C T

Ah but there's such a thing as enlightened selfishness! http://www.pattern.com/kimura-aynlao.html

The right training perhaps is to uncover the truth in the impermanence of both beauty and ugliness, yet, in the midst of all the ebbs and flows, remain unperturbed. Divinity can also be a gift for those who have to bloom in the muddier parts of the pool. In fact, come to think of it, some bloom better in those parts.

Do you dislike him, the person, or the image of him? Its harder to understand when its the image we have of someone that causes issues.

More like celebrity narrator, Miss K. Dont let that detract you from the essence of the clip. If my perception of something displaces my mind-space, i would find out why, and try to allow for more openness so that the next time this something comes up, i'd be more able to feel less displaced, and keep practicing this observation until its energy dissipates, and i can remain centered and unmoved. Actually, nothing really wrong with celebrities who meditate. Everyone wants to return to an optimal space free of all the things most want to be free from.

Discovering Buddhism: Module Two -- How To Meditate

Discovering Buddhism: Module One -- Mind and Its Potential

Hi Effilang... this Theravadin monk's early spiritual fire was stoked when he was given a copy of the DDJ. Sort of reminded me when i read of your recent 'dilemma'. Have a listen to his story...

thats me..

You might (or might not) want to chance a glance at this Huffpost article then: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/natasha-dern/why-do-we-fear-an-empty-mind_b_853551.html

Thoughts do not come from the mind. They arise from within the brain, which is like a record-keeper. Tis the mind that then decides to add energy to thoughts, creating momentum in the process which, in the less aware, begin to manifest and weave into stories, then shapes, then forms etc, and this is where delusion finds plenty of space to propagate. Mindfulness is the practice to bring one's awareness, again and again, to seeing the truth of what mind is -- empty, yet completely utilizable (or cognizant). In which ways its directed, only the mind can decide itself. So, another way of seeing the practice of Mindfulness is the process of 'gentle coaxing to allow mind to see its own nature'. Its one effective way to regain mastery over mind. Remember: The mind does not take harsh or forceful treatments from no one. Mindfulness is the art of using softness to tame the 'wild horse'.

Hi DReamBliss... Have you heard of 'Laya Project'? Currently my fave music for chillin'. There's also an ethical and charitable side to this project, which makes it all the more fun. http://www.layaproject.com/layaproject/index.html Check out their many tunes on YT. Here's a taster:

A major healing contributor, according to Dr Simon Yu http://www.preventionandhealing.com/pah-about_yu.htm, arises from removing alien parasites from the system. Numerous articles here related to his study and professional healing work: http://www.preventionandhealing.com/pah-articles.htm

I too am curious. Even more so, what others bring into their lives to prevent past dis-ease from happening again. Healing is great, but in my thoughts, preventative modalities are even more potent... how to optimize future health, in conjunction with realigning past issues.

Practical talk for the OP --

Actually, having read thru this post a number of times, its still not clear what sort of point you're attempting to make. Take the closing statement for eg. 'This links to repress your individuality part of this thread...' -- meaning what?? It makes one wonder if you actually understand what you wrote. Funny thing is there appears now a repetitive pattern where you keep impressing upon readers that nobody really understands what your true message is, and whats even funnier, oi think you're spot on with this conclusion, guv.

Imo, a developing individuality is determined by what one is driven by... his or her symbolic quest towards integration, sanity and wholeness. This process, according to Jung, is termed 'Individuation'. Interesting subject, for those who want to google and read up. There's an article about Individuation being a process of a lifetime, one that i found to be very insightful, but have no permission to paste a link here... sorry. Alan Watts aptly exclaimed: "Society gives us the idea that the mind or ego is inside the skin and that it acts on its own against society. We are to play the game as if independent, but not to know we are playing as if. The individual is self-determining, but only by virtue of the rules. This is an insane definition of sanity." (from the book -- Beyond Theology: The Art of Godmanship)

The west, the east, the south and the north... sheep everywhere, as far as the eye can see. The distillation of spiritual insights, regardless of tradition, necessarily leads to traversing paths where others fear to tread. In the east as well as the west, hermits and ascetics abound, leading secluded existences which transcends all boundaries of individualism and its counterpart. Those who are not able to abandon the mundane world for obvious reasons can first begin to choose to practice abandonment in their minds. This leads to the end of craving and passion, which gives birth to the truly sane individual. In the Discourse on Blessings (Maha Mangala Sutta) states clearly that one of life's true blessings is to have a mind 'properly directed' (attasammapanidhi). A mind that is always mindful? What does this encompass? Its easy to utter these words, yet, in real practical terms, it requires one to discover one's proper place in the world, decide on a proper aim, and find the right ways to achieve it. A happy and balanced individual is one who has a worthy aim in life, a clear course to follow, and a sound philosophy with which to navigate towards the attainment of that worthy aim. "Exalted in mind & heedful, a sage trains in sagacity's ways. He has no sorrows, one who is Such, calmed and ever-mindful." -- the Theragathas.

I think what many get at the beginning (in practicing Vajrayana/Mahayana) is a glimpse into the nature of Mind, and not yet a full realization. The full realization of the nature of Mind necessarily conjoins the wisdom realization of compassion and emptiness. Its inseparable. Thinking of this, one is reminded again of the four empowerments given at the beginning of the Vajrayana path. According to Tulku Urgyen, the first empowerment, termed the vase empowerment, introduces the indivisible unity of appearance and emptiness, the second introduces unity of clarity and emptiness (aka luminosity and emptiness), the third bestows insight into the unity of bliss and emptiness, and finally, the fourth introduces the unity of awareness and emptiness. He further states that the specific intent of each empowerment is different, but the core principle of all four is one: To introduce the indivisible unity of emptiness and cognizance.

This info page might lend some insight: http://www.comoxvalleyacupuncture.com/recommend.html ...however, it does not explain why Thai curries are quite so yummmy.

Coconut juice (which is, i think, what Ms K is on about) and coconut milk have a very cooling effect on the body. According to TCM its advisable to consume only in moderation. Excess consumption often leads to increased dampness in the body, usually evidenced by increased phlegm production, constipation, bloating and gas build-up. A good substitute for coconut milk in curries is coconut yogurt. Yogurt has a cooling essence as well, but its a beneficial one, tending to neutralise excess yang, and does not lead to any dampness build-up like coconut will.

A+

For the record: Having had the opportunity to live and work in the Rigpa sangha in the mid 90's, it presented various instances where i had been able to get closer to SR, even helped in the kitchen in his chalet, preparing his meals. I did not observe, at any time, any harem of young women who attended to his every need, and he certainly did not indicate that he had a desire to have these around. Lama Care, back then, certainly did not carry the kind of implications afore-mentioned. Yes, he was demanding towards his most senior aides and students during retreats, but he did it with the intention to bring the most benefit to all the attendees. He wanted every little detail to be right, because he said those who travel and make sacrifices to attend deserves the best Rigpa could offer them. There were sometimes kids, both sexes, children of his students, who would walk with him around the gardens, and one could see he was full of joy when they were by him. At most, he would be in their presence for about half an hour, on average, and then he would retire back to his chalet, alone. His attendants were members of both sexes, in their forties most of them, and i certainly did not observe any sordid undercurrent in any of their exchanges with SR. It was always full of dignity and respect. I have had, the odd time, got to speak with him one to one, and found him to be extremely caring for his sangha, and never once did i feel that his needs came first. This is not an endorsement, simply a glimpse i am sharing into the short time (off and on, over a period of a year) i have spent in the sangha. This does not mean, in any way, that i was with him for a year. It simply means that during that time, whenever he would come to the centre, i would have been there to help prep his meals. Thats all for now.

Any spiritual teacher guilty of the above allegations ought to be exposed, regardless of their wisdom (or stupidity). Abuse can not and should not be tolerated... period.

Sorry to poke in without asking. In all the schools of Tibetan Buddhism, even in Bon, practitioners and novices are all encouraged to begin with preliminary practices, and can, if they wish, incorporate such prelims as they progress along the stages of the Path. As you might already know, such prelims are the various versions of Ngondro practice, yet most if not all these seemingly different versions having a common theme, or thread, as in one begins with invocation, and ends with dedication of merit. Within the Ngondro itself there is Phowa practice, but its only a brief one, akin to a familiarization. As such, Ngondro can be considered as an outer practice, and as far as i am aware, does not require empowerment from a guru. This means that its focus is basic, and quite external, yet has the same potential to bring one to full realization, as it contains, at the fundamental level, the same essence as all the other more complex practices, which is union of wisdom and compassion. Then when one begins to see the fruits of this practice, and wish to move on to more elaborate stages, one can then request empowerments to begin 'inner' practices, thereafter, to 'secret' ones. In each of these levels there is Phowa, with it becoming more elaborate, more meaningful, as one progresses further. This does not imply that the student has to undertake the demands of moving into these deeper levels in order to reach the goal of union -- if he or she perseveres with Ngondro, that alone will be sufficient to reap the harvest of complete realization. From my own observation and experience, the progression from Ngondro into the other practices is a natural one. The heart of compassion grows bigger, able to hold more understanding, so one instinctively wants to enlarge one's scope so as to benefit more beings.

Peak energy, transmutational possibilities, potential realizations, seeing into mind's true nature, the complete dropping off of the 'small self' --- all these occur at the crest of the orgasmic wave. Try it (for a period of weeks), bring yourself to the point of orgasm, and then cease all further stimulation, dropping all urges to climax, and please share your first couple of experiences, if you wish... would be interesting? On a secondary level, this practice hones discipline, and discipline is the forerunner in many things of significance that we want to do and achieve in life, all the more so in regards to spiritual cultivation.