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Dependency on external stimulants is a mutated form of desire. Its a perversion, a never-ending round of feeling an imaginary need to compensate for an equally imaginary deep-seated idea that nothing is worth more than the next fix or the next shot of booze. It is not even pleasure-seeking anymore. On the contrary, it is often a guilt-ridden exercise to 'punish' self, a slow jaunt towards the abyss of self-annihilation. It may have begun as pleasure, but due to a delusional premise, it is actually ignorance and a complete denial of the effects of one's actions, abandoning all moral and ethical responsibility in the process to destroy self. To assume that such practices as drug use and excessive alcohol consumption is in some way a search for God does not sound very right. To me, this is like a modern form of self-flagellation, an ancient practice where indulgers of the act believed ignorantly that the act would bring them closer to rapture and God ultimately. Its a perversion, as i said.

Bootsy Collins' bass comes all the way from Ireland land of the Guinness...

Nicest cut of meat for roasting, especially if the skin can be done just right so the crackling effect does not break a tooth, or, a healthier alternative is to fusslessly boil it simply with red dates & dried vegetables, the kind you would see everywhere in China. Just for myself, i normally would add an air-dried whiplash squid (also commonly found in all good Asian stores) into the mix to give the broth a totally aromatic and earthy fragrance. Once the belly is almost soft, i would scoop it out of the broth and slice it thinly then dip into a good quality soya sauce whence it shall disappear to where i know not, never again to be found. If i was feeling adventurous on a particular cold autumn evening, i would slice a clove of fresh garlic and a couple of bird's eye chilies into the soya sauce. Mmm... divine.

Im also experiencing the same for the past few years! Its wonderful! So much less clutter, so much more present! Im at that point now where spontaneity takes over a lot of the time, and this, i think is made all the more accessible when thoughts have developed a natural tendency to simply slide off the memory slope on their own, and clinging to them by willful design is definitely not what spontaneity is about. In fact, this (willful clinging or forceful manipulation of memory) actually dampens presentness if i may say so. Nature speaks, we ought to listen, and then we can observe how preoccupation with triviality and mundane things hold such fascination when in truth it should not. I asked my teacher when i first noticed this pattern developing, and he laughed, saying that my mind is becoming like a teflon-coated wok! It holds stuff, but nothing sticks!

In buddhist practice, the encouragement is one only: whatever the state one finds oneself, stay with it, and watch (sounds simple, but takes practice, lots) how 'it' gets replaced with other thoughts, over time. Usually, states which create emotional reactions and resultant physical reactions tend to linger a bit longer than others, hence these are more prone to cause greater disturbances, but however it is, if and when one fully grasps the fundamental nature of mind, the jail-keeper becomes forever redundant, and will retire from his or her job.

there are times when we have to admit there are things happening to the body that we have absolutely no control over. For example, i cannot control how much oil the skin around my nose secretes. i could fight it (and i do cos it can be so darn annoying when my glasses keeps sliding) in which case other stuff will also start secreting from other parts, and shrink me faster in lieu, or i could let it be at the point of becoming aware, in which wonderful instantaneous moment, expansiveness blooms! happy out.

before we have speech a toast to the bride and groom sun and moon unite...

the flagellation something not seen among 'beasts' yet 'humans' do it!

is there a way out? there, just around the corner the lost horizon...

tomorrows for Frey whisking seven eggs for Jake and a cake for you...

Hi DJ, I used to have similar issues. Then i came to a realization that i was poisoning myself. This aroused a strong, deep feeling of wanting to choose a path of peace and expansiveness. From that time on, every step i made, i held the visualization determinedly in my awareness, "Peace is every single movement i make". Hence, that was me sowing the seeds for changing my past patterns. After a few months, the new awareness gradually deflated the old patterns. I did not really do anything in particular. No therapists, no counsellors, no fu, no amulets, not even meditation to still the turmoils... i was looking for deep conversion, DIY style. Just became more mindful of each step, each thought, each thing i said/say. Still try every day to live this way. Now it kind of spontaneously happens. Each time the feeling arises of being pulled down, this immediately gets replaced with the thought, "Peace is all there is." And a blissful vibration in my heart area follows. Its amazing. I think i posted a quote somewhere which says that holding on to resentment is like drinking poison with the hope of killing the object of our resentment (situations or people we are angry at). Its so apt. Patience is also a very good app to install. Wishing you happiness now.

la la la lala humdinger of a haiku lets embrace non-sense!

its not what you thought that stain on the back windscreen not easy to shift...

I wasn't actually referring to eating lots of fried foods to the extent of feverishing the body. Reference was made to eating according to the seasons and practicing according to one's prevalent environmental surrounds/habitat.

A Taoist knows when to consume cooling foods and remedies, as well as foods and remedies to increase heat. The furnace, as you put it, needs tempering according to the seasons, so its not a 'burning all the time' thing, is it? There are obvious reasons for this, which i believe you are well aware of, being Chinese. Alchemy is, after all, about timing and synchronization, right? When the OP mentioned lowering body temperature, its easy to overlook those times when this could well be a life-saving thing. Also, why would a Taoist living in the Kalahari, for example, master the art of stoking the furnace to blaze the fires?

you're lookin' good, my friend!

cool breeze rustles leaves palms sway, coconut falls down just missed the waiter...

someone could write a book and maybe title it, "Hair Samadhi" which could be as important as the Nag Hammadi. What you think, OP?

banishing my fears this faithful pillow for years can't live without it...

alone is lonely even in a crowded hall saunters out the door...

Its strange you managed to conclude that that remark was directed at you. something to work on i guess. welcome, nonetheless.

Being a jerk takes practice too.

it is a good thing one fine leap over yonder no need to ponder...

Where is Wyatt Earp? away tending to his herbs can't you hear him 'burp'?

lands I know not where just call it "incidental" an unsung hero...