being humans... it remains a great place just to visit with kindred-spirits for me... No answers required!

Thank you for the sense of the thing- it is very refreshing to read such a coherent - no BS entry ...Regarding how the many levels of justice for the various levels of society become clear if unfair... and yet a judge could find some wiggle-room - how practical...until confronted with the impartiality of nature and true justice is seen as being truely- if cruely, impartial... That is the difference between natural justice and man made justice, we may offer each other a variety of options...

This strikes me as pertinent to another recent thread from Kate- where in she described herself as on an even keel when she could have flipped out. It seems that any and all systems that have us meditating, working on our breathing or just being introspective will tender good results. -There actually seems to be an universal good result from any variety amongst so many paths and name-brands of seeking that we may find here, when these basics are used. Its almost a sort of golden rule for internal cultivation. Would Bardons' system fall into that over-generalization as well? That any way can be castigated officially seems narrow minded - but then naziism may be an exception to that rule...the politics of philosophy is a tricky biz...

I have fought evil demons and viscious miscreants in many forms on many levels of conscoiusness. It is the best activity I have ever been a part of. There are many activities I prefer, no doubt- but for actually doing good works it offers the most satisfaction for any true spiritual warrior. love to all- Pat

The guy who started the Beats on their way- as it were -into drug usage anyway- was Herbert Hunke. He used to come to my gallery openings- one famous evening I introduced him to Kurt Mazur, who led the NY Philharmonic then... He was a gentleman and a quick wit, even in his 80's - Heroin does not kill those addicted - going off it does. Just like it did Jerry Garcia... It is how we livew our lives that counts... being afraid of conciquences offers little to do. Fear is the worst hinderance for every aspect of seeking knowledge- it refutes the drive and complex interactions needed to grow... love to all-Pat