futuredaze

It seems like there has been a huge increase of far right sentiment on websites like reddit, that I have been on recently. This could be because now there are more far-right people becoming vocal, but it also seems very possible that more people are starting to gravitate more to the right as a reaction to current events. It is very unfortunate that these governments don't seem to even be addressing the issues, much less looking for a solution. I find it to be quite perplexing and even alarming. If they don't do something soon, the situation will escalate and it already seems quite bleak. Although I am from the U.S., the recent news has made me very distraught, and my heart goes out to Europeans and the refugees who are actually decent people. I don't believe in bad people, but I do believe that ignorance and dogma can corrupt people into doing terrible things. At birth, we are all vulnerable to ignorance and dogma as we grow, especially if we are not educated and a lot of stressors trigger escapism into illogical beliefs. Religion is more than just an opiate of the masses, it is also a psychedelic, or better yet, a deliriant. Good luck getting people to assimilate when they are already indoctrinated in something rooted in very close-minded dogma. I hope European consciousness can bypass the "respond to one extremely bad decision with an opposite but equally bad decision" principle in the coming years. I just read today that in Finland there is a group patrolling a city there. Now, I'd be fine with this in theory, if this group just stuck to people who were being harassed, but it seems all too likely these groups will instigate against people on basis of race alone, without being provoked. It just goes to show people are unhappy with police, government, and status quo. here is the article about the Finnish group, the "Soldiers of Odin" http://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-finland-idUSKCN0UR20G20160113?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

I'm listening to The Growlers. I forgot how good they are... they remind me a bit of The Doors but not in a derivative way. They also have surf rock elements but with a darker sound.

A few pictures I took when I was in Vancouver Island, B.C. in 2013.

Reminds me of Kierkegaard's theory that truth is subjective. Looking at things objectively, there is always some element of uncertainty and disattachment. Once we go inward and gain more self-awareness, we can understand more of how we navigate and relate to "reality," and therefore begin to live independently and create our own meaning out of life that is subjectively true, for us. We gain faith - but not a faith in a dogma or group, but faith in our self and our experience. Truth, for kierkegaard, is not something that is fragmented or indifferent to our being. No, truth is our connection to this world, totally based in our own independence and experience. I think, in a way, this focusing on the ego that has come about with the "modern" age is somewhat of a matrix. To get lost in ego is to get lost in something that cuts apart a person's own experience into small fragments in order to try to understand them intellectually, objectively. That quickly becomes impossible, so people either live with some illusion-framework (whether positive or negative) or get disillusioned and live with existential anguish and confusion. As they say, "the devil is in the details" -- possibly a better saying for the modern times is "the bullshit is in the details." The ego loves the details. However, if one lets go of trying to figure it all out, and instead just tries to understand them self a bit better, they will truly LIVE and have deep, powerful experiences of their senses and feelings. To be stuck in obsessive thinking aka monkey mind aka the matrix, one never really LIVES they just CONCEPTUALIZE. I think conceptualization CAN be helpful, but it must be built on the foundation of experience. Too much concept without experience is limiting and keeps people in stagnation. But then again, some people like having comfortable concepts that help them feel secure in a mysterious cosmos that is always changing. IMO

Pic I took on my phone when I was in Northern California, near the Klamath River. What a beautiful area!

I've been experimenting with mushrooms lately. Medicinal mushrooms, that is. Harvested some turkey tails, but waiting until I am with my friend until I make some tea with them, as she is very into mushroom medicine too. I also have two supplements from Paul Stamets company HostDefense - The daily immune supplement (http://www.fungi.com/product-detail/product/host-defense-stamets-7-capsules-60ct.html) I haven't been sick in the last few months, this may be why. I am pretty healthy in general though. and the Agarikon (http://www.fungi.com/product-detail/product/host-defense-agarikon-capsules-60ct.html) which only grows in old-growth forest, has a lot of cultural/medicinal uses throughout history. When I saw Stamets give a talk in NYC he mentioned this mushroom and I was very intrigued. I do feel a bit more energetic on days I take it, but it is pretty subtle. I think these medicines are helpign with Lyme disease (which I got twice...), but that is also hard to know for sure. At some point, I have to realize that my logic and rationality will only get me so far with medicine and healing and just start to trust my intuition. Peace~ Futuredaze

That is strange, I never had that problem. I grew up on mainstream toothpaste like Crest and it was easy for me to switch over. Are your teeth pretty healthy to begin with, then?

There are plenty of toothpaste companies that have "fluoride-free" options. Chemicals are absorbed very efficiently sublingually (under the tongue) and can go right to the brain more efficiently. This is how a lot of native populations would test new plant medicines they encounter - by holding it in their mouth, and feeling its effects a little bit and intuitively deciding if it is a helpful or harmful plant for them. After that, they could decide to spit it out or eat it, if they wanted to. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sublingual_administration

Good documentary I saw recently about the dangers of fluoride: Another good reference for people who want to try to detox from fluoride/decalcify the pineal gland: http://decalcifypinealgland.com/ Fortunately, a lot of countries are ending fluoridation. Even in the U.S., a few cities like Portland have stopped fluoridating. Source: http://fluoridealert.org/content/communities_2010/

They don't add fluorine, at least not in most places: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_fluoridation Sodium fluoride used to be the standard (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_fluoride), but now this is what they add: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexafluorosilicic_acid

One of my favorites: He who binds to himself a joy Does the winged life destroy; But he who kisses the joy as it flies Lives in eternity's sun rise. William Blake

I don't think there is a better way of handling it. Meditation doesn't mean just the practice of sitting meditation. It involves the awareness we have throughout the day. It is always fluctuating, we cannot control it. We can, however, guide it through skillful action (i.e. meditating, not doing lots of numbing drugs, eating well, exercising, connecting with others, etc.) -- these things will help nourish our awareness. If we can observe ourselves with clarity, and be able to let go of our thoughts, no matter how strong our desires may be, no matter how fucked up and negative our thoughts may be, we can regard them like an annoying gnat in the face - they are there and real, but not a big deal. With meditation, we learn to re-focus our perception from the annoying gnat in the face to the beautiful forest in the background, the textures of the passing clouds, the color of the sky and the presence of the sun. The gnats only have as much power as we give them. From my experience, meditating DOES deal with the root, it just takes a long time and lots of practice. At first, it may not seem like its doing much but that is because it is hard to see what is happening with roots because they are underground. We may assume nothing is happening deeply, which may be true, but it is also equally plausible that change IS happening at a deeper level, we are just not conscious of it. Besides, "as above, so below" - things that are deep manifest on the surface, and things on the surface often trickle down and influence the depths. All the Best, Futuredaze

Yeah I am excited for the new film too. Just a few weeks away now. I never heard that about Jar-Jar being a Sith. At first it seemed ridiculous, but some of the evidence makes it plausible. I am not totally convinced yet though.

Another one I wrote, from a few months ago: the apricot tree must let go in order to grow up, with seeds spreading deep, ancient dreams that sprout in the field of eternal blossoming

Just cooked a meal for the family now that I'm back home for the holidays. Millet + kidney beans + veggies cooked in good butter + herbs and spices. I love cooking big meals like this that are healthy, inexpensive, and lots of leftovers. I am thinking of making some sassafras tea + honey and coconut milk soon. Or is there a separate beverage thread I should post that in?

Feels good. Back when I first started getting into meditation I remember trying some stretches to get into full lotus but eventually gave up and now I just meditate on a chair/cross legged. Doing this has inspired me to keep trying and at the very least, I will stretch my body out good. Thank you for sharing.

Doubt can be good -- a way of questioning assumptions, judgements, and the ego. It can lead to a re-shaping of one's belief system and approach to life. Doubt can also be harmful -- if one doubts everything including their ability to discern what to doubt and what to not doubt. It's easy to get trapped if we stay in the mind... which is why it is good to return to the heart-intuitive center instead of the mind-analytical center. There is simple joy and beauty and insight that happens when we still the mind and experience things in a different way. Sometimes it is good to doubt doubt itself, when we get stuck in it. When doubt controls us we are lost without a guide and question everything, including our own being. When we use doubt as a tool, we can find faith in our clarity and create a certain foundation for experiencing everything. Things will still be a mystery, but our relationship to that mystery, at least, will be something not to doubt.

Mugwort, either smoked or as a tea, can help make dreams more vivid. I'm sure making it into a tincture is a viable option too. The good thing is, it grows abundantly in many places so you can easily forage some.

Eat what feels right. Since I started meditating and practicing qigong, I can tell which foods serve my body and which foods dont. Labels and diet plans are not helpful in my experience.

Ok - so after my cannabis thread, I figured this would be the next step: As someone who has experimented with many different things, I find psychedelics one of the most intriguing. I've seen positive and negative sides of them - experiencing bliss, insight, and creativity, and also extreme fear and self-hatred. From doing too much in the past, I now know how to be safe with it, finding a good dose, making sure to be in a good mindset and environment, etc. I think that people should wait until they are older to try it, since they can trigger latent mental illness that would probably become active in someone's 20s. I also do not think that they are of use to everybody, but those curious should try it and those not curious should not try it and go from there. A lot of people might say that external agents ("drugs" more than "food") should not be relied on, which I agree, and some might even say they should not be used at all, which I disagree with. True, it is essential to build a foundation in one's self in a sober, meditative mindset. From there, I think one can have a good framework for experimenting and relating to substances. I do not look at my body as "me" and substances as "not me" - I look at everything as an interconnected emanation from a mysterious source. I don't think I grow weaker internally by drinking tea, eating a potato, drinking a beer, having sex, etc. - I grow weaker from depending on these things or doing them with a negative mindset or doing them in sort of an unaware autopilot state of mind. Being a human who possesses self-reflection, analytical thinking, and logical faculties, I like to study everything before I put it in my body, and if there is no research I won't mess around with anything. Someone might say "drugs are bad" but then have an addiction to Starbucks frappucinos or big macs. Like many Taoist alchemists, I do not distinguish between food and drugs, they are all agents that can be used or abused (of course some things should never be used) depending on a multitude of factors. I think dose is really important - low doses of psilocybin and LSD, which are more nootropic than psychedelic at these amounts, are found to have creativity-enhancing and problem-solving benefits. An LSD-analogue, which is illegal only because it is an analogue to LSD, can stop cluster headaches which are apparently as painful as childbirth. There were a lot of studies done on LSD in the 50s and 60s, many reporting a lot of therapeutic potential. Many people, well respected, productive members of society, have dabbled with these substances and report life-changing experiences from it, surely some of them must be onto something, I reckon. For instance, when Francis Crick had his "aha!" moment of realizing the double-helix structure of DNA, he was on LSD. I believe that these agents can be very useful, but often people do them too often, too high doses, or with the intention to get "loaded", so they have receive little if any benefit from them. It's unfortunate - we live in a society of excess and escapism, not moderation and self-awareness. Psychedelics can be a ticket to escape or a tool for self-reflection, like going out to a different part of the mountain to view the landscape, instead of just from the town. And like many have said before me, the "war on drugs" is really a "war on consciousness" which mostly centers around economic and social issues, but that is another topic altogether! I am looking for mostly personal experiences, but open to hearing about what other long-term practitioners say too. I've looked at these substances from a Western lens, the chemistry of the compounds and some studies done on them. I'd like to hear more about them from a CTM perspective, involving how they might effect jing, qi, and shen. I have some theories but want to hear other ideas first.

I've been writing a lot lately. Here is something I want to share: Window The window to beyond opens up unexpectedly, and yet… at the right moment. For how long did you gaze outward, thru the geometric glass? Awestruck by the mysterious grace of changing seasons and dancing elements, Enchanted by its infinite depth of ecological diversity woven to raw wilderness, Touched by the subtleties of the sacred, the poetry in nature, the music of life. Seeing this beauty, it fills you with joy and inspiration. Still… as you look across the glass, There is a longing for more- A beautiful dream abruptly shattered by the ringing of an alarm clock. Then one day, you wake up and find the window to beyond is open. Its breeze will guide you, whisper to you, Fill you with peace, blow away your fears and doubts. When you smell the blossoming fragrance, Your senses will awaken the heart, Who knows where it might take you? You will taste the fruit of your gifts destined to ripen. Seeds and fruit we must let go of, so that they may slumber in the frozen dark Winter, only to awaken with gusto in Spring’s fresh emerald renaissance.

Lately I've been wondering about the effects of cannabis and how it is viewed in CTM. I know that it is considered to have medical applications, both in CTM and Western medicine, but I am more curious about its effects on healthy individuals in terms of spiritual/consciousness development rather than physical/health ways. In my own practice, I know that there is definietly a potential for abuse. Many people I know who use cannabis use it multiple times per day, or when they do it, smoke a large amount. This is definitely not good, but I am wondering what people think about moderate use. For me, besides being an aid when I have insomnia or digestive troubles, I find that it can put me in a creative/inspired headspace that is very nice. Not that I need cannabis to be creative, but sometimes I can get a lot of insight or creativity when I smoke that I wouldn't get otherwise, which is a nice side-effect. It can help me process emotional stuff and be gain new perspectives on my issues and life in general. I meditate, exercise, have a good diet, and do other things also for self-work, but it is nice having another tool at my disposal. I try to look at cannabis as a tool, not something that I need all the time, but it can be helpful in particular circumstances. When I don't have it, it's not really a big deal. I'm curious what other people's opinions are, especially people who have been practicing for a while or those who have talked to advanced teachers about it. I feel like it is useful for me, as long as I'm not getting carried away or using it in situations which it is not appropriate (i.e. at work, social situations, when I'm trying to be really productive, etc.). However, there is a part of me that is kind of like a monk and thinks that maybe it would be better if I cut out all drugs totally, ate a very simple diet, and lived a simple lifestyle.

Lately, at the advice of a friend of mine, I've been trying to ask my heart, rather than my mind, whether or not this plant can serve my practice. So far, I have felt a "no." In my heart. Unlike my head, which is usually like "yes, because ___" or "no, since ____", sometimes fluctuating back and forth, my heart gave me a very simple and clear answer. It's hard for my to describe this process of asking the heart, since it is intuitive, but I recommend trying it out!

In my opinion, there is no "higher" or "lower" self. It is possible to connect to yourself by eating a good meal, meditating and having profound insights, walking, even taking a shit. Being open is important. One can be mindful, but if they are stuck in repetitive patterns, they will not grow much until they become aware of how the lack of openness is preventing them from growing. For me, the best way to be open is in solitude, at least at first. There are less distractions. In being open to yourself, you need to be open to the openness (which was hard at first, I resisted a lot of things that came up and had a rough start), from which leads to clarity and stillness. With stillness, the body is relaxed and you can start to be more perceptive of the natural world within you and around you. The voices- are they coming from within or outside? Perhaps they are a fusion of the inner & outer. I don't know too much about Druidism, but I have been interested in the Shaman. Actually, that term is a bit of a misnomer since Shaman refers to a specific group of enchanters/medicine men/spirit workers in Russia I believe it is. In short, the shaman is a bridge between the material and the spiritual. We all have this potential - children with their active imaginations, imaginary friends, are able to tap into it. As we grow up, this way of thinking is looked at negatively, so most people abandon that part of themselves. In mental patients, it can re-emerge and take over their being, leading to spiritual crisis. The spirit worker uses altered states of consciousness to help them mediate between the material and spiritual realm. There are many techniques for getting there, and it becomes a very systematic way of journeying through consciousness to experience new realities and come back with useful insights and passion. Like I said before, there is no "higher or lower" - the body and spirit are mutually interdependent. Sometimes a small change in our day-to-day life can be more profound than any crazy vision or insight. Getting open, relaxed, observant are key to exploring consciousness. Tension prevents us from perceiving the invisible, the subtle, and the voice of our anxieties is always louder than the quiet voice of the wind, the trees, our heart, animals, etc.

I just did a 24-hour fast. It was not difficult and I felt very awesome on it. Lots of energy, positivity, felt like I was glowing at some points. Right before I ate, I got to swim in the ocean for a bit and go on a nice walk, it felt very rejuvenating! I was turned off from fasts since last time I tried a 3-day fast I felt a lot of anxious energy coming up, had sleep problems, so decided to eat 36-48 hours into it to ground myself again. I'll definitely try longer fasts in the future, but for now I think I want to try intermittent fasting most days and a 24-hour fast at least once a month. I don't like to be too strict on myself with diet since that leads to a lot of neurotic obsessions, but having guidelines is definitely important. Rather than beat myself up to discipline myself, I'd rather just try really hard and not get down on myself if I miss my goals. Even though I was always open to fasting, I think my past experiences and deep-seated beliefs (like food=energy, etc.) made me resistant to fasting. However, after feeling the way I did on this short fast I am excited to see what this might do for me in the future. I think starting with a 3-day fast was a bit naive for a newbie, I should have just done a 1 or maybe 2-day fast.