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Hmm... the things people do for an extra few quid.

A teacher in Hollywood, for example, who gives free teachings will probably be labelled a loser. One in India, as another example, who has a 'pay for darshans' policy firmly in place will be shunned by the locals and also, in some way, be called a loser. Funny thing is, the most 'successful' guru in the Asiatic region probably has more material riches than his or her western counterpart. (Remember the controversial Indian 'saint', Sai Baba? There are many like him, some authentic, some shady). I know of a few who have loyal students worldwide perpetually donating substantial chunks of their income towards 'the cause'. No teacher this side of the world will be able to emulate them (ever wonder why this is?), despite claims of being afforded greater technical and intellectual leverage. Outwardly, the Eastern gurus don't seem at all perturbed by all the material contributions, contented with a simple, uncluttered existence, and most actually re-channel the gifts and monetary gains towards nobler endeavours, while its quite a rarity to hear of a western guru who is actually as altruistic. Not saying there aren't any, just that in comparison, far fewer to be found here.

Whats gutter oil, if you dont mind me asking? Never heard that term before. Is it like old oil drained from fryers and then re-used?

two hands and one mind make the best of your way home just in time for lunch...

If one is constantly aware of fire hazards, one would naturally conduct oneself more meticulously around fire. Meditating on living carefully presupposes the sort of attitude that a long life is assured. The truth is, nobody knows for sure when death can happen. Its a reality we must be respectful of in order to live fully. If this respect is absent, then a surge of clinging will occur at death's threshold. The implications of this surge, compounded by layers of confusion, can be quite unpleasant. The busyness of living causes a few to overlook how fragile and changeable life can be. In letting go, we learn to die first so as to make peace with life; in grasping, we are attempting to hedge our bets against the unpredictably of death. The choice is there.

Just read some reports of people here being bitten by the poisonous false widow spider, something unheard of in the past. Whats even more alarming is a recent report of a Cork (Ireland) man who died after a red-back spider bit him. Apparently, this spider is native to Australia! http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/toxic-spider-bite-killed-irishman-at-his-home-30522871.html http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/i-was-unconscious-got-the-shakes-and-started-frothing-at-the-mouth-30628906.html http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/343118/False-widow-alert-Millions-of-KILLER-spiders-on-loose-across-UK

Any proposition that has duality as a basis is limited in terms of its function to embody genuine freedom. For example: Freedom is a desire-based concept created by a mind that sees itself trapped. The Way Out is a fear-based concept derived from feelings of insecurity and lack of options. Doing Nothing is an anger-based concept arising from a grasping nature. Better to meditate on the ephemeral nature of existence, the unpredictably of death, and be on constant guard of one's state of mind in the event that death were to suddenly occur. This helps greatly in discriminating between actual freedom and delusional, self-pacifying ideas of what freedom is.

maybe it broke its neck from impact. Were you outdoors, or indoors, looking out? You never know whats falling from the skies these days.... http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27298939

Thread revival with a question: Anyone tried Kangen water? Originated from Japan and approved by the Japanese equivalent of the FDA, its making enough claims as a health rejuvenator for me to take notice. This is how they plug it in their website's introductory note: Have been doing a bit of reading, both for and against, and am thinking of getting a system installed, so was wondering if anyone here have personal experience to share? My main concern is that it appears to be an MLM business concept, so that immediately brought up some question marks, yet at the same time, reading testimonials and medical professionals' reviews warranted further consideration. Any feedback would be appreciated.

That may be helpful for retreats found in other traditions, but in Vajrayana, those with an oversized ego can actually benefit greatly.

Why would the mention of breast milk be offensive?

I'm sure it costs a fraction of that to do it in India or Nepal.

Whole life?? Thats quite a noble wish. I dont know the cost of such an undertaking, but as a guess, i'd say it varies, dependent on a number of factors, of which location would be a main consideration. I can imagine it'd cost less to do it in India than say the US. As for the arrangements, well, that would depend again on where one is, and how one wishes the set-up to be. For example, one done in complete isolation would differ from one done in semi-isolation. Being associated with a monastery would be a boon, whereas approaching it independently might be a little more difficult. I know of people here who have fully abandoned the mundane life, devoting their time to practice 24/7. They live in a small room that is part of a secluded retreat house which has been carved into the side of a hill overlooking the Atlantic ocean. Maybe once a month, they will venture into the village to replenish essentials, other than that their time is all spent in the cubicle. These individuals are all senior students of this particular tradition, having been with their teacher for well over 20 years. They would already have in place a few devoted friends who sort of aspire to follow in their footsteps, and these friends have a schedule set up among themselves to render any assistance when required, such as cooking meals, cleaning, shopping, research, medical and other general support.

There's some interesting Tibetan teachings happening in Florida in the coming months. It may not be in line with what you are hoping to find, but could be worth your while to hang out amongst other spiritual practitioners... who knows, you might be able to make some useful connections there. http://dnjus.org/ Best wishes!

lol thats quite a spectacle!

Not 'if', but when. Truth is, the esoteric aspects of Dzogchen are imparted only to those who have shown exceptional devotion to a root guru over a lengthy period, say 10 years, and have done at least one full year of intensive, private retreat, preferably having also completed a full 3 year one. By private retreat, i mean joining a small, sanctioned group of retreatants (group size usually not more than 10 per retreat) who are placed into a secluded environment and there receive certain exclusive Dzogchen sadhanas which they will have to practice for the full duration, at which time no outside communication takes place at all. The financial commitment is quite daunting for such retreats, easily upwards of $6k - $8k for the full year, but students who have been following a master for a long time do enjoy a reasonably good rebate if they decide to attend. Food (3 meals per day) and lodging is included in the price, even the laundry is taken of. On the other hand, its not really expensive as such, taking into account that we easily spend more than the stipulated amount each year on living expenses. Daily schedule is quite uniform. Practice starts each morning at 4, goes all day with 45-minute breaks for meals and short intervals for getting in some exercise or reading, and finishing about 10pm. No off days. Private consultations with the retreat master or assistant can be arranged, like once every couple of weeks. Retreatants also undertake healing or Phowa requests put in by sangha members, especially for those whose friends and family are experiencing terminal illnesses or have recently passed on.

Locusts or grasshoppers? Thats one insect i've yet to see here (in Ireland). I wonder why that is, seeing that Portugal is not that distant from here. Have been on the lookout for daddy long legs, MIA so far... whereas in previous years the place would be inundated with them by now.

Patience is the 'breast milk' for those seeking to develop special abilities.

Whats the weather like in Holland? Typical for the time of year, or noticeably untypical?

Wow, thanks for all the feedback guys! Forgot to mention the weather... can't believe how warm it is -- 19 degrees this time of the year is a precedent. Plus, a marked decrease in rainfall - Ireland used to be called 'rainy island', but this year, more dry days than rainy ones. In some ways, its reassuring to know that others are also observing irregular stuff.

live isolation like a stone on an island playing solitaire...

You might have better luck at a 'spiritual' singles site. There are a few of them around. Or start one yourself?

Yes! We choose those activities pertinent to our welfare, and that of others, putting them to good use as in minding the noticeable conditions and aspects of life without being overly concerned with the ever-changing conditions that occur in secrecy, away from our gaze. I think the master is encouraging the listener to pay close attention to minding the 'field' and not worry over what occurs beneath it. Perhaps maintaining a simple awareness is adequate enough to give it a certain respect without having to bend incessantly to see what lies beyond the horizon. When there is virtue in the seen, the unseen will naturally follow in its rhythm. People tend to worry and fret over what is mostly hidden (primordial symbols and archetypes) - its a natural human tendency to be curious about the mysterious. While a healthy, neuroses-free peek once in a while may not lead to harm, just as a farmer turns the topsoil occasionally to loosen the ground, being unaware of obsessive habits to indulge in the darker domains of the mind could have its side-effects, which in turn will impact and cause the unhidden to fall into disarray. Wouldn't it be wiser to tend conscientiously to the conscious life without being overly protective of the mysterious side of it, knowing full well that doing so may lead one to lose the plot altogether (no pun intended). Some think that in order to cultivate successfully one needs to completely empty the field first, but a good farmer knows exactly how to turn existing conditions to his favour - his ability to extract only what is essential gives him all that is favourably needed for a bountiful harvest. For that, he directs equal gratefulness to both the elements and to the vast, mysterious space between. “Actuality is when the lighthouse is dark between flashes: it is the instant between the ticks of the watch: it is a void interval slipping forever through time: the rupture between past and future: the gap at the poles of the revolving magnetic field, infinitesimally small but ultimately real. It is the interchronic pause when nothing is happening. It is the void between events.” ― George Kubler