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Steve was reflecting on his past participation in the knives forum, you dingdong

"Insanity is continuing to do the same thing (habitually) and expecting different results." ---- Gerhard Plenert, Lean Management Consultant & Author Just thought i'd slip this in as it reminds me of a frequent trend here, and most everywhere else. Especially among chefs. Here's one i heard recently, source unknown. "Mother was spiritual, without her even realizing it. She never needed to give a schedule to the milkman. She was never anxious in the slightest that there would be no milk for the house. All she does is put out the empties, and sure enough, not once, as far as i can remember, did we run out of milk. She says all life can be like that, for the wise." a little soul-full distraction.

Ah, ok... its clear now. To my knowledge, Dzogchen does not differentiate path and fruition. Both are present simultaneously, from the preliminaries right up to ati. Some may choose to employ methods, either on a temporary or permanent basis, while others prefer the less methodic approach, which is simply to recall the taste of mind essence whenever distraction is noted to have arisen. This is also practical, but not the easiest to follow, due to obvious reasons. It all depends on the individual. Both approaches have the essence of the kayas already inlaid within. Dzogchen is very comprehensive in this regard.

sutric paths have methods too. Vipassana is a method. Theravadins practice vipassana, dont they? They also do a lot of mantra recitations.

The above posture is as good as any. Too much focus on external postures defeats the aim of developing the mindfulness habit, which is necessary as a precursor to reaching a state absent of distraction, regardless whether thoughts arise or not. Empty mind does not imply a mind devoid of thoughts. This is a common misunderstanding, especially among novice meditators. What it basically means is to first recognize the space-like nature of mind, empty, yet full of clear awareness. This recognition, when stabilized, is what allows peace, stillness, serenity and tranquility to be seen clearly, as natural manifestations of a mind free of craving. These are not external fruits to be searched for, nor are they gradual goals to be attained, for they are not outside one's true nature. What is gradual is the process of uncovering them, dissolving the layers of delusion, and this is where correct understanding and practice of meditation enter into the path, to reward the persistent practitioner with an equanimous poise, one undisturbed by change, full of mental discipline, virtuous, and always unseparated from the Way of Reality.

i dont know whether to laugh or to feel insulted. Really dont get what you are trying to say, sorry, Mr Chi Dragon. Just forget it. I'll try not to bother you ever again.

Im surprised you could actually derive some sort of definitive opinion about what i lack understanding in based on me liking a post. That's really a little naive, dont you agree? Dont be a silly goat dragon.

In post 33, Adept was contemplating the essence of Zazen practice, not the mechanics/politics of it. You seem more concerned with the outer trappings rather than the fundamental essences, the kernels, which lie deep at the heart of contemplative work in all the authentic meditative paths.

What is the basis of your trite remark, Mr Chi Dragon? Are you offended by the request i made earlier, and, as a result, you are lashing out blindly? If so, its understandable. Zazen is an extremely effective practice. However, its not a part of my training, so there is actually no basis to your mediocre, unpromising remark.

Mr Chi Dragon's understanding (of Buddhist meditation practices) is pretty superficial.

Mr Chi Dragon, I don't know Chi Gung enough to comment, but evidently your knowledge of Buddhist methods are fairly lacking. Hence, this is a polite request that you cease and desist in attempts at showing that you have a good understanding of what Buddhist meditation work consists of, and restrict your comments to what you are quite sure you think you have a good grasp of, which, i hope, pertains solely to Taoist arts. This is to avoid misleading those who may think that you are an authority on all things Taoist and Buddhist. Seriously.

Not arguing, merely pointing out, that in the 3rd Togal vision, the combining phrase, as JL himself translates as, is 'Full measure of awareness' and not 'Full measure of knowledge'. Personally, i dont really care what it is called, as long as there is a continual stream of recognition. If there is distraction, or subtle conceptual stickiness, afraid that knowledge of the most precise translation will not have the slightest benefit. Even so, i can understand how recognition is impossible without first getting a definitive pointing-out from a master. This is a given. Now, how this discussion went from Buddhist reasoning and debate to attempts at finding the translation for Rigpa, i haven't a clue.

I have heard of 3rd Vision of Thogal being translated as The Full Measure of Awareness, or, Perfection of Awareness (rig pa tshad phebs, a googleable term should anyone be interested). Haven't yet come across it being translated as 'Full measure of knowledge'. Maybe its there in the matrix somewhere, but quite unlikely. Even Jean Luc translates it in its proper context, as above.

Curious to know, will you be serving German craft beers with this potentially intoxicating discussion?

Yes! So simple to see, yet so overlooked.

American ginseng has the opposite effect to its Korean cousin. http://www.globalherbalsupplies.com/herb_information/ginseng_american.htm

Buddhist meditation is not just about sitting on the cushion, or behaving like a dummied rock. This is far from the truth. Ultimately, the aim is to reach integration: where formal practice and mundane activities become indiscernible, gradually but surely. Confidence is gained from periods of concentrated focus, and also periods of release, of allowing for spaciousness to take over. One accomplishment shared by all maturing/matured Buddhist meditation practitioners is to be ok with whatever life throws in their direction. In stillness, or in motion, in serene or stormy conditions, only suchness prevails beneath the surface. Getting this taste of suchness means a lot, since it is a realization-based attainment of utter non-distraction, achieved thru the full allowing and surrendering to reality, that it is what it is. After the fact, then the notions of meditator and meditation is no longer importantly held to be separate entitlements.

try adding a couple of slivers of good quality Korean ginseng next time you're making a new batch of bone broth. Immensely good, especially for men. For women, add Angelica root (Dong Quai) ~ same quantity.

no thanks required, Trollo. Just a small attempt to offer some options for your consideration. Distresses are not very nice, and we do what we can, with a heart that wishes to see you reach some resolution. Thats all. Best wishes on finding the healing you need.

Yes, i think so too.

i agree, all thoughts are in direct relationship with the past, recollections of imprinted data accrued via sense perceptions. Welcome back, Vmarco. Are you still travelling Asia?

Sorry but i am not being critical of your past actions and choices. If i was, i would not normally bother to write and post suggestions and comments, preferring not to enter the conversation at all. The reason i took interest here is because i can relate to your situation, that is all. Whether what i say is useful or not, i dont know, and frankly, no one would know how useful suggestions are except yourself. And please dont form the impression that you have to take everything said and put them into practice. That is not the intention at all. These are merely suggestions and options which you should evaluate and discern for yourself if they sound right, worth trying, or to be discarded as useless information. I think this is the correct approach for anyone, for that matter. Anyway, i did a search, and found this Buddhist healing and retreat centre in Italy if you are interested. http://ahmc.ngalso.net/about-us/?lang=en And this, too: http://www.sakyatrieste.it/ Unless you are attending retreats, as far as i know, you will not be asked for money for private consultations. It may be hard to speak to the Lama himself, but if you make some sincere effort, you will be able to find someone who knows someone who would be able to help in some way, maybe recommend you some direction to go. Dont worry about the religious implications. There is no need to be buddhist to seek advice in such places. If you make contact, try to ask to speak with senior students. Some of them can be very helpful, some can be quite egoistic, these ones just forget them. Sometimes it all depends on your luck as well, but you just have to keep trying. All the best.

hah, that explains why i have more affinity with dogs then.

The master... his philosophy: He speaks of achieving total integration of mind and body thru applied awareness in the way of suchness.