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Great point!

Every stage of a filtration system is equally vital to the optimal function of said system. Though each phase is distinct, the grosser carbon filter, for example, cannot be said to be less functional or vital than the UV light. Its a symbiotic, often obligatory process, and the whole Buddhist path is rather similar, imo.

Unfortunately its not as universal as you would like it to be. If it was, there would not be so much bickering among the various buddhists (among ourselves even) and also with others from the across the pond. I'd be the first to plead past guilt. Work in progress. `over and out!

Over-reacting as usual. But its understandable.

Good on ya MH!

Yup, your new avatar kinda did that to me. haha... There seems to be quite a bit of interest in MSM in Europe at the moment, and some very significant claims of it being able to assist tremendously in cell permeability seems to have spearheaded all the frenetic 'Whoas' and 'WoWs'. Im curious to know if a similar interest did flare up at some stage in the US and Australia, and whether its still 'hot' or has the excitement weaned off. A couple of info links on MSM (cant say how 'scientific' they are, so do your own research please) for those who may want to know more about MSM claims. http://cancercommonsense.com/#/msm-c-b12/4546384325 http://totalhealthnowltd.wordpress.com/2012/06/07/what-is-msm-methyl-sulphonyl-methane/

Best wishes on your new diet regime! I'd be interested to hear of your progress. As for me, well, in the last couple of years the need for meat consumption have gradually decreased. Previously i would have to have meat at least once a day to function optimally, especially when i am working. Im quite flexible now. If there is good meat (organic), i would eat some maybe once a week, if not, cheese, fruits, juices, salads, soups, rice and noodles with fragrant oils (with herbs and garlic) and sea vegetables would form my main diet. I would also tend to eat more seafood than red or white meat, just a preference i have had since young. I am not a chi fan, so cant really say if there was a significant swing between then and now.

Sometimes i would donate to individuals who meet with unfortunate circumstances, like some serious illness which require expensive medical treatments which the family could ill afford. Other times i would donate to hospices and animal sanctuaries.

If you're well groomed and healthy, that could well get you more sex, and who knows, stumbling onto a rich partner along the way who happen to like your style so much she or he will buy you a beast of a car as a reward for great sex, so it works both ways...

icy mountain stream just what i need to cool down unbearable heat...

(Glad you were able to pick up a similar vibe. ) Can you clarify a bit more regarding the above? tks.

Was the MSM effective?

For super-clearing toxins, i would recommend MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) in addition to your current routine. Read it up.

You are quite humorous. Haha. Well, the questions were as legit as questions can get, but the answers... umm... put it this way, similar questions have been more brilliantly addressed by various bums over the years here. Seriously though, i noticed quite a bit of vagueness hovering over the whole session. Just my opinion tho. Im sure others will have a different take on it. And that laughter when the $12k was mentioned, what was that all about? Whats the hidden message behind that i wonder.

I listened to most of the podcast and was not newly informed about anything. Quite ordinary, to be honest.

Well said. Do you see any difference between buddhist 'faith' and Xtian 'faith' in terms of how its generated and applied?

Sure. Everyone knows they have the enlightening seed inside. Nurturing this is as much a part of mahayana as it is tantrayana. This is a more encompassing view, which btw Vajrayana has as its essence.

This is your assertion, based on your limited understanding. Any Vajrayana teacher will tell you tonglen in its relative aspect is Mahayana (or sutrayana) while in its absolute aspect is Vajrayana, because there is an entry point into fruition from the causal. Since fruition (buddhahood) is possible from assimilating this practice as part of a wider scope, it can be said to contain many elements of Vajrayana. What these elements are can be investigated by anyone who is serious to develop tonglen and make it part of their sadhana.

Why is that reference not helpful? Your mission to determine whether tonglen is sutrayana or vajrayana is not relevant to this thread as such, hence a deviation could ensue, which would render this discussion unhelpful.

Its my understanding that a main motivating factor behind mind training is to arouse, sustain and cement bodhicitta. The arousing and sustaining aspects are hinayana and mahayana respectively while the concretizing aspect is vajrayana. These aspects are interwoven, first loosely, then more focussed as progress sets in, to generate one fabric of wisdom and compassion, which is the basis of the whole buddhist path, and cannot be clearly delineated as Alwayson seemed to want to assert. Both Mahayana and Vajrayana core concepts share the ideals of bodhicitta, bodhisattvic aspiration and fruition, and realizing union of wisdom and emptiness. Having said this, i think anyone from any school of practice can (even should) incorporate tonglen into their routine. Its such a positive practice. From the earlier threads on this topic, going back some years even, there seem to be a bit of vagueness of understanding in relation to the breathing in (of negativities) part. In its proper scope, the visualization during the in-breath is to bring the black or dark things thru the practitioner, into the earth (or into Yama's gigantically opened jaws lol) where it transforms into light and returns out to its intended destination in its purified form. Hence, the darkness is not transformed within the physical body. This is the preliminary stage of practice. In the absolute level, the transformation is spontaneous due to developing unceasing clarity of equanimous poise. This practice can indeed generate a lot of merit, for others as well as for self, but only on the relative level. Your thoughts?

Be nice if we do stick to the topic, and not give cause for deviating into petty fact-finding discussions. just a btw.

http://books.google.ie/books?id=qVVb5-42GhEC&pg=PA146&lpg=PA146&dq=is+tonglen+a+vajrayana+practice&source=bl&ots=jDYEq3rLHY&sig=pyfN4k-saiTmXTl6f2fFzaqFWFA&hl=en&sa=X&ei=h6PnUbTNDpSIhQemo4DABA&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=is%20tonglen%20a%20vajrayana%20practice&f=false

The first time i received tonglen teachings was at a Nyingma retreat. My family (a few generations) are all Theravadin practitioners and tonglen was never mentioned.

As with most, if not all mind tools and practices in Vajrayana, there are outer, inner and secret levels and different aspects to consider within each one. It is quite spectacular and noble what your teacher did, and what those monks (from Seth's post) did to alleviate the conditions prevalent in the aforementioned students at that time, but such profound abilities take years to master, and i am certain the requisites need to be carefully examined and learned thru those who are qualified, and not something which can be fully discussed on a forum. On an outer level, tonglen helps to cultivate openness and dissolves fear and all the rest of the delusional constructs which ties one to dualistic habitual responses. On the inner level, tonglen helps to develop compassion, equanimity and skillful means (upaya). Exchanging self for others is very effective for cultivating equanimity. The Buddha said that even if one were to alleviate the suffering of beings numbering greater than all the grains of sand in the Ganges, in truth, no beings suffer, no one was helped. Think about that in light of tonglen practice. On the secret level, it gets metaphysical and esoteric -- how are such aspects going to understood save for spending time in properly guided retreats or closed-door lessons from yogis and/or adepts? Just my humble thoughts. Of relevance to the outer practice, this is a very helpful article: http://www.upaya.org/roshi/dox/Tonglen.pdf Peace and blessings!

Tonglen is primarily a tool or a practice to diminish/eradicate self-cherishing, which is seen as the main block to cultivating bodhicitta. There is no greater blessing than the removal of self-cherishing, according to buddhist thought. Its the only antidote which will bring permanent healing to the world.