Rara

I use baby shampoo! My Dad has used it all his life and at the age of 60, still has most of his hair. I say that's a good run. He has thinned a bit on top, by I blame the stressful civil servant job he had for that. My brother has had even worse health (and hair) problems and he followed in his footsteps. Plus, he used other shampoos, so yeah, no wonder he lacks energy and hair. I, on the other hand, don't bother with the "good job" that isn't meant for me, and wash the hair with "Johnson and Johnson" once every two days. My hair is big, wavy and tough as rope! Woop! The forum wouldn't be the same without them

The two paragraphs here appear as a sweeping generalisation. Yes, I do understand where your perspective is coming from, but that's not really to say that, despite the stereotypical dopers, that this is absolute proof that psychedelics can't be used in conjunction. Furthermore, I was merely saying that I've met younger people with more wisdom than some older people. And vice versa of course! Younger sober people too, for that matter. In regard to your last paragraph, you did say there are some exceptions...thankfully In fact, I invite you to suggest some examples of those few you speak of that have gone from a drug-taking base to these more "traditional" methods/evolution....

Looks like I'm going to be practicing both ways from now on

You might enjoy this ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf9eGUWGtyo

Cool, I think I'm getting this. So the slight tension is supposed to ease somewhat over time? The key (as always) is to not worry...haha I find my chin dipping too. I suppose the constant reminder to keep the chin up is just the same as any other mindfulness/posture training....

Yep. That's what we're all planning...but every time we just so happen to stumble across some more. Woopsy! haha

Yes, I understand the counting things...that's all good. As for the open eyes, wow. Must be because I'm not used to it...it just feels wrong. I'll persevere and see where I end up!

Oh, right, I see now. What Carl Sagan covered (I only watched COSMOS for the first time ever last year!) Going back though, the big bang is still only a theory though. however, it is interesting how the experiments do lead to a sensible theory and also, I believe there is some sort of catalyst involved? Almost like someone had to observe this in order for it to happen (someone is going to have to help me out here...I think this goes down the quantum physics route!) That opens up a God possibility. Or even that we are all made up of this one, ever expanding consciousness that is space, the starts, the planets...and us...the universe. Aaaaaaah. I quite like the idea of science and religion working together on an understanding.

I was like "meh" with this whole story. Just didn't surprise me in the slightest...I mean, it's Jolie after all. Lol

That brings light to my day. Always good to have a gentle reminder! sounds like a great experience you had!

Thank you for the starting point! This will keep me occupied!

Interesting as Tao led me to Buddhism just over a year ago. And the more I think about this, the more I see similarities due to one conclusion... And that is there is so many schools of Buddhism teaching different things, so how can we ask such a question?! But if you take the straight philosophies to Lao Tzu and Guatama Budda, then both are just tales of a man's exploration and findings. True, philosophies differ at their cores (see vinegar tasters painting) but the way I see it is the moment you buy into any sort of dogma, from either philosophy or religion, immediately there will be more and more differences with others. I don't care much for a label, because if I say I'm Taoist or Buddhist in conversation with someone, that immediately prompts further connotations or suggestions of a belief system. People may assume that I'm an anarchist, or that I believe that if someone is bad, they will be an insect in their next life etc etc. But really, the philosophies are designed to send us on our own way and to find truth for ourselves, no matter what the "religions" say. At the end of the day, there is only us having this unique experience...so really, we shouldn't get caught up in similarities or differences...because once we have made our choice to soul-search or what have you, then we shouldn't really need to hold a firm belief, right?

Caffeine was a nightmare when I was 16/17...I used to drink lots of coffee with two sugars each time. I saw myself getting cranky when I needed a fix, and somehow, I managed to just kick it by going cold turkey. I convinced myself through affirmations that water was MY thing. Then I just began a water addiction. But at least it wasn't as bad. Fortunately, I never quite got into things like Red Bull as I grew up in a time when high caffeine drinks were just coming to the market. I enjoy the odd Monster but only when I've had an unexpected lack of sleep and have a lot of work to do the next day. As for sugar, I've never kicked it. I love it too much. However, I am very active though so I find all sorts of ways of justifying it to myself. I eat very healthy anyway...I cook all my meals from scratch and get fresh meat from the butchers and eat lots of greens So if I'm running about all over the place, and exercising a lot then I just see it as replenishment. But I do go a bit overboard from time to time. The other week, I had 4 beers, 6 lemon cakes, 9 dark chocolate biscuits and 3 hobnobs in the space of a night. I was s***ing everywhere the next day! So yeah, try replace the caffeine and if you do eat a of donuts/brownies/cookies or whatever, well first, try and make it something not AS bas as donuts and then use that sugar as fuel perhaps? Just an alternative for one that doesn't want to fight the addiction...there are other ways imo

Yes. Since my experiences, some have told me they truly were experiences with other worlds/times/dimensions and others have said it's just my mind sorting things out. or maybe it's both? But the more I keep asking the question, the more my head hurts...so just let it be and enjoy and be grateful whatever you find. It can be a good tool to letting go at the very least...that what I found. Yeah. Being attacked by demons was certainly not on my wish list!

Wisdom comes from experience. The amount of naive and ignorant oldies I've come across!

Cool response. I like my pot a bit too much, and I also meditate (only when sober) I personally see no problem...but people are always encouraging me to stop with the pot and the meditation should take over. But surely this is down to the individual...I mean, I'm not a big fan of alcohol...but I do like to let my hair down in some shape or form! (my hair has a life of its own...it can be any shape or form on any given day) I do thank pot and certain music like Marilyn Manson (1996-2000) and Tool for taking me away from conformism. Would I quit those records? Nope...they were key to my development...so I think the use of drugs should be treated the same way until you do just fed fed up with it... As for the negative states of mind thing though, yes, I vouch for this. I had bad anxiety last week and not even a smoke could calm me down nor help me sleep. Even when I did sleep, it was a rough short one. When there is no escape, you have to face the problem at hand...and for me, I learnt that meditation is the solution. Only then can I accept what's happening there and then...the pot just makes me feel high WHILST I'm panicking. A bit like pouring petrol on a fire...

Something from the outset that how most Taoists summarise it. However, reflecting, WHAT IF WE'RE WRONG AND WE WERE SUPPOSED TO JUST SHUT UP AND LISTEN BECAUSE THAT STUFF IS TRUE?? Dunno, could still be the case. You never know

N.W.O !! Lol. I've gone round in circles and then more circles with this...who knows? But from what I experience, it just seems to be usual human nature just needing a purpose, a way to control or a way to have hierarchy. It doesn't necessarily have to be anything sinister...just we highlight the most sinister examples. People just seem to have the need to create stuff and make meanings out of things. It's just what they do...it makes them feel good. Then such stuff gets misinterpreted and someone else wants a piece of the pie etc etc. Oh, billions of people this is...so yeah, no wonder it's such a shambles. Have you ever taken one of those trick tests that are designed so that everybody comes out with different answers, despite the questions all being the same? I can't remember the name of them, but they highlight that we all interpret stuff in our own way. Based on this, I would say there is not just one meaning to religion, but a hell of a lot which all all come together and formed something that is perceived as a handful of full, well-rounded beliefs, but when picked apart, just leaves a splat of confusion all over the floor.

Nettles haha. Dry them out for nettle tea. Bit of fresh lemon in that when you have a cold and in two days you should be fully recovered

Really? Where can I red more on this? The science research that is...

Now I'm starting to think is it a bad thing or not to be a commitment-phobe? Put it this way, I have a list of things to do. Today, I can't be bothered...tomorrow I might be, maybe Friday I'll be best motivated. Who knows? But what if I need to do those things today (by request of a client, for example) ? My brain is saying "f*** 'em" but I know of the consequences if I do. So I begrudgingly do the work... Doesn't seem healthy...but I have to accept that there are some things in life that just need to be done...like you say, to pay the bills. Hmmmm....

I say the body is a plane that we ride...that is all. How much we KNOW this, depends on how much we ask this question of ourselves. Hence your question in this forum The more we know, the more we control the plane and accept when the plane is ready to crash. Others know that they are going to die, but they do not really understand it...or they are scared of it. So they mask it and forget about it until one day it hits them. Some will be disappointed that they didn't do more with their lives, and others will lye there in fear because they're attached to this world and don't know what to do now that they're about to lose it. But yes, we're here, and when the body goes, we'll be elsewhere...but what does it matter. We can't stop it, can we?

Oh my. Check out "Sam Harris on Free Will", Youtube. This is a right mind bender!

That moment when black and white become indistinguishable and the symbol itself is just a whole... Just like we could be perceived as separate beings...or within on "whole" These days I can't meditate on just "happiness" for example (well, depending on current circumstances of course!) because with just happiness, there is also suffering...therefore separating the two causes imbalance....it leaves us chasing one or the other. Fascinating.

Yeah, funny. This only just sank in a few days ago and you've just echoed my thoughts It's amazing how deluded we can be even when we tell ourselves we're not! Thank you...this is very encouraging and I feel that these words will help me especially in my current state of confusion! @Marblehead Yeah haha...I think what I'm trying to get at is that I find myself running into these situations daily (not physical fighting of course) and then I reflect now...I did create every day that I have, so I can only fix that myself by er, pulling off the motorway and driving around in the countryside for a bit (as long as we're still using metaphors) Bless this forum! Deuces.