Pax

That's what I'm aiming for, not drinking five cups a day OR giving it up entirely, but having an occasional cup of good coffee. Before it was feeling like medicine, if I didn't have two cups in the morning I got a headache and felt lethargic...it came to a head when it was 90 degrees out and I was having my two morning cups and sweating like crazy, I thought "well, this is dumb as hell", so I weaned off and like you, enjoy a cup of the good stuff now and then.

I quit daily coffee a couple of months ago and it was rough for the first month, the ritual of grinding beans and setting up the french press was such a part of my mornings that the gap in time was almost as rough as the missing caffeine. Best advice I can give, don't keep coffee in the house for a while.

Agreed, now I'm looking for it every time I open a page.

BAAAHAAAAA!!!! That was excellent!!!

"Whoa there [members name]!!! A bit excessive on the cursing ... Your making the girls blush" Perhaps you could skip this particular warning, instead of using another group on the forum (the females) to enforce the rules, you could simply note the ToS?

I work in an academic library and can tell you that thelerner's suggestion is your best bet, if you're a frequent library user it will be obvious in your record that this is an isolated incident. And just so you know what it's like on the other side of the desk...I've only heard of a couple of patrons EVER admitting they damaged a book, the other million or so said "it was that way when I got it". So, a reminder, always check over materials when you check them out (water damage, torn pages, notes in margins...) and make the staff aware before you leave the library.

Agreed, TTB is an oasis in the sewer of forums on the net. So many are filled with loud aggressive hateful people, coming here is like taking a deep breath, Thanks to Sean for making such a place.

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Wish her well and walk away. There are plenty of gyms in Chicago, once you are no longer available to her she will move on to someone else.

You might find this site to be a decent basic primer.

I think it would help to know the basics and have and idea which tradition suits you before seeking out a teacher. If there is a sangha nearby you could visit and see if that particular sangha is for you.

I would suggest doing a little reading over on E-Sangha, they have excellent resources for beginners. Enjoy your search!

Freeform's ideas are wonderful! I will add, from my time working at a university I've observed that what you are going through is experienced by almost every incoming freshman I've ever met, even the most popular and gregarious students are fearful of being ridiculed. They may mask it well and they may choose to compensate for this by going with a herd mentality, but they still feel vulnerable. From a practical standpoint you might try joining a club or organization, this would give you the opportunity to meet people in a structured environment that could lead to more casual activities.

Thank you for sharing your insights, from what you've said it seems as though I've picked a wonderful instructor!

Great article! Strange times we live in, so many changes are on the horizon that people who think the old status quo will be coming back are going to be shattered by the new reality.

I chose "self awakening / realization", as that is the process I'm immersed in. I find it truly fascinating.

I find it helpful to have visual cues for learning, for example I have written the three jewels down and put it near my work computer...this serves to help me learn and practice. I typically have a Pema Chodron calendar on my office wall as well, gives me peaceful pictures of nature as well as interesting quotes to think about. Can any of you Bums recommend a place I could buy such items with a Daoist focus? I can find loads of Buddhist items but am having very little luck with (true) Daoist items.

It seems as though the more I practice my Taiji, the more fragile my emotions feel. Typically I'm a very happy person, I smile a lot and am friendly to most everyone I meet. In the last week or two (I started Taiji three weeks ago) I've noticed a tendency towards sadness, it takes very little to switch me from happy to slightly sad. Is this typical? Also - in case it's important, I've meditated for years without experiencing this.

wasalam to you too ZAKI. I have a student working for me that is fasting each day for Ramadan...can you tell me when it officially ends, I'd like to bring in some goodies for her then.

Interesting points, usually my meditation leaves me feeling very calm and centered...then again I'm most times doing either mindfulness or loving kindness meditations, neither of which lend themselves to processing negative emotions. Tonight in Taiji class we finished with an awareness meditation where we contemplated the anger we were feeling for someone, trying to see their side and then letting go. It was different, drawing up a harsh emotion during meditation, freeing.

Brand Carlisle

It's been a fascinating journey to watch the changes in my approach to sex over the years. In my narcissistic 20's it was all about quantity, as I aged and moved into a long term partnership it morphed into something else, something more focused. Now with us both around 50 and both post menopausal, sex has become languorous and more gentle, the focus on being together rather than getting off.

Thank you freeform, I had hoped this was the case, I'll relax into it and let whatever happens happen.

That sounds bloody fantastic!! Thanks so much for sharing, I've been looking for a recipe to help significantly change my breakfast habits after my next fast. Edit - I'm copying the recipe...what shall I title it? Blasto's, or Blasto Bits, or Blasto's Colon Blow???

Thank you hyok, you just gave me an excellent idea. I work at a university that has a massive Chinese student population, I may try some gentle inquiries to see if some of the students working in my unit have any suggestions.