eye_of_the_storm

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I don't believe MPG was suggesting... like come on really? Just examples of failed Practitioners of Qigong seem to be more then willing to have a discussion about their practices I agree with DNB external tools- for internal focus.... I think that basically is it. I would like to address now the work of Dr Emoto... I am sure a number here have come across his stuff... Masaru Emoto (江本 勝 Emoto Masaru?, born July 22, 1943) is a Japanese author and entrepreneur, best known for his claims that human consciousness has an effect on the molecular structure of water. Emoto's hypothesis has evolved over the years of his research. Initially Emoto claimed that high-quality water forms beautiful and intricate crystals, while low-quality water has difficulty forming crystals. According to Emoto, an ice crystal of distilled water exhibits a basic hexagonal structure with no intricate branching. Emoto claims that positive changes to water crystals can be achieved through prayer, music, or by attaching written words to a container of water. wiki Very interesting stuff... so we now have documented scientific proof that ones consciousness does effect its environment... both internal + external. Peace

We are all blessed

Thanks Anamatva My understanding is that if one has a profound knowledge of something... as you defined, being able to explain it in simple terms should be easy / get to the essence of things. What is and isn't possible is yet to be seen The path is as easy or as hard as it needs to be Personally I don't mind Zen I don't believe meditation should be work... I think one eventually comes to a point where meditation is a natural step / effortless effort. Or is called to it... rather then it being a labour it is a responding In the past I don't think I was entirely ready for meditation... One plays music because one enjoys it... feels it...flows with it // it is not work The more one enjoys something - there is no effort / no time - just unfolding Peace

As said, truth is universal. In my reading I came across this and recognized similarities with what I have read from East traditions. Regarding the Greek / Russian Orthodox Church * Theoria is the vision of the glory of God. Theoria is identified with the vision of the uncreated Light, the uncreated energy of God, with the union of man with God, with man's theosis (see note below). Thus, theoria, vision and theosis are closely connected. Theoria has various degrees. There is illumination, vision of God, and constant vision (for hours, days, weeks, even months). Noetic prayer is the first stage of theoria. Theoretical man is one who is at this stage. Theosis-Divinisation is the participation in the Uncreated grace of God. Theosis is identified and connected with the theoria (vision) of the Uncreated Light (see note above). It is called theosis in grace because it is attained through the energy, of the divine grace. It is a co-operation of God with man, since God is He Who operates and man is he who co-operates. http://orthodoxinfo....difference.aspx From Chapter 2 of Orthodox Spirituality: A brief introduction, published in 1994 by Birth of the Theotokos Monastery, Levadia, Greece.

Mizu no Kokoro - mind like water

hmm ^^ cool thanks

I suppose this has been a running theme lately too.... eg: the King Arthur thread Add what you wish folks

I like rain No worries

for example.... would the Uncreated grace of God.... or simply... the Uncreated... take the place of non-being? or Yin aspect perhaps... Theotokos is a compound of two Greek words, Θεός God and τόκος parturition, childbirth. Literally, this translates as God-bearer or the one who gives birth to God; Theotokos is often left untranslated, or paraphrased as Mother of God. (wiki refs) I am noticing this is similar to the Yin aspect of Tao? God bearer... is imagine maybe ... fertile ground, Uncreated, passive... Yin? The Seed is God... the Created..the active? Yang arising from Yin?

Its called a mystery school for a reason hahaha

@ Seth Ananda White Wolf ROA. I don't think you know what you are talking about, very much at all in this thread. Not trying to be rude, but have you actually practiced anything? You are regurgitating what sounds like Christian paranoia... Paranoia... not quite... reflection mostly // my lack of experiential knowing is rather evident by the questions I was asking earlier... though I will speculate upon what I have encountered/read thus far. Some people here are trying to gauge whether or not it is worthwhile/ necessary/ helpful for ones spiritual development.... and how so The response so far hasn't really addressed these As you so highly recommend it and proclaim your vast practice/experience of it... I assumed you'd be willing to share some insight... generally the present generation builds up the achievements of the past... What if all those folks you have read etc... the foundation of your own practice... simply told you to fk off? that is quite alright though... just be clear about it... I'll move on. Devotion is not Vampiric in general, as it charges up the both of you, and creates the connection needed. Your fear sounds like the fear of someone who has read and not practised, and who has then made 'conclusions' based on a bunch of 'ideas' rather than experiences. Fear isn't really a part of the equation... it just appears to me at this time, unfruitful/unwise to connect myself with unknown...not generally but sometimes vampiric entities Devotion to anything other than the Inner Self...The Supreme Reality... is to miss the mark I believe. There are many Nature worship Rituals. Just because you didn't find them in one place doesn't mean that they don't exist, or that you can't make them up even.... Worship... I equate with surrendering ones sovereignty Honour/ Respect is fine Edit for purposes of clarity

Mushin no shin (無心の心) - mind without mind no mind does not exist ... just being fastidious... apologies Scotty: The mind is really the cause of dissatisfaction... The mind can also be the cause of bliss etc We just have to learn to see differently I think...

What the thinker thinks, the prover proves. Life is glorious! mental means is the only means Peace to you Brother.

I agree with theurgys last post Particularly the parasitic element... With a number of systems having been channeled (possessed)? by what? and for what purpose... Worship / devotion only benefits the energy vampire Making contracts with demonic beings etc... who may even take on an angelic persona - will rarely benefit you in the end.... probably not too dissimilar to making contracts with the MOB...haha I don't mean to scare anyone I am hear to say YE ARE GODS.

I have spent some time at http://digimob.forumotion.net/ and browsed maybe 100+ 'occult' books browsed the first chapter or so... to find as OldGreen said... via his friend... the majority of Ritualistic Magic is Black Magic Now some will say.... oh don't be silly... there is no difference between white and black magic.... really? Blood sacrifice is the same as honouring nature? (extremes yes...but it does happen) Seth: Many rituals are purely to set space to Honour and connect with Natural forces, some are to transform the Magician, some are to help one familiarise oneself with the subtle realms...etc Hmm... never came across...honouring nature once in any of those books In the introductions that I read... never alluded to anything of the sort... Perhaps again... I have been unfortunate / or fortunate in my searching...

An error occurred You have reached your quota of positive votes for the day

Thank you for your response Anamatva You intent is good - if my sensing is adequate While I was at this place I was handed a very small book also... washed out green colour with white...A black and white photo of the teacher in the middle...I forget by who...or title sorry - though it was of the Theravada School. I don't think I have read a work more disturbing or self hating... The method he suggested was basically meditating on...his perception of how vile the human body is by separating all its different aspects.... which I do not wish to go into for the sake of everyone here. He went through a step by step method of self hate and destruction.... removing his very humanity. He was raised like this as a child.... This perception is unnatural and far from holistic or healthy in my belief. Regarding humility // There is a difference between humility and humiliation... .... what if I said prostrations were vanity? For a path of truth there is in my opinion too much room for error/ misunderstanding... which can lead to sever psychosis in some. Too much need for clarity... Why so much trust in this Buddha or Buddhas? Like other titles it doesn't really mean much to me... other than the fact that many worship this idea... Do you put as much faith in political leaders and their promises? The reason why the Buddhist forum is so congenial is because it's predominately Buddhist.... they have the same delusion haha just being a little cheeky there. Illimitable are the heroes of the world. All the gods and people in the world, And all the classes of living beings Cannot know the Buddhas. The Buddhas' powers, fearlessnesses, Liberations and Samadhis, And other Dharmas of the Buddhas Can be fathomed by no one. Formerly, following countless Buddhas, I perfectly walked all the paths Of the wonderful Dharma, subtle and deep, Hard to see and hard to understand; Through limitless millions of aeons. I walked down all these paths. In the Bodhimanda, I realized the fruit, And have fully known and seen it all. The great effect and retribution, The varous natures, marks, and meanings, Are such that I and the ten-direction Buddhas Buddhas are untouchable and beyond the reach of the common man? He also speaks of limitless millions of aeons... before he attained (the unobtainable). limitless millions of aeons.... seems rather unobtainable... I think he speak truth here haha Again at this place... to the horror of all present... volunteers/ curious people at the beginning of the path... they were basically laughed at for having the thought of achieving enlightenment... that it was a ridiculous notion... that the path takes trillions of lifetimes to complete.... Those Bhikshus and Bhikshunis, Who harbor overweening pride, The arrogant Upasakas, Upasikas who don't believe, In the four-fold host, such ones as these. Numbering five thousand strong. Who do not see their own mistakes, Deficient in morality, And guarding imperfections, Those of paltry wisdom have left; The chaff wihin the multitude is gone, Thanks to the Buddha's awesome virtue. These people, lacking blessings and virtue, Are unworthy of receiving this Dharma. The assembly is free of branches and leaves; The trunks alone remain intact. Shariputra, listen well: The Dharma obtained by the Buddhas, Is spoken for living beings Through the power of limitless expedients. What is more perplexing In Mahayana Buddhism, the bodhisattva vows to work for the relief and liberation (moksha) of all sentient beings as long as samsara persists. ... but this is already said by the Buddha to be impossible...some are not even worthy.... so how will one ever achieve this freedom? At that time the World Honored One arose serenely from Samadhi and told Shariputra, "The wisdom of all the Buddhas is extremely profound and unlimited. The gateway to this wisdom is difficult to understand and difficult to enter. It cannot be known by any of the Sound Hearers or Pratyeka Buddhas. If it is so extremely profound...and unlimited... why the need for clarity and reevaluation and so forth... If it is so extremely profound and unlimited why is it so difficult to understand? Maybe because its real purpose is to confuse... not liberate. If I was to categorize myself I would say I am a philosopher Taoism is for rebels

^^ hmm brilliant!

I agree with Aaron In this regard. Practices such as karma yoga... repent for your sins Or the cultivating of merit A person of virtue isn't concerned with cultivating merit or repentance I spent a month as a volunteer in my country... Tibetan monastery - Gelug school Firstly the nuns there had never heard of dream yoga... which is suppose to be fundamental to Tibetan Buddhism? + all the grovelling / floor prostrations and bowing to plastic statues...and the llama high up on some huge pedestal I swear one nun tried to run me off the road... hahaha and I heard of a few tales of people losing their minds at that place...? Of which in one account the persons next of kin was called and he was taken home.... no help from senior monks etc I think I will leave it there...perhaps that place wasn't the best example... What I call alien is the 1st 'noble truth'... which is a complete disaster Life is suffering.... awesome way to begin, no? Become nothing... everything is illusion You will be trapped in hell forever.... destroy yourself and be free! ^ I call this: Introduction to Buddhism - Have A Nice Day! hahaha Do you want to see the great trap that is Buddhism... a vicious demonic creation - its insanity is clear The Buddha apparently said.... The mind is everything. What you think you become.... now add a little spice.... Life is suffering? and so it is. Buddhism is slavery... at the very least the west should have nothing to do with it... so much confusion has already been caused by this...so called truth. Christianity is more forgiving....hahah Buddhism says....your already in hell Christianity says... follow these 10 rules... Taoism says... life is good... let us learn to make it more so... in fact... let us live forever! I have taken this position... perhaps it will be considered extreme... I admit I have not read every Buddhist text... but from the ones I have... as you see... my experience of it was not a good one. But that is just my experience

Is this similar to staring into space and the room begins to disappear?