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It wasn't clear that you were joshing.

Yes, i see your point, but in Buddhism the 2 are not conflated, which i seem to have interpreted in your OP. It could be an assumption on my part, and if it is, apologies.

No it is not, and it would certainly help the discussion, if you wish to have one, to be clear about the reference and definition as per tradition.

Do you even know what you're saying here, GmP?

Soul is a conflicting term in Buddhism.

Bear in mind the nature of women is in essence, wisdom. Wisdom seldom need a voice. Wisdom is the pinnacle of Buddhism, much revered in Taoism, analogous to water which always stays low yet dominates all life, and in Christianity, where the meek shall inherit the earth. Men who recognise that does the work of proclaiming its power, because the nature of man is to externalise and make into form, the formless. * the 'meek' as i interpret it are those who know but don't speak. Again, the wise, the women. Not saying the women per se will by default inherit earth, but the representation of the Feminine, which is wisdom, will. True wisdom is free of gender, but women sages seldom find it necessary to loudly proclaim their realisations. They do it mainly within the household. A peaceful and prosperous home, there is always a wise woman behind it.

forgotten in time religions of yesteryear antiquated moths...

Kendo: Iaido: Can anyone input on the difference between the 2?

A skilled meditator who has reached the point of 'blow out' or complete non-distraction is likened to a highly skilled surgeon. Life is our operating theatre. What we do in here, every move, is crucial. But most people don't see things this way because most people do not realise the urgency of spiritual cultivation, or loosely speaking, the urgency of meditative practices. As for jhanas and siddhis and so on, some say these are adornments. If not careful, they can easily turn to clutter. Thats why some practitioners work with mandalas. Its practical because one gradually learns that everything has its place, that there can be a systematic design to bring order to one's life, and when there is order, there is beauty and clarity. Yet, at the same time, nothing can be clung to, as demonstrated by the creation of mandalas and at the end, the erasing of same. At the innermost centre of the mandala is a dot, symbolizing that which is pure and uncreated, perfect union, or some would say limitless potential, the ideal state of being. This is the state of being that some get a taste of, due to their diligent spiritual work perhaps, or due to accidental discovery... this is like sudden enlightenment, but only in exceptional cases does it leave a permanent change in a person. I would not even call it sudden enlightenment because its too flimsy a term for me. Flimsy because it creates a dichotomous undertone.

A Buddhist practitioner who completely embodies 'Non-self' does not see the self in the crap at all. So, for example, instead of thinking, "I have a migraine", some might say, "There is this uncomfortable sensation at present." The approach is one of identification, in the former, and non-identification, in the latter. Watching habitual responses is also a key mechanism in Buddhist work -- Right concentration practiced correctly brings forth much clarity -- one comes to a realization that at any given point, one can perfectly choose how to respond to thoughts, and to external situations. Almost like in the final scenes of The Matrix, where Neo can see bullets flying at him in slow mo. With lots of meditative practice, we too can watch our thoughts like that. (at least in theory sounds really cool).

Maybe they did not reach the particular kind of enlightenment that you think enlightenment is. According to the teachings, a complete blowing out of attachment, grasping, aversive tendencies is enlightenment. I'd say a lot of monks have experienced this 'blowing out', or are aware in theory, at least, at some early part of their monkhood. However, as with most spiritual practitioners, some sustain it in mindfulness, some don't. Those who sustain it are no different from buddhas, and those who do not are no different form deluded mind. Monks and nuns are also human, with human conditionings. mOst Everyone who has a routine spiritual practice get glimpses of enlightening moments all the time. Those are the 'blowing out' moments, similar to what is taught in Buddhist teachings. If these can be sustained all the time, then one is enlightened all the time. The principle behind this rationale is not difficult to understand, and neither is the practice. Yet, there are so many layers of conditioning that seem to distract us that makes remaining in mindfulness 24/7 all the more enticing. If we have this sort of mental view, then we have already given in to clinging. Its a very subtle balance one needs to keep. Thats where all the trainings and practices come in.

We meet frequently for tea & chat. Their second child is due very soon.

my slang for 'quick wit' or 'good stuff' wrt your posts above, both applies!

I respect your opinion, 3Bob, but honestly i did not even clue in at all that he was trying to boss anyone (your allusion to the term 'self-elected master shrink') into submission. Haven't you read something on TTB before and went, "Hey, i sense that something may not be right with that post/thread, i'd better post a note of caution, in case someone stumbles..." ? Im sure we have all done it, to a certain degree.

Hats off to you, Mr Nungali, for your MA zip!

Anyone heard of or familiar with a Filipino martial arts called Sayoc Kali? Lethal knife moves.

Its quite odd that you felt this coming from Spotless' post above. What i picked up from it is the message that we will do well to find our center, meaning, as self-proclaimed spiritual practitioners or aspirants, we should have at least managed to have had a sense that such a center exist, and then to try and conduct our affairs from there so that we will not be so affected by external things. And if we do, then the possibility of being imprisoned by what affects us becomes a real threat towards the displacement of that center. Sure, if everyone here has the kind of solid spiritual grounding that you think they should have, then well and good, everyone go on their merry way & spit on Spotless' words while passing. Does everyone here have an unshakeable faith in their own capacities and capabilities? I would hazard a guess and say no. To me, its quite obvious... i for one do not. Thats the way i read the post anyway. Im sure you will have your own take on it, and you may disagree with whats been said, which you are fully entitled to. To be frank, i would say that we can only take so much from what we read based on our own inner views about things.

lovely song. haunting lyrics.

Ok, no worries, Kevin. You were not off-topic. Its great you offered your thoughts on it.

You might be right, but then, maybe not... he tells me the system is a conglomeration of various arts his father had put together, transmitted to him, and now, from him to his son. Who am i to argue, eh? I don't believe i was off-topic at all.

Thats because men have a greater tendency to off-balanced than women.

A good friend of mine is the 10th dan lineage holder of a little-known South American martial combat system called Muaykensan. Raul Sanhueza's his name. You can find his demos on FB as well as YT.

Examples of anti- or the other? If you're implying the latter, i think there is some exaggeration on your part (where this thread's concerned).

omniversal whole pockets with perpetual holes setting a new trend...