Aaron

Hello Myth, No one recommended this, so it isn't redundant. I have asked some local charities for help, but all of them were out of funds or those funds were only available to families with children. There are many people in need these days. Fortunately in these last few days I was able to find a little work, enough to help with the rent and pay my light bill. This will get me through this month, but the question I ask myself is how many more months will I have to live where I am at, on a month to month basis and whether it is wiser to move on to someplace else that might provide more opportunity? The answer for me is simple. The Sage does not leave the baggage cart. He knows that everything he needs is there. So even if I travel, lose all my possessions, and do end up homeless, everything I need is here with me. People said I have a great deal of conviction, but that's not true, I just know that wherever I am, that is where I am, and nothing changes that. How can one suffer if he is warm, has food, and a safe place to sleep? Only if he believes that is not enough to live. If that is true, then I have to ask that man, whether he is living or dying? Aaron

Hello Folks, I've been thinking about this for awhile and reflecting on what others have said in the past regarding change, especially change on a global scale and the one thing that keeps coming back to me again and again is that global change does not begin by changing politics or government, but rather changing one's self. Thoreau, Gandhi, Buddha, and Lao Tzu, to name just a few realized that change does not come through action, but inaction. It is not achieved by standing on the street corner shouting "injustice", but by refusing to partake in something that one believes to be wrong. When we cease supporting the structures that cause injustice and oftentimes that support comes simply by opposing it, then it will have nothing to hold it up and it will go away. What does that mean today, in a day and age of global communication, when even those in the remotest parts of the world know who won the world cup of rugby? Well it means that we stop buying things we don't need. That we recognize the plight of our fellow man, not through words, but through kindness. We realize our responsibility as human beings towards our fellow man. So my suggestion for those who want true change, don't scream at the CEOs and politicians that they're wrong, do what's right. Stop feeding the machine, whether it's monetarily or through reverse propaganda and instead live a life that encourages others to change. Love will not change the world, nor will hate, what will change the world is a devotion to compassion, a willingness to do what's right, regardless of the consequences, and the knowledge that what we have is not always what we need. Ensure that everyone has what they need, teach our children to understand the difference between needs and wants, and we could very well change the world in one generation. It is not only foreseeable, but possible. Change does not begin with the politicians, governments, and corporations, it begins within each of us. Stop pointing fingers and instead look within yourself. I've said this once and I say it again because I think it needs to be said. Aaron

Hello Folks, First I want to thank K and Scotty for their kind offers of help, it is much appreciated. I will not say no, but I will say that at this time I am going to see what happens. I've been fortunate enough to push back eviction and utilities until the 13th, so I still have a little time left to try and get my bills paid. If at that time it doesn't happen, I will try and keep you informed. In the meantime I'm not waiting til the last minute to get things in order, so I've been packing up everything and once that's done I'm going to clean my apartment from top to bottom. Anyways I can't stay online long, so I'm going to say once again thanks for all the kindness and compassion and just for the record, I have no desire for money, just a desire to do what I need to do. Aaron

Ahh... life. If it was what we wanted, would we even want it? I'm not looking for happiness or serenity these days, rather I'm trying to find out where I NEED to be, and once I can figure that out, the rest seems to fall into place effortlessly. Aaron

A lot of people are doing it these days. I thought it was stylish, was I wrong? Aaron

Sometimes the sun is so bright, the only way to see clearly is to squint. Aaron

I think this post asks a loaded question in a way. If we've found it, does that mean we have achieved something of value and if we haven't does that mean what we have achieved has no value? I think that it is infinitely more important that others practice the virtues of heart-mind, than worry about whether they've achieved it or not. I would encourage everyone to practice compassion in their day to day life and not worry so much about heart mind. As a side note, I apologize for being gone for so long, or congratulate you for having the break from me, depending on who I'm talking to. I suffered third degree burns on my right hand and I've had to take a break from the internet. There's a square inch of flesh missing from between the knuckles of my ring finger, and there will be some scarring, but I'll live. Anyways it's all transient, so this too shall pass. I hope in my absence you have not tried to take over the world. Aaron

This was posted in another thread and I felt that it didn't really go along with that thread's purpose, so I chose to create a new thread for those who might wish to discuss this topic. Recently I have had a few experiences that have shaken my understanding of the world, the "void", heartmind, and enlightenment. For that matter it has shaken my understanding of compassion and other things as well, however this thread isn't so much about that, but rather I use this as an example of how it might be useful to shake off old beliefs to gain a greater awareness of what is and isn't. The common consensus of most people is that in order to gain an awareness of the "truth" one must be taught or guided. (Please keep in mind that I use the word truth only so that we can understand the premise of my comments within a certain context.) I do not agree with this entirely, but in all honesty I cannot discount that certain ideas led me to a greater experience, but I also must say with honesty that only after I gave up those beliefs was I able to achieve an even greater degree of awareness, one that called into question and discounted many of the "truths" I held. From my experience what I can say without doubt is that every man and woman, regardless of who they are or where they come from, has the ability to achieve this awareness, that it requires no guidance, but in some instances may require prompting, simply because many of us are led to believe that something other than, or more, doesn't exist, and rather what is true and real is what we've been taught to believe is true and real. I also have come to understand that religions, regardless of the religion, are intricately linked to morality and in most cases a selfish desire for enlightenment in order to gain something that one believes will grant them some escape from death or suffering in this life. I can say from my own experience that neither of these is true in the context that people wish to believe it to be, but rather there is more to it than simply that. Part of my greater understanding stems from understanding the true nature of me as I've been taught to view me, and also what I was before I was born and still am. When one sees who they were from the beginning then the desire to continue to be the person they are fades away, because they understand the transient nature of this being they have become. Anyone who sets forth and simply meditates, not on themselves, or truth, but simply sits and stills the mind will come to this revelation. I have no doubts of this. The problem is that we are tricked into believing that things require purpose, when in fact, in this case, purpose is the greatest hindrance. One can only achieve a greater degree of awareness when they understand that there is no purpose for it, that this state is already within them and exists, they only need to be made aware of it. With that said, I know of nothing else to say, so I will leave it at that. I hope that this discussion will bear fruit. Be kind to others or bare your fangs, it doesn't matter, nor will it change what is, so please feel free to discuss this as you choose to. Aaron P.S. I will only say I'm enlightened if you say I'm not. <insert smiley face>

I read somewhere that there are temples in India that literally have billions of dollars in worth from donations, the only difference is they don't actually spend any of the money, they just keep it for their god/gods. I think that it's easy to see this as wrong, but really it's the way the world works and has worked for over 2,000 years. No one will change this, even knowing it. The only thing that we can change is our experience on this Earth. So when I say give up our desire for wealth, I mean that literally, so long as we desire what others have, as someone else also pointed out, then we will never be able to appreciate those things we do have. A good question to ask one's self is how happy would we be if we had no electricity, no computers, no modern conveniences, and rather lived in a small hut, gathering our own food and making our own goods? If we say, not very happy, then perhaps it's time to reevaluate our priorities. There is a way to find peace and happiness in this life, but it is not changing the world or people, it's changing our own perspective. I think the Tao Teh Ching speaks of this, but many ignore it because they don't want to give these things up and that's fine, but at the same time we should understand that we can't change people, we can only change ourselves. Aaron

But it's much easier to just ignore the statement by using an excuse that someone is mean or hostile, than to actually take the time to give some evidence that supports your ideas. I think this is a great way to avoid having to face that you might be wrong. By the way Taomeow, I like you and I wasn't intending to be mean to you or disrespect you, I just thought you wouldn't be offended by some honest discussion. You have every right to believe what you want, but in sharing that belief you also have a responsibility to explain why when someone asks you. Aaron

I call BS, give us three valid examples. This is just adding a metaphysical label to a mundane problem. I noticed you never responded to my previous comments either. Prove this crap or stop posting hypotheticals as facts. Now secret societies I can buy, but the fact is, most secret societies aren't really secret so much as they are exclusive. I don't think a club should be required to be open to everyone, by the very nature of being a club, so I have no issue with the wealthy getting together to become more wealthy. I don't desire to be wealthy, so why would I? Aaron

Hello Ion, My intent wasn't to hurt your feelings or tease you, but to shake you up a bit, because you need to be shaken. You are so certain and I want you to understand that being certain doesn't always mean you are right. You can view things any way you want, but if there is a place within you that holds even the smallest doubt, then it is time to review that belief and be sure it is valid, or better yet throw it away and start from scratch. I hope that you can understand that experience is far more important than intellectual understanding. When you stop analyzing what you experience according to what you have been taught and instead can view the experience for what it is, then I am certain your ideas of masculine and feminine and even sidhis and psychic powers will evaporate and what you will be left with is the knowledge of the true nature of things. When I understood the true nature of things I understood that I am nothing. Aaron

Hello Taomeow, You can believe whatever you want to, but that doesn't mean what you believe is right. I recommended that Meow listen to three songs, because they held a message within them, I wont repost the songs here, but I will tell you the message that they conveyed. We will all become disillusioned at one time or another, because the world is not the way that we choose it to be. That doesn't mean that the answer is revolution or communism, or any other ism, sometimes the answer is simply enjoying life as it is. When we can give up our beliefs, devotions, faith, and virtue, and simply become human, a being in motion purely for the sake of moving, then we can begin to see the world as it is, rather than how we've been taught to believe it is. As for the final message, well that is simply that we can devote ourselves to something completely, but that will not give us meaning, nor will it make us faithful and virtuous, it merely makes us an ism, true virtue comes from living life as one should, not by law or morality, but by the nature that is within us. When we can do that, then we will understand why it is better to laugh with the sinner, than to die with the saint. In that light, the quote from Wen Tzu is meaningless. You may find meaning in it, but there is nothing within this world that harms the spirit, neither repression of thought, nor inaction, in fact in many cases it is inaction that will further our understanding of the spirit. It is the ability to understand when we need to act and when we need to be still that is important for us to gain further insight into the nature of it all. If you think communism was anything close to what I talked about, then you're far off the mark. We do not need to share everything equally, we need to stop valuing material goods completely. When we can be happy with food, clothes, and warm place to sleep, and stop worrying about all the other crap, then we are halfway to where we ought to be. Give up the land, the wealth, and the status, allow yourself to be able to live happily with what you need and not what you want, and no power on earth can hold sway over you. It really is as simple as that. Aaron

Hi Taomeow, In my opinion this is BS... someone had an agenda and put Lao Tzu's name on it. Nothing from the Tao Teh Ching even remotely hints at this. Anyways, I wasn't quoting Lao Tzu, I was really just stating my own opinion. The only real way to win a battle is never to have the battle in the first place. If one does what is right, worries about his own actions, does not enforce his actions on others, then he is living in harmony with the world around him. Cease to value gold and gems (and computers) and people will cease to want them. Simple as that, and that is Lao Tzu by the way. Do what YOU know is right and don't worry about anything else. Aaron

The only certain way to win a battle is not to fight at all. One does not win a battle simply by shouting the truth, but rather doing what you know is right and not doing what you know is wrong. Aaron

MEOW! I was thinking about an answer to your question while listening to my I-POD on random and these three songs popped up. I'm posting the Youtube links... listen to them and maybe they'll answer your question for you, better than I could... this was the order in which they played (keep in mind i have over 3,000 songs on my I-Pod, so the idea that it chose to play these three, seems more than just coincidence. Frank Turner Killers Billy Joel I hope this answers your question. Aaron

Nothing about this is really negative. All things are transient. The only thing that is not transient is what is. If you seek what is, then as a byproduct you will have both peace and awareness, but in learning what is, you see the transient nature of awareness and peace, so they will have little value to you, which is why they will not be taken from you, simply because you do not need them, so you are happy to give them away. Aaron

You have it backwards. Awareness is transient, consciousness is not transient. Aaron

Hello Son-of-Niah, I have spent some time reading what you are describing. Although I have my doubts that this is occurring, if it is I would like to help. If you have been effected by the force you are talking about, then the first thing you must understand is that this force cannot effect you physically, it can only effect your mind. So long as your mind is in a state that allows it to manipulate you, then you are vulnerable to it. The first thing you must do is confess your secrets to someone, because the power it has over you is because of the secrets within you that you will not give up. Go to a priest or a friend you trust and disclose these secrets, this is very important. Second, you must be rid of the guilt that allows it to attack you as well, the easiest way to do this is to begin to live a compassionate life, the first step to living this life is to seek out those you have harmed in the past and make amends to them. The only reason not to make an amends is if it will harm the person you are making the amends to. Again this is to bring compassion to others, not to ease your conscience. The third thing you must do is give up those practices that allowed it to have access to you in the first place. This means no more astral travel, spells, yoga, or other esoteric arts. So long as you continue to do these, then you will be opening yourself up to more attacks. If you do these things, this force will have nothing to cling to and it will leave. An exorcism only works if you have faith that it will work, otherwise the force will continue to plague you. Seeking psychiatric help is a must, because, as I already pointed out, this force is attracted to you because you are feeding it, this is why it is tormenting you because you are feeding it these negative emotions. Counseling will give you a place to deal with these emotions in a healthy manner. When you meditate say this as a mantra, "I am the light. I am the peace. I am the arm of compassion." Nothing else. Think only of this and it will help protect you. If this doesn't work, then you may be suffering from a mental illness and require psychological help. I hope that is enough to help. I'm sure once you get started you'll feel the immediate benefits. Aaron

Hello folks, Recently I have been having some very amazing experiences in regard to my personal journey. In a few days I feel like I have gone leaps and bounds beyond where I was just a week ago. My understanding of the world on a fundamental level is changing, but when I try to explain it to my family and friends, they look at me like I'm crazy. I'm sure many people here who've read my descriptions in other threads may also feel the same. All I can say is that this strange experience has given me more... more of what I can't even say, there really is no word to describe it. I could call it amazing and I have, but it's not amazing, I know that, rather it is very mundane, I just never realized it before so it seems at first quite more than it is. I am toning down my meditations as a result because I feel to push too fast would be the wrong course of action, but rather I need to take this gradually. Currently I am meditating in an attempt to find the source of emotion and thought. I thought I had found it before, but now I realize that I had found what I had wanted to find, that the real source is deeper within and it is not within me at all, at least not my body, but rather it stems from something much deeper in the cosmos, mind, source, whatever you want to call it. I would be happy to hear of others experiences in this regard. I have already touched on what I've been experiencing in other threads, so I will not repeat myself, but I do feel it would be wise to seek the council of others in this regard, so any input would be greatly appreciated. Just as an aside, this does not feel like a taoist or buddhist experience, rather it feels like something much more free, like within it there is nothing but the beginning and end. For the sake of brevity, I will leave it at that. Aaron

I want to make a few more points, I think from your explantion here that it is clear that you have experienced none of this, but rather that this is your hypothesis. I would suggest that you think about it less and start to meditate. You are far off base. You have taken new age ideas, mish-mashed them with buddhism and taoism in an attempt to explain something and in the end you're just creating a confusing explanation that makes no sense to those who have actually experienced the process. Now I'm done. Aaron

True dat. I think I'm pointing to the idea that normal doesn't exist. So if I am crazy it is because I am not normal, nor is anyone else normal, but I see that I am not normal and I am willing to say I am not normal, that you are not normal, that none of this is normal, and they say, well that's just crazy talk! I laugh when I think about it. Aaron

So I'm thinking many people here probably think I've gone crazy and perhaps that's a good thing. I see sanity and it really has no appeal to me anymore. Aaron

Hello Everything, Bliss is transient, it does not last. Awareness is transient, it does not last. Seek that which lasts and you will see that these two things are as worthless as the sand at the beach. When you see them as worthless, then they will never be stolen from you. Aaron

Hello Ion, I wont continue this discussion, because there is no need. The fact you call it masculine and feminine tells me you have come to your realization, which is false by the way, through intellectualism. You believe it so it's true to you, but I believe nothing, because I know it's all mundane and transient. When you can throw these beliefs away and begin to see things as they really are, then we can talk, til then you are just not ready to listen. Use your vast psychic potential wisely. There is a reason the dragons stay hidden. Aaron