gatito

My bad. I thought that the combining of posts had been dropped. I'd just point out that you don't actually have control of your own contribution, as was Sean's intent, if separate posts are automatically combined by the forum software. It also makes the record inaccurate. For example:- I make a post, someone responds and then I make a counterpoint, which is added to my original post - making me appear much wiser than I actually am Furthermore, it destroys the flow and sense of a fast-moving, real-time conversation. It was (and is) a sledgehammer to crack a nut (or perhaps a few nuts )

It seemed to me that there was nothing wrong with the previous (i.e. the current) system and rules and therefore I'm very happy to see that the founding principles have been reiterated so clearly and that the edit timer and the combining of posts made less than 31 minutes apart have now been disgarded. It also occurs to me that the Valve Handbook might be useful reading......

It is certainly the end of the era (whether your editing rights are reinstated or not) - it was a fundamental breach of trust, as has now been admitted . It is very sad but many of us saw the writing on the wall months ago and took the appropriate action.

OK. If anyone's still curious, you can PM me.

I really don't think that you'd like my answer. But if anyone cares to knock for the third time....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_223jKXKgQ

Nearly 2,400 years ago, Aristotle wrote one of the defining works of political philosophy in a book entitled Politics. It's still incredibly relevant today, particularly what he writes about tyranny. The ancient Greeks used the word 'turannos', which referred to an illegitimate ruler who governs without regard for the law or interests of the people, often through violent and coercive means. Aristotle attacks tyrants mercilessly in his book, and clearly spells out the criteria which make a leader tyrannical. You may recognize a few of them: 1) Artistotle suggests that a tyrant rises to power by first demonstrating that he is a man of the people: "He ought to show himself to his subjects in the light, not of a tyrant, but of a steward and a king." and "He should be moderate, not extravagant in his way of life; he should win the notables by companionship, and the multitude by flattery. " 2) But once in power, a tyrant uses all available means to hold on to power, including spying on his people: "A tyrant should also endeavor to know what each of his subjects says or does, and should employ spies . . . and . . . eavesdroppers . . . [T]he fear of informers prevents people from speaking their minds, and if they do, they are more easily found out." 3) Furthermore, Aristotle tells us that a tyrant thrives by creating division and conflict-- "to sow quarrels among the citizens; friends should be embroiled with friends, the people with the notables [the rich]. . ." 4) Controlling the economy and stealing the citizens' wealth is also another mark of a tyrant: "Another practice of tyrants is to multiply taxes. . . [and] impoverish his subjects; he thus provides against the maintenance of a guard by the citizen and the people, having to keep hard at work, are prevented from conspiring." 5) And as Aristotle points out, a tyrant also attempts to disarm the people such that "his subjects shall be incapable of action" because "they will not attempt to overthrow a tyranny, if they are powerless." 6) Naturally, a tyrant "is also fond of making war in order that his subjects may have something to do and be always in want of a leader." 7) Aristotle also tells us that tyrants hunt down those who oppose their power: "It is characteristic of a tyrant to dislike everyone who has dignity or independence; he wants to be alone in his glory, but anyone who claims a like dignity or asserts his independence encroaches upon his perogative, and is hated by him as an enemy to his power." 8) Ultimately, though, Aristotle concludes that "No freeman, if he can escape from [tyranny], will endure such a government." http://thetaobums.com/topic/28815-the-decline-and-eventual-fall-of-the-usa-as-world-superpower/?p=472153 (thetaobums.com/topic/28815-the-decline-and-eventual-fall-of-the-usa-as-world-superpower/?p=472153)

None taken.

That says it all really.

Both the changes themselves and the draconian way in which they have been imposed constitute a gross breach of trust and confidence and are a fundamental betrayal of the founding "principles" of TTB. All but the last handful of my nearly 1400 posts were made on the understanding that I had the right to edit and to post as I saw fit ( i.e. without separate posts being bastardised into something other than I had actually written). Even if the changes are rolled back, I think that you'll find that it's too late for many of us. Trust is a one-way street - once it's gone, it's gone for good.

Both the changes themselves and the draconian way in which they have been imposed constitute a gross breach of trust and confidence and are a fundamental betrayal of the founding "principles" of TTB. All but the last handful of my nearly 1400 posts were made on the understanding that I had the right to edit and to post as I saw fit ( i.e. without separate posts being bastardised into something other than I had actually written). Even if the changes are rolled back, I think that you'll find that it's too late for many of us. Trust is a one-way street - once it's gone, it's gone for good.

Stop what? Stating my opinion? I don't think that's going to happen

They were not timeless - obviously. They no longer exist. And......I'm not imposing perspectives: I'm exercising my right to state my opinion. Got it?

His posts were not timeless.....they were time-limited because he had the freedom to choose. Would you have had the opportunity to have read them at all if he had not had that freedom at the time that he chose to make these posts?

... nor is the past (a place you should be living in).

( )

Neither Krishna Menon nor John Levy were neo-advaitins. Neither Krishna Menon nor John Levy "raked in the money" by writing books - John Levy was extremely independently wealthy and Krishna Menon earned his living as a senior police officer. Finally, I never said anything was hard.

You seem a bit hung-up on books being "academic" (in your personal judgement) One definition of "academic" is : - Scholarly to the point of being unaware of the outside world. See Synonyms at pedantic. (My Bolding) http://www.thefreedictionary.com/academic (www.thefreedictionary.com/academic) Some of us are more interested in the practicalities of exploring non-duality from first-hand experience (as opposed to reading second-hand accounts and debating their scholarly merits).

Thanks.

Yes, perhaps I won't have time to edit "despot" if I can't look it up in my dictator quickly enough .....

I'm unclear about what you mean by "greatest problem for the Wu Wei method accusation"

Thanks for clarifying. So, if I understand you correctly, you assumed that I considered this to be a case of demonic possession and you're pointing out that, in your opinion, it isn't?

Would you care to elucidate?

Am I the only one who finds this a bit disturbing?

They're not my books - they're books by Krishna Menon and his disciple John Levy.