3bob

Good luck also T.S., I think I understand what you are getting at concerning traditional Hindu philosophy and religion which btw and imo is very difficult to live without the supportive culture and infrascructure such as still exists in India or in a Hindu based school/group/community located somewhere else. One might even ask how many Hindu's themselves are or remain strict vegetarians, which is a major tenet for most if not all of it sects/schools depending on definition. (being that there are Hindu related schools/teachings which could be said to range from A-Z) Anyway, I to appreciate the fact of what you call "intricately intertwined" aspects... for instance: Ahimsa: non-violence, inflicting no injury or harm to others or even to one's own self, it goes as far as nonviolence in thought, word and deed. This is the primary tenet of Hinduism (and also a universal tenet), and without it no real spiritual progress can be made, and even the greatest and most powerful yogi or swami could or would fall very far if forgetting it. And even the least greatest and least powerful person could or would go very far in not forgetting it... Om

One problem with being overblown and tricked-out is that we run over pedestrians that we can't be see through our windshield...

Alrighto

I do like classic cars (including old muscle cars), but I thought some might relate to the example given?

A note: In the west we often see or hear about jumping right into asana, (which is a ways down the quoted list) yet the ever important foundations related to and needed for the traditional practice of various yoga(s) are in (operational) fact yama and niyama -which btw may not fit in with certain "westernized" schools or preferences... "The eight limbs of Yoga Ashtanga yoga consists of the following limbs: The first five are called external aids to Yoga (bahiranga sadhana) ------------------------------------ Yama refers to the five abstentions. These are the same as the five vows of Jainism. 1. Ahimsa: non-violence, inflicting no injury or harm to others or even to one's own self, it goes as far as nonviolence in thought, word and deed. 2. Satya: truth in word and thought. 3. Asteya: non-covetousness, to the extent that one should not even desire something that is his own. 4. Brahmacharya: abstinence, particularly in the case of sexual activity. It necessarily implies celibacy. Also, responsible behavior with respect to our goal of moving toward the truth. It suggests that we should form relationships that foster our understanding of the highest truths. "Practicing brahmacharya means that we use our sexual energy to regenerate our connection to our spiritual self. It also means that we don’t use this energy in any way that might harm others."[13] . 5. Aparigraha: non-possessiveness ------------------------------------------------------ Niyama refers to the five observances 1. Shaucha: cleanliness of body and mind. 2. Santosha: satisfaction; satisfied with what one has. 3. Tapas: austerity and associated observances for body discipline and thereby mental control. 4. Svadhyaya: study of the Vedic scriptures to know about God and the soul, which leads to introspection on a greater awakening to the soul and God within, 5. Ishvarapranidhana: surrender to (or worship of) God. ------------------------------------------------------- Asana: Discipline of the body: rules and postures to keep it disease-free and for preserving vital energy. Correct postures are a physical aid to meditation, for they control the limbs and nervous system and prevent them from producing disturbances".

Spirit can not be known by the limits of mind, - more importantly Spirit knows Spirit, otherwise and in summation all would be the "Vanity of vanities".

I understand what sounds like or could be taken as a sort of jibe... thus I suggest you take your own medicine or advice Ms.Cat.

Hmm, I to was semi mod-ed by Cat thinking I was being full mod-ed... Is such normal according to our full mods or semi mods whoever they may be? (granted I had some of it coming but normally I'm a good boy) Anyway, imo those that enjoy hearing Vmarco's repetitive and various forms of insults to just about anyone at anytime and also let such slide or encourage same should get their (his) own sub-forum. (or private room)

Thanks for sharing that resource K

While reading consider some Alan Watts material (if you haven't already) , he helped many "westerners" to make some "eastern" connections.

as long as we are bouncing all over various maps and morphing here and there: Tao Te Ching 24: "ONE on tip-toe cannot stand. One astride cannot walk. One who displays himself does not shine. One who justifies himself has no glory. One who boasts of his own ability has no merit. One who parades his own success will not endure. In Tao these things are called "unwanted food and extraneous growths," Which are loathed by all things. Hence, a man of Tao does not set his heart upon them" 49: "THE Sage has no interests of his own, But takes the interests of the people as his own. He is kind to the kind; He is also kind to the unkind: For Virtue is kind. He is faithful to the faithful; He is also faithful to the unfaithful: For Virtue is faithful...." (This is part of what true humility under wisdom means to me) "He is kind to the kind; He is also kind to the unkind: For Virtue is kind"

I felt the same way also Manitou...

a heart song given by Amy Walker:

Agreed GP.

An Amazon books link to my earlier suggestion above: http://www.amazon.com/Upanisads-Oxford-Classics-Patrick-Olivelle/dp/019954025X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356814400&sr=8-1&keywords=oxford+world+classics+upanishads By the way there are lots of reviews of lots of books at Amazom com x 10,000,000

Words and spit (by his own account) from an expert. (as implied by his own account) Imo such unfortunate sickness can be seen in samples of posts when or if people fall into the not uncommon misuse of "4th way" teachings which turn same into a cult like mind set. Mix in some other co-opted and misused esoteric stuff and such dangerous views can justify proclaiming most anyone to be a "Sheeple" when they don't bend to or agree with an often resulting obsessive and fanatical program.

Well there are a great many translations of the Upanishads on the net or in book form and most have at least some type of introduction, background, side notes, cross references, etc... (which more or less could be skipped if you like; btw I would suggest to not throw all sources of commentary out the window, rather consider those that may be of help and that also ring true to you...) The Patrick Olivelle edition by Oxford Worlds Classics, might be at your local bookstore? Good hunting to you

I could be wrong, maybe make that 96.5 %

Personal history is to be mastered thus not deleted per-se for one still has to deal with the world if one has a body in the world. (both in this world and on the other side)

"I'll be available" to see you get off it...

A key question/point and fine post Manitou - I'd say Solomon (for an example) had it all but he to was broken... and it may only be at the breaking point when our identity as a particular talking-head or "mind" loses some of its iron grip and that soul can then come through or act - with soul in its essence being honest and such honesty is the true sister of a humility that can surrender to something greater than ego, as in the joyful knowing and being of free Spirit! (and not always or only in a matter of work over a period of time for such can also be a very sudden and honest reckoning along with an all out gathering together of our forces to stand before the inner storm and make a leap of faith beyond the supposed safety of a cocoon we've wrapped ourselves in.

I don't feel that depression is always low energy per-se, better described I would think as energy that is twisted and or a self-inflicting of damage in certain ways upon one's mind and body - a mind and body that would normally be running closer to un-twisted or un-bound. (so source or basic energy is not negative or positive in itself, it has to go into or lend power to an area of mind to take on these relative aspects, thus keep energy from flowing into negative mind circuits - so to speak)

I could understand vmarco or anyone else including myself acting like an asshole once in while but he is acting like one 95% of the time... which is as plain as day or as a kettle being black.

Vision of the Son of Man "9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” 12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. 19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches". Amen indeed (Btw, Edgar did a book on this book)

It is the actual appearence of a master soul of Golden light and compassion, (which btw. there is often much specualtion about at this site!) In this case it is Master Jesus who is right under our noses so to speak in The New Testament being described about as well as words can. (that is in the related context, although one can find very similar soul descriptions in other paths for such an attainment) ,