C T

Meditate i will how from no 'thing' comes some 'thing' then back to no 'thing'...

In the East, many consider it an honor to be "possessed by the gods" and they go to extremes to prove their devotion, and here is one helluva documentary that expands on this reality. (Definitely NOT recommended for the weak-stomached or faint-hearted, and PLEASE do not attempt any of the feats at home!!!) (Ever seen anyone being pierced by multiple saw blades?!!!) Happy New Year to all!

Anyone notice How busy it is tonight? Another year gone...

Its wonderful to know you had a lovely day, a day with 'sun in your eyes' so to speak.. I think there might be something that might be equally as joyful, if not more - and that is letting love out and spreading it to others! Even if one might not feel very loving, go 'manufacture' some, by creatively finding ways to do some good for the less fortunate. If we are to have the attitude that we need to wait until we become more loving, or have more compassion, before we begin to act, then we might end up not doing anything worthwhile. On the other hand, i think it is because we feel that we are lacking in love and compassion that we should perform those tasks that will enlarge our hearts enough so that space is created for the qualities of love and compassion to saturate us. After all, what is love other than simply compassion in action? So the less we feel we are loved, the more we should practice loving others - even if not by deeds, at the very least, in your aspirations and prayers. This is the antidote to self-cherishing. As Shantideva says, "Whatever joy there is in the world comes from wanting others to be happy; Whatever sorrow there is in the world comes from wanting oneself to be happy. What need is there to say a whole lot more? Buddhas work for the benefit of others, ordinary people work to benefit only themselves, and just look at the difference between them!"

I was just browsing thru Youtube and came across this SPLENDID demo by a grandmaster of Bagua Zhang. I know there are many on TTB who are big into Form/Formless Cultivation and martial arts so here it is for your enjoyment. It looked really superb to me even though i have no interest at all in any martial arts. My sport is badminton, but it would be so unfair of me to post any badminton clips here!! (Sorry just joking! ) Here's another brilliant one called "Old Eight Palms": Enjoy!

Absolutely ShaktiMama!! ******************* Death actually CAN happen at any moment! It is happening at every moment - but then so is rebirth and regeneration. All just cycles within cycles within cycles ad infinitum... When the center is found, one transcends life and death, and all cyclical existence is done away with! The practice of abiding in total equanimity is that which connects one's being to this 'non-dual eye' of existence. It is the stateless state of calm-abiding in all the Noble Ones. A commentary on the qualities of Equanimity, if one chooses to explore further: http://www.insightmeditationcenter.org/boo...les/equanimity/ Equanimity is developed on 3 levels - gross, subtle, and innermost. Although it appears as 3 distinct levels, in actuality all 3 are cultivated simultaneously when one begins to integrate the outer, relative practices into one's being. Many make the mistake of looking beyond this outer level, under the selfish belief that there are deep, mystical powers to be had by attempting to go straight for the innermost practices, but this is a wrong view. By remaining focussed on the outer practices, the subtle and innermost realizations will come to fruition in all manner of mysterious unfoldings and insights. When one's outer view is transformed, it is only natural the inner view becomes transformed at the same time. The principle is like this. #Please note that the cultivation of Equanimity is the precursor to the development of altruistic, pervasive Compassion. Without this foundation, compassion remains at best a word, a meaning- less concept. # All the best! A peaceful year ahead to all fellow T/Bums!

And then one last "Kaw!" symbolizing its now time for a grand exit!

To say that everything matters is one extreme, and has the potential to create much causes for fixations and wanton indulgences, which may lead to grasping, and finally the difficulty to find release at the time of death. The Buddha taught against latching on to such an extreme. To say that nothing matters in the opposite extreme, and has the potential to create much causes for wanton neglect and blind abandonment, which may lead to non-grasping, and finally the difficulty to find appreciation and meaning in life. The Buddha taught against latching on to this other extreme. Between these two views lie the middle way, and he that walks this path is free from greed and attachments, fears and aversions. Having transcended all extreme views, one is neither bound by chains of gold or by chains of iron. Such a person maintains a serene equanimity at all times.. when blessings abound, and the seas are calm, he is not overly happy; when hardships are rife, and the seas become stormy, he is not overly burdened. When he is hungry, he eats with a gladdened heart; when tired, he sleeps without dreams of yesterdays and of tomorrows. Such is the way of one who has gone beyond... Gate gate paragate parasamgate Bodhi Svaha! (Gone, gone, gone beyond, altogether gone beyond, O what sublime awakening, All hail!)

Just poking me nose in here for a minute... anyone who thinks they may be demonically molested, or who is looking for a powerful protection, or for clearing, please ask a Tibetan teacher/lama (if and when you meet one) about the Mantra and talisman of Singdoma, one of the most powerful Dharma Protectors in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. I have friends who are prone to demonic disturbances, and they all find this Mantra to be both a powerful source of immediate comfort and deliverance. According to a senior lama i know, one has to take refuge in the Triple Gem before being granted the blessings to recite the prayer, so i will respect this and will not post the Mantra here. But i have also heard of some who have accessed the talisman/Mantra without taking refuge, so there is a bit of doubt surrounding this. If you do seek the Mantra, its best to ask the teacher directly what the implications are regarding this. Anyway, this would be beneficial to keep as a reference and an optional source should the need arise, for eg. when the others seem not to work so well, for instance. Or you may pass the info to your Buddhist friends who may be looking for protection thats specifically Tibetan/Buddhist. I pray none of you will need to pay attention to this post or require the 'content' herein... but its always good to be in the know. Blessings from the Buddhas of the Four Directions be upon you always.

Here's an animated look at the self 'trying' to do all sorts to reconnect to the Higher Self! Its quite enjoyable, and fun to watch..

Hello MH and TzuJanLi, and anyone else who may be interested - here's a clip i found which might be of interest. Its called "The Perception of Consciousness", and there's a quote in there somewhere (@ around the 7 minute mark) where a Professor of Physics, Hans Peter Duerr, remarked, "Matter is not matter. Matter as we know it exists only in the mind." Perhaps something to ponder over, or not.. its up to you. The presenter, @ 7.37, begins to question if there is actually such a thing as an Objective World? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKryvqiOFNs&aia=true All the best! PS - There's also another one here, a longer one, from a more scientific perspective, called " Perception - The Reality Beyond Matter". Enjoy!

Am deeply grateful to be able to share something worthwhile.. One step closer to being a servant of peace.

From the angle of compassion, we often hear how closely all beings are connected. Its my view that the deepest connections occur in the "emptiness" aspect of ourselves, and not in the "form" aspect - it is the radiant and space-like nature of our being where we can truly find our connectedness, for if we try to do it thru "form", often all we end up seeing is only distance and separation and individualism. Just pause for a moment, and imagine this scenario - it wont happen, but at least we can imagine it - every single human being on earth were to cease all activities for 10 minutes, be still, and remain in silent contemplation.. at that point i think there will not be 6 billion separate, silent beings.. all that there will be is One universe echoing One silence! How wonderful if that came to pass! Imagine the potential there for healing the Mother in that 10 minutes of total abstinence of all movements and activities.

When i read this, it reminded of something Alan Watts said in his book, "The Meaning of Happiness". He says, "The way of acceptance and spiritual freedom is found not by going somewhere, but in the going itself, and the stage where its happiness can be known is now, this very moment, at the very place where you happen to stand. It is in accepting fully your state of soul as it is now, not in trying to force yourself into some other state of soul, which, out of pride, you imagine to be a superior and more advanced state. It is not a question of whether your present state is good or bad, neurotic or normal, elementary or advanced - it is a question of what it is. The point is not to accept it in order that you may pass on to a 'higher' state, but to accept, because acceptance is itself that 'higher' state." Every time i remember this, its like a little meditation bell going off in my head, reminding me to "bring the mind home", and be fully present in the moment, instead of the usual scatterbrain-self that i sometimes allow myself to be.

To ceaselessly churn is how cottage cheese is made - just perfect for toasts!

Smoothed stones, leaves, sticks, mud make rivers, and houses too, where beavers call home..

A 'solid' tea cup depends on the space within it before it can hold any liquid. What is experienced as solid can only be such when there is an opposing reality/factor that dependently arises. Without this space, the solidness cannot be. This is not deception - you can see this very clearly yourself by looking at all solid objects to see if they are not dependent on their apparent subjective aspects in order to become what they are. Most people only experience one half of what they deem to be 'real' or 'solid'. This can lead to what is commonly known here as 'delusions', meaning not being able to see the whole process of causes and effects, and also the causes and effects that underlie those causes and effects, ad infinitum. There are always two sides to what you label as "observable reality". Consciousness perceives apparent shapes only - it does not shape anything other than itself. Respectfully, CT.

Hey Ninpo, I think that was a quantum-mechanical revelation of sorts... Hang on to your pants mate!!

Happens on the way, one might lose a shoe or two - the non-essentials?

My definition: To be grounded means to live with a sharp and constant awareness that the 'ground' under my feet could be taken away at any moment.... Without this thrust at the fore of my being, somehow, i find it very difficult to remain in the present ground, always seeming to defer the given moment by engaging in mindless chatter, distractions, preoccupations and insanely mundane activities, including the underlying thought that, "Ah, no problems there, tomorrow always comes.." Well, in a sense, that is true, but i have realized that although tomorrow always comes, one day, that very day when i could be slightly off centered, i may not be there when it does!

Holy Durians Taomeow.. is there anything you don't know?!! In the Far East, the Cantonese people would affectionately call their 'white' friends Gwei Loh (Ghost Man), Gwei Tow (Ghost Head), Gwei Por (Ghost Woman), and for kids, its Gwei Chai (Ghost Child). Any idea how this came about?

I am truly glad you are still with us, Mr Songs! Your friend, wishing you a joyful New Year!! (and a surgery-free one okay? ) Mr Cow.

Thank you Forest, and Sarnyn too, for a very precise explanation on "Emptiness". Well done both! To further the understanding, for those interested, here's a talk entitled "Emptiness", presented by Thich Nhat Hanh, or Thay (meaning 'teacher') as he is affectionately known. I hope those who listen to this teaching will gain a more profound perspective on the reasons why "Emptiness" is so central to Buddhist philosophy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYhti6fcVIk All the best!

Yes MH, to be totally present, without a 'projector at the back of my head' screening a sub-drama while i am trying to direct my own! I think that many of us can relate with that scenario eh?

Sounds good to me! Personally, i'd rather be awake without dreams as well!