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Ever heard of rouge agents? Ever wondered why these guys get to be called that? I think its because they know stuff, secret stuff, the juicy bits and all, that standard agents dont, hence they become dangerous to 'lineage' and have to be either ostracized or eliminated, or their rep tainted to such an extent that the whole intelligentsia would never again allow these guys to surface. Yet, these guys are no less agents. Even more so, considering.

Dedicating these to you SB... http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/en/archives/sutra/level2_lamrim/initial_scope/karma/buddhist_concept_of_merit.html Dedicating your aspirations and happiness (derived as one progresses on the spiritual path) to others seals your practice, meaning that whatever virtue generated, however small, will not leak away. As the Buddha had taught: "There are, O Monks, three ways of making merit. What three? There are ways of making merit by giving, by moral discipline, and by the development of meditation." (Anguttara-nikaya)

He liked his own post.

Actually, i had not wanted to state what you stated. But thanks be to you anyway.

True only in Vmarco's brand of Buddhism. In all other Buddhist approaches, the teachings are put in place to actually dispel self-inflicted negative patterns by giving step-by-step approaches towards the abandonment of causes which sparks reactionary emotional responses. This disempowering of the causes has many benefits. Gradually leads one to serene places and peaceful mindscapes. Freedom from having to struggle with the good and the bad. Ultimately.

What be is what be. Amusing stuff, no?

Walking on, walk on dont run, lest one trips and falls gosh! a harsh winter...

Vmarco claimed, not the Muni. Tathagata - The Thus gone. One who has reached the other shore and left the vessel, not carrying it around (like you). Your interpretation/inference leaves room for re-evaluation, i'd say.

Too late i'm afraid. The mice have already despatched their spies, travelling in pairs, under guise as spice merchants. Beware of any pairs... they're everywhere!

Extremely Tired.

More fuel for the fire. Maybe. Maybe we can learn something.... maybe not. Nonetheless, its a fun clip. ----------------------------------- Apech -- sorry to hear about Mr White.

Ah, but most do not realize that without dreams, technology could never have advanced to what it is today. If the Wright brothers did not dare dream, we'd still be rowing across waters to get to the farther shores. Moreover, without emptiness, how will dreams manifest? Is emptiness not the vast, endless fabric from which dreams arise? Yet, there, in the hearts of those who dare to turn their dreams into reality, infinite inspiration and courage springs forth, leading men and women of resolve to conquer limits which ordinarily daunts those of lesser intent. In this manner, then, i would count technology as the very stuff built on dreams and emptiness. I am grateful to dreams, for they often light the darkest nights with hope, and with renewed faith in the belief that for life to be meaningful, those dreams must always be allowed to be bigger than what we think we are.

Resentment... that's like you consume the poison and then waiting for the other person to die. --- Malachy McCourt

Deviation is perhaps thru sheer happenstance. That there were no vegetarians in China before the advent of this, and this, and this... how could you know this for certain? Any research notes to brighten the morning, dear? Curious.

Prunes are excellent. So is Pumpkin seed oil from Austria (and Austria only). Organic. In mo de ration. As with all things. Pyramids included.

Have you ever read the book 'The Mind of Clover: Essays in Zen Buddhist Ethics'? No? Its ok, i havent either. But there's a meaningful quote in there somewhere which says, "The absolute position, when isolated, omits human details completely. Doctrines, including Buddhism, are meant to be used. Beware of them taking life of their own, for then, they use us." I just thought this was almost appropriate to post here in light of what you had said. Dont mean to be rude, but i'd like to add one more quote which really touched me deeply, and would like to post here since its also quite relevant to your comment. "There are no moral absolutes in Buddhism and it is recognized that ethical decision-making involves a complex nexus of causes and conditions. 'Buddhism' encompasses a wide spectrum of beliefs and practices, and the canonical scriptures leave room for a range of interpretations. All of these are grounded in a theory of intentionality, and individuals are encouraged to always analyze issues carefully for themselves... When making moral choices, individuals are advised to examine their motivation -- whether aversion, attachment, ignorance, wisdom, or compassion -- and to weigh the consequences of their actions in light of the Buddha's teachings." ------ Karma Lekshe Tsomo, Professor of theology and Buddhist nun. One who rises to meet the higher evolution of pure spiritual progress will naturally spawn goodness. There is no other way, no grey areas, no what ifs. Its what's in one's heart that matters, where actions are concerned. The Chinese have a saying, "Your heart knows". How does it know? It knows because that which is essentially pure within, since beginningless time, speaks of righteous intentions always, and only thru the heart is this heard. Of course, some would rather choose to ignore this, and act in misaligned ways, contrary to conscience and appropriate conduct. Yet, those who act negatively are, in essence, no sinner, nor those who act with pure intentions saints. I remember what St Augustine said in this regard.... "Once and for all then, a short precept is given unto you: Love, and do what you will: whether you hold your peace, thru love you hold your peace; whether you cry out, thru love cry out; whether you correct, thru love correct; whether you spare, thru love do you spare: let the root of love be within, for of this root can nothing spring but what is good."

Actually, the basis of mind is already empty, beyond any constraints of time and space. Even if one is flooded with incessant thoughts, this in no way stains the essence of the mind, which is primordially empty. Some practices in the tibetan schools encourages practitioners to first get a glimpse or taste of this, and then to stabilize the view thru various other repetitive grinds. Prostrations, visualizations, that sort of thing.

During those moments when there is a certain deep feeling of equanimity felt, where one simply sense, at the core of one's being, that everything is exactly as it is, all is well, no struggles to push for change, a deep acceptance wells up... then, simultaneously, one sees holiness everywhere, a glow perhaps, light... during such moments, i have no qualms to equate this with the concept of being suffused with holy spirit. But, this is just me, i am some kind of a heretic, so i am not bound by any buddhistic conventions even tho' i tend to work mostly within its premises.

Standing too long one wishes to sit down. Ah, the relief... Sitting too long one wishes to stand and stretch Ah, the relief... There is a difference between seeking relief and actual permanent freedom from mind fetters. I agree with MH that there is a difference between pain and suffering. Sometimes the difference is most evident, at other times, quite blurry. But the suffering talked about in Buddhism is not of this kind. The suffering spoken of is more fundamental. Its to do with ingrained habits. And then, what to do to oust these deeply entrenched patterns which drives and perpetuates ignorance and delusion. But, MH, i do get your point. And its valid of course.

no one can help another escape suffering. how can one escape from some temporary and ever-changing thoughts about how unsatisfactory one's current position is? Step into the fire, face the suffering, and it will then transform. Sometimes into greater hardship, and sometimes relief. But change it will. Since the condition is not permanent, and everything changes all the time, Who is the one who suffers? Where is this complex, permanent mind which suffers?

Yes, apologies to Adept for veering. As far as i'm aware, authentic masters do not initiate students who have not done the prelims (meaning, they have not accumulated enough virtues). Even if they are initiated, the density of the untrained mind will simply cloud over any merit the teacher bestows, and within a short spell of time, the 'student' returns to old habitual tendencies.

Lots and lots of people have access to transmissions nowadays. Its so common for practitioners to 'collect' them as if collecting medals of valor . I dont think its necessary for one to have clarity to receive transmissions, but its certainly crucial to have such clarity in order to put in place what follows after the empowerment. Meditation is easy... what happens after its done is the challenge, isnt that so?

Hi Ish, I'd be interested to learn more of the research you did, or are still doing. According to the tradition that i come from (and in most other buddhist schools, afaik), starting from atiyoga is not advised. Even recognized tulkus and incarnations of high lamas have to be gradually led and taught in line with the individual's potential. Given too much, the tendency to flounder becomes very possible; too little, and people lose interest. My teacher always said to stick to basic practices for many years. Ngondro, for example. Basic does not mean slow. It means thorough. Then one's footing becomes assured and fruition imminent when the ground is well-prepared. The wonderful practice of Ngondro in itself contains all the secrets leading to the highest release.

Also, please, try not to speculate on the experiences of entering the void. Tantric practitioners spend years mastering the path, in a very arduous and systematic way, and those who reach fruition do so only with a teacher guide. Simply put, there are so many levels one has to work upon, each more refined than previous. Starting from kriya right up to atiyoga, one may be required to devote perhaps 3 or 4 three-year retreats before any semblance of stability is felt. Some practitioners may indeed spend years doing basic practices just to come to a decision whether they are more suited to a mother or father-style tantric path, and then only proceed accordingly. In summation, again, i say, dont treat the term 'entering the Void' too lightly. It has nothing to do with specks of blissful experiences one acquires thru sheer willpower and/or coincidental meditative explorations.