stefos

Let me address each point from my perspective: I. What I mean by the term "effeminate" is probably not what you mean by the term "effeminate." I have no desire to go into a large diatribe about "effeminacy" here. Suffice to say that both sexes can learn from one another and should! II. Songtsan is speaking of "spirit guides" if you read his post. First, let's qualify what he means......What does he mean by "spirit guides?" Incarnate or Disincarnate beings? Second, Exploring, the way Songtsan is exploring, sounds "off" to me. One can explore anything by reading, visiting a particular cultures events (such as holidays) or by speaking to people on a 1 to 1 basis who have experienced or are experiencing certain things, whatever those "things" are. 2 sub issues: A. In my view, this statement: "The root cause is addiction or attachment to flesh forms, namely, that from a young age I wished I was born female." is very telling. Why would a male "wish" to be a female? Something is wrong, in my honest opinion. If I'm a male, experience life as a male not a female. To so do otherwise, without a deep meaning behind it, is silly. Ex. If I walk around with a bow in my hair, Why am I wearing it? B. Next, This gentleman is speaking of "the desire body" which is not physical and as I read his explanation of it, I don't think he understands it's functions.......not that I'm the expert! Basically, he should define what he believes: Is he a Hindu, Buddhist, Theosophist, Anthroposophist, Christian, etc? Each of the types of spirituality I've expressed explains the desire body differently. Otherwise this talk of the desire body is rootless which is typical of the New Age teachings. Stefos

Hi, My opinion: The desire body is one of many "bodies" surrounding the dense physical. You appear to be obsessed with this level of existence. You should take EVERY level of existence as being equally important! Furthermore, being a male, this is how I view sexuality: Being a "man" doesn't mean that one isn't sensitive Sensitivity is what allows a person to enjoy all things Having said that, Sensivity does not mean effeminancy either. Adopting the characteristics of a lady, who naturally responds in effeminate ways which can be characterized as similar in every culture, is wrong. Behaviors are learned however there is a natural expression that both a male & female have. The point to life is not "being a real man" nor "celebrating my womanhood" which are silly slogans but rather uniting both masculine and feminine qualities and being integrated as a person, whether a physiological male or female. Ultimately, we are not the body and should stop identifying our true nature with physiology and it's cultural definitions. I send my love and well wishes to you Stefos

Yes, I will: About over 10 years ago, I did a composite meditation practice which entailed the following in the order described: 1. I did a concentration exercise briefly immediately followed by mindfulness of my breath 2. I then visualized different colors of light entering the chakras from muladhara to Sahasrara and opening them up From Red= Muladhara to Violet = Sahasrara 3. I then chanted the OM mantra resonating it externally allowing the mantra to vibrate my head by opening up the throat 4. I then immediately saw spheres of golden light of varying sizes filling up the room I was meditating in. These spheres were golden and they radiated golden light filling up the room.......This lasted for a very brief time only =1-2 mins maximum but it did "feel" longer. The spheres were of varying sizes of magnitude as well. When I told Chogyal Namkhai Norbu of this experience he said "it is your nature." I send my love to you all. Stefos

Hi C.T. , Thank you for responding in kind. So then, Are the Citipatti associated with any Tibetan Buddhist school or just a type of Tibetan archetype/symbol? Thanks, Stefos Edit: I just found out that Citipati are a manifestation of Mahakala, the general protector of the Kagyu school from which I received tantric teachings.

Hello everyone, I have been very much aware of a recent "peak" of levels of Buddhist intellectualism on this particular sub-forum. While intelligence is needed in all facets of life, much more important, in my view, is this "attitude of selflessness" which should characterize a follower of Dhamma/Dharma. This "attitude of selflessness" manifests or should manifest itself in one's speech & actions, which, of course, stem from the particular state of mind a person is "in." I would kindly like to remind ALL Dhamma/Dharma practitioners in this sub-forum that getting boisterous, pompous, arrogant, being unkind, etc. are DEFINITELY NOT right speech and hence not part of the noble 8 fold path. Along the same vein, not answering honest questions put to one about one's particular view of or within Dhamma/Dharma is categorically NOT skillful means. Conflict resolution happens when people talk openly, honestly, courteously and with love towards each other. I kindly request that all followers of Dhamma/Dharma in this sub-forum would stop being polemic and would restart their interactions with a fresh attitude & perspective about WHY this sub-forum is here and learn to actually love (Self-less-ly) one another. I, for one, have been attacked & belittled when discussing particular topics here. I have questioned particular Dhamma/Dharma subjects vigorously and have verbally discarded particular Dhammic/Dharmic stances that others have held, NEVER DISRESPECTING THE PERSON. I have even been abruptly confronted on minor infringements, such as not quoting someone 100% correctly, with an ensuing backlash and also minimal followup communication from the offended party/parties to ensure that the said infringement was resolved. The point is this: Intelligence & selfless love are the fountain-source of the Dhamma/Dharma Let's try living it and expressing it daily here on this sub-forum because if it's not viewed, I doubt the sincerity and stance of those who called themselves "Buddhists" or purport to "know something about Buddhism." Thank you for reading this. I send my love to you all Stefos

Hi Dwai, Thank you for your kindness in expressing your understanding. I send my love & well wishes to you Stefos

Hi, Here is my understanding: Dzogchen states that everyone/every being is already enlightened! The way to continue in "the primordial state" is to self liberate thoughts & emotions. Dzogchen is the Nonduality of Kadag & Lhundrub or Emptiness & "Purity from the very beginning" (Outside & "Inside" space-time). A Dzogchen master doesn't enlighten us.....A master only "introduces" us to our Non-dual state....That's it. Zen is the Japanese version of the Chinese Ch'an. Ch'an has both a gradual & sudden approach to enlightenment. The sudden aspect of enlightenment is similar to Dzogchen but not the same. The salient difference? Dzogchen says maintain self liberation and you will abide in Kadag/Lhundrub naturally. Zen incorporates "bare looking" and such but it's emphasis is purely on Emptiness & not the "Purity from the very beginning" side. Anapanasati works with mindfulness which eventually becomes meditative absorption leading ultimately to Emptiness but the knowledge of "Purity from the very beginning" isn't emphasized, Emptiness is only. Finally, Zen & Anapanasati work with time in gradual stages &/or techniques to break through time. Even the Zen non-dual training. Dzogchen works with Self LIberation, which is not a meditative absorptive state, which allows the timeless Non-dual state to simply be. I send my love & regards to you Stefos

Hi everyone, I'd like to share a recent experience about "love" that I had today actually: First, the background: I joined an online dating site to supplement my dating potential with others some time ago. I started talking to a nice lady around my age about things in general and developing communication with her. I gave this lady a youtube post stemming from the dialogues of Krishnamurti & Dr. Alan Anderson about Love & Pleasure: I subsequently told here that THIS is where I'm coming from, per se. I also mentioned my spiritual affiliations insofar as Christianity, Dzogchen & esotericism are concerned. I didn't quote any biblical text nor did I quote any Dzogchen text to her whatsoever at first. Today I get an email back from this lady about "us not being compatible" & "Good luck finding love" LOL.........She was not being mean at all. The whole point of me posting this is to say that people's concept of love is just that: A concept. Sexual attraction, dating, co-habitation or marriage is the way the so called "love" cycle goes essentially. My message to her was that love = God & God = love. Furthermore, In the bible, it says that "Love seeks not it's own" which means that love is selfless. Now if God is love it follows that THAT love is selfless...i.e. No "me" nor ego. In Dzogchen, we see that the "self" never was real....The only real thing is the nature of the mind. Again, Selflessness & pure being. So, for all of you who care about being in a relationship leading to marriage or not, ask yourself these questions honestly: Why am I seeking to date a person? Am I seeking fulfillment IN another human being? What does marriage actually mean? Why should I get married? I hope my experience has caused you to laugh & to think! I send my love to all of you Stefos

Hi Mark, Thanks for sharing! With love, Stefos

Sir, hello. The reason I do so is because I have been bruised and crushed and am learning to exchange self with other. Until a person is "broken," per se, they will not be able to bring healing. It's a paradox but a true one. Furthermore: If you are not interested why did you post here? Just don't post anymore. Take care and goodbye HI Bud, You're welcome sir........Thank you for your kindness & sincerity. Regarding the "potion" question you pose: I am in no position to answer a question like that as I am not All-knowing......I can only share my current perceptions with you sir. And that I would do in private only as I have "learned my lesson" on a public forum. Be well and be mindful....It's better than being mindless! I never said that self & love are mutually exclusive Michael.....first off. The answer to your 3 questions depends upon one's worldview, Doesn't it? The Christian answer The Buddhist answer The Advaita Vedantin answer The Esoteric/Occult answer Etc. I have done comparative religious/spiritual studies for over 12 years and have learned about different religions/types of spirituality. Hashem bless you P.S. "And he brought me to his banqueting table and his banner over me is Love" Koheleth/Koheles

Howdy y'all! Soooo....Sri Ramana Maharshi said that silence speaks while language stops silence. SRM meant that the Self is silence. Furthermore, SRM, based on different people's testimonies which I believe are true, is said to have "sent out" waves of silence on & over people which precipitated a direct knowledge of the Self! In other words........He wasn't a joke. Comments please! Stefos

Hi Bud Jetsun, I respectfully disagree and respectfully agree! When a person posits "Love" that "Love" needs to be qualified. To me when I read the Bible or examine the nature of mind in Dzogchen or I look into the nature of Brahman...I see no difference because real LOVE is where the self is not! Period. The bible states that "Love seeks not its own" i.e. selfless Dzogchen says that the nature of mind is perfect from the beginning...that would include selfless Love Brahman is none other than Sat-Chit-Anand......Again no self. You see my friend THE problem is the self, not love. I am the problem.......You are the problem.....nothing else matters until this self gets resolved to no-thing. And yes, wherever I go there I am............Let's pause and think about this deeply....... I send my love (that is affection & care) to you in sincerity. Stefos

I communicate with Luo Dong quite frequently now actually! LOL He's the mack......and I love him. Stefos

Hi Vortex, I don't understand why you've used the same format in questioning as I have. Sir, are you mocking me OR are you being serious? I really do not know. If you're mocking........stop it please. If you're being serious, then here's my offering to you: You assume that there is no "me".....Before you say there is no "me" Can you please define the me you're denying? This is extremely important. Ex. Buddhists says that we are Emptiness or in other schools of thought, Emptiness & Perfection. Christians say that we are Spirits that use the mind, brain and body. Esotericists say that we are small gods, Spirits that is, that use the mind, brain and body towards either continuous expression of being the Godhead in the fullest sense of that word or not. Advaita Vedantins say that we are......Sat-Chit-Anand..Period. We all have a body & brain & mind. The body interfaces with the world The brain interfaces with the body & world The mind interfaces with the world & body & manifests via thoughts/abstractions/ideals/archetypes. I believe, due to certain "metaphysical" perceptions, that we are more than just body & brain bio-chemical "units" as modern materialism would have us believe. So, The "why" to your question depends on the Ontology & the teleology of it or in other words, your question(s) can be answered a billion ways but in truth, there is ONLY one answer which has many sides to it. So there is the paradox! One true answer but with many different facets. Ex. Buddhists believe that being born as a human can be a good thing because only humans can be enlightened. Dzogchen says that the "nature of your mind" is Emptiness which contains endless potential for manifestation & Perfect-in-and-of-itself Christians believe that being born as a human means that God chose you to be born & wants relationship with you and that you become one with God via the Holy Spirit. Materialists believe that being born is either a deliberate or "chance" thing in which you exist & then die. Esotericists believe that you, being part & parcel of God, work on yourself to be more like God, ultimately being God in the fullest sense of the word. Finally, I ask that in the future, you please post something in line with my thread. As it is, you've "hijacked" the thread as it's called in internet parlance. Please don't do it again. Instead, PM someone in private. I send my love to you, (Please don't take this in a sexual way, it is not intended to be so whatsoever) Stefos

Hi Thelemer, Thanks for your insights....they are appreciated. However, I disagree with you and you've fundamentally misunderstood me......Let me "take it from the top:" 1. Love, being selfless, is not optional for me or the world. Period. It is mandatory. 2. This is not "about being dumped and then trying to find 'spiritual' and social reasons to justify giving up on dating and romance?" but rather it's about myself expressing his views because of what he has come to understand insofar as certain particulars are concerned about Love, dating & marriage. 3. I am not "looking for a Professor to student relationship. One where you explain reality to some starry eyed girl. Not a good strategy." I AM looking for a companion with which I can share my heart with and who will listen to my perspective and I hers. The following things have been involved in my life, either directly or indirectly: Being first generation American Having relatives with deep mental illness Being the first person in my family to get an advanced degree Drugs Alcohol Comparative religious studies Paranormal things such as Prophetic words & a Ghost I saw floating across the hallway of my friends home Being a combat veteran of the U.S. Army which I was Suicide Etc. My heart is to be a blessing to ALL people, not just "those I like" and who agree with me. You're right about the hour long video however, she told me she enjoyed a similar video of Krishnamurti and Alan Anderson speaking together actually! That's it friend, My love to you Stefos Thank you

Actually, I wasn't! I posted the video to get her either moving (with me that is) or "Get off the pot." She was moving too slow for my personal tastes......very slow insofar as communicating with me was concerned. To me, this usually means a person is communicating to more people than me. If a person is online, what harm is there to talking? If you don't agree, an adult would say "It's been nice but I don't see things the way you do." End of discussion. Many dating sites are VERY secular without an ounce of spirituality. For example, the particular site I joined give one the option of saying they are "Spiritual but not religious." This sounds like something weird to me............Does that statement "Spiritual but not religious" mean anything? To me, no. I will never bother with another "Spiritual but not religious" person again. BTW, no hard feelings from me...People do what they want to do & believe what they want to believe. Not many people want to investigate spiritual matters. The "dating scene" in the U.S. is very secular and very money oriented. My experience has shown me that many ladies want to have kids and have the man rake in the money while they become "home-makers." As an adult, I don't need a home maker, I desire a companion & someone who'll live life with me. I actually asked to her watch this video (Of Krishnamurti & Alan Anderson) and she agreed to it. I did nothing wrong to this person nor did I say anything wrong to her. Could you please clarify your intent behind this statement & smiley?: "But I'll admit that to most people, you've got red flags all over you in the dating scene :)" Hi, What do you mean by this statement? " We may think we're creating a pretty package for someone to open and discovery something of interest. What they see is simply baggage." Are you inferring that I'm nothing but baggage? LOL Please, I'm not angry......Just wanting clarification. Well, I talked with her about Buddhism and the Buddhist perspective. She stated that she meditated but my suspicion was that she probably did so in a secularized, half hearted way. This person's perspective was, and I quote, "Spiritual but not religious" In her particular profile, no mention of spirituality was mentioned. My profile stated very clearly that I want to be with someone of high morals & ethics. No games. Hi C.T. Where, pray tell, would those be? I only know of Christianmingle. I'm being serious. Insofar as starting one myself, That's a great idea! Incidentally, What do you think about this video on love? Was Krishnamurti right? Thank you, Blessings of Guru Garab Dorje on you!

Hey everyone, Currently I'm listening to Byzantine Secular Music volume 1 by Christodoulos Halaris. He found Byzantine secular music in monasteries and he made the Byzantine instruments and set the music accordingly with proper tuning......Very smart man. The music of my ancestors, the Byzantines, is very different from modern Greek music. Greek Orthodox chants in church are the only things which the secular music can be compared to, nothing else can compare. Stefos

Hi Dainin, Yes, they do seem to have the most complete curriculum. I have both a B.S. and an A.S. degree and don't find any pleasure in either career path: Business/Computers I would like to move to Cleveland & attend the school. After the school, I can "resume" the career or whatever you want to call my job. I've spoken with people who visited New Hampshire, where I currently live, but reside in Cleveland. One gent said that the 3 best cities are: Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati..not in any particular order. People have clarified that the winter is similar to New Hampshire but not as harsh in Cleveland. Columbus, Ohio has mild winters. People have also stated that it's cheaper to live there as well and it is compared to New Hampshire & taxed out Massachusetts (don't bother living there, you'll be taxed to death! Seriously....The drivers are ultra aggressive as well) I really can't keep on taking Fridays & Mondays off but I do need to visit there and establish an apartment there and get going. The problem with Buddhist training in N.H. is that Boston is an hour away and there really aren't any formal training schools for Mahamudra and such...sitting "meditation" yes but anything else is a no-go. Thank you for your insights. Stefos

Hi everyone! Apparently, I was barred or stopped from posting here. I don't know why as I've always tried to be respectful yet firm in my statements to people. Anyway It's good to be back So....Kadag & Lhundrub which IS the state of Dzogchen and Brahman...... How do YOU see the difference? Is there one? Note: I'm not talking about the way or "methodology" of "reaching" enlightenment. Once the ego vanishes....Can one "navigate" through or within THAT sphere? Would "one" want to? This is both a Rhetorical questions and a non-Rhetorical question by the way. Comments please! Kadag & Lhundrub Sat Chit Anand P.S. The Dzogchen practice of "Self Liberation" and the self liberation of thoughts is also being taught by the Bihar school of yoga incidentally in their book Dharana Darshan albeit not by the name "Self Liberation." It's interesting, when one does comparative religious studies, how Buddhist circles and Non-Buddhist Tantric & Higher levels of teaching, share the same practices. Of course, things are different in their framework.

Hi 3bob, No problems sir. Our lil spat is over....as far as I'm concerned. I'm not a malicious person...never was. God bless you!

Sorry Dzogchen doesn't appeal to you. Anyone can contribute here, whether they agree or not. I don't own this forum or this thread. Take care, Stefos

Sorry 3bob for any misunderstanding....I mean that. I've apologized to you over and over. If you don't believe my sincerity, please don't post. You've asked me a question publicly and I posted responses back to you publicly. If you had a problem with me about any ssue, it should have been addressed in private first, not here openly. That easy Stefos

Thanks for the quote.... J.Krishnamurti emphasized "Choiceless Awareness." In Dzogchen this is called Naked Awareness. It is not a practice as such on one side due to no poses, no mantra and no visualization involved. It IS a practice insofar as one must BE Choicelessly Aware and not play intellectual games about the concept of being Choicelessly Aware. Dzogchen states that it is the state "Beyond the sickness of effort"...Effort being mantras, yantras, mudras, visualization of Tantric deities, etc. It's just being "Nakedly Aware." Stefos

3bob, Sorry....It had nothing to do with you AT ALL......I'm just trying to help you understand your defense mechanism. I told you before that THAT statement had nothing to do with you. I can't be any clearer than that. I don't remember the persons name who attacked my but thought it might have been you....And it wasn't you. Please let's move on and past this junk of misunderstanding. Thank you & God bless you, Stefos

Hi, Yes, it is a big deal because it affected you in a particular manner actually....I don't understand why you allowed it to affect you in that way & deeply without at least PM'ing me. The answer to "why I even came up with the idea of "if" is that I don't remember the person who attacked me viciously & categorically UN-Buddhist wise.........It's that simple. Take care, Stefos