Rara

From what I've heard, yes...they don't want people practicing such things apparently. And I guess those are healthy, useful organs.

A man once handed me a leaflet on this which had a link to a petition that I signed. Not to sure how it could possibly help in a corruption scenario but I guess the thought is there :/

I wouldn't personify it unless we're speaking in metaphors. Otherwise, it just does what it does

I like this post a lot... The answer is yes. They are cool, calm and collected, yet focused. My opinion? Even without spiritual cultivation one can get there... ...after all, it's all cognitive from the start. I guess that's how the successful secular meditators get by too

Yep, I remember this experiment. 2-4 always left me salivating and getting distracted trying not to choke. I say go with the "consciously relax/point 1" deal.

This is true and maybe the boot-camp attitude is helping you make the right changes? I can be quite hard on myself like this too. My Dad is diabetic and we have a history heart attacks in the family. I'm 27 and have worked up to a strict 4x a week workout schedule and sugar cut. My Dad waited until his late 50s when his doctor told him he needed to make drastic changes. Keep up the good work, but never get down about anything. Remember to treat yourself every now and then (maybe with something non-food related) I treat myself with holidays and maybe soon football (soccer) games. Refreshing rewards for me.

Wow, a true music fan right there. I'm a supposed musician and I don't think my collection is even 10% of that. Then again, you've been around a lot longer And I don't think I'm all that into music any more. That too.

Indeed. And I too was attached to Daoism and Buddhism. I realise now that it was my own lack of accountability in life...the need to be mothered by something. I see this as important though, and inevitable in the early stages of cultivation. We all have to start somewhere and these extremes are probably neccessary at first if somebody needs to turn their life around. But then there comes a point when you gotta say "I don't think I need to be so hard on myself anymore" I know what it's been like to going from a sheltered family to being away with very little money and no job. You learn all about yourself and how little materialism means in such situations. Now I'm in a much better place so I think "sure, I guess it's ok now to strive towards a few things". The old "me" would take it all for granted, and certainly wasn't ready! But yes, I was attached to "not having" In hindsight, I too was ignorant and mocked those that "had". Now I feel that a lot of those that "have", probably deserve it. Not all, but a lot I'm currently attached to my fiancee. I'm sure she would be upset if I wasn't haha. Life is good.

Human construction is a wonderful thing

This.

On the harrassment part, all I gotta say is that you can't help how you feel. Once you felt angry. Then there was sadness when you learned these people were suffering. You remind me of the stereotype compassionate warrior The best thing to know is that there was nothing you could do to prevent the suffering.

I was always a bit hardcore with the whole "I don't want a mortgage" "I don't need marriage" "I don't need a pension" These days, I'm the opposite. While the above statements are correct, it's certainly nice to have these things. After all, if a house does get paid off, any furure kids will be in a better spot regardless than if I never tried...

Jump up and down like a spartan. Huff and puff. Psych yourself up dude!

Fair enough. Hehe.

Fair enough

I would say cutting fruit for a bit would help....worked for me

Yo, I used to have a HUGE sugar problem. My main motivation for kicking the habit was learning about the hereditary heart conditions and diabetes in my family. I was never too big on soda, but chocolate....MY GOD! The work-around? Brainwashing myself with social media of my favourite athletes/sport people. Subscribing on Youtube to various fitness and wellbeing channels. Basically, I pick role models and research their diets and try my best to copy them. Like, obsessively. It's done the trick now. To satisfy my sweet tooth now, I have a daily "Trek" protein bar. Sugar free with natural sweeteners. I have the odd bit of honey here or there but my diet is now mainly meat, vegetables, oats, and potatoes or rice.

Lol, look, if you want to understand wu wei, The Tao of Pooh puts it very simply. Jeeeeeez.

Actually, I like the whole "being useless" routine. By the time they come knocking on your door, be so ignorant to their reality/version of events, that they give up on you and move on to the next fool

I'm not totally in agreement with "negative" energy of food consumed. Mind over matter however... For example, if one can smoke and not get cancer (which I would say that if you fear cancer because of anti-smoking campaigns, you stand more chance of getting it) then you can eat supposed negative food and not feel/experience the effect. Ok it's bro-science, but the power of psychology is pretty well tested.

You're hired....I kinda don't know anyone with ANY skills.

+1 I'm not alone!! Yay!

You had better PM him.

Worth looking at. I've been invited once...I know a couple. Didn't seem like my cup of tea though. It means showing up to stuff and I'm not into all that.

Amazing. Fuck 'em. Let them sit in their misery