C T

Acting out these emotional frustrations in your mind is the same, if not worse, than acting them out physically. What remains in the mind often do not offer closure, and will instead give birth to more seeds of delusion. Yes, put the fish out of its misery. Stab the chef, cut him into a 100 pieces and coat each piece with batter to be deepfried, and then shoot every single one of the diners there, and those that survive the shooting, cut off their limbs slowly, so that they die a slow death, just like the fish. And then what? Does that improve the sad state of affairs of this world? Or does it selfishly give you a false sense of satisfaction that what your idea of justice is has been fairly carried out? And these selfish, deluded ideas of yours will be perpetuated down thru the generations, just like it has been handed down to us by our previous generations, layer upon layer of stupidity, falsely leading us to believe that the world is becoming a better place for our great deluded ideas of what is right and wrong, and the exacting of justice for the wrongs that people do -- well, results are plain to see that it aint working the way we think it should have. The world is dying. Somewhere down the line, there has been a big screw-up, and people are now screaming for help. If you sincerely want to help, i suggest help yourself first, by transforming your mind, and perceiving without prejudice, without any preconceived notions, and then your actions will no longer carry any karmic consequences, thereby putting a stop to the perpetuation of suffering. IT STARTS WITH YOU AND HOW YOU TAME YOUR OWN MIND. This is the real meaning of compassion, as taught by Gautama, -- to act without the action(movement) of karma. Its the only way to transcend the wheel of samsara, the perpetuation of ignorance.

If action be needed, i would look into my own mind, and understand deeply what the term 'half dead being' and the word 'torture' really means, and to ask myself, if these concepts no longer bind me to form judgements and emotional responses based on preconceived notions, would that not uncloud and unburden the Mind? So even in the face of the the most extreme hardship and cruelty, if I am able to remain mentally clear, and without any taint of delusion, would that not allow me to then act appropriately, instead of re-acting out of sheer blindness and confusion? What would you do, if i may ask?

One who sees clearly, does nothing. Doing nothing, everything is done. The Mind no longer wants to escape from, or run to, unpleasantness or pleasantness. Everything arise with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we create the world, the Buddha says. Is the butterfly cruel by insisting on the death of the caterpillar in order that it may come to life? Are they two separate entities? Or are they one? Seeing this clearly, the mind resides nowhere. What is there to do, but smile? A wise man indeed..

Through open fingers Doorways of one reality unfold the cosmos..

Very buddhist indeed! A religious one at that..

Sir, Well spoken.. truly words of one who has studied the Buddhist scriptures in detail. I too, used to pay alot of attention to the teachings at one time, but gave it up because of my simple-minded nature. Nowadays, i just say what i think, to my own understanding, is right. If i have offended your self-righteous views in the process of expressing what you deem as my twisted understanding of what i thought Buddha taught (me), i apologize unreservedly, without sarcasm and false-modesty. The only question i am asking myself here, after reading your comment, is what is it that is stopping me from directly perceiving into the Emptiness of Inherent Existence outside of meditation? Is it the refusal to accept that it is simply as simple as what it says one ought to do, and just do that, or a refusal to believe that all buddhist teachers can be wrong when they all preach that it takes years and years of hardcore devotion and study before one can attain insight into the true nature of things? Or is it because the Books say that we are mere helpless souls lost in samsara, and hence are far from ready for arhatship and all the super perks an arhat enjoy? So am i to buy into this line of authoritative command mumbo-jumbo? Or do i simply allow myself to see clearly the Reality of the illusion of opposites? Or Maybe i am just trapped in deep delusion. BTW, how do you know that the thoughts that arise in 'my' mind are not spontaneously liberated upon their arising? It sounds like i do not conform to your idea of what a truly liberated Buddhist is, so in your eyes, that makes me some kind of a rogue then, doesn't it? Sounds exciting!

Hey MH, Thanks for responding.. very kind of you to, as per your usual diplomatic,well-mannered way. You are a gentleman indeed! Very rare these days i must add. The Real, the absolute nature of Reality, is nothing more than One single flow of opposites, which appear to be dual when observed subjectively, but if one were to remove the observer, there is but one flow, and not two, as many mistakenly see. Just like the Yin and Yang, its the two in the one, and within the one, there's two! Problems arise when this singular wholeness is rejected as a manifestation of Reality. lt will then appear as though there are cruel deeds and kind deeds, (as if these are two separate, conflicting realities), but if this same wholeness is embraced fully, then one will see that what we deem as just and moral deeds, are but a reflection of that which we deem as deeds that are immoral and unjust. So are we to live in denial of one, to push aside and to suppress the darker aspect, and just keep sight of the other brighter aspect? To put this another way, are we merely fooling ourselves that by just negating the dark we will live in the bright, or perhaps just focussing on the bright will make the dark less dark? My understanding of the Taoist philosophy tells me this is a misconception, but i stand to be corrected, of course. I think this misperception is the major contributory factor of man's constant need to always 'do' something to improve himself, to make himself 'brighter' and 'righter', in order to wash away the darker aspects of his personality(micro) and in humanity (macro), hence the impotence of man to face up to and accept the darker aspect can be well understood from this perspective. It would be hard for man to resolve his conflicts if he is not able to come to terms with this, and in order to do so effectively, one has not only to welcome the 'friends' of one's personality, but also the 'demons' that reside in one's psyche. As we are well aware, these 'demons' do exist in each of us, and the best way to pacify them, i think, is to befriend them, and welcome them, no matter how ugly and hideous they may seem, because only then can a permanent and lasting change be negotiated. By so doing, we also go a long way to understand and quell our phobias, chronic fears, and hidden anxieties. Now, if we do not acknowledge these hidden aspects of our psychological make-up, will it make them dissappear? I am no psychologist, but I doubt it somehow. When we refuse to respect and recognize that they are also a part of us, what happens is they will simply lie dormant somewhere deep in the psyche, just waiting to rear their heads when conditions are right for them to do so. I am sure we all know that suppression of any emotion can be very unhealthy, and if dammed up long enough, will certainly find ways and means to express themselves, and the longer we refuse to acknowledge them, the greater will be the force when they eventually surface. Hence we read comments here that contains words like "angry", "sickened", "revenge", "despair", "inhumane" etc. etc. So where did these words come up from? If not for this video, some of us do not even know that these so-called negative 'words' exist in our vocabulary, since we are so Taoist or so Buddhist, so good and moral and what have you. Isnt this a form of delusion, of self-denial? For one who has the Eyes of Buddha, who can see and understand the Whole of man's actions, these negative words, and the emotional dramas associated with them, will no longer hold any meaning, because they are seen as mere reflections of what we perceive to be their opposites, and ultimately, they both arise together, and subside together. To me, this is transcendence, the ability to reunite the opposites, and overcome the illusion of light and dark. It is a total reconciliation of conflict. It is freedom. Feel free to comment. Be good!

This sounds very deep and profound, and beyond me, I am afraid. If you could perhaps expand this in a manner that you think a simple-minded person like me could understand, i would be very grateful. I seem to have read your comment as an allusion that i am cultivating 'absence of caring' -- is that what you are saying? I am very open to criticisms, and believe that misunderstandings ought to be addressed, so please just say what is on your mind, and if it makes sense, and can help me to understand you better, that would be a great way to clear up any potential misguided notions i may have from reading this comment of yours. Furthermore, if you can point out my faults based on the comments i have made in this thread, it would certainly help me to re-evaluate my understanding of the Dharma, and i would be most thankful.

Well, i still maintain that too much analysis is counter-productive, as intelligence has never been an exclusive pre-requisite for 'knowing' things as they are. IMO, analysis promote dullness and inaction, as it slows down reaction. When the mind is used to analysis, it tends to lose the reactive edge, and this could be detrimental in instances where instant action is needed, which could mean the difference between life or death sometimes. Such kinds of imaginary situations could happen at any time, and when they do, that is what i meant by the value of directly seeing into the nature of things. If a man lives simply and in accordance with his needs and his environment, and be mindfully attentive and in tune with nature, where is this need for analytical acumen? If you have a belly ache, it does not require much analyzing (i know, probably another romanticized example). When you see an oncoming vehicle, you just act, without the need to think about the consequences of inaction. In the same manner, thoughts arise, and are immediately liberated, and the Mind returns to stillness, always potent, and aware, like a tiger focussed on its prey, always ready to pounce, but never needing to. This is the fruit of practicing clear-seeing, for without it, the 'tiger' of the Mind will pounce here, there and everywhere, losing much valuable energy in the process. Now, if this Mind can rest in the state of being like a crouching tiger, or a drawn bow, just think how potent such a Mind is, and when this state of Mind is consciously activated at will, now and then, to achieve your aims, just think how much more powerful such a Mind is, one that is sharp and always clear, not dulled by overstudy and analytical overindulgence. I am not disagreeing that thinking is important. Of course its vital, for the effective functioning of mundane pursuits, but IMO, its a two-edged blade, and more often than not, becomes a hindrance to direct perception, which to me means to see things without the filters and lenses of habitual conditioning. I am not contradicting your views here Lucky7, merely offering an alternative opinion, thats all. Thanks.

Haha you like durians TM? Thats a plus.. that makes you a rare and unique individual among your fellow westerners! Did you know its packed full of nutrients? And very 'heaty' too, which is why those who are big into durians, after they have feasted, would also consume a 'cooling' fruit called mangosteen(no relation to the mango), to ensure that the body remains balanced, ie not overheat! Its amazing how nature provides, since they are both seasonal fruits, and they both 'season' together!! There are a few interesting videos on youtube about the 'adventures' of eating durians, some of them are pretty funny! Have you ever heard that the Oriental men are a very odd breed when it comes to eating things considered bizarre? If they know something is tasty and/or nutritious, they will eat/drink without giving it a second thought. Turtles, lizards, snakes, squirrels, monkeys, bugs, scorpions, fetuses of animals, all the various internal organs of animals.. all cooked of course, but the preferred method is always to concoct into a soupy essence by hours of double-boiling these 'delicacies' with a mixture of herbs. These are mostly a man's practice though, as its supposed to bring enormous health benefits by increasing Yang Chi and Jing. In the Far East, there are specialist shops that sell these brews, which are aptly named, in Cantonese, "Yeh Mey", which translates literally as "Night Dish", meaning something to eat before entering the Chamber of Passion. (The womenfolk tend to just stick with the herbal concoctions). The menfolk believe that ingesting powder grounded from tigers' penises is nature's answer to Viagra, swallowing the bile/heart of poisonous snakes gives instant vitality and youthfulness, and eating turtle meat promotes longevity! Holy moley! Anyway there you go.. the weird and wonderful practices of the Oriental men in their quest for performance, vitality, youthfulness and immortality!

Each far-thing is mine Distance is measured by space No such thing exists..

Please understand what 'transcending' normal, habitual responses are. This image is a perfect opportunity to realize that the ultimate nature of Reality do not contain good or bad, ugly or beautiful, cruel or kind. All is contained within this Reality, empty of conceptual duality. When one rises, the other rises, and when one subsides, so does the other. Shunya. If you view this clip with eyes enlightened, you will not see ugliness and cruelty. You will not see its opposite either, but you will see how conditions arise and give rise to other conditions, and likewise, how they cease in a similar way. By ignoring the undesirable, it does not enhance what is desirable. It is by embracing how things are, that the Mind settles.

Apologies for giving a shallow analogy that was quite removed from accuracy. It did cross my mind that your observation excluded the non-intellectuals, that they possess not the necessary qualities for inquiring into this matter of freedom from delusion, and i am of the opinion that those who live closer to nature, and the so-called simple of mind, are perhaps less deluded than their better-educated cousins. Hence they can inquire more directly into the true nature of things as they are, without the need to conceptualize as much as one who, given the same task, would have to wade through layers of conditioned, analytical processes before arriving at the same conclusions as one who is perhaps less 'formally educated'. I agree that Mind, at the relative level of intellect, could easily be deluded by simple experience, but could just as easily not be deluded by same. It could simply be a question of making the right choices and using the correct means, which is a path not reserved exclusively for the better- educated among us. The Mind, WHEN functioning as intellect, will tend to be analytical, as you say, but does it always need to function in that mode? As a consequence of directly seeing into the true nature of things, the Mind actually becomes silent and absent, hence it does raise the question again of whether the intellect is needed for this direct-seeing, or insight, as you term it. I also concur with your last statement, but do have reservations as to the propensity for the function of intellect in this regard.

Aah, but intellectual inquiry is not a prerequisite for wisdom-cultivation, which can be attained simply thru seeing deeply into the true nature of things. There are millions of people with a line of abbreviations after their names who would not survive 2 days in the bushlands. However, they may study and enquire into survival skills prior, but their intellectual pursuit, no matter how brilliant, would at best allow them to survive, but not to thrive, in those surroundings, and even then, perhaps a week tops. Just a thought.

Do not be dismayed, my friends... That great fish, though suffering great physical distress, is actually a Boddhisattva Mahasattva, transformed into a fish, to show us the futility of ignorance, and to plant the seeds of Compassion in our mindstreams. Thus are we blessed, thru opening our eyes to the wisdom of Dharma. These poor folks giggling and laughing here are in a daze of delusion, unable to free themselves from the jaws of stupidity and heartlessness due to confusion. Please remember them in your prayers, that they too, will someday be touched by Avalokiteshvara, and become Boddhisattvas themselves, with the instant and choiceless capacity to sacrifice themselves for others, without resistance nor hesitation, just like this 'fish' here. Om Namo Amitabha. Om Mani Peme Hung. Peace be in your hearts, and in the hearts of those you cherish.

Truly well said. I concur fully. Many thanks 5ET, for this really insightful post.

Immediate ecstatic and blissful sensation welling up around the root! Wow! Learn something everyday! Cheers for this Witch!! Very good! Now i can generate bliss at will and practice dropping it the moment it arises strongly! Thanks again! CT.

Lapped by autumn sea Bright shiny yellow dolphins crooked rulers too..

A favorite pastime as a child growing up in the Far East was reading about the fantastic and legendary tales of the ancients, the Sages and Immortals of old China and their cool adventures. Some of these tales were so popular they were made into films, like "The 8 Immortals Crossing The Ocean", "Nezha", and "The Monkey King". These legends are all woven into the Chinese culture like a beautiful tapestry, one that is continuously unfolding, even to this day. If any of the Tao Bums here have such tales to share, please do not hesitate to contribute. To get the ball rolling, here is one of my favorites: THE BUDDHA AND MONKEY KING(Sun Wukong). Sun Wukong(meaning the Monkey who is aware of Emptiness) was born from a mythical stone created by the primal forces of chaos, somewhere deep in the mountains called HuaGou Shan, or Mountain of Flower and Fruit. Shortly after birth, he joined a clan of homeless monkeys, where he earned their respect by discovering the WaterCurtain Cave behind a large waterfall, where the clan delighted in making this their new permanent home. Despite being made the King of the clan, Sun Wukong was still unhappy and dissatisfied due to the fact that he was not beyond mortality. Determined to discover the secrets of everlasting life, he left the clan, and travelled far and wide in his search for the elixir that would grant him the power to overcome death, and eventually found the Patriach Bodhi, and after much persuasion, was accepted as a disciple. With the Patriach, he mastered everything taught to him in a short span of time, and this impressed Bodhi so much that he became one of his closest and most favorite disciple. He acquired a vast array of magical teachings, like shape-shifting, known as the 72 Transformations, cloud traveling, including a technique known as Cloud Somersault, whereby he can travel 108,000 li, (or 54,000 km) in a single flip! His final attainment as Bodhi's disciple was to acquire the power to transform each of the 84,000 hairs on his body into various animate and inanimate objects, and could even conjure up clones of himself when necessary. To cut the story shorter, he became extremely proud and haughty, arrogantly displaying his supra- natural powers, and began boasting and bullying his fellow disciples, thereupon he was kicked out of Bodhi's sanctuary. Furious, he set out to wreak havoc on earth, in the Four Seas, and even in the Highest Realms of Heaven! At one point, he defied and mocked the Hell Emperor who attempted but failed to collect his soul, and somehow, amidst the chaos, Wukong managed to cheekily erase his name from the "Book of Life and Death", meaning he was no longer subject to reincarnation. Exasperated, the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas and the Hell Emperor decided to report him to the Jade Emperor of Heaven. Hoping to pacify Sun Wukong, the Jade Emperor made the mistake of promoting him to the rank of the lesser gods, but assigned him the lowliest of duties as Protector of the Heavenly Horses, where he was put in charge of the stables. That drove him mad, he rebelled, and loudly proclaimed himself "The Great Sage, Equal to Heaven"! Again, he wreaked havoc, and the Imperial Heavenly Guards were unable to subdue him, so the failed attempt forced the Jade Emperor to recognize his title. He was allowed to remain, but when he found out he was excluded from attending a royal banquet, all 'heaven' broke loose, and Sun Wukong, to show his defiance, stole Xi Wangmu's Peaches of Immortality, Lao Tzu's Pills of Longevity, and the Jade Emperor's Elixir of Life, and then escaped back to his own kingdom in preparation of a major rebellion. A major battle ensued not long after, and he defeated all the armies, the Generals, and even Nezha himself. Finally, it took the combined effort of Buddhist and Taoist Supreme Deities to capture Sun Wukong. After several failed attempts to execute him, he was locked into Lao Tzu's Bagua cauldron to be distilled into an elixir by the most sacred and severe Samadhi Fire. After 49 days, the cauldron was opened, and out jumped Sun Wukong, stronger than ever! This also gifted him the extra power of recognizing evil in any shape or form. Having exhausted all options, the Jade Emperor appealed to Buddha's Infinite Compassion, who arrived from His abode in the West. The Buddha then met Sun Wukong, and made a bet with him that he will not be able to escape from Buddha's palm. Sun Wukong laughed at Buddha, and smugly proclaimed that he, Sun Wukong, could cover 108,000 li in one flip, hence the bet was accepted without a moment's hesitation. Immediately, he made a great somersault, and flew to the very end of the universe in seconds! Nothing was visible there, except for 5 massive pillars, and Wukong surmised he had reached the very end of the cosmos. To prove his feat, he marked one of the pillars, declaring himself *The Great Sage Equal to Heaven*, and before he left, he urinated at the base of the pillar where he had left his signature. After that, he made another somersault, and 'landed' back on Buddha's palm. There, he shocked himself greatly when he discovered that the 5 pillars were in fact the 5 fingers of the Buddha's hand! Immediately, he attempted a getaway, but the Buddha manifested an enormous mountain and placed it over Wukong, who tried in vain to shrug it off. The Buddha then sealed him inside using a talisman inscribed with the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum in gold letters, wherein Sun Wukong remained imprisoned for 5 centuries. The legend continues...

cool! Here pussy, pussy.. have some durians! They're heavenly! The fruit of the kings... if you can first get past the 'fragrance', that is! hehehe

Hey jK, Appreciate the feedback! I am ashamed -- despite my part-Chinese roots, there is so much i have yet to learn about its history and culture! That research you did was great! I have always wondered about that but never got off my bum to actually find out more! Thanks again! CT

Not all fats do this. Some fats are essential and highly beneficial to the system. Read "Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill" by Dr Udo Erasmus.

To father hard rock holy manuals have been burnt warmed bellies, bright minds!

Then there is the Scot who waved to his neighbor who was out walking the dog, and hollered, "Are ye oot and aboot with your SPOONiel, me wee mate, good on ye, tis a loovely day indeed..."

Thank you so much for the thoughtful reply Kali! Well said.. Reminds me of the saying, "When the wrong person uses the right means, the right means will work in the wrong way." Cheerio! CT