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Sorry, but what you said there (bolded) is meaningless. Other than this, i can agree with some of what was said pertaining to the lojong contemplations.

How does one recognize one is a superior person other than to employ dualistic measures? Even to split Vmarco up into awareness which lets go of knowledge/gnows(?) and transcended spirit which does not discriminate does not sit right. The thing to remember perhaps is not to get caught up with the ideas surrounding the letting go of knowledge - rather, what takes its place... in some, the space is filled with thoughtfulness and wise reflections, in others, darkness sometimes diminishes the light. At each moment in the present, we can choose how to designate what we think, and what we say, which then determines how the next moment is, and so forth. This is Right mindfulness (sama-satti, or the watchful mind). I think Vmarco overemphasizes the absolute, and thus have the tendency to reflect most points coming from the relative (see Lerner's and Twinner's posts) against this absolute-like background, which makes it almost impossible to gel. In the absolute sense, Vmarco's assertions are quite correct, but one cannot remain operative solely on that level simply because that will undoubtedly tilt the scales. Sure, many silly Buddhist practitioners speak of wandering in pure lands and buddha fields and such, but they also have to remember to be human as well. Letting go of the knowledge of how to be a 'right' human being could have dire results. What say you?

Will the real slim shady please stand up.. please stand up?

Su (Japanese for plain/unadorned) -- The philosophy behind Japanese and now international lifestyle superchain Muji. We believe that simplicity is not merely modest or frugal, but could possibly be more appealing than luxury. (Masaaki Kanai - President, Muji, Japan)

Sorry you feel that way. If you were more astute, you would realize, as i hope the OP would realize, that there are fundamental causes to his problem and there are solutions. How is that bickering and philosophizing?

Perhaps your present alignment is not with SM? There are so many other paths which you can explore, and maybe incorporate, at some stage, into your daily practice routine. From my experience, once you connect with the right practice the resistance can be burnt off very quickly and progress can be gained swiftly. Even though i am not an advocate of energetic cultivation (those which costs money to learn), i am thinking that fundamentally the same principle applies. One simple, powerful and proven method (which costs nothing to acquire) where positive results are assured is doing prostrations. The benefits are on all levels... mental, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being will emerge when one can reach one hundred thousand counts and beyond. At that stage, you can always return to SM practice, and who knows, your progress then will be like slicing a hot knife thru' butter! For those interested, this link gives a very clear explanation of prostrations and associated benefits: http://www.kagyu-asia.com/t_prostrations.html

I would argue that the biggest prize in this life is to overcome all the causes of fear, ignorance and delusion. Thinking that samsara is something to be subdued (so as to gain a prize) is not exactly what Buddhism teaches. Instead, the Buddha advised those who seek to end their torment to systematically plant virtuous seeds in body, speech and mind and nurture positive habits just as a farmer tends mindfully to a newly-plough'ed, fertile piece of land. Freedom from Samsara is an illusion, its mara, simply another chain that binds. It makes people yearn for a state which does not truly exist, and thus remain bound in the desire realms. As Shantideva said, "The hostile multitudes are as vast as space. What chance is there that all will be subdued? Let but this fearful mind be pacified, then and there every foe is destroyed."

Yes, you are correct. Thanks for making this clear.

I'd like to share a very simple, very real, story which i feel belongs here. Its a story told by a family's vet about a 6-yr old boy and his dog: "Being a veterinarian, i was called to examine a 10-yr old Irish wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, husband Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we could not do anything for Belker, and offered to euthanize the dog in their own home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience. The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old fellow for the last time that i wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without much difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's passing, wondering aloud about the sad fact that almost all animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly,. piped up, "I know why." Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I live. He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" Continuing, he said, "Well, dogs already knew how to do that when they're born, so they don't have to stay as long..." Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Remember, if a dog was the teacher, we would learn things like: When loved ones come home, always run to greet them! Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy. Take naps. Stretch before rising. Run, romp, and play daily. Thrive on attention and let people touch you. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. On warm days, stop to lie on your back in the grass. On hot days, drink plenty of water and find shady places to sit under. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body! Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. When someone is having a bad day, sit close by, be silent, and nuzzle them gently. ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!! http://www.digitalsparkmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/SHANE.png Thanks for smiling...

Over the last few years i have heard news of a number of Tibetan teachers who have become quite ill, with some having passed away from their illness. And as sure as the sun rises in the East, each one is going to experience old age, sickness and natural/accidental death. This is a certainty no physical body can escape, regardless of how advanced one's level is. Of course there will always be speculation that these masters ought to have lived longer if they had opted to 'retire to the mountains' instead of devoting their lives towards helping sentient beings eliminate greed, hatred and anger (what you call sick Qi?), but who knows for sure? Even if they get to retreat away from society, i wonder how many more years could be added... 5? 10? 20? Gradually and most assuredly, the body's support mechanism will eventually weaken no matter what energetic cultivation level one has achieved. There have been a few notable accounts of lamas who were dying (in hospitals), yet their alertness never fails until the very moment the last breath is exhaled. One would assume that this sort of steady composure is relatively difficult to attain, but nonetheless highly essential, due to the fact that its always the last moments of consciousness which are of utmost importance in determining how one transitions into the next bardo and where one exits from thence. Whether this sort of feat is down to their mastery of energetic cultivation, or deep meditative absorptions (up to and including fully penetrating Shunyata), or both, is a good thing to find out. Shantideva said, "How much suffering and fear, and how many harmful things are in existence? If all arises from clinging to an 'I', what shall i do with this great demon?"

I am very interested to hear Jetsun's reflection on this?

In my understanding, all the different Buddhist vehicles emphasize the same vital import of attaining/perfecting the union of prajna and upaya for liberation to stabilize. While the approaches may vary, i think the underlying basis remains the same. This basis is what gives structure and meaning to the practice of the Noble Eightfold Path.

Could it be you are referring to the opening post? If you are, then you may benefit to know that Tibetan Buddhism, as far as i know, does not share a similar view to the OP, at least not in the way it's been presented here. Personally, i believe that one's views and practices ought not to alarm others and cause them to become anxious. If this happens once, thats okay, twice... doubts follow, and when its done repeatedly, it then becomes apparent that what is being put forth should simply be disregarded. So its my hope that you will rethink your observation and perhaps take the time to seek counsel from reliable sources (i would recommend the Berzin Archives for very accurate references) before attempting to present a view which could catch some new visitors off-guard. Thank you.

Hi Twinner, Delighted to hear of your aspiration! May it bear fruit!! Found this talk by a Buddhist monk on the subject. You may be able to gain an extra perspective to help you along the way:

This is only one of several ways to understand 'compassion' from the Eastern perspective. Compassion is much more than a mere mental status which one trains to develop and then direct towards altruistic motives and actions. In Buddhist tantra, it is said that Compassion is the primordial energy that supports and evolute the whole of existence, and if one wishes to align one's life with the aim for balance and harmony, then all of one's thoughts, words and deeds could/should be observed moment to moment (developing the practice of mind, whereafter one merges (in the heart) or dissolves back into this universal energetic field. There, one may have access to all the joyful states one wishes, be it bliss, deep peace, strength of spirit, empathy, boundless energy to do good and feeding off the positive returns of one's actions, always having the wish to relief the misfortunes of others, and last but not least, even after performing the highest virtues, realizes that not one deed has been done, nothing has been achieved, and nothing has been lost. Understandably, this is also one of a few very basic views pertaining to a very vast subject.

An article (dont let the title fool anyone) by David Loy which may benefit the OP: http://www.zen-occidental.net/articles1/loy4.html

:lol:

Watched this documentary http://www.amazon.com/Tibetan-Book-Dead-Leonard-Cohen/dp/B001T46TCO on dvd yesterday. Quite elementary. But for those thinking to read the book, watching this will indeed lend a bit more depth.

compassion? putting a warm cupcake in your mouth and wishing that your siblings were around...

For some, training the ego to become submissive is, for all intents and purposes, enlightenment. However, in Buddhism, there's always room to explore further, deeper, without exhausting the mind - on the contrary, the level of awakeness increases. Buddhist meditation, done systematically and under guidance, will generate this result. There's really no necessity to entertain 'beliefs' once one is willing to give the process sufficient time and room to take root. The only major obstacle which prevents most people from enjoying the fruits of right meditation is impatience.

Have a think or two about yurts: http://www.google.ie/search?q=yurts&hl=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=X5CFT7KqN4a2hAe1ps3ECA&ved=0CGYQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=599

thanks for the kind suggestion.

http://www.riwoche.com/ Wishing you the very best in the sublime understanding of the truth that there is nothing more certain than change.