i am

You may or may not get much traffic here, as there is already a book thread in that sub-category of General Discussion.

I haven't and won't put anyone on ignore. You're not one of the people I'm referring to anyways. Actually almost all of us around here can be that way occasionally, but some people just bring it with them everywhere they go. I notice some people here are very good at avoiding the threads that go south.

Yah this is a great place. When I get better at ignoring argumentative people (like myself ), it'll be even better. There are occasionally serious life altering discussions, actually about a practice instead of just arguments, and I'm trying to focus more on those, even if I have nothing to add to them.

That's cool that they hiked up to the top of golden top at the end, even though there's a chairlift that takes you all the way up. I liked it.

Sorry if this has made the rounds already...

I posted about this documentary a few months back, and someone mentioned it had already been posted earlier. I agree its a great documentary. I've even eaten with a couple of the instructors in it, up at Purple Cloud Palace in Wudang.

And if you didn't like that, you're sure not to like this! Sorry ipad won't allow actuall imbedded videos...at least I can't figure it out.

I've been liking these a lot the last few days. I like the indie crossed with bluegrass stuff that's coming out lately. Most of it...

That's great. I went through the whole Rolfing series, and you can believe I learned to relax my body, even during pain and anticipating pain. Very intense experience, and I almost think learning how to do that helped me as much as the actual Rolfing...

There were people who in a way asked for this, because of people who regularly completely remove evey one of their posts from topics because they get mad, or rethink what they wrote. I don't remember the thread but I've seen this brought up, so the change was absolutely not "out of the blue". I'm on other forums where this rule has been implemented. They continue to flourish. No biggie. So...I'll admit I voted for No, don't change it back. But that's because I see people using the edit button too much, just because they don't like the direction a thread started going, or they got upset and said stuff they regret. I treat this forum like real life. Can't take back something you said. I edit grammar, but not much else. I leave what I say in print, and post again with an apology or correction. Just like in real life. This is a conversation, not a novel. 99% of my posts that have been edited are because the only way to get my ipad to recognize paragraph breaks is to post, edit, hit enter a few times at the end of my post, and post again. However I can see some more advanced members deciding that they wrote too much, explained an advanced practice that isn't smart for someone to try without being directly guided, and wanting to edit that out. So I guess I'm in favor of allowing unlimited editing, but wish people would use the edit button with moderation and thought. I completely fail to buy into the civil rights/freedom argument.

And still you show your lack of abiltiy to see beyond your own little mind.

Ah, and we were just starting to have a nice conversation... I admit that I'm my own person with my own ideas of normal, but the OP sounded to me like an extreme. And suddenly people are defining this extreme as normal. And since when were those heavily into cultivation in line with normal society anyways? And if, because cheating happens all the time, that makes it ok, then I'm not sure what morals and ideals are good for. Plenty of not good things happen all the time. But they won't happen cause of me, as much as I can control it. Random sex with strangers? Fine, totally cool. But if you're into random sex with strangers, don't be in a relationship. Isn't that simple? Or if you want both, you better be honest with both parties. If I want to sleep around, why would I have a girlfriend? That would just hurt her. So it's really pretty simple. If you want to sleep around, do it, but not behind anyone's back. Honesty is a beautiful thing. I know a couple guys who, when their marriage ended (and NOT before), started sleeping around a lot. They were very honest with any girl they took home, that they were not interested in a relationship right now, and laid out where they were coming from. How they do this without ruining the mood I'm not sure, but they've got it down. The girl then had the choice to accept the conditions, or walk away. Of course there's still a chance of getting attached, but no one was cheated on, everyone was on the same page, and everybody got laid. Why is that so wrong? Is that Puritan? Do I have to be cheating on someone to be enlightened?

Agreed, but there's a difference between sleeping with someone much younger, or someone "illegal", and being attracted to small children. One is more just general ethics, the other is seriously wrong. I can see testosterone causing you to sleep with a 16 year old. To "sleep with" a 6 year old takes an illness...that's not extreme lust. That's sick. But yeah, I hear you. I finally started "thinking with the right head" on a reliable basis probably 5 years ago. I love it. If I want to get turned on and focus all my energy on sex, I can. But it's a decision. When there's some girl after me and I know she's NOT good for me, but hey, she's kinda sexy...I am in control, not my hormones. Saves me and everyone else a lot of grief. I can now go about my day with higher ideals in mind, not taking part in the "monkey dance" (from Meditations on Violence; great book) ie alpha male games, and make clear headed decisions. So if I'm attracted to a girl, but also think we're compatible and would be good for each other, THEN I can act. I can still see situations where "casual" sex would be ok and healthy, even though she's not someone I want to date, but its a bit more rare.

Ah, utopia... And all these people pursuing their spiritual goals would earn money from..? There apparently aren't enough jobs to support people now. What do we do when there are even less?

Since I've been involved in a bit of a "restore" project lately, I've been spending a lot of money. Given myself permission to spend money. It's amazing, once you've done that, how many things you can find to spend money on! They're everywhere. I'm just now finally scaling it back, reigning myself back in... Spending money is a habit. Not spending money is a habit. When you get used to NOT spending money, its amazing how many things you don't need to spend money on! All the shit you see people buying and you have to hold your tongue..."don't you realize you don't need that?!" I even mean simple stuff, and good friends. Not necessarily big screen tvs and all that, but just simple stuff. And people think they "need" it. It's really in their mind that way, even though if they took two seconds to think about it, they'd realize that they know they really don't. The only way I've allowed myself to confront people on this, and I don't know if they get it or not, is to bring up made up situations, off topic, and just make the point that you shouldn't lie to yourself. Stop deceiving yourself. If you want to be wasteful, be wasteful! But don't convince yourself that you aren't being wasteful. "I've heard that dishwashers are more efficient than hand washing anyways, if you fill them up all the way". Do you fill yours up all the way? "We'll, no.." Don't deceive yourself! If you're lazy and want to use a dishwasher, fine! I do wasteful stuff too. But decide "I'm ok with this", or not. Don't try to trick yourself into thinking you aren't being wasteful Not sure why I used that example but it fits the conversation, mostly...

Dominicus, the first post of mine you quoted above with the "I'm sorry" and straw man stuff was directed at alwayson, not you. What I understand of what you're saying, I pretty much agree with. People who molest children ARE sick, and I'm not sure testosterone has anything to do with it. Not that you would have brought it up...but with all your lust I don't see that you were molesting children or raping...I mean no one makes a decision that molesting a child is a good idea. They somehow can't help themselves...and so the very slippery slope and difficult argument about what to do with sick people and what sort of "punishment" they deserve...I don't know how I feel about it but I know I don't want people like the walking the streets.

Glad to see your true colors come out! You can't debate a point, you can only quote others and give out what you think are insults. Funny. Well, I'm done with you.

Now that's just silly and childish; stick to the issues. No, is the answer. I'm supporting the choice to change an unhealthy lifestyle, and genuinely interested in what the effects of the blockers were. I don't support the use of any pharmaceutical to address an issue, except as a last resort.

And healthy, I'm sure. I'm sure they're all on the path to enlightenment, and the people you've quoted would approve of their lifestyles . What are we debating here? Lets define it. Because I don't look to college kids for cues on how to cultivate. Its cool that I guess they've clearly thrown off their Puritan brainwashing shackles, though. If you really think that what the OP describes in the OP is good, healthy living, and that his desire to change those habits is only because of his brainwashing, then I have nothing to debate with you. That's not what I've been talking about. It just seemed to me as though you came into this thread with your mind already made up that this was a guy with puritan guilt, and you were going to preach your argument against it no matter what the post really said. When in reality, this was a case of an actual unhealthy excess, which was hurting people around the OP and certainly not helping him. Again, if we really have such different views on how to lead a spiritual life, there's not much left to debate on this topic.

This all seems totally normal to you? I'm sorry... Funny you mention the straw man, as it seems to me that's exactly what you're doing here

I'd say the best beginning is to be aware that every choice counts. That's a huge start. Then start working on making sure each choice is the correct choice...But it all starts with awareness, and intentions do matter.

Back on topic, though, and sorry if you addressed this already: So other than clear headed and all that, I'd be interested to hear what the rest of life was like. We hear that it's the harnessing of sexual energy that you use to further your practice. I don't know how testosterone relates to sexual energy... But if you were doing any energy work, I wonder if it suffered much with testosterone blockers? I've always figured that my mental state (somewhat unique among most people I know, but nothing special in this community) was due to low testosterone. But the times I've mentioned that, female friends of mine have commented that they would not assume that I have low t. So who knows. Maybe it's more my upbringing that gives me my attitude, and not hormone levels.

Yep, 12V DC. It's a tiny RV, and just has a converter, no inverter. Thanks! When its time, I'll shop around. I have a friend who started a solar installation business, so I'll probably just "hire" him.

Convert that to DC and my rv could stay off grid for quite a while! I'm looking into a solar setup. Just need to get the rest of the thing put back together first.

I don't necessarily think I can "reinvent the wheel", but I don't believe that because some enlightened guy or gal connected with the essence way back when that if and only if I get a "transmission" that can be traced back to that person, will I then and only then be on a path. The essence of that transmission ought to be floating around out there, for all to connect with. And it's not human-based. But I'd agree that without a teacher who actual has real experience to guide you, it's a lot easier to get trapped in kultivation.