Lozen

Hand in hand with feminism is an abolishing of male courtesy, modesty and respect for women's bodies. Which, by the way, you demonstrated yourself quite well today on this forum. And I'm not talking about this thread. I think the point I'm making is very different than the one you are making... because part of what I learned about what it means to be a woman is that sexuality is sacred and not profane. You can't have it both ways, ya know.

Oh and one more thing--Orthodox Judaism is equally if not more condemning of sperm than it is of menstrual fluid. No wasting seed, period. This is Orthodox Judaism. No condoms, no masturbation, nothing.

Okay, you're probably talking to the wrong person about this. My views on gender politics would get me slapped around by my more feminist friends. But the reason women don't participate in the service is because they are ALREADY in touch with Binah, or intuition, so they don't need reminders a million times a day like the men do to stay in touch with Spirit. They are not forbidden from attending the services. And yes, in traditional Orthodox Judaism the primary focus for women is on taking care of their children and the home. But I don't know if I believe there is anything wrong with that. I do not agree with all aspects of Orthodox Judaism, of course not-- but I'm starting to think that maybe the thought that women were oh-so-oppressed for so long is incorrect, because that thought implies women were stupid and let themselves be oppressed for so long. Maybe some of the things that we consider oppression were actually better... I'm gonna get flamed for this, I just know it, and maybe I am idealizing the past, but I'd rather have a guy tip his hat when I come into a room so as not to disturb me with eye contact than worry about people staring at me when I walk into a room... These are all grey areas, of course, but I wonder how much women have really been helped by "women's rights"--I mean we live in a country where women have more rights than anywhere else in the world, than any other time period, and when you look at the common issues facing pre-adolescent girls (rape, sexual assault, bulimia, anorexia, low self-esteem, drugs, etc. etc. etc.) it seems like it is a lot worse than it was decades ago. Say what you will about them, but if you talk to a lot of girls in a lot of traditional religious homes (Mormon, Jewish, even Buddhist or Christian) they don't seem to have these problems quite as much. Of course, I'm generalizing. It probably has more to do with good families than religion, but it does seem that some religions help with establishing good values...

Yes and the Apache also beat the shit out of their wives, as well as cutting off their noses if t hey were unfaithful. Lots of torture there, too. Obviously there exist good and bad people and good and bad policies between each tribe and culture. I don't feel like I'm idealizing anybody. However I do feel that the majority of indigenous cultures honored menstruation, just like they honored the earth. And there are many many many many coming of age ceremonies in a lot of different tribes that prove this. Finding the truth inside myself--I think I already found it by experiencing one of these ceremonies first hand. It wasn't easy. Anyways, I am willing to drop this topic now. But I'll find my list of resources, though.

Projectiles are my favorite.

Okay, so I know that in Buddhism they say that your thoughts are more important than your actions, the actions are just the icing on the cake. So if I think I want to throw a pencil at someone, I am accountable for having that thought, whether or not I actually throw the pencil. I was wondering what it is in Taoism, if anybody knows. I'm confused b/c lately I've been able to read other people's thoughts, and they can read mine. Uncannily so. So I wonder if I could really cause psychic damage to someone by thinking in my head that I really don't like the color shirt they're wearing (or whatever), whether or not I actually say it. On the other hand, this thought may be the result of meglomaniacal fantasies. Because I know that in self-defense/offense situations, REALLY WANTING something to happen or visualizing it ain't gonna make it so.

Very interesting points Spyrelx. I will say my cramps have all but disappeared and flow has gotten much lighter since I stopped using tampons and the Keeper and done work to nourish yin, blood and liver. Including healing sounds. I don't know if I feel that it is a loss of energy but will pay attention to it.

Okay, you're back on ignore.

I will argue that Judaism has thought VERY positively of women. See: http://www.jewfaq.org/women.htm Not very feminist, but very positive.

I guess I'm practicing awareness I'm getting from working with the blade... Somehow it's seemed to speed things up. What's the fifth shen? I'm not going back to TS for a bunch of reasons, but we do deal with adversity in some of my other training. I wonder if the past life work is helping with integration. Who the heck is Gudjieff?

Did I SAY I had cramps? No! Luckily there are also many alternatives to sex with Ron Jeremy if one has cramps...excercise, lobelia, cramp bark, Midol, etc.

It DOES help alleviate cramps, though.

Fair enough, but I have never heard of this. Which tribes?

Menstruation is a SPIRITUAL thing. Women in moon time in many NA tribes were not let into mixed ceremonies, not because they were impure, but because they were in their time of power. Several Taoist books I have read say women lose most energy through having too many children, not through menstruating. Tonify and nourish liver, blood and yin.

Can't you recycle your energy without trying to stop menstruation? Since it is WASTE MATERIAL, why not try to stop shitting or pissing so you can recycle that energy? That makes just as little sense to me. If women are interested in having better cycles, there is a lot they can do, many excercises for liver, not wearing tampons is a good idea, lots of herbs and foods are helpful. I wasn't rejecting the concept of female sexual energy practice--I just wonder if stopping menstruation is really the practice or if guys just think that because they think blood is gross or (consciously or not) are intimidated by women's cycles and women's power. Why is it that so many NA tribes will not let women who are menstruating into mixed ceremonies? It isn't because they are dirty or impure. Also I was hoping someone could please explain to me what does menstruation have to do with sex? In fact, many Taoists, Native American tribes and orthodox Jews *refrain* from sex during menstruation. See http://www.jewfaq.org/sex.htm#Niddah

Honestly, stopping a very natural and beautiful cycle that keeps me in tune with the rhythmns of the earth and my own rhythmns is way down at the bottom of my things to consider list. Is this really about living longer? If women want to live longer they can take antioxidants, excercise more, quit smoking, eat organic, maximize bone density throguh load bearing excercises and calcium-rich food and herbs, spend time outdoors, learn how to fight, etc. etc.

I don't use tampons, I use cloth menstrual pads--reusable. I used to use the Keeper. Not all menstrual blood has psychic poison. Mine has kept plants growing. If I've had a really hard month emotionally I won't use the blood from that month.

I guess though that what's been happening with me is that I've been sensing things people say before they say them, but they DO say them. And just being much more accurate than usual about who just e-mailed me, who left me a message, and what the person I am speaking to is about to say. So it seems that I can read their thoughts, but maybe it is because the intent is strong enough in that they do eventually say it, or something. I wonder why I am more psychic all of a sudden. It is either the past life work (doubtful) or maybe what that Warrior School guy told me about getting really strong physically will help the spiritual not overwhelm you and you be more in tune with it was really true (I have my doubts about this as well...always doubting.)

Menstruation is a really beautiful natural purification cycle which links women with the moon. A book I read described it is a natural discharge of heat-bearing blood. Aspects of interior/yin surface and so one must protect from cold and damp and physical extremes and emotional extremes. If anything, having sex while menstruating is what depletes energy. I'm curious about refraining from orgasms building energy. I do know that when I'm not constantly having sex, I am much more creative. I always thought this was a third chakra thing, though. Except that sometimes I think they are wrong and that sex is actually root chakra, you know, survival...

Maybe not all Buddhism. Just the Dalai Lama, Thich Nath Hanh, Choya Trungpa Rinpoche, and every other Buddhist writer or teacher I have ever heard speak or read books by. They say intent/thoughts and watching those, that is more important than the actual action. Anyways, I didn't ask whether or not I should be thinking bad thoughts. I was just asking what kind of effect that has on the other person. I disagree that Buddhism is saying to give up your mind of thoughts of good and evil. By introducing the idea of merit or virtue and speaking about not thinking bad thoughts, they are very much playing into the idea of good and evil.

I know this might get moved to off-topic, but I'm going to post it here anyway. I wrote in my personal log about my friend who was needlessly and senselessly assaulted on July 23rd and was in intensive care for a week. I finally tracked down the hospital he is at and am visiting him tomorrow afternoon with a healer I really trust. He has what they say is permanent brain damage, trouble speaking coherently, memory loss, etc. They say he will never recover completely. However, I am taking a HEALER there and she is really really good. So I just wanted to ask for prayers. My friend's name is Michael Sanderson.

Thanks everyone for sending prayers/energy/whatever--my friend is doing awesome!! A lot better than I had heard and expected. They are releasing him from inpatient rehab in just one week. He is speaking coherent full sentences, though he is still having some trouble with dates, numbers, small words, crossword puzzles, etc. But he is getting better. He gave me the biggest million-dollar hug I think I've ever received. He also has tons of great people around him, including his boss who is gonna switch him to the day shift when he gets back to work in a month or so, and kept him on the payroll until my friend asked him not to... My friend the healer I brought says that she expects a full recovery but just that it will take time. I don't know about that, but one can only hope. There is one thing that concerns me which I can't write about for legal reasons, but I'm doing everything I can about it...

that link's not working--is it just my computer?

Not much I can do, I don't determine his diet. His doctors do. I am bringing him blue cornbread I just baked and some of that Blue Machine juice. Protein has really helped me with nourishing blood and yin. Would love to give him clay plasters, I don't know if the nurses would let me. As far as chi, etc... the person I am bringing with me is very good at working in the spiritual plane and hopefully can cut right through the physical. One can only hope anyway.