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What does it require to assign meaning to anything? The intellect, in conjunction with input from the senses. Surely, with such limited resources, one could not be so bold as to proclaim that 'now' has all the power in all of existence? Its good to be chirpy and bright, yet, at the same time, to stay within what is real.

"If our shallow, self-critical culture sometimes seems to lack a sense of the numinous or spiritual, its only in the same way a fish lacks a sense of the ocean." - Grant Morrison

This statement is meaningless.

whutz dis about? What power does now have?

Solid and wall are just words. From 2 metres, jumping into a pool of water can be quite fun. Hitting water from 10 metres up can be dodgy... hitting it from 60 metres can be disastrous, almost like hitting bare concrete. Yet there are some who have the ability to do just that, diving off cliffs as high as 60 metres, flabbergasting the naysayers, and leaving the onlookers gasping in awe. The East is full of mysticism. Do some travelling there, visit some mystics and yogins, then, if so inclined, review your beliefs.

EMAHO! Once again, beloved sons and daughters, listen with devotion! Mind in its insubstantiality is like the sky. Is this true or false, my children? Confirm it by relaxing completely and looking directly at the mind, gazing with your entire mind, free of all tension. The emptiness of the mind is not just a blank nothingness, for without doubt it is the primal awareness of intrinsic Awareness, radiant from the first. Self-existent, natural radiance is like sunlight. Is this indeed true? To confirm it, relax completely, looking directly at the nature of your mind. There is no doubt that it is impossible to objectify or grasp thought or the movement of memory. This capricious, changeable movement is like the cosmic wind! Is this indeed true? To confirm it, relax completely, looking directly at the nature of your mind. Without doubt, all appearances whatsoever are our own manifestation. All phenomena, whatsoever manifests, is like a reflection in the mirror. Is this indeed so? To confirm it, relax completely, looking directly at the nature of your mind. No experience is possible anywhere but in the mind, so there is nothing to see other than that seen at the moment of vision. No experience is possible anywhere but in the mind, so there is nothing to meditate upon other than mind. No experience is possible anywhere but in the mind, so there is nothing to do other than what is done in the mind. No experience is possible anywhere but in the mind, so there is no samaya to be sustained outside the mind. No experience is possible anywhere but in the mind, so there is no goal to be reached that is not in the mind. Look, look and look again. Look at your own mind! Appearances are not binding. It is through attachment to them that beings are fettered. Sever all delusive attachments, children of my heart! (texts from The Flight of the Garuda)

Why? Because it requires too much effort to understand, beyond the everyday level, the real causes which bring about lasting harmony. People tend to pay lip service more than they want to exercise sustained efforts to investigate the whys and what nots of personal dis-ease, which inadvertently result in channeling attitudes that slowly hone needs for external input and help when faced with those 'something's not right' moments, just so to set things right in a zip. In many instances, Patience can help (plenty) when these moments arise as disturbing emotions and physical discomfort. It takes guts to face one's ideas around self-suffering, and if one can disengage sensitively from reaching for tools to aid one during tumultuous times, and simply remain in the rawness of those moments just to observe whats really happening, then that time can become a positive process towards self-awakening. Not that tools are useless, but they tend to lose their full purpose if at first the basic premise, which is to know the self first, is ignored. Alas, instead of learning to abide with patient tolerance in the discomforting zone until it passes (which some masters call 'meditation', btw), the knee-jerk tendency is to reach for some practice or other to quicken the onset of 'calm and collection', or at least, the idea one has of it. This often sets off some kind of chain of dependency, which nullifies all good intent eventually. By understanding the root causes and remedying at that level, the causes for turmoil can be corrected and that will be the beginning of the end of it. Just some thoughts.

So many layers of revelation. Its a gem of a book for any dedicated Dzogchen student. Great recommendation.

I think if there was a need for a meaningful investigative premise, it ought to be the origins and/or causes of dependency, not the disregard of friendships. I see good friends as gifts of life and nurtures living.

What he did was not so much putting down his roots, but the stupidity of peoples who are so ingrained by superstition that they could actually forget to think for themselves. I think his message was loud and clear: Learn to think for yourself, whereupon one can then stand tall and represent one's race/creed with pride; otherwise, regardless of one's beliefs, and where one is born, one could never be truly free. If he was anti- anything, it was ignorance, useless clinging to dead pasts, and most of all, disorder. He sought to encourage his listeners to be complete and impartial in order to become truly independent -- he asserted that anything less would make one strive to cling to useless custom and religion as crutches to support a weak mind. Words of his... "When one loses the deep intimate relationship with nature, then temples, mosques and churches become important".

May your journey be delightfully filled with discovery and wonder!! (XieJia's the man in Thailand. If it was me, i would definitely hook up with him.)

Speaking of berries, there's a new one on the block... Maqui. Anyone tried? Reputed to contain twice the level of antioxidants found in Acai. Will be getting a month's supply next week. Will post results.

Was just thinking... if she was halfways between Dagenham and Romford (Barking... ), she could not really be a complete fruit loop, or could she? Early 90s... I lived for a couple of years in Upney, just up from Barking. Nice little place, with nothing to do, but watch the cemetery from my room. I remember, during the 2 winters i was there, that it was rather captivating, in an almost solemn sort of way. Then there was Mr Patel, the shopkeeper, who was a really nice man, and Lizzy, the greengrocer's daughter, she was the prettiest gal on the block. Mr Patel always kept aside 2 tins of condensed milk cos he knows i desperately depend on the stuff just to make the coffee real tasty. Hmm... memories.

Sorry to hear about the unfortunate loss of your friend. This may be helpful for you and your friend - - http://clearemptymind.com/2011/02/09/buddhist-prayers-and-practices-for-deceased/ Much blessings.

dp dp

IF i can do this at that age, i'd call it 'empowered with a siddhi of extreme physical pliance'.

Oftentimes i get a 'high' heart-bliss just by watching a video, or hear something inspiring... like this, for example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCHS6geSs-k

It may not be a drug... but its certainly a substance yes? As with any mind/body altering substance, can anyone here say for certain the final depth and final width of one's venture into these forms of 'alteration'? If not, how are conclusions drawn? There are approximately 30 million folks in the Amazonian region... does anyone here know the statistics of safe vs abusive usage of the various plants/shrooms/roots/herbs there? As Seth says, facts are vital.

IME whats been noted by FH is a more assured, wholesome and safe route. From what i can see, those who are fortunate enough to glean benefits from ayahuasca use, many in this group become dependent, as in, addicted (Not that the plant itself is addictive, but the glorification of it inspires in such a way that even those who are supposedly wise would return again and again for renewals) -- while those who have the misfortune to be drawn in by shysters who have no concern for safety of usage, or who have no real expertise in guiding others, well, there's no telling what damage could result, temporary or otherwise.

For those who clamor the declaration of hidden (massive scale) conspiracies, they win. For others who argue otherwise, they win... For the few who move serenely, unperturbed by the din, they gladly let them win, lock, stock, and barrel... The balance has already tilted. Of what use is all this puny talk? Better regroup and regather one's vital force, and keep cultivating. Its the only meaningful thing that brings real joy into existence.

Do you think that quote encourages the contemplator to seek a way out of this place so as to resolve problems? Btw, i'd be curious to hear what, in your opinion, are some of the vital problematic things in this place that you think needs fixing?

So true. I'd even venture a little further to say that the foundation is itself inseparable from the source where Bliss overflows. And this applies to every aspect of human endeavor, not only to the field of spiritnautics. Any inspired craftsperson can verify this, or any inspired sportsperson, for that matter.

A mind thus burdened and displaced by anxiety, frustration, grasping, doubts and desires... how could such a mind ever enter deep bliss? Perhaps the initial wise thing to do would be to make peace with your 'inner tormentors' first, like, maybe turn them into your allies in order to create some kind of congruency so that your quest for bliss can gradually take meaning, shape and eventually form? There are always... always, a requirement to attend to the basics, without which, even if bliss were to descend now upon you, it will not be sustenance, only escape. When certain major aspects of your inner mind/self and outer environment are in accord, then bliss will be your reward, the fruit of every worthwhile labor. Thence, instead of desiring bliss, why not first seek to bring peace into your life?

There is ample fuzziness around the 'becoming a bodhisattva' thingy... not understanding this has driven a lot of people away from the Mahayana path, or worse. Remember the words of the Buddha... there are no beings to save, to help, to care, to cherish. If someone of noble family thinks there are indeed beings to be saved, to be helped, to be cared for, and to cherish, then that someone has missed the whole point. Yet, there cannot be any activity, for one who thusly practice according to the Dharma, which is not filled with altruistic intentions, actions and results. Thich Nhat Hanh puts it beautifully when he said, "The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers." So, what is suggested is to cultivate mindfulness, then total presence will follow. When mindfulness pervades most of our thoughts, the heart naturally opens and welcomes... then presence, or the awakened quality, shines forth effortlessly, and this in turn will touch others without the 'you' or 'i' arising. All genuine spiritual masters spontaneously manifest this awakened quality, which others will be drawn to because it can be quite captivating, even entrancing.