C T

its so seriously funny, isn't it? the stories that preoccupy people's minds regarding matters which need compensatory reinforcing labels/terms/mystical blabbering to the point where they (the stories) take on life, and people then live that out.

Interesting notions. how did you arrive at such theories regarding bricks and all that encircling stuff? i am asking because you stated that at death one will have a Self. capital S. Where did you read about this? Or, is this your experience?

sounds like you been there before. how else could you postulate such a thought. going to heaven? what goes to heaven? Death? be careful what you watch on TV. and read on wikipedia. too.

the spiritual path is not one of reckless abandon. The old traditions have systematically mapped out routes that free a person from grasping and aversion, en route to the cessation of all sense gratification. From cutting through karmic tendencies and then leaping over dualistic forms, these systems guides the adept meticulously towards the fulfillment of boundless emancipation. Just following the heart, or seeking pleasure in order to bring God closer, are examples of shallow concepts fit for those with a lot of dust over the eyes. These are mere diversions. It may still take a person to the other shore, but its a choppy sea out there.

Its already been this way. Its just that most people have not the vision to see this wide, being so immersed sense-wise in a self-existent self, slave to habits.

downhill in the nude see how the boys in blue go in the name of law...

of primal chaos millions of folks watch TV and then expect peace...

Sublime, the Lankavatara.

ouch! there goes a tooth another one bites the dust form is emptiness...

sticky squish in mouth bits of bits stuck between teeth no toothpick in sight...

Ok my friend. Thank you for the explanation. Seems like an interesting (and new to me) perspective. Never got a chance to study such a premise before.

tweaked the chimpanzee this amused the visitors if only they knew...

In truth, there is nothing to end. It never began.

Hi Jeff, Tao is Buddhist emptiness is a new thing for me. Any resources to verify this allusion? Also, how do you explain emergence of phenomena as Buddha or buddhamind? What, in your view, is buddhamind?

But Chi Dragon said Tao created all things, made them visible. How did you come to agree with that i cannot really understand.

it was hardly noble, not even close.

with nothing between thinking magicians we are, or some kind of god...

twirling to the dawn a thousand rainbows of light manifest as one...

Still rings of contemporary Christian creation ideology. Chi Dragon, You are asserting that Tao created all things, hence making them visible. Is that correct?

If one cannot even find any apt description of Tao, and cannot even pin down what it is exactly, how does Tao become visible? Since things did not all suddenly manifest, the above is a mistaken assumption. Sounds like a Christian premise. (for eg. "Oh, one can see God simply by looking at His creation.")

You can have whatever you want, MH. After all, your caveat says it all -- "I reserve the right to be wrong." What more need be said, other than the appearance of a potential hazard. Saying this, i hope to make clear that this is not in any way a reference to your speech conduct, although there are moments when i have wondered why it was necessary to employ such strong verbal emphasis on certain exchanges which had obviously irked you. Anarchists are usually quite resilient to various onslaughts from all fronts, without any hint of loosing their cool. A bit suave, like the samurais of old who simply wait for the kill shot and not have to expand any energy in the process of decapitating their foe.

Such zealousness can only be admired. 'Protector'. Wish fulfilled, eh?

Google Jayarava's Raves (buddhist blog) and search 'Emptiness for Beginners'. Very helpful, detailed explanation can be gleaned there. Dont think its ok as such to provide a link without the blogger's permission, but i am sure its ok to point it out in this way.

Hi Nikolai, I completely disagree with the above lines of reasoning. Alcohol as a spiritual tool to 'see' God's glory? Why, can't the marvelous and resplendent beauty of the inner worlds which, through awakening gradually merge with outer perceptions, be accessed without resorting to any stimuli which serves to distort and numb? I do recognize the grand illusion of what it is like to be under the influence. Been there, done that. I used to drink a half bottle of Southern Comfort a night, back in the early 90s. Plus a few pints of beer at the pub before that. And i know of all the side effects from that period too. So i am not without empathy here. I am now living in Ireland. Alcohol is a massive distraction for the majority of Irish folks, sorry to say. It is not my aim to denigrate, but to speak of the realistic potential towards self-destruction (does not matter under whatever guise this potential comes in) when any form of dependency arises, whether as mind-bending substances or not. I think it is not helpful to even suggest that mindful use of these substances can be a boon to spiritual cultivation. It is rather silly to want to become unmindful then (which happens when the mind is altered in any form) so that one can fulfill the goal of wanting to seek union with God, whatever form that that comes in. This can be achieved naturally. It takes work, sometimes lots of it. Its those who seek the non-existent short-cuts that feels the need to resort to justifications and the glorification of such in order to disguise their dependencies. I do not look down on people with dependencies, nor of those who are considering turning to stimulants in the hope of raising their 'spirit' to the next level. I just think its a big issue, and that we should be responsible enough not to suggest 'bad techniques' because God knows how vulnerable some forum users can be. Sometimes all it takes is a little misguided encouragement which will spark a whole deluge of problematic outcomes for the unsteadied practitioner.

Sounds so good, Becker! Perhaps this Christmas you might like to try an alternative braising recipe... http://eddyskitchen.wordpress.com/2013/02/09/braised-beef-brisket-and-tendon-%E7%82%86%E7%89%9B%E7%AD%8B%E8%85%A9/ (OP... really sorry to go off-topic, but there was a bit of talk about meat and such, which distracted me somehow. )