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Pure awareness for me means the complete dropping off of the 'doer' aspect... its quite fun, seeing and doing things yet with no ownership... the doing and seeing, and thinking, feeling, that kind of way, all gets done effortlessly. Someone in the next house eats a sandwich and then a window opens in the opposite house... simultaneously, the kid down the road then starts roller-skating, rain falls, thunder rolls... all happening in a synchronistic fashion, in so much as one thing arising brings about the arising of other things -- then, seeing and noticing the observing self, the self with tendencies, the self which grasps and shuns, also becomes just another arising, inseparably linked to every other arising. After a while, one can stop asking the question, 'Who am i'. Then the need to force any change becomes unnecessary. In time, a new kind of knowingness is birthed, one hears anew, sees anew, feels more -- like sometimes, one gets to hear the subtle sound of dew forming on a blade of grass in the early morn which, in all earnestness, does just enough to gently stir one from deep sleep.

The only danger is man's carelessness in the presence of an animal... any animal, even kangaroos!! Plenty people in Australia get attacked (mostly kicked, but bites are common too) by roos, yet there are no widely publicized calls for their ban. Why? Cos its a known and accepted fact that if someone was silly enough to get attacked by one, he or she probably deserves a swift lesson in respecting their space. Ironically, the only kangaroo campaign currently attracting support is the one which is calling for an end to the mindless (but apparently profitable) slaughter of these creatures. With enough care and awareness, most nasty incidences can be avoided, including the one where i was accidentally bitten. The poor guy had to go not because he has a vicious nature, but that he and my other male dog could not co-exist without each trying to exert territorial might, which is, fYi, a natural thing in the animal world -- its called 'alpha male'ing. (apologizes profusely for diverting from the main topic)

I'm just a sapling a future king, wait and see frogs bow at my feet...

In the light of his vision, he has found his freedom. His thoughts are peace, his words are peace, and his work is peace. -- Dhammapada

You mean, like ALL pitbulls are, by virtue of breed, insanely vicious??

Sensible talk on compassion. Some might find it helpful, i hope.

Just watched this and wanted to share. Thanks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8stKBLnUGN0&feature=related

Congrats! Wonderful opportunity this is, Anamatva. Since this is going to be your first formal retreat, its bound to be full of new experiences -- good time to deepen your insight into equanimity, is what i have come to learn. The thing i found with a lot of retreats (where new participants abound) is that there will be numerous occasions where new retreatants allow themselves to lose sight of the main objective of entering a buddhist retreat, which is first and foremost, to be in a space where distractions are kept at bay so that participants are afforded an environment where practice can arise easefully, and with this, to learn to get used to specific sadhanas so as to engender progress in one's path. Before smoothness is gained, there will be the rougher edges that may need honing, and this is where the retreat leader/facilitator steps in to help guide one across these imaginary chasms, should they happen to obstruct and constrict. What i have found to be helpful to reap the full benefit of entering retreats is to pace oneself to the 'beat' cos each retreat offers something new and different -- overexertion can be draining, while being too laxed can easily lead to becoming too spacey, hence, be observant of your responses towards each situation as it comes, without sacrificing mindful awareness so that focus can be maintained optimally. At times, of course we can lose the focus, and if this happens, its really ok... no need to be harsh -- simply allow time to regather your meditative poise, and begin anew. Let us know how you get on. All the very best to you.

In the higher dzogchen tantras there is actually quite a stout emphasis placed on the circulation of inner energies thru the various chakras with the aim of unknotting blockages. From Longchen Rabjam's 'The Practice of Dzogchen' -- "With the maturing of the air and mind in the petals (or spokes) of the cakra of creation at the navel arise the heats, the signs of small, mediocre and great levels of the path of accumulation. Then one sees the faces of the Buddhas in Nirmanakaya form and becomes able to exhibit manifestations and miracles because one has achieved minor (divine) eyes, foreknowledges and miracles as the result of one's meditation and by gaining control over admiration and the rest, the 'four miraculous feat' of contemplation." The way of training as advocated by Longchenpa is to combine outer (sutric) and inner (tantric) means. The tantras expound the 'Thirty-seven aspects of enlightenment' as the guide towards transformation of perceptions -- over time, the practitioner can learn to transmute impure perceptions and gradually, and meticulously, 'build' a sacred mandala which will transform into a 'palace' in order to unveil and actualize the various buddhas of the different families. Explanation of the 37 aspects of enlightenment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhipakkhiy%C4%81dhamm%C4%81#cite_note-9

Right Conduct is one of the major pillars of a spiritual cultivator, hence, on the relative level, one would know, by nature of one's path, that murder, rape, cannibalism are detrimental to one's inner journey. I do not agree that all things are a fantastic interplay of loving energies -- such lines of thought can be troublesome. In most authentic spiritual traditions, there is often found certain emphasis on abstinence and hard discipline, but in Buddhism the practice of Sila takes one beyond abstinence and forceful discipline. Thru understanding this precept, It allows the adherent to naturally discover, within himself or herself, the heart that yearns to avoid that which is unwholesome, leading to Samadhana, meaning harmony and coordination. When one gradually learns to see the fruits of one's thoughts, then, unwholesome actions can be dropped without force, and wholesome actions will follow, leading to full ease. Knowing what is wholesome, mindfully, and cultivating what is wholesome, mindfully, this is the path of Right Conduct.

To achieve... To sense... To still... TO conflict!! Such tall orders for anyone who seeks 'not doing'. The pendulum does not 'to' anything without any external prompting. Even when prompted, its own nature will return it to stillness as the momentum wanes. When one reconnects to one's inner nature, that union alone will naturally return one to the remembrance of stillness, in time. One can enter a thousand times states of meditation, only to find that when one comes out, all the desires are still actively desiring... then what? Most dont realize that when they 'do' meditation, what happens is that they are actually lending more momentum to the pendulum. Perhaps its good to explore letting meditation do 'me' instead.

Why is this important, and how does this relate to Wu Wei?

With all the spin on the benefits of energetic cultivation vis-a-vis retention blah blah, LDT, UDT, more blah blah... its no wonder you're struggling. What are your 'spiritual' priorities, btw? What are hoping to get out of Zazen? If the aim is to overcome addiction of sorts, its an inadequate approach. Not that its lacking in methodology, but the practitioner's mind is, hence there will always be major strifes because there will be a tendency for regular bouts of compensatory and useless self-chat recurring habitually.

Here's a link that might interest you: http://www.ka-gold-jewelry.com/

The way i see it, there is simply an unfolding process (the impulse, as you rightly said) that never ceases to roll on and on, just like a flower bud eventually blossoming into a flower (although sometimes it wont)... assuming it does, would one decry the bud as false and the flower somehow more true? In this particular evolution, can it be said the bud was destroyed upon the eventual appearance of the flower? What we were yesterday, was that destroyed as we move into this day? Even 'pure desire' does not sound right. There is, i agree, an innate process, but words like 'pure' and 'desire' also lend a kind of dualistic undertone and clingy notion to the whole thing, but... i do get what you're fundamentally saying, so, thank you for sharing your thoughts.

The soul desires to experience transcendence? Thats the soul's ego?? (Kevincann said.) Not sure 'bout that one. Anyone care to share their views?

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Are masters necessary? No. Are they useful? Sometimes. All depends on one's ego-mind, this is the only criterion. The level of its dictation often determines how much seeking is there, following which, the intensity of the search yields proportionate finds. Masters are always linked to devotion and subservience. Think carefully before finding whether one is capably willing to go down that road. Many have tried, and eventually, the ego regains control. Now, teachers are a whole different patch altogether. In buddhism, there is no encouragement to look for 'masters'... the buzzword is 'spiritual friend', someone whom you can learn to trust, and who trusts you in return. Its more healthy this way.

Your penchant for details is always refreshing, TI. Thank you for a very well-presented post.

A bountiful harvest is the result of cultivating a pliable mind and body -- to this end, let there be no haste.

Love it!

Sleep time for me is around 5 - 6 hours each night. Very seldom feel a need to take naps during the day, maybe once every couple of months may experience a dip in energy, feel lethargic for about half a day, which means body hinting to get an early night (bed by 10, up at 5). Work involves a lot of mental and physical output, which actually boost my alertness during the day. 99 percent abstinence from alcohol, which helps (in my case). Maybe one beer, or a liqueur, once a blue moon, that kind of way. Diet-wise, plenty of fruits and greens. Most meat consumed will have been 'softened' by hours of stewing, which my system finds very agreeable indeed. Once a week workout at the local spa, where i swim, have a sauna, and relax in the bubbly pool some call jacuzzi. Every day do at least a hundred prostrations in the mornings. Always wanted to live close to the sea, and realized this dream only this year, so this body is very happy to chill by the ocean's fringes. Loves fast cars... recently rewarded myself with a BMW coupe to cruise the wind/rain-swept country roads on days off. Its red, btw. Like these ones... http://www.google.ie/search?q=red+bmw+e46&hl=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=OfMRUN_rEYqWhQfDpIHYDg&ved=0CFgQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=599 I'm 52, and loving it.

Straighten your cultivation -- that way, many dangers can be avoided.

http://www.amazon.com/Dzogchen-Heart-Essence-Great-Perfection/dp/155939157X http://www.amazon.com/Quintessential-Dzogchen-Confusion-Dawns-Wisdom/dp/9627341584/ref=pd_sim_b_10 Two excellent intros for the new initiate. Treat with reverence, study diligently, test the teachings, and you will go far.

Lucifer?