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what synchronicity! i knew the vid was posted for a reason... now the reason becomes clear (edit) just saw this quote from none other than good ol' Jackie Chan: "Coffee is a language in itself." how true, dat.

black hat, Cadillac! red hats ride their Rolls Royces peasants? Bicycles...

I say 'make breakfast!' scrambled eggs, french toast, syrup and coffee to boot!

Why did you ask?

Do something (if not already done so) please?

almost as good as coffee.... bet you wont find her in Portugal Definitely not decaf, sir.

welcome, friend

asunthatneversets... Is there any reason why you have chosen to avoid or delay answering the questions posed to you? (post 492) You come across as someone with vast esoteric knowledge and perhaps experience, reading some of your posts over in DW, so i thought it would be so good to have you share with us your realizations. Yet, if you choose to disregard the questions, that too is very acceptable, so no pressure.

more shit comes your way shit and gold, no difference when joy murmurs deep...

funny how the mind churns out stuff just to avoid remaining motionless and open.

Thank you very much ± sir ± (sorry, cant bring my finger to hit the report button )

Maybe its not so much a conscious dissociation from self, but something deeper, like seeking a return to completeness, not realizing that nothing is actually missing. In a nutshell, its as if one is born whole, then goes thru the cycle of wants and needs, fueling the craving for things both tangible and intangible, leading to the feeling that somehow some pieces are missing from the puzzle, then, in later years, realizing that all one's actions have been a misuse of time and energy, that life is actually so very simple, and nothing was needed in the first place, that the ideas of being incomplete were merely self-projections, and these, due to ignorance, become causes for suffering of suffering, suffering of change, and cosmic suffering. idk, some ideas, perhaps really outdated ones, came to my head when i read your post. Perhaps also simply a self-reminder, so thanks for making it happen! Celibacy is not for everyone, cos not everyone knows the proper ways to 'funnel' the energetic swishing about of stuff that arises during the process of abstinence. Its not even a stand-alone practice, so those whose sole focus happens to be this will not get too far. I have tried it for 8 or 9 years on the trot. Was it good? Who can say for sure... Sure, there are benefits, but are these primarily due to the practice, or a combination of various other positive factors? One needs to determine carefully whats involved and be of sound mind and of strong resolve so as to be able to watch all the subtle changes that takes place, and build upon these, with care and patience.

just so much water floundering in sea of hope no point complaining...

original face fold it up and pack it in a storm is brewing...

Firstly, a few words of advice from Phakchok Rinpoche (grandson of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche) -- "Without cutting or reducing ego clinging, no matter how much you want to practice the Dharma or live a positive life, it is not going to work. As usual, my advice is dont believe me but see it for your own self. So, usually i say, 'seeing' is the first step, 'recognizing' is the second step, 'admitting' is the third step, 'changing' is the fourth step and 'measuring change' is the fifth step. Without cutting the root of ego, meditation is just another creation of mind. Understanding is just labeling. Thinking that you understood is just subtle pride. When you really cut the root of ego, you dont differentiate between yourself and others, and then you will understand selflessness. It is then when the realization of emptiness and compassion is going to be inseparable. So it is very important to reduce the ego. My message today may sound complicating to some, helpful to a handful, and completely gibberish to many! But from my part, it is, has been and always will be a joyful pleasure to connect with each and everyone of you and be a constant reminder of impermanence with each passing Guru Rinpoche Day one year after another." http://www.buddhaofcompassion.org/Vaj.mp3

Hey Shanlung... curious me.. you mentioned Taiping - is that Taiping, Malaysia or some other country? Taiping (Malaysia) is well known for its lake gardens too!!

Hey Apech.. are you still off coffee?? Hows it going for you? On topic... My favorite brand of coffee is Mauro ---> http://caffemauro.com/en/accademia_caffe/ -- and i have tried them all. Naturally, i love malaysian coffee but somehow it only tastes yummy when drinking it in the local coffee shop. Was just having a coffee-related chat with the gf an hour ago, and we found out this new sophisticated brewing technique called 'Chemex' http://www.chemexcoffeemaker.com/support/instructions.html -- has anyone tried this? Apparently, there is also the Vietnamese coffee and filtering thingy which is really really delicious when mixed in with condensed milk, like, the flavor is out of this world!! http://www.howtobrewcoffee.com/Vietnamese.htm ahhh... joie de vivre!!

hope it gets better this pimple on your backside distracting the flow...

Does everyone live in a state of awareness? I suppose on some level this is true, but i am also supposing that not everyone knows this due to obscurations. As a result, i would assume that being aware is not naturally implied. So, taking it upon myself to rephrase Ralis' question, to what level would you say that your obscurations have been removed to a point where you can confidently say the removal should be almost permanent? And, what would be some examples of these obscurations that you have managed to cut, and by what methods employed? Thank you for the answers which i feel would be very helpful to students wanting to expand the scope of their investigation into Dzogpachenpo.

Black Bear came to a meeting late and said, "I'm feeling frazzled after dealing with my cubs. What if I dont feel compassionate?" Raven said, "Fake it." "That doesn't seem honest", said Black Bear. "It doesn't begin with honesty", said Raven. From Zen Master Raven: Sayings and Doings of a Wise Bird (Robert Aitken)

At least now we get to know when the tank is going on empty Seems like a workable austerity measure to curb potentially seesawing emotional upheavals. Very un-super-natural idea and one helluva shrewd move by a brilliant mind. One can almost guess the recipient of this TTB blue-ribbon hehe...

silence in the morn golden hues of quiet light shoos away the mist...

I am grateful to everyone for taking the time to share your true feelings here. It is very much appreciated. The important thing is to be true to your feelings, not so much the contents. Contents will change according to time and circumstance, but truth should always remain. So even the jaded and the doubters are welcome to have their say. We cannot and should not expect anything less than a sincere expression of feelings from the heart. After all, Guru Rinpoche did encourage each of his disciples to remain as open as the sky, which is forever stainless, very much like the essence of each one of our minds. Lets not confuse the clouds with the space which can hold them unconditionally. And for those who found this inspiring, thank you for expressing your appreciation. I will remember always...

a tango takes two two takes and a hug for luck dance the night away...