Sunya

Sorry, yes I meant Vibrations of Divine Consciousness It's the personal story of Acharya Kedar, very reminiscent of Muktananda's Play of Consciousness where the author shares what got him on the path, spiritual experiences, and the enlightenment experiences. Those are my favorite kinds of works

No, freeform, that's the wrong attitude. We all have a right to be skeptical about teachers and question their qualifications. There are way too many disingenuous people out there; spiritual folks trust too easily and fake teachers rely on that. I'm not calling Tantrapa fake, but I question why he would need to call himself Lama when he doesn't teach Tibetan Buddhism and isn't part of a lineage. If you're a true master, a real teacher, then why would you need a title? Isn't the proof in the pudding? If you truly have it, why would external things like a title even matter? This is why he seems disingenuous me.

lmfao :D

I think you will really like this book, it's by a Kashmir Shivaite master; wonderfully written, I found it extremely inspiring. Purchase it from that site, if you can, to support his ashram. My favorite books, though I read so many it's hard to choose, or even remember! The Supreme Source: The Fundamental Tantra of the Dzogchen Semde -- Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche The Path to Freedom - Dalai Lama Nonduality - David Loy Shambhala Sacred Path of the Warrior -- Chogyam Trungpa Crystal and the Way of Light - Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche Tibetan Book of Living and Dying - Sogyal Rinpoche the Out of Your Mind series -- Alan Watts Coming Home: The Experience of Enlightenment in Sacred Traditions-- Lex Hixon What makes you not a Buddhist - Dzongsar Jamyang Play of Consciousness - Swami Muktananda Path Notes of an American Ninja Master - Glenn Morris

doublepost

No I didn't read his book, I'm just wary of people that make up titles for themselves so as to attract people by giving themselves credentials that are unearned. Max Christiansen used to call himself Lama, that annoyed me too. Traditionally, one can be given the title Lama after completing a 3 year 3 month retreat; but it generally isn't that simple. You have to be part of a lineage, have a teacher, and have purified yourself to the extent necessary whereby you're qualified to teach others. So if you've read the book, can you explain how he got the title?

Thanks Yamu!

Tantrapa, who gave you the title Lama?

Yamu, what do you mean by 'you' when you say 'halfway between you'? body awareness? mental thoughts? wow -- sorry for all the posts.. I'm used to old forum where posting again automatically adds to previous post.

I think such a generalized statement is silly to say! I've met both smart and dumb animals of both species. I prefer dogs because they're more fun-loving and friendly, I met one cat that was like this.

i've been getting this too but I don't do standing med much anymore, rather just mantra meditation and various qi gong movement exercises. today I woke up then went back to sleep, I then 'woke up' but I was still asleep. I could see the whole room infront of me as if I was above my body and I could see white vapor infront of me. so what is it? I do ignore it but just curious what it is

it's quite the opposite actually, ralis. this whole thread might as well have been directed towards you. besides the snobbish attitude, using exclamation points is one way you use to act like an authority. you use them in every post you make, the essence of which is just telling people that they are wrong and you're right. the things you say might be true but how you say them only drives others away. has anyone actually listened to you? hardly. it's obvious you're just inflating yourself.

I'm curious, it seems that acupuncture is gaining momentum in this country with each state having licensing procedures and insurances beginning to cover it more, but what about medical qigong? I would think that someone who just learns medical qigong would have a hard time attracting clients due to people not knowing about it, insurance not covering it, etc. Perhaps it would be best for someone to do both acupuncture school and medical qigong, this is what I'm pondering to do for myself.. possibly..

I'm confused. This whole young soul/old soul distinction is odd to me because first it implies a creator, which is quite unBuddhist, because you are applying a time distinction onto souls, implying they were created at some point. Secondly it implies that some souls are created prior to other souls, which is an odd distinction to me. How can one soul be older than another? Even the monotheistic religions have creation happening at one instantaneous moment, prior to time. Ah I see this is a Taoist thing, so Taoists believe in souls that were created at a linear point in time? edit: nevermind, I see that this isn't a serious thread. I do agree that it's interesting, I think I fit in with the old souls because i'm quite lazy about doing anything except exploring metaphysical and personal issues, and meeting like minded people.

Esoteric symbology makes me feel like i'm standing outside of a house where a really awesome party is happening, but the door is locked and I don't have the key. It's also raining.

I remember reading a thread here kind of recently where people talked about various methods to take "dead" water and "liven" it up. It seems that the water we drink is basically dead due to all the processing it goes through. I find that quite interesting and something worth looking into since our bodies are made of water. I've heard of this stuff called Zeta Crystals which I think is made from some minerals, I believe Scotty used it before. It says on the site: "Charging distilled water with electrolytic minerals not only re-energizes the cells, it also lowers the surface tension of the water making it wetter and more easily absorbed by the thirsty cells and enables nutrients to be more bio-available." http://www.drjims-natural-cures.com/zeta-crystals.html So I'm wondering if anyone has used Zeta Crystals and their thoughts? Any idea what's actually in it? Edit: I found the ingredients: Zeta Crystals Proprietary Blend -- Sea Salt, Fossilized Stoney Coral, Distilled Water I'm also wondering if some of those people who were talking about using expensive means to bring energy back into water would comment on whether or not these crystals do the same thing?

I disagree. It's actually the more advanced way of meditating, rather then for beginners. It is the beginner approach to have goals of achieving this or that because this person is still caught in relative dualistic desires of I - i.e. the developmental way. But the mentioned other approach is referred to as the Direct path, and is the staple of paths like Zen, Dzogchen, and Advaita. Since awareness is always perfect, what is there to develop? Since you are that awareness, what is there to accomplish? Since awareness is not separate from activity, focus on what you are doing and relax. That's the direct path and it is very difficult. This can be taken the wrong way as, 'oh I'll just do whatever I want then and follow desires and thoughts aimlessly', that's the wrong approach and that's why I said it's difficult. "It's a good way to have no focus and get nowhere at all." That's the point Where is there to go? Yes this is methodological, and I think a mixture of developmental and direct paths are in order. Both have dangers.. as mentioned direct path can be too difficult for most, but developmental can be even more dangerous because people get too caught up in the process. The mentality of 'I must enlighten myself' which is a strange concept since the I can't do anything. The I must ultimately surrender to the universe and that's what the Direct paths teach. btw Hey Hundun... great to see you again

He's still talking about wisdom eye?

J Krishnamurti (not to be confused with UG Krishnamurti) spoke of having memories, while in Bodh Gaya India, of being the Buddha's disciple, in actuality. I found that pretty interesting.

http://www.youaretrulyloved.com/enlightenment/jim-carreys-awakening/ 3rd video He's got juice!

I get ringing pretty often, or used to. then I saw a Chinese medicine doc and he told me it has to do with the kidneys. they are overloaded or deficient of qi. This is specifically related to my dampness (spleen/stomach qi deficiency or indigestation) so the kidneys weren't getting enough energy. But since I've been treating the stomach/spleen with herbs and eating properly the ringing has been less often. Now I get pressure inside the ears that feels like a strong gust of wind rushing past the ears, that is probably the kidneys adapting to strong flows of energy.. just my guess. I suggest you see a qualified acupuncturist, make sure they also do Qi Gong

where do you live? there's a mailing list here that sends out emails when there are events in the NY area, perhaps there is another for your area if you search around http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DharmaEventsNY I would also suggest you get affiliated with centers in your area and keep up to date with them. Ask them if they have a mailing list and regularly visit them to meet whoever is in charge. I think that is a better idea overall since you'll get to meet people and become part of a sangha.

My friend is looking to sell her Kunlun book, it's in good condition and is the color version. PM me if interested

No she's a student and needs the money also, I don't think this is the kind of book that should be available publicly. Anyone can pick up the book at a library and start practicing, and without the proper cultivation of good qualities they will just have bad experiences that only re-inforce the ego. thanks for the suggestion though

thanks!