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the Matrix has you only when you believe 'You' concretely exist

Actually its meaning becomes more profound in non-meditational states than otherwise. Also, there is nothing less significant in arriving at insight from using conceptual frameworks. When you say nature of mind is the Clear Light, that is also a conceptual framework because the realisation (of Dharmakaya) itself is beyond words or labels.

In the traditional Buddhist sense, emptiness is not viewed as a meditation tool, not even a path as such. It is a philosophical/doctrinal approach to understanding the actual nature of the inseparability of wisdom and compassion. When this concept is fully grasped and its meaning integrated into one's spiritual evolution, ideally, that is the final end of all striving, and/or the gateway to the actualisation of absolute boddhicitta. The excerpt below can assist in clarifying 'Emptiness' from the Mahayana perspective. from 'Knowing your Buddhisms'.

Hi Manitou! Just watched what i thought was an awesome TED clip by Jill B. Taylor called 'Stroke of Insight'. Its just 20 minutes. I think its a little related to this topic, and hope you will feel inspired from it as i did.

Seeing the good in others means worshipping them? How odd.

Born and raised in a Muslim country. Most Muslims and converts (those who switched religion) are peaceful, law-abiding people, and many of my friends and business associates from there are Muslims. My current business partner is a Muslim, one of the nicest people i have met. They work hard, try to secure a comfortable life for themselves and their family. Very open-minded and accepting of other ethnicities too. There are of course some fanatical ones around, especially those who joined the religious police and go around harassing people who date Muslims in Malaysia.

They call it 'initiative', GMP. They tried your suggestion in the past, and found that what was left at the end of any conflict was usually crumbs, or that other covert supporters of one or the other group (or country) usually would have dried up all the valuable resources long before the conflict is over. So now, no more waiting games - get in there and start yanking first is the new creed... and deal with the events as they unfold. After all, the aides and the advisors to the heads of the G7 or G8 are all paid top dollar for continually stirring things around so that nobody can determine anything for sure and this on-going confusion only helps their cause. A confused group of people is much easier to manipulate, it seems.

his centre remains calm while others argue, he smiles and eat papaya...

Thats quite a sensible approach to life, and also, there are some validity to what you said about people's fears, especially that part about recognizing fears as something that can be transformed into a productive tool rather than something to be avoided. edit.. typo

enjoys the same joke twice wears the same underwear.. twice checks the back door... twice

If you could be more specific, then maybe we can attempt to exchange some views, if you're interested. I like some of the points you have raised in this thread so far, but some of them (premises) seems so generalised -- the above remark illustrates that.

Sometimes it just takes a small shift in one's perspective to transform oneself and others, as illustrated by this super guy in the video.

Yes, i was also reflecting from that pov, Steve. Well said. Its not about forgiving the other, its about cultivating a space of forgiveness in oneself which is key. To have that basis as a foundation, to put it another way. Bind this trait with a few other virtues and that opens the door to lessening reactive tendencies. Lessening reactive tendencies lead to being more in touch with what is real. Gradually it gets simpler to act upon and dissolve negative emotions as they arise, with the eventual aim of these losing their karmic propensities altogether. Freedom starts to be experienced from that point. It gets easier with practice, and learning how to observe patterns in oneself really helps. just my 2 cts.

Just read a Reuters interview with Pope Francis, asking for his views on the Paris incident. http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/15/us-france-shooting-pope-idUSKBN0KO17F20150115

If you were a passerby and saw this, would you help? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8nsXuTigJ4 Hypothetical question: If the child's father is a terrorist and had recently harmed someone you know (or loved), what would it be, then? Help, walk away, or wish death upon the kid?

Nietzsche: Terrorism is the best political weapon for nothing drives people harder than a fear of sudden death. Stalin: The easiest way to gain control of a population is to carry out acts of terror. The public will clamour for such laws if their personal security is threatened. False flags are becoming more and more obvious.

is there sheep in the Chinese zodiac? http://www.fengshuiweb.co.uk/animals/woodgoat.htm

the smile fades slowly what was sparkling once, now stale no more make-believe

Nicely said. +++

Glad it helped clarify some aspect of your present being, Dustyb. Made posting it more meaningful now.

Yes i believe such 'recruitments' have been going on for a long, long time, maybe longer than decades as suggested.

Sounds like a contradiction but its not People still openly say the dumbest things for the dumbest reasons all the time. Some dont care about the cost. Once in a while, something right gets said, although initially it might meet with lots of criticisms and heckling, but in the end, the words became meaningful, and the price ends up justifiably paltry in hindsight.

Oh, i think everyone has freedom of speech. Just that the price one pays for that privilege differs somewhat depending where one is.

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/paris-attacks-these-troubled-men-who-project-their-selfhatred-on-others-9970229.html