Rara

More, please! I'm hoping you mean how other factors interfere with what one believes should be their good karma? For example, somebody might always be running around trying to do good for friends and family, but they put too much energy into this, so their work life and relationships fall aparts. And their desire to help others is forced and mainly because they want to feel accepted. Therefore, they lose their job and all their money...and because they are not mindful of what they are doing, they are baffled and ask "why does God hate me? I'm always doing what is right!" That or + and - points and once balanced, you can go to paradise?

Oh yeah, and reincarnation is too far fetched for me. Where did this idea even start anyway? Are the origins in Hinduism? Buddha didn't teach a thing about this from what I've seen...

You can always be too nice though (aka pushover) Cause and effect is easier for us to use as westeners. If one is really nice, great. What they could be missing is the self-confidence to say "no" or "enough is enough"...

Once I saw a note hanging out of an atm. I handed it in to the bank and I was thanked. Three weeks later, I was in a rush and left my money hanging out of an atm. I went back to the bank and it had been handed in. I don't know if this was karma, fluke, a domino effect, a butterfly effect. I don't care. But the fact of the matter is, when I am a good, nice dude, I get many returns. What you reap is what you sow

Ok, but what about mental health? If someone is unhappy, images of ocean waves, buddhas etc can make one feel better. And if what you say is so, why do Taoists and Buddhists meditate in temples and near waterfalls?

The reason I ask all these questions is because I notice that setting a mood is important to a meditator. Why is this? In meditation, aren't we training ourselves to be accepting of how things are...so should my meditation be down to preference, or is it more "real" to meditate with whatever is happening here and now? I always feel more pleasant after having a nice steam bath with oils, or a meditation at night with candles. Although I prefer this, I can't help but think others out there will see this as escapism. How exactly is enjoying a meditation any different than having a good time with friends or watching a good TV documentary? All 3 provide a fair amount of stress relief. Then I hear others that talk about the importance of cultivation in meditation. Yet we can meditate as we go about our daily business, can we not? I can't help but feel that "formal" meditations are just a stepping stone, and that eventually we can leave the cushion behind...

Interesting! So we all have preferences! My post below will elaborate...

I don't think I'm too sure what you mean. Though if you think it is bad to inhale, or it will be distracting, I have thought about that...

I find incense and oils help me to gain focus. I guess it sets the scene for me...and my preference is to meditate when it's dark, with a few candles providing the glow. Horses for courses I guess. It's just that the other day, the only time I had to meditate was lunch time and it was very dreary. Maybe I'll shut my eyes next time!

Wow. Like we have "old english" that I can barely read (looks more like German) This thread has changed my perspective a lot ready.

Thank you for explaining further CD. No offence taken, I know what you mean (surely you know by now my wish is to actually learn what is meant by these Chinese semantics, rather than me getting it wrong and coming to my own uneducated opinions...)

This is a problem for me. All religions' sects claim to be the "true" part of their religion.

Oh really? The Priests actually give you the diploma? I mean, they call it a diploma?

This doesn't sound like balance to me. Food should never be not wanted nor addictive. I suggest working to leave the state of mind that separates your "awakened state" and you other state (whatever you decide to call this)

Everyone has to start somewhere! That's why the labels are not very useful.

Who's issuing the diplomas? We never got to the bottom of that one, so until I know, I have to say I'm not even close.

But you can still be a Taoist in these early stages...

I call this a temporary mind-trick. Or possibly an extreme realisation...possibly something that hasn't dawned on you at all until now. Did you take food for granted up until recently, do you think?

I was about to post this in another thread that is already well under way but thought it probably warrants a thread of it's own. So I'm curious. What are people's thoughts on "chi/energy necklaces/pendants/bracelets". I see these marketed as "scientifically proven to show they enhance energy levels, keeping you going for longer" I have a view on this, but just wondering what others think.

Sort of like, how looking at the beach is calming/revitalising?

Oh right!

Hello What other properties does it have other than glowing?

Hi SA. Would you care to explain this further?

Exactly! Isn't "scientifically proven" oxymoronic anyway? Science doesn't prove, it explains processes. So there is all sorts of pseudo-science and word jumbling yet again that confuses the buyer into believing it's got to work. So, materials. My question is, can materials transmit energy into a human by making contact with it? I can see how chemically, tests could show changes in the body from the contact, and therefore brain chemistry. How much is this psychological though? You can get "chi jewellery" for very little money, or A LOT of money. Something seems amiss.

Firstly, I believe that you found information. I know of Falun Gong, but not all Falun Gong will be this mystical. So unfortunately, I have to say, if you can prove such things, good for you, and I would love to see it, as would the rest of the world. It would be unfair of me to not answer you in this way.