InfinityTruth

I guess it depends on your mindset. I've taken no classes and I was meditating on the lower dan-tien and I saw a huge green screen with red streaks(like a really fast hallucination)...would've made a wonderful painting. I can also feel this pressure building there when I meditate on it. I haven't lately because I've been practicing vipassana.

Something new I learned the other day is that daoism, is closely related to shamanism if you go far enough back in it's history. http://archaeology.about.com/od/dterms/g/daoism.htm http://www.healing-tao.co.uk/ht_Tao_of_the_Shaman.htm http://base.china-europa-forum.net/rsc/docs/ws11eng.pdf http://www.csuchico.edu/~cheinz/syllabi/fall99/hundoble/ My question is how many other religions/belief systems were also influenced by one of the most ancient practices?

1. I agree 100%. So are trophies because without the memory of how you got the trophy the trophy is actually meaningless. The only thing you really need is the memory. Everyone is taught early on that things outside of themselves give meaning to their experiences. But its the experience that gave it the meaning not the object. A trophy, certificate is only a symbol of the experience. Even a high school diploma is meaningless. Signs and symbols rule our world. In america we're taught that the bill of rights protects us and that we're "Free". But what is a piece of paper with words on it going to do to protect us? If someone is going to strip us of our rights it won't be the paper that is going to protect us. It will be those fighting for their freedom (not for their country but their freedom literally). Here is an example of how we are NOT as free as we think - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE76LQwT6qA&feature=player_embedded Granted they probably used the excuse that he was "unruly" and "a danger to the public." Notice how they cut him off just as he starts talking about secret societies. As long as we give them permission to take away our freedoms for "safety" we're going to be in BIG trouble. Look at what they're already allowed to do at airports in the name of "safety." I went off on a tangent here and I'm really not trying to come off like a nutbar. But just look at that video from an unbiased viewpoint. Then look at all the symbolism they throw into tv and ask why? I was watching a kids cartoon today (codename: kids next door) and they were talking about how you had the choice between taking the red lollipop and the blue lollipop(they talked about how the blue lollipop will help you see through all the BS in this society and the red would make you ignorant). Which I right away recognized the symbolism for the red pill and the blue pill. I couldnt remember which one was the awakening pill and which one was the sleeping pull but they were telling you to take the blue lollipop. I later googled it to find out that the blue pill is the sleeping pill. And they were encouraging you to take the sleeping pill or the blue lollipop. Why the fuck do they encourage this?! This is seriously an episode. I'm not kidding I just saw it today lol. 2. I like this saying. I used to have a theory when I was a little kid. At the time I didn't think of it like this though. But it seemed like I was unlucky so whatever I would think on a decision I would always do the opposite of what I thought and come out right. It was pretty crazy because 9x out of 10 while practicing this the opposite choice got it right. Lol.

Main theme that has driven my course here: Bullying, raging extreme hostilities with a lot of people. Basically an exile (hermit/loner...but its okay because I'm happier this way and so is everyone else. I can never go back nor do I want too. Fuck them all.) and I'm not welcome anywhere I go. It has definitely had its blessings(lots of freedom) but it definitely has a bite at times as well. Overall I'd say its been more of a gift and has helped me to evolve. Being alone has also helped me to heal. I really appreciate the few friends I do have a trillion times more then I ever used to. I feel so much love for them and anyone who is nice to me. I never used to appreciate it at all. I can't complain because it has taught me a lot. I got into Taoism about a year ago on another forum from a member who posted some stuff on it. Decided I would study it a little. Wasn't very big (not that I didn't like it) into it in the beginning but gradually (actually very recently..the last 4 months) very naturally I shifted into it and interest grew from there. In just a year I've changed so much in interests. I was into self help BIG time for a while to hide my severe depression(I'm a little repulsed by it now). I finally came out of that and feel happier(not fully resolved but much better then where I was). The one thing I learned from it all is that no matter how harsh the circumstances (I was in the deepest part of a psychological hellhole for a long time...everyday for over a year). Nothing can really hurt you. It can challenge you. But no matter what comes to your plate you can handle it if you make up your mind to handle it the pain of the problem is so much less.

I raped the replay button for that song video for like at least the last hour. I didn't know about this guy until this thread but I actually feel sad he died. You can tell in his face that he was a very compassionate person.

New to the forum. Here to learn, and see whats up. I've been lurking for a while as a guest figured I'd get a name.