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Kubba. If we are both discussing the same topic, then you would be at least aware of the close connection between heart and inspiration in Buddhist practice, therefore, if one is finding difficulty in drawing inspiration from lineage masters, be they dead or alive, one might as well lay the practice aside. (late edit to align the space)

This is first time i have heard of this Kalergi fellow/phenomenon but i remember having some sort of 'vision' not long ago as regards to the sustained and alarming influx of non-Europeans into Europe, and wondering what will Europe be like in a couple of decades time. The images of increasing numbers of children of mixed ethnicity were particularly defined. It caused some discomfort when the question then arose as to why this was allowed to happen, as in, surely nothing of this scale could take place without the consent of some powerful forces.

Those are some big questions which i doubt any reliable statistical data can be referenced unless you personally have done a worldwide research of some sort.

How to forgive? Imo... For every time a type of resentment seeps into consciousness and sparks an emotional reaction, counter this with an act of selfless kindness. Having difficulty doing this towards another human due to traumatic experiences? Start with domestic animals. Fish. Birds. Earthworms. Insects. Any sentient being that one may come across that is seen to be out of its comfort zone, bring some ease to it. Love thy neighbour as themselves first before learning to love them as yourself because for some of us we really detest our own company to quite a harmful degree, yet we can be quite unconditionally open to the presence of say a cat, a dog, a horse or even a hedgehog. Practicing kindness unreservedly to any being in any of the realms generates the same merit regardless if its human, ghost, or a caterpillar. By making this into habit it will eventually transcend all of the probable situations in life that will potentially create the need to even have to practice forgiveness. Your inner being will experience a kind of expansiveness, gentleness and softness that is so empowering that you or anyone for that matter can know heaven in an instant - and knowing it for an instant is the same as knowing it for eternity. The taste is unforgettably without any distinguishable difference. My tuppence.

The search for happiness is not about looking at life through rose-colored glasses or blinding oneself to the pain and imperfections of the world. Nor is happiness a state of exultation to be perpetuated at all costs; it is the purging of mental toxins, such as hatred and obsession, that literally poison the mind. It is also about learning how to put things in perspective and reduce the gap between appearances and reality. To that end we must acquire a better knowledge of how the mind works and a more accurate insight into the nature of things, for in its deepest sense, suffering is intimately linked to a misapprehension of the nature of reality. – - Matthieu Ricard

All the philosophical theories that exist have been created by the mistaken dualistic minds of human beings. In the realm of philosophy, that which today is considered true, may tomorrow be proved to be false. No one can guarantee a philosophy's validity. Because of this, any intellectual way of seeing whatever is always partial and relative. The fact is that there is no truth to seek or to confirm logically; rather what one needs to do is to discover just how much the mind continually limits itself in a condition of dualism. Dualism is the real root of our suffering and of all our conflicts. All our concepts and beliefs, no matter how profound they may seem, are like nets which trap us in dualism. When we discover our limits we have to try to overcome them, untying ourselves from whatever type of religious, political or social conviction may condition us. We have to abandon such concepts as 'enlightenment', 'the nature of the mind', and so on, until we are no longer satisfied by a merely intellectual knowledge, and until we no longer neglect to integrate our knowledge with our actual existence. ~ Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche ~

Sadhanas are basically a set or sets of practices based on a series or, more accurately, a progressive body of esoteric texts, and the sequence usually involves contemplation of texts, ritual observation, visualization, assimilation or integration, reworking subtle channels, evolvement, and result. They tend to follow completion of preliminary stages of training, whereupon one's guide would then assign specific 'higher' practices found to be suited to the individual make-up of the initiate. As far as esoteric Buddhist sadhanas are concerned, without the blessing of a teacher or teachers, the resultant aspect of practicing the various sadhanas will not materialise.

Its sensible to disagree with that because its an inaccurate view anyway. Buddhists who understand the teachings correctly will never posit that everything is nothing.

Im aware of studies conducted into perceptual decision-making processes in monkeys and humans, but not cats nor other animals. Would you happen to have any links to share cos you had gotten me really curious. Cheers.

It doesn’t make sense to grab at the highest teachings and reject the rest. It is the kindness of the buddhas to provide us with a complete path, and the preliminary practices are part of that path. All great teachers of the past have taught the identical message: ‘Gather the accumulations, purify the obscurations, and receive the blessings of a qualified master.’ In the tradition I represent, the preliminary practices are very, very important. I don’t think that the buddhas and all the past masters have created them just to lead us astray. ~ Tsoknyi Rinpoche ~

I'm not convinced that cats are able to 'make' decisions if their conceptual faculty is lacking (which i think is correct). They may respond by way of needs or spontaneity, but such acts... hmm... would it be right to say they're actually engaged in decision making?

not the best, no.

Really? I had always thought it was the big Lebowski.

yeah, like death is for dying, and dreams are for dreaming.

my apologies for the mysterious cross-over, Barbara. here's the intended link (i hope) - nope. Seems like its broken.

I wouldn't put it past you to come up with such preposterous claims.

HH the Dalai Lama on Dream Yoga: “Different factors are involved in the ability to recognize the dream as dream. One is diet. Specifically, your diet should be compatible with your own metabolism. For example, in Tibetan medicine, one speaks of the three elements: wind, bile, and phlegm. One or more of these elements are predominant in some people. You should have a diet that helps to maintain balance among these various humors within the body. Moreover, if your sleep is too deep, your dreams will not be very clear. In order to bring about clearer dreams and lighter sleep, you should eat somewhat less. In addition, as you’re falling asleep, you direct your awareness up to the forehead. On the other hand, if your sleep is too light, this will also act as an obstacle for gaining success in this practice. In order to deepen your sleep, you should take heavier, oilier food; and as you’re falling asleep, you should direct your attention down to the vital energy center at the level of navel or the genitals. If your dreams are not clear, as you’re falling asleep you should direct your awareness to the throat center. In this practice, when you begin dreaming it’s helpful to have someone say quietly, ‘You are dreaming now. Try to recognize the dream as the dream.’ Once you are able to recognize the clear light of sleep as the clear light of sleep, that recognition can enable you to sustain that state for a longer period. The main purpose of dream yoga in the context of tantric practice is to first recognize the dream state as dream state. Then, in the next stage of the practice you focus your attention on the heart center of your dream body and try to withdraw the vital energy into that center. That leads to an experience of the clear light of sleep, which arises when the dream state ceases. The experience of clear light that you have during sleep is not very subtle in the beginning. As you progress in your practice of dream yoga, the first experience of the clear light occurs as a result of focusing your attention at the heart centre of the dream body. Although the clear light state during sleep at the beginning is not very subtle, through practice you’ll be able to make it subtler and also prolong its duration." Wiki explains 'Clear Light' from the perspective of Buddhist tantra: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96sel_(yoga) Here HH presents a metaphorical explanation of Clear Light from the position of the Nyingma school: With respect to identifying the clear light in the Great Perfection: when, for instance, one hears a noise, between the time of hearing it and conceptualizing it as such and such, there is a type of mind devoid of conceptuality but nevertheless not like sleep or samadhi, in which the object is a reflection of this entity of mere luminosity and knowing. It is at such a point that the basic entity of the mind [clear light] is identified. *For further readings, please visit Berzin Archives.

Chi Force has not demonstrated with much conviction his practical and basic understanding of the Buddha's teachings. If he did there would be no conflict.

Yeah MH. Heaven & hell pose eternal fascinations and will remain acute speculative topics for a long, long time.

Are you unequivocally stating here that your Buddhist practice is absolutely pure and to the letter?

Huh?

Its Ms Bancroft's interpretation which probably helped her to either deepen some understanding or clear some doubts, or both. If that is regarded as hitting the mark for some, well and good. We can only assimilate what makes sense after all. And the tendency to try to make things fit into a mould is a perennial habit.

Hi Chi Force, Im not sure why, but whenever i happen to read any of your posts, most times it involves ridiculing others and their apparent lack of Dharmic understanding, to the extent that it evokes the image of someone poking fun at another person's physical disability. Whats more, you actually claim to be enlightened, but as a result of this and similar expressions, it brings your claim into question somehow. I was reluctant until now to bring this up but some of your words actually reflect negatively on the spirit of Buddhist teachings, which is why i felt it necessary to ask if you will consider checking your writing style a bit. thanks! An example of your 'enlightened' speech below