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The analogy quite often used to describe karmic gunk is mud as this leads to the analogy of the lotus growing out of the mud, unstained and immaculate in its flowering despite the prevalent conditions where it grows. Similar to the example presented by Gautama about a person shot by a poisoned arrow, some teachers explain the way to effectively remove this gunk-mud (that dust on the mirror) is not to rely on the need to micro-analyse/manage the constituents of this aversive presence, the receptacle in which it resides, its origins and causes, its smell, colour and so on, but to pour a persistent stream of clean water into the receptacle until such time all traces of the mud is gone, eventually to be replaced by the clarity of the clean water. In Dharmaspeak, this means that one's focus ought to be on the diligent & patient cultivation and practice of the Dharma, beginning with a clear understanding of the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, the paramitas, lojong, etc - this is said to lead to the gradual dissipation and cessation of accumulated fetters (the gunk-mud) in a more gentle, unforced process. These fetters are said to be self-imposed limitations that is sustained by karma due to lifetimes of accumulated stubborn habit patterns. This imposition is clung to because the ego relies on it, and is nourished by the delusions arising from there and continues in a loop until one awakens to the reality that one has been duped all this while into believing this gunk-mud is owned by "I, Me & Mine". In effect, the primary aim of Dharma practice in this regard is to see thru that illusion of ownership. Its needless to be engaged in unfruitful analysis of whats essentially a mirage. At the beginning of this path, the tendency to regard this mirage as real is very strong. With time and maturity of practise, one begins to see the mirage for what it is. Once that clarity arises and shines steady, the mirage of fetters will vanish like mist in the morning sun.

Agree fully about dimwit politicians. Just yesterday, the Malaysian health minister went on live TV to endorse the fallacy that drinking lukewarm water will wash the CVirus down to the stomach to be annihilated by the acids there. In another live interview prior, he demonstrated how to put on a face mask correctly, except that his own mask was only semi-fastened, where the bottom ties clearly hung loose around his neck.

Tibetan Buddhism posits the idea that practitioners all have differing capacities to grok the Dharma. For some, the above approach can be a very useful exercise towards brightening the mirror, albeit one that requires quite laborious effort, and is mostly suited to those whom the Dalai Lama refers to as possessing 'small capacities' (also middling- and supreme-) but this should not be interpreted as any sort of denigration; Rather, it is an acknowledgement that some practitioners prefer a safer approach in order to develop a surer footing, and do not mind if this approach requires more time to complete, and in this context, small refers to the scope that these practitioners have opted for in order to build a solid foundation. Even highly realised adepts return to this scope frequently to check their attainments have not deviated from the essentials.

The Buddhist path, being essentially pathless at its core, can only enhance whatsoever system or personal path one has chosen. The Buddha never proclaimed his is the only way. On the contrary, he cajoled and encouraged all to carve their own path, and once the foundations are laid, to doggedly follow that thru to the end. Should obstacles arise, he skilfully presented the logic behind the understanding why they occur, why they remain, and the ways to circumvent them effectively. Basically the Buddha dangled an open invitation to anyone to test if those concepts work. If found to be lacking, simply lay them aside for good, or come back to them later. It cannot be simpler. Steve said it well - all commenters are welcome here.

China have begun trials with Japanese developed Avigan with promising success. Announced yesterday, and all of sudden other drug companies (above) are announcing they've also found cures. Some coincidence.

In the news now that China have conducted clinical trials with Japanese drug Avigan with promising success.

Lin Jensen on Tricycle: In the suttas, heartmind comes very close to the Sanskrit term, Citta. In all the discourses and the different yanas, This Citta is used interchangeably to mean "heart", "consciousness", and "mind". In Tibetan Buddhism, bodhicitta is sometimes translated as, "The heart that intrinsically knows goodness" or, "The primordially enlightened pure mind", and in some other Tibetan schools, its frequently alluded to the phrase, "The heart of enlightened mind", which may sound quite vague and confusing to those unfamiliar with the concept.

Ime pure awareness is apart from the senses. The seat of pure awareness resides in the heartmind, but for most, is cultivated with the aid of the intellect and the other 5 senses. A small number, by virtue of the ripening of past karma, bypasses this stage.

It was metaphorical But then again, maybe not lol I think the main reason others don't take you seriously is because you give off a very floaty sort of energy. Not stable and firm. Because most serious practitioners here are pretty grounded folks, you see. They seldom want to jive with floaty energy types, despite their sincerity and level of openness. Just cos you're able to accept crazy woowoos doesn't mean others feel similarly.

How do you know enough to highlight truths when you don't even know whats going on? (Your own admission). The element of truth in your words is relative only to your own thought-reality - for that, nobody can deny you your unique rights. "With your thoughts, you create the world." Sounds familiar? So your reality may not (can never) be the same reality of another. Perhaps thats the reason people don't jive with your content at all. They have their own thing going on, and you have yours. Simple as. I thank you for your PM, but unfortunately I've retired. Om the way out. And even if I wasn't, it'll be unlikely to happen as I only do in-person coaching. Appreciate the confidence though.

Perhaps they do exist, just not in ways you can fathom, and if you knew their actual plans, your head might simply explode. So consider please that some here, the humans... they are merely trying to shield you from becoming another statistic.

~ Paramito Ladakh ~ At a time of widespread panic and crisis, there can be an overwhelming urge to immediately react, and thereby reassert some sense of personal control over seemingly uncontrolled circumstances, but the profound stillness of contemplative non-action often provides the most insightful counsel, directing the most effective response to volatile, and not so volatile, events. May the consciousness that seeks, find liberation in its own emptiness.

Why must this happen only after agents Mulder & Scully have retired? Dang.

Now, every single new victim who succumbs to the flu will be attributed to covid 19, even if its some other dominant strain that did the damage.

It'd be most interesting to see similar trajectories and concise data points (rates of infection especially) for flu epidemics over the last 5 years to determine if this covid 19 attack is really that unprecedented. If such graphs exist (which I have doubts about), a lot of conspiracy theories and uncertainties can be put to bed.

Video removed by source. Strangely, its still available on youtube. Search Wolfgang Wodard Stunning Insights into the Corona-panic.

Best wishes towards the attainment of this worthy goal! May all obstacles be pacified. "Om Gum Ganapatayei Namah"

I have some familiarity with the Dharma Protector and Mahabodhisattva Vajrapani. Definitely a good source of refuge for dispelling negative energies, although, in my understanding, the mantra attributed to this Protector is: OM VAJRAPANI HUNG PHET (OR PEH), or, as the Tibetans would recite it, OM BENZA PANI HUNG PHET. In my practice, the invocation of Vajrapani is usually directed towards arousing the energy of the enlightened mind. According to certain scholars whom I have found to be reliable, Vajrapani's wrathful form represents transformation, and the thunderbolt 'he' wields in the right hand represents the power to cut through the vast darkness of delusion. Im so happy to hear that Vajrapani is being cited as a source of protection in these troubled times. Grateful for the explanation _/\_

Hello EG Have you any links to the exegesis of this particular mantra? Its new to me, and I'd like to know more about it. Thanks!

For those doing the Medicine Buddha practice, the efficacy and power will be increased by doing the Vajrasattva purification ritual prior. (ie chanting of the 100 syllable mantra & visualization practice sequence). For those who may not be familiar with the full version, or have difficulty chanting it due to its lengthiness, there's also a condensed 6-syllable mantra: OM BENZA SATTVA HUM. Alternatively, one can always access youtube, let the mantra gently suffuse the space around you, and do alternate visualizations with quiet, relaxed sitting. Here's the mantra in full: The meaning of the mantra: You, Vajrasattva, have generated the holy mind (bodhicitta) according to your pledge (samaya). Your holy mind is enriched with the simultaneous holy actions of releasing transmigratory beings from samsara (the circling, suffering aggregates). Whatever happens in my life-happiness or suffering, good or bad-with a pleased, holy mind, never give up but please guide me. Please stabilize all happiness, including the happiness of the upper realms, actualize all actions and sublime and common realizations, and please make the glory of the five wisdoms abide in my heart. Alternate version:

Expanded activities: cooking, gardening, prayers, checking up on elderly relatives, increased interest in local news, & bashing our new 'back door' govt for their stupidity. Other than these, everything else remains quite the same. We are fortunate as there isn't a full lockdown implemented at this point. My feeling is by next week things will become dire, and a full lockdown could be triggered as a result. Recorded the first 2 deaths today. One of the deceased was only 36.

Sound suggestion! A UV lamp will certainly do an excellent job of killing the spores alright. I wonder if it'll dislodge embedded mold too... A dehumidifier is quite useful for moderating excess humidity in the air, something a UV lamp cannot do. Its possible nowadays to purchase dehumidifiers with built-in UV sterilization.

Are you quite sure negative ion generators will help to eradicate mold? Mold issues are related to dampness, so a more appropriate appliance to have would be a dehumidifier. Even then, one would need to address the problematic areas first, and thats usually a painstaking process, more so if the mold have penetrated the walls.

There could be a number of reasons, and may even be a combination of causes. Out of curiosity, why do the vents need to be blocked? Whats the general air quality in that area? More info needed to narrow down the probables.

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