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Ah yes, thank you for the explanation.

Almost all beings are loyal subjects of memories. Their present actions, patterns of behaviour, choice of physical, mental & emotional responses, etc., are largely constrained within a reservoir of conditionings determined by a blueprint of similar habitual patterns. This blueprint guides present activities, and will continue to do so in like manner until beings attain human form. Humans are not exempted by token of their humanness, but by a resolute spiritual potential (resolute - in this sense, full awakening is attainable) that beings of other classes do not have; those who cultivate this potential have the ability to cut the cord of karmic imprints and usurp the force of past habits, in other words, only humans have this innate ability to put aside the old and re-design a new blueprint if they so choose.

Better that than people going, OMG not him again. Not sure i understand what you mean by arriving at buddhist conclusions and its relation to gobbling up lsd for years. Care to expand a bit on that?

Perhaps its because you have disengaged your sense of wonderment, heh? (i read your post in the other thread about unhealthy clinging to fantastical images, words, etc!! lol.. )

(page 4 2 O, too) three twos, four twos, five twos too O lord, i've no clue!

There's a hint of Milarepa in Terry Dawson's "A Redemption Tale" - (he's not a well-known poet though) Against wrongs done me My spirit raged Hatred-blinded, I cannot see That lust for vengeance Keeps my spirit caged. Great misfortune I wish upon my foe. In imaginings I see Him downfallen; his life blood aflow, His discomforts serve only To unleash my glee All-demanding becomes my ire, Unstinting do I spend To fuel the all-consuming fire, That feeds the twisted demon, Wroth, that Plain forbids an end. Now unfurls a new design, Unscripted lines are penned, Up-ending all cruel schemes of mine - Death stalks my halls; I fear For my untimely end. Spared from death, I behold Life in different light, New horizons promise gifts untold; Sunshine pours like healing balm into My long, hate-filled dark night. My heart forgives all, of him Who earned my enmity And as by a whim His dark, all-overshadowing cloud Is gone and I am free! Glad, unbound, my soul exalts, My spirit learns to sing Unencumbered by past faults, Constrained no more by baleful hate the crippled bird takes wing!

I like it mainly because it can be refreshed/rebrewed a few times and still retain most of its invigorating, clean flavours. If i make a pot in the early noon, i can refill the same all through the day, well into late evening. It is a no bs tea, its crisp, pleasant to drink, and never leaves a bitter sort of aftertaste that lots of other teas do. My restaurant customers, those who like teas, rave about how distinctly flavoursome it is compared to teas they get served in other places! Do check your local Asian shops if they stock it. Seems a bit expensive online. I get mine directly from the Asian grocer. cheers!

My all-time favourite oolong tea. http://www.tenrenusa.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&product_id=518&flypage=shop.flypage&pop=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=45&vmcchk=1&Itemid=45

Celibacy is a form of spiritual discipline, and has its uses. On the outer level, when observed, it leads to self-control. Self-control is a virtue for those who place emphasis on developing focus and concentration. On the inner level, it develops, as you say, spirit, or in some Buddhist traditions, they use the term 'clarity', or 'wisdom suffused with compassion'. On the innermost level, some say the practice fuses the practitioner with his or her own divine self, others say mystic union with the Divine is attained, leading to a sort of cosmic flowering, where an unmistakable sense of oneness is experienced. In some Buddhist traditions, it is believed that abstinence from mundane sex occurs naturally when one has practiced enough so as to quell habitual traits that arise from dualistic tendencies, achieved thru various modes and stages of esoteric experimentations. With respect to Dzogchen though, there are no strict guidelines pertaining to abstinence or celibacy. Its not quite as straightforward as the term 'denial' would suggest. And denial in itself does not lead to suffering - one can work with the process gradually, without struggle. What has been labelled 'denial' can be seen simply as the withdrawing of the senses, or turning inwards, to achieve transcendence (alchemical transformation), similar to some schools referencing the raising of spirit to higher planes or dimensions.

* yes, peal and peel have different meanings, i know. The pealing of bells reminded me to peel the plaster, hows that?

Spot on.

the church bells pealing time to remove that plaster skin restored to health...

on my dream yoga technicolored apertures a bunch of sore grapes...

Will my ac be susceptible to hacking if i drive a BMW?

... wrong thread ...

I think in recent times there were four Ip Man films made. The first 2 with Donnie were pretty good, excellent in fact. Then someone saw an opportunity to strike while the proverbial iron is still hot, and quickly put out Ip Man 3, which was goofy, to say the least. Even the presence of Sammo and Yuen Biao did not glitz the appeal up one bit. Last year they released Ip Man: The Final Fight, with Anthony Wong. Who that??? Well, i know who Anthony Wong is, a brilliant actor in his own right, but to cast him in that role, imo, was, whats the right word for it, weakish, i think.

i have found the summer/winter periods to be a force majeure in dictating the amount of sleep required. Spring/summer marks an increase in activities in line with longer daylight hours, and balmier nights, so less sleep is sought. Autumn/winter reverses all the above.

cheap air in a can two crepuscular creatures stickling at sundown...

Just to be clear, gents, i posted that song with the sincerest of intention, thinking that MH would enjoy it. Not meant to slight either one of you. And frankly, call it coincidence, but the 'green' association was purely accidental. I did not even realise the connection until i read 3Bob's post above. Apologies all the same.

Well, celebrity martial artists are usually remembered for their superbly choreographed & executed final fight scenes. The ones that i found memorable happen to star both these actors. Ip Man 1 + 2, SPL, 14 Blades, Legend of the Fist, Legendary Assassin, Tai Chi Boxer, Fatal Contact, Shaolin... some of the really good ones with either one or both these actors. Upcoming MA actor to watch out for is another Wushu fighter, Jayden Yuan, of Tai Chi Zero fame.

Lol the topic is lil green apples, 3Bob. Wanna talk apples?

hits from the eighties compartmentalisations rethink strategies...

Ok ok, i bite! Lets see... when i was a kid, my first kung fu heroes were Wang Yu & David Chiang. Followed by Ti Lung, Chen Kuan Tai, yes, Carter Wong too... interest waned briefly only to be reignited when the iconic Bruce Lee appeared. After Bruce left, it was the trio of Jackie, Sammo & Yuen Biao. Jet Li's pretty neat, but honestly, i like Wu Jing's style a lot, so it'd be a tie between him and Donnie for the top fav spot.

Im pretty sure it wasn't you cos.... 'twas me.