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I'm not even very sure what to label the sort of meditation I do, because its not even anything formal. The closest description, I think, would be spontaneous basic wakefulness. Or in Zen, it would be close to chop wood, carry water. Its a very passive approach to resting the mind in its original nature, which is the fusion of emptiness and cognizance. Once this experiential insight is reached - that of recognizing with some conviction the true essence of mind - thoughts no longer have any foothold in my field of awareness. They can come and go as they please, or I could manifest thoughts as they're needed without the stress of worrying if certain thought patterns will fester, take root, and accumulate karma over time. Old karmic imprints are still stored within this mental continuum, something which used to bother me as I figured, gosh... so many lifetimes of karma there, how am I going to cope.... but with the realization of the above-mentioned basic wakefulness, these anxieties and emotional knots naturally liberates spontaneously in the same manner as they arise to try and ripple that original space of quiescence that meditation helped me to recognize. Now, the ripples simply arise and dissipate on their own volition. All this with the relaxed patience of a kindly grandfather who watches over his grandkids' innocent antics. I know some here who know my online demeanour may wonder about my claim, and thats really okay - I think a lot of people have the idea that seasoned meditators are meant to fit a certain persona - they have to be like this, they have to be like that, they must do this and that, well, thats quite normal. But when one has tasted what release and expansion and freedom means, then the grasping at this sort of dualistic judgements will cease naturally. The discriminatory function can still be called upon, but the grasping or rejection aspect loses its hold. It allows for greater malleability and is not dependent on fixed reference points. Underlying this expansive awareness is the knowing that nothing is ever what they seem, that things are in constant flux, and what may appear solid and unyielding today may just release themselves by the sheer force thats inherent in their own state. Tempted as I may to impose and hasten their change to bring about a result that I wish to have, I know with certainty that this 'doing' is what gives birth to cause and effect. Just relax, and change takes care of itself. Late edit... Just remembered the words of my friend Tharchin Zangpo which sums up in so few words what I wished to convey with so many - "With eyes open, mind conjures up the dream-like realms of life. With eyes closed, mind conjures up the dream-like realms of sleep and death."

Thailand could be next to see martial law being effected. To the chagrin of the people, the govt there has walked back on their initial plan to issue relief payments for 3 months, saying now that they only have enough to cover 1 month's payments. Bangkok Post: Relief cash only covers a month The finance minister further said that of the 27 million who applied for the relief fund, only 8 or 9 million will qualify for it. What's going to happen to the remaining 21 million? In the same article: There are at least 27 million people registered for the cash handouts, but the government said it will pick only 8-9 million people to get the money. Apparently, the gold buyers all over the country are doing a roaring trade as desperation forces many to sell their gold jewellery. Those that qualify for the aid will likely need to wait till May for the payments to get to them. A massive % of the population are in financial dire straits, hence the rush to sell their gold items. Whats the situation where you are with regards to this aid relief package?

If one has the good fortune of forming a strong bond/affinity with a realised guru then he or she can, thru Phowa, effectively liberate one's mindstream thats 'stuck' on the samsaric continuum and transfer that most subtle consciousness to said pure land, bypassing the bardo. This can be done even if there's distance between both. Powerful gurus have that psychic connection with their close students and disciples, and they will know when one is on the verge of dying. Even if they did not, it is said that the deceased will 'travel' to the guru after passing away, and if the deceased is 'aware' of the reason for being there, then it will remain in wait for the guru to effect the transference of consciousness, otherwise, if there is no awareness, it will not linger and just continue on into the bardo of becoming. But you are right - the entry point is when death occurs. This is my understanding.

Its not that each manifestation has a different mantra - its that Manjushri manifests in different forms, each serving certain specific functions. Even the individual syllables of the mantra denote specific activities. If you know the meanings, then thats very good.

Is there any particular form of Manjushri that you are drawn to? The invocation of Manjushri is especially helpful for those who devote themselves to Dharma study - is this part of your practice? The main purpose of the Manjushri sadhana is to resolve the four misconceptions (aka four distortions) of the path. By resolving these four misconceptions, it is believed that Manjushri will aid the practitioner in developing the four wisdoms. The first misconception is that transient phenomena (impermanence) is mistaken to be static, unchanging, solid, and permanent. The second misconception is that we look for satisfaction in things that are by nature without such a quality. The third misconception is thinking that impure things are pure, and pure things are impure. This gives rise to delusion. The fourth misconception is having the view that what we perceive as the material world have a concrete essence. The four wisdoms: Innate wisdom that we are born with (intuitive knowing) carried over from previous lives. Wisdom of hearing Wisdom of contemplation (or thinking & reflecting) Wisdom from meditation In some traditions, empowerment or initiation is a prerequisite for undertaking the Manjushri sadhana. Its quite a complex practice that involves taking refuge, generating the Four Great Wishes, appropriate visualizations, recitation of the seven limb prayer, and closing with the proper dedication. Without establishing the complete practice, the mere recitation of the mantra will lack efficacy. Some benefit may arise, but it might not penetrate deep enough to effect changes at the subtle level. Hope that helps a little.

∞ LAMA TSULTRIM ALLIONE ∞ "Living without the full feminine for so many centuries, we don’t know what it would be like to live within a society where the feminine voice is not repressed, women’s bodies are not distorted, controlled or sold, and where both men and women live with balanced psyches. It’s as if all of humanity has lived with one side of its body atrophied. The return of the feminine may be the most significant development of the new millennium. Although there have been steps to begin this process it would be naïve to think the reintegration is by any means complete. . . We see that the process of healing the feminine wound has only just begun."

Alex Jones reports on toilet roll shortages the stakes were quite high

This one is for the mothers. The mother tree of Baribrang. When Pema Lingpa’s mother passed away, he cremated her remains close to the cow shed where she had given birth to him. He then took a burnt piece of wood from the cremation pyre, planted it in the ground and made an aspiration that she would be liberated from this samsaric world. “If my mother achieves liberation, may this wood grow into a tree.” The tree that grew out of a burnt wood stood the test of time, witnessed the birth of Bhutan as a nation, it stood as a testament to the love shared between a mother and her child and to the power of her child’s noble aspiration... the tree stands strong today, 500 years after the passing of Pema Lingpa himself.

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground in a large field. While it was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on it. As the frozen bird lay there beneath the pile of dung, it began to feel the spreading warmth. The heat from the dung was thawing the poor bird! It lay there all warm & contented, and soon began to sing joyfully. A passing cat heard the bird's singing, and promptly followed the sound to where the bird was. Digging frantically, the cat dislodged the bird from under the heavy pile and without hesitation, devoured the birdy. Life Lessons: 1. Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy 2. Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend 3. When in deep shit, its best to just keep quiet

∞ PARAMITO LADAKH ∞ Non-doing is an act of complete trust in the intrinsic goodness of creative awareness, which engenders a spontaneous response to the needs of the moment, rather than a contrived or self-conscious reaction.

Is that from personal experience? Maybe learning to make good stew would stand one in better light... a good stew maker will make her one standing leg shiver from the anticipation.

∞ TRALEG KYABGON RINPOCHE ∞ ..Knowing this truth is noble.. We may discover, as the Buddha tells us, that the lack of substantiality or permanence in all that surrounds us gives rise to unhappiness and pain. This does not mean, however, that the experience of impermanence or non-substantiality is itself suffering or the direct cause of suffering. We misconstrue the Buddha’s message if we think it is the fact that all things are impermanent or non-substantial or without a solid self that generates suffering. These basic facts are not the truth of the origin of suffering. Dukkha is produced not by things themselves or by their insubstantial nature. Rather, our mind has been conditioned by ignorance into thinking that lasting happiness can be obtained through things that are ephemeral and transient.

requiem for a dream tucked under this blue pillow immortal 4 life

Any link to the CNN report you mentioned in the other thread? Or is this all you got to go on to make you shoot that claim out that CNN is "also reporting on it"? "CNN later reported that an American investigation into the lab's role in the global crisis is underway." I'm assuming you can tell the difference between "CNN later reported that an American investigation into the lab's role in the global crisis is underway" and your excitement in calling out, "It's not a conspiracy theory anymore!" and this, from Pompeo, "There is still lots to learn." Anyway, sorry to disappoint, but this is stale news. They've been wanting to spin this line as a diversion to the obvious foot in trump's mouth since mid March. Maybe you weren't as stoked up about this issue back then and missed the party Gordon Chang & co. were throwing. Sorry man, your tongue would've licked the floor at some of the women that hung out at the party. Too bad. All the same, Love your enthusiasm, dude.

How convenient to indicate recognition of racist idiots 'out there'.

aha! the gringo dude... okay too unstable

Buddha Amitabha is one of the 5 Dhayani Buddhas associated with the five chakras and 5 coloured lights (Buddhist tantra usually speaks of 5 chakras, although some schools do use 7 and some 10 even) - in respect of Buddha Amitabha, the colour is red, and he's connected with the throat chakra. Maybe this will help you have a bit more clarity over the resonation. Btw, the Medicine Buddha (blue) corresponds with the heart chakra.

Im glad that you find an opening header reading "Bill Maher's right" (the rest of you who believe otherwise are wrong?) qualifies as a position that can be discussed, because in order for the discussion to move in any way, there can only be 2 options for those who choose to participate - either one cheers him on with pats on the back for creating such an 'open' topic, or push back with counter positions and arguments. I don't see anything you quoted above as having a 'bullying' stance, especially not the peanut butter metaphor... or did you read that as intimidating, too? Since I made the choice to participate, giving him a pat on the back wasn't an option. Im responding in appropriate measure to his posts based on what I perceive/intuit to be his dominant personality trait. I'd use the same approach with this person had this been a 'live' meeting. Not to mention he's the one with the big shotgun in his hand. I doubt very much he wants anyone to even suspect he's in any way bully-able.

And I just got accused by a veteran member in another thread of bullying this fellow lol I don't suppose he saw that big pump gun your man's holding, acting all menacing and macho there in his pic.

Me bully him? I hope you're saying that in jest. You should read into the tones of some his posts first before judging my response. Thank you very much

There's an angle suggesting the melting ice caps in the Poles are releasing all sorts of sleeping pathogens, but I didn't save the link to the article.

Well, whadayaknow... someone who's actually clued in to what's going on! enablers will blame China when his fat ass joins his mate Weinstein in jail golf lol Last of all, the confused-in-chief disagrees with you. He loves China!! Eat your heart out!

Apparently you cherry pick what you want to hear and then spreading conjectures as if you're the only clued in to whats going on. This "We dont know it was deliberate, but to not consider it is astonishingly naive" is class! Bravo! lol

See, 'You' weren't in the picture in those 3 sentences, were you? In fact, there was some finger-pointing of your own going on. Im merely stating the fact that your intention to make known your belief that there were more than 2 options available to you wasn't clear in the post above. I agreed that Covid 19 is a real event, and nothing can be done that will somehow make it vanish, but that does not imply one has to take what people say at face value, especially when its clear whats being said has a very limited scope, and has almost no basis in truth. It wasn't an argument, but if you want to make it into one, please proceed.